3 Editorial 16 Character Theme: The Fatedancer

By Steve Winter By Quinn Murphy

Riddle me this: How is publishing like a drop Fatedancers embrace the mantra of “whatever
in the Mississippi River? will be, will be,” and they use D&D Fortune
Cards to make their destinies their own.

5 Surely You Joust! 19 Class Acts: Assassin – The Black

By Alana Abbott Flame Zealot
You call yourself a knight? When was the last By Chad Brown
time you unhorsed an opponent with the shat- Black Flame Zealots embody the creeping
tering blow of a lance? dread of shadow and the seething fury of fire,
striking terror in the hearts of their prey. No
wonder they never get invited to all the fun
parties.

10 Step Into the Ring 23 Channel Divinity: Melora

By Teos Abadia By Tracy Hurley
Tired of settling arguments with words and Meet the Oak Shields and the Order of the
weapons? This article presents new rules op- Sacred Tide, the most steadfast and devout
tions for wrestling and boxing contests. Let followers of a tempestuous god who’s best
the best character (or monster) win! described as “wild at heart.”
27 D&D Alumni
By Bart Carroll
Take a trip through past editions of the D&D
game, and see how its iconic features have
evolved over the decades.

36 Nerathi Legends: Merindaelion, the

Barony of the Emerald Blade
By Richard Baker
It’s easy to be seduced by the white sand shores
and emerald forests of Merindaelion, but behind
this splendid façade is a serpentine kingdom with
dreams of conquering the world.

41 Confessions of a Full-Time Wizard

By Shelly Mazzanoble
D&D’s “Player-in-Chief” wonders what it’s all
about, whether it’s worth it, and why anyone
bothers.

46 Class Compendium: The

Acanist
By R&D Staff
Class Compendium takes a fresh look at the ver-
sions of the fighter, rogue, warlord, cleric, and
wizard that were originally presented in the 4th
Edition Player’s Handbook. In this article, we’ll
be proposing some changes and giving you the
opportunity to send in your feedback. This month
we present the arcanist wizard.

82 Dragonmirth
By Various Artists
Laughter returns to the pages of Dragon maga-
zine. Get your “funny fix” here.
 Dragon # 401 | Editorial Archive | 7/1/2011

Digital Publishing

Dragon Editorial
by Steve Winter

When I was a kid in Iowa, we had a rope tied to a tree branch that hung out over the Mississippi River. The tree was atop a low
bluff, so from the rope to the water was about a 10-foot drop (but it felt like 30 feet to my 10-year-old self). You could swing
out over the water and, as long as you held onto the rope, feel perfectly secure. Or you could relax and swim in the cool,
refreshing embrace of the river.

Between those two states, however, was the moment when you were plunging toward the water at ever-increasing speed,
flailing your arms and legs and probably screaming your lungs out. That brief interlude was far more thrilling, and more
frightening, than the stable conditions that sandwiched it.

Welcome to the digital age. Get ready to let go of that rope.

Publishing was a stable business for centuries. Then along came the digital revolution, and traditional publishing found itself
swinging out over the river. Major booksellers are going out of business. Newspaper and magazine publishers are shutting their
doors. Everyone is trying to figure out how to convert a traditional publishing business to the web without going broke in the
process, and plenty of publishers are going broke in the process. Even those that launched in this brave new age as pure web
endeavors are stalling almost as fast they took off.

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
3
Every publisher is faced with the decision of when to let go of that rope. Simply hanging on is becoming less of an option all
the time. It’s not always apparent whether the water is warm or cold, deep or shallow, but it’s pretty clear that it’s moving
swiftly.

The transition from letters and pictures on paper to strings of 1s and 0s in the cloud calls for reexamining a lot of ingrained
“truths” about publishing. The one that most closely affects us is this question: what does it mean to “publish a magazine” in
digital form?

Much of what people visualize when they think of a magazine has little to do with content but a lot to do with the fact that until
the digital age, magazines were always printed on paper. The image of a magazine as an object that lands in your mailbox or
newsstand once a month lingers even after paper is removed from the equation.

The screen is not just a sheet of paper in different form. Its possibilities and limitations are wholly its own. Digital delivery is
such a game-changer that even the word “magazine” is called into question. Some of you may have noticed that we seldom
refer anymore to “Dragon and Dungeon magazines.” Instead, we refer to “Dragon and Dungeon online.” It’s emblematic of the
situation in electronic publishing that no new word has arisen to replace magazine, even though one is clearly needed. (Simply
tacking an “e” onto the beginning of a word is becoming tiresome. We should be able to do better than that.)

We’re committed to digital publishing for Dragon and Dungeon online. This medium offers many possibilities that we’ve yet to
explore and raises questions that we’ve yet to answer. Is a web-based periodical that publishes stand-alone, unbundled articles
still a magazine? If so, it’s a different model for the 21st century. If not, then what is it? Regardless of your answer, it’s here to
stay . . . until the next new form comes along.

We’d like to hear your views on the advantages, disadvantages, and unexplored possibilities of digital publishing, especially
regarding Dragon and Dungeon online. Use the comments field below, or drop into the forum and share your thoughts.

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
4
Surely
You Joust!
By Alana Joli Abbott
Illustration by Jason Juta

Sir Adriana steadied her lance, looking

down the pitch at her opponent. There,
on the back of a reptilian beast she’d
never encountered before, not in all her
travels, was Lord Streynar, the king’s
champion.
He was also the man plotting a
rebellion against the king.
Adriana felt her horse paw the
ground nervously, feeding off Adriana’s
own nervous energy. This was her
chance to make a difference, she knew—
to stop the usurper before he had a
chance to act. Unless she defeated him,
she’d never be able to convince the
king of the evidence she and her fellow
adventurers had uncovered. With a
win under her shield, however, the king
would have to listen. She would have
proven herself before all the courtiers,
before all the kingdom. Streynar, as

TM & © 2011 Wizards of the Coast LLC. All rights reserved.

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
5
 Surely You Joust!

though he knew her intentions, smiled A gathering of so many warriors has great potential
for intrigue, as courtiers might persuade champions
confidently just before lowering the visor to overthrow a tyrant—or a benevolent monarch. Or
of his helmet. Despite the rules of the For the DM:
a knight of the old guard simply might not like the
tournament, she suspected that if he adventurers moving into his or her territory, thus Jousting skill
won, she’d be dead. taking every opportunity to show that they are out Challenge
of their element and should crawl back into the dun- If you want to introduce the idea of a joust into
The flag dropped and Adriana geons where they belong. your game, but your players are not interested in
charged, her mare’s hooves pounding the That potential for intrigue also opens up multiple taking on additional feats or tailoring their char-
ground toward the center of the pitch. reasons why the heroes would be attending a festival acters for chivalric competitions, you can create a
in the first place. It isn’t just the monetary prize that tournament as a long skill challenge.
Streynar’s mount clawed the ground, leads people to compete in jousts and other chival- Make most of the challenge a part of the prepa-
leaping into action. Their lances paral- ric events. Though tournaments are a great place to ration stage. Use primary skills such as Intimidate,
leled, and her heartbeat slowed. The make—or lose—a fortune and a reputation, they are which adventurers use to shake the confidence of
also a handy place for adventurers to find future
moment of truth was here. employers. What better way to impress a lord who
other competitors; Nature, which allows adventur-
ers to choose or prepare a mount; and Perception,
might later need someone to solve a persistent goblin which helps identify a treacherous area on the
If the dungeon crawl represents the staple of adven- incursion than showing prowess in battle against jousting pitch or a flaw in a foe’s armor. These
turing, it is also the dark, dank, smelly side of the skilled warriors? In addition to using a tournament skills could open additional uses of Athletics, Heal,
profession. Hours spent away from daylight, days and to advertise their services, adventurers can find such Insight, or Streetwise.
nights that are interchangeable, dull meals of hard- an event to be an excellent opportunity to track down The joust itself becomes the final stage of the
tack and dried meat—a dungeon crawl might be the minstrels, merchants, informants, and entertainers skill challenge. Each prior success adds a +2 bonus
most lucrative of an adventurer’s missions, but it can who might know a thing or two about whatever mis- to one final Athletics roll. The DC should be hard
also be the pits. Literally. sions the adventurers are trying to solve. for the characters’ level, particularly given the
If you are an adventurer who prefers sunlight to A tournament is also a great place to go shopping. number of bonuses that can be earned in the prep-
gloom, who favors chivalry and camaraderie over As competitors and delegations from many lands aration stage. Simulating a joust in this context
mingling with monsters, a joust might be just what gather to make their names, merchants from those allows any groups to give themselves something
you need to eliminate the dungeon doldrums. Surely, lands also flock to the crowd. Looking for a hard- important to do at a tournament—and gives them
among other noble-minded individuals who take to-find ritual or discounted magic items? Someone the possibility of earning an otherwise unlikely
their honor and valor seriously, adventurers have is sure to be selling them. An adventurer hoping to victory.
little to worry about aside from winning glory and unload a tricky artifact picked up on a previous mis-
prizes, right? sion might find someone to take that dangerous item
Not necessarily. off his or her hands and earn a profit.
The dangers in a dungeon are often straight-
forward: monsters, traps, and hazards that need to
be overcome. At a jousting tournament, the dan-
gers are more subtle. A count might be plotting to
undermine the king’s champion by crippling the
champion’s horse. Spies from an enemy nation might
be planning to ruin the festival as an act of terrorism.

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
6
 Surely You Joust!

Setting the S cene Between the tent city and the main gate of the
noble’s keep is the banquet table—actually several
Although a major metropolis might host a tour- tables lined end to end. Placed close to the keep to
For the DM:
nament as a civic event, most tournaments are make it easier for the servants to bring food back
conducted under the direction of a lord or a lady, who and forth, it is heavily laden with food. Meals include a Challenge
is responsible for the care and feeding of guests— delicacies such as oxen, birds stuffed inside each oF etiquette
not only the competitors but the spectators as well. other (from swans to swallows), stags from the noble’s If you’re integrating a bit of intrigue into your
Nobles and adventurers, merchants and peasants forest, meat and sweet pies, and a multitude of sweets. game, a tournament can be the perfect place to
are all considered a part of the tournament, and the A high table is set aside for the noble, the noble’s do it—and the banquet portion of the event can be
banquets held every night of the competition can be family, and the most important guests, usually includ- turned into a skill challenge for uncovering secrets,
extremely expensive affairs. Only rich nobles host ing religious leaders, winners in the competition, and winning allies, and gaining clues. It can also be an
tournaments, and they use the events as a way to any guests who would be insulted if they were seated excellent way to introduce threats that impact the
show off their wealth and generosity. A host might with the peasantry. adventurers at a later time: if they fail, they may
be required to feed up to six thousand guests for Though the food is free, conducting oneself prop- have offended some important characters who can
the duration of a tournament, making the event erly at dinner can be as much of a challenge as the cause trouble for them later.
effectively a temporary city. The most important com- tournament competition, especially if an adventurer This is a great chance for social characters to
petitors and guests (or those most likely to betray the is seated at the high table. A competitor’s manners shine and sneaky ones to sit back and observe, or
lord or the lady, given the opportunity) might find should be impeccable, and his or her conversa- search through the tent city or the noble’s keep
themselves housed in the keep along with the noble’s tion should be intriguing. Sometimes, competitors while the normal residents are occupied.
family. are expected to show off their more refined skills If you’re using the entire tournament as a skill
However, the best gossip and rumors—and deals by performing a song or a poem. Fortunately for challenge, adventurers could gain successes during
on items—happen where the common folk are. The many warriors who don’t have great social skills, the banquet with skills such as Diplomacy, History,
tent city that springs up around the jousting pitch it’s acceptable to show one’s wealth instead by and Streetwise.
is a place of cheer and color, and the atmosphere hiring professional entertainers. After dinner come
tends to be welcoming. Given the necessary diver- games, such as backgammon and chess, and danc-
sity of this type of festival, even races that typically ing. Though most of these games are reserved for
are shunned might find themselves side by side the upper classes, occasionally merchants and peas-
with races that usually show them disdain. Peace ants are allowed to participate, breaking down the
outside the competition is a necessity; a brawl could barriers between ranks for the short duration of the
disrupt the tournament and bring dishonor to the festival.
noble hosting the event. People participating in this
kind of unsavory activity could easily find them-
selves spending the rest of the tournament in the
dungeons—or worse.

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
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 Surely You Joust!

t he A rt of t ilting not only losing face but also losing whatever you’ve
wagered in the competition.
new Feat
Combat jousting, commonly called tilting or the tilt, The goal of a joust is to knock your opponent off
is typically the main event at a tournament. Entering Jousting Charge
his or her horse while wielding a lance (longspear).
the tilt requires the knight or adventurer to put up On the pitch, combat happens quickly. The action Prerequisite: Mounted Combat feat
stakes in advance. Typically, a knight puts up a sword, unfolds like this: Benefit: If you hit a target with a charge attack
armor, a shield, a mount, or all of these. Such posses- 1. Opponents make simultaneous attacks with while you are mounted, you can push the target 1
sions typically represent the majority of the wealth their spears. Unless the character has an applicable square and then shift 1 square into the square the
owned by competitors. Those who can afford to do power, this is a melee basic attack, Strength vs. target vacated.
so might put up cold cash, but risking something so AC, with a longspear (+2 proficiency bonus, 1d10
impersonal is seen as less chivalrous than putting up damage). Roll damage as normal. s
an item that has personal meaning. 2. If a contestant hits with the first attack, he or
In the tent city, competitors in the tilt leaves their Aside from the main event, a tournament is the site of
she rolls a second attack, Strength vs. Fortitude, to try
shields outside the openings of their tents, each one in many other sporting competitions. Two of these, ring
to unhorse the opponent.
the charge of a page or a squire. (These aides could be jousting and dummy jousting, also require the use of
3. If the second attack is successful, the target
other members of the party or hirelings acquired for a lance or a tilting lance.
makes a saving throw to remain mounted. On a fail-
this purpose.) The page or squire makes note of any In a ring jousting match, several rings are sus-
ure, he or she falls off the mount.
competitors or their hirelings who come by and tap pended from different poles along a course; the
the shield with a sword. This gesture is a challenge to competitor spears as many rings as possible along
If neither rider is unhorsed, the joust continues with
compete; failing to meet that challenge could mean the course in the fastest time. Usually the rings are of
another simultaneous attack (step 1). If both riders
increasingly smaller size, to make the last ones more
are unhorsed at the same time, either the joust is
difficult to spear than the first ones.
considered a draw or the contest continues as though
Dummy jousting also tests speed and accuracy.
neither one had been unhorsed.
Rather than meeting a live opponent on the jousting
heaD shots A joust is over when one and only one competi-
pitch, the competitor faces off against a dummy that
Most jousting competitors aim for their opponents’ tor is unhorsed at the end of step 3, or when either
has a target on one arm and a counterweight on the
torsos, but one school of training recommends contestant drops to 0 hit points or fewer. A joust that’s
other. When the lance strikes the target, the dummy
aiming for the head. This is a riskier tactic, since part of a tournament is never meant to be a fight to
swings around; if the competitor isn’t quick enough,
hitting the head is a more difficult shot. The payoff, the death.
he or she is struck on the back of the head by the
however, is high: You receive twice the amount of Some jousters prefer to use a tilting lance, which
counterweight.
treasure (or number of points, if the tournament is a brittle spear that breaks spectacularly on a solid
Both of these competitions can be run as indi-
is point-based) if you win a joust with a head shot impact. A tilting lance shatters on an unmodified
vidual skill challenges, in which each ring has its own
rather than a normal knockdown. attack roll of 15–20 that results in a hit. A character
DC or each joust against the dummy counts as a use
In a joust, the opponent’s head has a +5 bonus who shatters one or more tilting lances during a joust
of a skill. Acrobatics and Nature, representing your
to AC. A successful head shot gives the target gains a +2 bonus to Diplomacy checks or Intimidate
agility and your ability to communicate your desires
a –2 penalty to the saving throw to avoid being checks against those who witness the shattering. The
to your horse, are the primary skills involved. The
unhorsed. bonus lasts until the end of the encounter.
lance’s proficiency bonus (+2 in the case of the long-
spear) should be added to any Acrobatics checks in
this competition. Alternatively, one of these events

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
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 Surely You Joust!

because spectators enjoy watching the fireworks A nonmonetary reward might be more ephemeral,
but don’t want to catch any sparks! Dueling can be but more worthwhile. Perhaps the prize is a kiss from
run as an individual combat, ending at first blood or a fair youth of high rank. If the noble youth is a spy for
Chivalry or Cheating?
unconsciousness, or as part of a larger skill challenge, an agency you need to make contact with, earning his
What some competitors might consider practi- using Athletics to represent brawling or wrestling, or or her favor might be the only way to pass on secret
cal preparations, others see as cheating. Rituals Arcana to represent a challenge of magical power. information—or learn of your next mission. The prize
such as Fortify Beast, Bolster Object, Uncanny could be a boon from the lord or the lady who hosts
Strength, and Song of Sustenance, or items such
as the unbroken lance, are certain to improve your target shooting the tournament: by virtue of your accomplishments,
you are granted a story reward that opens doors for
odds, especially if no one else is using magic. But Archery competitions are another tournament staple. you on future quests. Tournament winners without
then, if no one else is using magic, this advantage Target shooting begins at a range of 6 squares; each land of their own might suddenly find themselves
might be considered unfair enough that the host target has three concentric rings that determine the with estates and titles, so long as they swear fealty to
finds your winning dishonorable—and deserving of number of points awarded on a hit. On each suc- the lords who granted them.
some time in the stocks. cessful hit, the target is moved back an additional 3 But the best prize might be the songs that min-
squares. This competition can be part of a skill chal- strels sing in your honor—and the knowledge that at
lenge, using Acrobatics to hit the target, or it can be the next festival, it’s rumors about you that will spread
its own event, where the targets have three ACs to like wildfire along the banquet table.
can be represented by a single skill check in a much represent the different rings. At the closest range, the
larger skill challenge. outer circle has AC 10, the middle ring AC 15, and About the Author
These competitions could also be run as combat the bull’s-eye AC 20. These ACs increase by 2 for Alana Joli Abbott has written several adventure scenarios
encounters. The rings might start out as AC 17, with every 3 squares the target is moved back. for RPGA campaigns from Living Kingdoms of Kalamar to
the AC increasing for each progressively smaller- Xen’drik Expeditions and Living Forgotten Realms. She
diameter ring. The dummy might be easy to hit (AC ss is a contributor to the award-winning Serenity Adventures,
as well as a writer of fiction, comics, and history articles.
10), but it attacks (+10 vs. Reflex) as an immedi-
The most prevalent rewards for success in a When not rewriting Greek or Norse mythology in her home
ate reaction. If the dummy’s opponent is hit, he or games, she blogs about writing and mythology on her home
she must succeed on a saving throw to avoid being tournament are the stakes put up by the other com-
page at www.VirgilandBeatrice.com.
unseated (and embarrassed) before the crowd. petitors—which could be magic weapons or exotic
mounts, but often end up being mundane equipment.
Beyond that, a generous host is likely to put up a sepa-
Dueling and Jousting rate prize for the winner of the tournament. Some
Dueling is a common addition to a jousting tourna- tournaments allow teams to compete, rewarding
ment, either as a separate event or as a part of the tilt. points for every event won. Some award points only
When one competitor is knocked off a horse during to individual competitors, making each entrant show
a tilt, the event might continue as the foes face off on his or her talents in diverse fields. In other cases, the
foot, switching their lances for swords or other pre- noble who’s running the show might feel that all com-
ferred weapons. petitions but the tilt are irrelevant: the tournament
As its own event, a duel might involve basic melee winner is the last jouster standing. Regardless of how
competitions or, in rare cases, a challenge between it’s come by, the purse in these competitions is the
casters, showing off their prowess in combat magic. equivalent of a quarter of the gold that the adventur-
These activities tend to be given plenty of space, ers are expected to receive at their current levels.

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
9
Step into
the Ring
Sparring, Wrestling, and
Other Physical Contests
By Teos Abadia
Illustration by Sam Wood

Bloodied boxers pacing the ring seeking an advan-

tage, heroes battling foes in the tight confines of a
gladiatorial arena, and two wrestlers straining to
throw one another can make for compelling dra-
matic scenes. Whether the stakes are gold, freedom,
honor, or glory, such contests hearken back to earlier
times and ref lect our feral beginnings. Hearts beat
faster and sweat drips more freely when a physical
contest comes to a head. The roar of the crowd and
the consequences of victory or defeat heighten the
tension, bringing the players and the DM to the edge
of their seats.
This article examines how you, as the DM, can
build such scenes into adventures. It provides three
design frameworks for you to expand on, and it offers
rules for using Fortune Cards to add a strategic
element.

TM & © 2011 Wizards of the Coast LLC. All rights reserved.

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01 10
 Step into the Ring

Designing Underground Fighting Den: The first rule of

an underground fighting club is not to talk about it,
Some kinds of contests, such as a match against a
longtime rival, could be held in any kind of location.
a Contest except when you need new combatants. This type It’s possible for the location to be part of the condi-
of contest works well when the campaign involves tions that must be agreed to before the fight. The
A physical competition has three components, which criminal elements, such as a city’s thieves’ guild. It is characters’ longtime rival might agree to a contest
you determine in the order given below. also an excellent way for characters to infiltrate such only if it’s in a place of his or her choosing.
an organization, gain information, or sneak into an
1. Premise enemy city.
3. Rules
Any campaign can feature physical contests. Arenas Personal or Judicial Challenge: A powerful
rival could challenge the characters to a contest. Or Every physical contest is governed by rules that might
and gladiatorial combat are commonplace in the be an offshoot of the premise or the location. A grand
Dark Sun® campaign setting. Start your design pro- a transgression against the law might be forgiven
if the adventurers can prove their worth and win tournament is likely to have more rules than a match
cess by considering why the contest is taking place, in the wilderness against a barbarian champion,
who has created the challenge, and who will par- their freedom. In Dark Sun, the whim of a sorcerer-
king’s templar or the machinations of a merchant where the only rule might be “Don’t lose.”
ticipate. The following possibilities will help you get The nature of the physical activity you want
started. house can easily lead to a physical contest to avoid
slavery. to feature inf luences the rules of the contest. An
Advertised Challenge or Grand Tournament: unarmed competition might be a wrestling match,
Boxing and wrestling matches with little blood- Alternate Combat Resolution: Two kingdoms
at war decide on a contest between champions to end a boxing competition, or a martial arts display. A
shed are common in many societies. They provide contest hosted by barbarians might focus on feats of
a way for heroes to earn coin and gain information. the bloodshed. An archenemy near defeat requests
a contest and offers information the adventurers strength, agility, tenacity, and even natural knowl-
A king, a queen, or some other noble might hold a edge. A gladiatorial match might require particular
tournament as part of a festival. A coronation, the need in exchange. If the characters are losing, a foe
with a sense of honor might accept the challenge of weapons and armor or involve specialized combat
anniversary of a famous battle, and a holy day for a maneuvers.
deity representing strength or war are all suitable rea- a duel. This sort of impromptu contest is a great way
for a Dungeon Master to turn a total party kill into a Sometimes you can decide the rules of a contest by
sons for a grand tournament. The rewards for victory envisioning how you see the match playing out. Are
are enticing when they align with player character second chance.
participants trading blows? Is the contest a combina-
needs and goals. For example, adventurers who want tion of hand-to-hand combat and tactical skill? Does
to restore the name of a family that has fallen can 2. Location the contest resemble an obstacle course?
accept a sparring contest in the family’s name. In the In many cases, the premise of a contest effectively Of particular importance is how or whether all
Dark Sun setting, each city-state and most large vil- dictates where the contest is held, or at least nar- the characters will participate. If this is a solo contest,
lages hold periodic contests. rows down the possibilities. A grand tournament, can the other characters influence the outcome? They
Ways of the Wild: Barbarians and other primi- for instance, is typically staged on a parade ground might use skills to convince the crowd to cheer for
tive communities often require blood sport before within sight of a castle, with banners proclaiming the their ally, use skills to aid their champion between
accepting a request from outsiders. This might be names of each noble contestant. An echoing under- rounds in a boxing match, or wager on the fight to
an important test for heroes traversing the wilder- ground chamber illuminated by flickering torchlight increase the benefit of a victory.
ness, in need of supplies, or seeking directions to a and accessed through sewers is perfect for an illicit
foe’s lair. challenge run by a cult.

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01 11
 Step into the Ring

seleCting a claim weapons that are lying in the middle of a patch

of challenging terrain creates excitement even before
provide options for the characters and a reasonable
chance of success.
Framework the match begins. Design Elements: Because monsters tend to have
Events: Combat contests are more dynamic if fewer trained skills than player characters, static DCs
The combination of premise, location, and rules minor events take place, adding to the action but not might be a better option than opposed checks. Doing
determines the framework that best fits a physical supplanting it. An arena master or a noble might sud- this also speeds up play and focuses the action on the
contest—either a combat encounter, a skill challenge, denly offer a healing potion to the first contestant player characters. If you do use monsters, adjust their
or a hybrid approach. to reach a certain location. Perhaps a spectator is trained skills and skill modifiers to expected values
thrown from the stands and begs for the characters for adventurers of the appropriate level.
Combat to provide protection, or a foe on the brink of defeat Consider how certain skills can have varying
A combat encounter makes for a thrilling physical pleads for mercy. usefulness throughout the contest, represented by
contest. Excellent resources for gladiatorial matches Victory Conditions: Simply defeating foes in stages of the skill challenge. A martial arts com-
can be found in the Dark Sun Campaign Setting (pages combat can be underwhelming for the players—after petition might start with a stage to learn about the
200-202) and in the article “Fight! Battles in the all, the characters do this sort of thing all the time. opponent’s style through History or Streetwise, prog-
Gladiatorial Arena” (Dragon 368). Follow the normal Consider interesting alternatives such as a capture- ress to skills used to gain a tactical advantage such
rules for designing a combat encounter, making note the-flag scenario (some object must be reached and as Insight and Perception, feature several rounds of
of the following points. perhaps brought back to a location) or king of the Acrobatics or Athletics as they engage in the physi-
Participants: Traditional combat design works hill (a position must be reached and held for some cal contest, require an Endurance check to stave off
well for a party of four to six characters. A solo specified duration). For an individual match, you fatigue, and then conclude with a final Acrobatics or
combat or one that matches combatants in small could stage a melee scenario in which victory can be Athletics check.
groups requires greater care. A melee combat is achieved by bloodying an enemy, grabbing an oppo- Advantages: Advantages (see Rules Compendium,
unlikely to be fair or fun for the player of a charac- nent for a specific number of rounds, or bull rushing page 160) should be used in physical contests where
ter who specializes in ranged attacks. An elite foe a rival out of the ring. the skill challenge has a high complexity. Consider
that has high defenses and hit points or powers that granting advantages with every other success or
apply excessive control can all result in too difficult Skill Challenge designing custom advantages based on the situation.
Events: Other events that can unfold during a
a challenge. A skill challenge works well for a physical contest
Design Elements: Select terrain and design a contest add depth, particularly to obstacle courses
when victory depends on several aspects of physical and racing contests. A swimming race across a
map that makes the experience exciting. In the city- prowess instead of just on combat. An obstacle course,
state of Urik in Athas, for example, the walls and river becomes a thrilling affair when crocodiles are
a test of strength and agility, and a competition encountered and must be fought or evaded. A char-
pillars dotting the arena are covered in jagged and to make it through the desert alive are all excel-
blisteringly hot obsidian. In Raam, one side of the acter’s attempt to prove his or her worth to a barbaric
lent themes for a skill challenge. An Olympic-style tribe by surviving a week in the forest becomes more
arena is a natural crevasse of tremendous depth. wrestling match can use Acrobatics, Athletics, and
Bring the arena setting to life and consider elements challenging when snow falls on the fifth day. See
Endurance to determine pins and throws, while skills “Cross-City Race” in Dungeon 176 for more examples
such as ramps and bridges, elevation changes, pits, such as Insight and Perception can reflect defensive
pools, and difficult, hazardous, or fantastic terrain. of events and complications.
awareness. Victory Conditions: Victory is typically deter-
Hidden traps, resources such as consumable magic Participants and Skills: Any number of partici-
items, and terrain powers (see the article Tutorial: mined by a certain number of successes before
pants can be used. Usually, the likelihood of one side failures. You could instead compare successes across
Terrain Powers) can add to the fun, especially when having a necessary skill increases with the number
neither side is aware beforehand that they exist. A participants or consider other methods of determin-
of participants on that side. Select enough skills to ing success. For example, a character who pauses
match in which combatants start unarmed and must

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
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 Step into the Ring

during a race to help someone in need might later be Participants: The hybrid approach to design- a minor advantage for each successful use of a skill.
granted two successes by the match organizer for that ing a physical contest has the same considerations In hand-to-hand combat a participant might select
display of compassion. in this regard as a straight combat encounter or skill from a menu of skills, gaining a different advantage
challenge. If players can choose between skills and from each.
Hybrid Approach combat or can boost their combat prowess with skills,
they gain greater flexibility. For this reason, the
Events: The hybrid approach lends itself well to
the use of events. Events can be either combat epi-
A combination of skill challenge and combat ele- hybrid approach allows a wider variety of character sodes or skill challenges based on what will introduce
ments can capture both the furious blows in a builds to compete in a challenge. a fun change.
sparring match and the strategic decisions made to Design Elements: The most important consid- Victory Conditions: Victory conditions are
gain defensive or offensive advantages. A gladiatorial eration on a hybrid contest is how to blend the use of driven by the kind of contest you devise. In a skill-
match might require participants to battle as they skills with the activity of combat. The best way to do driven contest, besting a foe in combat might
climb a cliff face. In the style of Robin Hood’s Merry this depends on whether you want the contest to be contribute a success toward the skill challenge. In
Men, bandits in the forest might challenge a player combat-driven or skill-driven (see the sidebar). a combat-driven contest, the successful use of skills
character to duel with staffs while balancing on a log Advantages: Advantages can be especially helps the combatants land their blows or defend
over a river. useful in the hybrid approach. Consider providing against attacks, making success in the overall battle
more likely.

