Character Creation Challenge: Day 16 Rowan & Witches in Arms

 At the start of this challenge, I introduced the Gallowglass subclass, a sort of mercenary for hire for witches. Today I want to detail The Witchknight, a different sort of armed-and-armored witch. 

I guess the simple way of looking at the Witch Knight vs the Gallowglass is that Witch Knights are considered part of the outer circle of the coven, where a Gallowglass isn't part of the coven at all. Both classes are martial fighting classes. The witch knight is a cavalier subclass and is related to the paladin. The gallowglass is a fighter subclass. Though both do have magical effects.

THE WITCH KNIGHT

A Witch Knight must have all the requisite ability scores of the cavalier, which are Strength 15, Dexterity 15, Constitution 15, and additionally a Wisdom score of 13 and a Charisma score of 13 or higher. Witch Knights are devoted champions of the Old Religion, chosen to defend its mysteries, sanctuaries, and priestesses. A witch knight can serve witches, wicce, druids, or even clerics of "the old faith." Though they wear the mail of warriors and fight with sword and shield, their power is rooted in ancient pacts and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. A Witch Knight who strays from this sacred duty or profanes the oaths of their Order becomes a fighter and loses all special Witch Knight powers.

Witch Knights must initially be of the correct cultural station or be initiated into a tradition by a coven, high witch, or spirit of the Old Ways. In either case, the Witch Knight must advance through the stages of Squire and Horned Blade (the equivalent of Horseman and Lancer) before gaining full Witch Knight abilities.

Witch Knights are sworn to an Order. Each Order reflects a different aspect of the Old Faith and grants unique features at the 1st level. The five major Orders are:

Order of the Green Knight

Knights of the Green are guardians of nature, the sacred grove, and the cycle of seasons. They draw strength from the wild and wield their weapons as extensions of the forest spirit. Their armor is often etched with vines, leaves, and antlers.

Benefit: May speak with plants and animals once per day (as druid spells, caster level equals Witch Knight level). Gain +1 to hit and damage when fighting in natural outdoor settings.

Order of the Waning Moon

These knights serve the night, the liminal, and the hidden roads of fate. They are the sword in shadow and the wardens of witch-haunted paths.

Benefit: Gain Infravision (60 feet). Once per day, may cast Invisibility to Undead or Faerie Fire (choose at creation). +2 to saves vs. illusions.

Order of the Grave

Sworn to guard the threshold between life and death, these knights serve as psychopomps and avengers. They defend the spirits of the dead and ensure the balance is kept.

Benefit: Detect undead within 60 feet at will. At 4th level, once per day, may turn undead as a cleric 3 levels below knight level. At 5th level, gains +1 to saves vs. death magic.

Order of the Hollow Road

These wandering knights are sworn to sacred places and paths. They serve the land itself, traveling between ley lines and old shrines, answering omens and dreams.

Benefit: Immune to magical fear. Once per day, may reroll a failed saving throw. +1 bonus to Constitution when determining hit points (only at character creation).

Order of the Thorn

The martial Order of the Thorn defends covens and witches with steel and unbreakable will. They are the first into battle, the last to fall, and their blood marks the battlefield.

Benefit: When protecting a known witch or sacred site, gain +1 AC and +1 to saving throws. May use a Witch Talisman (if provided one) to cast Protection from Evil once per day.

Aura of the Old Ways: Beginning at 2nd level, the Witch Knight radiates a sacred presence. Allies within 10 feet gain +1 to attack rolls and saving throws against fear; enemies suffer -1 to attack rolls. This aura is always active unless the Witch Knight is unconscious or has broken an oath.

Oath of Protection: At 3rd level, the Witch Knight may swear an Oath to defend a person, place, or relic of the Old Religion. While protecting their charge, they gain +1 to hit, damage, and AC. Only one Oath may be active at a time. Breaking an Oath incurs penalties.

Sacred Mount: Like cavaliers, Witch Knights gain a bonded mount at 4th level. This mount is often fey-touched, ghostly, or marked by the Old Ways (e.g., antlered horses, black steeds with glowing eyes).

