From: silber@sunb4.cs.uiuc.edu


A new class: the Nordic MU


This is a class suggestion for a specific priest/MU class. It is based
upon some of the things I've read about Vikings. Presenting, the
nordic runecaster...

This is a sub-class of mage. Thaco, HP etc are as per normal,
optionally, allow use of non-metal armor and any one-handed weapon.
All spells include an additional component "rune". The runes may be
used in one of several ways. Any spell the mage has memorized may be
cast by either inscribing or drawing the rune in air (acompanied by
saying the name of the rune). This takes three extra segments and
results in a +2 to the targets saving throw. Optionally, the runes may
be prepared ahead of time. If you use any material components for the
spell, they are expended at this time.

The rune itself is inscribed on whatever you choose to inscribe it on.
(For example, to prepare the "fireball" rune, you use the dungball up,
and can inscribe the rune on a rock.) When you cast a spell from a
rune, you need only utter the name of the rune (takes normal casting
time). The rune need not be in your possession, it need only be within
range of the spell. Saving throws are still at a +2, unless the rune
has been voluntarily accepted by, or placed in contact with, the
target. In this case, the save is at a -4. You can be tricky about
this. For instance, you could write a charm person rune on the floor,
and cast it on someone who is standing upon it. You can also give a
box with lightning bolt written on it to someone, and cast a bolt at
them from up to the maximum distance of the spell.

Nordic mages have a varient of read magic, "read runes" which functions
exactly like read magic, but applying only to runes. Scrolls are not
written on parchment, but are instead runes containing spell power
written on bark (usually, could be anything.) They function exactly
like scrolls, but should be fairly rare. The most common way of
learning scrolls is from others. Another way is to enter a trance. A
nordic mage can enter a trance only on the solstices and equinoxes
(thus four times a year) by sacrificing, fasting, and praying. He then
chooses which spell he wants to learn, and rolls a d20 against his INT.
If he rolls less than or equal to his int less the spell's level, he
learns a spell of that level. He then rolls against his wisdom (less
the spell's level). If he succeeds in his second roll, he learns the
spell he wanted, if not, he learns a spell his god wanted him to
learn.