COmbAt-DRiven SkiLL-DRiven
COnteStS COnteStS
In a combat-driven hybrid contest, each participant For a skill-driven hybrid contest, you can follow
can engage in combat normally. In addition, com- the design of a typical skill challenge, breaking the
batants can use skills to gain advantages. challenge into various scenes or stages. In between
If a successful skill check is made as a standard each, allow for one or more combat actions or
action, its benefit should be as significant as the combat rounds. Consider the many adventures of
successful use of a power. This sort of contest can Indiana Jones where he intermittently traverses
work well if participants are not able to use class dangerous terrain and dispatches foes (usually
powers or similar attack powers. A contest might minions).
allow only bull rush actions, grab actions, or the use Combat scenes within a skill-driven contest
of Acrobatics, Athletics, or Intimidate. work best when they are fast and furious. Consider
Allowing the use of a skill as part of a move a scene in which three minions block the path that
action can be an integral part of a contest focused the characters must take. A minion might be pre-
on traversing terrain, such as a chase. Minor actions pared to cut a rope bridge, giving the characters
are best for skills that provide small benefits. In a just one chance to strike first. Or, they might need
duel, a successful Perception check might enable to find a key that is in one of several baskets. The
a character to spot a weak spot in the target’s correct basket also holds a dangerous viper, lead-
defenses. ing to a bit of combat before they can gain the key.

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 Step into the Ring

Using sample HybriD provide a +1 bonus to the skill check if the player
provides a vivid description of the tactics his or
FortUne CarDs a pproaCH: her character is using. As a move action, a combat-
ant can shift only a single square or use the escape
Fortune Cards are an excellent addition to a physical ch action. You might allow some racial powers or class
contest. They can represent tactics that the char- powers to be used.
acters use during the match. Consider using these Premise: Each year the king grants an audience
At the end of a round, each of the other charac-
optional rules. and a boon to an individual who can best his cham-
ters can try to inf luence the crowd with Diplomacy,
pion in a wrestling match. The player characters wish
Intimidate, or Streetwise checks. Each successful
an audience to free an ally imprisoned in the king’s
team Deck dungeons.
check shifts the power bonus to attack rolls granted
Players create a single deck together, choosing by the crowd one step in favor of their ally, and each
Location: The match is held in a small ring in the
options based on their assessment of the challenge. failed check shifts the bonus farther in favor of the
castle’s large courtyard. Nobles watch from stands
At the beginning of a round, each player draws a king’s champion, to a maximum of +4 in either
and wager their coin while villagers jostle for position
card from the team deck. Players can trade cards if direction. A character who’s not participating might
and fervently cheer for the king’s champion.
desired. The deck should have twenty or more cards agree on a wager with a noble, using Diplomacy,
Rules: This is an unarmed wrestling match
so that lasts for the entire contest. You can create a History, or Insight. Each successful check trans-
between two contestants. Either one can win by
second deck for the opposing team. lates into a greater reward if the king’s champion is
bloodying the opponent, grabbing the opponent for 3
defeated.
rounds, or forcing him or her out of the ring.
Advantages: Fortune Cards are used with the
match Deck Participants: One player character and one foe.
For a foe we select a brute or a soldier within two
Scenario Deck option. The first time each round
Each participant—including the characters’ a combatant succeeds on a skill check, he or she
levels of the adventurer’s level, possessing defenses,
opponents—selects a deck of ten cards. At the chooses one of the Fortune Cards, gaining sole use
skills, and unarmed attacks appropriate for the chal-
beginning of combat, each individual draws the of the card. A participant can control more than one
lenge. Other player characters do not participate
top three cards and places them on the table face active Fortune Card, but can use no more than one in
directly, but they can influence the outcome (see
up, discarding the rest of the deck. In each round a round.
below).
thereafter, the participant can play a card, turning it Victory Conditions: Victory is achieved when
Design Elements: Using the combat-driven
over after it has been used. one combatant is bloodied, is grabbed for three con-
hybrid approach, here’s how the contest unfolds.
tinuous rounds, or is pushed or otherwise forced out
Before combat, each PC can use History or Street-
Scenario Deck wise to learn one fact about the king’s champion
of the ring by physical means. If the characters win,
they gain an audience with the king, any gold they
The DM selects two to four cards of each category (granting a +1 to initiative for a success).
wagered with the nobles, and a boon. If they fail, the
(attack, defense, and tactics) that are especially useful Opponents face each other in the center of a 20–
king grants them an audience but demands a service
in the match. The cards are placed face up where foot-diameter ring. The crowd’s cheering grants the
in return.
each participant can view them. Each round on his or king’s champion a +2 power bonus to attack rolls.
her turn, a participant selects one of the cards, turn- Combatants roll initiative. Each round, the par-
ing it over after it has been used. ticipants can use an unarmed attack, a grab, or a
bull rush action. While a creature is grabbed, it can
be moved only 1 square per round. Additionally,
as a minor action, a combatant can make a Bluff,
Insight, Intimidate, or Perception check against
a moderate DC to gain an advantage. You might

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 Step into the Ring

r ewarDs Aggressive Training Level 4+ Uncommon

Your tactics are legendary for their devastating nature.
Victory or defeat should have a story impact on Lvl 4 840 gp Lvl 24 525,000 gp
the adventure or the campaign, furthering or set- Lvl 14 21,000 gp
ting back the player characters’ goals. In addition, Alternative Reward: Glory Boon
a victory should provide a tangible reward. Gold, Property: You gain a +1 item bonus to Intimidate checks.
experience points, a magic item from the organizer, Level 14: +3 item bonus.
or a boon, such as the glory boons in the Dark Sun Level 24: +5 item bonus.
Property: Rather than drawing a Fortune Card at the start
Campaign Setting, are ideal rewards. The following
of an encounter, you can choose one attack card from
alternative rewards provide a benefit based on the your deck and start the encounter with that card in your
use of Fortune Cards. hand. After removing the card, reshuffle your deck.
Power (Daily): No Action. Trigger: You draw a Fortune
Cunning Victor Level 3+ Uncommon Card from the defense or tactics category. Effect: You
The crowd idealizes you as a crafty warrior, who knows how discard the card and draw cards until you get an attack
to exploit the whims of fate. card, discarding all non-attack cards.
Lvl 3 680 gp Lvl 23 425,000 gp
Lvl 13 17,000 gp Tactical Training Level 4+ Uncommon
Alternative Reward: Glory Boon Young gladiators seek you out, begging for you to share your
Property: You gain a +1 item bonus to Bluff checks. insights on the art of combat.
Level 13: +3 item bonus. Lvl 4 840 gp Lvl 24 525,000 gp
Level 23: +5 item bonus. Lvl 14 21,000 gp
Power (Encounter): No Action. Trigger: You draw a Alternative Reward: Glory Boon
Fortune Card that you dislike. Effect: Discard that card, Property: You gain a +1 item bonus to Insight
and draw a new one. checks.
Level 14: +3 item bonus.
Defensive Training Level 4+ Uncommon Level 24: +5 item bonus.
You won’t last long if you don’t learn to keep your guard up Property: Rather than drawing a Fortune Card at the
and dodge blows. start of an encounter, you can choose one tactics card
from your Fortune Card deck and start the encounter
Lvl 4 840 gp Lvl 24 525,000 gp
with that card in your hand. Then reshuffle your
Lvl 14 21,000 gp
deck.
Alternative Reward: Glory Boon
Power (Daily): No Action. Trigger: You draw a Fortune
Property: You gain a +1 item bonus to Acrobatics checks.
Card from the attack or defense category. Effect: You
Level 14: +3 item bonus.
discard the card and draw cards until you get a tactics
Level 24: +5 item bonus.
card, discarding all non-tactics cards.
Property: Rather than drawing a Fortune Card at the start
of an encounter, you can choose one defense card from
your deck and start the encounter with that card in your About the Author
hand. After removing the card, reshuffle your deck. Teos Abadia is an administrator, developer, and author for
Power (Daily): No Action. Trigger: You draw a Fortune the Ashes of Athas organized play campaign, set in the world
Card from the attack or tactics category. Effect: You of the Dark Sun ® campaign setting. A frequent contributor to
discard the card and draw cards until you get a a variety of orga nized play campaigns, and more devoted to
defense card, discarding all non-defense cards. Athas than most druids, you can follow Teos’s musings on his
community blog and on Twitter (@Alphastream). This is his
first Dragon magazine article.

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Character Theme:
Fatedancer
By Quinn Murphy
Illustration by Slawomir Maniak

Developing your character into someone who has a

rich story can be a fun and rewarding process. You
Theme Features
For detailed information on using themes as part of
likely already have an idea of what race and what
character creation and rules for how to gain and use
class you want to play, but you might have only a gen-
theme powers and features, see “Heroes of Nature
eral concept of what his or her life was like before
and Lore” in Dragon 399.
you start playing the character at the gaming table.
Starting Feature: Each theme includes a feature
A theme can help you flesh out your character and
that you gain when you select the theme during char-
provide some interesting options for developing his or
acter creation.
her background.
Additional Features: Most themes offer addi-
This article details a theme for use with Dungeons
tional features at levels 5 and 10. You gain an
& Dragons Fortune Cards, called the fatedancer.
additional feature automatically when you reach the
appropriate level; it doesn’t replace any of your class
CharaCter t hemes features.
Your character’s theme is a career, calling, or identity Optional Powers: Most of these themes include
that describes who he or she is in the world. Just as a number of powers that you add to the ones from
race and class create basic definitions about who your which you can choose when you reach the appropri-
character is, theme adds a third character component ate level. For example, if you’re a 6th-level fighter, you
to help refine your story and identity. For example, can choose a 6th-level fighter utility power or a 6th-
you might be a halfling rogue who chooses the fate- level utility power from your theme. You can choose
dancer theme, but “halfling fatedancer” might mean a theme power in place of a class power at any level
many different things. Perhaps your worship of Avan- where a theme power is available.
dra has gone deeper than most, granting you a special
insight into the workings of fate. Or you might be a
gambler who has embraced chance so deeply that it
favors you. A theme can encompass several unique
stories within the same concept.

TM & © 2011 Wizards of the Coast LLC. All rights reserved. J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
16
 Character Theme: Fatedancer

P laying with or reduce damage) and Gambler’s Sidestep (raise or

lower defenses).
Fortune Cards Both Piffen and Gurroden use their cards for tacti-
cal advantage, and their choices also let their players
Fortune Cards provide opportunities for your char- express their characters with more depth.
acter to slightly alter in-game events. For example, a
card might provide some temporary damage resis-
tance, grant a bonus on your next attack roll if you
FatedanCer
charge, or give you a reroll when a certain condition Everyone wants good luck, but few have minds broad
is triggered. If your group doesn’t use Fortune Cards enough to embrace the whole of fate, sense what is
yet, you might offer to share some with other players meant to be, and follow that path. Those who do so
to introduce them to the possibilities. You don’t need learn to accept both the best and the worst that the
a lot of cards to have fun with them; even a few boost- world can offer. Fatedancers understand that what
ers should be enough. should not happen, cannot happen; the proper way to
You can also use Fortune Cards to enhance role- have already been created, but he can gain an extra live is to embrace what must be. By accepting what fate
playing. For example, a monster uses a push effect layer of personality during play through specific offers, they gain more than peace of mind—everything
against you, and you respond with the Stand Firm Fortune Cards that fit typical situations or actions they do aligns with the true purpose of the world.
card (which negates forced movement). When the he commonly takes. His use of multiple Stand Firm To know fate is to dance, for life compels one to
DM describes how the push effect works, you can in cards represents his steadfastness in and out of quickly move from here to there, from one thought or
turn explain how you nullify that push. combat. Several copies of the Dependability card place or event to another. Though outsiders believe fate-
Building your collection of Fortune Cards also lets grant an automatic “take 10” to a poor skill check dancers to be mercurial at best, random chance does
you express new aspects of your character or pro- or ability check, highlighting the fighter’s surpris- not exist for those who embrace fate, only opportunities
vide detail not covered by other parts of character ing wisdom—he never misses an opportunity to give taken or missed. The future and the present are always
creation. Take, for example, the dwarf fighter Gur- advice. A few Fair Fight cards (+2 bonus to at-will exactly as they should be for fatedancers; such individu-
roden. Valiant and reliable, always willing to help his attack) ref lect Gurroden’s disdain for fancy combat als exist in the moment. They get into a lot of trouble
friends in time of need, he is the rock that the rest maneuvers in favor of basic but reliable attacks. because of this stance, but they are usually lucky
of his party leans on. Gurroden’s character statistics Another example is the halfling rogue Piffen. enough to get out of it. Theirs is the life of a vagabond,
A playful rogue, Piffen is hard to predict; he often taking both good and bad fortune as it comes.
doesn’t know what he’s doing himself! This charac- Any adventurer who believes in luck as a force can
ter demands a deck with more diversity. For Attack be a fatedancer. Martial characters most often choose
cards, Reckless Onslaught is a good choice, allow- this theme. They do not depend on any external
ing him to reroll an attack (but then fall prone), as source for their powers, so they are attracted to a path
well as Mind over Metal (next attack targets Will) that depends on their own actions. To their minds,
and Crafty Strike (+4 bonus to damage against an reliance on arcane magic or the power of the gods is
enemy granting you combat advantage). For Tactics, an attempt to circumvent what should happen.
Piffen’s deck has two copies each of Push through the Bards and rogues also have worldviews that
Crowd (move through enemy spaces) and Look at Me! encourage this way of life. Bards weave songs that
(enemies adjacent to you grant combat advantage to tell of heroes’ fortunes and misfortunes and thus
your allies, and you grant combat advantage to ene- naturally respect the power of fate. A few follow this
mies that are adjacent to you). Piffen’s Defense cards tendency further and learn to rely on it, even though
include two copies each of Gambler’s Dodge (increase they also use arcane magic. Rogues approach their

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
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 Character Theme: Fatedancer

lives with equal parts daring, skill, and luck, but You learn to see and hear what the universe is telling Flowing Fortune Fatedancer Utility 6
many take to heart the idea that it is better to be lucky you and are rarely caught off guard, easily outmaneu- You read the flow of fate, creating a decisive advantage for
than skilled. vering those who are deaf to fate. your allies.
Benefit: You gain a +4 power bonus to passive Daily
Creating a Fatedancer Perception checks to determine if you are surprised. Minor Action Close burst 5
Requirement: You must discard a Fortune Card.
A fatedancer’s relationship with Fortune Cards is dif- Level 10 Feature Target: Each ally in the burst
ferent from that of other characters. By choosing this Effect: If the card you discarded was an Attack card,
You have an uncanny ability to be right where you
theme, your character has a greater choice of cards to each target gains a +4 power bonus to the next dam-
need to be, when you need to be there. Others believe age roll he or she makes before the end of your next
play, as well as abilities that augment and encourage
you to be extremely lucky, but you do not trust to turn. If it was a Tactics card, you slide each target up to
their use. Other characters’ Fortune Card decks vary
luck—only destiny. 2 squares. If it was a Defense card, each target gains a
thematically, but a fatedancer can build a deck with a
Benefit: Once per encounter, you can discard two +2 power bonus to all defenses until the end of your
wide variety of cards. Their effects are thus more situa- next turn.
Fortune Cards at the start of your turn to search your
tional, but your increased hand size and card-drawing
deck for any one card. Put that card into your hand,
abilities let you be better prepared for any situation. Level 10 Utility Power
then shuffle your deck.
Fatedancers favor no alignment, since a rigid
In desperate times, other adventurers pray to gods or
attitude toward life obstructs their adventures and
travels. Rare are good-aligned fatedancers, but rarer Optional Powers seek arcane aid. You trust to fate, assured that it will
protect and guide you through difficult times.
still are those who are evil. Such agents of chaos follow Following fortune’s path makes you more agile and
fortune along its dark edges, to the peril of all nearby. responsive to change. Desperate Chance Fatedancer Utility 10
Fortune smiles broadly on you in troubled times.
Starting Feature Daily
Though fatedancers vary widely in their choices and Minor Action Personal
beliefs, after making the decision to connect with Requirement: You must have expended all your
and embrace fate, all come to perceive the branches encounter attack powers.
Effect: Draw three cards from your Fortune Card deck.
of fortune’s road before them. At any moment, many
Fatedancer Utility 2 Until the end of the encounter, you can have up to
possible actions exist, each with its own outcome. As three Fortune Cards in your hand. You can still play only
a fatedancer, you find the best path to follow. You seize one opportunity, then another.
one in a round, but you can draw a card at the start of
Benefit: You can have up to two Fortune Cards Encounter your turn if your hand contains fewer than three cards.
in your hand. You can still play only one in a round, Minor Action Personal
Requirement: You must have fewer than two Fortune
but you can draw a card at the start of your turn if you About the Author
Cards in your hand.
have fewer than two cards in your hand. Effect: Draw two cards from your Fortune Card deck.
Quinn “gamefiend” Murphy has been writing about 4th
Edition Dungeons & Dragons since shortly after its release.
Put one of those cards into your hand, and discard the
He has been published in Kobold Quarterly and the Wizards
Additional Features other.
Community Blog, as well as his own website, http://at-will.
omnivangelist.net/. He is also active on Twitter (@gamefiend).
Level 6 Utility Power
Level 5 Feature
You grow more accustomed to taking advantage of
After walking fate’s path for some time, you learn the
fortune. For a brief moment, you can immerse your
language of fate. It speaks of destiny and truth, choos-
allies in the stream of opportunity.
ing your own fortune through bold and clever action.

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Class Acts: Assassin
Black Flame Zealot
By Chad Brown
Illustration by Peter Tikos

“Again.”
The instructor’s voice was f lat and familiar, and it came
T he Order Of The
from the darkness near the corner of the chamber. Sicari Black flame
detected a hint of frustration underlying it. Clapping his
hands to his sides in a wordless bow, Sicari dropped the At some point on the precarious path to shadow
practice blade of weighted bone neatly into his scabbard, power, each assassin gives over a portion of his or her
which was hidden in the folds of his light cloak. Across the soul to the Shadowfell. Assassins continue this prac-
room, his target was wrapped in a heavy cloak over loose tice as they grow in power and experience, binding
robes, with a cloth mask covering his face. themselves more closely to the dark reflection of their
The room was intentionally dark, with a pair of gutter- own sacrificed souls. Many, having started down
ing torches providing uneven light. Sicari sought to absorb this path, find it difficult to retrace their steps; some
the details—not searching, not looking, but becoming aware. of those do not try. After being bound to shadow,
Although he was careful to keep the effort from his face clever assassins learn to infuse their enemies, their
and his posture, Sicari began focusing his ire on the target, weapons, and themselves with the aspects of shadow
feeding the shadow in his own heart. He felt the shadow best suited to their task: the task of killing. Few trust
react and started to use the power it produced. In his mind, known assassins, so many assassins train and study
shrouds of shadow began to coalesce around the target, in secret, honing their abilities through techniques
when suddenly the masked figure turned, drawing a long, developed and passed on by guilds.
curved blade with both hands. Sicari stepped back, his con- Many assassins strive to become cold, relentless
centration slipping, and paused. As he reached for his own envoys of death, while others are anything but dispas-
blade, the figure before him erupted in dark f lames. sionate in combat. The Order of the Black Flame was
“Too slow, too late, too little. You must strike while the a group of like-minded assassins and their allies who
fire is hot. The time for preparation has gone. The moment dedicated themselves to exploring the idea that fury
is here, now. Summon your will, and strike—or fail.” and hatred are powerful tools in the right hands.
Over the years since its inception, the Order of the
Black Flame explored the connections between the
assassin and his or her sacrifice to shadow, creating
many techniques based on feeding and empower-
ing this dark reflection. These explorations led to the
first Black Flame Zealot, an assassin of the order who

TM & © 2011 Wizards of the Coast LLC. All rights reserved. J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
19
 Class Acts: Assassin Black Flame Zealot

learned to harness her anger to set aflame the shard

of shadow that was lodged in her soul.
Unleash Your Anger
As an assassin, you are likely distrusted by the world
For many years the Black Flame Zealots enforced
In the ReAlms at large. Although you might have begun your train-
the agenda of the Order of the Black Flame far and
The Order of the Black Flame was a known but ing as a Night Stalker or a Bleak Disciple, at some
wide. Black Flame Zealots can be as stealthy as any
secretive sect of Kossuth worshipers in Thay, point your anger overwhelmed the cold, calculat-
assassin, and they are just as capable of using subter-
operating before the ravages of the Spellplague. ing methods of those techniques. You might have
fuge to reach a target as more cold-blooded assassins
The order claimed as its mandate the destruc- been recruited from the ranks of a thieves’ guild, or
are. When a Black Flame Zealot enters battle, how-
tion of any who gave offense to Kossuth; not perhaps you turned on your former instructors in
ever, he or she sheds the mantle of stealth, channeling
even Thay’s mighty zulkirs were beyond the a burning rage. Whatever the original motivation,
fury into burning death for his or her victim. Though
order’s grasp. After the chaos of the Spellplague you have come to appreciate the potency of chaos
the target of a Bleak Disciple or a Night Stalker assas-
and Szass Tam’s ascendancy, the secretive order and control, and you have mastered your fiery emo-
sin might be found lifeless in bed, those who fall to a
went silent, although rumor suggests that Black tions rather than suppressing them. When you enter
Black Flame Zealot leave only charred and withered
Flame Zealots might still practice their shadow combat, your anger is plain for all to see.
remains.
arts inside the black ziggurat at Amruthar. Since Following in the footsteps of the Black Flame
Although the Order of the Black Flame kept close
that time, stories speak of a pair of shadar-kai Zealots, you harness the destructive power of anger
the secrets of the Black Flame Zealot for years, the
who, working together, either discovered or and fury, bending it to your will and unleashing it in
techniques were not destined to remain hidden for-
carefully reconstructed the secrets once held frightful displays of deadly prowess. You are quick
ever. As the stories go, a pair of shadar-kai, filled with
by the order. Sages agree that the pair spent to anger and capable of displays of terrible fury.
anger like many of their kin, sought to ferret out the
considerable time in the ruins of Thay’s Second Although you might take prisoners to further an
secret techniques of the order. Some of the tales sug-
Escarpment before leaving for the west; most important goal, you rarely allow your chosen foe to
gest that they infiltrated the order, and others claim
further agree that the pair was fleeing a great survive. Adherents of this tradition use their force of
that they laid a trap for a zealot and pried the secrets
power, variously claimed to be undead, Banites, will and their anger to destroy enemies in shadow
from his or her unwilling tongue.
or devotees of the Church of Kossuth. and fire. Whenever possible, a foe’s remains are
However the shadar-kai came by them, the meth-
After the pair reached the Sea of Fallen Stars, burned in whole or in part.
ods of the Black Flame Zealot—in part—escaped the
the stories diverge sharply. Some claim that one Religion: Assassins who follow the teachings of
Order of the Black Flame. The shadar-kai duo began
sacrificed the other for power or jealousy, and the Black Flame Zealots often worship deities of fire,
accepting apprentices, calling themselves the Order of
others suggest that the remnants of the order including Kossuth in the Forgotten Realms® setting
the Black Flame, though none know if they did so to
eliminated one or both of the shadar-kai. What- and the Silver Flame in the Eberron® setting. As har-
honor or to spite the originators. This new Order of the
ever the truth, the techniques of the Black Flame bingers of death who have intimate contact with the
Black Flame spread some part of the techniques of the
Zealot spread from several cities along the Sea Shadowfell, many assassins revere the Raven Queen.
Black Flame Zealot before mysteriously disappearing.
of Fallen Stars, including Lyrabar, Saerloon, and Although many good temples abhor assassins of
What survives today is a fragment of the full train-
especially Westgate. The Fire Knives, in particu- any stripe, some devotees take up the teachings of the
ing regimen of the Order of the Black Flame: a potent
lar, are known to recruit and train Black Flame Black Flame Zealot in spite of their religion’s official
but incomplete collection of techniques for practic-
Zealots assiduously. Now assassins’ guilds across condemnation.
ing the art of assassination through hatred and fury.
the world harbor or boast Black Flame Zealots Races: Shadar-kai eagerly embrace the teach-
The full guild training might someday be recovered,
disconnected from the worship of Kossuth. ings of the Black Flame Zealot, since they are well
but for now all assassins with anger in their heart can
acquainted with both the touch of the Shadowfell
benefit from the techniques it used.
and the extremes of emotion necessary to excel with
the technique.