Witch Spell Use: Beginning at 7th level, the Witch Knight gains limited spellcasting ability. They cast Witch spells as a 3rd-level Witch and may choose spells from the 1st through 4th levels. They do not use spellbooks but instead rely on ritual tools, talismans, and learned charms.

Witch Knight Restrictions:

• May use all weapons and armor as a cavalier
• Must follow their Order's rites and taboos
• Must follow their Order's oaths to covens

Name Level: Upon reaching 9th level (Witch Knight), the Witch Knight may establish a Sacred Bastion, a sanctified fortress or waystation on a ley line or near a powerful coven. They may attract initiates, witches, and even other knights sworn to the Old Ways.

Level	Title	Experience Points	Hit Dice (d10)	1	2	3
1	Aspirant of the Circle	2,750	1	-	-	-
2	Grove Squire	5,500	2	-	-	-
3	Horned Blade	11,000	3	-	-	-
4	Knight of the Moon	22,000	4	-	-	-
5	Green Champion	40,000	5	-	-	-
6	Thorn-Crowned Defender	80,000	6	-	-	-
7	Shield of the Old Ways	160,000	7	1	-	-
8	Spirit-Anointed Blade	360,000	8	2	-	-
9	Witch Knight	600,000	9	2	1	-
10	Witch Knight	900,000	9+3 hp	2	2	-
11	Witch Knight	1,200,000	9+6 hp	2	2	1
12	Witch Knight	1,400,000	9+9 hp	3	2	2
13	Witch Knight	1,700,000	9+12 hp	3	2	2
14	Witch Knight	2,000,000	9+15 hp	3	3	2
15	Witch Knight	2,300,000	9+18 hp	4	3	3
16	Witch Knight	2,600,000	9+21 hp	4	4	3
17+	Witch Knight	+300,000 per	+3 hp per

Witch Knight vs. Gallowglass

Both the Witch Knight and the Gallowglass are martial defenders of the occult world, but they differ in origin, role, and flavor.

Witch Knights are cavalier sub-classes: bound by Orders, oaths, and ritualized codes of conduct. They are champions of the Old Religion, serving witches and priestesses with reverence, and receiving structured mystical powers in return.

Gallowglass are fighter sub-classes: grim, ancestral warriors with limited ritual magic. They serve clans, covens, or places of power through raw loyalty and sacred bonds, not knightly honor.

The Witch Knight is the mythic sword-arm of the sacred moon, while the Gallowglass is the blood-bound axe of the old ways.

Rowan

Rowan has always been a witch knight. Even when I didn't know that is what she was, that is what she was.  She has appeared in various stages of her life in past Character Creation challenges. 

• Rowan McGowan, D&D 3rd Edition
• Rowan McGowan, Pathfinder 2nd Edition
• Roawn McGowan, Wasted Lands

Each of these brought her a step closer to this ideal. 

Rowan
Human 16th level Witch Knight (Order of the Thorn), Lawful Neutral

Secondary Skill: Animal Trainner

S: 17
I: 13
W: 13
D: 15
C: 15
Ch: 18

Paralysis/Poison: 4
Petrify/Polymorph: 5
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 6
Breath Weapon: 4
Spells: 7

AC: -1 (Plate +2)
HP: 68
THAC0: 6

Weapon
Long Sword +2

Steed: Black Unicorn "Annwn"

Spells
First level: Comprehend Languages, Detect Spirits, Ghostly Slashing, Vertigo
Second level: Biting Blade, Delay Poison, Ghost Touch, Minor Image
Third level: Continual fire, Mirror Image, Suggestion

Theme Song: The Mummer's Dance

According to my wife, I spent days creating a "D&D Horse Girl." She is...not wrong. Again, my fondness for pagan things is showing here. If this were a modern game, she would be the plucky girl who works at the horse stables where her dad is a trainer, but not the owner, and she is the only one who can approach, let alone ride, the new, dangerous black stallion. ETA: I may have written up a NIGHT SHIFT character sheet for as well. 

Her steed (a wholly inadequate word here) is a black unicorn named "Annwn." They are bonded much in the same way a Paladin's steed is. 

