wizard – Nerds on Earth https://nerdsonearth.com The best place on earth for nerds. Fri, 29 Oct 2021 20:47:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://nerdsonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cropped-nerds_head_thumb2-100x100.png wizard – Nerds on Earth https://nerdsonearth.com 32 32 All the podcasts from NerdsonEarth.com, under one umbrella. We create short run podcasts for nerds, covering D&D, Marvel, Starfinder, and more! You vote for your favorite shows and they just might get a second season. wizard – Nerds on Earth false episodic wizard – Nerds on Earth jason.sansbury@nerdsonearth.com podcast All the podcasts from NerdsonEarth.com, the best place on Earth for nerds. wizard – Nerds on Earth https://nerdsonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/noe-podcast-logo.png https://nerdsonearth.com/blog/ Party of Five: Easy Ideas for a Full Adventuring Party of D&D Players https://nerdsonearth.com/2021/11/dnd-character-concept/ Thu, 04 Nov 2021 12:00:00 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=36959

Need a quick D&D character concept? Well, we give you 5!!

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Character creation in Dungeons and Dragons is one of the most fun and rewarding elements of the game. Yet it can eat away at your play time if you aren’t careful.

Not all D&D games are campaigns. Most are one-off games where players are invited to quickly roll up a character. But 14 hours later the character still isn’t done, all your snacks have been reduced to crumbs, you’re down a sixer of ginger beer, and the new guy is still dithering back and forth on whether their character should be a half-orc or a halfling…a sorcerer or a wizard…or if they’ll use a bow or a falchion. It can drive a D&D group bonkers!

By the way, if it’s your turn to bring snacks for your D&D group, bring something everyone can enjoy, because Bob can’t have gluten.

Party of Five is 5 ready-made character ideas that can help a player quickly generate a character they are stoked to play. They are simple too. In fact, the 5 characters below need only the Player’s Handbook.

Party of Five! Ideas for a Full Adventuring Party of D&D Players

D&D Gnome Ranger

1.  Skarlett TottenHall and Sobig 

Skarlett TottenHall and Sobig are an odd pairing: One is a gnome ranger and the other her big brown bear companion.

Armed with a sling staff no longer than a baton, Skarlett is jovial and entirely competent, even if she is often mistaken for a  child.

Skarlett would be perfect for a player who wanted to play a ranged class that might not do a ton of damage, but has a lot of utility and makes for light-hearted role playing. Plus, having a brown bear companion is nice (use a typical brown bear stat block for Sobig).

Scarlett’s quick stat block is below or you can download a full character sheet, courtesy of Hero Lab.

Skarlett Tottenhall
Rock gnome ranger 6
Medium, lawful neutral

Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
Hit Points 52 (6d10+12)
Speed 25 ft.


STR 8 (-1), DEX 17 (+3), CON 15 (+2), INT 12 (+1), WIS 12 (+1), CHA 13 (+1)

Saving Throws Str +2, Dex +6
Skills Insight +4, Nature +4, Religion +4, Stealth +6, Survival +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Gnomish, Gnomish, Halfling, Sylvan


Sling. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 30 ft./120 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d4+3 bludgeoning damage.

Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d6-1 bludgeoning damage or 1d8-1 bludgeoning damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.

Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 80 ft./320 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d6+3 piercing damage.

D&D Elf Wizard

2. Roentgen Elbatan

Roentgen Elbatan is a famed wizard whose powers have eroded powers due to being kept feeble minded as a prisoner of war. Once well known for his prowess and vast skill, Roentgen is now level 1, having had his best years stolen from him.

Roentgen would be interesting to role play in that it is easy to imagine the frustration he must feel in having lost so much. But there would be certain satisfaction as well, in that it would be a delight to witness the power return to Roentgen as he again increased in levels and could have the old spells returned to him, having them been stolen from him.

Players will want to slowly unfold his backstory (Why did he become famous? How was he captured? Who held him prisoner?), as I simply used generic copy to generate the character. Download Roentgen’s character sheet.

Roentgen Elbatan
Human wizard 1
Medium, lawful good

Armor Class 13
Hit Points 8 (1d6+2)
Speed 30 ft.


STR 8 (-1), DEX 10 (+0), CON 15 (+2), INT 16 (+3), WIS 12 (+1), CHA 13 (+1)

Feats – Spell Sniper
Saving Throws Int +5, Wis +3
Skills Arcana +5, Insight +3, Investigation +5, Religion +5, Survival +3
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Giant, Halfling, Orc


Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20 ft./60 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d4 piercing damage.

Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +1 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d6-1 bludgeoning damage or 1d8-1 bludgeoning damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.

Half elf Bard

3. Pheldyne Brahe 

Pheldyne Brahe is a half-elf bard who doesn’t stray too far from stereotypes. He’s flashy and there is no limit to the amount of attention that he’ll attempt to draw to himself. He talks non-stop, but it seems as if he never says much of value.

Yet he is loyal and there is no questioning that he makes the adventurers around him much better, bringing out the best in them.

Besides, he also has the best one liners and insults.

Pheldyne is great for the role player who wants to play it loose and swashbuckle(y), plus has the sense of humor to pull off good-natured banter. Pheldyne’s quick stat block is below or you can download his full character sheet, again, courtesy of Hero Lab.

Pheldyne Brahe
Half-elf bard 7
Medium, chaotic good

Armor Class 14 (armor, +1)
Hit Points 52 (7d8+14)
Speed 30 ft.


STR 10 (+0), DEX 12 (+1), CON 15 (+2), INT 8 (-1), WIS 14 (+2), CHA 19 (+4)

Saving Throws Dex +4, Cha +7
Skills Acrobatics +4, Arcana +2, Athletics +3, Deception +7, Insight +8, Investigation +2, Perception +8, Performance +7, Persuasion +7, Sleight of Hand +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 18
Languages Common, Dwarvish, Elvish, Goblin, Orc


+2 Weapon. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d8+3 piercing damage.

Sling. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 30 ft./120 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d4+1 bludgeoning damage.

Didier Hutu

4. Didier Hutu is a human cleric (modeled after a Burundian profile) who serves Ilmater. Didier chose the life domain, which means he would serve as an excellent healer for the party.

Didier grew up in the service of a great and honorable cleric, who was a devout defender of the common people. But his master was executed by a group who rose to power through force and exploitation. Didier was separated by his fellow acolytes, and adventures both to defend the common people, as well as one day be united with his companions.

Didier’s stat block is below, but here is a full character sheet.

Didier Hutu
Human cleric 2
Medium, chaotic good

Armor Class 16 (chain mail)
Hit Points 19 (2d8+4)
Speed 30 ft.


STR 15 (+2), DEX 11 (+0), CON 14 (+2), INT 10 (+0), WIS 16 (+3), CHA 13 (+1)

Saving Throws Wis +5, Cha +3
Skills Insight +5, Medicine +5, Persuasion +3, Religion +2
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Orc


Warhammer. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d8+2 bludgeoning damage or 1d10+2 bludgeoning damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.

Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20 ft./60 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d6+2 piercing damage or 1d8+2 piercing damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.

D&D 5e tiefling Paladin
Halberd guardian by likaspapaya on DeviantArt.com

5. Cainen Szilard, a tiefling paladin plays entirely against stereotypes. Despite casting an imposing and intimidating appearance, there is none more noble and righteous than Paladin Szilard.

A staunch defender of the weak, Paladin Szilard eschews his noble background, instead dedicating his life to putting himself into danger in his fight against evil.

Download a full character sheet or use the simple stat block below.

Paladin
Tiefling paladin 4
Mediu , lawful good

Armor Class 16 (half plate)
Hit Points 32 (4d10+4)
Speed 30 ft.


