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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 02:15:40
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Poll Question:
...uses magic?
The scope is the entire genre of fantasy, not just FR. And I mean the ‘common’ practitioners of magic only, not their lowly counterpart like hedge wizard, nor the more powerful one like Archmage/Archwizard/High Wizard, and not priests, either---though theurge is acceptable.
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Every beginning has an end. |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:08:23
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| Wizard...it just feels fantasy. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:11:56
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Yes. Though I would have voted for Magician, if not for the fact that it's been often used to refer to RW tricksters/illusionists; and I can hardly shake off the association from my mind. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:15:40
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Mage
but arcanist, witch, spell hurler, sorcerer, sorceress and witch work. |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction
Magister's GAmbit
http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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Icelander
Master of Realmslore
1864 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:18:15
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| I like there being multiple words to refer to methods of use and different traditions. Anyone who casts spells is a 'spellcaster' and anyone who uses magic is a 'magic-user' and 'magician', but more tradition-specific terms are desirable, as it is the details that help make a world come alive. |
Za uspiekh nashevo beznadiozhnovo diela!
Forgotten Realms fans, please sign a petition to re-release the FR Interactive Atlas
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:26:36
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Methods of use hardly matter, I suppose. It all boils down to the author's preference. Take Tanya Huff's Wizard of the Grove duology for example. If you'd stick to FR mechanics, her wizard should be called a druid instead.
quote:
Originally posted by sfdragon
Mage
Things are partly a matter of getting used to. Years ago, I thought of 'mage' as too uninspiring a term to attach to a practitioner of magic (the class which I've always been biased on). Lately, I got used to it. Specially that it's used alternately with wizard/sorcerer. |
Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 26 Apr 2012 03:33:03 |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:29:16
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True, but (knowing Tanya) I'd LOVE to see you try to tell her that. 
Better have an escape route mapped out ahead of time.
BB |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:32:05
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Nope. Other than she and I are not close, I don't particularly like the term druid myself. (Isn't it obvious? It's not even on the list!) |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:34:55
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Your likes or dislikes don't matter in what I was speaking of, Dennis. I was speaking of how she'd take it.
You'd be lucky to escape alive.
BB |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:43:58
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| Wizard mostly, but it depends on the feel of the story, background, etc |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:49:40
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quote:
Originally posted by scererar
Wizard mostly, but it depends on the feel of the story, background, etc
I think this is a good point. For instance, in stories where females are on the spotlight, it's more appropriate to refer to them as sorceresses or witches, than the gender-neutral wizard/mage. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:49:46
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| I tend to use "mage" when describing arcane caseters, at least in a more serious context. More casually, I call them spellslingers. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:52:35
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'Spellslinger' sounds too rudimentary...As if all spells are supposed to be 'slung.' |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 03:56:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
'Spellslinger' sounds too rudimentary...As if all spells are supposed to be 'slung.'
But it represents the common image held of power hungry wizards in the Forgotten Realms to me.
A "Spellslinger" is someone who works magic quite often in the pursuit of what they desire to me...and at times the term is an insult in my Forgotten Realms games where a commoner may call a Zhent or Red Wizard a Spellslinger instead of wizard; because they think of wizards as a helpful lot and don't want to give credit to the evil sobs they dislike. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 04:09:55
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scererar's point applies here. Remember, not all wizards are power-hungry. So if you'd use a general term for users of magic, 'spellslingers' or 'spellhurlers' is hardly...appropriate, IMO. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 04:14:09
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Adept, Initiate, Disciple, and Magus are fine terms. Nethermancer is also cool.
I long preferred Sorcerer and Warlock - until D&D applied bad definitions to them. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 04:29:07
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| Finger wiggler or dress wearer. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 04:33:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
Adept, Initiate, Disciple, and Magus are fine terms. Nethermancer is also cool.
I long preferred Sorcerer and Warlock - until D&D applied bad definitions to them.
Nethermancer sounds like necromancer, and warlocks are often villains, or anti-heroes. Though, I agree, they're cool names. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 04:53:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
'Spellslinger' sounds too rudimentary...As if all spells are supposed to be 'slung.'
In my case, at least, it's not meant as a serious term -- like me referring to Szass Tam as Szassy, for example. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 04:57:36
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| Well, of the list I went with magic user, after all Priests do cast magic as well. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 05:10:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
Well, of the list I went with magic user, after all Priests do cast magic as well.
I intentionally did not include priests. I'm only referring to users of magic coming from various sources other than gods. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Light
Learned Scribe
Australia
231 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 06:05:32
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| Wizard just reminds me of an old man with a pointy hat and a wand. So I voted for mage. |
"A true warrior needs no sword" - Thors (Vinland Saga) |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 06:15:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I tend to use "mage" when describing arcane caseters, at least in a more serious context. More casually, I call them spellslingers.
I usually adopt individual naming practice that reflect either the individual campaign or the setting, in particular.
Generically, I'll work with mage. But, more specifically, I'll often interchange between arcanist, magister, maeger [a setting-specific {non-Realms} term], and wizard. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 06:16:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
'Spellslinger' sounds too rudimentary...As if all spells are supposed to be 'slung.'
In my case, at least, it's not meant as a serious term -- like me referring to Szass Tam as Szassy, for example.
I tend to use Spellslinger as a slang and/or derogatory term for those care little for the ways of mages. It's meant to reflect their "careless disregard" for slinging and hurling magic spells in the vicinity of innocent bystanders. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 07:50:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Blueblade
Your likes or dislikes don't matter in what I was speaking of, Dennis. I was speaking of how she'd take it.
You'd be lucky to escape alive.
BB
If you knew what I do for a living, you'd likely say she'd be lucky to escape alive. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 09:14:13
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
'Spellslinger' sounds too rudimentary...As if all spells are supposed to be 'slung.'
In my case, at least, it's not meant as a serious term -- like me referring to Szass Tam as Szassy, for example.
I tend to use Spellslinger as a slang and/or derogatory term for those care little for the ways of mages. It's meant to reflect their "careless disregard" for slinging and hurling magic spells in the vicinity of innocent bystanders.
That is what I was trying to say...but my thoughts are cluttered currently.
Well, usually my thoughts are always cluttered...but more so than normal currently! |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Imp
Learned Scribe
231 Posts |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 14:38:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Nope. Other than she and I are not close, I don't particularly like the term druid myself. (Isn't it obvious? It's not even on the list!)
Terry Brooks' Druids were always more wizardly/sagely to me, even though they to technically look after the land. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 14:41:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Imp
Weakling.
So by this "reasoning" all warriors are morons. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 15:22:02
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Arcanomancer.
quote:
Originally posted by Imp
Weakling.
NICE |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Varl
Learned Scribe
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 16:50:03
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| Mage. Mostly Audible Glamers and Explosions. |
I'm on a permanent vacation to the soul. -Tash Sultana |
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Topic |
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What term do you prefer for someone who...?