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 Class Acts: Assassin Black Flame Zealot

Most elves find the path of the assassin unpalat- Black Flame Form Assassin Utility Devastating shroud
able, but a few take satisfaction from the expression The shadows nearby deepen as dark flames erupt from your Your lethal shadow attacks leave your foe’s weak-
of chaos and control inherent to the teachings of the body, enveloping and protecting you. nesses still exposed to your keen assassin’s eye.
Black Flame Zealot. This satisfaction is especially true Encounter F Fire, Necrotic, Shadow Prerequisite: Assassin, assassin’s shroud power
of elves from gloaming hearts, where forest groves Minor Action Personal Benefit: When you score a critical hit with a
shrouded in shadow touch the Shadowfell. Dusk elves, Effect: You assume a dark, fiery form that lasts until you shadow attack power, any shrouds you invoked on the
rejected by Corellon and filled with zealous hatred for make an attack roll or until the end of your next turn.
target are not removed.
Lolth and the drow, also make worthy assassins. While in this form, you gain resist 5 to all damage, and
any creature that hits you with a melee attack takes 5
Many half-orcs who enjoy trickery and deception Inexorable shroud
fire and necrotic damage. When you assume this form,
are drawn to the path of the assassin, but some find you can use your assassin’s shroud power once as part As the final blow is delivered, your exultation in the
their raw fury unsatisfied by the subtlety of shade of the same action. This use of assassin’s shroud does death of your chosen foe feeds the shadows surround-
form. These half-orcs might find the technique of the not count against the limit on the number of times per ing your next victim.
Black Flame Zealot more to their liking. round you can use that power.
Prerequisite: Assassin, assassin’s shroud power
Level 11: The resistance and damage increase to 10.
Benefit: If an enemy is reduced to 0 hit points
T echniques Of Level 21: The resistance and damage increase to 15.
Sustain Minor: The form persists until the end of your while it is subject to two or more of your shrouds,

The Black flame next turn. you can move up to two shrouds to a different enemy
within 5 squares of you.
ZealOTs Assassin Feats lethal shroud
Many assassins merge their physical form with the This section includes new feats for the assassin that Your intense emotional focus has empowered you to
stuff of shadow, and those who survive learn to help support the class’s thematic ties to the Black take greater advantage of your assassin’s shrouds.
manipulate and control the process, resulting in shade Flame Zealot. However, any assassin might find these Prerequisite: Assassin, assassin’s shroud power
form. The teachings of the Black Flame Zealot take a feats useful. Benefit: The damage dealt per shroud when you
different approach: Rather than seeking to restrain invoke your shrouds increases from 1d6 to 1d8. This
the infusion of shadow, they instead feed it raw fury Cruel shroud damage increases to 1d8 + 5 at 11th level and 1d8 +
and hatred, stoking it as they would a bonfire. These Your assassin’s shroud power reveals more to your keen 10 at 21st level.
assassins eschew the subtlety of shade form, favoring eyes, allowing you to find weaknesses others might
the destructive potential of black flame form instead. overlook. shadow Reservoir
Prerequisite: Assassin, assassin’s shroud power You tap into the shard of shadow lodged in your soul,
Benefit: You have combat advantage against tar-
Alternative Class Feature gets subject to your assassin’s shroud power.
channeling energy through your ki focus to empower
You can gain the black flame form power instead of your attacks.
the shade form power. This new power emphasizes Prerequisite: Assassin
damage dealing, whereas shade form (and the feats Benefit: You gain a +2 feat bonus to damage rolls
and features related to it) emphasizes damage mitiga- with shadow attacks made through a ki focus. The
tion and stealthiness. bonus increases to +3 at 11th level and +4 at 21st
level.

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 Class Acts: Assassin Black Flame Zealot

r elics Of The Order embers of Black Flame Embers of Black Flame Level 10+ Rare
This clattering assortment of charcoal beads and fire-black-
Of The Black flame
The first strand of bone and charcoal embers of black
ened finger bones is strung together into a strand with sinew.
f lame was created by a zealot of Kossuth named Ibn
Idrahim Khayal, with the assistance of a necroman- Lvl 10 +2 5,000 gp Lvl 25 +5 625,000 gp
Techniques and practices were not the only thing to Lvl 15 +3 25,000 gp Lvl 30 +6 3,125,000 gp
have escaped the secrecy of the Order of the Black cer whose name was purged from all records. When
Lvl 20 +4 125,000 gp
Flame. The liberated lore also included descriptions using the embers of black flame, Khayal found that even Implement (Ki Focus)
of magic equipment specially created for members of the protections of the zulkirs of Thay could not stop Enhancement Bonus: Attack rolls and damage rolls
the order. Kossuth’s wrath. In battle, Khayal’s blade “set afire Critical: +1d10 fire and necrotic damage per plus
the very air.” Khayal left behind no known records Property: Fire damage dealt by attacks using this ki focus
concerning the embers, but the rare witness’s descrip- is also necrotic damage, and necrotic damage dealt by
Bracers of Assassination tion suggests that attacks enhanced by the embers attacks using this ki focus is also fire damage.
Originally used by members of the order, a couple of Power (Encounter F Fire, Necrotic): No Action. Trigger:
create a lingering trail of dark flame.
You hit with a shadow attack power using this ki
sets of bracers of assassination have made their way The writings of one of his apprentices tell of how focus. Target: The creature you hit. Effect: The target
to the marketplace recently. What happened to their Khayal intended to take the secret of the creation of takes ongoing 5 fire and necrotic damage and cannot
original owners? None know, but those interested in the embers to his death, but such things are tempo- regain hit points (save ends both).
the techniques of the Black Flame Zealots might kill rary obstacles in Thay, and the knowledge found its Level 15 or 20: Ongoing 10 fire and necrotic damage.
for these items. way back into the world. Recently, the Fire Knives Level 25 or 30: Ongoing 15 fire and necrotic damage.
hunted such knowledge, using bribes, threats,
Bracers of Assassination Level 16+ Uncommon and force. About the Author
These dark bronze bracers are covered in a mosaic of red and Those using embers of black flame for the first Chad Brown has been gaming his whole life. He has worked
black stones, depicting a flaming dagger. with the RPGA and is ecstatic to be writing for Dragon
time often have visions and dreams of the victims
magazine.
Lvl 16 45,000 gp Lvl 26 1,125,000 gp of previous possessors. In some cases, these inspire
Item Slot: Arms an obsessive fixation on escaped targets of the
Property: When you use an assassin attack power or an former wielder.
assassin paragon path attack power against a target
subject to at least three shrouds from your assassin’s
shroud power, you can score a critical hit on a roll of
19–20.
Level 26: You can score a critical hit on a roll of 18–20.

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Channel Divinity:
Melora
By Tracy Hurley
Illustrations by Kate Laird and Lee Moyer

The mention of Melora strikes fear in the heart of the Her home was the wilderness, and the sea was her
average city dweller. As the god of the wilderness and playground. Her friends were the primal spirits, who
the sea, she represents the unfettered savagery of a called her Great Mother. Cut off from the world the
natural world that does not care what titles its visi- she loved, she withdrew completely for generations,
tors hold or how much gold is in their treasuries. But her whispers silenced. She passed the time hunting
those who fear her don’t truly know her. They forget alone in the Hunting Lands of Arvandor. If it weren’t
that her faithful spend years in the wilderness, hunt- for the sacred task of hunting the abominations that
ing creatures that threaten both the natural order and escaped from Carceri, she might have died from
the civilized world. An urban resident knows only heartbreak.
that Melora seems cold and distant, uncaring of the During this time, few continued to worship her
needs of cities and those who live in them. other than sailors, fishermen, and elves. Melora rees-
It wasn’t always this way. At one time, Melora was tablished contact with the primal spirits when they
considered almost a sister of Erathis. The two dei- renewed her interest in the race that she and Seha-
ties worked together to improve the mortal world in nine created together—the halflings, in whom she
all of its aspects. Melora and her hunters protected found a bit of joy. Although Melora still cannot act
the cities as well as the wilderness from aberrants directly in the world, her followers have noticed her
and from deities that craved destruction, such as Erathis’s followers continued to proselytize inside change of heart and begun to embrace her anew.
Baphomet, Gruumsh, and Yeenoghu. Partly as a the city, agents of Baphomet worked in secret to
result of this protection, the cities prospered, and
their citizens developed skills, knowledge, and an
undermine them. When the minotaurs broke from
Erathis’s fold and Ruul was overrun by the Horned
M elora’s FaithFul
outlet for their creative urges. King, Melora and Kord combined their power to The followers of Melora come from many walks of
The turning point in their relationship came reduce Ruul to ruins. The discord that arose between life, worshiping both her and the primal spirits, and
when, after the Dawn War, Erathis assumed domin- Melora and Erathis because of these events extended frequently adopting the spirits’ custom of calling
ion over the minotaurs now that their god Baphomet to their followers, who began to view one another as her the Great Mother. Methods and symbols associ-
had been cast into the Abyss (see “Minotaur Origin” adversaries. ated with her worship vary depending on locale and
in “Playing Minotaurs,” Dragon 369.) With her guid- The banishment of the gods from the world after which aspect of her personality a group of followers
ance, the minotaurs established the great city of Ruul, the Dawn War had a severe effect on Melora. More chooses to emphasize.
which became a model of civilization. But even as than any other god, she was of the natural world.

TM & © 2011 Wizards of the Coast LLC. All rights reserved. J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
23
 Channel Divinity: Melora

In Coastal Areas the ocean breeze whispering to you. Now you spend
your days on the open water and in a myriad of ports,
Prerequisite: Channel Divinity class feature,
must worship Melora
Most of Melora’s faithful live in and travel between
helping others deal with the loneliness and dangers of Benefit: You gain the nowhere to hide power.
the fishing villages, towns, and cities that dot the sea-
life at sea.
coast. Her priests help the inhabitants of this territory
Associated Skills: Endurance, Religion Feat Utility
understand how to live in harmony with the ocean.
Associated Quests: Tend to the lost and set them As the sound of your prayer spreads around you, your foes
The coast is one of the few places where her clerics, as
on the path of nature’s harmony; build lighthouses are revealed.
members of the Order of the Sacred Tide, construct
to warn sailors of perils; investigate mass beachings Encounter F Channel Divinity, Divine
permanent temples dedicated to Melora. Members
of dolphins and whales to ensure nothing sinister is Minor Action Close burst 5
of the order wear light blue cloaks edged with white Target: Each hidden or invisible enemy in the burst
behind them.
lamb’s wool, bringing to mind the foam at the crest of whose Will is equal to or lower than 12 + your level
a wave. These priests prefer holy symbols carved from Effect: Each target becomes visible to you, and grants
whalebone, coral, and driftwood—objects that are In the Wilderness combat advantage to you until the end of your next
considered gifts from Melora. Whereas Melora’s faithful near the sea are organized, turn.
The priests of the Sacred Tide have a variety of those in the wilderness collect in groups of no larger Special: You can use only one channel divinity power per
encounter.
duties. They pray for Melora to bring the annual than a dozen members. Part of the reason for this
runs of rockfish and blueback and to keep away the small group size is practical, because small villages
blood tides that sicken the population. Before boats on the edge of the wilderness are spread out, and
Background: Tree Talker
and ships leave the safety of the harbor, captains ask traveling between them is difficult. These followers Your parents swear you could climb trees before you
the priests to pray for Melora’s protection and make live in small cabins and survive off the land. They learned how to walk. You spent your childhood high
offerings of carved bones and shells. They ask for plant gardens of berries, vegetables and legumes if in the branches, and for as long as you can remem-
her protection against sea invaders, praying that her the climate allows, and they practice rituals, potion ber, the trees whispered to you whenever the breeze
waves might take any boat that means them harm. brewing, and the healing arts. They might spend moved through their leaves. Sometimes they would
In addition to these duties, the Order of the Sacred years in close contact with the primal spirits, learning warn you of looming danger—a poisonous snake or
Tide is instrumental to each locale’s defenses and the name of every tree, bird, and insect. They might a mountain cat. At other times, they shared secrets
politics. When disagreements break out over fishing keep birds as messengers to warn the other faithful with you, such as who met secretly beneath the
grounds, especially between those who dwell on land when danger arises. Or they might study and train to poplar the previous night.
and those that swim beneath the waves, Sacred Tide become Oak Shields (see below), which they consider Associated Skills: Athletics, Streetwise
members negotiate the treaties. They might learn to a way of acting as Melora’s avatars in the world. Associated Quests: Find and renew a long-forgotten
speak with animals, asking creatures such as dolphins The faithful who live in these areas adapt their or defiled sacred grove; create a book of trees with
and whales to act as scouts. In other locations, members practices to their locale. They wear garments appro- names, descriptions, leaves, and pressed flowers of
research rune-inscribed buoys and rocks that serve as priate to the area, from animal skins in the cold north each of the sacred trees, including oak, ash, hawthorn,
an early warning system for tidal waves or invasions. to grass-woven clothes in the tropical savannas. Their elm, apple, hazel, alder, elder, yew, holly, and willow.
holy symbols vary greatly in form; however, wooden
Background: Sea Chaplain symbols crafted from the three most sacred trees— In Inland Towns and Cities
You have lived a stone’s throw from the sea your oak, ash, and hawthorn—are especially prized by Melora’s faithful avoid towns and cities that aren’t
entire life, learning its secrets. For as long as you can those who can create or buy them. along the coast. They consider such places to be dens
remember, riding the ocean waves or diving beneath of wickedness and corruption, out of touch with the
the foam felt more natural than walking on land. You Feat: Nowhere to Hide [Divinity] natural world. However, a few followers do brave the
can hold your breath longer than anyone you know, Your time in the wild has taught you how to notice urban environment, teaching the wisdom of the natu-
and when you sit on the beach at night, you can hear creatures without seeing them. ral order to any who would listen. These followers

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
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 Channel Divinity: Melora

are a reliable source of news from far-flung outposts.

Sometimes they work closely with a city’s overseers,
worship. In towns far from the coast, Melora’s follow-
ers eschew formal temples. Instead they plant trees in
e neMies oF nature
advocating for parks and for celebrations tied to the her name and worship at any local temples to Corel- Aberrants, abominations, and undead are bent on
seasons. Because city dwellers fear Melora, her faith- lon, Sehanine, or Avandra. destroying the natural world. In addition, the follow-
ful in urban areas do not have temples of their own, The most sacred places of Melora’s worship are ing deities and groups of followers are also foes of
instead worshiping at temples of other gods, particu- found in the wilderness. Melora, like Erathis, loved nature and its protectors, and which Melora’s faithful
larly Corellon, Sehanine, and Avandra. Here they to build and nurture relationships. Before the Dawn seek to destroy in return.
hold talks and meetings in the hope that the seeds of War, she established watches around the world, F Baphomet and his followers: Baphomet once
their ideas find fertile ground. providing the creatures of nature with a means to tried to take the nature domain away from Melora,
communicate with one another. Some sages believe and he still stings from his loss. He continues to
The Earthen Guard that the remnants of this network can be found corrupt the minotaurs, whispering to them that
One group trying to further Melora’s cause in inland throughout the natural world, and that the everspring Melora and Kord are responsible for the destruc-
cities calls itself the Earthen Guard. Although some groves and the standing stones sacred to the primal tion of Ruul. His cultists enjoy kidnapping devoted
people are content to sit and complain about the spirits are part of it. However, Melora’s faithful have followers of these two deities. They run the victims
ever-growing cities and their unending hunger for no idea how to use these objects, and neither Melora through Baphomet’s maze in honor of the Horned
resources, the Earthen Guard takes action. Members nor the primal spirits have revealed how. King.
of this group, unlike most of Melora’s faithful, are well F Gruumsh, Yeenoghu, and their followers:
educated and might be wealthy. They teach people in signs and oMens Although Melora understands that destruction is a
or near civilized areas how to live in harmony with necessary step in the natural cycle, Gruumsh and
nature. For trappers and fishermen, they extol the Followers of Melora hear whispers of her every-
where. Here are some of the signs her followers find Yeenoghu both value destruction for its own sake.
value of releasing or not overhunting animals that are Nothing would make them happier than to see
needed to replenish the population, such as small fish important.
everything lie in rot and ruin.
and female game. They teach farmers the art of crop F After a forest fire, a priest of Melora inspects any
rotation. Lumberjacks learn good forestry practices, stands of unburned trees. If the three most sacred F Cryonax: In the earliest days of creation, Melora
such as planting five trees for every one they cut. trees—oak, ash, and hawthorn—are each repre- defeated this primordial and sent him to a watery
When education and good practices are not sented, the townspeople decorate the trees with prison. Her stone shield, adorned with a powerful
enough to halt or prevent the desecration of nature, ribbons and wooden wind chimes. Each partici- rune, seals his prison, giving her mastery over the
the Earthen Guard acts as a militant organization pant makes a wish when he or she adds a new waves. His primordial followers would love to free
that comes secretly to nature’s aid, destroying dams decoration. If at least three of the wishes come true him from his prison, especially now that it is an
and other earthen works, or attacking lumber camps over the coming year, the local priest of Melora island floating off the coast (Dragon 394).
and mining operations that laid the land bare. declares the grove sacred. F Overzealous followers of Erathis: Although
F When winds blow through the trees, twisting
Melora and Erathis once got along, their follow-
t eMples and the leaves on the branches to reveal their lighter- ers now sometimes take their differences to an
extreme. Worshipers of Erathis who seek to civi-
colored undersides, people see it as a warning
sacred p laces of an imminent strong storm. The people of the lize large swaths of nature might become enemies
forest refer to leaves in this state as Melora’s eyes. of Melora’s followers.
Seaside towns and cities are among the few places
that host permanent temples dedicated to Melora. Legends speak of a time when Melora wandered
in these locales, worship of Melora is so integral to through the forest in the form of a gust and used
the inhabitants’ way of life that these temples serve the shifting leaves to spot unnatural creatures
as meeting houses and schools as well as houses of such as aberrants and undead.

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
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 Channel Divinity: Melora

paragon path Oak Shield Path Features

Weather the Storm (11th level): You gain resist
A dedicated few hunt the wilderness and the sea, 10 lightning and resist 10 thunder. Whenever you are
fanning embers of hatred for those that threaten the hit by a lightning attack or a thunder attack, one or
natural order. The following paragon path is available two allies who are within 5 squares of you and who
to those who worship Melora and swear to protect her are not targets of the attack each gain 10 temporary
domains. hit points.
Sheltering Boughs (11th level): When you spend
Oak Shield an action point to take an extra action, you and each
“As the sturdy oak stands strong against the ravages of ally within 5 squares of you gain a +2 power bonus to
unnatural forces, I do the same against those who threaten AC and Fortitude until the start of your next turn.
the wilderness.” Deep Roots (16th level): You have tremorsense 5
while you are in contact with the ground.
Prerequisite: Any divine class, must worship
Melora Oak Shield Powers

For centuries, the Oak Shields have guarded the wild Steadfast Resolve Oak Shield Attack 11
areas of the world. Oak Shields, like their namesake Your prayers to Melora strengthen your resolve, allowing you
trees, are known for longevity, hardiness, and loyalty. to stand your ground.
Legends claim that Melora personally trained the Encounter F Divine, Weapon Renewing Vines Oak Shield Attack 20
first members of the order, providing them with the Standard Action Melee weapon
When you raise your weapon, vines launch from the ground,
secrets of using everspring groves and standing stones. Target: One creature
piercing your enemies with poisonous thorns and refreshing
Attack: Highest ability modifier vs. AC
Ancient sites such as these might hold information on your allies.
Hit: 2[W] + highest ability modifier damage, and you
how Melora’s faithful can benefit from them. push the target up to 2 squares. Daily F Divine, Poison, Weapon
Each aspiring Oak Shield studies under a master. Effect: You or one ally within 5 squares of you is immune Standard Action Close burst 2
Together, the student and the master meditate to forced movement until the end of your next turn. Target: Each enemy in the burst
beneath a sacred oak, seeking enlightenment about Attack: Highest ability modifier vs. Fortitude
Hit: 2[W] + highest ability modifier poison damage, and
the natural world. The student learns to interpret the Whirling Leaves Oak Shield Utility 12
the target is immobilized (save ends).
whispers of the primal spirits and to understand the Your prayer takes the form of leaves in a strong wind, obscur- Miss: Half damage, and the target is slowed (save ends).
wisdom of the changing seasons. During this time, ing you and your allies. Effect: You and each ally in the burst gain temporary hit
he or she comes to appreciate when to stand tall Encounter F Divine points equal to 2 + one-half your level and a +2 bonus
against the wind and when to bend when the wind is Minor Action Close burst 5 to a single saving throw, skill check, or attack roll of his
too strong. In addition, the student learns about the Target: You and each ally in the burst or her choice before the end of the encounter.
complexity of the world, how something as simple as Effect: Each target has partial concealment until the
a tree can have multiple aspects to its nature. An Oak end of your next turn. About the Author
Shield applies these lessons to his or her life’s work as Tracy Hurley is a freelance game designer and, in her spare
a guardian of the natural order, remaining steadfast time, the writer behind SarahDarkmagic.com. Recent work
includes co-writing the “Choose Your Fortunes Wisely”
in the face of adversity and providing shelter during
article for the D&D website, co-designing the Lost City
the storm. sourcebook by Open Design, and contributing to the Dragon
Brigade Roleplaying Game from Margaret Weis Productions.

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
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 Dungeon # 401 | D&D Alumni Archive | 7/8/2011

The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan

D&D Alumni
Bart Carroll

Those who attended Free RPG Day a few weeks back might have picked up Domain of Dread: Histhaven, the
supplement that tied into Shadowfell: Gloomwrought and Beyond. In the back of Histhaven, you might have noticed the
following ad (go ahead and click on it for a better view).

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
27
The Lost Crown of Neverwinter season for D&D Encounters starts up on Wednesday, August 10th. If you run one
session during the month of August as a Dungeon Master, you might get your hands on the special bonus adventure:
The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan, updated for 4th Edition. (The special bonus adventure will arrive 6-8 weeks later,
and because we have limited supplies, this offer is only while supplies last.) Did you miss playing the original? Or did
you play it and now dare venture back through this famed tournament module? In either case, read on! We're here to
guide you through the famed pyramid as best we can without giving away too much.

Background for the Hidden Shrine

Much like The Ghost Tower of Inverness (played at the 1979 Detroit
Wintercon), The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan was a tournament module for
Origins '79. Harold Johnson, according to the conversion's afterword, would
finish the final master copy for the convention in an epic 48-hour typing session
(with one typo that forever changed Tomoanchan to Tamoachan). Hidden
Shrine would then later be published as the first in the C-series of adventure
modules, with "C" denoting "Competition."

Aside from its existence as an early tournament module, Hidden Shrine stands
out because it provided a setting that deviated from the traditional medieval
fantasy of most other adventure modules at the time. As written in the
background: "The design of the temple draws heavily on Mayan and
Aztec/Toftec mythology and society. Certain historic examples were used as
models in designing this module. DMs wishing to expand the ruins of
Tamoachan will find it very helpful to use their local library to find out more
about these fascinating cultures." How's that for educational?

Further instilling this cultural influence, the module showed a penchant for intricate Mayan/Aztec sounding names,
complete with (necessary) pronunciation guides; Tamoachan (TA-mo-a-chan) was Olman for "the home sought after,"
and its shrine dedicated to Zotzilaha (Zotz-el-a'-a), vampire god of the underworld.

J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
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 Who Were the Olman?
Originally written by Harold Johnson and Jeff R. Leason, Hidden Shrine was staged as part of an ancient ruined city,
and it was "…once the northeastern capitol of the Olman empire, which covered much of the southern continent
centuries before current history began." The World of Greyhawk boxed set would place these distant ruins at the very
edge of its map, somewhere within the "savage lands south of the Olman Islands and southeast of the Holds of the Sea
Princes."

Stephen Radney-MacFarland designed the conversion, taking care to preserve the original module's sensibilities and
challenges (you can read more of this topic in his upcoming Design & Development column). Still a ruined temple of
the Olman people, their background has been slightly reworked so that now this "…human culture worshiped not only
powers from the Astral Sea, but also a collection of primal spirits, fey creatures, vampires, and even monstrosities of
the Far Realm. They built city-states that banded together as empires and waged mighty wars against enemies both
internal and external. These people were the Olman.

"All that is currently left of the Olman civilization," the new background continues, "are the scattered tribes of their
degenerate descendants, now prone to Demogorgon worship and savagery." The Hidden Shrine remains one of their
derelict structures that still holds "…great treasures and the legendary magic of the Olman. All feature deadly traps and
creatures still bound to the dead empire. The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan is one such temple. Dedicated to Zotzilaha,
vampire god of the underworld, and built to imprison a powerful Far Realm entity, it is filled with lost secrets and
merciless traps."

Secrets and Traps

Speaking of lost secrets and waiting traps (and without giving too much away, for those planning to play through the
updated version), Hidden Shrine's design intent was to test the skill and common sense of players. It also remained true
to the cultural aesthetics of the fictional Olman.

As far as testing skill, this adventure introduced us to the gibbering mouther and nereid as new monsters, plus it set a
plague of traps along the way. Those playing through or running the updated version can see that the update retains a

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sense of deadliness (just ask the Nahual, Xilonen, or the steam-spitting dragon). Those who remember the original
should also expect renewed threats from the priest-king Tlacaelel (who has reworked origins and is now said to be the
true reason for most of the deadly traps and precautions within the shrine), as well as Nanahuatcin ("the pimply one").

When it comes to the Olman culture, several of their trapped ancestral spirits can be encountered throughout the
version, including Kalka-Kylla (expanded by SRM as a primal spirit vanquished by Zotzilaha and who is forced to
swear service to the vampire and his spawn), Tloques-Popollocas (promoted from "master of the others" to "master of
tombs and the night"), and Tecuziztecatl (the "lord of snails"). Other details, such as the statue of the werejaguar, the
massive calendar stone, and the pelota court (still marked with the warning: dare not open this pit, lest you meet the
challenge of the game) have all returned. What secrets do these details hold when it comes to safely navigating the
shrine? We'll leave them for you to discover.

Tecuziztecatl, Lord of Snails

Tecuziztecatl is highly intelligent and a boaster, andit is also itching for a fight after so many years being cooped up in
this room. During combat, it says that it is a son of the moon, and announces each attack it is using and how the attack
is part of its plan to defeat the characters. If reduced to 55 hit points or fewer, Tecuziztecatl changes its tone...

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Tecuziztecatl, Lord of Snails Level 8 Elite Brute
Large natural magical beast (aquatic) XP 700
HP 222; Bloodied 111 Initiative +5
AC 20, Fortitude 22, Reflex 20, Will 19 Perception +11
Speed 5, swim 3 Darkvision
Resist 5 all; Vulnerable 10 fire
Saving Throws +2; Action Points 1
Traits
Truesight
Tecuziztecatl can see invisible creatures and objects.
Standard Actions
Tentacle At‐Will
Attack: Melee 3 (one creature); +13 vs. AC
Hit: 3d8 + 6 damage.
Bite At‐Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +13 vs. AC
Hit: 3d10 + 4 damage.
Double Attack At‐Will
Effect: Tecuziztecatl makes two melee basic attacks.
Acid Spray (acid) Recharge
Requirement: Tecuziztecatl must be bloodied.
Attack: Close blast 5 (creatures in the blast); +11 vs. Reflex
Hit: 2d6 + 5 damage, and the target is dazed and slowed until the end of Tecuziztecatl’s next turn.
Move Actions
Barrel Through Recharge when first bloodied
Effect: Tecuziztecatl moves its speed, and can enter other creature’s spaces. A creature whose space it
enters with this movement takes 10 damage. If any creature is in Tecuziztecatl’s space when it ends the
move, it slides that creature to the nearest square outside its space.
Skills Bluff +8, Diplomacy +8, Insight +11
Str18 (+8) Dex13 (+5) Wis14 (+6)
Con21 (+9) Int17 (+7) Cha8 (+3)
Alignment unaligned Languages Olman

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 Accessing the Temple
Unlike the Tomb of Horrors, Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, or similar adventures -- where you sought the heart of the
dungeon to face its ultimate foe and hopefully collect your deserved reward -- The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan started
with the tournament characters lost in the jungle and accidentally falling into the dungeon. Your quest was to find your
way out, not go farther in.

In the original, the tournament backstory had the adventurers jumping ship to escape the clutches of bounty hunters,
effectively being swallowed by the jungle, and falling into the Hidden Shrine during a sudden cave-in. The new version
keeps the same swift opening scene, where it assumes a bunch of backstory elements so that it can have the adventurers
stumble through the jungle. It does so "…like an adventure serial, introducing the story with the action already in
progress."

Granted, DMs were always free to improvise as needed. The original included
an alternative route into the shrine, requiring adventurers to dig their way inside.
But the proposed sudden, breakneck style of play -- plunging the party straight
into the shrine -- works to encourage the primary goal: that of escaping the
dungeon, rather than exploring it (much like A4: In the Dungeon of the Slave
Lords, the open tournament module for Gen Con XIII, 1980).