STR 17 (+3), DEX 12 (+1), CON 13 (+1), INT 9 (-1), WIS 10 (+0), CHA 16 (+3)

Saving Throws Wis +2, Cha +5
Skills History +1, Intimidation +5, Medicine +2, Persuasion +5
Damage Resistances fire
Condition Immunities diseased
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Common, Infernal


Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 100 ft./400 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d10+1 piercing damage.

Halberd. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d10+3 slashing damage.

Party of Five! Ideas for a Full Adventuring Party of D&D Players

With a front line defender, a healer, a spell user, and two support characters, the above can be a ready made party of 5. Players will undoubtedly want to make tweaks in order to make these characters their own, but these characters are nice to get players started quickly. And none venture beyond the basic rules or the Player’s Handbook.

And if you need help with tactics, check out our player guides for simple combat here.

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Hell’s Bells: The Winsome Wizardry of the Dresden Files https://nerdsonearth.com/2020/02/dresden-files/ Thu, 20 Feb 2020 13:00:00 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=29094

You can get your Dresden Files fix by book, audiobook, or television show. Or all of the above! We introduce you to Jim Butcher's popular urban fantasy series.

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The Dresden Files is a series of fantasy/crime novels written by Jim Butcher. It’s “urban fantasy.” Set in modern day Chicago, the main character is a private investigator named Harry Dresden.

Harry Dresden is also a wizard, so there’s that.

“I’ve done smarter things in my life. Once, for example, I threw myself out of a moving car in order to take on a truckload of lycanthropes singlehandedly.”

Harry Dresden

In the world of The Dresden Files, magic is real, as are demons, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and probably the chupacabra, although I can’t recall if that has ever appeared in a Dresden Files book.

Harry works as the world’s only “consulting wizard,” accepting supernatural cases from the Chicago Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit. But there is an obvious skepticism toward the supernatural among the general population in Harry’s world, so Harry tries to solve crimes and mysteries on the sly, attempting (but almost always failing) to not bring too much attention to himself, since the fate of the world is often on the line.

“I’d made the vampire cry. Great. I felt like a real superhero. Harry Dresden, breaker of monsters’ hearts.”

Harry Dresden

The Dresden Files is pure fun. Here are some highlights:

  • Wizarding short-circuits electronics, so Harry shuttles around in the most beat up Volkswagon Beetle imaginable.
  • He’s know for wearing a duster. He’s also pictured in a fedora on the cover of the first novel, although when I pointed that out for a survey of wizard hats, I was forcefully reminds by a legion of nerds on Reddit that the fedora doesn’t appear in the book, it’s just on the cover.
  • Electronics don’t work in his apartment either, so he works by candle light. But he also has trouble with the ladies, so since his hot water heater short-circuits, he can thankfully take a cold shower whenever he likes.
  • The familiar trope of good-hearted wizard battling against dark magic is classic for a reason, yet the modern setting gives it a nice twist.
  • As one would expect, this creates all sorts of adventures and mysteries, giving The Dresden Files a pretty cool “freak of the week” type vibe.

Tell me more about The Dresden Files!

Dresden2

The Dresden Files have turned into a big ‘ole thing at this point, having branched into a variety of media types. I’ll sum up:

  1. Currently Jim Butcher has written 15+ novels in the Dresden universe. The first Dresden Files book is called Storm Front and it is an excellent first entry that launches the series well. You can get Storm Front from Amazon.
  2. Dresden Files novels are available in audiobook format as well, most of which are narrated by James Marsters, famous for having played Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
  3. For the deep nerd there is a Dresden Files roleplaying game available from Evil Hat productions and it is available via Amazon as well.
  4. Book 16 is coming out soon to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Storm Front. Pre-order it here.
  5. Finally, the SyFy network produced a Dresden Files television show that lasted one season. I binged it via Hulu.

Books or Television Show: Where should I start with The Dresden Files?!?

The Dresden Files is certainly one of those cases where the books are better than the movie, but I don’t want to fully discount the television show, as it’s obvious strength is no reading.

As for the books, Harry as a first-person narrator is distracting at times, but that’s the only quibble. The characterization is excellent, the plots zip along, the stories are full of interesting and amazing things, and Jim Butcher’s skill as a writer increases as the series goes on.

In addition to the above credentials, the private eye investigations being mashed up with the world of the supernatural is great fun. Not only are the cases and Harry’s relationship with the Chicago PD engaging, but Jim Butcher’s written examinations of magic and wizardry are well done.

In other words, there is a good reason that the series has lasted 15+ novels.

maxresdefault

But we all want even more wizardry in our lives, so I recommend the television show as well. Lasting just one season, the TV show stars Paul Blackthorne, who is excellent as the title character. Ghostly Bob, Warden Morgan, and Lt. Connie Murphy are also excellent.

Make no mistake, this is a SyFy show and SyFy has rightly earned the reputation for poor production and mismanagement of their series and this shows in The Dresden Files. An example being that the episodes aired out of order, with the pilot (Storm Front) airing as episode 8. Firefly fans can empathize.

But despite the cheesy SyFy production values and their mismanagement of the franchise, the same great characters are there. The show also does some fun things like make his wizard staff be a hockey stick, with his wand being a drum stick.

And for a show that features a crime solving wizard, I’m not seeking high art. It’s entertainment I’m after. The Dresden Files television show is entertaining and with only one season, it’s an easy binge.

“HARRY DRESDEN—WIZARD Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties, or Other Entertainment”

Harry Dresden

Regardless of if you are a book or TV person, I do highly recommend you give The Dresden Files a try. It’s filled with great characters, fun stories, and imaginative situations. If you are curious about the books, you can start here. The TV show can be found via streaming services. It’s currently on Amazon Prime.

And if you personally have a problem that needs solving? Well, look up Harry in the Yellow pages. He’s the only entry under “wizard.”

“You rush a miracle worker, you get lousy miracles!”

Harry Dresden

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How to Create Great Pathfinder 2nd Edition Characters: Wizard https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/11/how-to-create-great-pathfinder-2nd-edition-characters-wizard/ Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:00:33 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=26631 Pathfinder Second Edition Wizard, using arcane magic to unlock a mystical box while surrounded by scrolls and tomes in the dark.

Abram wraps his series featuring creative backstory and build ideas for the core classes of Pathfinder 2e with the wizard!

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Pathfinder Second Edition Wizard, using arcane magic to unlock a mystical box while surrounded by scrolls and tomes in the dark.

Well folks, we’ve finally reached the grand finale of the Pathfinder Second Edition (PF2) Class Concepts series! We’ve explored each of the base classes in-depth, and discussed some of my highlights of the new edition of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game by Paizo.

Instead of talking about another mechanical change with Second Edition, I briefly want to talk about portraying your character at the table. At the end of the day, you should play characters that get you excited about each session. Whether they have an interesting quirk or fantastic combat skills, discover what you like best about the game and build your character around that.

Combine the questions that I’ve asked in each of the class concepts to get you thinking about your character. It’s sort of like filling out a personality quiz on behalf of someone else; you can figure out a lot of the answers but maybe you want to leave some of them open-ended as things that you want to explore during the game.

Either way, you’re going to get a lot more life out of a character when you’re jazzed about playing them every week.

As always, this final installment will have five interesting Wizard concepts for you to build a character around. Additionally, I provide a Pathmap to give a bit of direction regarding mechanical choices that might make sense for that character. It’s just a starting point; don’t get too tied up with specifics and really make it your own!

Let’s get brainstorming!

Pathfinder 2nd Edition Wizard Class

Pathfinder Second Edition Wizard, Ezren is an older man with gold-trimmed blue robs and a hooked staff of brilliant white.
Ezren, the 2E Iconic Wizard

Wizards have been a tabletop gaming staple since the inception of the genre. Known for their classic use of fireball spells and magic missiles, Wizards showcase their vast knowledge and intellect. At higher levels, they give so much versatility to the party. For example, they can teleport the group to get out of a sticky situation or take out multiple enemies with a well-placed area-of-effect (AoE) blast. They excel in situations where information needs to be deduced, or in recalling lore about locations and creatures.