Unlike witches, the witch-knigh does not get cantrips, bonus spells, or the ability to cast ritual spells.

Character Creation Challenge: Day 15, Marissia, Daughter of Zelligar

A few years back I found what I think is my earliest surviving written reference to a witch in my games: Marissia, Daughter of Zelligar. Zelligar is, of course, the missing wizard from the module B1 In Search Of The Unknown.  

I have long been of the opinion that the infamous Rogahn and Zelligar of B1 are the same adventurers on the cover of the Holmes Basic set and the same, along with Marissia, on the cover of Warlocks & Warriors. Well...I named her Marissia (yes that spelling) for a variety of reasons that began with Scooby-Doo and Jerry Reed. There was a "Melissa" in B1 who was the paramour of the fighter Rogahn. I merged the two in my mind and that became the downfall of the two mighty adventurers. Marissia, Zelligar's daughter, began an affair with Rogahn. That's fun, but not why I am talking about her today. Today I want to revisit her as my "First Witch."

No, she really isn't my first witch, just the one I have the earliest evidence for. 

I was playing a mix of AD&D and D&D here, so I am guessing I was age 11 or 12.

For this witch I am going back to the 1983 Bard Game's The Compleat Spell Caster. Which has a witch class based on the Druid. It also had a sorcerer, but that is a topic for another day. All the Spellcasters here have a great "occult" feel to them so I really want to capture the feel of this in my own games. 

Marissia here then feels very different from my other witches largely due to her "druidic" relationship. Figure this is a druid that is allowed to be something other than just True Neutral. This witch has a lot of plant related powers and the ability to read magic. Similar to my Occult Powers.

I have have The Compleat Spell Caster, so I also use The Compleat Alchemist (which is recommended for the witch).  I also gave Marissia the secondary skill of Alchemist. 

Marissia
15th level Human Witch, Chaotic Evil

Secondary Skill: Alchemist

S: 11
I: 17
W: 17
D: 12
C: 15
Ch: 18

Paralysis/Poison: 5
Petrify/Polymorph: 8
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 9
Breath Weapon: 11
Spells: 12

AC: 1 (Bracers AC 1)
HP: 56
THAC0: 12

Weapon
Dagger +1 1d4/1d3
BroomStaff 1d6

Familiar: Hellhound

Powers
Identify Plants, Pass without a Trace, Read Magic
7th level: Create Elixirs, Potions, Dusts

Spells
First level: Charm, Detect Magic, Disguise, Eldritch Fire, Healing, Hex, Night Vision, Summon Familiar
Second level: Blending, Circle of Darkness, Eyes of the Hawk, Levitate, Water Breathing, Speak with Animals, Frost, Youth
Third level: Shape Change, Dispel Magic, ESP, Emotional Influence, Locate Object, Windstorm, Animal Control
Fourth level: Circle of Silence, Flight, Invisibility, Malediction, Speak in Tongues, Thunderbolt
Fifth level: Elemental Shield, Ice Storm, Minor Enchantment, Mists of Sleep, Psychic Assault, Guards & Locks
Sixth level: Firestorm, Plague of Spiders, Quagmire, Psychic Shield, Teleportation
Seventh level: Great Curse, Restore Life, Tempest, Witch Wind, 

Theme Songs: Pretty Mary Sunlight (for her name) and Going to Hell (her actual song).

Using the Druid spell progression provides a lot of spells, but is limited to the Seventh level. Not a terrible trade-off. 

In my mind, Marissia began as a "demonic" witch, especially given all the demons in the CSP, but her spells read "Storm Witch" more. So maybe her patron is not Ereshkigal, but rather someone like Pazuzu. Pazuzu feels right to me, given his connection to The Exorcist and the time period. 

But there is a demon in the book, Baal, who is also known as the Master of Storms. Many of the demons in the CSP have vaguely ancient origins: Aaman (Anu), Baal, Astorath (Astaroth), Thamuz (Dumuzid, Tammuz), Nergal, and more. Given all this, Pazuzu still feels like a great choice, as does my very first choice, Ereshkigal. Maybe Pazuzu is just a demon employed by Ereshkigal. 

