Statting up an academic wizard NPC

[PhoenixPhyre]

So my players managed to strong-arm the quest-giver into accompanying them into a deep dark (probably demon-infested) place. I had characterized this guy as an academic (ivory-tower) type--all theory no practice. I hadn't actually written up a formal stat block, as I wasn't planning on having him get his hands dirty, but now I really have to.

I'm planning to make him 5th level (so 3rd level spells). I don't want him to overshadow the party, which consists of (all 5th level):

A GOO-lock (Tome, but does not have the ritual casting invocation),
A land-circle druid,
An arcane trickster rogue,
and an open-hand monk.

What spells/school would thematically fit a graduate-student history specialist? He's expressed that he's not much for combat, so he's definitely not a blaster.

Any thoughts as to what would make a helpful (but not too helpful) wizard caster? I certainly don't want a DMPC or to take over the story.

[JackPhoenix]

Mage (and school variants from Volo) is too powerful, Apprentice Wizard from Volo's is too weak. Priest would be up in the right bracket, just change cleric spells for wizard ones. Cult Sorcerer (http://www.5esrd.com/gamemastering/monsters-foes/npc/cult-sorcerer/) from the SRD doesn't have 3's, but it won't overshadow anything. Giving him level 3 spell or two won't break anything.

[tabrumj]

I would suggest making him a Diviner as that is one of the most useful skill sets for an Academic Wizard. In particular their Foretelling ability can be used to help the party shine, as opposed to making them stand out.

Regarding spells I have a few suggestion. First of all if this wizard is a pure academic, don't give them any combat cantrips. A wizard might have things like Mending, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation and Light Prepared. Those are much more useful on a day to day basis then combat cantrips. And it will also remove their round to round blasting capabilities.

Their spell books should also mostly spells with an academic tint to it with maybe a few defensive spells in their. My recommendation for a base spell book is as follows.

1st : Alarm, Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic, Find Familiar, Identify, Mage Armor, Sleep, Unseen Servant
2nd: Arcane Lock ,Detect Thoughts, Hold Person, Locate Object
3rd: Remove Curse (or Dispel Magic), Tongues

Note that the Majority of these spells are noncombat, and even the combat ones are primarily non lethal. You could add in a few more combat spells if their background insists on having some greater defensive abilities.