That said, however, some arcane colleges have curriculum offerings in various forms of combat, magical or otherwise. While it is not unheard-of for an adventuring wizard to undertake some combat training during the course of her career, many surround themselves with companions or hirelings to take care of hands-on defense and protection while the wizard relies on offensive and defensive spellcasting-from a safe distance. Additionally, encumbering armor and shields make it difficult if not impossible for the wizard to make the gestures and other body movements necessary for successful spellcasting. The time, focus, and dedication required for arcane mastery leaves the wizard with little time for physical development or combat training as a result, most wizards are capable of using only the simplest weapons, and even those with little proficiency. Once the bond is formed, the wizard becomes somewhat dependent on the object to work magic wizards who attempt to cast spells without either wearing or wielding their bonded object report a measurable decrease in their ability to focus and concentrate on the spell. Most often, the bonded object will be jewelry, a staff or wand, or a weapon some wizards choose to form the bond with an artifact or other object with its own pre-existing magical properties. Ī wizard who chooses instead to form an arcane bond with an object is able to store an extra portion of spell energy within the object and use it as a spell focus. While most familiars are domesticated or mundane small animals, a wizard of sufficient arcane mastery can summon an elemental or extraplanar creature as her familiar. The bond grows stronger over time, to the point that an experienced wizard can communicate mentally with her familiar and even see as if through the pet's eyes. Ī familiar is an arcane pet the bond between wizard and her familiar enhances the wizard's senses and spellcasting ability and provides the wizard with a small measure of the animal's physical abilities.

Nella, a wizard, entertains her cat familiar, the Lady Marcatella.Įarly in her arcane training, a wizard forms a powerful bond with a creature or object that enhances her arcane abilities.

Mousewizard 6.0