Character Creation Challenge: Day 14 Taryn Nix and Warlocks

 I have not talked much about Warlocks here at all for this challenge, which is an oversight of sorts. I have Warlocks I am using in my Occult D&D game, but they feel a little overpowered at the moment. I am going to present one, my iconic warlock Taryn, and see where I might need to make adjustments. I am largely basing this on my The Warlock for Swords & Wizardry, but I think with other rules I have in place, I might need to tone it down and increase their XP. No idea just yet.

I mentioned Taryn already in this challenge. She is the daughter of my iconic witch, Larina, and she is a half-elf. Well...half Sidhe, but largely the same thing. She began life as a 4th edition character but became one of my more important 5th edition characters. 

Warlocks get fewer spells, but also gain invocations that can be used at least once per day. In Taryn's case here I am also granting her Cantrips, including one for her secondary skill. Unlike witches, warlocks do not gain bonus spells due to Charisma. Also warlocks can't participate in ritual spells unless stated, but this is not that big of deal. A lot of witches in practice don't participate in ritual spells.

Taryn
Half-elf 13th level Warlock (Fey), Chaotic Neutral

Secondary Skill: Initiate

S: 11
I: 17
W: 16
D: 13
C: 17
Ch: 16

Paralysis/Poison: 9
Petrify/Polymorph: 9
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 10
Breath Weapon: 12
Spells: 11

AC: 1 (Bracers AC 1)
HP: 48
THAC0: 16

Weapon
Sword (Pact Blade) +2

Familiar: Black Cat "Mojo"

Spells
Cantrips: Mote of Light*, Chill, Clean, Ghost Sound
First level: Mage Armor, Chill Touch, Cause Minor Wounds, Häxen Talons, Eldritch Fire, Arcane Dart
Second level: Blur, Burning Gaze, Grasp of the Endless War, Phantasmal Armor, Share my Pain
Third level: Fangs of the Strix, Malice, Witch Fire, Clairsentience, Starlight
Fourth level: Arcane Eye, Elemental Armor, Rain of Spite, Pit of Pain
Fifth level: Blade Dance, Cry of the Nightbird, Telekinesis

Invocations
Arcane Blast, Agonizing Blast, Beguiling Influence, Aura of Fear, Pact Blade, Eldritch Ball of Flame, Supernatural Protection 

Theme Song: I Am the Fire

Spells and Invocations combined are a lot for a 13th level caster, but some of those invocations are "passive" or have other effects; like Agonizing blast only effects Arcane blast. Pact Blade just effects a sword.  Still I might trim down the spells more.

Also warlocks top out at 5th level spells. 

I think my warlocks need some more work to be honest. 

Character Creation Challenge: Day 13 Jana & Sarana

Today I want to explore two similar witches. Or more to the point, two witches who approach similar magics and traditions of witchcraft from two different vectors.

 Jana is another witch I created a couple of years ago. I wanted a human witch mixed up in the affairs of the Faerie Courts, in particular my Court of Swords. Despite being high(-ish) level, she is in way over her head. I have her serving the current Queen of Swords, Nicnevin. This is just one of her titles, she is also one of my witch queens. The Court of Swords is one of the "Shadow Courts" neither the Seelie nor the Unseelie, but somewhere in between. What they lack in prominence they make up for in guile, intrigue and ruthlessness. Nicnevin herself is ancient and very powerful. I say that Jana has a bit of fire nymph blood in her heritage, not enough to really do much than raise her charisma score a couple of point, but enough to give her entry to these courts. 

Sarana is not really my character exactly. She also featured in my War of the Witch Queens, in the adventure Tanglewood Keep, from DL15 Mists of Krynn, as well as a past Character Creation Challenge. She is a composite of two of Vince Garcia's characters, Sarana and Stevie, who may have been the same character anyway.

