Lorekeeper
And Pun-isher
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Mage Class Hub
Introduction Splash
quote:
Magic is a vast expanse of knowledge, the exploration of which consumes many ambitious minds in the pursuit of great feats. Most of its specialists have the luxury of years of scholarly preparation before being truly put to the test, but you -- Whether you had this benefit or not -- can't settle for one specialization.
To practice the many different spells that make an adventurer's life easier, you need a solid grasp on the ones that keep that life from being cut short. Plainly put, the spells that make other people and monsters fall down.
In Battleon, everyone recommends turning to Warlic to buy such spells. You can think of no better person to point you to a better education as an adventurer and...
Mage!
Hub Dialogue
Greeting
Standard:
Warlic: Sorry if I'm a bit frazzled, it's a busy time. Let's see what we have prepared for the next lesson, shall we?
Master Class requirements met:
Warlic: Ah, hello there. Let me finish this quickly... You know what? No. It's not important. To be honest, traditional alchemy is mostly just my way of getting away from everything. I'm happy to make time for you.
Class Quests
If Class level = 0
Warlic: Good day, <<You>>. How can I help you?
<<You>>: Hello, Warlic. I've got a bit of a different request: Do you know where I could go to get some practical lessons as a battle mage?
Warlic: That's a little broad, but I can think of several places that suit your interests. Ideally, I'd say you should spend some time in Deren, but if you're not looking for a formal education... Hm. That narrows it down.
Warlic: There aren't many wizards who will offer you an informal education on destructive magic or adventuring utilities without a strict apprenticeship. Even with my recommendation.
<<You>>: Yeah, I understand. Not everyone would be interested in slowing down their own work for years to take on a random student for a dangerous field.
Warlic: Well, yes. It's rather difficult to keep up with your peers and projects while also keeping an overeager pupil from combusting. Those peers will also frown on one of them being an irresponsible teacher.
Warlic: That makes more informal arrangements a little tricky. But in your case... Hm. I could make a few lessons for you to practice. While not a full-blown mentorship, it'd set you in the right direction.
<<You>>: Wait, what? Yes, that would be great! It's just a surprise that you'd take the time for me. You must have so many things that you're busy with. How often do beginners get to learn from an Archmage?
Warlic: That's a tricky question in my case. My magical system works very differently to yours, with its own advantages and risks, so the usual definitions don't apply to me. The details are a matter for another day.
Warlic: However, I recognize another keen learner when I meet one. From what I've learned of you so far, you have a very good instinctive grasp of basic mana dynamics. We can work with that.
Warlic: Not everyone can buy a set of spell equations and try them out in the field with minimal study. With that edge, I can give you theoretical lessons and help you find expeditions to practice what you learn.
<<You>>: This sounds great to me, thank you. I can start whenever you want.
Class level 1 through 4:
Warlic: Welcome back, <<You>>. How are your studies going? Do you need to review any arcane theory?
Class level 5:
Warlic: You're too advanced for our old arrangement; I'll need to refer you to someone else for further arcane studies. However, I can make time if you'd like to reminisce for a bit. We might make a breakthrough.
Class Gear
Warlic: You'll eventually be practiced enough to get away with some greater risks in combat, with enchantments designed to aid your spellcasting. For a beginner, though, survival and versatility come first.
Warlic: If you can provide the funds, I can prepare you a specialized outfit, enchanted to facilitate your practice. It won't be the fanciest of robes, but it's better to look like a street mage and survive than to die posh.
Master Mage Gear
(Requires level 105 and maximum level in this class)
Warlic: It's good to see you, <<You>>. I know you might be here on business, but could you spare a moment?
<<You>>: For you? Of course, Warlic.
Warlic: I've been going through enchantment supplies for a while, and I found a spare outfit I had prepared for you back during your lessons. It got me thinking... It's like you just came back from that tower.
Warlic: And yet your understanding of magic has evolved so much. You're certainly a much more fearsome combatant with it, enough that I'd be wary Sila might regain an interest in your potential.
