Glyphs, Seals, Signs, Sigils and Other Symbols

[MesiDoomstalker]

So I got in my head the idea of a symbol based caster. I use the word "symbol" mainly for a lack of a better term so let me explain. The basic idea is that the caster draws arcane signs and symbols in the air to cast spells. He favors spells that create such symbols like Symbol line of spells. Equally, he avoids spells without somatic components like the plague, only scribing and preparing them out of sheer practicality, and always accompanying them with midair symbols even though they don't use them.

Now, I know this is mainly a fluff thing and I can easily fluff any spell with somatic components as drawing symbols in the air, like Riddle does at the end of the Chamber of Secrets. But having crunch that matches the fluff is just awesome so I've come to the Playground to probe your collective knowledge for ideas and spell selections that make good on the somatic heavy fluff.

At current, I'm looking at:

Dwarf Transmuter 3/Master Specialist 2/Geometer 5/Runesmith 5/Master Specialist 5

Other than Pre-Reqs, feats are completly open, except no Still Sepll for obvious reasons. Geometer is the only one I'm not going to part with as its perfect for the fluff plus gives me (Greater) Glyph of Warding. Are there any other PrC's that will fit the fluff well? Any good spells with Somatic components with a heavy theme of symbols?

[Psyren]

Runesmith, though its functionality overlaps a bit with Geometer. Check the adaptation if you don't want to be a dwarf.

Anima Mage for the Bindy-ness.

[Cespenar]

Spells off the top of my head:

Explosive Runes, Magic Circle Against X, Sepia Snake Sigil; perhaps some of the Illusion spells like the Pattern line, Illusory Script. Arcane Mark, obviously. Some static spells like Teleportation Circle, maybe.

Also, you may research your own spells and come up easily with a rune-themed version of the Power Word line, if your DM would allow it. Just change the Verbal only casting to Somatic only, and that's it.

[Psyren]

Also, you may research your own spells and come up easily with a rune-themed version of the Power Word line, if your DM would allow it. Just change the Verbal only casting to Somatic only, and that's it.

There are rune-themed versions of the Power Word line: the Symbol spells :smalltongue:

[Piggy Knowles]

Definitely giving a +1 for Runesmith. All of your spells become actual runes, which you can even make permanent or share with your allies. Consistently one of my favorite prestige classes.

[MesiDoomstalker]

Runesmith, though its functionality overlaps a bit with Geometer. Check the adaptation if you don't want to be a dwarf.

Anima Mage for the Bindy-ness.


Definitely giving a +1 for Runesmith. All of your spells become actual runes, which you can even make permanent or share with your allies. Consistently one of my favorite prestige classes.

So Runesmith sounds nifty. Any good Dwarf variants out there? I'm probably going to have to take a level in a full BAB class to snag Heavy Armor Profeciency unless I burn 3 feats on the dang thing. It seems like Runesmith is some kind of gish-y PrC but with 10 5 levels of Geometer and 5 levels of Runesmith means I don't have room for other gish PrCs. Am I wasting Runesmith's potential by playing as a primary caster instead of a gish?

On Symbol vs. Somatic-only Power Words: Symbols are generally a level lower than their Word counterparts but also suffer from impracticality in-combat. Mainly, a 10 minute casting time. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm going to be picking up the Symbol line. But making a Power Glyph: X is an interesting option and not overpowering. Its far easier to screw over somatic components than verbal components anyways.

EDIT: I'm stupid for not actually looking up Geometer and working off memory. Its only 5 levels long. So I could throw in Abjurant Champion late game but I'd be a pretty sorry gish.

[Piggy Knowles]

Cleric also gives Heavy Armor Proficiency :smallwink:

If you really feel like gishing out but don't have the BAB for it, take Arcane Disciple (War) and use the permanent rune ability of the runesmith to turn Divine Power into an SLA usable 2/day. But if you ask me, BAB is overrated!

EDIT: Also, Dragonslayer from Draconomicon. A one level dip advances casting but also gives you martial weapons and Heavy Armor proficiency. You need two lame feats, but one of those two can be picked up via Otyugh Hole.

[MesiDoomstalker]

Cleric also gives Heavy Armor Proficiency :smallwink:

If you really feel like gishing out but don't have the BAB for it, take Arcane Disciple (War) and use the permanent rune ability of the runesmith to turn Divine Power into an SLA usable 2/day. But if you ask me, BAB is overrated!

