The Showman

Character Description: No one enjoys being a wizard more than the Showman. He delights in dazzling friends and foes alike with surprising, dramatic magical effects. Nothing stirs the heart of a Showman more than learning a new magical effect or putting a new twist on an old spell. He sees magic as a fine art, comparable to sculpting, composing, and painting. He has more appreciation for a well-executed cantrip than for a mundanely-cast 9th-level spell.

The Showman casts spells with a flair. He considers both opponents and allies as potential audiences. If a spell requires a short phrase for its verbal component, he'll incorporate the phrase in a song or poem. If a spell requires him to point at a subject, he will use a series of elaborate and dramatic gestures to arrive at pointing his finger. His alteration spells are strikingly imaginative; his illusions are breathtaking works of art. Nothing frustrates a Showman more than having to use a spell in the same way twice, especially if his audience of friends or foes has seen it previously.

The Showman's flamboyance is easily matched by his ego. He wallows in the approval of others; applause is like music to him, a compliment is like food to a starving man. However, even the most casual criticism can send him sulking and an insult can devastate him.

Most often, the Showman is cheerful and upbeat. Most people find him great fun to be around, and no one can argue that his approach to magic is genuinely entertaining. This is a good character type for players who want to introduce more humor and playfulness into a campaign.

Best Suited For: The spontaneity typical of the chaotic alignments makes them good choices for the Showman, but good and evil alignments are appropriate (the good-aligned Showman loves to share his skills with others and bring smiles to their faces; the evil-aligned Showman enjoys frightening and intimidating them). The Showman is not likely to be drawn to the cautious and self-centered neutral alignments.

The Showman is best suited for the Amazon, Peasant Wizard, Witch, and Wu Jen kits. The Academician tends to be too cerebral, the Anagakok and the Militant Wizard too serious, the Savage Wizard too unsophisticated, the Mystic too introspective, and the Patrician too stuffy.

In Combat Situations: The Showman relishes combat, since it gives him a perfect opportunity to show off his spells. Needless to say, the Showman will always go for the most spectacular, dramatic, and dazzling effects-- if he wants to scare away an opponent with phantasmal force, why create a simple ogre or troll when he can create a multi-headed werewolf with purple tentacles and 10-inch golden fangs? Unfortunately, his flair for the dramatic sometimes finds him squandering his higher-levels spells unnecessarily, such as in using lightning bolt when the less-spectacular magic missile would be just as effective.

In Role-Playing Situations: Since the Showman views all new acquaintances as potential audiences, he enjoys meeting people from all walks of life. The Showman is especially fond of members of the opposite sex, and will often go to great lengths to impress and dazzle them, sometimes at the expense of the business at hand. Most NPCs see the Showman as endearing and charming, but some find his attention-getting antics obnoxious.

Among his companions, the Showman is appreciated for his pleasant attitude and positive outlook. He is always able to boost morale with a clever trick or entertaining demonstration. At times, PC leaders might have a problem impressing the Showman with the seriousness of a situation or getting him to focus on an important task, but flattery or indulgence usually get the Showman's cooperation

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