Warlic: But I'm proud to have been part of how you became such an accomplished scholar. If life ever gives you enough of a break that you can set up your own workshop, and you want to take that step...
Warlic: I'm sure that you have everything it takes to become one of the defining minds of your generation. Arcane talent may not seem rare to us, but mastery like yours is a sign of greater feats to come.
Warlic: ...Which is something I'm sure you're absolutely sick of hearing. You might instead treasure the chances for simpler times. But skill creates demand, and it's hard to pass for a simpler mage.
Warlic: So I spent some time improving the defensive enchantments on that outfit. It doesn't have the somatic acceleration or metamagical assistance of more intense spellcaster gear, but it will protect you well.
<<You>>: Thank you, Warlic.
Text box next to the last bubble and the shop button:
quote:
Master Class armors are high level armors with a unique style. They're not a replacement for higher tier classes, but elite standalone armors with upgraded copies of a few skills from the original class. A Master armor isn't a class, but a powerful reward for mastering the original class and reaching a high level-- Revisiting the style and the strongest skills at your current power. The basic tricks of your original training are beneath an expert adventurer, but a hero like you can make the best skills shine again as proof of their mastery.
Master Mage features the Stone Driver and Lightning Barrage skills, with no title requirement.
After closing the shop:
Warlic: If you ever need to fix up or replace that gear, feel free to stop by. I'll always have something special set aside for you. Though I'm sure it'll be more of a wardrobe piece when you fulfill your potential.
If requirements aren't met:
Warlic: I've been meaning to work on more advanced gear for you, but haven't had the occasion yet. We can look into it when you're more advanced.
Popup: The Master Class shop requires a fully leveled base class and a level 105 character
Become a Mage/Restore Mage Class
Warlic: Oh? Are you ready to focus on your studies? Believe me, I understand that an adventurer's life involves *many* lengthy interruptions, so it's no offense when you suddenly need to take a break.
Become a Wizard
(Requires meeting the Wizard requirements and completion of the Mage class quest)
Warlic: You've overcome the challenges that limit most modern battle mages. Your understanding of the arcane is evolving enough that I'd like to refer you to a colleague for a much more specialized practice.
Warlic: I've been corresponding with Jackel Sano about your magical talent and the case of the Silver Tower. He's an expert in planar magic who maintains an outpost in the Ethereal Realm.
Warlic: He can confirm my theory that what you witnessed at the Silver Tower was the result of dangerous overlap with that dimension -- The kind we'd see if someone tried to force an access point open.
Warlic: Sano is interested in tracking down Varnak, while I try to find Xarymandias before any sinister influence does. He's also very interested in taking you on as a Wizard apprentice, if you'd like.
To the Ethereal Realm!
I'm not ready.
If the class requirement is met, but player level is too low:
Warlic: I'm still reaching out to colleagues to find leads on the case of the Silver Tower. A number of mages have had to fight Sila, bargain with her, or both. She's a frustrating one to be sure.
Warlic: It'll take more time to find any accounts that match her possessed behavior. What's even more frustrating than Sila's behavior is that nobody I know seems familiar with the name 'Varnak'.
Warlic: I'm also trying to get a hold of an expert in planar magic or the Ethereal Realm, but I'll need you to further your studies before I can bring you into that. Keep in touch, I'm always glad to see your improvement.
If no requirements are met:
Warlic: How would you become a wizard? Through years of study, research, and practice, normally. Wizards are often solitary by necessity, since it's difficult to trust others with your life's work.
Warlic: There *are* academies out there if you're willing to spend your youth toiling away under watchful eyes, but apprenticeship under an expert matching your specialties is generally faster.
Warlic: You in particular are an exceptionally fast learner. Your field experience has helped you adapt where others get stuck. I have no doubt that you can become an exceptional wizard in the future.
Warlic: Once you're advanced enough, I'll help you find a mentor to begin your path as a wizard.
Reset Levels
Warlic: If you'd like to reminisce about your training, I can set aside some time to revisit those days. Or do you mean that you'd like to review some basic lessons?
