Geezer
by Nystul

Class: Sorcerer
Tag: OLD

Introduction

The Geezer is an aging sorcerer veteran who is not too sure he likes modern conveniences. When a Geezer hears of the troubles brewing in Tristram, he might first consider training some young sorcerers for battle. After seeing the young mage recruits in heavy armor using the magic of the modern day, however, the Geezer decides that he must teach the old ways by example. "If you want sumthin' done right, do it yourself," becomes the call to arms for all the old sorcerers who had nothing to rely on except their wits, some trusty friends, and a lot of old-fashioned firepower.

Mind Yer Elders

"Hey there youngster... When I was your age we didn't have all these cars and buses and such. We had to walk to school, 15 miles uphill both ways (no teleport or phasing, TP scroll needed to pay the "train fair" after long journeys). Yeah, you fellers don't know how easy you got it now. Back in my day the enemies were fearsome (no stone curse) and we didn't have any of these newfangled explosive weapons neither! (No fireball, elemental, apoc!) Soldiers were tough back in the day too, we didn't need no tank armor or newfangled forcefields we had to use our wits to survive. (No mana shield, light armor and caps/skull caps only!) And you kids have all your modern conveniences... I tell ya sonny when I was your age we barely knew what electricity was. (No lightning, chain lightning, nova!). If we wanted light we lit a fire and that was no small task either in the pouring rain or blizzards.

And another thing, back in the good old days men dressed like men and ladies dressed like ladies. Men had short hair and the only jewelry you'd be caught dead in would be your weddin' ring. (OK if someone want to wear one plain gold or steel ring go for it but nothing else.) Clothing was simple and tasteful back then (only the following blessings :). If we wanted animal skin we went and killed the beasts with our bare hands (fox, wolf....) Now I'll grant you, Auntie Mae used to be pretty darn good with that thread so our clothes'd last a long time, but they didn't have any bells and whistles no siree (craftsmanship, structure, ages...) Now these days I'm an old man. I need to be following doctors orders if I want to stay alive (health, vitality, zest, vim, vigor.) The doc he's a good man, a hard worker...but he really nags me about watchin my health (+2 vitality every level until maxed). He says I can't go anywhere without my cane too, but I gotta admit them things do a darn good job (staff must be equipped, all staves allowed). Ya know, I'm feeling pretty good today, and I can get around well enough with this cane. I oughtta go out there and show you young whipper-snappers how it's done!" -The Geezer

Rules

By doctor's orders, +2 VIT is the minimum for every level up until the Geezer is back into battle condition (maxed vitality).

Aside from the vitality distribution, the Geezer has no progressive training regimen. He has already learned all that he must know in the old wars. Naturally, it will take some time in the heat of battle for the Geezer to regain his old form and remember all of his abilities. Should the Geezer regain enough strength to defeat the greatest of all evils, he will surely be decorated. There is no greater honor known to man than to be decorated thrice.

Items

General Gear
Being both old-fashioned and rather reliant upon his cane, the Geezer may use no weapon other than a staff. Any staff is allowed. He refuses to wear any jewelry (except perhaps a plain band if he is married). He cannot use a shield. He scoffs at relying upon armor for defense and will not wear anything heavier than studded leather and skull cap. No prefixes are allowed on armor or cap, and only the following suffixes: fox, wolf, health, vitality, zest, vim, vigor, life, craftsmanship, structure, ages.

Spell Staff Note
Prohibited spells may not be cast from any staff but the staff may be equipped for its other benefits.

Uniques
Thinking cap, Torn Flesh of Souls, Wisdom's Wrap, and all unique staves are permitted.

Spells

The following spells are "modern sciences" and may not be used in any way: lightning, chain lightning, nova, fireball, elemental, apoc, stone curse, mana shield, phasing, and teleport. The Geezer must use town portal from scrolls only as he does not believe in free rides. Telekinesis may only be used to knock back monsters. Since the Geezer scoffs at mana shield, Magical shrines should be avoided.

Creation Notes

OK now for the long drawn out explanation. The sorcerer has been accused for a long time now of being the overpowering class in Diablo. Traditionally, the extreme damage of fireball takes the blame. Some who are less inclined towards dueling blame chain lightning for making leveling so easy. However, IMO, Mana Shield is to blame for the balance problems for simply giving sorcerers more HP than warriors. Then there is stone curse, which makes the game too easy for everyone. So, I decided to make a sorcerer subclass that wouldn't be able to use any of the spells Nystul would normally use. From there I came up with the Geezer and all of the other rules come mainly from the role itself. If any or all here feel that this variant is made too difficult feel free to play the role of the geezer without the set restrictions.

The allowable uniques were picked to fit the role... if I have missed any mention them please. In addition, I think that the Grandfather and Aquinara's Hatchet would be coveted family treasures re-found... but of course they could not be used unless there were some special quests.