Magicians - does anyone play them?

[Mithrandir]

I think that the terms "blooded" and "true magic" are game terms only, that pcs and npcs would never use. Just as the prince of avanil doesn't call himself a "regent" of his "domain". The difference between low and true magic isn't what you know, it's what you can do. An unblooded individual and a blooded individual could both begin the path to wizardly magic, but the unblooded indivdual just wouldn't be able to provide the "power" to use certain spells as quickly as the wizard would, and for some spells never could. I don't think the unblooded invidual would be able to tell the difference except that the other wizard came form the line of great heros, and had greater strength perhaps because of it. I know the "Atlas of Cerlia" argues differently, but in my Campaign no one knows much about the way bloodlines work, some people just have certain powers because of their great good or evil spirits. I think the Bloodline rules exist to emulate what is true in many ancient hero tales. Heros often have special powers or are more powerfull then the common man because of great heros in their bloodline. Also, the more good a person was, the more beautifull they became. The more evil, the more ugly, just like the abominations. I think then that if you asked a Cerilian why the Gorgon was so damn ugly, he'd tell you it was because he is terrible dark lord, and very evil. By the same token if asked why that seer isn't as powerfull as that wizard lord, he wouldn't say it was because he was "unblooded" and had to practice "low magic".
He would say it was because the wizard was simply more powerful and the magician wasn't. Because of this I don't think low magic is a concouis choice, but rather a question of ability. There can be no blooded magicians, because a blooded magician is a wizard. Therefore in the example of a magician who becomes blooded, I would argue he is now a wizard, provided he reciaved the proper training to use his new powers (which could provide interesting role playing oppurtunites). As to how many magician levels equals one wizard level, just figure it out on an incivual base so the caharcter is in line iwth the rest of the party. And as to how many ol' Rogr had when he changed, you wanna be the one to ask?;)

[Lord Eldred]

Wow, very well put!

[spehar]

I agree with you in some respects Mithrandir, but I disagree on one important note. I think a blooded person learning the arts of magic can make a conscious decision not to learn the art of true magic. Since just about anyone can be a magician, in order to wield true magic you must dig deep into yourself to tap your inner energies (bloodline or elven blood).

When I was creating the magician character I was not DMing. Altering the magician class was one of my many creations in the Birthright world.

[Lord Eldred]

That seems logical that someone could choose not to do true magic but why would they?

On the otherhand people who all of sudden decide to multiclass when they are 25 and human, do they have enough time to get the concept of true magic?

[Mithrandir]

This is why I think that you don't have to study true magic, you just "get it". If it was a matter of understanding, why would bloodline matter? If can't understand something, that has to do with me, not with my ancestry. On the other hand, if it is a matter of personal power, then the blood of the gods is obviously an advantage.

[spehar]

Mithrandir:
In your opinion, if you "get" true magic, couldn't you choose not to wield it?

There are still advantages to being a blooded magician. The influence you get from ruling a realm, the blood abilities, the station. Perhaps some evil necromancer tainted the land recently and the people are on a witch hunt for wizards. You could also bind yourself to a personal oath of not wielding some magics and staying away from others. You COULd rationalize it in a number of ways. I choose to go for the role playing aspects where some go for the immediate and obvious bang for your buck.

[Mithrandir]

I to prefer to role-play, and I think that you can't draw the line between one type of magic and another. An Arcane spell-user who is not a sorcerer just studies magic, and he understands some spells but not others. He doesn't ever see the difference between high and low magic. Because of this, he can't choose to practice one and not the other, because he doesn't see the line to stop at. Of course if for roleplaying reasons the player decides he would never learn a select list of spells, such as those dealing with Necromancy or summoning like the elves do, he can do that. He can even decide that he risks too much when he uses his magic openly, and can decide to use only "discreet spells" whenever possible, but I maintain that high and low magic are game terms, not words the characters would be famillar with.

[spehar]

But the players would have some sort of game mechanic to work with would they not?And if a character wanted a magician game mechanic then wouldn't it be their job to RP that mechanic?

[Mithrandir]

Give me an example of how you could possibly Role-play someone chosing to not cross a line they can't see. How can a cerilian choose to use low magic instead of true magic when they can't tell the difference!

[spehar]

If you do nothing but subvert yourself in divination and illusion you work towards that goal. If you stay completely away from certain magics like necromancy, evocation, and conjuration because you deplore the magic or find disinterest in it then you work towards that end. In reality, all a magician is a double specialist.