Warlic: That could be a good idea as well. The most experienced wizards frequently revisit their simplest spells. If not for refinement, to avoid dragging an error from early lessons to more advanced formulas.
Let's start over / Not right now.
Mage Explanation
Warlic: 'Mage' is a very broad term. People commonly use it to mean any magic user. But then most people also think magic boils down to throwing "elemental energy" forward like a bucket of water.
Warlic: Formally, "Mage" means an arcane magic user at the beginning stage of their practice. Someone studying the basics of mana dynamics and spell construction, as well as the simplest applications.
Warlic: A spell is, in essence, a mental equation. Instructions for mana manipulation that you memorize, then go through in your mind while directing that mana.
Warlic: That's where guiding gestures and mnemonic incantations are useful; you don't need to remember every last detail and calculate everything mentally.
Warlic: A Mage, in this sense, is a beginner caster who strictly works with formulas for what their personal mana reserves can handle.
Warlic: A *battle* mage applies this to the most direct elemental spells, because they're the simplest to memorize and then use under pressure. You can unload a lot of power at the start of a battle that way.
Warlic: Be careful, though, because that comes with its own disadvantages. Forcibly rushing through your reserves will numb your magical system, and you'll have to fall back to other tactics until you recover.
Warlic: There are magical weapons for arcane specialists with no martial training, but those are typically not as potent as a skilled hand. If you're not trained with melee or ranged weaponry, mind that recovery period.
Warlic: Most arcane users stay at this depth of understanding, as learning through memorization makes it difficult to step back and understand WHY what you're doing works. I expect you'll do better than that.
Warlic: Once you're comfortable with what I have to teach you and get some experience under your belt, I can refer you to a peer with more time for a specialized education. Wizardry would suit you well.
Text box next to the last bubble: Mage is a beginner class with an introduction to defensive casting. Low level Mages should use spells, then strictly magic weapons when their MP runs out. Beginner mages should focus their stat points on INT. Master Mages sacrifice some active defenses to use the Fully Defensive lean.
Quest Menu
Class Training
Mouseover Text: Go on a random mission to increase your Mage level!
If Class level = 0, play this dialogue when clicking on Mage Training. Otherwise, skip to the scroll.
Warlic I get a lot of correspondence about magical incidents. It feels bad, but I don't have time to deal with the majority of it, so I pass the less extreme or complex messages to my peers or the Guardians.
Warlic: Most of the time, an incident like this is actually a magical creature's threat or damage caused by magic users, and not actually a complicated magical phenomenon. These might be of use to you, though.
Warlic: I can set aside some incidents for you to test your skills against. Don't be afraid to fall back to other methods if your lessons alone don't bring you victory, but do take notes on how theory meets practice.
Warlic: Every time you've progressed enough in your studies to use another battle formula quickly enough for live combat, I'll find you a case to 'give it a spin'. A lot of it may seem simple, but who knows?
Warlic: You might just discover something I overlooked.
The Spinner's Shadow (Level 5 Quest)
Warlic: There's very little left for me to teach you as part of our arrangement, <<You>>. I must say, were I able to take a full-blown apprentice, I would be proud to have one as talented as yourself.
<<You>>: I'm very flattered. Your lessons have been a great help.
Warlic: On that note, there is one last incident I'd like you to investigate. It's a personal matter, but this situation calls for very specific conditions to approach it.
Warlic: It needs the hand of a very talented and observant mage, but most importantly -- an inexperienced one. A beginner with the keen eyes of an expert. The dangers are too great otherwise.
<<You>>: Those are some weirdly specific conditions, but I can see how they'd be the perfect test for me. What's the situation?
Warlic: I haven't been an ideal example of this, but a wizard's personal workshop is a very important place. A domain with very intricate defenses, prepared over a very long time, to let them research in peace.
Warlic: When one becomes unoccupied, or worse, falls... Other wizards tend to monitor it for incidents. I've suddenly become unable to do that with the Silver Tower of Xarymandias. A place you may not know of.
