PDA

View Full Version : [4e] Orb Mage Visualization



archmage45
2008-10-03, 11:02 AM
I've been putzing around with character creation, working on a wizard, and I'm trying to picture how a wizard would use an orb in combat. More specifically, how would he hold it? I suppose it depends on how big the orb is, relative to the wizards hand size.

If the orb is tennis ball size, then sure. But if its closer to the cantaloupe size, how would you hold that?

Also is there any reason you couldn't have the orb attached to a rod for ease of carrying?

Kurald Galain
2008-10-03, 11:11 AM
I suppose it would be a tennis ball. Then again, to my knowledge the "orb wizard" has no actual basis in fiction, so I wonder where that particular idea came from (unlike the staff wizard, which is a classic, and the wand wizard, which seems inspired by Harry Potter :smalltongue: )

And no, I see no reason why an orb couldn't be attached to a rod, or indeed worn around your neck.

TwystidMynd
2008-10-03, 11:14 AM
I've always thought it'd be kind of nifty to have an Orb Wizard whose glass eye counted as his Orb implement. He could swap it out whenever he found a Orb, and it might be disconcerting to some people to watch that.

Plus, if it were animated to behave like a normal eye, except that it would glow blue or something, that'd be kinda cool too.

jcsw
2008-10-03, 11:27 AM
It could always be crystal-ball sized, which is pretty huge.


Found some images of orb wizards... Google Image search ftw.
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/compmage_gallery/100512.jpg

http://www.hobbyjapan.co.jp/dd/miniatures/dodr/44.jpg

Project_Mayhem
2008-10-03, 11:38 AM
Oooh yeah, I'd use the hovering version

Larrin
2008-10-03, 12:35 PM
I like the idea of attaching it to a chain, so you can hold it in your hand, or by the chain. plus its always handy, hanging from your belt or something.

Awesomologist
2008-10-03, 12:46 PM
I imagine it could still have a small base or rod. At higher levels of play I imagine a levitating orb would be no issue.

Theodoric
2008-10-03, 01:04 PM
Ever played Diablo II: Lord of Destruction? That's how I visualize them.

SadisticFishing
2008-10-03, 01:25 PM
My group spent like half an hour trying to convince me the Orb has always been an implement for wizards. When asked for an example, they stuttered something along the lines of "... crystal ball.. Diablo 2". I claim the Diablo 2 ones are more like Staves, or Rods, but anyways.

Crystal Balls, Diablo 2. Those are the only examples I can think of, but my wizard juggles his a lot (and catches it with Mage Hand every time he fumbles).

That eye idea is amazingly awesome (I wrote a worse word than amazingly then realized that's probably not allowed).

Triaxx
2008-10-03, 01:33 PM
I prefer the vision of the orb hanging before the wizard and being used to focus his power. For a direct effect the magic blasts out at the opponents, for area of effect you put it over your head and the magic radiates out from it.

erikun
2008-10-03, 01:46 PM
Mind you, the "classical" orb for a wizard is used for scrying, not flinging spells around. Still, you can find images of wizards/spellcasters carrying around orbs in their hand since before 4e.


http://www.spellbinderwebdesign.com/wizard-with%20orb%20in%20forest.jpg
http://www.phoenixorion.com/phoenixorion/images2/thumbs/tn_kw-49061.jpg

Kurald Galain
2008-10-03, 01:49 PM
Mind you, the "classical" orb for a wizard is used for scrying, not flinging spells around. Still, you can find images of wizards/spellcasters carrying around orbs in their hand since before 4e.

I have no doubt that WOTC didn't invent the orb or anything, I'm just curious if somebody can name any fantasy book or mythological story that has orb-wielding wizards in it.

By which I mean actual, physical orbs; not a gathering of mystical energy in your hands that happens to take a spherical shape (ka-me-ha-...)

Baron Corm
2008-10-03, 02:18 PM
Ever played Diablo II: Lord of Destruction? That's how I visualize them.

Same. It's possible Blizzard (err WotC) may have taken the idea from, or been most directly inspired by, Diablo II. For those who don't know, they look like this (http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/items/normal/orbs.shtml).

Mando Knight
2008-10-03, 02:18 PM
I imagine the Orbs being between baseball and softball size--small enough to fit comfortably in your hand, large enough that you can't hold much else in it.

I see no rule or reason why you can't say your orb is mounted on top of something, so I'd say that you can mount your orb on top of a short rod or a staff if you so prefer... or even levitating by the force of your arcane will...