Both of these characters are "Faerie Witches" that is, they are part of the faerie tradition. Since I am trying to figure out what my Occult D&D looks like through the lens of AD&D, I figured I would compare and contrast the play styles of two different sort of faerie witches. Jana is a faerie traditional witch from Mayfair's Role Aids book "Witches." Sarana uses my Faerie Tradition from my Old-School Essentials book, Monster Mash II: A Midsummer Night's Dream. I am also grabbing some ideas from my The Craft of the Wise: The Pagan Witch Tradition and The Green Witch for Swords & Wizardry. This covers OSE, S&W and AD&D 2nd Ed; so none of them are AD&D 1st ed. 

Given I am trying to stick close to their native rules today I am not using Cantrips or Bonus spells. 

Jana
13th level Human Witch, Neutral

Secondary Skill: Translator

S: 11
I: 17
W: 16
D: 12
C: 11
Ch: 17

Paralysis/Poison: 11
Petrify/Polymorph: 9
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 7
Breath Weapon: 11
Spells: 8

AC: 6 (Leather +2, AC 8)
HP: 31
THAC0: 16

Weapon
Dagger 1d4/1d3
Staff +1 1d6

Spells
First level: Audible Glamer, Comprehend Languages, Friends, Read Magic
Second level: ESP, Forget, Know Alignment, Detect Good & Evil
Third level: Delude, Speak with Animals, Tongues, Remote Seeing
Fourth level: Emotion, Fear, Wizard Eye, Enervation 
Fifth level: False Vision, Domination, Advanced Illusion
Sixth level: Mindwrite, Mislead

Theme Song: Another Year of Rain

Jana is one of Queen Nicnevin's translators. Her job is to cast sublte magic to both enthrall and intimidate visitors to the Queen's court. 

In my game Queen Nicnevin combines the mythological Nicnevin, with a bit of Hecate (already part of Nicnevin according to some scholars) and a bit of Scáthach. 

Sarana
13th level Half-Elf (Gray Elf) Witch, Neutral

Secondary Skill: Herbalist

S: 10
I: 18
W: 19
D: 13
C: 15
Ch: 19

Paralysis/Poison: 9
Petrify/Polymorph: 9
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 10
Breath Weapon: 12
Spells: 11

AC: 6 (Robe AC 9 +3)
HP: 43
THAC0: 16

Weapon
Dagger +2 1d4/1d3
Staff 1d6

Familiar: White Dove, "Zeraida"

Spells
First level: Allure, Wailing Lament, Fey Step, Glamour
Second level: Burning Gaze, Evil Eye, Stunning Allure, Witch's Tooth
Third level: Blink, Psychic Assault, Magical Vestment
Fourth level: Command Person, Dryad's Door, Threefold Aspect
Fifth level: Baba Yaga's Secret Chest, Magic Cauldron
Sixth level: Arcane Window

Theme Song: Gypsy

Sarana is always an NPC, so I don't have much to say about her growth as a character. As a witch though she has fewer spells than does Jana at the same level. 

Along with Eireann and Rána, they were all in my "Kingdom of Rain" mini-campaign a couple years back. This was around the time I was experimenting with the Land of Faerie/the Feywild as a means to access other worlds. It would explain how I can have Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance Character's interact without resorting to gate spells, astral travel, or Spelljamming.

Character Creation Challenge: Day 12 Cirice

One of the things I have been trying to do is find a good witch class for my current AD&D games in the Forgotten Realms. I am running one and my oldest son runs the other and we both have our favored play-test GMPC/Play-test characters.

Up first is my son's character Cirice.

Cirice, obviously named for the Ghost Song, is a Kitsune witch. Now, I have no idea if there are Kitsune in the Forgotten Realms or not, but we wanted to give one a try. We figure Kitsune can see in the dark, but don't have infravision. We have not decided if they are "demi-humans" in terms of multiclass vs dual class. We punted and gave her only one class.

So Cirice here is from Kozakura from the Kara-Tur area of the Forgotten Realms. She was one of the people on the ship in our first Forgotten Realms adventure along with Moria. 

Cirice also has psionics. She was the only character that night who ended up with them. I can say this, her having TK saved these characters butts more than a few times. Same with Cell Adjustment. One more character the cleric didn't have to heal was great.  I like psionics. A lot. But I really want a better system. Sounds like a problem with a future solution. 

