The Blind Mage (Ars Magica Style)

Ars Magicas' rules exclude the possibility of the Blind Mage which bothered me especially since I had such a cool character concept that began with a blind mage (and of course went much further) .

These rules are a method that coordinates well with Ars Magicas rules but still simulates the "Blind Mage" Instead of taking the -5 blind flaw. One of the presumptions is that you are "Born Blind" so that you aren't healable (it is a part of your essential nature).   The player and Game Master chooses a set of other flaws which are the effects of his congenital blindness. I recommend you select at least -5 worth of flaws but more could certainly be reasonable. Some good plausible things include: 

  1. Minor  -1 or Major -3 Magic Deficiency in Imagonem: You do not understand visual imagery that well or maybe even at all (I consider this a necessary component) This can even be used to interfere with proper use of artifacts designed to grant sight.
  2. Poor Reader -3: He is using a magic to absorb information directly from texts using an unspecified intellego effect. If nothing else it makes reading less enjoyable and less natural. (the details of this virtue and its value vary by which edition of Ars Magica you use)
  3. Poor Vision -1: your training doesn't really compensate you fully for your loss of sight you use a complex set of intellego effects that don't quite match that of someone with "normal vision" you are likely color blind and may have particular problems in areas dominated by a Form which you have lower Art ratings in.  A spell which could full replace normal vision is in 3rd edition about a 45 point InIm magic (I am told it has been down graded considerably If you use the later rules I suggest taking Major deficiency in Imagonem )
  4. Perception Affected by Regions: -1 You have perception/targeting penalties in un-friendly regions.
  5. Stingy Master -1: to reflect the extra seasons spent on special instruction to compensate for the disability. 
  6. Sense of Doom -3: your blindness was brought on by the same event which has traumatized you.
  7. Susceptible to Magic: -1 Your sight is magic and can be dispelled/disrupted completely by some fairly common magics.
  8. Blatant gift -1: could be used as a reason for a master spending the extra effort to take you as a student but other possible stories exist.

Classic Blind Seer Virtues

  1. Premonitions (almost a vital one highly recommended can help out even when your magical vision fails you)
  2. Second Sight (deprived of normal vision you see shades and shadows others do not)
  3. Visions
  4. Divination (prophetic dreams)
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