When inside, adventurers had to be cautious of the shrine's unstable condition,

with such mainstay spells as fireball and lightning bolt causing potentially
disastrous collapses (with the updated version still threatening a similar danger).
Even worse, the lower levels of the shrine were filled with a poison gas,
encouraging adventurers to move along at all costs -- to be cautious, but not
dawdle -- with characters taking 1d6 damage for every turn spent in the gas.

Not to be outdone, the updated version describes "…a slow-acting but deadly
poisonous gas, the effects of which the characters will immediately realize." A
short rest or 5 minutes in the gas requires a saving throw; failure costs a healing
surge. A long rest in the gas? Death.

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 A Final Secret
In the original Hidden Shrine, Zotzilaha's name is barely mentioned in passing. The temple ruin, which offers final
escape from the shrine itself, is decorated with an image of a giant bat, which might well have represented Zotzilaha in
his bat form. Otherwise, nothing of this vampire god is ever really known. Not so in the updated version. As hinted in
the conclusion, a seed for DMs allows them to continue the adventure and bring back more of the Olman and their
culture: "Even though Zotzilaha has long been absent from this place, the vampire still exists." Additionally, he still
cares about the treasures within his Hidden Shrine!

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 Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale
As a special addendum, let's look at a list we pulled together of our top five monsters that are returning to the game in
Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale.

5. Mooncalf: Set between the moonbeast (a ferocious, tenacious, and thoroughly horrifying
adversary; seeing one can send strong adventurers fleeing for their lives) and the moonrats (lunar
light has an insidious effect on these creatures, making them smarter, stronger, and more
ferocious than any rat ought to be), the mooncalf appeared in the 3rd Edition Monster Manual II.
Lovecraftian in appearance, mooncalves were otherworldly monstrosities that, according to
rumor, flew down to earth from the dark side of the moon. In the Monster Vault, their natures are
equally strange; they now travel from the Far Realm to terrorize the Nentir Vale every eight
years during the period of a single lunar cycle.

4. Boggle: Steve Townshend waxed eloquently on the boggle's origins. In doing so, he covered
not only the 1st Edition Monster Manual 2 version, but also tackled the older traditions of
fantasy and folklore. Precursors to the ethereal filchers (even more frustrating), boggles have
ranked high among the game's hated pickpockets, reaching through dimension doors to steal
characters' hard-won loot. Not even the viscous, nonflammable oil they secreted from their pores
could save them after a wronged adventurer finally tracked them down.

3. Penanggalan: You might notice a 1st Edition Fiend Folio feel to this creature. Strange and
wholly disturbing, a penanggalan was originally "…a female vampire-type undead of fearsome
power and nauseating appearance." Disguised as a helpful stranger by day, the penanggalan's
head and guts detached from her body to fly about in search of a victim to charm and upon which
to feed at night. (Where did the designers come up with such a foul concept? From mythology.)
The Monster Vault version expands on the penanggalan's backstory and also provides a state for
the bodiless head if it's encountered on its own!

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 2. Hound of Ill Omen: Another 1st Edition Fiend Folio beast, the hound of ill omen appeared
mainly to foretell the doom of characters who seriously offended their deity ("…for example by
a flagrant act out of alignment…"). In other words, they were in-game warning signs displayed
by the DM. They also might have incorporated parts of the Hound of the Baskervilles,
inevitables, and Steve Townshend's reimagining of the catoblepas. The updated version brings
back the hounds' ominous appearance as harbingers of death, but also allows characters to better
interact with them.

1. Peryton: The peryton comes from the 1st Edition Monster Manual, where we once wondered
at these odd hybrids: "They are omnivorous creatures of the weirdest appearance, likely the
result of the same type of experimentation as brought about the owlbear." Although the owlbear's
true origins might have come from a dime store toy purchased in Lake Geneva, the peryton has
its first mention in Jorge Luis Borge's Book of Imaginary Beings (complete with man-shaped
shadow). We're thrilled to see its return to the game, and with our latest Creature Competition
focused on hybrids, we're also pleased to call the peryton its honorary host!

Honorable Mentions: Cadaver collector, wandering tower, and Mages of Saruun (from the
Thunderspire Labyrinth).

Bart Carroll
Bart Carroll is neither the result of genetic experimentation by some insane wizard, nor a nightmarish creature
loathsome beyond description (though he has been called both); a medium natural humanoid, he joined
Wizards of the Coast in the spring of 2004. Originally producing their licensed property websites (including
Star Wars and G.I. Joe), he transitioned to the D&D website, where he’s remained part of the D&D Insider
Team. In this role, he generates website content in support of the 4th Edition line of products, the online
magazines, and the gamer lifestyle—of which he is an extremely proud adherent.

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Nerathi Legends:
Merindaelion,
Barony of the
Emerald Blade
By Richard Baker
Illustration by Bernadette Carstensen
Cartography by Adam Gillespie

“A beautiful land and a people favored by guilds based in Merindaelion’s ports flourish under
the relaxed laws of the barony, and hundreds of ships
fortune, but don’t let the glittering waters from all over the world call here. Unlike with the
dazzle your eyes—dark perils gather in the large trading houses of Sarthel and other such cen-
Barony of the Emerald Blade, and old evil ters, the merchants of the Emerald Blade are mostly
stirs in the shadows of the forest.” private shipowners and individual speculators. In
troubled times, they are quick to turn to piracy,
making up for lost or interrupted trade by sending
At the eastern end of the great Altaran Peninsula their ships and crews out to take what they can by
lies an expanse of dense green forests and sparkling force. As long as the baron’s share is paid, the authori-
white sands—Merindaelion, the realm of the Emerald ties are happy to set loose Emerald Blade privateers
Blade. A small domain in comparison to the neigh- on the coasts of Tithinia, Numoth, Relis Vullin, and
boring Kingdom of Tithinia or the Duchy of Solandir, sometimes even the kingdom of Rethmil.
Merindaelion is home to a unique people. Elves and Merindaelion’s merger of human and elven cul-
humans have blended and mingled in these beautiful ture took shape one thousand years ago, when the
lands more than anywhere else in the world, giving great elven kingdom of Solaneillon entered its final
rise to a bold, handsome, and independent people decline. In those days, hordes of gnolls from the
known the world over as great adventurers and Sand Sea and the Desert of Black Stone posed a con-
seafarers. stant, ever-growing threat to the fading power of the
Situated on the western shores of the Sunrise Sea, elves. The rulers of Solaneillon took into their service
the Emerald Blade Barony has long been a land with human warriors from the vigorous tribes of southern
its eyes turned outward. The merchants and trading

TM & © 2011 Wizards of the Coast LLC. All rights reserved. J u l y 2 011 | D R AG O N 4 01
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 Nerathi Legends: Merindaelion, Barony of the Emerald Blade

Kelarnil to stem the tide of monstrous incursions, and

afterward rewarded them with land to settle in the
Baron Geras Merind skeptical of giving the baron more power, and they
have guarded their own prerogatives jealously.
The heir of House Merind holds the titles of Baron
realm’s northern wildlands. The elves who lived in The current baron is Geras Alsarien Merind, a
of Nesmalen and Protector of Merindaelion. He or
these lands were at first bitterly opposed to the grow- half-elf of thirty-five who ascended to his post when
she commands the realm’s army, heads the baronial
ing number of human settlers. But as the strength of his father was assassinated one year ago. Before his
administration, and is primarily responsible for con-
Solaneillon waned, the bravery of the humans, along accession he was a restless and troublesome heir
ducting foreign affairs. The authority of the baron
with their sheer numbers, proved decisive in stand- apparent, adventuring incognito through nearby
and baronial officers is limited when dealing with
ing up to the monstrous hordes. When Solaneillon lands and dallying with more than a few females
matters of justice and taxation within the boundar-
broke apart into smaller states six hundred years ago, along the way. Although Geras dislikes the burdens of
ies of other lords’ fiefs; the peers of Merindaelion are
a charismatic half-elf noble named Althier Merind the throne and misses his freewheeling days, he has
succeeded in uniting the human towns and elven
forest-holds of northern Solaneillon into a single
realm, establishing the Barony of Merindaelion. Since
Altheir’s time, House Merind has ruled over the
realm with a permissive hand.
The heirloom of House Merind is Althier’s
enchanted sword Perifal, the work of an ancient
eladrin master smith. This hand-and-a-half sword is
forged from an alloy of adamantine that glitters with
a deep, metallic green color; the hilt is wrapped in
supple leather made from hide taken from the throat
of a green dragon. The blade is depicted on every
banner, standard, and sail of the barony as a vertical,
crosslike design flanked by sleek, feathered wings.
This is the “emerald blade” from which Merindaelion
derives its nickname.

Power Structure
The Emerald Blade Barony was originally a league
of allied nobles, of which the Baron of Nesmalen was
the highest-ranking and most powerful member. In
the years since Althier Merind successfully united
the disparate fiefs into Merindaelion, the barony has
drawn together, taking on the functions (if not the
titles) of a kingdom.

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 Nerathi Legends: Merindaelion, Barony of the Emerald Blade

proven to be a bold and cunning leader, who has won

great favor with most of his people. Notably, he has
territories in the forested hills. The Forest Lords and
their people serve as a crucial first line of defense
The Yuan-ti
An ancient enemy lurks in the caverns and the for-
instituted a series of reforms and recalls to root out against incursions from Tithinia and Iron Circle
ests of the wild southern borderlands of the Emerald
corruption and incompetence in the baronial admin- spies. The Forest Lords do not maintain a permanent
Blade Barony—the dreadful yuan-ti. The yuan-ti once
istration. Unfortunately for Geras, his crusading has residence, roaming from season to season between
battled the elven realm of Solaneillon for supremacy
earned him some powerful enemies, and some say he various natural refuges and shelters (some of which
of eastern Altara, and were defeated. Down through
has been marked for the same fate as his father—it’s are more comfortable and secure than any human
the long centuries they have stirred from time to time,
only a matter of when. nobleman’s tower). A contingent of Forest Lords often
erupting in turn against the dragonborn warriors of
visits the court at Nesmalen, quietly advising the
Arkhosia, the proud lords of Nerath, and now the half-
The Peers of the Realm young baron on elven concerns and interests.
elves, elves and humans of Merindaelion.
Merindaelion’s peerage is a patchwork of small noble
fiefs with a variety of titles of uncertain precedence.
There are approximately twenty baronets, seigneurs,
and lords or dames, plus a number of indepen- NesMaleN aT a GlaNce
dent holds and free towns that are part of no lord’s A fortresslike haven harboring scores of ships, this warm, humid conditions. In addition, every kind
domain. The more powerful of the nobles hold fiefs as small city is the capital of the Emerald Blade Barony. of seafood can be found in the markets and is a
impressive as House Merind’s own and have strong Population Mix: Approximately 8,000 people, daily part of the residents’ diet. Nesmalen imports
claims on the barony’s throne due to old marriages most of them humans or half-elves, live in Nes- metalwork, wine, grain, and leather.
with the royal house. malen. Several times that number live in the fields Defenses: Emerald Blade Keep is a large fortress
Lord Kinimar: The lord of Anduiros, the second- and towns along the River Nes and the shores of that commands the harbor, but Nesmalen’s first
largest city in the realm, Kinimar is a cousin of Geras Emerald Bay. Halflings, elves, shifters, and dragon- line of defense is its excellent war fleet of twelve
Merind. He is an ambitious and calculating forty- born make up the nonhuman population. sturdy dromonds with iron-beaked rams. The city
year-old human known for his talents as a sorcerer. Government: Nesmalen is ruled by a lord mayor is otherwise unwalled. In addition to the dromond
He entertains schemes of unseating House Merind appointed by the baron. The city and its surround- crews, the Keep is defended by two hundred fifty
and installing his own House Fhalton as the ruling ing lands are the historical demesne of House elite foot soldiers and the order of wizards known
family in Merindaelion. Merind, but the baron, as the ranking noble of the as the Mages of the Emerald Star.
Baronetess Sefini: Hotheaded and impetuous, realm, delegates oversight of local affairs to various Inns and Taverns: Nesmalen is renowned for
Sefini is a striking young female half-elf who reigns officials. The current lord mayor is an old, officious its excellent fare and comfortable inns. The White
over the pirate haven of Talon Bay. She is sometimes male halfling named Tarren Thistler. Lord Mayor Sail Inn caters to visiting shipowners and captains,
called the Corsair Queen, and for good reason— Tarren makes a great show of any civic ceremony offering good food and safe lodgings overlooking
Talon Bay is the home of a large and raucous corsair and never misses a chance to give a speech, but the harbor. Travelers of more modest means can
f lotilla. Sefini chafes under what she sees as the otherwise governs lightly. choose the Storm Gull near the wharves, where
overly heavy hand of Baron Geras, and constantly Commerce: Nesmalen’s major industries are one’s stay might be marked by brawling, robbery,
tests the limits of baronial authority with brazen shipbuilding, woodworking, and the production, and the occasional murder. The House of Swans, a
acts of piracy. dyeing, and embroidering of textiles such as silk mile outside town on a forested hilltop overlooking
The Forest Lords: Seven of Merindaelion’s and cotton. The major food crops are brown rice, the Nes, caters to elves and other people who have
ranking peers hold no towns or castles, but instead fruit, nuts, beans, and other crops that do well in refined tastes.
represent noble elf clans of the forested interior.
Each Forest Lord governs a clan, a house, or a tribe
of elves and their retainers, watching over unsettled

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 Nerathi Legends: Merindaelion, Barony of the Emerald Blade

e xPloring goods from all over the world. A picturesque head-

land above the harbor is home to Emerald Blade
Emerald Blade soldiers. The commander of the for-
tress is High Captain Sinnovhan el-Moirad, an elf
the Barony Keep, the stronghold and palace of House Merind swordsman of great accomplishment and one of the
and the seat of Baron Geras. realm’s Forest Lords.
The Emerald Blade Barony lies in a region of warm, Nesmalen is a reasonably safe city, although not Nesgard Keep is also notable for its proximity to
heavily forested hills marked by steep, rugged ridges. without its intrigues and dangers. Yuan-ti spies and the ruins of an Arkhosian school of war-sorcerers. The
The area is not truly mountainous and isn’t an abominations lurk in its sewers and catacombs, hilltop academy was destroyed by demons fifteen cen-
actual jungle, but the terrain forms a significant bar- along with audacious gangs of thieves and a persis- turies ago, and dark powers still lurk in the catacombs
rier against attacks from the west or south. A small tent cult dedicated to the two-headed demon prince and vaults beneath the academy’s crumbling towers.
amount of the land is under cultivation, mostly in the Demogorgon.
valley of the River Nes and the gentle coastal plain
around Anduiros. The interior can grow warm and lighthouse of saris
humid in the summers, but the coast remains temper- anduiros The elves of ancient Solaneillon built a tower on the
ate from the ever-present sea breezes. Anduiros is the second city of the Emerald Blade northernmost point of Cape Saris to guide passing
Barony. It lies on an expanse of flat farmland in ships through the shallows of the straits. After the
the heart of the realm, ringed by cotton fields and original tower fell into disuse, the Nerath Empire
Nesmalen orchards. The city is the center of the barony’s timber raised a new lighthouse and stronghold on the same
The largest city in the Emerald Blade Barony is industry, producing highly valued hardwoods in location two hundred years ago. The Nerathi are now
Nesmalen, located where the River Nes meets the its sawmills. Because it stands on open ground, long gone; Emerald Blade soldiers staff the lighthouse
northern arm of Emerald Bay. Nesmalen is a scenic Anduiros is protected by a city wall, the most exten- and guard the small town at the tower’s base. Power-
city, with whitewashed walls and colorful tiled roofs sive to be found in Merindaelion. ful trebuchets on the tower can throw fifty-pound
glittering among the green, forested hillsides. Its ship- In the past, the human lords of Anduiros feuded stones, posing a serious threat to any hostile vessels
yards turn out the finest vessels on the western shores bitterly with the elven clans of the forest, and in venturing too close.
of the Sunrise Sea, and its warehouses are filled with all Merindaelion this is the place where humans
and elves remain most at odds; few elves live here,
and Anduirosans harbor suspicions about elven
Faldrin Vale
inf luence over the barony’s affairs. Anduiros is the In the highest and most inaccessible hills of
domain of Lord Kinimar Fhalton, a cousin of the Merindaelion lies a valley of wild and sinister
baron and the most powerful and ambitious of the beauty—Faldrin Vale. Moss-grown trees, flowering
realm’s nobles. vines, and ancient standing stones mark the vale as
a region where the Feywild lies close to the mortal
world. The woods are haunted by dryads, centaurs,
Nesgard Keep and sometimes darker and more dangerous fey; this
Located at the head of the valley of the River Nes, forest is perilous for mortals, and even elves tread
Nesgard Keep blocks the only practicable invasion carefully in Faldrin. The vale lies at the heart of
route into the Emerald Blade Barony from the west. the Forest Lords’ domains, and it serves as a meet-
The castle’s construction began early in the reign of ing place and mustering ground for Merindaelion’s
Baron Halvar Merind, father of Baron Geras, and nonhuman denizens. The forests surrounding Fal-
proceeded in several stages—first a watchtower, then drin Vale are protected by mazes of brambles and
a small keep, and finally an encircling wall, provid- enchanted glades that can capture travelers and send
ing accommodations for a garrison of four hundred them into a deep slumber that lasts for days.

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 Nerathi Legends: Merindaelion, Barony of the Emerald Blade

Thaliessal About the Author

Richard Baker is an award-winning game designer who has
On the seabed thirty miles northeast of Nesmalen lies written numerous adventures and sourcebooks, including
adVeNTuRes iN The one of the ancient wonders of the world: the ruins of Manual of the Planes™, the Dark Sun® Campaign Guide, and
eMeRald Blade BaRoNY the coral city of Thaliessal, once home to a realm of the D&D® d ™ Roleplaying Game. He’s a New York
sea elves. Thaliessal lies in a broad region of reefs and Times bestselling author of Forgotten Realms® novels such
Merindaelion is a generally peaceful realm, but as Condemnation, the Last Mythal trilogy, and the Blades of
shallows, rarely more than a hundred feet in depth.
that doesn’t mean adventure is hard to find. the Moonsea series. Rich is currently the Design Manager for
Forests of kelp surround its walls, and in a few places
Letter of Marque: The heroes obtain a letter of the Dungeons & Dragons® game at Wizards of the Coast.
its highest spires break the surface, offering explor-
marque—the authorization to outfit themselves as
ers a place to moor their ships while they venture
privateers and take to the seas in search of booty.
into the more accessible buildings nearby. Thaliessal
Privateers are allowed to take only ships of enemy
was ruled by a prince who gave his fealty to the elven
lands, but the Saris Strait is rich with Iron Circle
kingdom of Solaneillon, and a great deal of commerce
merchant vessels full of gold and other treasure.
took place between the land elves and the sea elves in
Serissalmar: At one time the enemy of ancient
the days of the kingdom’s glory.
Solaneillon, this great yuan-ti ruin lies half buried
Thaliessal withdrew from Solaneillon when
in the forests of southern Merindaelion. Long
humans began to settle the nearby shores. After
before the rise of Bael Turath and Arkhosia, the
the elven kingdom collapsed, the sea elves’ realm
yuan-ti lords of Serissalmar and their armies of
became embroiled in desperate wars against demon-
conjured demons fought against the elf and eladrin
summoning sahuagin. Three hundred years ago,
realms of the area. They were finally defeated,
sahuagin hordes sacked Thaliessal and slew many
but demons and other dark powers still haunt
of its people. The survivors abandoned their ancient
the ruined city, and secret yuan-ti strongholds lie
capital and scattered to smaller holds and refuges in
hidden beneath the nearby hills.
nearby seas. To this day, great treasure lies hidden
The Tower of Dal Beriod: The encroachment
in the vaults and temples of the coral city—but sea
of the Iron Circle has pushed Baron Geras to for-
demons guard the deeps, and sahuagin prowl the
tify his western frontier. One hero is appointed a
shallows.
royal warden and given a writ to occupy the long-
abandoned watchtower of Dal Beriod, clear the
New Feat: Thaliessan Blood
area of harpies and ogres, and establish a new fief
on the border. In centuries past the sea elves of Thaliessal inter-
Rebellious Lord: With the secret support of the married with the other elves (and on rare occasions,
Iron Circle, Lord Kinimar of Anduiros launches an the humans) who inhabited the lands that would
attempt to unseat the baron and claim the throne. become Merindaelion. Consequently, a large number
Kinimar’s spies and sympathizers pose a serious of half-elves and elves of the Emerald Blade Barony
threat in the capital already, but Geras needs con- count sea elves of Thaliessal among their ancestors.
crete evidence of Iron Circle involvement before Prerequisite: Half-elf
he can move against his cousin. Benefit: You are considered an aquatic creature.
You have a swim speed of 5, you can breathe under-
water, and in aquatic combat, you gain a +2 bonus to
attack rolls against nonaquatic creatures.

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 C o n f e s s i o n s o f a f u l l -t i m e w i z a r d

First Impression
By Shelly Mazzanoble
Illustrations by William O’Connor, Doug Chaffee, Greg Harper, and Jim Roslof

the other day i horrified myself by starting a sen- “Back in my day i actually had to get up to change
tence with the phrase “when i was a kid . . .” the tV channel,” i said. “what a pain that was.”
i mean, seriously? i’m that old already? “Back in my day i had to actually push a vacuum
the impetus was a friend who posted a picture on around the floor,” laura said. “Can you imagine life
facebook of a pay phone with the caption “what is before roomba?”
this thing?” “Back in my day, i had to roll up a d&d character
i directed my co-workers’ attention to the picture. with a pencil and paper,” Chuck said, pressing pause
“do you remember having to use a pay phone?” i on his iPod shuffle. “and do my own math.”
asked. “and always having change with you in case of “ew!” i said. “How old are you?”
emergency?” “we didn’t have dungeon tiles, so we had to draw
“i remember having a calling card,” laura said. our maps on graph paper,” Chris said. “that is, if we
“and the number was like 79 digits long. i had to bothered using a map.”
memorize every one of them because my mom was “But how did you know where you were?” i asked.
afraid if i wrote the number down, someone might “the dm told you,” Chuck said.
steal it.” “Haven’t you ever heard of show, don’t tell?” i asked.
i can’t remember what it was like before i had an “i like seeing where my mini is on a map. You know,
iPhone, let alone a cell phone. i swear if i’m not oper- just in case there’s a well i decide to shift down into.”
ating heavy machinery or asleep, i’m on that thing “oh, we didn’t use minis,” Chuck said. “at least not
Googling the lyrics to a def leppard song or looking as tactically as we do today.”
up how many calories are in a microbrew. (don’t do “and as your current dungeon master, i can
that. it’s not a “feel good” number.) and what did we assure you,” Chris added, “that seeing the well won’t
do before the internet? prevent you from falling in it. i’m just saying.”
“we used encyclopedias,” Chris said. this was crazy talk. Kind of like Grandpa walking
“and microfiche machines,” Chuck added. “in a all those miles to school in the snow.
library.” “But how did you know how many feet the mon-
“what’s a library?” we asked. sters were away from you? or if there was a large
naturally, we old-timers began to trip down boulder you could be hiding behind? or which allies
memory lane with our walkers and canes, rehashing were standing next to you?”
how rough it was back in our day. no GPs, no digital Chuck cleared his throat. “as an ally who is often
cameras, no Glee! standing next to you and your burning hands, i

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a few days later i was leveling up willamena, my

d&d encounters mage (with the Character Builder. i
don’t even own a pencil, thank you very much.) willa-
mena is a very entitled mage with fancy at-will spells
and a party that shields her from most of the damage.
that’s all fine and good, but Chris and Chuck’s stroll
down mordenkainen’s lane got me wondering what
life was like for willamena’s wizardly ancestors.
and then it occurred to me. Just because d&d is
in its fourth edition, it doesn’t mean i can’t go back
in time. Heck, people play all of the editions all of
the time.
“Hey, Chris,” i said, interrupting the slide-animat-
ing process of his PowerPoint presentation. “when’s
the last time you ran a first edition game?”
His brow furrowed as he pondered this. “i don’t
know. long time ago, i guess.”
“How would you feel about running a game now?”
Chris looked from his PowerPoint that was due in
about 45 minutes to me, then back to the screen.
“oh, not now now,” i clarified. “i just mean soon. i
want to see what life was like for a wizard back then.”
He rubbed the palms of his hands together—
which, after a couple of years of playing in his d&d
games, i know means he’s really, really excited.
barbarian, i’ve managed to avoid it. these guys were “well, first off, you wouldn’t be a wizard,” he said.
assure you, seeing your allies won’t prevent you from
acting like loving and losing was all part of the game. “You would be a magic user.”
frying them in your blasts.”
“it was,” Chris said. “and it was awesome.” “that’s rather generic,” i said. “Kind of like calling
“You guys are making this up,” i insisted. “How
i lost them to a back-and-forth rally of “remember your job ‘slide animator’ or mine ‘Gossip Girl recapper’
did you ever know what was going on?”
when” stories. oh, sure, i’ve heard similar tales of yore. or ‘microwave popcorn burner.’ that’s just a small
Chuck and Chris answered in unison. “Because
mostly i thought these stories were the memories of part of what we do here.”
the dm told you.”
twelve-year-old boys, retold by men in their thirties. of “what else does willamena do besides use
“with his voice,” Chuck added. “we didn’t need
course they have fond recollections. they remember magic?” Chris asked.
fancy visual aids back then.”
riding bikes and wearing parachute pants the same “well,” i began. Curse my short-term memory
“it was all about using your imagination,” Chris
way. But still . . . there is always something about the issues. what else has she done? “she can raise famil-
added wistfully. “and dumb luck.”
way people wax on about the earlier editions of d&d, iars from the dead. and she can eliminate pesky
“sometimes the dice were kind,” Chuck added. “and
and i’m not entirely sure it just has to do with a time stains from your robes with a simple—”
sometimes they weren’t, and your character died.”
before microwaves and Youtube. (and yes, kids, there “By using magic,” Chris said, smiling. “But who
Character death? egads! i mean, i know it hap-
was a time before microwaves and Youtube. shut up.) cares? i’d love to run you through a game. in fact, i’ll
pens, but with the exception of Kevin my playtest

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fortunately, i have a tad bit more knowledge of Chris knows me pretty well, so in the interest of
d&d, so Chris doesn’t have it so tough when we meet time he offers a treaty.
up at lunch to create my first edition magic user. she’s “fine. You can have henchmen, but they’re not
going to be level 8 to play in the adventure Chris has coming on the adventure. they have to stay home and
planned. tend to the garden and draw you a bath and plan your
“Her name is majeka magicmaker,” i say. “and i wardrobe or whatever. let’s move on.”
love her.” Chris instructs me to pull out my d6s. lots of
Chris nods his head. “that’s a very first edition them. majeka’s abilities are dependent on the fate of
name. what’s her race?” these dice.
i decide on elf, since it’s most familiar to me, but a first and second rolls grants me 16s, which i
gray elf because it’s the most unfamiliar of my elven promptly assign to intelligence and wisdom. i hate
choices. having dumb characters.
if we had more time, Chris could have unearthed “Hey, look at that!” i say. “i’m good at first edition!”
his first edition goldenrod character sheets from the the next three rolls are 12, 10, and 10. see? i’m
overflowing rubbermaid bins in his basement. He pretty much rocking this edition.
apparently has smithsonian-caliber relics stashed in i sit quietly while Chris looks up my bonuses in a
there. instead, we make do with the character sheets chart in the Player’s Handbook. i suspect this too is in
he made using excel. the interest of time. shelly of the 1980s would prob-
“not very old-school,” he admits, “but it will work ably muddle her own way through this book and like
in the interest of time.” it. i assign the rest of my numbers to my remaining
even an excel character sheet is bizarro in first abilities. so i’m not the most agile elf. so what?
edition. system shock? resurrect survival? Paralyza- next Chris instructs me to do something i’ve never
tion poison? this stuff can’t all be relevant, can it? done before.
“what the heck is a henchman?” i ask. “is that like “Get your percentile die.”
even set aside some time to help you roll up a charac- a familiar?” “i have no idea what you’re asking me to do.”
ter. the old-fashioned way,” he added. “not really. they’re basically followers of your He hands me the die that i’ve kept in my bag for
uh-oh. Better get a pencil. character who perform services in exchange for six years and never once rolled.
money, food, lodging.” “for real?” i ask. “i always wondered what that
By the time the Character Builder was released, i was “i totally want a henchman,” i say. “How do i get thing was for.”
already playing d&d, so to roll up astrid, my 3.5 elf one?” Because majeka is very intelligent, Chris explains
sorceress, i did it the “old-fashioned way.” there were “You’re not getting any henchmen,” Chris says. she has a 65% chance of knowing the spells she
lots of pencil shavings, dice, and seemingly compli- “not in my game.” chooses. again, this makes little sense to me.
cated and random algorithms involved, so yeah, i had “But i’m entitled to them,” i explain, pointing to “so, unlike willamena who just puts spells in her
it rough, too. sort of. okay, my dm at the time had it the box on the character sheet. the character sheet spellbook and uses them, majeka might not even have
rough trying to explain not only what an ability modi- he made, i might add. “majeka needs an entourage. the option of learning them?”
fier was, but also how to calculate it. i asked a lot of she has trunks and trunks of robes and bracers and “well she may have tried to learn one and failed,
“why are we doing that?” and he answered with a a plethora of those exploding carnations she pins on or just never had the opportunity to learn it because
lot of “Because that’s how it is.” (more proof that my her lapel.” (i’m still having a hard time grasping this no one taught her,” Chris says. “But maybe your dm
mom would make a fabulous dungeon master.) whole “magic user” classification.) knows there’s a spell you’re after and somehow the
scroll winds up in treasure the party finds.”