In truth I have been thinking a lot about psionics and their role in a fantasy adventure game like D&D. I mean you would not see them in say "Lord of the Rings." But I also can't deny that psychics and psychic power was really popular when D&D/AD&D was new (the 1970s and all). So maybe there is a place for them.

Cirice
12th level Kitsune Witch Priestess, Chaotic Neutral

Secondary Skill: Scribe

S: 14
I: 17
W: 16
D: 17
C: 16
Ch: 18
Cm: 18 (yes we did comeliness for this batch)

Paralysis/Poison: 9
Petrify/Polymorph: 9
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 10
Breath Weapon: 12
Spells: 11

AC: 6 (leather armor, ring of protection +2)
HP: 21
THAC0: 16

Weapon
Dagger 1d4/1d3

Familiar: white Fox (a nine-tails) gains tails as it levels up, "Diaymo"

Spells
Cantrips: Chill, Detect Curse, Detect Poison, Mend
First level: Burning Hands, Bad Luck, Cat Fall, Charm Person, Glamour, Moonstone
Second level: Biting Blade, Evil Eye, Burning Gaze, Fever, Produce Flame, Blast Shield
Third level: Continual Fire, Feral Spirit, Witch Wail, Bestow Curse
Fourth level: Divine Power, Elemental (Fire) Armor, Intangible Cloak of Shadows, Instant Karma
Fifth level: Primal Scream, Blade Dance
Sixth level: Death Blade, Mislead

Psionics
Attack 278
Attack Modes: A, B, C, D, E
Defense Modes: a, b, c
Major Disciplines: Telekinesis, Teleport
Minor Disciplines: Invisibility, Levitation, Cell Adjustment

Theme Song: Cirice (naturally)

Again, another good character. I am looking forward to seeing her do more.

Character Creation Challenge: Day 11, Rána

Photo by Vanessa Pozos

Today's witch comes from a night of rolling up characters with my oldest a bit ago. We just sat down to roll up characters, he was doing the new Star Wars and I was making witches. I wanted to roll up a bunch and see if any came out as psionic. No, but we still had a great time. 

Rána was one of those witches. She began as a fairly basic elf witch. But as I tried her out she grew in complexity. She is a Twilight Elf, one of my new elf sub-species. It is a species of elf akin to the Shadow Elves, but live above ground and can tolerate light better. So I sat down to work on her. I set my my Spotify to Pagan Rock and listened to bands like Faun, S.J. Tucker, and of course Loreena McKennitt. Ok she is from Canada, but she counts. When I was done, Rána had become something different.

So who is Rána? She is Twilight Elf, but she is also alone and that is how she likes it. She has her familiar, a gray wolf named Circe. She is not just a Pagan, she is a militant pagan. She considers herself a Follower of Aradia (yes...I know Aradia is about as much Pagan as a Halloween mask, but this is a history blog, it is an RPG blog), and she feels all these new religions are a bad thing. And she is not really all that fond of humans either. So much so they she doesn't even know the Common tongue. She does know what she calls "the language of the forest" that is, sylvan, elven, and goblin as well as Primordial and a touch of Supernal. How did she learn this impossible language? Well, she won't be telling you.

Let's break up what makes her character.

Twilight Elf

Twilight Elves are another sub-species of elves that poped up after the Sundering of the Elves. When the elves split into Light and Dark factions, some elves stayed in the middle. The Free Elves, the Shadow Elves and the Twilight Elves. The twilight elves are the loners among elves, stoic and xenophobic. Their communities are small and hidden and of all the Elves they have the fewest numbers. Like Drow they gain some cantrips for free. Blur, Dancing Lights, and Minor Charm. They also get Infravision 60' and +2 to magic/spell saves. This is magic directed at them. 

Cantrips

I am using my new cantrip rules for her as well. I like these, they work well. I just want to work on some new cantrips.