Warlic: Xarymandias was a mentor of sorts to me. He's a teacher who guides wizards in need, usually under the pseudonym of Brump. He helped me refine my method of spellcraft to make it much safer.
Warlic: The tower of such a knowledgeable mage is VERY secure. And yet, it was once raided by a Naga sorceress known as Sila. She supposedly wished to 'steal his power', and worked to invade his mind.
Warlic: This... doesn't add up. A wizard's power can't be 'stolen' or consumed. It's the product of understanding, not a bauble. But Xarymandias was still in grave danger. He collapsed his own tower upon her.
Warlic: Only the simplest spells give me a glimpse of the area, but those are also the most limited, and struggle with interference. Much like how my mentor mentioned only simple, modern magics deterred Sila.
<<You>>: That part doesn't make sense to me. How does someone who can get through a wizard tower's defensive enchantments and overcome their advanced spells have a hard time dealing with simple magic?
Warlic: It doesn't make sense as a matter of power. And by all indications, Sila should have had no problems with simple magic, but been foiled by the tower. If she's somehow back, I'd like you to investigate.
Warlic: You would be well-suited to stop her, at which point we can work together with other experts to find answers. Nonetheless, be very careful. If it gets too dangerous, flee the ruins and get in touch with me.
I'm ready!
I should prepare first.
Class Training
Scroll: A skilled Mage's touch is needed to investigate a report near <Lolosia/Granemor/Battleon>. According to <Sender>, the disturbances coincide with the arrival of a menace dubbed <Boss>. Our help is requested with solving the ensuing case of <Incident>. I trust that you can get to the bottom of this and test your skills in the process. Remember to keep our source's privacy - A future wizard should treasure their contacts.
Enemy pool: Sea creatures in beach/underwater scenes for Lolosia, undead in Darkovia for Granemor, earth/nature monsters (Dryads excluded) in hill/farmland scenes for Battleon. Humanoid enemies mixed into each pool. All enemies are imbued to attack with the Mage armor's base element.
Stat roll: INT roll for a bonus to spell damage for one turn versus the enemy gaining an elemental shield and status resistance for said turn.
Name pools:
Sender
[
"Steve"
"Blackhawke, who already tried hitting the problem really hard"
"patrols in the area"
"bards who preemptively deny involvement"
"secret dwarf agents who can't get involved without breaking their cover"
"a message from Mercuria"
"visiting Deren envoys"
"local bat farmers"
"elven diplomatic envoys"
"an orcish artificer pen-pal"
]
Boss
[
"Steve",
"Lyrian the Despoiler",
"The Fane-Drinker",
"Karevor the Shrike",
"Heartcarver",
"Cyprinus the Chaosbringer",
"Dalanis the Dragon Pesterer",
"Woe",
"Ley-feeder",
"Mica the Gutrumbler",
"Bronze",
"Blight-Step",
"Iflostre Turntokam",
"Wizard's Thorn",
"The Lady of Pants",
"Sven the Gogg-Lacer",
"Captain Bladder",
"The Flayer in Dreams",
"Mort Gish the Thief",
"Spellsunder Lina",
]
Incident
[
"cattle uncontrollably sneezing lard",
"lightning fleas",
"persistent memory fog about recent storms",
"recurrent dreams about Frost Giants battling upon the northern shores",
"unidentified people appearing in arcane studies, claiming to have always been apprentices there",
"water bodies freezing over in the morning after warm nights with dancing light sightings",
"ravens getting sick of being blamed for humans asking silly questions, and sabotaging their careers",
"strange clouds with spectral limbs and fanged eyeballs, seen fleeing the sunlight before dawn",
"recurrent and increasingly hairy Steve sightings",
"latrine lightning",
"lights and stinging sensations around metallic objects",
"brief pockets of strange weather, followed by sightings of large animals from other regions",
"pitch-perfect, polyphonic choral flatulence",
"bandits turning up dead, wounded with Light elemental scars, and others seeking vengeance",
"literal poetry slams",
"apprentices experiencing sudden jolts when casting in the area",
"wide-area, frizz-inducing, soporific fog clouds making barberians rage-quit",
"a disconcerting frequency of people admitting to error",
"accelerated back hair growth followed by its periodic sharpening and bursts of speed",
"granaries being plundered by disturbingly muscular birds with deep bass voices",
]
quote:
Magic and the Meridians of the Mind
By Xarymandias
(Skimming through this book on the fundamentals of spellcasting, you find most of it too simple to be of use. It's a breakdown of conventional theory and common knowledge for mages. However, you find a few passages of the basics where the author snuck some interesting notes for advanced readers.)
