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Hail, fellow Amians!

I've been talking with someone IG about the idea of a Wizard's fair coming to Amia (I believe there's precedent to it in FR).

What would this entail?

Well, Wizards are a weird bunch. They'r collectors, they'r usually rich, very very smart, and their tastes are different to everyone else's. What this means is that they'd be:

~ Trading magical items, spell components, historical items, useful mundane items, machines, scrolls, exotic animals and creatures, exotic foods etc etc.

~ Holding contests for spellcasters (and others!) that involve using one's mind to outsmart the other contestants.

~ Trading tales, and knowledge. Whether through the history of the items they are putting up for display or simply by telling tales or parting with information for other information.

~ Trading new and/or old magics to be learned, bought, earned etc.

This is a small taste of what actually occurs in such fairs, and it can be modified in such a way as to accomodate all stratas and styles of fighting and skill.

So, why am I bringing this up here?

Because I want to hear opinions as to whether this kind of fair would be attractive to the playerbase, and whether the DM team, or a particular DM, perhaps, would be interested in hosting such an event.

I also bring this up to ask for input on the contests themselves, because, due to the mechanics of NWN, outsmarting people isnt as easy as it would be. So, if anyone can come up with any ideas as to how to design such contests for each group or class of people, please post them here!

The fact that it's an NPC-run event means that those who are also excelent in haggling/trading/diplomacy could also have a chance of using those skills to aquire items that they want, and also means that the items PCs could offer as a trade wouldnt neccesarily have to be of mechanically great value, but would instead have some unique description or history.

Anyway, it's just a 'brainstorm session' kind of idea. Post opinions and constructive comments/ criticism here!

((SIDENOTE: This is (possibly) also another, smaller, scrape-a-particle-off-the-problem partial solution for the economy imbalance, because I believe that, depending on the items offered/given as prizes, players who could not otherwise get 'epic' items could earn powerful items by being good hagglers/ smart in the contests, -and- that all those epic people with the bazzilions of gold and epic items could trade them off for items of lesser use mechanically but decent use RPly or such.

Example: some exotic animal from <insert place here> to be sold in auction for gold. Useless mechanically, but nice to have RPly.

This is just a sidenote, so please don't focus on it or lynch me for brigning it up.

))

An Expo would be great.

I say if you're going to do this, do it in Nes'ek. As sort of a spirits raiser... it would at very least be certain to garner some RP!

Khaunwalksthisearth wrote:

I say if you're going to do this, do it in Nes'ek. As sort of a spirits raiser... it would at very least be certain to garner some RP!

You speak as if Nes'ek needs more RP. >.>

Anyway, it should be called.
Magic and Arcane Gratuity Expo!

Here some the lore on Mage Fairs from Magic of Faerun

Magic of Faerun wrote:

While individual towns or cities with significant wizard populations may host small-scale gatherings on a regular basis, these affairs hardly compare to an event that draws primarily wizards, but also sorcerers and sometimes bards, from across Faerun. This mage fair, which has given its name to the smaller fairs, occurs annually at a location determined by a council of senior wizards, reputedly with the participation of the Magister (Chosen of Azuth).

Only those who can prove their ability to cast arcane spells are admitted to a mage fair, though each wizard or sorcerer is allowed one nonspellcasting guest. Upon drawing near to the site where the mage fair is taking place, a would-be attendee is challenged by a sentinel who is well armed with magic items. The wizard must cast an arcane spell - any spell will do, though most wizards try to make an impression with flashy evocations or elaborate illusions - before gaining admittance to the fair. Sentinels watch the spellcasting process carefully and use Spellcraft to identify the spell cast.

Once admitted, a wizard enters the mage fair itself - a sight that many young wizards and inexperienced guests find awe-inspiring, terrifying, or simply overwhelming. Wizards in Faerun can be an eccentric lot, and a mage fair gives them implicit permission to display the full range of their eccentricities without judgement or condemnation from more mundane folk. When Storm Silverhand visited a mage fair with Elminster on one occasion, she witnessed a wizard wearing nothing but a feathered snake and another one clad in dancing flames, one robed in living fungus and one garbed in a gown made of gems. One had green hair, one had a serpent's tongue, and one had eyes at the ends of tentacles that emerged from beneath a robe's heavy cowl.