Rána
11th level Elf (Twilight Elf) Witch, Chaotic Neutral

Secondary Skill: Herbalist

S: 12
I: 15
W: 16
D: 12
C: 14
Ch: 18

Paralysis/Poison: 9
Petrify/Polymorph: 9
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 10
Breath Weapon: 12
Spells: 11

AC: 1 (Bracers AC 1)
HP: 34
THAC0: 16

Weapon
Dagger +2 1d4/1d3
Staff +2 1d6

Familiar: Gray Wolf "Circe"

Spells
Bonus: Blur, Dancing Lights, Minor Charm
Cantrips: Ghost Sound, Mote of Light, Chill, Alarm Ward
First level: Charm Animal, Speak w/ Animals, Spirit Dart, Ghostly Slashing, Chill Touch, Endure Elements
Second level: ESP, Invisibility, Augury, Death Armor, Evil Eye
Third level: Scry, Tongues, Bestow Cure, Fly, Witch Wail
Fourth level: Analyze Magic, Moonlit Way, Tears of the Banshee
Fifth Level: Death Curse, Nightmare
Sixth Level: Moonbow

Theme Song: Running with the Wolves

It dawns on me how much Rána is like San of Princess Mononoke. For this reason I also give her the name of "Ghost of the Forrest." She protects her land from invading humans and orcs, who she sees as being the same thing.

Character Creation Challenge: Day 10, Esmé Valethorn and The Magus

Photo by RDNE Stock project

 Esmé Valethorn is a character I rolled up back in the summer of 2024. So no deep history with her here. I wanted a character that would have a special interest in portals and how the line up along ley lines. She began life as a Blue Rose Adept, moving on to ShadowDark, a little bit in Baldur's Gate 3, and finally Wasted Lands.

Now she is finally where I want her, in AD&D 1st edition. 

Esmé is a magus, which is something of a cross between a magic-user and a witch, but think of them as professors of magic. That really fits how I see Esmé to be honest. She loves to give people her opinions. Trouble is she is right far more times than not. I have described her as outwardly very serious, inwardly very ridiculous. She is very "buttoned down" and dare I say conservative, but inside she loves the absurd. For example she pretends other wise, but Doireann and Amaranth are two of her closest friends; but she would be appalled if anyone knew this.

She is a Magus, but what exactly is that? Short answer a magus is a magic-user that also studies the mysteries of the occult in addition to the arcane. Certainly there is overlap in these topics, which is why the magus is a sub-class of the magic-user. 

This is my attempt to fulfill the promise of the Holmes Basic witch class.

THE MAGUS

The magus is a subclass of the magic-user, distinguished by their study of occult correspondences, ceremonial magic, and metaphysical law. Where the magic-user (wizard) channels arcane force through long years of spellcraft, the magus seeks to understand the hidden structure of magic and reality itself.

Magicians of this kind are often associated with academies, arcane colleges, or invisible orders of esoteric learning. Some belong to ancient schools or urban universities, while others work independently but draw on shared traditions. Regardless of origin, the magus is more urbane than hedge wizards or wild witches, more structured than mere spell-slingers, and more systematic than druids or illusionists.

While not as versatile as the magic-user in destructive sorcery nor as instinctively gifted as the witch, the magus excels in prepared rituals, symbol-work, magical theory, and the reading of strange phenomena. They are highly sought after as scholars, ward-makers, spirit-binders, and astrologers.

Magus spells include both arcane and occult types, but never the most potent wizardly magic. The magus may cast up to 8th-level spells, but never 9th.

Requirements: 

Intelligence 13+, Wisdom 11+

Prime Requisite:

Intelligence

Hit Dice:

d4

Armor Allowed:

None

Weapons Allowed:

Dagger, staff, dart

Spell Use:

Arcane and Occult (limited list, up to 8th level)

Special Abilities:

    Occult Literacy: At 1st level, the magus knows Read Magic automatically and may attempt to decipher occult writings or witch-scrolls (50% base chance, +5% per level) and clerical scrolls (5% base chance, +5% per level). Failures may not retry until gaining a level.

    Esoteric Focus: The magus must use a ritual focus (wand, crystal, blade, or orb). While wielded, it grants +1 on saving throws vs. spells and illusions to the magus.

    Ritual Participation: At the 2nd level, the magus may substitute as a Ritual Participant as either a witch, warlock, or wizard. They can not lead a ritual or be its primary spellcaster.

