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Post by Dachshund on Mar 16, 2007 6:53:15 GMT -5
I've heard a few characters refer to themselves in game as archmages. I just want to hear everyone's opinion on this.  When is someone an archmage/archwizard? I think the title of archmage is a political one. I don't think the ability to cast 9th level spells allows you to use the title Archmage about yourself. In my opinion, the title of Archmage is one you are rewarded with through not only your magical abilities, but also through your continued search for magical knowledge and power. You may gain the title as a symbol of recognition by your peers, but the title should hold at least some political clout. The title should never be self-proclaimed. Keep in mind, I am not telling anyone that they can't call themselves Archmage, I'm merely asking for everyone's opinion on the matter. ;D Any takers?   |
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Post by moulinous on Mar 16, 2007 6:56:13 GMT -5
Archmage is like a noble IMO of the spell casting elite. It is something given not just taken...an Archmage should be epic at least and surpassing the 20th level. To be ranked with the likes of Khelben, Elminster and the Simbul....well, casting a 9th level spell aint that bad arse when compared to them.
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Post by Pookey on Mar 16, 2007 7:20:20 GMT -5
If I remember correctly, the titles were given as part of AD&D first edition, where each level had a title. For mages, when you reached ninth level, you were a mage. When you reached 17 or 18 (whenever you get 9th level spells) you were an archmage.
In the current game, this is a title and may be given by others, or self proclaimed, IMHO. Self proclaimed archmages will probably be looked on with scorn by their peers as braggarts and egomaniacs, but hey, most mages are anyway, right? (insert smiley and sticky tongue out face for levity and tongue in cheekiness).
If the title is meaningful, then it was bestowed by your peers or someone else who's opinion is valued. If self proclaimed, eh.
Probably no one will dispute it to your face. Probably...
All opinion above, this is not a DM ruling.
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Post by EDM Neo on Mar 16, 2007 7:52:32 GMT -5
Self proclaimed archmages will probably be looked on with scorn by their peers as braggarts and egomaniacs. That means you, Deldur! Seriously though... seeing as Neverwinter Nights doesn't have the Archmage prestige class, it's just a title. You can call yourself whatever you want. Some people will be intimidated by it, some will think you're just overconfident, some just won't care. There's nothing wrong with the level two wizard claiming to be an archmage, just that if anyone believes them, and they're expected to prove it, they'll be pretty screwed over. I don't imagine that anyone actually powerful enough to call themselves an archmage and back up the claim will be too happy about others going around and calling themselves such... it'd make their own title seem quite a bit less prestigious. So, yeah. Agreed with Pookey, if others start calling you it, then that's great. If you give yourself the title, well, there's nothing stopping you from calling yourself whatever you want... but others may not take too kindly to it. |
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Myth
Old School
Retired FRC DM
The Myth
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Post by Myth on Mar 16, 2007 8:35:23 GMT -5
Hm... The archmage as mentioned is a Prestige Class, which though is not included in NWN. As far as I can remember (of course might be wrong) requirement is the ability to cast spells of the 7th circle. Archmages are usually pure wizards or pure sorcerers.
Now... Archmage as a title, I don't know if it actually has any political meaning in Faerun, as far as I know the only political title involving the word mag-e is Magistrate.
I hope someone has more recent and in-depth knowledge of the Lore involved, concerning the FRCS and the title "archmage" (last time I studied FRCS books... it was Ad&d 2nd Edition), it would be good.
I think Neoseanster sums it up good enough.
But... still truth is that everyone can call himself whatever he wishes, it's up to the rest around to believe or think he's silly.
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Post by SlothfulCat on Mar 16, 2007 13:30:34 GMT -5
Yeah, I was basing my statement on the Prestige Class Archmage requirement of level 7 spells, skill focus: spellcraft etc... hence why "nearly" was used when aria was commenting on her abilities.
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Post by catmage on Mar 16, 2007 16:09:24 GMT -5
Well, Archmage in the prestige class case also involves 15 ranks each in Spellcraft and Knowledge Arcana(NWN's ever cheap crap Lore), skill focus in Spellcraft, spell focus in two schools of magic, and 7th level spells, with knowledge of fifth level spells from at least five different schools. So Archmage in that sense refers to one who, as Dachshund said, has devoted themself to magic above and beyond the average mage, even if that average mage is casting timestop.