Wizards at a mage fair crowd together, exchanging stories, spell secrets, components, magic items, and information. They conduct business, forge partnerships, share (or sell) the results of their research, exchange specialized training, show off their power, fight mageduels, take on apprentices, and play pranks on each other. It is not difficult to understand why the Magister might promote such an event, since - when things run smoothly, at least - magic is shared and expanded when so many wizards gather in one place.

Typical things one may find at a mage fair

Ware Booths - area designated for the trade of magical or uncommon goods

Mageduel Arena - friendly or lethal contests between two mages

Fireball Throwing - Some wizards disdain the formalized and somewhat subdued mageduel, prefering to settle disputes with the sport of fireball throwing. Mages take turns blasting a target with fireballs to see who generates the most length and heat (damage) into their spell. Many wizards dismiss fireball throwing as a "sport for children" but it remains popular, particularly among young and hotheaded casters.

Amphitheater - stage for lectures, presentations, and entertainment.

Mage Fairs are pretty significant events in Faerun's magical community. They'll most likely be held in highly pacified areas while being well protected with sentinels.

*Edit* Another type of fun event that popped into my head...Magical Musical Chairs. Pretty much it is musical chairs which get progressively smaller until one person wins. Instead of removing chairs, mages blast the chair underneath a person so they fall flat on their arse (a fun spirited joke).

Nes'ek is the main RP hub of the server right now... so of course if you want people to actually go to this, I'd use it personally. Otherwise it's probably going to be three people talking about magic.

One could assume, considering Seth'rinyon is a General in the current war in Nes'ek, that this would take place after that plot is done.

Causality-wise that would strike me as a bit odd, even for a class as eccentric as wizards.

The conclusion of what is a month or so long event, in which everyone is exhausted at best and defeated and worst... perfect time to have a faire of wits and arcane trade and display..?

Anyway, I'll think up some games!

Hmm, isnt the wixards the "wisest" of mages... As it is said using your spells for nothing or show offs are just idiotic and should not be used in a way like that. Mages shouldnt really show off their spells as their gods dont like it either, Mystra I think not sure of this.. And what comes to holding this at Nesek.. why? There is war going on and there propaply is a lot of better things to do than hold a contests. Plus to think that in RP the spells can fail and result in explotions and other things it would rather fatal for people watching as there is any kind of barrier, or ward.., to hold the spells in certain area. Plus the undead could attack in the meanwhile.

My thoughts, dont mean to insult any way or be offensive.

*gasp* an arcane duel tournament!
that would be great.

oh and Magiros, find ONE mage that doesnt show off in some way every now and then.
really, showing off is just a mage tradition. its odd for such intelligent beings, but well...

A Wizard's fair sounds great to me.

I would happily join in with that. As for it being hosted in Nes'ek, I don't think so. There's a lot going on there already.. I think other Towns/Places need some publicity, since Nes'ek's being the focus for a lot of things right now.

If there's any plans about this going into play, I'll keep an eye out for it.

Sure, but in Cordor

Reasons:

1) Nes'ek would be tactically idiotic. 'Look at the shiney goods here! Dont look at the death rolling in upon you!'

2) Its accessible to everyone, even the lvl 2 'Fresh of the Boat' Mages.

3) If this is truly a fair for all mages, begrudgingly, that includes all necromancers. In Nes'ek, a necro with a summon will get knocked out by a guard for it.

DustSpray101 wrote:

3) If this is truly a fair for all mages, begrudgingly, that includes all necromancers. In Nes'ek, a necro with a summon will get knocked out by a guard for it.

Same will happen in Cordor.

There's always the Tower of Mystra, might as well stir up some activity there.

I want a transmutation contest! Who can make the most interesting crime against nature!

Quote:

oh and Magiros, find ONE mage that doesnt show off in some way every now and then.
really, showing off is just a mage tradition. its odd for such intelligent beings, but well...

Well my mage doesnt show off, she casts the spells when really needed, example: If she is going traveling she casts GS to get trough the damn ogres ((MirMir bridge)) And when in Nesek she is under constant GS because of the fact that someone or something could come and try to kill her, this elven woman doesnt take chances when the defenders are mostly anything else than elfs. And if I want to show off with her I do it in Rp style, because it usually gives me the reaction that I want well in this case, she wants

((And in RP style I mean there is no magic included, just some seducing of men))

Plus I do know some other mages that dont showw off their spells constantly. But I rather not give their names here because their players might not like it.