You typically won’t find a Wizard brandishing weapons on the frontline, but certain builds might allow for that. On the contrary, they tend to stick towards the flanks, raining down buffs and magic from afar. Consideration always needs to be made when determining how much firepower you want to expend. Too much and you’ll be out of spells for future encounters, but too little and you risk endangering the party.

Wizards are usually calculating individuals who spend time poring over tomes and scrolls to hone their craft. Unlike Sorcerers, they weren’t born with power; they’ve accumulated knowledge over years of meticulous study.

As a Wizard, you might use eloquent language and exercise your intellect to weave complex logic knots around others. Or, you might rely heavily on the protection of others, knowing that your lightly-armored frame is fragile and delicate.

  TRINKET MAGE

A Trinket Mage is fascinated with seemingly insignificant baubles and items that others would normally pass over without second thought. You believe that each item holds a secret; either by it’s creator or through an event that it witnessed. By tapping into that latent energy, you can create physical manifestations of that power. Every object has a story to tell, and you will spend the time discovering what that story might be. Objects of the deceased are particularly engaging, offering insights and connections to Pharasma’s Boneyard.

Pathfinder Second Edition Wizard, a Rasp Goblin with a floppy black hat and a pet frog. He brandishes a rudimentary short sword which wearing an auburn coat as a cloak.

Nothing ceases to amaze you. From the simplest thimble to an ornate, ceremonial helm, you are intrigued by the history behind people, places, and things. You are curious and ask questions to the point of excess. As far as sharing your knowledge, you often over-indulge others with the tales of your items. You pay attention to people, actively listening and providing your own perspective. This makes you incredibly perceptive and you often notice things and come to conclusions before others.

Do you peddle your wares or is your trinket collection strictly for personal use? Have you tapped into energies to provide seance services? Which objects hold the most significance to you? Do you believe in curses? What happens if you find an item that has a lot of negative energy surrounding it? Where do you procure the majority of your items? Is it primarily through shops, or do you find them in discard heaps of junk or waste?

Are your trinkets displayed openly on your person, or do you keep them stashed away out of sight? Do you have a personal attachment to any of your items? Have you used the stories or magic of an item to solve mysteries or uncover alarming truths about a person or faction? Where did you learn how to conjure? Are there any trinkets’ secrets that you’ve been unable to crack? Do baubles need to be repaired before they divulge their stories? Do you possess such skills?

Pathmap

  • Arcane Thesis: Spell Blending
  • Arcane School: Conjuration
  • Ability Scores: Wisdom, Dexterity
  • Skills: Tinkering Lore, Crafting, Arcana
  • Sample Spells: Mage Hand, Sigil, Detect Magic, Light, Mending (1st), Item Facade (1st), Unseen Servant (1st), Burning Hands (1st)
  • Wizard Feats: Eschew Materials, Cantrip Expansion (2nd), Linked Focus (4th), Spell Penetration (6th), Bond Conservation (8th), Scroll Savant (10th), Magic Sense (12th), Bonded Focus (14th), Spell Tinker (16th), Infinite Possibilities (18th), Spell Combination (20th)

  CONGENIAL CRYOGENICIST

Just because your work is cold, doesn’t mean that your demeanor has to be. Your work in the field of ice magic is cutting-edge. Depending on the need, you might be preserving limbs one day and stopping violent lava flow the next. You’ve traveled to the furthest reaches of the Mammoth Lands and into the swirling sands of the Golden Road to conduct your research. By performing experiments, tuning, and testing you are able to create the purest ice and the coldest temperatures. Even so, you are amicable to all of your test subjects and patrons.

Pathfinder Second Edition Wizard, a Auideen elf clad in a deep purple gown. She has a bronze crown atop her flowing black hair.

You always take the necessary safety precautions and work through a mental checklist before performing any significant tests. This makes you cautious; it’s rare for you to make a rash decision or rush into a situation without conducting the proper analysis. In fact, sometimes you take far too long to make a decision. Others see this as a sign of hesitation and fear, which is understandable. At the end of the day, you’re not about to get yourself killed for your work. When others express concerns about your ‘lethargic’ attitude, you respond with jovial words and a positive disposition. Life’s too short to live it completely devoid of warmth and companionship.

What is the primary goal of your research? Why are you fascinated with the cold, ice, and frigid temperatures? What’s the coldest weather that you’ve ever experienced? When have your experiments gone awry and what caused those mishaps? Are the results and conditions of these experiments well-documented? Do you report your results to a particular person or organization? Do you have any particular nicknames that people refer to you as? Why are you such a positive person?

How much have you dabbled in fire magic? Do you believe in actions having equal and opposite reactions? Have you developed any noteworthy publications or treatises on your research? Why is it difficult for you to make decisions? When’s the last time you rushed to a conclusion? What is your idea of perfect weather? Have you performed experiments on yourself or people that were close to you? Are you obsessed with the concept of preservation, either in terms of physical items or memories?

Pathmap

  • Arcane Thesis: Metamagical Experimentation
  • Arcane School: Evocation
  • Ability Scores: Intelligence, Wisdom
  • Skills: Plane of Water Lore, Medicine, Survival
  • Sample Spells: Chill Touch, Produce Flame, Ray of Frost, Read Aura, Hydraulic Push (1st), Mage Armor (1st), Create Water (1st), Floating Disk (1st)
  • Wizard Feats: Counterspell, Cantrip Expansion (2nd), Silent Spell (4th), Steady Spellcasting (6th), Advanced School Spell (8th), Overwhelming Energy (10th), Clever Counterspell (12th), Reflect Spell (14th), Effortless Concentration (16th), Infinite Possibilities (18th), Archwizard’s Might (20th)

  PROFICIENT SNAKE CHARMER

You sure know how to put on a good performance, leaving the people clamoring for more after they come out of their reverie. A large part of your act centers on influencing the movements of your stable of pets. Usually, this means charming a snake, but you’ve been known to work with all sorts of critters to dazzle and impress. You know, however, that a good performance hinges on creating a proper ambience and atmosphere, not just amazing animal-taming abilities. It doesn’t hurt to sprinkle in some magic to keep the audience captivated.

Pathfinder Second Edition Wizard, a Mihrini Halfling wearing a patterned vest and common Varisian clothing.

There’s a certain allure about you that people find exceptionally appealing. Being able to keep people transfixed on your right hand allows some sleight of hand with your left. People are initially drawn to your charm but hang around after learning that you have more substance than initially presumed. You are well-spoken, able to convince others of your point of view. Generally, you tend to be calm and collected; it takes quite a bit to rattle your cage.

What is the general progression of your standard performance? What’s the name of your favorite familiar? How did you come across any of your additional animal companions? Does your show travel or do you capitalize on tourism in the same general area? After studying magic, why did you decide to spend your time as a performer? How do you handle fame? Have you ever used your magical proficiency to swindle or steal?

Would you rather be be in an urban or natural environment? Do you find it easy to make relationships, or is it hard for you to get too close to people? Are you gullible? Do you believe people are inherently easy to fool? How often do you disguise yourself? What are some interesting ways that you’ve used magic? Are you more inclined to enchant people or have you enchanted objects as well? Do you have a soft spot for animals?