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Post by eraldur on Mar 16, 2007 18:38:12 GMT -5
Nothing wrong with "self-proclaiming" your Wizard as Archmage; here are some definitions as per Complete Arcane: P4
Arcanist, Mage or Wizard: Some definitions
Arcanist: Any character who can cast arcane spells. The term is essentially synonymous with "arcane spellcaster".
Archmage: A character with levels in the archmage prestige, though highly accomplished mages are often referred to as archmages even if they don't have actual archmage levels.
Mage: An arcan spellcaster whose primary talent is specllcasting. Bards, for example are not referred to as mages (As sorcerers and wizards are) because spellcasting is simply one facet of their overall talents.
Sorcerer: A member of the sorcerer class. In general, if it's not known whether a character is a sorcerer or a wizard, he or she is referred to a mage or arcanist.
Specialist: A wizard who has specialized in a school of magic. A specialist should rightly be referred to by the name that goes along with her specialty--abjurer, conjurer, diviner, enchanter, evoker, illusionist, necromncer or transmuter.
Wizard: A member of the wizard class. The term includes both specialized and nonspecialized wizards, but if a wizard's school of specialty is known, he is referred to by the appropriate specific name.
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Driderman
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Off-topic conversationalist extraordinaire!
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Post by Driderman on Mar 18, 2007 19:04:17 GMT -5
Well... Some classes are also akin to titles... Like the Archmage and the assasin and what-not. Others, not so much. Harper Scout comes to mind.
Personally, I wouldn't necessarily call myself an archmage even if I had levels in the PrC. And I wouldn't neccessarily desist from calling myself one even if I did not have levels in the PrC.
It's a bit like calling yourself Warlord. Anyone can do it but unless you can back up your claim you're bound to come off as an idiot
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Post by Munroe on Mar 18, 2007 21:08:36 GMT -5
Well... Some classes are also akin to titles... Like the Archmage and the assasin and what-not. Others, not so much. Harper Scout comes to mind. Personally, I wouldn't necessarily call myself an archmage even if I had levels in the PrC. And I wouldn't neccessarily desist from calling myself one even if I did not have levels in the PrC. It's a bit like calling yourself Warlord. Anyone can do it but unless you can back up your claim you're bound to come off as an idiot Um.... Harper Scout is a title. It says both the organization and the duties of the position. |
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Driderman
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Post by Driderman on Mar 19, 2007 7:50:33 GMT -5
Well... Some classes are also akin to titles... Like the Archmage and the assasin and what-not. Others, not so much. Harper Scout comes to mind. Personally, I wouldn't necessarily call myself an archmage even if I had levels in the PrC. And I wouldn't neccessarily desist from calling myself one even if I did not have levels in the PrC. It's a bit like calling yourself Warlord. Anyone can do it but unless you can back up your claim you're bound to come off as an idiot Um.... Harper Scout is a title. It says both the organization and the duties of the position. Hmm... Well it's a stupid title then  Seriously though, I just assumed that it wasn't specific rank and title within the organization although it seems I'm wrong...Didn't think the Harpers were big on military hierachy style titles... Sounds silly though, in my opinion. A bit like having the title 'Zhentarim Commoner' or something like that. Still, my point remains despite the semantics involved: You can call yourself whatever you like, as long as your character realistically would have knowledge of the words involved. |
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Post by davrosmandrake on Mar 21, 2007 9:15:32 GMT -5
I have an Archmage...Beladona is one...well she has a bow...so therefore she arches (as in archery)...so..Archmage  ) Aplogies to all those that have adventured with Bela and therefore have heard that ga before ;o) |
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Post by soulfien on Apr 6, 2007 15:07:23 GMT -5
An Archmage is one who looks inside each spell he or she knows and asks, "What if?"
An Archmage is not a mage who casts fireball as the fighters are charging the monsters.
An archmage is one who knows that there is a weakness to every spell- even Timestop.
An Archmage is one who knows his own weaknesses and has built up defensive routines to compensates.
An Archmage is one who knows that the defenses he's concocted are only good until another wizard discovers their weaknesses as well.
An Archmage is one who can take on a more powerful caster and defeat him with only a couple of spells.
An Archmage is one who can combat a creature immune to magic with spellcasting and win.
An Archmage is one who's sought after by all as the ideal Master.
As Elmisnter pointed out, an Archmage is one who knows that the lower level spells are just as powerful, if not more so, than the 9th level spells.
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Post by SlothfulCat on Apr 6, 2007 16:52:54 GMT -5
Guess that makes Aria an Archmage |
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