And yes most safest place for hold mage contests is in Mystras Towers, there you at least dont get instantly killed by kelemvrorites ((or however you spell that.. )) when you summon undead

i didnt mean your characters. That would have been stupid.

AND i said ´show off in some way.´ so any kind of showing off counts.
But well, that means that everybody is showing off in some part, so including the word ´wizard´ is not needed. hmm...

Okay, contest idea:

In general, I like the idea of finding solutions to a given problem as a context; both the most simple and effective, and then the most unorthodox and creative.

• A problem will be listed, either hypothetical or historical.
• Contestants might have handicaps, such as being restricted to only certain Schools or disallowed to use certain spells, and have two come up with viable solutions - both the simple and the elaborate.
• Further conditions such as a avoiding a particular byproduct, having a beneficial aftermath, or things like that could apply as well.

To Corendran: I didnt assume you ment mine

I just said it and she is sorc so it goes with her, showing off in rp. But I Believe you ment those wiz/sorcs that go around having every possible buffs on and appear to be walking light balls.

What comes to LetumLux's idea:

Quote:

• A problem will be listed, either hypothetical or historical.
• Contestants might have handicaps, such as being restricted to only certain Schools or disallowed to use certain spells, and have two come up with viable solutions - both the simple and the elaborate.
• Further conditions such as a avoiding a particular byproduct, having a beneficial aftermath, or things like that could apply as well.

Mmm. Might work but I cant wait two abjurors fighting :p

"The two mages seem to be preparing themselfs for the contest! This might get nasty! Now they are done! What are they doing.. they.. they are attacking each others with their staffs!! Take cover people!" *Qoes under the desk*

Mind you with that idea it's presented as a problem solving contest rather than a mage-duel.

I think mage-dueling will occur regardless, with varying rules depending on who, what, and so forth. It's just going to be a natural part of something like that. Such mage-duels might be hand in hand with teaching/exchanging magic and methods, or just to see who's the more skilled magus in a combat situation. There's quite a bit of complexity you can get with mage-dueling depending on the rules as well, so I'm rather looking forward to that.

To gush for a moment, I had an excellent time developing a method for teaching another magus via mage-dueling, and to do this we first had to devise and then practice said method. Both the development and then the application when the method was actualised was awesome, and I think something like that (creating and then using new magedueling methods, either for training or for live combat) would lend itself really well to a faire.

Nice ideas, would like to see this.

sounds interesting

I love the idea.

Any idea already where and when this will be held?

The Cordor Fair thingy Grounds would be suited for a thing like this.
And during the weekend might be best for most of the employed/working/schoolgoing population.

This. Would. Be. Awesome. :twisted:

Yeps, I said it. I look forward to this if it is ever set up. I'd say fairgrounds is a fair spot, or perhaps somewhere even more neutral, like around Kampo's.

And about mages showing off, well, unless your char is like an uber-conservative, devout magic user, it really shouldn't be an issue. Azuth is all for the sharing of arcane knowledge I believe, and even Velsharoon is an advocate of the sharing of information. Mystra might not be that adamant about using magic needlessly, but such an event would actually get more knowledge of the Weave out there, possibly leading to the better understanding and use of it. Mystra doesn't want to keep people from using magic so much as she wants to keep people from using it wastefully or in a super-destructive manner.

Just to add, as a NPC run event, this will totally help our *ahem, quotation fingers* "economy problem". Sure, they will be a lot of inter-pc trading, as always at market events, but if you get some npc mage merchants there with -origninal- items that maybe will only be found at that event, the millionaires will roll out there faster than armadillo on crack. NPC autions for original, though maybe not uber-weapon/equipment stuff will also help. I suggest dms making some original widget items like golems kits, visual effects, and unique placebles/pocket companions for people to buy/trade/bid on.

And maybe after that, somewhere down the road. . . a Warrior's Expo. :twisted:

Gladitorial matches, soldiers exchanging tips on the best method for hacking an enemy, monks having tournaments between dojos (Go, Cobra Kai!), it practically writes itself. Maybe the Tempusians could run it...hmmmm.