Pathmap

  • Arcane Thesis: Improved Familiar Attunement
  • Arcane School: Enchantment
  • Ability Scores: Charisma, Dexterity
  • Skills: Osirion Lore, Performance, Diplomacy
  • Sample Spells: Acid Splash, Dancing Lights, Daze, Mage Hand, Summon Animal (1st), Sleep (1st), Color Spray (1st), Charm (1st)
  • Wizard Feats: Familiar, Enhanced Familiar (2nd), Linked Focus (4th), Spell Penetration (6th), Advanced School Spell (8th), Quickened Casting (10th), Magic Sense (12th), Superior Bond (14th), Spell Tinker (16th), Reprepare Spell (18th), Metamagic Mastery (20th)

  SEASONED WEAPONS MASTER

Even though you are quite proficient in magic, you’ve always been drawn to the use of melee weapons. The thrill of battle excites you, and you just can’t ignore the rush it gives you. Before you went to the university, you spent every waking second honing your footwork and weapon skills. Once you became proficient enough, you began using magic as just another weapon to add to your arsenal. Magic is a supplement and it has made you potent and more deadly than ever.

Pathfinder Second Edition Wizard, a Thassalonian man dressed in simple finery, his hand resting on the pommel of his rapier.

Others see you as a swordsman first and a magician second, but you’re okay with that. When it comes to your martial skills, you always give it your all. You are a quick learner, have a brilliant mind, and gain advantages at any cost. If a situation requires you to put yourself in harm’s way to be successful, you don’t even hesitiate. Where others might back down, you welcome a challenge. Competition brings out the best in you.

Do you have an extensive weapon collection or are you mostly attached to a single weapon? Were you taught magic by the same person or group that taught you the ways of martial weapons? What is your favorite weapon to use? If magic is a supplement to your physical abilities, do you refrain from using it too often? Did your background give you an edge compared to other students in your class? How are you redefining what it means to be a warrior?

Are there many people that would you consider to be your rival? When confronted with danger, what is your typical reaction? Do you put others’ welfare before your own? Is your magic used to enhance your own abilities, or do you focus on hindering your opponent? Have you forged or enchanted your own weapons? Did you spend time in an organized military? Have you served as a mercenary? Do you teach others how to fight with martial weapons?

Pathmap

  • Arcane Thesis: Spell Blending
  • Arcane School: Universalist
  • Ability Scores: Strength, Wisdom
  • Skills: Magic Warrior Lore, Athletics, Arcana
  • Sample Spells: Electric Arc, Message, Telekinetic Projectile, Shield, True Strike (1st), Ray of Enfeeblement (1st), Magic Missile (1st), Shocking Grasp (1st)
  • Wizard Feats: Hand of the Apprentice, Conceal Spell (2nd), Bespell Weapon (4th), Spell Penetration (6th), Universal Versatility (8th), Quickened Casting (10th), Magic Sense (12th), Superior Bond (14th), Effortless Concentration (16th), Infinite Possibilities (18th), Spell Combination (20th)

  SPECIAL EFFECTS AFICIONADO

As a part of a theater troupe or a royal court, you are constantly developing exciting ways to showcase your magical abilities. A well-timed spout of flame or lightning strike can do wonders to draw in the crowd and enhance a story. When needed, you’ve conjured up images of demons or elementals that are more difficult for people to portray. You’re adept at creating disguises and props, and you have an eye for intricate detail. Because of your line of work, you’ve taken it upon yourself to heavily research the subjects of your illusions to ensure they’re historically accurate.

Pathfinder Second Edition Wizard, a Changeling Hellknight wielding a trident and blowing flame from her mouth.

Your expressions aren’t easy to read and you might hold your cards close to the vest. Maybe it’s because you’ve gotten burned in the past or maybe you are so familiar with illusions that you’re skeptical of seemingly good intentions. When you focus on something, you are all-in; it’s easy for you to get lost in your work. People know they can rely on you and trust you to perform at a high level. Your creativity and innovation are unrivaled; by comparing magic to an art form, you can create some amazing visual effects.

Is your magic utilized more on the the sets of plays or are you employed in other, more nefarious pursuits? What are the easiest ways to fool people? Are you familiar enough with the psychology of perception to understand how people react to certain stimuli? Is there a particular sort of illusion that you specialize in? Can you usually separate the real from the fake? Are you skilled at reading other people?

What drew you to the study of illusion magic? Do you have any favorite performances or productions? Do you have any time to read for pleasure, or do you mostly spend your time with nonfiction works? What is your most well-kept secret? Has your magic ever saved your life? What were you doing before you started studying magic? Do you find yourself always being genuine, or do your illusory tendencies leak into your everyday persona?

Pathmap

  • Arcane Thesis: Spell Substitution
  • Arcane School: Illusion
  • Ability Scores: Intelligence, Charisma
  • Skills: Fire Lore, Performance, Deception
  • Sample Spells: Produce Flame, Ghost Sound, Dancing Lights, Mage Hand, Color Spray (1st), Fear (1st), Illusory Disguise (1st), Illusory Object (1st)
  • Wizard Feats: Widen Spell, Conceal Spell (2nd), Silent Spell (4th), Steady Spellcasting (6th), Advanced School Spell (8th), Overwhelming Energy (10th), Magic Sense (12th), Bonded Focus (14th), Spell Tinker (16th), Reprepare Spell (18th), Archwizard’s Might (20th)

Pathfinder 2E Wizard Class – It’s Magical!

There are some obvious Wizard builds that I didn’t include in the concepts above, like powerful blasters or accomplished professors. When building a character for a magical world, it doesn’t take much to work magic into almost any build you can think of.

And that’s it! The Pathfinder Second Edition Class Concepts series is now complete! Hopefully I’ve given you some ideas and helped to spur your imagination for all of your character creation needs.

Stay tuned for new entries as additional classes get released. I’ll be all over them!

How to Create Great Pathfinder Second Edition Characters

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Cyberpunk Wizards: A Review of Mage Against the Machine https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/07/the-prodigal-nerd-a-cannarf-review-of-mage-against-the-machine/ Tue, 30 Jul 2019 12:02:19 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=25182

Mage Against the Machine is a mashup of genres with dovetailing storylines involving magic and technology.

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Total honesty time: as someone who did most of their growing up in the 90s and early 2000s, I decided that I would read this book based completely and entirely on the title. There was literally no other reason. I hadn’t heard anything about the book, didn’t know anyone who had read it, nothing. That’s the power of a pun based on the name of a rap metal band to a 90s kid…

And really, the mashup of styles that is typical of the band Rage Against the Machine is a pretty apt comparison for what’s happening in the book Mage Against the Machine. The book features two main storylines, which isn’t particularly unique, but they basically exist in different genres, which is much less common in my experience.

Mage Against the Machine: Converging Storylines

mage against the machine cover

The first storyline introduced is that of Nikolai Strauss, a young wizard starting his adult life and career in the Edge Guard, the group of mages that patrols the borders of the Veils, the secluded communities of wizards scattered throughout the world.

The wizards have withdrawn into these Veils after humanity dabbled with magic and inevitably used it in conjunction with bombs to destroy the world and wipe out human life outside the Veils. Nikolai has a confusing encounter with a former mentor he believed to be dead, and who gives him a mysterious artifact with strange powers. This artifact sets him on his journey to ultimately discover the truth about the Veils and humanity. So, basically a post-apocalyptic wizard story.

The second storyline follows Jemma Burton, a cybernetically enhanced human who helps smuggle people through the human underground underneath the noses (so to speak) of the Artificial Intelligence overlords who have subjugated humanity through fully-immersive VR (for the willing) and brutal violence (for the unwilling). Humanity has lost the ability to have children, yet Jemma is suddenly tasked with smuggling a young pregnant woman and her caretaker.

This dangerous mission launches her on a collision course with the greatest enemy she has yet faced, along with the ghosts of her past. So, basically a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk Children of Men type of thing.

Throughout the book (as you can probably guess) these storylines converge, with both Nikolai and Jemma finding out that reality is quite different than they think it is. And it all leads to a fairly action-packed conclusion with a few surprises along the way, including a potential setup for a sequel, which I would probably read (especially if the title was another 90s pun…).


