Web Comic: The Clandestinauts

When I play a magic user in any RPG, the character usually turns out to be a conniving and somewhat insane individual even if this was initially never my intent. "Ganglion the Grim" from web-comic The Clandestinauts, perfectly exemplifies this archetype. Perhaps Ganglion is mad from power, or perhaps his madness manifests through his warlock's pact. All I know is that Ganglion's pettiness and dishonesty would be amusing assets to any adventuring party (well, assets when they aren't a danger at least).

But Ganglion's true power lies not in his eldritch knowledge. Ganglion's subtleties, his trickeries, prove to be just as potent as his raw magical potential. Playing a magic user in DnD is all about opportunism. With often a very limited albeit potent magical arsenal, spell casters must know when to step up, and when to step back. The magic user in a furious demon-banishing mien is a stark divergence from the magic user cowering in a dark place while his armored comrades cut down evildoers. In a good session of DnD, both of these aspects will manifest in a given magic user.

DnD has never been about being Gandalf for me, but about the impractical journey of attaining such an impossible state. Ganglion already seems too far gone to madness to ever attain a Gandalf or even Saruman state. But The Clandestinauts is still a work in progress, so one never knows. Ganglion and other magic users tend to be very complex characters. Operating the energies of magic catapults the user from the mundane whether they want to be or not. But with such a status, said characters are often torn between magical aspirations and the profane goals of their adventuring party.

But the warrior needs a magicians spells as much as the magician needs the warriors shield. Thus it is possible to be that conniving and vile warlock in DnD, so long as you provide your party sufficient support. But this is not an easy task, magic users should be careful how they behave in front of their comrades, lest these same comrades allow the magician to end up on tips of spear or sword. Menace is the only cloak a magic user must wear. It is a tool best directed at foes, but it must be directed at friends too. A magic user who offers counsel to a nervous party has succeeded indeed. The magic user must convince his party that he knows best what lies ahead, and that he alone must guide them. Ganglion has certainly not achieved this -- but here's to hoping he does.