Wizards and Spellbooks

[Mr. Daisy]

Hello everyone, I'm a new player to this server, and have thoroughly enjoyed myself so far. Unfortunately school keeps me very busy, so I've only managed to squeeze in time last weekend. Perhaps I can get a bit of time this coming weekend.

Anyway, I'm playing a wizard and I was wondering if anyone had ever considered having wizard characters start with a physical spellbook item in their inventory. Most people might wonder what the point is, and the only answer I've got is that it makes things a touch more realistic. It might make some interesting RP scenarios as well. For instance, a character being captured, mugged, etc. and losing their book and capability to cast spells until they retrieve the book or find a suitable replacement.


Oh, as for pick-pocket concerns, I imagine most wizards would be smart enough to have some simple method of thwarting such mundane attempts at theft.(e.g. a chain or leather strap securing the book to their belt, robe, pocket, or whatever)

What do you guys think?

Also, in case you're wondering which character is mine, he is a golden haired Sun-Elf wizard. I haven't run into his double yet, so hopefully he's a bit unique in that respect.

[drachii]

Well, you do already technically *have* a spellbook...

Also, this is a fun idea but... why do you need a physical item? After all, you can easily RP having your book stolen - unless you're a clicky addict it's not too hard to not-cast spells until you get it back ^^

[residentbalkor]

You don't need to actually possess a phsyical item in order to lose it ... Nothings stopping you from pretending you lost your spellbook - Under any RP circumstance.

I recall a few times where my Half Giant on Layonara (back in NWN1) would capture other peoples familiars and run away... Sure they could "unsummon" them - because the technical aspect allows them to - but for RP purposes they never did, and we always had a blast.

[Mr. Daisy]

Hmm, I suppose you are right, having a physical spellbook item in your inventory is a bit superfluous. I'm somewhat a realism nut however, except when it comes to having to have your characters eat, set out tents and bedrolls, etc.

[mrdeadman]

I would see it as spell books are heavy and would actually take weight allowance room. The more spells you have in it the more it weighs. I would think warriors and others would see this as an unfair advantage as everything they need for their craft has tremendous weight by comparison. Most wizards don't skimp on their books either (heavy leather bindings and metal clasps) the average spells book would weigh in excess of twenty pounds at least.

As for pick pocketing, it is very easy to place wards and runes and other protections on your spell book. I don't care what your SoH skill is, you take 25 points of electric damage directly to your hand 2 things are going to happen: one, you will yelp alerting people in the area. Two, Your hand will twitch involuntarily and you will drop whats in it.

Also, again, a spell book is heavy, if twenty pounds is suddenly removed from the bottom of your pack, you will notice.

[DM Sir Carnifex]

Jan 30, 2009 14:11:37 GMT -5 mrdeadman said:

Also, again, a spell book is heavy, if twenty pounds is suddenly removed from the bottom of your pack, you will notice.

Anything two pounds or more cannot be snatched, so there's no worry about a 20lb book being stolen. ;D

[Tiefling]

Books are troublsome. My Half-Fiend Arcane Trickster has a inconspicuous 'magical' spoon working as her spellbook. But what worries me is that the spoon might be stolen as it does not weight 9.072 kg. (About 20 pounds.)

Well, I bet it is going to be fun hunting down those dastardly fellows who would steal me spoon. ;D