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Alexander Clark
Learned Scribe
106 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Oct 2019 : 19:09:13
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I am wondering about wizard clothing. For example in Dragonlance it's simple - wizards wear white/red/black robes depending on the Alignment/Deity. But other than the War Wizards liking purple and the Red Wizards of Thay wearing red I can't find much about FR and even those rules aren't that hard - Elminster wears red too.
I personally roleplay as a human wizard from Waterdeep and a half-orc wizard from Baldur's Gate but I am not quite sure what exactly they wear. 
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BadLuckBugbear
Seeker
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2019 : 20:30:10
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I seem to recall there was some material about this topic in the 2E FR campaign setting boxed set.
There's also a bit of this stuff in the old Wizards and Rogues of the Realms softback.
That book notes that wizards from Baldur's Gate and other Western Heartlands (I understand the city counts as that region and not the Sword Coast) are always armed. They also like to stuff satchels or hidden pockets with greek fire, potions, magic items, etc.
The illo shows a woman in practical,commonplace garb with a scroll and knife.
Waterdeep's mages are fancier, it seems. Robes, staves, mystic sigils, etc.
Overall, I'd say your wizards should dress in ways that make sense for them based on their places of origin, culture, and personality.
It could be anything from ordinary workman's garb to robes covered in runes and an astrologer's pointy hat.
Do you want to advertise your magical power or keep things subtle?Command fear? Blend in? Look like a scholar or a tomb-robber?
Just make sure you've got a pouch or pocket for spell components.
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Ewan Cummins |
Edited by - BadLuckBugbear on 09 Oct 2019 00:06:16 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2019 : 22:44:37
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Elminster's attire depends often on the artist. He's been depicted a number of times, wearing a number of different things. In the old DC/TSR comics, for example, he was in simple white robes.
Aside from specific organizations, spellslingers wear what they want. You could have the usual young beautiful female mage, inexplicably wearing what looks like an evening gown while battling a dragon (Actual FR book cover!), or an average dude in average attire, the only clue to his profession being a number of pouches and a lack of arms and armor.
Khelben was usually depicted wearing dark robes, and there does seem to be a tendency to put mages in robes, but there's no hard and fast rule outside of specific groups. And even for those groups, it seems to be more "wear this color" than a specific dress code. |
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Wrigley
Senior Scribe
Czech Republic
605 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2019 : 00:18:20
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I have found a large amount of wizard societies around Moonsea calling themselves Cloaks (not only ones in Mulmaster). It seems to me that Netheries mages might have had some likness of cloaks as mage's outfit. I have never found out why or where is this coming from.
I also like the idea of robes as portrayed in Baldurs Gate games. It is scholarly and could be made into magical protection garment. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2019 : 03:18:16
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2E PHBR4: Complete Wizard's Handbook, Tome of Magic, and Players' Option: Spells & Magic all described some wizard attire. I believe FRA: Forgotten Realms Adventures described wizard preferences (clothing, colours, styles, behaviours) for each specialist school of wizardry. And of course we all know Red Wizards from their signature Red Robes... unless they're skulking around incognito for whatever reason. The glowy-dweomer-blue and silverfire colours associated with Mystra are probably the most common and generic choices. And black is often preferred by dark necro types. (Because D&D is invariably filled with predictable stereotypes. )
But, unless they belong to an organization known for distinct garb - or a society which requires wizards identify their profession - wizards in the Realms can pretty much whatever clothing they like.
Robes are common. And cloaks are common. Mantles have inspired a whole category of spells. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 09 Oct 2019 03:36:17 |
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Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1600 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2019 : 12:38:25
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| I think mages usually wear robes, togas or similar clothing to allow the freedom of movement necessary for their spellcasting. As for colors or patterns, as some have already mentioned it would depend on belonging to an order, cultural tendencies (and sometimes the mage will go AGAINST the cultural norm) or personal preference. |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
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Wrigley
Senior Scribe
Czech Republic
605 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2019 : 23:08:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
I think mages usually wear robes, togas or similar clothing to allow the freedom of movement necessary for their spellcasting. As for colors or patterns, as some have already mentioned it would depend on belonging to an order, cultural tendencies (and sometimes the mage will go AGAINST the cultural norm) or personal preference.
As opposed to tunic or shirt? Togas and robes are one of the most restrictive outfits you can have. Most armors are even more restrictive but fitted breastplate should not hinder spellcasting in the slightest. For me robes, cloaks, ... are status symbols to announce somebody as a user of Arcane arts... |
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Wizard clothing.