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now that’s pretty cool. Cooler than some silly i’m still getting used to this whole every-spell- “think carefully about what you’re packing,” he
armor or a sword my wizard can’t use anyway. i’m is-like-a-daily-spell thing when Chris throws me says. Chris actually makes me think about what i’m
happy with what spells majeka knows. she clearly another doozy. bringing along. “there’s a limit to what you can carry,
paid attention in magic-user school and is a pro at “oh, and monsters can attack you while you’re cast- and you don’t know how long you’ll be gone.”
casting old standbys like magic missile and burning ing a spell,” he says. “each spell takes a certain amount “Jeez, you and the airlines!”
hands and soon-to-be favorites like ice storm and wall of time to cast, and during that time you become very the days of stuffing everything you own in your
of fire. the best part is the instructions on how to hold noticeable. i should probably mention that.” checked luggage are over. i do manage to get a ring of
your hands to correctly cast burning hands—a w for- “excuse me?” in my world it’s always been i pull protection, a wand of lightning, bracers of defense, and a
mation with your thumbs touching one another. i’ve out a spell, cast it, roll the die and boom. done. the bitchin’ elven cloak and boots, though.
been doing it wrong all this time. bad guys never see it coming. “i realize this is more “now you can only pack enough rations for one
“Yeah, there was lot of roleplaying back then,” first grade than first edition, but it’s my turn. they can week,” Chris explains. “and you’re out adventur-
Chris says. try to hit me on their turn.” ing for nine days, so you better hope someone in the
Just when i think i’m all tough girl with my wall of “they will then, too,” Chris says. “it was dangerous party has a small appetite.”
fire and mirror image, Chris lets me in on another first- to be a magic user back then. You were a huge target.” “or they have a big appetite so they’re nice and
edition quirk. “i’m glad to see magic users figured out a more plump when i’m forced to eat them.”
“these aren’t at-will spells. You use one once and efficient way of casting spells their ancestors could Chris stares at me. “that’s gross. and aren’t you a
it’s gone.” benefit from.” what were they doing, anyway? vegetarian? now for the fun part: let’s figure out your
“like until the next encounter?” Pulling out their chemistry sets and reading the armor Class.”
“like until you relearn it so you can cast it the next instructions? again he consults a chart, factors in my bracers
day. use them wisely, grasshopper.” finally we get to equipment. and my ring, and comes up with a . . .

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“two.”
say what?
“How the heck am i two? at eighth level! oh, no,
Chris, you messed up! if i got stung by a bee, i’d be
toast!”
He laughs. “ah, that’s the beauty of first edition.
the lower your armor Class, the better. ever hear of
tHaC0?”
indeed i have, but it didn’t make any sense until
Chris showed me the chart on my new character
sheet. and it still doesn’t make a lot of sense.
“so to hit armor Class 2 i need to roll a 17 or
higher?” i ask.
“Correct.”
“so why wouldn’t the armor class just be 17
instead of some arbitrary number?”
Chris pats my head. “Because that’s the way Gary
Gygax wrote it to be.”
He packs up his musty, dog-eared, and much loved
first edition, leaving me to wrap my head around the
fact that a –7 armor Class is way better than a 10.
and monsters have no regard for initiative order. and
there won’t be any maps, or minis, or protection from
evil when i’m trying to cast a spell.
“Be ready this friday after work,” he says. “oh, and
you might want to bring friends.”
Right, friends. majeka isn’t going out there alone.
she’ll need to round up a party.
when i get back to my desk, i overhear laura and
Chuck arguing about the merits of Labyrinth versus
About the Author
Ladyhawke. there’s a 75% chance that shelly mazzanoble turned this
“for real?” i ask. “You guys are still debating column in on time, an 85% chance next month’s will be later,
cheesy 80s movies?” and a 95% chance that she is all caught up on The Real House-
“i guess we’re feeling nostalgic,” Chuck says. wives of New York.
ahh . . . i think majeka may have just met the rest
of her party.
“well, you’re in luck,” i say, pulling out my dice
and sharpening my pencils. “Bust out your aqua net
and peg your jeans. we’re going back in time.”

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 Wizard
Illustrations by William O’Connor and Steve Ellis
This article has been revised to include player feedback submitted to playtesting@wizards.
com. These changes include revisions to many powers. Thank you for participating in the
playtest process!

Why This Is the Class for You: You like to master the battlefield and control
your enemies, while also having the tools to handle any situation you face.

Some things no person is meant to know, some powers no mortal should ever
wield, and some mysteries are best left buried in the lost manuscripts. Common
wisdom advises all this, yet wizards have little use for such quaint warnings and
plunge headlong into the occult without fear. For this reason, most people fear
wizards, or if they don’t fear them, they at least steer clear of them—for who knows
what magic they work in their laboratories or what terrible secrets they have
unearthed? If wizards notice such an attitude, they pay it no heed or, perhaps,
cultivate it to keep the uninitiated from peering too closely at the forces these
magicians wield.
A wizard, it has been said, is an arcane scion, a gifted individual trained in the
mystical arts who accesses the power that permeates the cosmos and molds it into
useful and often destructive forms. A wizard’s approach to magic is one of scholar-
ship and accomplishment. To a wizard, there is no easy path to power; there is only
research, discipline, and intellect. Those who circumvent the proper order, such
as the dubious warlocks and their untamed cousins the sorcerers, pervert magi-
cal energy—or, worse, are ruled by it. For this reason wizards guard their secrets
well, teaching their lore only to those worthy candidates who have both the mental
acuity and the strength of will to use it. The wizard’s traditions are passed down to
promising students through apprenticeship or in an arcane academy’s classrooms.
Although wizards have a reputation for being pedantic scholars, more con-
cerned with preserving moldering books than with what goes on outside their
tower walls, the truth is that many of them venture into the world as adventurers.
Magical treasures litter the world, and in those items are secrets to growing one’s
power. Wizards expand their minds through arcane lore they find, improve their

TM & © 2011 Wizards of the Coast LLC. All rights reserved. J u l y 2 011 | D r ag o n 4 01
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other abilities with each item recovered, and awaken new spellcasting abilities the Like mages, arcanists gravitate to the adventuring life because it gives them the
longer they pursue the adventuring life. chance to discover interesting new spells and rituals to add to their spellbooks.
The mage and the arcanist are two types of wizards. The mage appears in Though they might lack focus, arcanists prove themselves equal to their school-
Heroes of the Fallen Lands. The arcanist first appeared in the Player’s Handbook as specialist counterparts in both learning ability and application of that knowledge,
the wizard. and are counted as valued members of any expedition.

A rcanist Creating an A rcanist

Arcane Controller: You command eldritch forces, shaping them into spells This section walks you through the steps of creating an arcanist. As you make
designed to blast your enemies, bring them under your thumb, twist their choices at each step, consider how those choices relate to your character’s personal-
senses, and impede their movement. ity, backstory, and goals.
Key Abilities: Intelligence; Constitution, Dexterity, or Wisdom Consult the three class tables, one for each tier of play, for a summary of what
you gain as you advance in level.
An arcanist is a powerful wizard who forgoes specialization to explore and use all
that arcane magic has to offer. Rather than bind themselves to a particular school, Race
as mages do, arcanists experiment with a wide range of magical effects from evoca- Choose your race. Eladrin and human are particularly good choices for an arcanist.
tion to necromancy and everything
in between. Considered dilettantes Arcanist Traits Eladrin Legends claim that Corellon revealed the secrets of arcane magic to
by their mage counterparts, arcanists Hit Points: You start with hit points the eladrin people, who in turn shared their knowledge with other races. Their
see diverse study as a boon because it equal to 10 + your Constitution score. keen intellect and quick reflexes make eladrin eminently suited to become wiz-
broadens their ability to deal with a You gain 4 hit points each time you ards. Furthermore, the magical tradition that pervades eladrin culture fosters
variety of situations, by always having gain a level.
talent and provides guidance for talented apprentices.
the proper spell on hand. Bonus to Defenses: +2 to Will Many eladrin arcanists focus their study on the military applications of magic.
The arcanist is a generalist and Healing Surges per Day: 6 + your Con- These war wizards form the core of every eladrin city’s defenses, and it falls to
a theorist. This path of arcane stitution modifier them to disperse and annihilate enemies with blasts of arcane power. Some leave
study focuses more on a broader Armor Proficiencies: Cloth the city to carry the battle to their enemies, such as orcs, drow, and lycanthropes.
understanding of principles instead Weapon Proficiencies: Dagger, quar- Most eladrin arcanists follow Corellon, the father of arcane magic. Some, espe-
of specific techniques relating to terstaff cially those who travel widely throughout the natural world, turn to Ioun.
schools. To an arcanist, how he or she Implement Proficiencies: Orbs, staffs,
casts a spell is far more important wands Human Some of the greatest wizards in the world have been human. Mor-
than what sort of spell is used. Many Class Skills: Arcana (Int), Diplomacy denkainen, Bigby, Tenser, Otiluke and others of their ilk were among the first of
arcanists follow their imagination as (Cha), Dungeoneering (Wis), His- their race to master the arcane arts, and thus their names are still spoken with rev-
to what spells they might learn and tory (Int), Insight (Wis), Nature (Wis), erence. Human arcanists of today follow in these innovators’ steps, trying to perfect
which they might use on any given Religion (Int) their spells and their methods so they might join them as legends. Humanity’s
day, rather than adhering to the dic- Trained Skills: Arcana, plus three more innate versatility leads many humans to diversify in their training and look beyond
tates of academia. from the list of class skills the bounds of a particular school of magic.

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Many humans learn their Orb of Imposition Arcanists who want to exert greater control over their
craft from established arcanists, enemies favor the orb. Channeling arcane energy through such an implement mag-
usually spending some number of nifies its power, making certain effects harder to resist and letting your magic linger
years studying as an apprentice. The longer. Manipulating an orb in this way requires discipline and a keen attention to
master wizard parcels out lessons in detail; thus you will need a high Wisdom score to get the most from this choice.
exchange for the apprentice’s labor.
Mixing potions, sweeping floors, and Staff of Defense The staff symbolizes strength and power. This imple-
clearing out cobwebs defines many ment serves best those arcanists who look to their defenses first. An arcanist with a
an apprentice’s early life. Bit by bit, staff can protect himself or herself against enemy attack, and at an instant’s notice
though, the lessons start to sink in, the arcanist can channel its power to raise a potent shield to protect body or mind.
and the apprentice learns how to Such energy requires health and vigor, so a high Constitution score will serve you
control simple cantrips and later well if you choose the staff.
more powerful spells.
Human arcanists tend to favor Wand of Accuracy Battle arcanists prefer wands for their unequaled
the worship of Ioun, the goddess of accuracy. A wand focuses magic and guides it to wherever its wielder desires. It is a
knowledge and skill, because they precise tool and thus requires a steady hand to use it properly. Make sure you have
see talent and study as the critical a high Dexterity score to fully realize your wand’s benefits.
components of mastering spells.
Ability Scores
Arcane Implement Determine your ability scores. Make Intelligence your highest score, since it is
Mastery your attack ability and it is crucial to mastering higher and more complex forms
Although arcanists draw spells from of arcane magic. Your arcane implement choice determines your second-highest
the same schools studied by other ability score. Wisdom is important for arcanists who use orbs, since it makes it
wizards, what sets them apart is harder for enemies to overcome your spells. If you chose the staff, Constitution
their extensive focus and mastery helps boost your defenses when you come under attack and also increases your
over implements. An arcanist who hit points. Finally, mastery of the wand allows you to add your Dexterity modi-
casts spells through an orb can exert fier to one attack roll every encounter, helping you hit when it’s most important
greater control over his or her foes, to do so.
while another armed with a wand You increase two ability scores of your choice by 1 each when you reach cer-
can direct spells with terrifying tain levels: 4th, 8th, 14th, 18th, 24th, and 28th. In addition, all your ability scores
precision. increase by 1 at 11th and 21st levels.
Choose one of the following forms Your other ability scores help flesh out your character’s personality and back-
of Arcane Implement Mastery. See ground. A good Charisma might paint you as a traveling wizard, one who relied on
page 5 for details on their benefits. equal parts magic and deception, subterfuge, and perhaps even larceny to survive.
A high Strength runs counter to the stereotype of a wizard. You might have been a
An eladrin wizard studies his spellbook laborer or even a warrior-in-training before taking up the wizard’s vocation.

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Skills most of the implement you wield while also boosting your accuracy and damage.
The quick reaction category offers feats to let you act early in the round and set the
At 1st level, you have training in Arcana. In addition, you choose three more
combat’s tone. Finally, don’t overlook the vigilant reflexes category. These feats can
trained skills from the following list of class skills: Diplomacy, Dungeoneering,
help you avoid attacks so you can outlast your enemies.
History, Insight, Nature, and Religion.
Your skill choices can define your character’s background, describing the cir-
cumstances of your training and the experiences you had before becoming an
Equipment
adventurer. Dungeoneering and Nature both suggest training in the field. Diplo- You have proficiency with cloth armor. You have proficiency with the following
macy and Insight could arise from spending time in the Feywild as a courtier in weapons: dagger and quarterstaff. However, your use of arcane magic for offense
an eladrin court. Religion and History both speak to a more scholarly approach to and defense means you have little need for weapons and armor.
your studies; you might have spent a great deal of time examining old manuscripts. You have 100 gp with which you can purchase equipment. Your first need is
an arcane implement of the type appropriate to your mastery (orb, staff, or wand).
Class Features and Powers Beyond that, you don’t need armor or weapons, so invest in adventuring gear and
components to power your rituals. Unless you have a staff, which can double as a
Note which class features and powers you gain at 1st level, as specified on the
weapon, it never hurts to pick up a dagger in case you are cornered.
Arcanist Heroic Tier table on page 5.
When choosing your at-will, encounter, and daily powers, think about the
choice you made for Arcane Implement Mastery. Orb of Imposition aids arcanists
Defenses and Hit Points
who prefer to exert greater battlefield control, so cloud of daggers and thunderwave Calculate your defenses using your ability modifiers. In addition, you gain a +2
are good choices for at-will powers. For your encounter power, consider icy terrain, bonus to Will.
and sleep is a fine daily power. You start with hit points equal to 10 + your Constitution score. You gain 4 hit
Arcanists who chose Staff of Defense tend to have a more diverse selection of points each time you gain a level. You have a number of healing surges per day
powers, with a greater emphasis on personal protection. Ray of frost keeps enemies equal to 6 + your Constitution modifier.
from closing in on you, while thunderwave can push them back when they do. Ray of
enfeeblement is a good choice for your encounter power, while f laming sphere serves Alignment and Final Details
well for your daily power. At this point, you should have all the mechanical details of your character deter-
Finally, if you chose Wand of Accuracy, look to aggressive spells with an eye on mined. There are a few more decisions to make.
damage. Ray of frost and scorching burst are both good choices for at-will powers. Pick an alignment, which represents a basic outlook on the world that helps
Burning hands helps you clear a path for your allies, while acid arrow can deliver a shape how your character acts. Did you hope to help the world and improve lives
punishing attack against a critical opponent. through your magical study? You’re probably lawful good or good. If you sought
power as its own end, you are likely unaligned.
Feats Finally check with your DM to see where you are from in the campaign setting,
Choose one feat at 1st level. You gain an additional feat at every even-numbered the people you already know, and what your current situation is. It also helps to
level, plus a feat at 11th and 21st levels. spend a few minutes working out how or if you know the other player characters.
Heroes of the Fallen Lands and Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms introduce the
concept of feat categories to associate similar feats into groups, making the selec-
tion process easier. Feats from the implement training category help you make the

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 Wizard

Heroic A rcanist Orb of Imposition The orb is a polished sphere usually made from crys-
Dusty tomes and strange ingredients defined your training. Years spent cloistered tal, glass, metal, stone, or even wood. Magic channeled through an orb has lasting
in a laboratory and under a master’s critical eye prepared you for the trials ahead power and can help you maintain control over your targets.
by giving you a solid foundation on which you built your magical talents. The Benefit: Once per encounter while you are holding an orb, you can take a free
heroic tier offers incredible opportunities to increase your prowess, and you will action on your turn to gain one of the following two effects.
add to your learning in a rapid fashion. Husband your power, however, for your F Saving Throw Penalty: Choose one creature that is suffering an effect that was
resources are not without limit. One error can mean the difference between life caused by one of your wizard powers and that a save can end. That creature
and death. takes a penalty to its next saving throw against that effect. The penalty equals
your Wisdom modifier.
Arcanist Heroic Tier F Extended Duration: Choose an effect that was created by one of your wizard
Total Feats at-will powers and that is set to end at the end of your current turn. The effect
XP Level Known Class Features and Powers instead ends at the end of your next turn.
0 1 1 Arcane Implement Mastery
Arcanist’s Spellbook
Staff of Defense One of the more identifiable implements used by wiz-
Cantrips
ards, the staff enjoys great popularity for its defensive quality. Nearly all staffs are
Ritual Casting
At-will powers
fashioned from rare wood favored for its mystical properties.
Encounter power Benefit: You gain a +1 bonus to AC while holding a staff.
Daily powers In addition, once per encounter while you are holding a staff, you can use an
1,000 2 +1 Utility powers immediate interrupt to gain a bonus to all defenses against one attack. The bonus
2,250 3 — Encounter power equals your Constitution modifier. You can decide to use this ability after the DM
3,750 4 +1 Ability score increase has told you how much damage the attack is going to deal to you.
5,500 5 — Daily powers
7,500 6 +1 Utility power Wand of Accuracy A wand gives an arcanist unequaled accuracy and
10,000 7 — Encounter power
finesse when he or she casts a spell. Wooden wands are common, though ivory,
13,000 8 +1 Ability score increase
bone, and metal are common too.
16,500 9 — Daily powers
20,500 10 +1 Utility powers Benefit: Once per encounter, you can take a free action to gain a bonus to a
single attack roll made with a wand. The bonus equals your Dexterity modifier.
Level 1: Arcane Implement Mastery
Where some wizards focus their training on a particular school of magic, arcan-
Level 1: Arcanist’s Spellbook
ists concentrate on the implements of their power. Such dedicated training allows You possess a spellbook, a book full of mystic lore in which you store your daily
arcanists to develop techniques to coax all they can from their magical tools. and utility powers and your rituals.
Benefit: You gain one of the benefits described below, depending on your Daily and Utility Powers: Your spellbook also holds your wizard daily attack
choice of Arcane Implement Mastery. powers and wizard utility powers (not including your cantrips). You begin with
two daily attack powers in your spellbook, one of which you can use on any given
day. Each time you gain a level that lets you select a wizard daily attack power or a

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wizard utility power, choose two different powers of that type at that level and add Level 1: Cantrips
them to your book.
The basic tricks of magic are known as cantrips, and they are the first spells that a
After each extended rest, you can prepare a number of daily attack powers and
beginning wizard learns. The formula underlying a cantrip is so simple that each
utility powers according to what you can use per day for your level (see the Wizard
cantrip can be committed to memory and used at will once you have mastered it.
Powers Prepared per Day table). You can’t prepare the same power twice on the
Benefit: You gain four cantrips of your choice.
same day.
If you replace a power because of gaining a level or through retraining, the pre- Ghost Sound Useful for creating diversions both in and out of combat,
vious power vanishes from your spellbook and is replaced by the new power. ghost sound can help you distract other creatures with the sound of mysterious foot-
Rituals: Your book also contains three 1st-level rituals of your choice that you steps, a brawl coming from around a corner, or any other sound you can imagine.
have mastered.
At 5th level, and again at 11th, 15th, 21st, and 25th level, you master two more Ghost Sound Wizard Utility
rituals of your choice and add them to your spellbook. When you choose the ritu- With a wink, you create an illusory sound that emanates from a distant location.
als, they must be your level or lower. At-Will F Arcane, Illusion
Capacity: A typical spellbook has 128 pages. Each power takes up 1 page. A Standard Action Ranged 10
ritual takes up a number of pages equal to its level. Target: One object or unoccupied square
Effect: You cause a sound as quiet as a whisper or as loud as a yelling or fighting creature
Wizard Powers Prepared per Day to emanate from the target. You can produce nonvocal sounds such as the ringing of a
sword blow, jingling armor, or scraping stone. If you whisper, you can whisper quietly
Level Daily Utility
enough that only creatures adjacent to the target can hear your words.
1 1 —
2–4 1 1
5 2 1
Light With a light cantrip at your disposal, you need never worry about carry-
6–8 2 2
ing torches, lanterns, or oil.
9 3 2
10–15 3 3 Light Wizard Utility
16–21 3 4 With a wave of your hand, you cause a bright light to appear on the tip of your staff, upon
22–30 3 5 some other object, or in a nearby space.
At-Will F Arcane
Minor Action Ranged 5
Target: One object or unoccupied square
Effect: The target sheds bright light until the end of the encounter or until you use this
power again. The light fills the target’s space and all squares within 4 squares of it.
Putting out the light is a free action.

Mage Hand When you first took up the often dangerous study of alchemy,
mage hand allowed you to mix reagents and volatile components from a safe dis-
tance. In lost ruins or the throne rooms of dukes and kings, this minor magic has
even more uses.

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Mage Hand Wizard Utility Level 1: Ritual Casting

You gesture toward a nearby object, and a spectral hand lifts it into the air and moves it where Arcanists rely on spells to defeat their enemies and find solutions to the various
you want.
challenges they encounter during their travels. In addition, arcanists are the undis-
At-Will F Arcane, Conjuration
puted masters of magical rituals.
Minor Action Ranged 5
Effect: You conjure a spectral, floating hand in an unoccupied square within range. The As you gain levels, you automatically gain access to new rituals, but you can also buy
hand lasts until the end of your next turn or until you use this power again. If you are new rituals or acquire them during your adventures. Higher-level rituals let you seal or
holding an object when you use this power, the hand can move the object into a pack, open doors, view places or people from a distance, or open portals to other places.
a pouch, a sheath, or a similar container and simultaneously move any one object
Benefit: You gain the Ritual Caster feat as a bonus feat, allowing you to use
carried or worn anywhere on your body into your hand. While the hand persists, you
can take the following actions. magical rituals.
Minor Action: The hand picks up or manipulates an object weighing 20 pounds or less.
It can hold only one object at a time.
Move Action: The hand moves up to 5 squares in any direction, carrying the object it holds.
Level 1: At-Will Powers
Free Action: The hand drops the object it is holding. The world is a dangerous place, and wizards, for all their learning, are just as
Sustain Minor: The hand persists until the end of your next turn. susceptible to its perils. To protect yourself during your travels, you learned basic
combat spells that can frustrate or destroy your foes.
Prestidigitation This catch-all cantrip is an arcanist’s best friend. The Benefit: You gain two 1st-level wizard at-will attack powers of your choice.
mundane chores and tasks you were burdened with as an apprentice were made
easier by this beginner’s magic, but prestidigitation continues to make itself useful to Cloud of Daggers Master wizards teach this spell to help their appren-
you as you begin your adventuring career. tices control their magic, focus it, and wield it as a weapon. Cloud of daggers
demonstrates your skill by creating several magical blades and directing them
Prestidigitation Wizard Utility
against anyone that comes too close.
You perform an amusing magical trick, such as creating a dancing wisp of light, freshening a
wilting flower, making a coin invisible, or warming a cold drink. Cloud of Daggers Wizard Attack 1
At-Will F Arcane
You create a small cloud of whirling daggers of force that relentlessly attack creatures in the
Standard Action Ranged 2
area.
Effect: Use this cantrip to accomplish one of the effects given below:
F Change the color of items in 1 cubic foot. At-Will ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Force, Implement, Zone
F Create a harmless sensory effect, such as a shower of sparks, a puff of wind, faint Standard Action Area 1 square within 10 squares
music, or a strong odor. Target: Each creature in the square
F Clean or soil items in 1 cubic foot. Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
F Instantly light (or snuff out) a candle, a torch, or a small campfire. Hit: 1d6 + Intelligence modifier force damage.
F Chill, warm, or flavor up to 1 pound of nonliving material for up to 1 hour. Level 21: 2d6 + Intelligence modifier force damage.
F Make a small mark or symbol appear on a surface for up to 1 hour. Effect: The power’s area becomes a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn or until
F Produce out of nothingness a small item or image that exists until the end of your you end it as a minor action. Any creature that enters the zone or starts its turn there
next turn. takes force damage equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum 1). A creature can take
F Make a small, handheld item invisible until the end of your next turn. this damage only once per turn.
Special: You can have as many as three prestidigitation effects active at one time. Nothing
you create with this cantrip can deal damage, serve as a weapon or a tool, or hinder Magic Missile One of the most famous wizard spells ever devised, magic
another creature’s actions. This cantrip cannot duplicate the effect of any other power.
missile is a staple in almost every wizard’s arsenal. What the spell lacks in strength,

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it compensates for with unparalleled accuracy. Neither the heaviest armor nor the Thunderwave Despite your best efforts to stay behind the front line, the
toughest hide offers any defense against this spell. enemy will reach you at times. These instances are when thunderwave comes in
handy. When you cast this spell, you send shock waves through the ground and
Magic Missile Wizard Attack 1
your foes to drive them away from you.
A glowing blue bolt of magical energy hurtles from your finger and unerringly strikes your
target.
Thunderwave Wizard Attack 1
At-Will F Arcane, Evocation, Force, Implement
You lash your foes with a wave of thunderous power.
Standard Action Ranged 20
Target: One creature At-Will ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Implement, Thunder
Effect: 2 + Intelligence modifier force damage. Standard Action Close blast 3
Level 11: 3 + Intelligence modifier force damage. Target: Each creature in the blast
Level 21: 5 + Intelligence modifier force damage. Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
Special: If the implement used with this power has an enhancement bonus, add that Hit: 1d6 + Intelligence modifier thunder damage, and you push the target a number of
bonus to the damage. In addition, you can use this power as a ranged basic attack. squares up to your Wisdom modifier.
Level 21: 2d6 + Intelligence modifier thunder damage.
Ray of Frost As part of their training, arcanists learn to call forth elemen-
tal forces and bind them with arcane power. Ray of frost is a valuable teaching tool Level 1: Encounter Power
in that it helps an apprentice contain and direct elemental cold where he or she Learning your at-will powers trained your mind to accept even greater quantities
wills. That the spell has combat applications is just an added boon. of arcane power. Thus prepared, you have learned to cast a few more complicated
and draining spells.
Ray of Frost Wizard Attack 1 Benefit: You gain a 1st-level wizard encounter attack power of your choice.
You fire a blisteringly cold ray of white frost at your foe, slowing its movement.
At-Will ✦ Arcane, Cold, Evocation, Implement Burning Hands Cowardly pack fighters such as goblins and kobolds see
Standard Action Ranged 10 your lack of armor and weapons as an excuse to mob you. This spell shows them
Target: One creature
the error of their ways. Fanning your fingertips before you, you blast jets of flame
Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
Hit: 1d6 + Intelligence modifier cold damage, and the target is slowed until the end of that can wipe out a dozen or more minions and leave stronger foes quaking.
your next turn.
Level 21: 2d6 + Intelligence modifier cold damage. Burning Hands Wizard Attack 1
A gout of flame erupts from your hands and scorches nearby foes.
Scorching Burst Finesse has its place in magic, but so does brute force. Encounter F Arcane, Evocation, Fire, Implement
Scorching burst is a simple and effective attack spell that lets you call forth a spire of Standard Action Close blast 5
elemental fire down on your enemies. Target: Each creature in the blast
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 2d6 + Intelligence modifier fire damage.
Scorching Burst Wizard Attack 1
Miss: Half damage.
You create a vertical column of golden flames that burns all within.
At-Will ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Fire, Implement
Standard Action Area burst 1 within 10 squares
Target: Each creature in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d6 + Intelligence modifier fire damage.
Level 21: 2d6 + Intelligence modifier fire damage.

