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    Court Wizard Prestige Class
    Posted on Sat, April 09, 2005 by Dongul
    breetai writes "The court wizards are often advisors and counsel to those in power. Their Knowledge of events and goings on as well as scrying abilities makes them more than competent as agents and advisors for those in power.

    Court Wizard Prestige Class 1st draft
    By: breetai
    Used with Permission. Do not repost without obtaining prior permission from the author. This is the author's first Canonfire! Article. Enjoy, and please leave feedback.

    Court wizards are often advisors and counsel to those in power. Their knowledge of events and goings-on, as well as scrying abilities makes them more than competent as agents and advisors for those in power.
    Hit Die: d4

    REQUIREMENTS
    To qualify to become a Court Wizard, a character must fulfill the following criteria:
    Skills: Knowledge (local) 5 ranks, Knowledge (nobility and roylaty) 5 ranks, Sense Motive 2 ranks.
    Spells: Ability to cast at least 2 arcane divinations spells of 3rd-level or higher.

    CLASS SKILLS
    The court wizard’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (any), Diplomacy (Cha), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), all Knowledge (any), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).
    Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier.

    Table 1 - The Court Wizard
    LevelBase
    Attack
    Bonus
    Fort
    Save
    Ref
    Save
    Will
    Save
    SpecialSpells per Day
    1st+0+0+0+2Knowledge ability+1 Level of existing spell-casting class
    2nd+1+0+0+3Scry 1/day+1 Level of existing spell-casting class
    3rd+1+1+1+3Enhanced knowledge ability,
    Scry 2/day
    +1 Level of existing spell-casting class
    4th+2+1+1+4Greater scrying 2/day+1 Level of existing spell-casting class
    5th+2+1+1+4Greater knowledge ability 1/day+1 Level of existing spell-casting class

    Knowledge Ability: The knowledge ability is similar to a bards Bardic Knowledge ability. The total bonus is equal to the court wizard's class levels plus intelligence bonus (see the Bardic Knowledge ability, pg 28 Player's Handbook for more information). Should a bard take this class, his court wizard levels stack with his bard levels for Bardic Knowledge.

    Scry: as per the scrying spell in the Player's Handbook, pg 274.

    Enhanced Knowledge Ability: the enhanced Knowledge Ability allows the court wizard to gain the effects of an identify spell for the purpose of identifying magic items based on their vast knowledge of magic.

    Greater Scry: as per the scrying, greater spell in the Player's Handbook, pg 275.

    Greater Knowledge Ability: the greater knowledge ability allows the court wizard to gain the effects of a legend lore spell once per day without the usually casting time limitations. This ability represents a court wizards vast knowledge of all subjects.

    "
     
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    Re: Court Wizard Prestige Class 1st draft (Score: 1)
    by Scottenkainen on Sun, April 10, 2005
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    If it's still in rough form, why was it even posted to Canonfire! as an article instead of to the forums or, better yet, the Greytalk listserv first? Is Canonfire! no longer only for completed articles?

    ~Scott C.



    Re: Court Wizard Prestige Class 1st draft (Score: 1)
    by Nellisir (nellisir at comcast.net) on Sun, April 10, 2005
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    It's a bit too good. I'd increase the Sense Motive requirement to 4 ranks, drop skill points to 4+, remove Perform (a minor point), clarify the "enhanced knowledge skill" (right now it sounds like the court mage can cast identify at will and without the 100 gp material component, which is pretty sweet right there), tighten up the greater knowledge ability (I think the guy should have to at least check a book or two), and still potentially lose one level of spellcasting -- preferably the first one. The basic knowledge ability is pretty decent.

    All that said, it's got a nice feel to it.

    But maybe it should've been run through the forums first (here or elsewhere), and posted here after it was finished?

    Also, completely lacks GH content. You should add a GH NPC or something.



    Re: Court Wizard Prestige Class 1st draft (Score: 1)
    by Cebrion on Mon, April 11, 2005
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    Why does an advisor to a ruler need extra special abilities to identify magic items? That makes no sense. Identifying magic items has no bearing on being a court advisor.

    Better to have abilities such as detecting lies or true seeing, or spells that detect or confound scrying so that the advised ruler can have secure meetings.