[...]The vast majority of magic users employ mana through what we call their magical system. This is not a physical or indeed visible structure, and requires specialized magic to visualize. Experienced readers will begin to find parallels to cultural concepts such as the Root and the Flow from Interregnum texts, as several cultures had remarkably close models to what modern divination magic can analyze. The parts common to all systems are:
The Reserve
An internal well of mana with a capacity that varies greatly between individuals. The vast majority of magic feats are fueled from this internal reserve, as directly controlling external mana 'on the fly' is extremely difficult. A person's Reserve typically becomes more efficient through years of understanding and practice, as their grasp of mana and their own limits allows them to find their ideal rhythm.
Because of this, it is often associated with the lungs by cultures with a tradition of natural sorcery. A fascinating aspect of the Reserve is that it seems to contradict mana's accepted fundamental properties: If unused for long enough, the mana in a subject's Reserve becomes almost imperceptibly still until expended again. And yet, we understand mana to require far greater (Typically disastrous) events to stagnate.
The Filter
At once the simplest and most delicate part of a person's magical balance, the Filter is what connects the system's other components to each other, as well as the Reserve to the world. This connective element acts as a dam of sorts: It allows ambient mana into the reserve during rest periods, and regulates how much flows into the Core during spellcasting. Those intent on becoming wizards, particularly those with a mind for dangerous field work, should make it second nature to be well in tune with their magical filters and know when to rest.
During ages in which the magical system was believed to be part of a being's physical organs, there was a curiously universal tendency towards associating it with the stem of the brain -- Save for the curious exceptions of ancient Darkovian vellums and Far North relics that depict an association with the heart instead.
The Core
While understood to be the controlling aspect of the magical system, the sheer variety makes it the most difficult to visually analyze. Without the most detailed divination magic, we struggle to unpick the sheer density of this orb-like element. When a traditional magic user casts a spell, mana courses from the Reserve, through the filter, and into the Core, where its user converts the energy into the desired effect through the mental construct of their spell.
This is far from the only way to perform magic. There are many beings with innate magic powers, be it people whose cores develop such on their own, or those for whom magic has no such structure. However, as the most common, it has allowed us to observe a promising phenomenon: Studying casters with a lifelong specialty and those with exposure to certain magical disasters has revealed strongly defined patterns that parallel the position of certain leylines in the world during their lifetime. Perhaps we finally approach the understanding through which draconic works of pre-Elemental War times referred to magic as one's 'inner world'.
Magic 8-ball:
Mouseover: Magic 8-Ball confiscated from a pyromancer apprentice. Only responds to one question. (Click to try it out!)
Click popups:
[
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "Yes.",
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "Of course it is.",
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "In this economy?! Yes.",
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "My child, if it wasn't meant to be fireballed, why is it flammable?",
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "Has it ever been the wrong spell?",
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "Only if it's a day that ends in Y.",
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "How big is the room? Nevermind, you didn't ask that. YES!",
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "Consider a little prestidigitation. CONSIDER it. Then fireball anyways.",
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "Are your allies in range? Are they moving out of the way? Too late, fireball.",
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "It is unless you're out of mana. If you are, get someone else to cast fireball.",
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "CAST THE FIREBALL! CAST IT AGAIN! CAST THEM ALL! I mean yes.",
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "Buddy. I'm. A. BALL. What other spell do you think I care about? Do it!",
"Is a fireball the right spell for this?" "No. TWO fireballs for this one.",
]
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