A Wizard’s Honor

A mage calls forth and harnesses the powers of the elements, which brings great power, but with power can also come corruption.  That is why it is important to have honor within yourself, your abilities, and how it can affect you and those around you.

          As I sit and scribe this, there has been many a change that has come about our profession and soon to be even more.  Though our profession may go through some drastic changes there will always be underlying disciplines we should always follow, as well some we should never.  These disciplines are what you should know and carry with you, be if you are just learning to control the power you are learning, or have mastered that all we can.

          A mage’s power to protect others and enhance their abilities is probably his greatest assets to his fellow adventures.  This can be achieved through his casting of masses, to indivual spells.  Though that is obvious, we can also enchant for others, imbed spells of usefulness that they may otherwise not be able to use, be able to replenish their special items to be used again, and other ways to make their life easier and more enhanced.

          Now, though this is obvious… there are some ideas you should retain to not abuse this and cause unneeded disputes.  You may be asking how this could happen, and I shall explain.  Many about us do not wish for magical incantations to be placed on them.  This is their belief, or ideals.  Though we may think it’s suicidal or absurd – to them it is not.  This is why you must always ask before just deciding on your own that they need your assistance.   This includes defensive spells, hasting someone, to even increasing the lore knowledge for opening boxes.   Never assume someone wants something for free, be courteous and ask first.   Also, a practice that began to creep around I’ve noticed is the selling of spells.  There is no honor in selling that which you replenish at no loss to you.  Mana is available from friends and nature alike, there is no need to profit off someone’s wishing to be able to defend themselves against deadly foes.  In no way am I saying acceptance of tips is wrong, just the deed of actively selling your spells for a profit.

          That leads me to the enchanting and recharging of valuable items.  These here are very valuable and dangerous skills we posses.  Though we can aid others by performing such work, there does come the risk of failure, with that failure the loss of a treasured item to the owner.  With honor comes humility, and in this regard you must be humble first in regards to your abilities.  Never experiment with someone else’s valued items.  Know your abilities, know your limits, and only proceed with what you know you can do.  Though you may have knowledge of a spell, does not mean you have the ability to wield it correctly.  Spend the time and effort to experiment and get to know your limits, it will be well worth it not only to those you wish to perform service for, but it will also be well valued in your own knowledge.

          In regards to when hunting, we must understand our enemy not only for ourselves but for those we hunt with.  A wizard may be able to sit and cast at a critter and blow it away, but the warrior with us may not be able to touch it because we used poor tactics.  To be honorable in the field, we must consider what’s before us.  Neutralize any threats not only to us but our fellow companions.  This can include removing of clouds, stunning them, knocking them down, letting them swing and leaving themselves vulnerable to attack by those who live by their sword.  This means knowing and understanding your spells inside and out.  How do they cause damage, how do they affect the creature, what is immune to which spell.  Is the area you are in a good place for such a spell or does casting said spell put many in needless peril? 

          Understanding of our spells and how they work will lead to good battle tactics, be it if you are hunting alone or with a group.  Different tactics for different situations and areas. You do not go casting meteor swarm in highly populated areas, that should be a given, but seems not always remembered.  Another example though is something like call wind, if you are hunting with a spiritual caster and they rely on their barrier made of air to stay alive.  Then you need to realize that call wind is a bad tactic to use to hunt with them since it will knock it down immediately.  Hunting with others and how best to help them takes practice, and it is never a bad idea to discuss what tactics they think will help them.  When done with planning and smart tactics any party can succeed without a grievous ending.  In addition, those sword wielders just may value your presence too… then again they are pretty thick headed and feel they never need anyone’s assistance.

          Now after all that, what honor comes down to being a wizard is quite simple?  Learn your spells; understand them and how they work.  Be cautious of your power to yourself and others – the idea is to be helpful and not a hindrance.  Lastly, always ask your companions, before you assume, how you can be helpful to them.

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