    Re: Court Wizard Prestige Class 1st draft (Score: 1)
    by GVDammerung on Mon, April 11, 2005
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    I like this and do not think it is too good. Caveat, I would, however, make three changes -

    (1) Only wizards actively employed in the court of a landed and titled noble of the rank of Count or better may take this PrC and if they are dismissed from their position for any reason, they loose all benefits of the PrC immediately. This imagines that the resources of the court are essential for the PrC to function and that only greater nobles (Counts or better) will have such resources.

    (2) The wizard must be able to cast spell of the 5th Level, not 3rd, to qualify. A greater noble will want a higher leveled wizard as a court wizard in almost all cases.

    (3) There needs to be a GH tie. I suggest a limitation on which nations would have or allow their greater nobility to have court wizards. Suggestions - Ahlissa, North Kingdom of Aerdi, Nyrond, Furyondy and Keoland - THATS IT! Maybe the Duke and Countess of Urnst and the King of Sunndi but they would unique within their realms.



    Re: Court Wizard Prestige Class 1st draft (Score: 1)
    by bdpenney on Tue, April 12, 2005
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    Very nice for a beginning! As stated earlier I'd post some greyhawk-related info concerning the class and perhaps listing of some of the wizard's responsibilities. Other changes are as follows:

    REQUIREMENTS
    To qualify to become a Court Wizard, a character must fulfill the following criteria:
    Skills: Knowledge (arcana) 12 ranks, Knowledge (local) 9 ranks, Knowledge (nobility and roylaty) 9 ranks, Sense Motive 6 ranks.
    Spells: Ability to cast at least 2 arcane divinations spells of 5th-level or higher.

    Requirements shouldn't be over-burdensome, but should strongly re-inforce what the class is about. To be a court wizard you should be clever and keen to the wiles of others (Sense Motive) and incredibly knowledgable in matters of state and nation (Knowledge: Local, Nobility & Royalty). Finally, Court Wizard shouldn't be something you should be able to attain until you have proven yourself to be more than just a dabbler. Requiring only 3rd level spells is too low: the character is still young and early into his career. Requiring 5th level spells means that the character has proven himself and has accomplished a high degree of mastery over the magical arts; something that should be absoluetely necessary for the a king's authority on magic.


    - Decrease skill points/level from 6 to 4. This class should not receive the same skill points as a Bard and -more- skill points than the Loremaster prestige class. As this is a Wizard class, and Intelligence is the prime attribute for Wizards, skill points of 4+ Int bonus are more than enough (and 2+ Int Modifier would still be sufficient).

    - Scry: How many times daily can he use this ability? At will is too much.

    - Enhanced Knowledge ability: Limit this to once per day (at least) or a number of times per day equal to his Intelligene Bonus (at most).

    -Greater Scry: Again, how many times daily can he use this? Limit it as at will is too much. Once daily (at least) or a number of times daily equal to Intelligence Modifier (at very, very most - and I'd see this as extreme).

    - As Court Wizard, one of his advantages should be some kind of access to royal resources. Perhaps having access to magic items with a gp value equal to 10,000 - 15,000 per level of Court Wizard. Run this based on how the item is used: permanent items he just gives back when he's done, but expendible items he pays for (though the cost would be reduced, perhaps equal to the actual construction costs of the item rather than the market value). This gives a court wizard resources and flexibility to serve his lord.

    Keep up the good work and keep at it!

    -Bryan



    Re: Court Wizard Prestige Class 1st draft (Score: 1)
    by Crag on Tue, April 12, 2005
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    As I know little about 3rd edition (still play 2nd), I will leave the "nuts and bolts" to others.

    The third suggestion presented by GVD...as the court wizard seems to be an Aerdi archtype, I can see resticting the position to the noble courts within certain nations, if only to reflect the cost of supporting a court mage (where is this reflected in the draft).

    According too canon, we know the major Suel courts (Keoland, County and Duchy of Urnst) have court mages if they had their own cultural version or adopted the aerdi custom doesn't really matter.

    But what about the Baklunish or Elven nations like Celene, surely they have their own cultural version of the court mage position.

    Interesting topic perhaps "drafts" should be placed in the forum first so the community can refine them before the article is posted.

    My 2 coppers...





