Half Pint@Weird Tales
What do you think of this type of magic?Conrad Stadin
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Magic: GlyphGlyph magic utilizes a variation of symbols in combination with the casters intents to create effects, and is limited by the sacrifice the caster is willing to give, and what the caster can. There are thousands of ‘Bases’ for a spell, but each Base has only three degrees, which determine the focus, effect, and cost of the spell. Complex spells can be created by using multiple bases, but these tend to be more intricate than powerful, as a cost for each base must be applied. The second degree does not have to match the first degree of a spell; a mismatched second degree will cause half of the cost to come from the origin of the second degree. Otherwise the third degree always matches the first degree of the spell. The greatest danger in using Glyphs is self-control, as a spell cannot be withdrawn once cast. The caster does not always have to pay the price, and as many can pay as are in physical contact with the glyph itself, and are willing participants in the spell. As such, some cities are built around the concept, utilizing their rulers as the caster and the citizens as participants for legendary feats in protective measures. However, many practitioners have suffered for paying costs beyond themselves for the deed. The lucky ones died quickly.
Techniques:Fire: Energy, heat, pain
Water: Flow, cold, will
Air: Synergy, velocity, spirit
Earth: Endurance, force, strengthFirst Degree: The focused element of a spell, determining the major element and outlining the ‘goal’ of a spell.
Second Degree: This is the ‘nature’ of a spell, determining the active component of the spell.
Third Degree: This is the sacrifice the mage gives in exchange for the spell, and is synonymous with the first degree. (Sometimes factored by the second as well, however.)Within: The mage embraces the magic within himself to bring out physical effects in line with the degrees. The most dangerous buteffective of methods, pulling out the mages full potential in perfect balance for an exchange of a greater cost in the third degree. This also represents the only way another glyph mage may combat another, absorbing the spell within themselves- as well as offering up the third degree of the spell again. Most Glyph casters will avoid this as much as possible though, as the doubling of the cost (from the initial caster, and the cost from the absorbing caster) results in much greater power, which is hard to control and harder to direct- sometimes leading to a loss of sanity.
Without: Out and into the world, where the control of the mage fades over the distance between the glyph and the outer effects ofthe spell. This is easier method, but misbalanced, focusing on the second degree of a spell. Larger glyphs have far greater ranges than smaller ones.
Skills: Cooking, camping, basic first-aid, riding, reading, writing, dancing, juggling
Equipment:Three black metal rings, each etched with various glyphs for quickly casting spells. He has a scattering of them through his pack, as disposable things that can break/melt/disappear from time to time.
Glyphed Boots: Air in the first, second, and third degree
Glyphed Gloves: Earth in the first, second, and third degree
Glyphed Underwear: Water in the first, earth in the second, and combined third degree
Personality:Conrad is generally a kind man, choosing to use his gift to help others. He is calm and tries to empathize with those around him. He represents that fool you see giving a street urchin an apple, despite the fact that the wretch was just caught trying to rob him a moment ago. He feels a degree of duty towards those that are less fortunate.
History:Conrad’s mother died in childbirth, and he grew up primarily on his uncle’s farm, with his father stopping by as often as possible to spend time with him. When he was old enough to be taught magic, his father took him on as an apprentice in the craft, though he refused to teach Conrad anything beyond the basics- citing “The more glyphs you know, the less creative and the less familiar with the costs you will be. Learn your limits now, and when you are older you can decide for yourself.”
Though irritated in his teenage years by the philosophy, experience taught him the wisdom of the concept. He stayed with the four basic elements, broadening his understanding and familiarity with them. When the young caster turned twenty, he completed the apprenticeship and headed out on his own, though he and his father keep contact through letters and the occasional visit.
It looks fine, but just know that because your character wields multiple elements his elemental techniques shouldn't be as powerful as the elemental attacks of magic users who wield singular elemental magic