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Chill Strike Many encounter powers trace their origin to simpler spells. Icy Terrain You focus your energy to drain heat from the landscape, causing
Although they have many similarities with these spells in application and function, temperatures to plunge and ice to form over the ground. This spell lets you shape
they reveal what happens when an arcanist invests more energy into his or her the battlefield to your advantage by slowing your opponent’s advance while clear-
elementary attacks. Chill strike resembles ray of frost in application, but instead of ing away your weaker foes.
merely slowing an enemy down, you numb its body and mind with biting cold.
Icy Terrain Wizard Attack 1
Chill Strike Wizard Attack 1 You coat the ground with a treacherous patch of ice that freezes and hampers your foes.
You hit your foe with a bolt of frigid purple energy, reducing its ability to act for a moment. Encounter ✦ Arcane, Cold, Evocation, Implement, Zone
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Cold, Evocation, Implement Standard Action Area burst 1 within 10 squares
Standard Action Ranged 10 Target: Each creature in the burst
Target: One creature Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude Hit: 1d6 + Intelligence modifier cold damage, and the target falls prone.
Hit: 2d8 + Intelligence modifier cold damage, and the target is dazed until the end of Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn or until you end
your next turn. it as a minor action. The ground of the zone is difficult terrain.
Miss: The target is slowed until the end of your next turn.
Ray of Enfeeblement Although many arcanists concern themselves
Force Orb Nearly every wizard learns to manipulate force using arcane with the power of the cosmos, there are some whose intellectual curiosity leads
magic. This fact is evidenced in the magic missile spell that so many wizards master. them to dark places. The Shadowfell, for necromancers and their ilk, holds great
Those arcanists who have a talent for shaping force find new and effective ways to promise, since vast reservoirs of dark energy are there for the taking. Ray of
use it in battle. Force orb, for example, enables you to compress arcane energy into a enfeeblement draws this shadowy force and projects it through an arcane ray. Those
magical sphere, which you hurl to explode amid your enemies. touched by its fell power find their strength sapped.

Force Orb Wizard Attack 1 Ray of Enfeeblement Wizard Attack 1

You hurl an orb of magical force that bursts against your enemy, throwing off razor-sharp You point three fingers at your foe, curling them like talons. Weird green mist streams from
shards that cut nearby foes to ribbons. your enemy’s flesh, carrying away its strength.
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Force, Implement Encounter ✦ Arcane, Implement, Necromancy, Necrotic
Standard Action Ranged 20 Standard Action Ranged 10
Primary Target: One creature or object Target: One creature
Primary Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
Hit: 2d8 + Intelligence modifier force damage, and you make the secondary attack. Hit: 1d10 + Intelligence modifier necrotic damage, and the target is weakened until the
Secondary Attack end of your next turn.
Area burst 1 centered on the primary target Miss: Half damage.
Secondary Target: Each enemy in the burst other than the primary target
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d10 + Intelligence modifier force damage. Level 1: Daily Powers
The final lesson you learned as an apprentice was to cast some of the most potent
spells available to wizards. These spells are so powerful that they leave you drained
each time you use them.
Benefit: You add two 1st-level wizard daily attack powers of your choice to your
spellbook.

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Acid Arrow Prince Brightflame, called Melf or Perelay, created this spell Flaming Sphere Wizard Attack 1
long ago. A warrior-wizard of great power and fame, he led the Knights of Luna to You conjure a rolling ball of fire and control where it goes.
victory in the defense of his people. Brightflame’s innovations established many Daily ✦ Arcane, Conjuration, Evocation, Fire, Implement
Standard Action Ranged 10
of the tactics still used by eladrin war wizards today. Acid arrow exemplifies his
Effect: You conjure a Medium flaming sphere in an unoccupied square within range. The
aggressive style. He would often open a battle using this signature spell to signal sphere occupies its square, and it lasts until the end of your next turn. Any creature
his allies to attack when they heard his target’s screams. that starts its turn adjacent to the sphere takes 1d4 + Intelligence modifier fire
damage. As a move action, you can move the sphere up to 6 squares.
Acid Arrow Wizard Attack 1 When the sphere appears, it immediately makes the following attack. While the
sphere persists, you can use a standard action to command it to make the attack.
You call out an arcane word and fire an arrow of green, glowing liquid that bursts against your Target: One creature adjacent to the sphere
foe and sends out a spray of sizzling acid. Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Daily ✦ Acid, Arcane, Evocation, Implement Hit: 2d6 + Intelligence modifier fire damage.
Standard Action Ranged 20 Sustain Minor: The sphere persists until the end of your next turn.
Primary Target: One creature
Primary Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex Freezing Cloud Arcanists deserve their reputation for being dangerous.
Hit: 2d8 + Intelligence modifier acid damage, and ongoing 5 acid damage (save ends).
Many spells they learn, especially those favored by war wizards, wreak untold
Miss: Half damage, and ongoing 2 acid damage (save ends).
Effect: Make the secondary attack. harm on their enemies, scorching with fire, freezing with cold. What makes these
Secondary Attack spells dangerous is that they make no distinction between friend or foe, so a wizard
Area burst 1 centered on the primary target who studies them must be cautious about their use. Freezing cloud sends forth raw
Secondary Target: Each creature in the burst other than the primary target
elemental cold that either freezes your foes at once or drains away their vitality.
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d8 + Intelligence modifier acid damage, and ongoing 5 acid damage (save ends).
Freezing Cloud Wizard Attack 1
Flaming Sphere Most wizards can call forth elemental fire, but only a You launch an icy pellet from your hand that explodes in a cloud of icy mist around your foes.
talented few can shape it into stable forms they can use in battle. Flaming sphere lets Daily ✦ Arcane, Cold, Evocation, Implement, Zone
you draw a measure of this roiling flame and contain it in a spheroid shape. Then Standard Action Area burst 2 within 10 squares
Target: Each creature in the burst
you can command it to strike where you will, harrying enemies pinned down by Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
your allied defenders or cutting a fiery path through ranks of minions. Hit: 2d8 + Intelligence modifier cold damage.
Miss: Half damage.
Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn or until you
dismiss it as a minor action. Any creature that enters the zone or starts its turn there
takes 5 cold damage (a creature can take this damage only once per turn).
Sustain Minor: The zone persists until the end of your next turn.

Sleep Legends tell of mortals who have stumbled into the Feywild and slept for
hundreds of years. Such stories build on elements of the truth, for the eladrin are
known for their tendency to incapacitate threats they have no immediate need to
destroy. This spell is only a pale reflection of the potent magic of the fey, but it lets
you dispense with troublesome foes in a bloodless manner.

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Sleep Wizard Attack 1 Jump Arcanists are not normally known for their athletic prowess. With the
You exert your will against your foes, seeking to overwhelm them with a tide of magical right spells, however, they can compete with some of the best. Jump can give you a
weariness. boost when leaping over an obstacle or a hazard. Sometimes it’s better used to sac-
Daily F Arcane, Charm, Enchantment, Implement rifice your own move and let an ally spring forward and engage the enemy.
Standard Action Area burst 2 within 20 squares
Target: Each creature in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Will Jump Wizard Utility 2
Hit: The target is slowed (save ends). You or another creature you choose can suddenly leap great distances.
First Failed Saving Throw: The target is unconscious instead of slowed (save ends).
Encounter ✦ Arcane
Miss: The target is slowed (save ends).
Move Action Ranged 10
Target: You or one creature
Level 2: Utility Powers Effect: The target makes an Athletics check as a free action to jump with a +10 power
bonus. The target can move as many squares as the check allows and is considered to
Your cantrips hint at the ways you can employ magical energy. As you hone your have a running start.
ability with battle magic, you learn to use other spells to protect you or help you
control your circumstances. Shield Shield is a potent defensive spell whose benefit remains dormant until
Benefit: You add two 2nd-level wizard utility powers of your choice to your you need it.
spellbook.
Shield Wizard Utility 2
Expeditious Retreat This spell’s name comes from its most common You throw up your hand, and a shield of arcane energy springs into existence, protecting you
use, allowing a wizard to slip away safely as foes press in. However, many wizards against imminent attacks.
use this spell for offense, pushing daringly into the midst of their foes. Encounter F Arcane
Immediate Interrupt Personal
Expeditious Retreat Wizard Utility 2 Trigger: You are hit by an attack.
Effect: You gain a +4 power bonus to AC and Reflex until the end of your next turn.
Your form blurs as you hastily withdraw from the battlefield.
Daily F Arcane
Move Action Personal Level 3: Encounter Power
Effect: You shift up to twice your speed. Your spellcasting talent improves after several adventures. You now have ability
and will enough to use multiple encounter attack powers in the same encounter.
Feather Fall This spell ensures that you or an ally never has to fear a fall. Benefit: You gain a new wizard encounter attack power of your level or lower.
Even though feather fall has limited application, many wizards who prepared it
have thanked their foresight when confronted by a rapid and unexpected descent. Color Spray You fling multicolored sand at your enemies, and when the
granules pick up the light, they explode in brilliant colors. Your enemies recoil
Feather Fall Wizard Utility 2 from the brightness and are left shaking their heads to clear away the spots before
You or a creature you choose falls gently, like a feather. their eyes. An enemy dazzled by color spray is powerless to react to dangers around
Daily ✦ Arcane it, so your allies can move in to press their attacks with impunity.
Free Action Ranged 10
Trigger: You fall, or a creature within 10 squares of you falls.
Target: The triggering creature
Effect: The target takes no damage from the fall, and consequently does not fall prone at
the end of it.

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Color Spray Wizard Attack 3 Shock Sphere When you hurl this orb of arcane power, you balance the
A brilliant blast of flashing colors springs from your outstretched fingers, knocking nearby en- high number of potential targets against the need to avoid hitting your allies with
emies senseless. a deadly burst of lightning. Use this spell in concert with forced movement that
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Implement, Radiant pushes your foes together, or to get the drop on enemies in a confined space.
Standard Action Close blast 5
Target: Each creature in the blast
Attack: Intelligence vs. Will Shock Sphere Wizard Attack 3
Hit: 1d6 + Intelligence modifier radiant damage, and the target is dazed until the end of You hurl a crackling orb of lightning that explodes at a point you designate, engulfing all
your next turn. nearby creatures in its electric embrace.
Encounter F Arcane, Evocation, Implement, Lightning
Fire Shroud Many spells that arcanists wield today trace their origin to Standard Action Area burst 2 within 10 squares
the battlefields of the past. An eladrin war wizard used fire shroud as a last resort Target: Each creature in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
against drow enemies when they cut their way through her defenders. As her foes
Hit: 2d6 + Intelligence modifier lightning damage.
fought against the spreading flames, she slipped away unharmed. Miss: Half damage.

Fire Shroud Wizard Attack 3

Level 4: Ability Score Increase
With a subtle gesture, you wreathe nearby enemies in flames.
Your constant training hones your body and mind.
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Fire, Implement
Standard Action Close burst 3
Benefit: You increase two ability scores of your choice by 1.
Target: Each enemy in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude Level 5: Daily Powers
Hit: 1d8 + Intelligence modifier fire damage, and ongoing 5 fire damage (save ends).
The more you practice your art, the better you become at drawing magical energy
Icy Rays Another evolution of a simpler spell, icy rays calls forth elemental to power your spells. You increase your arsenal with new daily attack powers.
cold and focuses it into pale beams perfect for freezing your enemies in place. Like Benefit: You add two new wizard daily attack powers of your level or lower to
any spell that slows or pins down enemies, this spell can keep enemy soldiers away your spellbook.
from your front lines to buy your allies the time they need to cut down the softer
foes first.
Bigby’s Icy Grasp The archmage Bigby is best known for the various
“hand” spells that bear his name. Legend holds that he recorded scores of these
Icy Rays Wizard Attack 3
spells in the much-sought volume titled Manual of Powers Beyond Life. The more
famous spells have been copied from the original tome and found their way into
You fire two bolts of brilliant blue-white energy that freeze your enemies in place for a short
time.
wizards’ spellbooks across the known world. Bigby’s icy grasp fashions a flexible
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Cold, Evocation, Implement
hand from ice. While it is present, you can direct it to snatch your enemies and
Standard Action Ranged 10 bind them in its grasp.
Target: One or two creatures
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d10 + Intelligence modifier cold damage, and the target is immobilized until the
end of your next turn.
Miss: The target is slowed until the end of your next turn.

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Bigby’s Icy Grasp Wizard Attack 5 Stinking Cloud Wizard Attack 5

You conjure a giant floating hand made of chiseled ice that clutches a foe and freezes it. You call forth a thick cloud of bilious yellow vapors. The foul fumes overwhelm any creature within.
Daily ✦ Arcane, Cold, Conjuration, Evocation, Implement Daily ✦ Arcane, Implement, Poison, Zone
Standard Action Ranged 20 Standard Action Area burst 2 within 20 squares
Effect: You conjure a 5-foot-tall hand of ice in an unoccupied square within range. The Target: Each creature in the burst
hand lasts until the end of your next turn. When the hand appears, it immediately Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
makes the following attack. While the hand persists and doesn’t have a creature Hit: 1d10 + Intelligence modifier poison damage.
grabbed, you can use a standard action to command it to make the attack again or a Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. The zone is
move action to move it up to 6 squares. heavily obscured. Any creature that enters the zone or starts its turn there takes 5 +
Target: One creature adjacent to the hand your Intelligence modifier poison damage (a creature can take this damage only once
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex per turn). As a move action, you can move the zone up to 6 squares.
Hit: 2d8 + Intelligence modifier cold damage, and the hand grabs the target. The hand Sustain Minor: The zone persists until the end of your next turn.
uses your Fortitude or Reflex if the target attempts to escape. You can end the grab
as a free action.
Sustain Minor: The hand persists until the end of your next turn, and a creature grabbed
Web The usefulness of web is instantly apparent when you snare several foes in
by the hand takes 1d8 + Intelligence modifier cold damage. a mass of sticky strands. This webbing anchors itself on any surface it can, holding
fast for as long as you need it to. The spell is ideal for cutting off avenues of retreat,
Fireball The most famous evocation spell ever devised, fireball is known—and slowing pursuers, and catching mobile enemies. Once you snare a foe, concentrate
feared—by people who have never even seen it cast. Whether turning a gang of your attacks against that enemy before it can escape.
orc or goblin warriors to cinders in the blink of an eye, or used as the catalyst that
unleashes an inferno in a tinder-dry building, fireball is a potent addition to any Web Wizard Attack 5
arcanist’s storehouse of magic. You create a giant web of thick magical strands that hangs in midair, trapping those within it.
Daily ✦ Arcane, Implement, Zone
Fireball Wizard Attack 5 Standard Action Area burst 2 within 20 squares
Target: Each creature in the burst
A globe of orange flame coalesces in your hand. You hurl it at your enemies, and it explodes on Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
impact. Hit: The target is immobilized (save ends).
Daily F Arcane, Evocation, Fire, Implement Effect: The burst creates a zone of difficult terrain that lasts until the end of the encounter.
Standard Action Area burst 3 within 20 squares Any creature that ends its movement in the zone is immobilized (save ends).
Target: Each creature in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 4d6 + Intelligence modifier fire damage.
Level 6: Utility Powers
Miss: Half damage. You are always learning, always studying new forms of magic to help build your
catalog of spells useful both on and off the battlefield.
Stinking Cloud The noxious yellow vapors created by the stinking cloud Benefit: You add two new wizard utility powers of your level or lower to your
spell spread out from their point of origin, swirling around and poisoning crea- spellbook.
tures in their midst. This spell is particularly dangerous, since it attacks everyone
caught in its area. Dimension Door You remain acutely cognizant of your lack of armor
and hit points compared to your allies. When a fight goes against you, reposition-
ing yourself with dimension door can prove more valuable than making any magical
attack.

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Dimension Door Wizard Utility 6 Invisibility The most potent combat illusion lets you summon up an image
You trace the outline of a doorway in front of you, step through the portal, and reappear some- of nothing at all. A nearby creature of your choice seems to disappear, but only
where else nearby. your sustained concentration can maintain its invisibility for very long.
Daily F Arcane, Teleportation
Move Action Personal
Invisibility Wizard Utility 6
Effect: You teleport up to 10 squares.
A creature you choose vanishes from sight.
Disguise Self An illusion created by the disguise self spell can mask your Daily F Arcane, Illusion
Standard Action Ranged 5
appearance and let you become anyone you want to be. Whether you’re infiltrating Target: You or one creature
an enemy encampment or evading pursuers, only the most dedicated scrutiny will Effect: The target becomes invisible until the end of your next turn. If the target makes
pierce your disguise. an attack, the invisibility ends.
Sustain Standard: If the target is within 5 squares of you, the invisibility persists until the
end of your next turn.
Disguise Self Wizard Utility 6
With a snap of your fingers, you suddenly look like someone else.
Levitate Positioning is crucial to an arcanist’s success on the battlefield.
Daily ✦ Arcane, Illusion
When faced with several enemies at once, you can use levitate to lift yourself clear
Minor Action Personal
Effect: You make yourself, your clothing, and your equipment look different. You can of their attacks and reach a better vantage point. The spell’s other applications are
take on the appearance of any creature of similar build and size, including a specific obvious. Don’t rely on this spell too much, though. While you are hovering, your
individual whom you’ve seen. You gain neither the abilities or mannerisms of the unsteadiness makes you vulnerable to missile fire.
chosen form, nor the tactile or audible properties of your form or gear. For example, if
you took on the illusion of a dwarf fighter in plate armor, anyone touching you would
realize you weren’t wearing plate armor, and you would not clank, creak, or jingle as Levitate Wizard Utility 6
you walked. The illusion lasts for 1 hour, although you can end it as a minor action. You You rise off the ground a short distance.
must keep the same appearance for the entire duration. Daily ✦ Arcane
Anyone who attempts to see through your ruse makes an Insight check opposed by Move Action Personal
your Bluff check, and you gain a +5 power bonus to your check. Effect: You move up to 4 squares vertically and hover there until the end of your next
turn. While aloft, you are unsteady, taking a –2 penalty to AC and Reflex. If some
Dispel Magic One of the oldest of all spells is also one of the most useful. effect, such as a pit opening below you, causes you to be more than 4 squares above
Your foes’ magic is a threat only while it lasts. With dispel magic at your disposal, the ground, you drop down to 4 squares above the ground. You do not take damage
from such a fall. When the levitation ends, you descend to the ground without taking
you can negate the continuing effects of a spell, prayer, or other power.
falling damage.
Sustain Move: You move up to 3 squares up or down or 1 square horizontally, and you
Dispel Magic Wizard Utility 6 hover there until the end of your next turn. You cannot go higher than 4 squares above
You send out a ray of crackling arcane energy that destroys a magical effect created by an the ground.
opponent.
Encounter F Arcane, Implement
Standard Action Ranged 10
Target: One conjuration or zone
Attack: Intelligence vs. the Will of the creator of the conjuration or the zone
Hit: The conjuration or zone is destroyed. All its effects end, including those that nor-
mally last until a target saves.

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Wall of Fog Arcanists are adept at changing battlefield conditions to suit Lightning Bolt Wizard Attack 7
their allies. Wall of fog is an excellent defense against enemy artillery. With a word, Brilliant strokes of blue-white lightning erupt from your outstretched hand.
you conjure thick fog that impairs visibility. Simply drop the wall on the battle’s Encounter F Arcane, Evocation, Implement, Lightning
Standard Action Ranged 10
edge, and your enemies will have little choice but to close in for hand-to-hand
Target: One, two, or three creatures
combat. Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 2d6 + Intelligence modifier lightning damage.
Wall of Fog Wizard Utility 6 Miss: Half damage.
You create a billowing wall of gray fog that obscures vision.
Daily ✦ Arcane, Conjuration
Spectral Ram Few enemies can withstand your magical might when it’s
Standard Action Area wall 8 within 10 squares expressed as the spectral ram spell. This power lets you seize your enemy and fling
Effect: You conjure a wall of fog that lasts until the end of your next turn. The wall can it about. It’s particularly useful for dealing with enemies that are close to overpow-
be up to 4 squares high. The wall is heavily obscured and blocks line of sight.
ering your allies, since it gives your companions time to regroup.
Sustain Minor: The wall persists until the end of your next turn.

Spectral Ram Wizard Attack 7

Level 7: Encounter Power You seize your foe with unseen magical force and bash it against the ceiling and walls before
Your practical experience with battle magic pays off with new breakthroughs in hurling it to the ground.
your research. You expand your combat options with a new encounter power. Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Force, Implement
Benefit: You gain a new wizard encounter attack power of your level or lower. Standard Action Ranged 10
Target: One creature
Fire Burst Sibling to the more famous fireball, this spell demonstrates your Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
Hit: 2d10 + Intelligence modifier force damage, and you push the target up to 3 squares
growing ability to call forth elemental energy and hurl it against your foes. Like and knock it prone.
many destructive spells, fire burst covers a wide area, but it does so at the expense of Miss: You push the target up to 3 squares.
any allies in its area. Use this spell early to catch as many foes as you can.
Winter’s Wrath Wizards can create their own weather by manipulating
Fire Burst Wizard Attack 7 the magical energy flowing through their environment. This violent spell releases
You send a fiery red bead streaking toward your foes, then make it burst into a great ball of just enough elemental cold to wreak havoc in an area. Winds and snow swirl while
magical flame. temperatures plunge.
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Fire, Implement
Standard Action Area burst 2 within 20 squares Winter’s Wrath Wizard Attack 7
Target: Each creature in the burst
You raise your hand, and an icy blizzard rains down mercilessly upon an area you designate.
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 3d6 + Intelligence modifier fire damage. Encounter ✦ Arcane, Cold, Evocation, Implement, Zone
Miss: Half damage. Standard Action Area burst 2 within 10 squares
Target: Each creature in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
Lightning Bolt One of the most famous evocation spells, lightning bolt Hit: 2d8 + Intelligence modifier cold damage.
lashes out against only the targets you choose, avoiding the collateral damage of Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn or until you
fireball and other less forgiving spells. Use this spell against creatures that stay in dismiss it as a minor action. The zone is lightly obscured, and any creature that starts its
the thick of combat against your allies. turn in the zone takes cold damage equal to your Intelligence modifier. A creature can
take this damage only once per turn.v

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Level 8: Ability Score Increase Lightning Serpent Wizard Attack 9

You reap the reward of constant challenge by increasing your physical and mental A crackling bolt of lightning springs from your hand and leaps at a foe, taking serpentine form
as it strikes.
well-being.
Daily ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Implement, Lightning, Poison
Benefit: You increase two ability scores of your choice by 1.
Standard Action Ranged 10
Target: One creature
Level 9: Daily Powers Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 2d12 + Intelligence modifier lightning damage, and the target is slowed and takes
You have almost reached the top of the heroic tier, and new power is again your ongoing 5 poison damage (save ends both).
reward for your efforts. Miss: Half damage, and the target is slowed (save ends).
Benefit: You add two new wizard daily attack powers of your level or lower to
your spellbook. Mordenkainen’s Sword Mordenkainen might be the most famous
wizard to have ever lived. Among his many contributions to the arcane arts were
Ice Storm Few evocation spells are as visually impressive as ice storm. With several spells that created something from nothing. Mordenkainen’s sword is one of
a shout, you call down a pounding gale of fist-sized hailstones that can rend flesh his better-known innovations, particularly useful for pressing enemies who hide
from bone. In the aftermath, you leave the ground a frozen morass as a stark behind the front ranks. Once you create the shimmering blade, it takes little effort
reminder of your power. to guide its strikes and thus gives you an extra ally on the battlefield.

Ice Storm Wizard Attack 9 Mordenkainen’s Sword Wizard Attack 9

A shower of bitterly cold hailstones pummels a wide swath of ground and covers the area in ice. You invoke a sword of crackling golden force that slashes and stabs furiously at a foe.
Daily F Arcane, Cold, Evocation, Implement, Zone Daily ✦ Arcane, Conjuration, Evocation, Force, Implement
Standard Action Area burst 3 within 20 squares Standard Action Ranged 10
Target: Each creature in the burst Effect: You conjure a sword of force in an unoccupied square within range, and it lasts
Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude until the end of your next turn. You then make the following attack. As a move action,
Hit: 2d8 + Intelligence modifier cold damage, and the target is immobilized (save ends). you can move the sword adjacent to another creature within range.
Miss: Half damage, and the target is slowed (save ends). Target: One creature adjacent to the sword
Effect: The burst creates a zone of difficult terrain that lasts until the end of the encounter. Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d10 + Intelligence modifier force damage.
Lightning Serpent This unusual spell causes arcane lightning to leap Sustain Minor: The sword persists until the end of your next turn, and you make the
attack again.
from your hand and swell in size and shape to strike at a distant foe. As it moves, it
assumes an almost lifelike quality that is fully evidenced when it sinks its venom-
Wall of Fire A popular defensive spell with strong offensive applications,
ous fangs into your enemy.
wall of fire lets you create an area of roiling fire. The spell can encircle your com-
panions and punish enemies who draw too close, or you can use it to block exits
and prevent foes from escaping. It’s useful against ranged attackers since it blocks
line of sight. If enemies want to continue their movement, they must pass through
the flames and endure the worst of their heat.

