A Rich Tradition of Magic Users

Recently, my good friend Marcia B. (yes! *THAT* MARCIA B.! The layout genius from Dungeonfloor/HODAG) released Fantastic Medieval Campaigns: a love letter and recontextualization of the original roleplaying game. Yours truly happens to be happily featured HEAVILY in the art, where I tried to invoke Greg Bell’s work on that seminal text and the spirit of the hobby in ’73.

((Go check out Papers & Pencils write up here (https://www.paperspencils.com/fantastic-medieval-campaigns/) or go directly to her itch page and get it from there: (https://traversefantasy.itch.io/fmc)…the best 0 Electrum you will ever spend!))

Now, I am thinking of writing a “Great City” campaign based around the rules! HAWK eyed viewers will be able to spot what I’m going for, even if the GREY skies of winter fog up their glasses (I should probably run that past Marcia at some point…🤔). I have yet to decide if that’s the KNIGHTS OF SUMMER CASTLE project yet or if the two will separate before spring rolls around.

At any rate, here’s a few old school magic user ideas to get you started in your FMC Games!

The WARLOCKE

Randy, I *am* the ELIXIR.

Warlockes are reincarnated Wizards who can draw power from their past selves. The more they reincarnate, the more years of experience they can draw from to cast their spells. They are potion makers and are often rediscovering the the deep lore locked away within their souls. Wizards attain their “Warlock” rank at level 8 in FMC, but they may already be aware of their status as a Warlocke OR may be a “New Soul” and have no past experiences to draw from. In game, you may also go a “Trill” Route and have them constantly unlock or revisit past incarnations memories OR go with something akin to “Doctor Who”…and upon death, the new Magic User “starts over” with a new body, personality and fashion sense in your games.

The WITCH

Which is the Witch and Which is the Witches Ward?

A Witch is often an informal term used in conjunction with uneducated Magic Users from rural lands, backwater colleges or that learned the Mystic arts from a mentor, usually a family member. Traditional “Witch” Magic Users view their connection to the arcane as almost sacred, and are reticent to explore their connections to their past lives outside of what’s gleaned in conjured dreams while pondering the nature of magic. Witch Magic Users also favor forming a deep bond with a familiar, usually a cat, bat, rat or toad and prefer separate towers, hovels or cabins instead of making their homes in on-site castle rooms or towers.

The MAGICIAN

I hate it when guys dress like this. We get it, you cast spells. JEEZ!

The Magician is a Magic User that has unlocked the inner strength and mastery of the “Effect”. The flourishes, garrish and dazzling effects of spellcraft. It is a status to attain on the path to ultimate arcane mastery, and after it is reached, the caster’s spells will always and forever bear a unique sheen, crackle and buzz not present before. This is usually due to subtle muscle memory and linguistic mastery of intricate pronunciations of magic.

So yeah! …Some flavor for your FMC campaigns that may be something more later, or might just be a quick overview into a world to uncover for yourself at your table. Enjoy!