    Ritual Theory: Beginning at 5th level, the magus may cast one known spell per day as a ritual (casting time: 1 turn), without expending a memorized spell. They must have their grimoire present. Unlike casting a spell from a spell book, this does not destroy the spell in question. They cannot do this with a spell unknown to them.

    Ley Line Sense: At 7th level, the magus may detect ley lines, magical loci, and planar disturbances with 90% accuracy after one turn of study. This allows the magus to sense active portals or rifts, locate nodes for enhanced rituals (conferring an additional -1 to saving throws), and interpret magical residue or psychic impressions. 

    True Name Hypothesis: At 11th level, the magus gains +2 to saves against any named extraplanar being, and those creatures suffer −2 on saves to resist dismissal or banishment.

Magi may create magical items and engage in magical research as magic-users. They may use any magic item permitted to magic-users and witches, except those limited to a specific class (staff of the archmage, broom of the witch queen).

Magi are considered part of the educated elite in many societies, often forming cabals within universities, temples, or ancient halls of occult knowledge. Even the self-taught magus is familiar with the structure and culture of these institutions, and is rarely mistaken for a common sorcerer.

Upon attaining 9th level, a magus may seek or be invited into the service of a noble, monarch, religious figure, or powerful lord. In this role, the magus serves as an advisor, astrologer, ritualist, and arcane consultant, often holding a place of prestige within the court or temple hierarchy.

Duties typically include:

• Casting horoscopes and natal charts to guide decisions of state, marriage, or succession.
• Performing divinations and rituals to protect the realm or improve the fortune of their patron.
• Advising on magical threats, relics, and omens.
• Overseeing or suppressing occult phenomena, magical uprisings, or rogue spellcasters.
• Occasionally, educating heirs or clergy in magical or philosophical matters.

While some magi serve faithfully and benevolently (as did John Dee for Queen Elizabeth), others may grow manipulative, arrogant, or dangerously entangled in prophecy, such as Rasputin with the Romanovs. A magus need not be evil to wield significant influence, though political entanglements carry great reward and greater risk.

A magus in such a role may receive room, board, access to libraries, laboratories, and a modest stipend, or even noble titles and land at the GM’s discretion. Such positions may attract rivals, enemies, or factions fearful of arcane influence.

A 9th-level magus may also found a philosophical lodge, occult college, or private sanctum where students and adepts gather to study ritual magic and Hermetic principles. These may serve as centers of learning, intrigue, or esoteric power. These worthies often take on the title of Grand Magus.

Unlike other wizards, Magi pursue magic as a sacred science. They seek harmony between the celestial and terrestrial, invoking the axiom "As Above, So Below." Their art is not mere spell-casting but the weaving of correspondences: colors, metals, stars, and numbers. Though their rituals are longer and more demanding, they wield powers that align with cosmic order. In ancient courts, kings turned to Magi to chart the stars, bind spirits, and inscribe seals of protection.

Esmé Valethorn

10th level Human Magus, Lawful Neutral

Secondary Skill: Scribe

S: 11
I: 18
W: 12
D: 12
C: 14
Ch: 15

Paralysis/Poison: 13
Petrify/Polymorph: 11
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 9
Breath Weapon: 13
Spells: 10

AC: 8 (no armor, ring of protection +2)
HP: 25
THAC0: 19

Weapon
Dagger 1d4/1d3

Spells
Cantrips: Fire Finger, Hide, Knot, Clean
First level: Read Magic*, Burning Hands, Shocking Grasp, Unseen Servant, Light
Second level: Knock, Wizard Lock, Deep Pockets, Locate Object
Third level: Blink, Dispel Magic, Protection from Evil 10' Radius
Fourth level: Dimension Door, Minor Globe of Invulnerability
Fifth level: Teleport, Avoidance

Theme Song: Seven Wonders

I like Esmé. She is a fun character to play. She acts all serious, but really isn't or doesn't want to be.

I am using my new cantrips rules, but cantrips from the Unearthed Arcana. A magus, as a subclass of the magic-user does not get any bonus spells though like the witch or cleric. Still, she does have quite a few already.