Aye!

Alright, so, here's a contest idea:

Permissible Spells: Magic Missile, Lesser Spell Mantle, Invisibility, darkness, Ultravission, see invisibility, Spell Breach.

So, you have 2 'evasion' spells, and one warding spell, and to each there's a 'counter'. (Invisibility - see invisibility, Darkness - Ultravision, Lesser Spell Mantle - Spell Breach)

The goal of the game is to hit the opponent with magic missile say, 10 times (Hitting a mage who has the spell mantle on obviously doesnt count)

So, you have to be quick on your feet, and smart on which spell to use when.

Drow mage wins.

Love Wakaman's suggestion; just have to be sure to disallow quicken spell and potentially offer Cons buffs to low hp mages

.

It would be quite interesting ... especially since it means that you don't have to be epic to compete.

That's the one I was all gushy about, by the way, and was a lot of fun to develop and use.

Psst, Nivo... Bumped it for your perusal.

Woot! Thankee.

Excellent idea!

I got a game: Animal Derby. Rules are simple. Each mage summons a lvl 1 animal. Each summons can have three spells cast on it. Set all other summons to hostile. Last animal standing lands its owner a prize.

Geld Yaztran wrote:

Excellent idea!

I got a game: Animal Derby. Rules are simple. Each mage summons a lvl 1 animal. Each summons can have three spells cast on it. Set all other summons to hostile. Last animal standing lands its owner a prize.

Interesting idea!

And, one may see a mage fair coming to a local Monolith in the near future.

This sounds like a great idea. Now,if I could get my wizzy out of the archives......

I still support seeing this.

Masseurs out there, practice your Ego massage, you'll make a killing!

Geld Yaztran wrote:

Excellent idea!

I got a game: Animal Derby. Rules are simple. Each mage summons a lvl 1 animal. Each summons can have three spells cast on it. Set all other summons to hostile. Last animal standing lands its owner a prize.

Certain nature-inclined people would be so mad...

xD

Koragi Mydnite wrote:

Geld Yaztran wrote:

Excellent idea!

I got a game: Animal Derby. Rules are simple. Each mage summons a lvl 1 animal. Each summons can have three spells cast on it. Set all other summons to hostile. Last animal standing lands its owner a prize.

Certain nature-inclined people would be so mad...

xD

A portion of proceeds going to help replant the forest?

<.< >.>

I definitely advocate such an expo. However, I must stress the need to host it in a NEUTRAL location. Not sure where such a location would be, but it needs to be welcome to all alignments and crazy personalities to be a success.

^^

If IC'ly it's being held by a Good faction, though, it'll probably be geared toward Good people. :wink:

I'm sure baddies can find a way to sneak in and/or have one for necromancers. <.<

Koragi Mydnite wrote:

If IC'ly it's being held by a Good faction, though, it'll probably be geared toward Good people. :wink:

I'm sure baddies can find a way to sneak in and/or have one for necromancers. <.<

Well I was entertaining the idea of having a tournament of summons.

A.K.A.

All magic users get together and let their summons battle in a tournament for some type of grand prize (with obvious rules and regulations due to balance issues). This would be more of a neutral event or possibly even evil. Would be cool to hold it in Tarkuul if evil magic-users were barred from the aforementioned event. And I don't even wanna think about the chaos it would wreak on the DM's having to moderate two different events at once or even within a short amount of time from each other.

Just haven't been able to talk to Frey IG about it yet.

Koragi Mydnite wrote:

Geld Yaztran wrote:

Excellent idea!

I got a game: Animal Derby. Rules are simple. Each mage summons a lvl 1 animal. Each summons can have three spells cast on it. Set all other summons to hostile. Last animal standing lands its owner a prize.

Certain nature-inclined people would be so mad...

xD

Even better? Flaming Treant Boxing. Two treant lit on fire duke it out!

But seriously, I can think of some fun mage games. In addition to the ol' "Who can throw the biggest fireball" game.

Destruction Golf: Who can destroy the statue with the fewest number of Magic Missles?

