Dragon Age Central

What do we know about mages so far?

Mages use mana to power their spells. The strength of their spells is determined by ‘spellpower’, a stat derived from the character’s ‘Intelligence’ attribute. Increased strength of a spell will result in greater effectiveness (eg. more damage, longer lasting etc.). ‘Buff’ spells, however, are not affected by ‘spellpower’.

The other side of spell effectiveness is the enemy’s resistance to spells. Rather than complete negation as per D&D, resistance results in the effect being diminished, modified or replaced by another effect.

There are mage advanced classes, but these are not D&D style ‘school’ based. One of the advanced classes is geared toward healing/ curing.

Is a tank/fighter mage possible? Mages can wield the same weapons as any other class, though they can’t learn weapon talents. However, some of their spells may offset this disadvantage. They can wear armour, though casting spells then consumes more mana than normal. Mages can use staffs which provide additional benefits no other weapon does, but they’re not useful in a sword fight.

Update 18/11/08:
Each spell cast will use some of a mage’s mana. In addition, some spell effects will continue to drain mana while they are in use. Mana regenerates slowly over time and maximum mana grows with each level the mage gains. Mages choose from new spells as they gain levels. There are a wide range of spells to choose from, allowing players to specialize their mage.

abelas -- (ah-BELL-aws) elven for "sorrow", also used as an apology.

Andaran atish’an: -- (an-DARE-an AH-tish-awn) a formal elvish greeting. (literally, "enter this place in peace.")

Andruil -- (‘awn-drool) elven goddess of the hunt, creator of the Vir Tanadahl, the "Way of Three Trees", the code by which all Dalish warriors live.

Arlathan: -- (ahr-LATH-ahn) The original homeland of the elves, from the phrase "ar lath’an" meaning "I love the place" or, more appropriately, "this place I love".

Falon’Din -- (fahl-awn-‘deen) "Friend of the Dead", the elven God of Death and Fortune. It is he that guides the dead across the Beyond to their final rest.

Shemlen: -- (shem-LEN) literally "quick children", the original name of the elves for the human race. It continues to see use as a slang term even though its meaning has largely been lost.

Lethallin -- (leth-ah-LEEN) "friend of mine", casual reference used for someone with whom one is familar (elven).

Durgen’len -- (dur-gen-LEN) "children of the stone", the original elven term for the dwarves.

Vallaslin -- (vahl-ess-LEEN) "blood writing", the art of tatooing adopted by some elves to more prominently (and some might say belligerently) display their worship of the traditional elven pantheon.

Fen’Harel -- (fenn-hare-ELL) also known as "the Dread Wolf", the trickster god of the old elven pantheon, supposedly responsible for deceiving the other gods into abandoning their people. Roamer of the Beyond, bringer of nightmares.

duster -- a derogatory term used by dwarves to refer to the casteless. "Brand" is also common, referring to the facial brand that casteless must legally wear.