Overall, I went into Mage Against the Machine with no expectations at all of how the book would be, other than that I assumed it would have a bit of a wry sense of humor and be at least somewhat self-aware of itself, given the title. In these meager expectations I was disappointed; the book doesn’t really contain much humor, and it’s possible that it takes itself a little too seriously. I did like the story, though, and I thought the genre mashup was pretty interesting, so I am giving Mage Against the Machine +2 Cannarfs.

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Glass Cannons: A Complete Beginners Guide to Fast and Exciting D&D Combat https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/03/dnd-combat-wizards-sorcerers/ Mon, 11 Mar 2019 12:00:49 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=23315

The combat in D&D can be intimidating for brand new players. A D&D character sheet has approximately 12,345,678 pieces of information and this avalanche of options can cause paralysis as you flip back and forth over your character sheet. But say it with me: you aren’t dumb; you’re just panicked. I’m here to help. What […]

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The combat in D&D can be intimidating for brand new players. A D&D character sheet has approximately 12,345,678 pieces of information and this avalanche of options can cause paralysis as you flip back and forth over your character sheet.

But say it with me: you aren’t dumb; you’re just panicked. I’m here to help. What follows are some simple thoughts on movement followed by 2-3 always good options for the glass cannon classes of D&D.

A D&D player, even if they are brand new to the game, can have an index card with 2-3 actions that will work well 75% of the time. Combined with the basics of movement, these 2-3 actions will allow new players to have a good action ready to go when their turn comes up in initiative order.

So, let’s learn about these good “typical” decisions for each D&D class, shall we? With this article specifically, we’ll be talking about the Wizard and Sorcerer classes.

But, first, that movement tip. Remember, every turn you get a movement and an attack action. While some classes like a Barbarian is considered a “tank” that gets close to enemies, other classes like archers are “snipers” that stand far away from the center of the action.

Wizards and Sorcerers are snipers in this regard. So how far away should they be from the action? You should use your movement to position a sniper character about 35 feet away from the nearest opponent.

The reason? A typical bad guy’s movement is about 30 feet, so a little over that gets you out of their range but keeps you close enough that your spells can still land. And your party’s Fighter is protecting you, but should an enemy break through that line, make sure you use your movement to draw enemies away from you and back toward your helpers.

Now, some actions!

Wizard: What spells have I learned?

A Wizard is a class that is often referred to as a “glass cannon.” They are fragile, but their huge array of spells makes them more and more formidable as the level. They will enter combat thinking: “What spells have I learned?

Movement: Again, a Wizard should use their movement to position themselves 35 feet away from the nearest opponent. Your actions should then be choosing a cantrip or using a spell slot. I’ll explain:

  1. I cast Ray of Frost.” While other cantrips (spells that can be used each action without penalty) like Shocking Grasp are great choices, let’s go with Ray of Frost. Have someone help you determine your ranged spell attack number. Then cast Ray of Frost over and over again. Not only will you do 1d8 of cold damage each hit, but you reduce the enemy’s speed, which helps “control the battlefield.”
  2. I use Burning Hands.” Occasionally, a wizard should let loose. When you have multiple enemies clustered together (like a gaggle of goblins or a huddle of zombies) use your movement to position yourself to unleash Burning Hands. This is A) fun, and B) will help you learn about Dexterity saving throws, a number you’ll need to learn as you level.

A Wizard is not a beginner class, even at level one. They’ll have a large list of spells to choose from and they get more and more varied and creative as the wizard’s level increases. But a beginning D&D player can have a lot of fun with the two simple spells above, saying nothing of how repetition with those will help you learn the numbers involved.

Write the details of those two spells on a cheat-sheet index card or highlight them on the your character sheet.

Sorcerer: What gets my blood flowing?

Whereas wizards learn magic, a Sorcerer is like a mutant born with a gift. Enter combat with the mindset: “What gets my blood flowing?”  

Movement: See Wizard above.

Sorcerers have a Font of Magic, a pool they can tap into to give their spell actions a little more juice. The stinky thing is the class doesn’t tap into this core feature until level 2! So, let’s take the opportunity to focus on a couple of spells. Let’s also assume your Sorcerer has a Draconic Bloodline, because who wouldn’t take advantage of have a dragon daddy at level 1? Here then are your typical level 1 Sorcerer actions:

  1. See Wizard above. Ray of Frost is a good beginner options for a Sorcerer as well.
  2. I use my dragon breath!” Again, let’s assume you like fun and are going with the Dragonborn. Rarely does ancestry play such an integral role in a class, but a Draconic Bloodline is a flavorful option that allows a breath weapon. Choose your dragon color from page 34 of the Player’s Handbook.

Alas, Wizards and Sorcerers aren’t the easiest classes to jump into. But rather than become paralyzed over spell options, use level 1 as an opportunity to learn important things like your spell attack number by focusing on just a few offensive spells.

This repetition serves to help you learn the basics of the game and your character’s combat style. That’s a whole lot more than nothing. But the best thing? Casting spells is a lot of fun!


D&D is wonderful, but it can be intimidating. So let’s knock down any barriers that might prevent someone from loving their first few times playing. Share this with any brand new D&D players you know, regardless of what class they are considering:

Movement Tips: Think 35+ | 10 feet Between | Break it Up | Use that cover! | Only Fools Rush In | Get in the Face

You can buy the D&D Players Handbook here.

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Party of Five: Easy Ideas for a Full Adventuring Party of D&D Players https://nerdsonearth.com/2016/03/ready-adventure-easy-templates-full-adventuring-party-dd-players/ Thu, 31 Mar 2016 12:31:17 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=5851

Character creation in Dungeons and Dragons is one of the most fun and rewarding elements of the game. Yet despite streamlining character creation in D&D 5e, it can still eat away at your play time if you aren’t careful. Time after time players are invited to arrive 30 minutes early with the goal to quickly roll up […]

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Character creation in Dungeons and Dragons is one of the most fun and rewarding elements of the game. Yet despite streamlining character creation in D&D 5e, it can still eat away at your play time if you aren’t careful.

Time after time players are invited to arrive 30 minutes early with the goal to quickly roll up a character. Fourteen hours later all your snacks have been reduced to crumbs, you’re down a sixer of ginger beer, and the new guy is still dithering back and forth on whether their character should be a half-orc or a halfling…a sorcerer or a wizard…or if they’ll use a bow or a falchion. It can drive a D&D group bonkers.

By the way, if it’s your turn to bring snacks for your D&D group, bring something everyone can enjoy, because Bob can’t have gluten.

Party of Five are 5 ready-made character ideas that might help players more quickly generate a PC they are stoked to play. The 5 characters below need only a Player’s Handbook.

Party of Five! Ideas for a Full Adventuring Party of D&D Players

D&D Gnome Ranger1.  Skarlett TottenHall and Sobig are an odd pairing: a gnome ranger and her big brown bear companion. Armed with a sling staff no longer than a baton, Skarlett is jovial and entirely competent, even if she is often mistaken for a  child.

Skarlett would be perfect for a player who wanted to play a ranged class that might not do a ton of damage, but has a lot of utility and makes for light-hearted role playing. Plus, having a brown bear companion is nice (use a typical stat brown bear stat block for Sobig).

Scarlett’s quick stat block is below or you can download a full character sheet, courtesy of Hero Lab.

Skarlett Tottenhall
Rock gnome ranger 6
Medium , lawful neutral


Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
Hit Points 52 (6d10+12)
Speed 25 ft.


STR 8 (-1), DEX 17 (+3), CON 15 (+2), INT 12 (+1), WIS 12 (+1), CHA 13 (+1)


Saving Throws Str +2, Dex +6
Skills Insight +4, Nature +4, Religion +4, Stealth +6, Survival +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Gnomish, Gnomish, Halfling, Sylvan

Actions


Sling. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 30 ft./120 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d4+3 bludgeoning damage.

Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d6-1 bludgeoning damage or 1d8-1 bludgeoning damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.

Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 80 ft./320 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d6+3 piercing damage.

D&D Elf Wizard2. Roentgen Elbatan is a famed wizard with eroded powers due to being kept feeble minded as a prisoner of war. Once well known for his prowess and vast skill, Roentgen is now level 1, having had his best years stolen from him.

Roentgen would be interesting to role play in that it is easy to imagine the frustration he must feel in having lost so much. But there would be certain satisfaction as well, in that it would be a delight to witness the power return to Roentgen as he again increased in levels and could have the old spells returned to him, having them been stolen from him.

Players will want to slowly unfold his backstory (Where was his fame? How was he captured? Who held him prisoner?), as I simply used generic copy to generate the character. Download Roentgen’s character sheet.

Roentgen Elbatan
Human wizard 1
Medium , lawful good


Armor Class 13
Hit Points 8 (1d6+2)
Speed 30 ft.


STR 8 (-1), DEX 10 (+0), CON 15 (+2), INT 16 (+3), WIS 12 (+1), CHA 13 (+1)


Feats – Spell Sniper
Saving Throws Int +5, Wis +3
Skills Arcana +5, Insight +3, Investigation +5, Religion +5, Survival +3
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Giant, Halfling, Orc

Actions


Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20 ft./60 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d4 piercing damage.

Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +1 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d6-1 bludgeoning damage or 1d8-1 bludgeoning damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.

3. Half elf BardPheldyne Brahe is a half-elf bard who doesn’t stray too far from stereotypes. He’s flashy and there is no limit to the amount of attention that he’ll attempt to draw to himself. He talks non-stop, but it seems as if he never says much of value.

Yet he is loyal and there is no questioning that he makes the adventurers around him much better, bringing out the best in them.

Besides, he also has the best one liners and insults.

Pheldyne is great for the role player who wants to play it loose and swashbuckle(y), plus has the sense of humor to pull off good-natured banter. Pheldyne’s quick stat block is below or you can download his full character sheet, again, courtesy of Hero Lab.

Pheldyne Brahe
Half-elf bard 7
Medium , chaotic good


Armor Class 14 (armor, +1)
Hit Points 52 (7d8+14)
Speed 30 ft.


STR 10 (+0), DEX 12 (+1), CON 15 (+2), INT 8 (-1), WIS 14 (+2), CHA 19 (+4)


Saving Throws Dex +4, Cha +7
Skills Acrobatics +4, Arcana +2, Athletics +3, Deception +7, Insight +8, Investigation +2, Perception +8, Performance +7, Persuasion +7, Sleight of Hand +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 18
Languages Common, Dwarvish, Elvish, Goblin, Orc

Actions


+2 Weapon. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d8+3 piercing damage.

Sling. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 30 ft./120 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d4+1 bludgeoning damage.

4. Didier HutuDidier Hutu is a human cleric (modeled after a Burundian profile) who serves Ilmater. Didier chose the life domain, which means he would serve as an excellent healer for the party.

Didier grew up in the service of a great and honorable cleric, who was a devout defender of the common people. But his master was executed by a group who rose to power through force and exploitation. Didier was separated by his fellow acolytes, and adventures both to defend the common people, as well as one day be united with his companions.

Didier’s stat block is below, but here is a full character sheet.

Didier Hutu
Human cleric 2
Medium , chaotic good


Armor Class 16 (chain mail)
Hit Points 19 (2d8+4)
Speed 30 ft.


STR 15 (+2), DEX 11 (+0), CON 14 (+2), INT 10 (+0), WIS 16 (+3), CHA 13 (+1)


Saving Throws Wis +5, Cha +3
Skills Insight +5, Medicine +5, Persuasion +3, Religion +2
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Orc

Actions


Warhammer. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d8+2 bludgeoning damage or 1d10+2 bludgeoning damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.

Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20 ft./60 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d6+2 piercing damage or 1d8+2 piercing damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.

D&D 5e tiefling Paladin
Halberd guardian by likaspapaya on DeviantArt.com

5. Cainen Szilard, a tiefling paladin plays entirely against stereotypes. Despite casting an imposing and intimidating appearance, there is none more noble and righteous than Paladin Szilard. A staunch defender of the weak, Paladin Szilard eschews his noble background, instead dedicating his life to putting himself into danger in his fight against evil.

Download a full character sheet or use the simple stat block below.

Paladin
Tiefling paladin 4
Medium , lawful good


Armor Class 16 (half plate)
Hit Points 32 (4d10+4)
Speed 30 ft.


STR 17 (+3), DEX 12 (+1), CON 13 (+1), INT 9 (-1), WIS 10 (+0), CHA 16 (+3)


Saving Throws Wis +2, Cha +5
Skills History +1, Intimidation +5, Medicine +2, Persuasion +5
Damage Resistances fire
Condition Immunities diseased
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Common, Infernal

Actions


Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 100 ft./400 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d10+1 piercing damage.

Halberd. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d10+3 slashing damage.


With a front line defender, a healer, a spell user, and two support characters, the above can be a ready made party of 5. Players will undoubtedly want to make tweaks in order to make these characters their own, but these characters are nice to get players started quickly. And none venture beyond the basic rules or the Player’s Handbook.

[give_form id=”5476″]

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Harry Potter and the Wizards of Uganda https://nerdsonearth.com/2016/02/ugandan-wizards/ Fri, 12 Feb 2016 13:27:42 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=5175

Stop me if you’ve heard this one. In the beginning there was Kintu. Although Kintu was the only person on earth, he was not alone. Kintu lived with his cow, as one does. But up in the heavens lived Ggulu with his many children, who occasionally came down to earth to play. Once upon a time, […]

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Stop me if you’ve heard this one. In the beginning there was Kintu. Although Kintu was the only person on earth, he was not alone. Kintu lived with his cow, as one does.

But up in the heavens lived Ggulu with his many children, who occasionally came down to earth to play. Once upon a time, Ggulu’s daughter Nambi encountered Kintu and his cow in Uganda. Nambi was instantly taken with Kintu and decided to stay and marry him.

This, my friends, is an Ugandan creation myth, telling the story of how Kintu became the father of all people. But as the story continued, misery was introduced as Nambi’s brother, Walumbe, was not pleased. Insisting on going to earth with Nambi, Walumbe instead fell to earth and his presence cause nothing but suffering and conflicts.

Oh, and there was some wizardry involved, of course, which brings me to my point. JK Rowlings just keeps dropping wonderful gifts upon the world, her latest being to introduce new schools of wizardry around the world. One of those schools – Uagadou – is located in Uganda. From the Pottermore website:

[Wag-a-doo] The largest of all wizarding schools, it welcomes students from all over the enormous continent. The only address ever given is ‘Mountains of the Moon’; visitors speak of a stunning edifice carved out of the mountainside and shrouded in mist, so that it sometimes appears simply to float in mid-air. Much (some would say all) magic originated in Africa, and Uagadou graduates are especially well versed in Astronomy, Alchemy and Self-Transfiguration.

Harry Potter and the Wizards of Uganda

Well, since we have some Ugandan wizards in training, let’s take a few minutes to explore some of the African folklore and legends that could serve as rich and exciting source material to add to the Potterverse.

Rompo Inspired by what may have been sightings of old world porcupines, the rompo is a mythological beast that romps through legends in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Congo, as well as Uganda. A precious little thing, a rompo has the head of a hare. Oh yeah, it also has arms like a badger, legs like a bear, a skeletal torso, and human ears.

Rompo_mythical_creature
Image: J. Maclock

A picky eater, a rompo only dines on human corpses and it is said to softly hum as it eats. I can imagine fantastical stories of the time when wizarding students of Uagadou would run afoul of this beast.

DryadsKakua Zambezi Would you believe me if I said there was an ancient tome entitled The Magic Art and the Evolution of Kings, Volume II that contained a thorough taxonomy of the relics of tree worship and the origin of perpetual fires?