I see an Orb Mage levitating the orb between his hands, palms facing the orb, focusing his power into the implement, which then either radiates the power outwards like an arcane lightbulb or fires it as a single, precise sphere of magic--a Hadoken or Magic Missile, if you so wish.

Jerthanis
2008-10-03, 02:19 PM
I have no doubt that WOTC didn't invent the orb or anything, I'm just curious if somebody can name any fantasy book or mythological story that has orb-wielding wizards in it.

The first thing I thought about when I heard that one of the implements in 4th edition was going to be an Orb was Princess Eilonwy from the Prydain Chronicles. She's a young sorceress who owns a "Bauble" that is a crystal ball that fits in the palm of her hand and sheds light. She casts maybe five spells ever and gives up her magical powers at one point, but she's a classical wizarding archetype who uses an Orb in magic.

erikun
2008-10-03, 02:23 PM
Also, the Elfstones of Shannara gave me a similar impression to D&D-orbs: an object that you hold in your hand, and that you can cast magic out of (or through).

LibraryOgre
2008-10-03, 03:15 PM
I picture them about the size of the orbs in the Bayeux Tapestry (upon which the Holy Hand Grenade was based).

Starsinger
2008-10-03, 03:39 PM
I can't find an adequate picture, but I propose Sailor Moon's use of the Silver Crystal as a visualization of Orbizardry. As well as Doctor Strange's Eye of Agamotto. And further more this girl (http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n90/Starsinger17/noah12.gif) from Phantasy Star II.

ashmanonar
2008-10-03, 03:58 PM
I prefer the vision of the orb hanging before the wizard and being used to focus his power. For a direct effect the magic blasts out at the opponents, for area of effect you put it over your head and the magic radiates out from it.

See, I have no problem with seeing a wizard stand sedately, holding an orb in his hands, using it to focus magic. Only battlemages get close to the front line (but battlemages are crazy anyways. It's like letting the guy with all the grenades and explosives, holding a flamethrower, stand in the front line.)

(To me, the staff more readily suggests itself as a battlemage weapon. The prime example for me is either Harry Dresden (from the Dresden files) or Gandalf. Dresden uses his staff as both a mundane weapon (a 7 foot quarter-inch club in the hands of somebody who knows how to use it; ouch) and as a focus for magic. Gandalf does much the same, but holds it in only one hand (probably more the model for the 4e wizard.))

Now, I usually envision an orb-using magician as being a scryer or diviner. They're sitting calmly, looking into a crystal ball.

Drascin
2008-10-03, 04:04 PM
I have no doubt that WOTC didn't invent the orb or anything, I'm just curious if somebody can name any fantasy book or mythological story that has orb-wielding wizards in it.

By which I mean actual, physical orbs; not a gathering of mystical energy in your hands that happens to take a spherical shape (ka-me-ha-...)

Not a fantasy book but a game, but Warhammer Fantasy mages seem rather fond of orbs as well, if what I've seen from my friend's Elf codex is to be believed.

andreww
2008-10-03, 04:54 PM
I suppose it would be a tennis ball. Then again, to my knowledge the "orb wizard" has no actual basis in fiction, so I wonder where that particular idea came from (unlike the staff wizard, which is a classic, and the wand wizard, which seems inspired by Harry Potter :smalltongue: )

And no, I see no reason why an orb couldn't be attached to a rod, or indeed worn around your neck.
Two spring to mind immediately.

Raistlin using the Orbs of Dragonkind
The Orb of Aldur in the Belgariad/Mallorian by Eddings.

You didnt ask for good fiction...

Mando Knight
2008-10-03, 05:00 PM
Two spring to mind immediately.

Raistlin using the Orbs of Dragonkind
The Orb of Aldur in the Belgariad/Mallorian by Eddings.

You didnt ask for good fiction...

Kyros (http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/comic.php?current=1948&theme=2&dir=last), judging from his mini...

Zocelot
2008-10-03, 07:54 PM
I've always thought it'd be kind of nifty to have an Orb Wizard whose glass eye counted as his Orb implement. He could swap it out whenever he found a Orb, and it might be disconcerting to some people to watch that.

Plus, if it were animated to behave like a normal eye, except that it would glow blue or something, that'd be kinda cool too.

I've thought about putting a dragon in my game that has an orb for an eye, and when it gets killed, the party yanks it out (they don't have to cut out their eyes, eye of vecna style, to be able to use it, though)

Charity
2008-10-03, 08:00 PM
http://www.spellbinderwebdesign.com/wizard-with%20orb%20in%20forest.jpg

?

or
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/jellybean9265828/Fantasy%20Art/vvj-Fire-Orb.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/compmage_gallery/100512.jpg

NephandiMan
2008-10-03, 10:35 PM
I picture them about the size of the orbs in the Bayeux Tapestry (upon which the Holy Hand Grenade was based).

