Re: Wild Mages and Spelljamming helms

On Fri, 4 Jul 1997, Paul Westermeyer wrote:

> I think I would use the level varients of wild mages for helming a ship,
> precisely because it is their _casting_ level which varies.  According to
> the Concordance of Arcane Space (p18) Rangers and paladins don't recieve
> the ability to helm a vessel until they attain the levels needed to cast
> spells.

That argument doesn't convince me, however, because also in the
Concordance of Arcane Space (no book here with me, so no page reference)
it states that the Spellcasters (not spells) energy is drained into the
helm.  If a Ranger or a Paladin isn't high enough level to cast a spell,
well then he obviously can't be considered a Spellcaster until he can!
Your argument that it is their CASTING level which varies is quite true
when applied to each individual mage/priest or Ranger or Paladin or BARD
for that matter.  Yes each individual has a different casting level.  But
it is their true level of spellcasting ability which is used to power the
ship.  That is why I agree with your next statement, that Paladins and
Rangers use their Spell ability level rather than their true level.
However, the Wildmages level never really varies, but because he draws on
"Wild" magic, the power that comes through the conduit can vary
considerably WHEN HE/SHE IS CASTING A SPELL (see previous arguments for
why the Mage is not casting a spell).  His spell level, however is
drained (the helm takes all of his first level spells, all of his second
level spells, etc on up the line).  These spells are never cast, so they
can't produce wild surges either.

>  Now,  according to the PHB a 9th level Paladin doesn't cast spells
> as if he were at 9th level,  but rather as if he were at 1st.  I've also
> ruled similarly for rangers and paladins helming spelljammers.  That being
> the case the wild mage's casting level variable should effect his SJ level
> just like it does a spell.  I'd have it checked just once,  when he/she
> takes the helm,  and if a wildsurge results,  so be it.  That would make
> wildmages pretty unpopular as hired helmsman:)

Yes it would!  I will say that your argument for checking once is a lot
more convincing than a previous argument that suggested we check every
single time in a combat situation when anything about the movement of the
ship is changed (speed, hard turns, ramming, etc).  But still not
convincing enough when applied to the entire spectrum of rules for me.

> Your campaign may vary of course,  but that's the how and why for me:)


Ditto.

> Here's a question,  what about multi or dual classed characters?  If both
> classes are spell casting (say a 1/2 elf mage/priest)  which level is used?
> Do you add them together? Add a fraction of one to the other?  Are all
> spells drained or just those for the class used to SJ?
>
> It's a bit harsh,  but I rule only the highest level is used for
> Spelljamming but that all spells for both classes are lost.  How do you
> folks do it?

I agree with you and do it the same way.  Multi-class characters have
enough advantages, and giving them their highest level has always seemed
fair to me.  I certainly wouldn't add the levels together or some other
obscene thing like that.  But I think the Helms are "power hungry" and
would drain any magical energy (priestly or wizardly) they could find.

--Grimwulf