If you would believe that such a tome exists, then you’d surely understand the presence of the Kakua Zambezi, the ancient dryads who dwell in the forest of Uganda. You would also be able to imagine how these tall, slender dryads (who smell vaguely of incense) would make for fascinating forest allies (or foes) of the wizarding students.

The Mizimu  According to Ugandan folklore the spirits of the dead are offered portions of beer in small containers. These spirits of the dead are called Mizimu and are often less terrifying spirits and ghosts, yet they might also be the Mizimu that is haunting their family village.

But what if a Mizimu is haunting the wizarding school of Uagadou, a potential locale for books situated in the Potterverse? You’d bet I’d read that book.


Balubaale
These grand guardian saints were great men who protected their tribe even after death. Seen almost as semi-deities, the Balubaale were thought to play a central role in the day-today affairs affecting ancient Uganda.

Could it be that a certain wizarding school had ancient protectors who helped to influence present events at the school? Or maybe they are just the hall monitor, I don’t know. But it’s easy to imagine how this piece of Ugandan folklore could be reimagined for modern stories in the Potterverse.

Having traveled to neighboring regions, I’ve been fortunate to witness the rich history of the people of Africa. Whereas Americans too often settle for Bigfoot and Kamala, The Ugandan Giant as our cultural folklore, the people of Uganda have a fascinating and varied collection of myth and legend like the witches who cause climate change or those listed above.

I like my fantasy genre to pull from history and folklore, as real life stories can make for excellent fiction. Now let’s hope JK Rowlings gifts us with some stories centered in Uagadou, as I can imagine it’s one heck of a school for wizards.

Get a great deal on Harry Potter: The Complete Collection.

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The 7 Most Powerful Witches in Harry Potter https://nerdsonearth.com/2016/01/7-powerful-witches-harry-potter/ Fri, 29 Jan 2016 13:17:44 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=4962

When you think of Harry Potter, I’m sure you think of The Boy Who Lived and his two friends, a bushy haired girl and a red headed boy. You think of wands, brooms, owls, spells, and magical creatures. But what you don’t notice right away but eventually wonder how you missed it, is the vast […]

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When you think of Harry Potter, I’m sure you think of The Boy Who Lived and his two friends, a bushy haired girl and a red headed boy. You think of wands, brooms, owls, spells, and magical creatures. But what you don’t notice right away but eventually wonder how you missed it, is the vast amount of strong, powerful witches.

I’ve always been enthralled with the slew of powerful witches in the magical world J.K. Rowling wrote about. So, for this post, I’m going to list the 7 most powerful witches in the world of Harry Potter.

Small disclaimer: This is my list and who I feel are the most powerful. They are in no particular order. And this also a list of seven. I can’t just list every woman in the books. Because I wish I could.

[divider]The 7 Most Powerful Witches in Harry Potter[/divider]

1. Minerva McGonagall 

Minerva-McGonagall-withces-in-harry-potterLet’s face it. The Transfiguration teacher is amazing. A total badass. She’s the Head of Gryffindor and the most powerful witch in Hogwarts. Anyone who goes up against Professor McGonagall is foolish. And probably dead or injured very badly.

Minerva McGonagall is one of the first magical people you meet at #12 Privet Drive. And she’s a cat. And turns into a woman. With a hat on. And a Scottish accent. I mean, what more could you want or even need?

She’s also a witch that doesn’t take crap from anyone. She will tell you what she thinks and expect you to do what is right. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

 

2. Hermione Granger

Hermione_Granger_posterOne of Harry’s best friends and Ron’s future wife. She is pronounced the brightest witch of her age. She’s obsessed with learning and being the best she can be. In fact, the Sorting Hat debated on putting her in Ravenclaw but ended up placing her in Gryffindor. The last person the Hat did that to was (you guessed it) McGonagall.

Hermione is muggle-born and knew nothing of magic before she got her acceptance letter. She then used her cleverness and love of learning to absorb everything she possibly could about magic and the world she was entering.

She even read Hogwarts: A History. Who does that? Only Hermione. And probably McGonagall. Hermione takes Harry through time, helps break into the Ministry, traps Rita Skeeter, keeps Ron and Harry alive for most of their lives, and helps save the wizarding world.

And that’s pretty awesome!

 

3. Bellatrix Lestrange

Bellatrix LestrangeEveryone’s favorite crazy witch. She’s bad, as in evil. But also powerful. Crazy makes for powerful magic. And boy, does Bellatrix have some. She’s devoted to her Dark Lord and his cause. Just think of a high ranking Nazi General, with a tank. That’s Bellatrix.

Now throw in wild hair, crazy eyes, and a crooked wand that looks sinister and snake like. She kills Sirius Black, Harry’s godfather, right in front of the boy and then mocks him about it. And Sirius was her cousin. She was the one to torture Neville’s parents.

And don’t they say the most powerful are usually the craziest?

 

4. Nymphadora Tonks

Tonks - Witches in Harry PotterBut don’t call her Nymphadora. She’s one of the few named Hufflepuffs so I may be a little biased. But she’s one of the youngest members of the Order of the Phoenix and can change what she looks like without polyjuice potion.

Tonks is fiery, sweet, and a totally masterful against the Death Eaters. She protects the kids of Dumbledore’s Army and keeps an eye out on Harry. The movies really made her a much smaller part than she is in the books and that really irritated me.

Honestly, the only reason I re-read the 5th book is because she is introduced. She kind of balances out Umbridge…a little.

 

5. Molly Weasley

Molly WeasleyShe has one of the best lines in the whole series. And kills one of the most powerful witches. All in one scene.

But besides that, she raised seven children. That, within itself, is amazing and requires a lot of power. Especially if six of those children are boys. She may be seen as overbearing but you would be too if you had to wrangle seven children with magic.

Molly Weasley is also a member of the Order and of course, helps out in the final battle against Voldemort. She loses a son to death but gains a son in Harry and a daughter in Hermione.

 

6. Luna Lovegood

Luna-Lovegood-Wallpaper-luna-lovegood-25518113-1024-768She’s seen as weird. She’s Loony Lovegood. The crazy girl who talks of creatures who don’t exist. The girl who stares off into space. The girl who no one really pays attention to.

But she suddenly comes to the forefront when Harry needs a friend. They are both in need of comfort and they provide it to each other. She’s one of the first to join DA. One of the first to believe in Harry.

She is able to conjure a Patronus very easily. And she survived who knows what at Malfoy Manor. She keeps a positive outlook on life, no matter what the Dark Lord throws at her and her family. She sees the good side to most anything and continues to smile. That takes a lot.

 

7. Ginny Weasley

Ginny Weasley Witches of Harry PotterNot only is she the only girl in a house full of brothers but she’s also a darn powerful witch. Even her brothers are nervous of making her angry. Bat Bogey’s will make anyone nervous of course.

She’s an awesome Quidditch player and she manages to marry The Boy Who Lived. Oh, and help save the world as well. But no big deal, right?

Wrong! Ginny is the youngest in the Weasley family but one would argue that she is the most powerful. The movies show a little bit of it but in the books, she can throw some pretty powerful spells right alongside Hermione, who happens to be one of her closest friends. You want power in a little package…look no further. Ginny has got it covered.

 

Powerful witches in the wizarding world aren’t hard to find. Narrowing it down to seven is what is hard. I mean, I could go even further. Rita Skeeter, Dolores Umbridge, Narcissa Malfoy, Lilly Potter, and so many more. Rowling gave little girls and young women someone to look up to. While you may not be the studious type like Hermione, you may enjoy sports like Ginny, weird things like Luna, order like McGonagall, or even a large family like Molly. You will find someone to aspire to be.

But don’t be Bellatrix. Please.