    Re: Court Wizard Prestige Class 1st draft (Score: 1)
    by MerricB on Wed, April 13, 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message) http://merricb.com
    I think it is too good. Full spellcasting progression and six skill points per level, in addition to other special abilities? You give up 14 ranks in skills, but receive a bonus 20 points in return. From a balance perspective, level 1 or 2 should not give spellcasting progression.

    I also have a problem with the conception of the Court Wizard: I don't think there's enough of a common mold for the Court Wizard across Greyhawk for such a prestige class to exist.

    In actual fact, this prestige class would be a strong choice for my own Lady Caitlin, the court wizard of the County of Ulek (see my article); but from my memory of the last time I determined Caitlin's stats, her Diplomacy skills were supplemented by a good Charisma, a synergy bonus from Knowledge (nobility & royalty), a circlet of persuasion and a Skill Focus feat! (Giving a total bonus of around +15 or so for a Wiz8 - that is quite acceptable).

    Back to the mechanics of the class, 6 skill points/level is too much. At most it should be 4 per level.

    I would also think that it can be taken too soon - 8th or 9th level would be my entry point, taken purely from the idea that a Court Wizard should have reached the "name" levels, hearkening back to the older times of D&D, which Greyhawk still draws upon.



    Re: Court Wizard Prestige Class 1st draft (Score: 1)
    by chatdemon on Tue, April 19, 2005
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    Im not up to speed on 3rd edition mechanics anymore, but I don't see any glaring errors.

    As others have suggested though, the article would be much more useful if there was Greyhawk content mixed in with the rules stuff.



    Re: Court Wizard Prestige Class 1st draft (Score: 1)
    by Anced_Math (mlheath@mindspring.com) on Tue, April 19, 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message | Journal) http://www.greyhawkonline.com/granmarch/
    Hello Breetai,

    Thanks for the Article. I hope that you continue to refine this as I can see a real place for this in the WoGH. I would suggest three things. One, write out a detailed paragraph or two about how you see this relating to WoGH. Where, is there an Organization or School that has a reasonable relation to the subject matter. It may not be a broad organization, just one elderly wizard who retured from court years ago and now teaches proteges or some such.

    Two, find the Class Creation Engine and use it as a starting point :

    http://www.community3e.com/dn/class_d20cce.pdf

    Finally, i see prestige classes differently than many. I dont mind them being more powerful level for level than a standard class. However, IMO this must be balanced with a story component. And a story component that you enforce... GVD's suggestion of being a member of the Court is an excellent Idea. However, if you never have some intrigue in the Court, you should find something else. The Character should have to balance the costs versus the power.

    Good work, and I am looking forward to seeing the final product.



    Re: Court Wizard Prestige Class 1st draft (Score: 1)
    by Breetai on Sun, June 05, 2005
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    Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll be sure not to post drafts in the future but it was worth it hearing the roleplaying ideas which is what the class is all about more than the mechanics.

    I guess it was assumed that the court wizard must be part of a court but I can see the point in making that a "Rule" for the class to just make it clear. I really like potiental for a class like this in the world of greyhawk but making a specific GH tie in would probobly limit the role playing potental .... uh oh the evil anti-paladin trying to domionate the world has one. ;) who says the court in question is not EVIL! That part of it depends on the individual DM's too much I think.

    I considered having higher sense motive as well as diplomacy as requirements but I think most powerful wizards tend to be eccentric fruit cakes when played properly because they spend way too much time on the subject of magic and book knowlege. That dosn't mean they're not vastly intellegent but social skills usually arn't thier field. I think the distyiction is between knowing what someone is up to and knowing how to handle them without a charm spell.

    Perhaps another limiting factor that would be appropriate to the class would be requiring the wizard have his own peronal and extensive laboratory and library. Requireing his scrying be done in his laboratory and the knowlege checks be made in his library.

    Knocking down the skill points from 6 to 4 are definitly a balance issue wizards are supposed to have a high int anyway so it shouldn't matter.

    I think that perhaps 10 ranks in each knowlege skill should be required to reflect higher level characters.

    As for minimum spell casting I think I should have just thought about the basics and require the character know and have the ability to cast scry as the determining factor for determining level requirements.

    I think changing the legend lore ability to 1/2 the time requirement if the character and it must be cast in his library.

    Thanks guys


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