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Wall of Fire Wizard Attack 9 Mirror Image The protective quality of this spell has made it a popular
A blazing wall of flame erupts from the ground at your command. choice for many wizards throughout the long ages. Each duplicate it creates is an
Daily ✦ Arcane, Conjuration, Fire, Implement opportunity for an enemy’s attack to be deflected from you. The spell’s magic can
Standard Action Area wall 8 within 10 squares
be sufficient to keep you from harm you until help comes your way.
Effect: You conjure a wall of fire that lasts until the end of your next turn. The wall can
be up to 4 squares high. Any creature that starts its turn adjacent to the wall takes 1d6
+ Intelligence modifier fire damage. Any creature that enters the wall or starts its turn Mirror Image Wizard Utility 10
there takes 3d6 + Intelligence modifier fire damage (a creature can take this damage Three duplicate images of you appear, imitating your actions perfectly and confusing your
only once per turn). The wall blocks line of sight. Each square of movement that enemies.
includes one or more squares of the wall costs 3 extra squares of movement.
Sustain Minor: The wall persists until the end of your next turn. Daily ✦ Arcane, Illusion
Minor Action Personal
Effect: Three duplicate images of yourself appear in your space, and you gain a +6 power
Level 10: Utility Powers bonus to AC. Each time an attack misses you, one of your duplicate images disappears,
and the bonus granted by this power decreases by 2. When the bonus reaches 0, all
Having reached the peak of the heroic tier, you develop spells to give you and your
your images are gone and the power ends. Otherwise, the effect lasts for 1 hour.
allies a decided advantage on the battlefield.
Benefit: You add two new wizard utility powers of your level or lower to your Resistance Having long worked with various forms of arcane energy, you
spellbook. have gained insight into how to protect yourself or another from any of them.

Arcane Gate Your mastery of the battlefield is made more complete by Resistance Wizard Utility 10
arcane gate, which opens up a temporary portal controlled by the power of your mind.
You make yourself or another creature resistant to a particular kind of damage.
Daily ✦ Arcane
Arcane Gate Wizard Utility 10
Minor Action Ranged 10
You open a dimensional rift connecting two nearby locations. Target: You or one creature
Daily F Arcane Effect: Choose acid, cold, fire, force, lightning, necrotic, poison, psychic, radiant, or thun-
Minor Action Ranged 20 der. The target gains resistance to that damage type until the end of the encounter.
Effect: You create a dimensional rift between two unoccupied squares in range. The rift The resistance equals your level + your Intelligence modifier.
lasts until the end of your next turn. Until the rift ends, the two squares are effectively
adjacent to each other, but for movement only.
Sustain Minor: The rift persists until the end of your next turn.

Blur First perfected by the legendary combat casters of old, the blur spell wraps
you in an arcane shroud that shields you from your enemies’ sight.

Blur Wizard Utility 10

You cloak yourself with a shimmering aura, making your outline almost impossible to discern.
Daily F Arcane, Illusion
Minor Action Personal
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, you gain a +2 power bonus to all defenses, and
you are invisible to enemies 5 squares or more away from you.

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Paragon A rcanist Level 12: Paragon Path Feature

The heroic tier’s trials have taught you much. You expanded your knowledge, As you begin your climb through the paragon tier, you gain another ability from
expanded your power, and developed your talents through the challenges and your paragon path
battles you fought. You are now prepared to face new and more powerful dangers Benefit: You gain a feature (typically a utility power) associated with your para-
in the paragon tier and to further your understanding of arcane magic’s true gon path.
potential.
At 11th level, you choose a paragon path (see pages 30–34 for a selection of Level 13: Encounter Power
wizard paragon paths). The threats you face now dwarf those you overcame in the heroic tier. You turn
your attention to developing a new spell to meet the challenges ahead.
Arcanist Paragon Tier Benefit: You can gain a new wizard encounter attack power of your level or
Total Feats
lower. If you do so, this new power must replace one of the encounter attack powers
XP Level Known Class Features and Powers
26,000 11 +1 Ability score increase
you already have from your class (usually your lowest-level encounter attack
Paragon path features power).
32,000 12 +1 Paragon path feature
39,000 13 — Encounter power Frostburn An unlikely fusion of fire and ice is what makes this spell so
47,000 14 +1 Ability score increase powerful. Hurling the unstable mass created by the spell into your enemies’
57,000 15 — Daily powers midst causes it to explode in a wave of f lame-tinged ice, perfect for thwarting
69,000 16 +1 Paragon path feature any resistance your foes might have to either fire or cold. The energy released by
Utility powers frostburn transforms an area into an unstable region where f lame freezes and ice
83,000 17 — Encounter power
burns.
99,000 18 +1 Ability score increase
119,000 19 — Daily powers
143,000 20 +1 Paragon path feature
Frostburn Wizard Attack 13
You whisper a word of elemental power and hurl a flaming ball of ice. Waves of fire and ice
Level 11: Ability Score Increase explode outward from the point of impact.
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Cold, Evocation, Fire, Implement, Zone
Your improved physical and mental prowess highlights your entrance into the Standard Action Area burst 2 within 20 squares
paragon tier. Target: Each creature in the burst
Benefit: Each of your ability scores increases by 1. Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
Hit: 3d6 + Intelligence modifier cold and fire damage.
Effect: The burst creates a zone of difficult terrain that lasts until the end of your next
Level 11: Paragon Path Features turn or until you dismiss it as a minor action. Any creature that starts its turn in the zone
The paragon path you choose provides you with one or more features that you gain takes 5 cold and fire damage.

right away.
Benefit: You gain features associated with your paragon path.

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 Wizard

Mesmeric Hold Your voice, aided by potent magic, burns your command Thunderlance No elemental force is beyond your ken. With the slightest
to halt into a creature’s mind, wreaking havoc with its thoughts and making it help- gesture, you let loose a thunderous blast to smash through your enemies and drive
less to resist your will. them back. As potent as this spell is, you must be close to your foes to use it effec-
tively. It is often a good defensive spell, helping you keep foes at bay, but is also just
Mesmeric Hold Wizard Attack 13 as useful to force enemies into zones and clouds created by your other spells, such
You command your foes to remain still, holding them in place. as web or wall of fire.
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Charm, Enchantment, Implement, Psychic
Standard Action Ranged 10 Thunderlance Wizard Attack 13
Target: One, two, or three creatures
A thunderous pulse of concussive energy rolls from your hand, throwing your enemies back.
Attack: Intelligence vs. Will. You gain a +4 power bonus to the attack roll if you target
only one creature. Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Implement, Thunder
Hit: 2d6 + Intelligence modifier psychic damage, and the target is immobilized until the Standard Action Close blast 5
end of your next turn. Target: Each creature in the blast
Miss: The target is slowed until the end of your next turn. Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 4d6 + Intelligence modifier thunder damage, and you push the target up to 4
squares.
Prismatic Burst Your enemies have nothing that you cannot take away. Miss: You push the target up to 4 squares.
Focusing your study on unlocking light’s destructive potential, you create a bril-
liant sphere and hurl it to a spot where it detonates in a flash of burning radiance.
You can do little to shield your allies from the blinding burst, so you must be care-
Level 14: Ability Score Increase
Each new challenge only makes you stronger in body and mind.
ful when and where you use this spell.
Benefit: You increase two ability scores of your choice by 1.
Prismatic Burst Wizard Attack 13
You lob a fist-sized orb of pulsating white light among your enemies, blasting them with rays of
Level 15: Daily Powers
multicolored light. As you progress through the paragon tier, you face ever greater challenges. To meet
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Implement, Radiant these dangers, you master even more powerful arcane attack powers.
Standard Action Area burst 2 within 20 squares Benefit: You can add up to two new wizard daily attack powers of your level or
Target: Each creature in the burst
lower to your spellbook. If you do so, each new power must replace one of the daily
Attack: Intelligence vs. Will
Hit: 3d6 + Intelligence modifier radiant damage, and the target is blinded until the end attack powers you already have from your class (usually one of your lowest-level
of your next turn. daily attack powers).
Miss: Until the end of the target’s next turn, creatures have partial concealment against
the target. Bigby’s Grasping Hands The various spells that Bigby created are
unified by a common theme. Each spell conjures a magical hand that the caster can
direct and use to make attacks. In some case, Bigby’s sense of humor comes through,
such as when two magical hands crash a pair of enemies into one another.

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 Wizard

Bigby’s Grasping Hands Wizard Attack 15

Two hands of glowing golden force materialize, grab a couple of your foes, and slam them together.
Daily ✦ Arcane, Conjuration, Evocation, Force, Implement
Standard Action Ranged 10
Effect: You conjure two 5-foot-tall hands of force, each in a different unoccupied square
within range. The hands occupy their squares, and they last until the end of your next
turn.
  When the hands appear, you make the following attack with each hand. While a
hand persists, you can use a move action to move the hand to a square adjacent to a
creature within range and command the hand to attack that creature. In addition, if
each hand has a creature grabbed during your turn and the creatures are within 5
squares of each other, you can use a standard action to slam the hands together, pull-
ing each of the creatures 2 squares to squares adjacent to each other, and those crea-
tures each take 2d10 + Intelligence modifier force damage. Each hand then returns to
its original square, pulling its grabbed creature with it.
Target: One creature adjacent to the hand
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 2d10 + Intelligence modifier force damage, and the hand grabs the target. The
hand uses your Fortitude or Reflex if the target attempts to escape.
Sustain Minor: The hands persist until the end of your next turn.

Blast of Cold Where its cousin cone of cold is useful for taking enemies
alive, blast of cold has no room for mercy. You manipulate the latent sentience lurk-
ing within the elemental cold you create and direct it to scourge your foes with
killing frost that binds them in clinging ice. The eladrin wizard assails an angel of valor with a sudden blast of cold

Blast of Cold Wizard Attack 15 Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere Wizard Attack 15

You emit a wave of supernatural cold that freezes your enemies in place. You trap your enemy in a transparent, immobile globe of impenetrable force.
Daily ✦ Arcane, Cold, Evocation, Implement Daily ✦ Arcane, Conjuration, Evocation, Force, Implement
Standard Action Close blast 5 Standard Action Ranged 10
Target: Each enemy in the blast Target: One creature
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex. If you target yourself or a willing ally, you automatically hit.
Hit: 6d6 + Intelligence modifier cold damage, and the target is immobilized (save ends). Hit: You conjure a sphere of force that encompasses the target’s space until the end
Miss: Half damage, and the target is slowed (save ends). of your next turn. While in the sphere, the target is immobilized and cannot attack
anything outside its space. Creatures outside the sphere cannot attack the target, and
the sphere blocks objects and creatures attempting to pass through it. The sphere can
Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere Although Otiluke is not as well known be attacked. It has 100 hit points, and attacks against it hit automatically.
as Mordenkainen or Bigby, his contributions to magic cannot be understated. Oti- Sustain Minor: The sphere persists until the end of your next turn.
luke’s interests focused on spheres, especially those created from force. His most Miss: The target is immobilized (save ends).
famous spell, perhaps because of its dual applications, is Otiluke’s resilient sphere.
You can use it to imprison an enemy and thus take it out of the fight, or as a barrier
to protect yourself from attacks.

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 Wizard

Prismatic Beams Originating from the same theories that led to both color Level 16: Paragon Path Feature
spray and prismatic burst, this spell creates a burst of shimmering, intertwined, mul- You are now in the upper half of the paragon tier. To mark this status, you gain a
ticolored beams that spring from your hand and lance into your enemies. The magic new feature of your paragon path.
imbuing the rainbow of colors targets every aspect of your foes from their endurance Benefit: You gain a feature associated with your paragon path.
to their minds, and finds a way through any defense to deliver a punishing magical
assault. Level 16: Utility Powers
As your mastery of battle magic evolves, so does your ability to wield other useful
Prismatic Beams Wizard Attack 15
forms of magic. Such spells help you contend with the various challenges that still
Scintillating beams of rainbow-colored light spring from your outstretched hand, affecting your
lie ahead.
foes in unpredictable ways.
Benefit: You add two new wizard utility powers of your level or lower to your
Daily ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Fire, Implement, Poison
Standard Action Close blast 5
spellbook.
Target: Each enemy in the blast
Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude, Reflex, and Will. You make a single attack roll and use it Displacement Many spell-crafting wizards of yore drew their inspiration
against each defense. from the creatures they encounter. With this power, you become like the displacer
Hit (Fortitude): Ongoing 10 poison damage (save ends).
Hit (Reflex): 2d6 + Intelligence modifier fire damage, and ongoing 5 fire damage (save
beast. When an enemy closes in, you can thwart its attack with an illusion that
ends). makes you appear to be somewhere you’re not.
Hit (Will): The target is dazed (save ends).
Displacement Wizard Utility 16
Wall of Ice Principally a defensive spell, wall of ice proves it is more than a You make yourself or an ally seem to be standing somewhere else, avoiding an enemy’s attack.
simple barrier when creatures draw too close to its surface. The murky ice drains Encounter ✦ Arcane, Illusion
heat and life from anyone who comes near and thus forces enemies to find some Immediate Interrupt Ranged 5
other way through or around the wall. Trigger: A ranged or a melee attack hits you or an ally within 5 squares of you
Effect: The attacker must reroll the attack roll and use the new result.

Wall of Ice Wizard Attack 15

Fly When melee foes close in, this spell allows you to soar to safety, ready to
A wall of glittering, jagged ice appears at your command.
unleash potent magic from above.
Daily ✦ Arcane, Cold, Conjuration, Implement
Standard Action Area wall 12 within 10 squares
Effect: You conjure a solid wall of ice in unoccupied squares. The wall can be up to 6 Fly Wizard Utility 16
squares high, and it lasts for 1 hour or until it is destroyed. You leap into the air and are borne aloft on wings of magic.
Any creature that starts its turn adjacent to the wall takes 2d6 + Intelligence modi-
Daily F Arcane
fier cold damage. The wall blocks line of sight and prevents movement. No creature
Standard Action Personal
can enter a square containing the wall.
Effect: You gain a fly speed of 8 until the end of your next turn. When the fly speed
The squares of the wall can be attacked. Each square has your defenses, and each
ends, you float to the ground without taking falling damage.
has 50 hit points as well as vulnerable 25 fire. Any creature that makes a melee attack
Sustain Minor: The fly speed persists until the end of your next turn.
against the wall takes 2d6 cold damage.

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Greater Invisibility A more powerful version of invisibility, this power Combust Wizard Attack 17
lets you conceal an ally at an even greater range. You cause several foes to burst into flame.
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Fire, Implement
Greater Invisibility Wizard Utility 16 Standard Action Area burst 2 within 20 squares
Target: Each creature in the burst
With a wave of your hand, you or another creature nearby fades away, becoming invisible. Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Daily ✦ Arcane, Illusion Hit: 5d6 + Intelligence modifier fire damage.
Standard Action Ranged 20 Miss: Half damage.
Target: You or one creature
Effect: The target is invisible until the end of your next turn or until it attacks.
Sustain Minor: If the target is in range, the invisibility persists until the end of your next
Crushing Titan’s Fist Another potent spell designed to destroy several
turn. enemies, crushing titan’s fist works by thickening the arcane energy flowing through
an area into constricting bands of force. For as long as the effect lingers, the area is
Stoneskin Without the benefit of armor, arcanists draw on their magical practically impassable.
expertise to protect themselves. Stoneskin is one of the more famous efforts in this
regard. It gives your flesh the appearance and durability of stone. Crushing Titan’s Fist Wizard Attack 17
You clench your fist, crushing your enemies within a huge, invisible grip of force.
Stoneskin Wizard Utility 16 Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Force, Implement, Zone
Standard Action Area burst 2 within 20 squares
With an arcane word and a sprinkle of diamond dust, you imbue yourself or an ally with skin
Target: Each creature in the burst
as hard as granite.
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Daily ✦ Arcane, Transmutation Hit: 3d8 + Intelligence modifier force damage, and the target is immobilized until the
Standard Action Melee touch end of your next turn.
Target: You or one ally Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn or until you
Effect: The target gains resist 10 to all damage until the end of the encounter. dismiss it as a minor action. Each square of movement that includes one or more
squares of the zone costs 4 extra squares of movement.
Level 17: Encounter Power
Your achievements with arcane magic continue to mount as you add an even more
Force Volley It’s believed that force volley was another one of Morden-
kainen’s creations, since he developed much of what is known today about magical
powerful spell to your repertoire.
force. A more powerful version of magic missile, this spell creates numerous darts of
Benefit: You can gain a new wizard encounter attack power of your level or lower.
force and sends them smashing into your foes. You can also concentrate these mis-
If you do so, this new power must replace one of the encounter attack powers you
siles against a single target to be practically assured of a hit.
already have from your class (usually your lowest-level encounter attack power).

Combust On speaking this incantation, you call forth elemental fire. This
untamed energy latches onto nearby creatures and causes them to erupt in flames.
Like many similarly aggressive spells, combust targets all creatures in its area, so
use it to soften up your opponents before the battle is truly joined.

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Force Volley Wizard Attack 17 Acid Wave Your incantation creates a globular mass of undulating fluid
Silvery missiles spring from your fingertips and streak across the battlefield, striking your en- that swells in size until you reach the crescendo, at which point it collapses in a ter-
emies with a staggering impact. rible wave. The caustic fluids dissolve flesh and bone and keep working even after
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Force, Implement the initial splash. Once the wave is created, you have little control over whom it
Standard Action Ranged 20
Target: One, two, or three creatures
strikes, so must be cautious when using it around your companions.
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex. You gain a +4 power bonus to the attack roll if you target
only one creature. Acid Wave Wizard Attack 19
Hit: 3d6 + Intelligence modifier force damage, and the target is dazed until the end of
You throw out your hands and send a wave of caustic acid over your enemies. The acid contin-
your next turn.
ues to burn long after the wave passes.
Daily ✦ Acid, Arcane, Evocation, Implement
Ice Tomb This spell lets you trap an enemy in a block of solid ice. Ice tomb is Standard Action Close blast 5
useful for dealing with enemy spellcasters, since it has a long range and shuts down Target: Each creature in the blast
the enemies’ attacks. While the ice is thawing, your allies can converge to make Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 5d6 + Intelligence modifier acid damage, and ongoing 10 acid damage (save ends).
the kill.
Miss: Half damage, and ongoing 5 acid damage (save ends).

Ice Tomb Wizard Attack 17

Cloudkill The vile mist rising from fissures in the ground is born from the nat-
You target your enemy with a freezing ray that briefly traps it in an icy sarcophagus.
ural vapors drawn from the Underdark’s depths. Once summoned, they gather into
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Cold, Evocation, Implement
a killing cloud that spreads out in all directions, often large enough to cover a signifi-
Standard Action Ranged 20
Target: One creature cant portion of the battlefield. The vapor finds ways to poison any creature it touches.
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 3d10 + Intelligence modifier cold damage. Until the end of your next turn, the Cloudkill Wizard Attack 19
target is stunned and outside line of effect for all attacks.
Yellow-green vapors emerge from the ground with a hiss, forming a thick, toxic cloud.
Miss: The target is slowed until the end of your next turn.
Daily ✦ Arcane, Implement, Poison, Zone
Standard Action Area burst 5 within 20 squares
Level 18: Ability Score Increase Target: Each creature in the burst
You are a true paragon of physical and mental achievement. Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
Hit: 1d10 + Intelligence modifier poison damage.
Benefit: You increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. Any creature that
enters the zone or starts its turn there takes 10 + your Intelligence modifier poison damage
Level 19: Daily Powers (a creature can take this damage only once per turn). As a move action, you can move the
zone up to 3 squares.
Near the end of the paragon tier, your spells achieve a level of destruction and Sustain Minor: The zone persists until the end of your next turn.
potency unlike anything you have ever before seen.
Benefit: You can add up to two new wizard daily attack powers of your level or Disintegrate Foes that recognize evocation magic take steps to defend against
lower to your spellbook. If you do so, each new power must replace one of the daily the types of damage that such spells often channel. One casting of disintegrate dem-
attack powers you already have from your class (usually one of your lowest-level onstrates the futility of this strategy. Although he did not create the spell, the mighty
daily attack powers). wizard Emirikol the Chaotic is said to have perfected its use as he destroyed many
foes—as well as any underlings that were foolish enough to displease him.

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Disintegrate Wizard Attack 19

A brilliant line of ravening green energy bursts from your pointing finger. Where the emerald
Epic A rcanist
Throughout the heroic and paragon tiers, you met many threats, and you proved
beam touches, flesh and bone disappear in a puff of gray dust.
you were equal to them all. Your experience and training carried you through these
Daily F Arcane, Evocation, Implement
Standard Action Ranged 10 challenges to prepare you to seize the destiny that awaits you at the end of the epic
Target: One creature or object tier. You are now among the most powerful wizards the world has ever known.
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex. You automatically hit an unattended object with this When your wizard reaches 21st level, he or she takes on an epic destiny. This
power.
Hit: 4d10 + Intelligence modifier damage, and ongoing 10 damage (save ends).
epic destiny represents the grand finale of your adventuring career, and like your
Aftereffect: Ongoing 5 damage (save ends). paragon path, it grants a set of related features and powers.
Miss: 2d10 + Intelligence modifier damage, and ongoing 5 damage (save ends).
Arcanist epic Tier
Evard’s Black Tentacles The dark wizard Evard devised many dan- Total Feats
gerous spells by blending arcane and shadow magic. Evard’s black tentacles is his best XP Level Known Class Features and Powers
175,000 21 +1 Ability score increase
known spell, both dreadful in aspect and effective at ensnaring enemies. It coalesces
Epic destiny feature
raw shadow into grasping tentacles that grab and tear your foes to pieces. 210,000 22 +1 Utility powers
255,000 23 — Encounter power
Evard’s Black Tentacles Wizard Attack 19 310,000 24 +1 Ability score increase
Wriggling, ebon tentacles of necrotic energy erupt from the ground, grasping toward every Epic destiny feature
creature within reach. 375,000 25 — Daily powers
Daily ✦ Arcane, Implement, Necrotic, Nethermancy, Zone 450,000 26 +1 Epic destiny feature
Standard Action Area burst 3 within 10 squares 550,000 27 — Encounter power
Target: Each creature in the burst 675,000 28 +1 Ability score increase
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex 825,000 29 — Daily powers
Hit: 2d10 + Intelligence modifier necrotic damage, and the target is immobilized (save
1,000,000 30 +1 Epic destiny feature
ends).
Effect: The burst creates a zone of difficult terrain that lasts until the end of your next
turn. Whenever a creature enters the zone, you can use an opportunity action to make Level 21: Ability Score Increase
the attack against that creature. You have become an epic hero, and your physical strength and mental acuity have
Sustain Minor: The zone persists until the end of your next turn, and each creature
expanded beyond normal mortal limits.
within the zone takes 10 necrotic damage.
Benefit: Each of your ability scores increases by 1.

Level 20: Paragon Path Feature Level 21: Epic Destiny Feature
You gain the capstone ability of your paragon path at 20th level.
Your epic destiny provides you with one or more class features that you gain when
Benefit: You gain a feature (typically a daily attack power) associated with your
you select that destiny.
paragon path.
Benefit: You gain a feature associated with your epic destiny.

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Level 22: Utility Powers Time Stop The relentless advancement of time is a reality that even the gods
By ascending into the epic tier, you gain access to new spells that can shape reality cannot fully control. However, as you advance into the epic tier, you learn a small
to suit your needs. measure of temporal mastery that lets you act at lightning speed compared to your
Benefit: You add two new wizard utility powers of your level or lower to your foes. Make use of this power at the beginning of combat, using your extra standard
spellbook. actions to cast utility powers that can set up your eventual victory.

Mass Fly This spell was first cast by planar wizards exploring the unpre- Time Stop Wizard Utility 22
dictable reaches of the Elemental Chaos, but its utility in combat is what makes it Everything around you slows to a halt, frozen in time. Then, after a few moments, everything
valuable. With the power of flight at your command, you and your allies can easily starts to speed up again, returning to normal time.
gain the advantage over land-bound foes. Daily F Arcane
Minor Action Personal
Effect: You gain two extra standard actions, which you must use before the end of your
Mass Fly Wizard Utility 22
turn. You can’t use these extra actions to make attacks.
White motes of light fly from your fingertips and swirl about, lifting you and your allies off the
ground and granting each of you the power of flight.
Level 23: Encounter Power
Daily F Arcane
Standard Action Close burst 5 As you climb through the epic tier, your mastery over arcane magic becomes more
Target: You and each ally in the burst and more secure.
Effect: Each target gains a fly speed of 8 until the end of your next turn. When the fly Benefit: You can gain a new wizard encounter attack power of your level or lower.
speed ends, each target floats to the ground without taking falling damage.
Sustain Minor: The fly speed persists until the end of your next turn.
If you do so, this new power must replace one of the encounter attack powers you
already have from your class (usually your lowest-level encounter attack power).
Mordenkainen’s Mansion As Mordenkainen worked to become an
archmage, he found the rigors of travel annoying. To provide comfort and security, Acid Storm Favored by no-nonsense wizards who delight in their enemies’
he developed a powerful spell to shelter himself and his companions from any dan- suffering, acid storm summons a vile black cloud that spills green droplets capable
gers they might face on their quests. Using this spell ensures that your nightly rest of eating through anything they touch. Like many destructive spells, acid storm is
will never again be troubled. blind to your allies and melts anyone in its path. It’s an effective way to eliminate
enemies that are sequestered in hard-to-reach places, since they can’t see out of it
Mordenkainen’s Mansion Wizard Utility 22 to continue their attacks.
You trace the outline of a door, and a shimmering portal appears, leading to a space accessible
only by you and your allies.
Acid Storm Wizard Attack 23

Daily ✦ Arcane, Conjuration You create a thick, black cloud of acid droplets that burns everything inside it.
Standard Action Melee touch Encounter ✦ Acid, Arcane, Evocation, Implement, Zone
Effect: You conjure a spacious extradimensional dwelling that can hold up to fifty Standard Action Area burst 4 within 10 squares
Medium creatures. It is reached through a single doorway that you trace on a surface Target: Each creature in the burst
or in the air. Only you and those you designate can pass through it. You can close the Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
entrance and make it invisible after you enter the mansion, and only someone inside Hit: 4d6 + Intelligence modifier acid damage.
the mansion can open the portal once it’s closed. The mansion contains comfort- Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn or until you
able furnishings and enough food and drink to satisfy its denizens. The furniture and dismiss it as a minor action. The zone is heavily obscured and blocks line of sight. Any
food disappear if removed from the mansion. The mansion lasts for 8 hours, and any creature that enters the zone or starts its turn there takes 10 acid damage (a creature
creatures still in the mansion when the power ends reappear in unoccupied squares can take this damage only once per turn).
outside the entrance portal.

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Chain Lightning Few spells can produce as much destruction in a single Thunderclap Wizard Attack 23
casting as chain lightning. Used early in combat, this spell can deliver a decisive You create a peal of thunder that rolls across the battlefield and slams into a foe, disorienting it
opening blow against a powerful enemy leader while thinning the ranks of its for a short time.
minion allies. Kept in reserve until late in the battle, chain lightning can wipe out an Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Implement, Thunder
Standard Action Ranged 20
entire wounded enemy force, lashing out at targets across the battlefield. Target: One creature
Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
Chain Lightning Wizard Attack 23 Hit: 3d10 + Intelligence modifier thunder damage, and the target is stunned until the
end of your next turn.
From your fingertips springs a stroke of blinding purple-white lightning that leaps from one
Miss: The target is dazed until the end of your next turn.
enemy to another.
Encounter F Arcane, Evocation, Implement, Lightning
Standard Action Ranged 20 Level 24:
Primary Target: One creature
Primary Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Ability Score
Hit: 4d6 + Intelligence modifier lightning damage. Increase
Miss: Half damage.
The threats of the epic chal-
Effect: Make the secondary attack.
Secondary Attack lenges you face are countered
Secondary Target: One or two creatures within 5 squares of the primary target by the perfection of your body
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex and mind.
Hit: 2d6 + Intelligence modifier lightning damage.
Benefit: You increase two
Miss: Half damage.
Effect: Make the tertiary attack. ability scores of your choice
Tertiary Attack by 1.
Tertiary Target: Each enemy within 20 squares of you that was not a primary or a
secondary target
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex Level 24: Epic
Hit: 1d6 + Intelligence modifier lightning damage.
Miss: Half damage.
Destiny Feature
Your epic destiny continues to
Thunderclap Your smallest gesture creates a resounding thunderclap that transform you, granting you
knocks your enemy senseless. Perfect for dealing with enemy spellcasters, leaders, abilities and talents that are
and elite foes, this spell levels the playing field and gives your allies a chance to beyond the merely mortal.
rally and renew their attack. Benefit: You gain a feature
associated with your epic
destiny.