Spellcraft Racketball: Two mages hit a magical "ball" of sorts back and forth by rolling spellcraft until one beats the other by more than ~10 points. That mage gets hit in da face. >.> (A DM script for this game would be cool)

Team Bigby Blowout: Two teams of mages wearing different colors. Play takes place in an obstacle course or encolosed arena with a few visual obstructions. First team to encapacitate all of the opposing team's members with the spell Bigby's Forceful, Grasping, or Clentching Hand win! (Those are the only spells that count for points, you get nothing for simply killing/KOing an opposing team member... except fewer people your team has to incapacitate maybe :twisted:

).

Dark Immolation wrote:

Koragi Mydnite wrote:

Geld Yaztran wrote:

Excellent idea!

I got a game: Animal Derby. Rules are simple. Each mage summons a lvl 1 animal. Each summons can have three spells cast on it. Set all other summons to hostile. Last animal standing lands its owner a prize.

Certain nature-inclined people would be so mad...

xD

Even better? Flaming Treant Boxing. Two treant lit on fire duke it out!

But seriously, I can think of some fun mage games. In addition to the ol' "Who can throw the biggest fireball" game.

Destruction Golf: Who can destroy the statue with the fewest number of Magic Missles?

Spellcraft Racketball: Two mages hit a magical "ball" of sorts back and forth by rolling spellcraft until one beats the other by more than ~10 points. That mage gets hit in da face. >.> (A DM script for this game would be cool)

Team Bigby Blowout: Two teams of mages wearing different colors. Play takes place in an obstacle course or encolosed arena with a few visual obstructions. First team to encapacitate all of the opposing team's members, either with the spells Bigby's Forceful, Grasping, or Clentching Hand win! (Those are the only spells that count for points, you get nothing for simply killing/KOing an opposing team member).

Very neat ideas!

*Is a fan of Spellcraft Racketball!*

As I said before, look for the poster announcing it at your local Monolith soon!

Suggestion: In light of the Job System, this would also be a grand time for a trade fair. Final and I were discussing holding a trade fair focused on the Job System but some discouraging results IC and had some discussions OOC that hinted that people wouldn't be interested enough for it to work at the time. But, with it attached to a larger theme such as a Magefair, a magic trade might go over really well.

Alchemists could meet and speak with herbalists, inventors could reveal their latest working theories, engineers could show us feats of science, arcanists could find their suppliers for reagents and so on. It could be a great opportunity for characters to job-network, vend their supplies or services and generally share some interaction and have a good time.

Yes. The idea of a general trade fair met with lackluster results. Focusing on a demographic of traders and end users, such as the type that would be associated with spellcasters, would be far more successful, I think.

This also gives people an opportunity to parade around and engage in challenges of skill and mind. Tests of knowledge and spellcraft should also be considered.

A general "Fair of Wonders" seems promosing.

Arcanists, Alchemists, potion-brewers, Inventors, Engineers, Contraption Masters, Archmagi, the whole shebang.

That way we can involve a lot more PC's and RP. Haughty human mages sharing theories and bartering with industrious(though insane) tinkering gnomes, it'd just be a good thing.

Again, my thought is that it could server as a gold-sink as well. Make some custom-scripted, unique items that archmagi sell. Have traders ICly sell 2 or 3 of those etremely exotic animals ICly for great amounts of gold and have DMs reskin PC's familiar or a summon when they do. Buying an animal to be a familiar seems like a good enough RP story, so no breach there. Have gnomes from far away Lantan sell golems made of silver, gold and platinum like the ones in HotU as Bottled Companions.

My point is there are a lot of "unique" things that epic PC's, especially mages, will buy that don't have to be robes or items with uber-stats. Just "special" things will do sometimes too.

Dark Immolation wrote:

Koragi Mydnite wrote:

Geld Yaztran wrote:

Excellent idea!

I got a game: Animal Derby. Rules are simple. Each mage summons a lvl 1 animal. Each summons can have three spells cast on it. Set all other summons to hostile. Last animal standing lands its owner a prize.

Certain nature-inclined people would be so mad...

xD

Even better? Flaming Treant Boxing. Two treant lit on fire duke it out!

Sometimes, you see a sentence, and you realize, "I love this person". This did it for me.

I am so feeling this . All cantomancers are comming oh the songs and stories. It would be soo awsome to see a bard match or even out spellcraft a wiz/sorc sickening. That poor person would never hear the end of it.

Wizard's Fair

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