If I can't do the false eye thing with my next Orbizard, I am SO getting an implement modeled on the Holy Hand Grenade.

As a DM, I would allow Orbizard players to use Mage Hand to continual levitate their orbs no more than, say, a foot away from their bodies, with the proviso that they couldn't use that power for anything else while doing so.

Dhavaer
2008-10-04, 12:38 AM
*snip images*

I prefer:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e100/Dhavaer/Elemental.jpg

Draco Dracul
2008-10-04, 01:00 AM
I would figure that they would keep moving the orb via contact juggling.

Trixie
2008-10-04, 03:51 AM
Here's one blaster mage using orbs:

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n8/NiNa_KiMi/fate%20stay%20night/vqls562kod290lh103.jpg

Although she used it like that in combat only, usually she just held the orb in one hand with the other placed above it.

illathid
2008-10-04, 04:04 AM
The most important orb wizard of all time:

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa19/mommiecat_3cubes/celebrities/actors/crystalball-2.jpg

Dhavaer
2008-10-04, 04:09 AM
The most important orb wizard of all time:

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa19/mommiecat_3cubes/celebrities/actors/crystalball-2.jpg

The divine ranks might have more to do with that than the orb, though.

KIDS
2008-10-04, 04:13 AM
"Now witness the firepower of this fully operational and armed battle station!" You hold the orb in your hand and use it like a miniature Death Star as you cast your devastating Daily spell. "Fire at will, Commander!

Kurald Galain
2008-10-04, 05:15 AM
"Now witness the firepower of this fully operational and armed battle station!" You hold the orb in your hand and use it like a miniature Death Star as you cast your devastating Daily spell. "Fire at will, Commander!

Er, which one is Will?

NephandiMan
2008-10-04, 05:20 AM
Will is the one who says, "IT'S A TRAP!"

Dhavaer
2008-10-04, 07:00 AM
Er, which one is Will?

The one based on Wisdom or Charisma.

Moonshadow
2008-10-04, 07:02 AM
And just think, when they run out of spells, they can bonk someone over the head with it. I'm pretty sure a cyrstal orb thats bigger than your hands would be hefty enough to do that :smallbiggrin:

Dhavaer
2008-10-04, 07:06 AM
And just think, when they run out of spells, they can bonk someone over the head with it. I'm pretty sure a cyrstal orb thats bigger than your hands would be hefty enough to do that :smallbiggrin:

It might be a bit fragile, though. Especially if they're wearing a helmet. Best to rely on a staff for that kind of thing.

Swordguy
2008-10-04, 07:29 AM
It might be a bit fragile, though. Especially if they're wearing a helmet. Best to rely on a staff for that kind of thing.

I actually look at orbs as items akin to a palantir - Grima Wormtonge lobbed one at Saruman that missed, and dented the Orthanc from the impact. The same Orthanc that had just withstood the pounding of dozens of Ents and their thrown boulders. The same Orthanc that had stood for 3 thousand years without a scratch on it.

In Literature, magic orbs tend to be insanely fragile, or insanely tough, without a lot of middle ground. I prefer the second option, as a rule. YMMV

LibraryOgre
2008-10-04, 09:38 AM
http://bp1.blogger.com/_hPt2rf51WHk/R7bg2446tuI/AAAAAAAAMpI/m0nPbcG6Uwk/s1600-h/Weltliche_Schatzkammer_Wien_(199).jpg

Close to what I picture for an orb... though not, necessarily, bearing a cross.

Charity
2008-10-04, 10:40 AM
^ I just see a lil red x Mark.

http://cornedbeefhash.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/sceptre_orb_crown.jpg
The one on the left for those in a similar prediciment.


I prefer:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e100/Dhavaer/Elemental.jpg

Ah the magic of sideboob, it is strong in this one.

TempusCCK
2008-10-04, 12:34 PM
Well, most mystical orbs are really just there to eccentuate the grumble from the bowels of your lungs. (http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail141.html)

BardicDuelist
2008-10-04, 12:41 PM
I have no doubt that WOTC didn't invent the orb or anything, I'm just curious if somebody can name any fantasy book or mythological story that has orb-wielding wizards in it.

By which I mean actual, physical orbs; not a gathering of mystical energy in your hands that happens to take a spherical shape (ka-me-ha-...)

Eilonwy from they Pyridian Chronicles.