A dwarf wizard

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Level 25: Daily Powers Maze Wizard Attack 25

The foes arrayed against you in the epic tier compel you to develop more powerful You trap an enemy in an extradimensional vault resembling a maze, which holds the foe until
it can figure out how to escape. Where the foe vanished, a faintly glowing sigil hovers in the air.
and effective spells.
Daily ✦ Arcane, Enchantment, Implement, Psychic
Benefit: You can add up to two new wizard daily attack powers of your level or
Standard Action Ranged 10
lower to your spellbook. If you do so, each new power must replace one of the daily Target: One creature
attack powers you already have from your class (usually one of your lowest-level Attack: Intelligence vs. Will
daily attack powers). Hit: 3d12 + Intelligence modifier psychic damage.
Effect: The target is removed from play. At the end of each of its turns, the target makes
an Intelligence check against your Will. On a success, the target returns to play in the
Elemental Maw This spell coalesces a small portion of the Elemental space it last occupied or in the nearest unoccupied space of its choice, if that space is
Chaos. Elemental substance exudes from it and swirls in a vortex that sucks in and occupied. On each failure, the target gains a cumulative +5 bonus to the check.
destroys everything in its reach. Natural laws offset the effect after a few moments,
but until the maw closes, it pulls everyone nearby into it. Those pulled inside reap- Necrotic Web This power takes the web spell to new heights (or depths).
pear a moment later, far worse off for the experience. The strands of this web drain the energy of any creature it ensnares as the victim
struggles to break free.
Elemental Maw Wizard Attack 25
You call up a spinning vortex of elemental energy that draws your enemies inside. It then spits Necrotic Web Wizard Attack 25
them out where you direct, fallen and reeling. You cover your enemies in a giant web made from strands of black, life-draining energy.
Daily ✦ Acid, Arcane, Cold, Fire, Implement, Lightning, Teleportation, Thunder, Zone Daily ✦ Arcane, Implement, Necromancy, Necrotic, Zone
Standard Action Area burst 4 within 20 squares Standard Action Area burst 3 within 20 squares
Effect: The burst creates a zone of difficult terrain that lasts until the end of your next Target: Each creature in the burst
turn. Any creature that enters the origin square of the zone or starts its turn there Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
takes 10 acid, cold, fire, lightning, and thunder damage (a creature can take this Hit: 4d6 + Intelligence modifier necrotic damage, and the target is immobilized (save
damage only once per turn). You must teleport the creature to a square within 20 ends).
squares of you that is outside the zone. The creature then falls prone, and it is dazed Effect: The burst creates a zone of difficult terrain that lasts until the end of the encounter.
until the start of your next turn. Any creature that starts its turn in the zone takes 4d6 necrotic damage, and is slowed
When the zone appears, make the following attack. (save ends).
Target: Each creature in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 6d6 + Intelligence modifier acid, cold, fire, lightning, and thunder damage, and
Prismatic Spray When you cast prismatic spray, you create a sudden
the target is pulled up to 2 squares toward the zone’s origin square. bright light. The spell’s magic separates the light into colors that can poison, burn,
Miss: Half damage. or disorient any enemy exposed to them. This spell’s full effect is revealed when
you hit a target with several colors at once.
Maze The maze spell casts an enemy into an extradimensional labyrinth of
your making. To escape, your foe must pit its mind against your will and navi-
gate the confusing passages until it can find a way out. The power is best used to
imprison a troublesome opponent while your allies mop up its underlings.

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Prismatic Spray Wizard Attack 25 Confusion In an echo of the magic of the Feywild from which this spell was
A dazzling spray of multicolored light springs from your hands, enveloping your enemies. crafted, confusion allows you to impose your will upon an enemy. A more powerful
Daily ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Fire, Implement, Poison form of control than mere domination, this spell lets you force your foe to move
Standard Action Close blast 5
and attack, leaving it out of position and vulnerable.
Target: Each enemy in the blast
Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude, Reflex, and Will. You make a single attack roll and use it
against each defense. Confusion Wizard Attack 27
Hit (Fortitude): The target is slowed and takes ongoing 15 poison damage (save ends both). You magically compel your enemy to attack its ally.
Hit (Reflex): 3d6 + Intelligence modifier fire damage, and ongoing 15 fire damage (save
Encounter F Arcane, Charm, Enchantment, Implement, Psychic
ends).
Standard Action Ranged 20
Hit (Will): The target is stunned (save ends).
Target: One enemy
Attack: Intelligence vs. Will
Level 26: Epic Destiny Feature Hit: 3d10 + Intelligence modifier psychic damage.
Effect: At the start of the target’s next turn, you can use a free action to slide it a number
At 26th level, your epic destiny provides you with a another ability. of squares equal to its speed. It then makes a basic attack against a creature of your
Benefit: You gain a feature (typically a utility power) associated with your epic choice as a free action.
destiny.
Forcecage You have learned to mold force into any shape you wish. Rather
Level 27: Encounter Power than batter an enemy with a brutal barrage, you ensnare it in a prison of invisible
Nearing the end of the epic tier, you come to rely on a new spell that reinforces energy. A foe so imprisoned is helpless to avoid your allies when they move in for
your ability to control the battlefield and the enemies you face. the kill.
Benefit: You can gain a new wizard encounter attack power of your level
or lower. If you do so, this new power must replace one of the encounter attack Forcecage Wizard Attack 27

powers you already have from your class (usually your lowest-level encounter You erect an invisible cage of unbreakable bars of force around your foe, trapping it momentarily.
attack power). Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Force, Implement
Standard Action Ranged 20
Target: One creature
Black Fire The supernatural flames created by the black fire spell recall Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
those that burn in the City that Waits, Moil, the lost city on the edge of oblivion. Hit: 3d10 + Intelligence modifier force damage. The target is confined in the forcecage
Many sages claim that Acererak himself created this spell, for the flames it creates until the end of your next turn. While confined, it is immobilized, grants combat
advantage, and cannot gain line of effect against nonadjacent enemies.
burn not just the flesh but also the very soul.
Miss: Half damage, and the target is slowed until the end of your next turn.

Black Fire Wizard Attack 27

A blast of crackling black fire erupts from your hand, charring your foes’ flesh and burning
Level 28: Ability Score Increase
their souls.
Training, practice, and experience have molded your abilities. Even as you near
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Fire, Implement, Necromancy, Necrotic
your final destiny, you continue to hone your talents for the tests you will soon face.
Standard Action Close blast 5 Benefit: You increase two ability scores of your choice by 1.
Target: Each enemy in the blast
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 6d6 + Intelligence modifier fire and necrotic damage.
Miss: Half damage.

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Level 29: Daily Powers Meteor Swarm The height of destructive wizardry, meteor swarm allows
The end of the epic tier is in sight, and your mightiest spells are the very powers of you to evoke a fiery cataclysm from the heavens. This spell is indiscriminate in its
the gods themselves. effects, so beware of including your allies in the conflagration.
Benefit: You can add up to two new wizard daily attack powers of your level or
lower to your spellbook. If you do so, each new power must replace one of the daily Meteor Swarm Wizard Attack 29
attack powers you already have from your class (usually one of your lowest-level Fiery orbs rain down from above, shrieking loudly as they fall. They smash into your foes, oblit-
daily attack powers). erating them in a storm of fire.
Daily F Arcane, Evocation, Fire, Implement
Greater Ice Storm Overwhelming force is sometimes the only answer Standard Action Area burst 5 within 20 squares
Target: Each creature in the burst
for a tenacious enemy. Greater ice storm improves on the spell’s earlier version by Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
calling down punishing hailstones and gripping your enemies with cold. Even after Hit: 8d6 + Intelligence modifier fire damage.
the torrent stops, the ground is slick with ice. Miss: Half damage.

Greater Ice Storm Wizard Attack 29 Level 30: Epic Destiny Feature
You mount a storm of bitterly cold hailstones that pummels a wide swath of ground and covers Your epic destiny is fully realized, and you reach the heights of fame and accom-
the area in ice. plishment for which you have been striving so long. You are mortal no longer!
Daily ✦ Arcane, Cold, Evocation, Implement, Zone Benefit: You gain a feature associated with your epic destiny.
Standard Action Area burst 5 within 20 squares
Target: Each creature in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
Hit: 4d8 + Intelligence modifier cold damage, and the target is immobilized (save ends).
Miss: Half damage, and the target is slowed (save ends).
Effect: The burst creates a zone of difficult terrain that lasts until the end of the encounter.

Legion’s Hold The more magic you gather, the more formidable you
become. Legion’s hold is evidence of your great prowess, since it lets you command
nearly every enemy on the battlefield. With just a softly spoken word, your mental
power crushes your enemies, halting their progress and scourging their thoughts
while they stand fast, reeling from your psychic assault.

Legion’s Hold Wizard Attack 29

Your eyes darken, becoming black orbs as you command your enemies to stop in their tracks.
Daily F Arcane, Charm, Enchantment, Implement, Psychic
Standard Action Close burst 20
Target: Each enemy in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Will
Hit: 2d10 + Intelligence modifier psychic damage, and the target is dazed and immobi-
lized (save ends both).
Miss: Half damage, and the target is immobilized (save ends).

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Wizard Paragon Paths Forceful Retort

The power and certainty of your words knock your enemies off their feet.
Battle Mage Attack 11

The wizard paragon paths reflect different arcane traditions and specialties found Encounter ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Force, Implement
in the world. Some introduce new tactics, while others offer new resources. Standard Action Close burst 1
Target: Each enemy in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
Battle M age Hit: 3d8 + Intelligence modifier force damage, and you can push the target 1 square
and knock it prone.
Prerequisite: Wizard
Level 12: Arcane Rejuvenation
You didn’t leave behind the thrill of battle when you took up the mantle of wizard, Blasting enemies right and left often puts you in danger. To safeguard against an
so why should you stand back and let the fighters have all the fun? You have devel- untimely end, you hold back magical energy to heal your wounds if you find your-
oped skills and techniques that have turned you into a true battle mage, ready to self overwhelmed.
deal damage up close and personal or from afar, depending on the situation and Benefit: You gain the arcane rejuvenation power.
how the mood strikes you. You have even learned of a technique for using arcane
energy to temporarily stave off death—and you can’t wait to try it out in battle. Arcane Rejuvenation Battle Mage Utility 12
In a bad spot, you draw on arcane energy to help you stay on your feet.
Level 11: Arcane Riposte Daily ✦ Arcane, Healing
Imbued with magical might, your hands bristle with arcane energy in the heat Immediate Interrupt Personal
Trigger: You drop to 0 hit points or fewer.
of battle. Your enemy realizes its mistake too late when you lash out, shaping the
Effect: You regain hit points equal to your level + your Intelligence modifier.
energy into cold, fire, force, or lightning. It scourges the enemy you would punish.
Benefit: When a creature provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can
make an opportunity attack with one of your hands (Intelligence + 4 vs. Reflex).
Level 16: Battle Edge
The bonus increases to +6 at 21st level. Choose cold, fire, force, or lightning. On a You concentrate on the battle at hand. If an injury disrupts your concentration, you
hit, the attack deals 1d8 + Intelligence modifier damage of that type. lash out with a swift and destructive counterattack.
Benefit: When you first become bloodied in an encounter, you can use an at-

Level 11: Battle Mage Action will power of yours as an immediate reaction.

You can shape magical energy into destructive spells. When you call on greater arcane
power, you find it easy to direct your next spell where it can achieve the greatest effect.
Level 20: Closing Spell
Benefit: When you spend an action point to take an extra action, you also gain One of the mightiest powers known to wizards, closing spell calls down raw elemen-
a +4 bonus to attack rolls until the start of your next turn. tal destruction that only intensifies if your other resources are drained.
Benefit: You gain the closing spell power.

Level 11: Forceful Retort

You are comfortable on the battlefield, at home both when casting spells and when
blowing enemies to bits. If your enthusiasm attracts unwanted attention, you can
respond with a pulse of destructive energy to fling back your foes.
Benefit: You gain the forceful retort power.

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Closing Spell Battle Mage Attack 20 A minor wound deals 1d10 damage to you.
You save the best for last—a devastating display of pure elemental power that your enemies A severe wound deals 2d10 damage to you.
aren’t likely to see again. You then gain a bonus to the power’s damage rolls. The bonus equals the
Daily ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Implement; Varies damage you dealt to yourself.
Standard Action Area burst 3 within 20 squares
Special: Choose cold, fire, lightning, or thunder. Your choice determines the power’s
damage type.
Level 11: Blood Pulse
Target: Each enemy in the burst Your blood becomes the instrument of your foes’ demise. You call on its essence
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex and unveil its destructive potential in the midst of your enemies.
Hit: 3d10 + Intelligence modifier damage of the chosen type, or 8d10 + Intelligence
Benefit: You gain the blood pulse power.
damage of that type if you have no other daily attack powers remaining.
Miss: Half damage.
Blood Pulse Blood Mage Attack 11
A mote of crimson plasma springs from your hand, streaks across the battlefield, and detonates
Blood M age amid your enemies, covering them in a blood-red shroud.
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Implement
Prerequisite: Wizard
Standard Action Area burst 3 within 20 squares
Target: Each enemy in the burst
You have learned to combine your blood with arcane formulas to cast more power- Attack: Intelligence vs. Will
ful spells. Your blood is your life, but it is also your source of power. Few wizards Hit: 2d6 + Intelligence modifier damage. Until the end of your next turn, the target
takes 5 damage for every square it moves willingly.
travel this route to arcane mastery, because it is a path steeped in pain and soaked
in blood. But you have embraced the way of blood and magic, and you have
become more powerful because of it.
Level 12: Soul Burn
With this spell, you sacrifice your long-term health for greater access to arcane
Level 11: Blood Action energy. When you use soul burn, you feel new energy lancing through you as your
blood begins to surge.
You can draw deep on the magic flowing through your blood to exceed your
Benefit: You gain the soul burn power.
normal limitations, putting more lethality into your next strike.
Benefit: When you spend an action point to make an attack, each target hit by
Soul Burn Blood Mage Utility 12
the attack takes ongoing 10 damage (save ends).
You trade your recuperative ability for more arcane power.
Daily ✦ Arcane
Level 11: Bolstering Blood Minor Action Personal
Pain is power. Your suffering adds weight to your spells, improving their potency Effect: You spend a healing surge. Instead of regaining hit points, you regain the use of
one encounter power you have already used during this encounter.
at the expense of your own vitality. When you slash yourself, the blood released
mingles with arcane magic to intensify your spell’s effects.
Benefit: You learn to turn your own pain into additional pain for your enemies. Level 16: Burning Blood
When you use a wizard encounter attack power, a wizard daily attack power, or a Your very vitality is a weapon. When you pause to recover from your injuries,
blood mage attack power that deals damage, you can, once per turn as a free action your foes shriek from mental anguish, while those touched by your magic erupt in
just prior to using the power, deal either a minor wound or a severe wound to yourself. eldritch flames.

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Benefit: When you use your second wind, each enemy within 10 squares of Level 11: Storm Cage
you takes ongoing 10 fire damage (save ends), but only if that enemy is subject to an
This spell calls forth the arcane storm, manifesting it where you will. Enemies in
effect that a save can end.
its midst are trapped in the maelstrom, with lightning striking and thunder boom-
ing from all sides. Spellstorm mages often use storm cage early to keep enemies in
Level 20: Destructive Salutation position for their next destructive spell.
You have mastered the power in your blood and discovered how to tap its greatest Benefit: You gain the storm cage power.
strength. With destructive salutation, you channel this energy to assail your enemies’
minds, leaving the victims savaged and hampered by your dark magic. Storm Cage Spellstorm Mage Attack 11
Benefit: You gain the destructive salutation power. You trap your enemies in a cage made of lightning and filled with roaring thunder.
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Conjuration, Implement, Lightning, Thunder
Destructive Salutation Blood Mage Attack 20 Standard Action Area burst 2 within 20 squares
You greet your enemies with a psychic wave that scrambles their minds and leaves them dazed. Target: Each creature in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Daily ✦ Arcane, Implement, Psychic
Hit: 4d6 + Intelligence modifier lightning and thunder damage.
Standard Action Area burst 3 within 20 squares
Effect: You conjure a wall in the 16 outer squares of the burst (forming a square
Target: Each enemy in the burst
enclosure). The wall is 1 square high. Any creature that enters the wall or starts its turn
Attack: Intelligence vs. Will
adjacent to it takes 10 lightning damage (a creature can take this damage only once per
Hit: 4d6 + Intelligence modifier psychic damage, and the target takes ongoing 10 psy-
turn). Each square of movement that includes 1 or more squares of the wall costs 1 extra
chic damage and is dazed (save ends both).
square of movement. The wall does not grant cover or concealment. It lasts until the
Miss: Half damage, and the target is dazed until the end of your next turn.
end of your next turn.

Spellstorm M age Level 11: Storm Spell

If arcane magic is the seething maelstrom you envision it to be, the power you
Prerequisite: Wizard
wield must come from the storm and return to it when used. You test this theory by
drawing energy from the storm to replenish your resources.
To you, the arcane energy flowing through the world is like a raging storm that
Benefit: Once per day, you can reach into the spellstorm and extract an arcane
only you can see. Moreover, you can shape and control this storm to accomplish
power that you have already used so that you can use it again. Make a Wisdom
amazing things. The storm consists of individual spells, like each drop of rain in
check. The result indicates the kind of arcane power that you can extract. You can
the maelstrom, and you can pluck these spells free and direct them as you will.
choose to extract an arcane power associated with a lower result than the result
You are a spellstorm mage, and you stand among the arcane torrent and use it to
you rolled.
enhance the power that you wield.
1–10: Arcane encounter utility power.
11–15: Arcane encounter attack power.
Level 11: Extra Damage Action 16–20: Arcane daily utility power.
You learn to tap into the eldritch storm, to make its strength your own. In doing so, 21 or Higher: Arcane daily attack power.
you visit wild and destructive magic upon your foes.
Benefit: When you spend an action point to take an extra action, you gain a
power bonus to the damage rolls of your standard action attacks during this turn.
The bonus equals one-half your level.

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Level 12: Sudden Storm Wizard of the Spiral Tower

You manifest the eldritch storm so that it forms into a raging squall. The swirling Prerequisite: Wizard, proficiency with the longsword
winds and lashing rains hamper your foes’ movement and visibility.
Benefit: You gain the sudden storm power. You have decided to adopt the traditions of the Spiral Tower, the arcane teachings
of the followers of Corellon. This decision links your use of arcane power firmly to
Sudden Storm Spellstorm Mage Utility 12
the Feywild and the arcane-focused eladrin traditions. As a wizard of the Spiral
With a wave of your hand, you create an area of torrential rain and wind. Tower, you carry a longsword that emulates the one carried by Corellon and glows
Daily ✦ Arcane, Zone with the arcane beauty of the Feywild, and the secrets of the Feywild become
Standard Action Area burst 2 within 20 squares
Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. The zone is
pages in your spellbook.
difficult terrain and lightly obscured. As a move action, you can move the zone up to 5
squares. Level 11: Corellon’s Implement
Sustain Minor: The zone persists until the end of your next turn.
Wizards of the Spiral Tower uphold traditions established by Corellon himself. To
honor their benefactor, the wizards master the longsword. The blade is more than
Level 16: Storm Fury a weapon, however; it is the implement through which they channel magic.
Benefit: You gain proficiency with the longsword as an implement. In addi-
It might be that the arcane storm you envision is in fact within yourself, and only
tion, if you have the Arcane Implement Mastery class feature, the benefits you gain
through focus and study are you able to contain it. Indeed, when you suffer an
from that feature for one implement, such as a staff or a wand, can be used with a
injury, elemental lightning bursts out from you to scorch your foes.
longsword.
Benefit: When you first become bloodied in an encounter, you unleash a burst
of arcane energy that deals 5 + your Wisdom modifier lightning damage to each
enemy within 10 squares of you.
Level 11: Spiral Tower Action
You learn to hold arcane energy in your weapon, retaining it for future use. When
Level 20: Maelstrom of Chaos the need is great, you can reclaim this energy to power one of your spells.
Benefit: You can spend an action point to regain the use of one wizard encoun-
This power creates an insidious storm of force that singles out your foes, rips
ter attack power that you have already used during this encounter, instead of
through them, and flings them about until the storm abates.
taking an extra action.
Benefit: You gain the maelstrom of chaos power.

Maelstrom of Chaos Spellstorm Mage Attack 20 Level 11: The One Sword
Arcane winds and a hailstorm of force energy surrounds you, battering your enemies and tele- You emulate Corellon by using sword and spell in concert, channeling the magic of
porting them from one place to another. the Feywild through your weapon to enhance your attacks.
Daily ✦ Arcane, Evocation, Force, Implement, Teleportation Benefit: You gain the power the one sword.
Standard Action Close burst 5
Target: Each enemy in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude
Hit: 3d8 + Intelligence modifier force damage, and you can teleport the target to a
square in the burst.
Miss: Half damage.

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The One Sword Wizard of the Spiral Tower Attack 11 Level 20: Corellon’s Blade
Your blade flashes with the twilight power of the Feywild as you strike your foe. This power imbues your longsword with the ability to emulate Corellon’s weapon.
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Enchantment, Weapon With a single sweep, you attack all nearby foes and twist reality to dismiss them
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One creature
from your presence.
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex Benefit: You gain the Corellon’s blade power.
Hit: 2[W] + Intelligence modifier damage. Make the secondary attack against the target.
Secondary Attack Corellon’s Blade Wizard of the Spiral Tower Attack 20
Attack: Intelligence vs. Will
Hit: The target is dazed until the end of your next turn, and this power is not You swing your glowing longsword around you, striking nearby enemies with the flat of the
expended. blade and banishing them into the Feywild.
Daily ✦ Arcane, Enchantment, Radiant, Weapon
Level 12: Shape the Dream Standard Action Close burst 1
Target: Each enemy you can see in the burst
With your blade, you slice through fate’s strands to alter your fortunes. What might Attack: Intelligence + 4 vs. Will
have taxed your mind is now no more than a fleeting memory. Hit: 3[W] + Intelligence modifier radiant damage. In addition, the target is removed
from play until the end of your next turn. When the target returns to play, it appears
Benefit: You gain the shape the dream power. in its former space, or if that space is occupied, the target appears in the nearest
unoccupied space (its choice).
Shape the Dream Wizard of the Spiral Tower Utility 12 Miss: Half damage.
You alter reality slightly, so that an attack your foe assumed it had made didn’t actually
happen.
Daily ✦ Arcane
Immediate Interrupt Personal
Trigger: You are hit by an attack against your Will.
Effect: The attack has no effect on you.

Level 16: Radiant Censure

Corellon favors the wizards of the Spiral Tower, for they uphold his ancient magical
teachings. This blessing reveals itself when an enemy attacks your mind, as Corel-
lon scourges the offending creature with radiant energy.
Benefit: When an enemy attacks your Will, the enemy takes radiant damage
equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum 1).

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Addendum:
Wizard Updates in Brief (Player’s Handbook)
Name Page Change
Orb of Imposition (Class Feature) 157 The free action you take must be on your turn.
Arcanist’s Spellbook 158 Renames class feature from “Spellbook” to avoid confusion.
Cloud of Daggers 159 Adds the zone keyword.
Chill Strike 159 Adds a Miss entry to the power.
Force Orb 160 Clarifies that the secondary attack is an area burst.
Icy Terrain 160 Clarifies that the ground of the zone is difficult terrain. Adds the zone keyword.
Ray of Enfeeblement 160 Adds a Miss entry to the power.
Acid Arrow 160 Makes the secondary attack part of the Effect instead of the Hit entry, and clarifies that the secondary attack is an
area burst.
Flaming Sphere 160 The damage in the Effect now occurs at the end of a creature’s turn, not at the start.
Freezing Cloud 160 Increases the power’s damage from 1d8 to 2d8. The Effect now creates a zone. A creature can take the zone damage
only once per turn. Adds a Sustain entry. Adds the zone keyword.
Icy Rays 161 Adds a Miss entry to the power.
Stinking Cloud 161 A creature can take the Effect entry damage only once per turn. Changes the zone damage to a static amount
instead of a damage roll. The zone is heavily obscured.
Levitate 162 Clarifies that Sustain duration does not persist until the end of the encounter.
Fire Burst 162 Adds a Miss entry to the power.
Spectral Ram 163 Adds a Miss entry to the power.
Winter’s Wrath 163 Adds the zone keyword.
Wall of Fire 163 Creatures can take damage from the wall only once per turn.
Frostburn 164 Adds the zone keyword.
Mesmeric Hold 164 Adds a Miss entry to the power.
Prismatic Burst 164 Adds a Miss entry to the power.
Thunderlance 164 Adds a Miss entry to the power.
Bigby’s Grasping Hands 164 Clarifies what happens when the wizard uses a standard action to slam the hands together.
Prismatic Beams 165 The spell’s area is now a blast, and the Fortitude attack now deals only ongoing damage.
Combust 166 Adds a Miss entry to the power.
Crushing Titan’s Fist 166 The Effect now creates a zone. Adds the zone keyword.
Ice Tomb 166 Adds a Miss entry to the power.

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Name Page Change

Cloudkill 166 Reduces the power’s burst area from 5 to 3. The power’s damage has been increased. A creature can take the zone
damage only once per turn. Changes the zone damage to a static amount instead of a damage roll. The zone is
heavily obscured.
Mordenkainen’s Mansion 167 Removes the teleportation keyword.
Acid Storm 167 The Effect now creates a zone, and the damage now occurs at the end of a creature’s turn, not at the start. Adds the
zone keyword.
Thunderclap 167 Adds a Miss entry to the power. This power’s damage has been increased.
Elemental Maw 167 The Effect now creates a zone, adding the zone keyword. Updates the power’s formatting to tighten order of effects.
Updates the zone’s damage to a static amount instead of a damage roll, and can be taken only once per turn. All
damage is of the listed damage types. Clarifies that you must teleport the target outside of the zone.
Maze 168 Tightens the removed from play language. The Intelligence check is made at the end of the target’s turn. Removes
the teleportation keyword.
Necrotic Web 168 Tightens the zone language. Changes the immobilization from the Effect entry to a slow.
Prismatic Spray 168 The spell’s area is now a blast, and the Fortitude attack now deals only ongoing damage. Removes the fear keyword.
Black Fire 168 Adds a Miss entry to the power.
Forcecage 168 Adds a Miss entry to the power.
Arcane Riposte 169 Attacks Reflex, instead of AC.
Closing Spell 169 Reduces the power’s burst from 5 to 3. Makes it easier to deal the bonus damage by tying it to daily attack powers
only, not daily powers of any kind.
Bolstering Blood (Path Feature) 169 The bonus to damage is against only one target.
Burning Blood (Path Feature) 169 Updates and combines the feature’s effects: revises the damage type from psychic to fire and makes it ongoing
damage, but requires the target to be suffering an effect that a save can end.
Destructive Salutation 170 Reduces the power’s damage from 6d6 to 4d6. Changes stunned to dazed in the Hit and Miss entries.
Extra Damage Action 170 The damage bonus now applies only to your next attack.
Storm Cage 170 The wall’s damage in the Effect occurs at the end of a creature’s turn, not at the start, and a creature can take this
damage only once per turn.
Corellon’s Implement (Path Feature) 171 Clarifies proficiency wording and how this feature interacts with Arcane Implement Mastery.
Spiral Tower Action 171 The feature now applies only to attack powers.
Shape the Dream 171 Clarifies that the triggering attack has no effect on you but also is not cancelled. Removes the implement keyword.
Corellon’s Blade 171 Removes the teleportation keyword.
Wizard Powers — Updates powers with school of magic keywords as appropriate. These additions are not noted in the previous
changes.

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