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What are the Dresden Files? https://nerdsonearth.com/2015/10/what-are-the-dresden-files/ Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:34:38 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=3565

The Dresden Files is a series of fantasy/crime novels written by Jim Butcher. Set in modern day Chicago, the main character is a private investigator named Harry Dresden. Harry Dresden is also a wizard. In the world of The Dresden Files, magic is real, as are demons, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and probably the chupacabra, although I can’t recall if that has […]

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The Dresden Files is a series of fantasy/crime novels written by Jim Butcher. Set in modern day Chicago, the main character is a private investigator named Harry Dresden.

Harry Dresden is also a wizard.

In the world of The Dresden Files, magic is real, as are demons, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and probably the chupacabra, although I can’t recall if that has ever appeared in a Dresden Files book. Among the average people in Harry’s world there is an obvious skepticism toward the supernatural, so Harry consistently solves crimes and mysteries on the sly, working as the world’s only “consulting wizard,” accepting supernatural cases from both the Chicago Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit as well as some non-human clients.

The familiar trope of good-hearted wizard battling against dark magic is a classic, yet The Dresden Files give it a twist with the modern setting (Harry’s staff is reimagined as a hockey stick; his wand is a drum stick.). As one would expect, this creates a series of adventures and mysteries, as well as giving The Dresden Files a pretty cool “freak of the week” type vibe. In short, they are great fun.

What are the Dresden Files?

Dresden2The Dresden Files have turned into a big ‘ole thing at this point, having branched into a variety of media types and outlets. I’ll sum up:

  1. Currently Jim Butcher has written 15+ novels in the Dresden universe. The first Dresden Files book is called Storm Front and it is an excellent first entry that launches the series well. You can get Storm Front from Amazon.
  2. Dresden Files novels are available in audiobook format as well, most of which are narrated by James Marsters, famous for having played Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
  3. For the deep nerd there is a Dresden Files roleplaying game available from Evil Hat productions and it is available via Amazon as well.
  4. Finally, the SyFy network produced a Dresden Files television show that lasted one season. I binged it via Hulu.

 

Books or Television Show: Where should I start with The Dresden Files?!?

The Dresden Files is certainly one of those cases where the books are better than the movie, but I don’t want to fully discount the television show, as it’s obvious strength is no reading.

As for the books, Harry as a first-person narrator is distracting at times, but that’s the only quibble. The characterization is excellent, the plots zip along, the stories are full of interesting and amazing things, and Jim Butcher’s skill as a writer on increases as the series goes on.

In addition to the above credentials, the private eye investigations being mashed up with the world of the supernatural is great fun. Not only are the cases and Harry’s relationship with the Chicago PD engaging, but Jim Butcher’s written examinations for magic and wizardly are well done.

In other words, there is a good reason that the series has lasted 15+ novels.

maxresdefaultBut we all want even more wizardry in our lives, so I recommend the television show as well. Lasting just one season, the TV show stars Paul Blackthorne, who is excellent as the title character. Ghostly Bob, Warden Morgan, and Lt. Connie Murphy are excellent as well.

Make no mistake, this is a SyFy show and SyFy has rightly earned the reputation for poor production and mismanagement of their series. This is true of The Dresden Files as well, an example being that the episodes aired out of order, with the pilot (Storm Front) airing as episode 8.

But despite the cheesy SyFy production values and their mismanagement of the franchise, the same great characters are there. And for a show that features a crime solving wizard, I’m not seeking high art, it’s entertainment I’m after. The Dresden Files television show is entertaining and with only one season, it’s an easy binge.

Regardless of if you are a book or TV person, I do highly recommend you give The Dresden Files a try. It’s filled with great characters, fun stories, and imaginative situations. If you are curious about the books, you can start here. The TV show can be found via Hulu or Netflix. Now go get your nerd on.

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7 Types of Wizard Hats https://nerdsonearth.com/2015/08/7-types-of-wizard-hats/ https://nerdsonearth.com/2015/08/7-types-of-wizard-hats/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2015 11:50:05 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=2999

A hat does the wizard make. We look at seven of the most popular styles of wizard hats.

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Twain said that ‘clothes make the man’, so does the hat make the wizard?

For no other reason than wizards are cool, we’re going to go into an area rarely entertained here at Nerds on Earth: Fashion.

History is full of pointy hats, but perhaps none are pointier than the good ‘ole wizard / witch hat. But a pointed hat is not the only trick a wizard has up the sleeve of his robe. There have actually been several types of wizard hats prominently featured by magic users. Let’s judge them on the merits of their fashionability.

7 Types of Wizard Hats

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The Gandalf (See also, The Merlin)

Gandalf
The Gandalf. The hat against all wizard hats are judged. Click to embiggen.

A wizard is never late. Nor is he ever early. But with his stylish pointed hat, he’ll arrive in style precisely when he meant to.

Let’s start with the classic, the type of wizard hat that all wizards are judged against. And after the appearance of the Wicked Witch of the West, all witches are judged against this hat as well.

And why not? The Gandalf’s worn-in, weathered look is sure to please even the most curmudgeonly of wizards. In addition, it will protect against the elements and looks great with a robe.

The Zatanna (Topper)

This stylish looking top hat is the envy of stage magicians. It comes in one color, black, but magic users who want to push the envelope might add an inch or two to it’s height.

The extra height is unnecessary however, as the Zantanna acts as a Bag of Holding, capable of holding a near limitless amount of stuff inside a tiny pocket dimension. You know, rabbits and stuff.

The Raistlin (Raistlin Majere) The Hood

Dragonlance Hooded Wizard
The Raistlin Hood, for the magic-user who wants to look mysterious.

Raistlin’s entire existence has been about garnering more power. And what could denote power better than a mysterious hood?

A character in Tracy Hickman & Margaret Weis’ Dragonlance novels, Raistlin is a magic-user with golden skin, hourglass eyes, and a sweet hood that accentuates his all-powerful staff. Too bad he is corrupted (or did the hood corrupt him?)

With a simple charm to make it waterproof, the Raistlin hood is perfect for long trips in the elements.  Curiously, it does smell faintly of blood.

The Dumbledore (a tassel hat)

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The Dumbledore.

Despite looking old and out of fashion, this elegant hat conveys the noble bearing of an academic, but too bad it smells like old parchment. Although it is sewn together meticulously by elves, so this hat is sure to have a trick or two tucked into it’s hems.

This scholastic looking hat is no good in the elements, nor would it ever gain wide traction among magic-users, had it not been for Dumbledore, who wears it so well. But on his recommendation alone, I know I want one.

The Morgan Le Fay

Morgan Le Fay
The Morgan Le Fay, headwear made simple.

This simple circlet has been worn in hundreds of styles by hundreds of sorceresses.

Hardly a hat at all, the Le Fay is more like an accessory, but what an accessory it is. Practical, yet beautiful, the Le Fay can be used to hold back a magic users hair, as well as be bedazzled with jewels and flowers. This makes it both suitable for a King’s Court or within a Druid’s Circle.

The Dresden

Jim-Butcher-Dresden-Files-Harry-Dresden-_379076-60
The Dresden, a wizard that that can both attract and repel the ladies.

The hat of choice for any lonely young wizard wanting to look both dapper and more mysterious. However, any wizard wearing this who doesn’t have a charisma score of 15 or higher repels the opposite sex.

The Dresden, of course, was popularized by Harry Dresden, Wizard.

Note: Evil wizards can fashion a similar form called the “dreadora.”

The Willow

uggowillow
The Wilow. Headwear proof that clothes don’t necessarily make the magic user.

The Willow is proof that the hat isn’t everything when it comes to wizards. Can a magic user be hopelessly out of style, yet still practice the magic necessary to stave off vampires? The Willow is proof that it’s possible.

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As you can see, there are more types of wizard hats than one might imagine. Now take a look at how to build a wizard staff.

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