True. But I think gishing is kinda forced on this character and not something he'd do. Wear Heavy Armor while drawing complex symbols in the air or on little stones, sure. But not wading into melee.

[Piggy Knowles]

True. But I think gishing is kinda forced on this character and not something he'd do. Wear Heavy Armor while drawing complex symbols in the air or on little stones, sure. But not wading into melee.

Makes sense to me, and that's how I would play it if I were you. That's why I suggested using cleric instead of a more martial class to pick up your Heavy Armor proficiency. Sure, crusader or fighter wouldn't hurt, but a cleric fits the theme better and gives you domains, turning, and access to divine spell-trigger items.

Again, don't feel like you need to be a gish just because something requires heavy armor. You can just be a nice dwarven runesmith who covers his plate-mail in runic stones as he smacks people down with Power Glyphs.

[MesiDoomstalker]

Makes sense to me, and that's how I would play it if I were you. That's why I suggested using cleric instead of a more martial class to pick up your Heavy Armor proficiency. Sure, crusader or fighter wouldn't hurt, but a cleric fits the theme better and gives you domains, turning, and access to divine spell-trigger items.

Again, don't feel like you need to be a gish just because something requires heavy armor. You can just be a nice dwarven runesmith who covers his plate-mail in runic stones as he smacks people down with Power Glyphs.

I like that notion. Grew up as an apprentice to his smith father, got recruited by the local Mage's Guild, became a Transmuter to better work stone and metal to help his father. I really like Transmutation as a school. Of course I can't ban Enchantment because the Symbol and Word lines are mostly Enchantment. Does anybody have a complete list of Symbol/Word spells? I know more were added in splats.

On Cleric Dipping: What would be the best Domains? I can't take Cloistered Cleric since it drops Heavy Armor Profeciency. The only Domain I can think of that would be useful would be Magic to give me access to all Sor/Wiz spell via scrolls/wands/staves but beyond that I'm lost.

[Psyren]

On Cleric Dipping: What would be the best Domains? I can't take Cloistered Cleric since it drops Heavy Armor Profeciency. The only Domain I can think of that would be useful would be Magic to give me access to all Sor/Wiz spell via scrolls/wands/staves but beyond that I'm lost.

You can't go wrong with Time or Planning. If you want to get thematic, go Rune (and take an ACF that trades away the scribe scroll you'd normally get.)


Clarifying the above in case: you would take a wizard ACF to trade away your scribe scroll feat, and get that same feat back from Rune, thus letting you still qualify for Geometer.

[MesiDoomstalker]

You can't go wrong with Time or Planning. If you want to get thematic, go Rune (and take an ACF that trades away the scribe scroll you'd normally get.)


Clarifying the above in case: you would take a wizard ACF to trade away your scribe scroll feat, and get that same feat back from Rune, thus letting you still qualify for Geometer.

Rune would be nice thematically but makes Geometer somewhat redundant as it gives me acess to Glyph of Warding, even if only through scrolls. On the plus side, Lesser Planar Binding! Which means nothing since I can cast it as Wizard at the same level. :smalltongue:

Time seems like the best. Free Improved Iniative. Plus Contigency Scrolls, and Freedom of Movement Wands. Pure win.

[Zaq]

If you can get your GM to fudge the racial requirement on Runesmith, illumians are perfect for this. Not only do they have the whole sigil thing going on, they also explicitly interact differently with symbol-based spells. Like, mechanically.

Technically, I guess Stoneblessed could get an illumian into Runesmith, but that's a lot of missed caster levels. Too many, really.

[MesiDoomstalker]

If you can get your GM to fudge the racial requirement on Runesmith, illumians are perfect for this. Not only do they have the whole sigil thing going on, they also explicitly interact differently with symbol-based spells. Like, mechanically.

Technically, I guess Stoneblessed could get an illumian into Runesmith, but that's a lot of missed caster levels. Too many, really.

I...I love you! :smallbiggrin: I forgot about Illumians! They are so perfect for this character! In the adaption section for Runesmith, it suggests harder entry reqs for a non-dwarf entry. What would the playground suggest be added to increase entry reqs? Cast 4th level Arcane spells?