dragon-magic-oef

CHAPTER 2
DRAGON
ASPIRANTS
DC 15: Most wyrm wizards are capable of altering their
spells in a way that no other wizards can, turning the
dragons’ intuitive knowledge of magic into wizard spell
principles.
DC 20: Wyrm wizards can counter the spells of other
casters due to their understanding of magic. Also, through
their consultation with dragons, wyrm wizards can puzzle
out arcane knowledge that other wizards cannot.
DC 30: Characters who achieve this level of success can
learn important details about a specific notable wyrm wizard,
the areas where he operates, and the kinds of activities
he undertakes.
Wyrm wizards are less common than standard wizards but
still can be found anywhere spellcasters congregate. However,
adventurers out to locate one should not waste their
time looking around colleges of wizardry or vast libraries.
Instead, they should seek out the nearest dragon’s lair.
WYRM WIZARDS IN THE GAME
Wyrm wizards work in any campaign that features opportunities
for research or quests for knowledge. Though their
versatility as spellcasters makes them useful in adventuring
situations, wyrm wizards truly shine when they have time to
conduct research between adventures. Additionally, a wyrm
wizard’s amazing discoveries can compensate for a lack of
alternative spellcasting in a party without a diverse cadre
of casters. Though a wyrm wizard loses some of his more
powerful spells, he still contributes in a variety of ways,
forgoing a focus on arcane spells in exchange for greater
utility in the campaign.
Adaptation
In campaigns where conferring with dragons is not common
(or might be taboo), simply revise the wyrm wizard class
so it gains knowledge from another source. Since a wyrm
wizard’s class features stem from his ability to sift through
the knowledge of ancient magical creatures, try substituting
another long-lived race with natural spellcasting abilities,
such as elves, celestials, or infernals. Regardless, adapting
the class in this way requires little more than altering its
background and should not involve significant changes to
game mechanics.
Sample Encounter
Wyrm wizards are different from other wizards in that they
prize the wisdom of dragons and will stop at nothing to attain
a higher level of arcane understanding.
EL 10: A wyrm wizard named Doran Stout has traveled
in search of a particular dragon to question about some
magical research. While stopping at a village along the way,
he ran into some trouble. Doran carelessly mentioned that
he sought a dragon to learn from, rousing the ire of a local
magistrate whose wife was killed by a dragon years ago. After
the magistrate had Doran imprisoned, the wyrm wizard had
a message sent out, offering a reward to anyone who could
convince the magistrate to release him and allow him to go
on his way.
Doran Stout CR 10
Male human wizard 6/wyrm wizard 4
NG Medium humanoid
Init +5; Senses Listen +2, Spot +2
Languages Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 15
(+1 Dex, +3 armor, +1 deflection, +1 insight)
hp 27 (10 HD)
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +11
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee mwk dagger +5 (1d4–1)
Base Atk +5; Grp +4
Combat Gear scroll of fireball, scroll of lightning bolt
Wizard Spells Prepared (CL 8th; 1d20+10 to overcome SR;
arcane spell failure 5%):
4th—dimension door, freedom of movement, ice storm
3rd—cure serious wounds (DC 17), dispel magic, fireball
(DC 17), lightning bolt (DC 17)
2nd—invisibility, knock, scorching ray (+6 ranged touch),
web (DC 16)
1st—feather fall, magic missile (2), ray of enfeeblement (+6
ranged touch), sleep (DC 15)
0—detect magic (2), light, read magic
Abilities Str 8, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 18, Wis 14, Cha 10
SQ knowledge of the wyrm, spell research, draconic
discovery
Feats Combat Casting, Craft Wondrous Item B , Empower
Spell, Improved Counterspell, Improved Initiative, Scribe
Scroll B , Spell Penetration
Skills Appraise +7, Concentration +13, Decipher Script +12,
Diplomacy +6, Gather Information +2, Knowledge
(arcana) +17, Knowledge (history) +8, Knowledge (the
planes) +10, Listen +2, Sense Motive +6, Spellcraft +17,
Spot +2
Possessions combat gear plus +2 padded armor, masterwork
dagger, ring of protection +1, dusty rose ioun stone,
backpack, bedroll, quill and ink, small mirror, spellbook,
spell component pouch, travel journal
Spellbook spells prepared plus 0—all; 1st—alarm, charm
person, comprehend languages, expeditious retreat, identify,
mage armor, shield; 2nd—darkness, flaming sphere, fog
cloud, see invisibility, shatter, spider climb; 3rd—blink,
explosive runes, fly, haste, hold person, protection from
energy, suggestion; 4th—enervation, stoneskin
Knowledge of the Wyrm By spending at least 1 hour doing
nothing but research, Doran can add +4 to Knowledge
(arcana) checks he makes for the next 8 hours.
Spell Research Doran can cast cure serious wounds and
freedom of movement as arcane spells.
Draconic Discovery Once per day, Doran can empower a
scorching ray spell without changing its level or preparing
it ahead of time.
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