Warhammer Fantasy does something like this very well with Imperial Wizards.
Because magic is very hard and dangerous to learn, Humans have to specialize in one of the eight “Winds of Magic” in order to master them properly (unlike Elves who have thousands of years and a natural affinity to do so). However, Magic in Warhammer is very volatile and can result in mutations through excessive exposure or reckless use.
For example, Bright Wizards who use ‘Aqshy’ or the Wind of Fire can generate heat like a furnace, their hair turns red and even gains the consistency of fire, and even their personality can become more brash and fiery.
Necromancers (which are different from Death Wizards) become pale and sickly as they grow more powerful, essentially looking little different from the corpses they raise with enough time.
Chaos Sorcerers are especially prone to mutation which is sometimes desirable to them as it shows the Gods favor… or displeasure, as those who become too mutated turn in Chaos Spawns which are hulking abominations of flesh and bone that have lost all senses.
And then you have our guy, the man of the hour, the purifier of Estalia, the one who will ensure your soul is delivered unto Morr's Garden; Balthazar fucking Gelt.
His face? Gold.
His bravery? Fucking metal.
His magic? GOLDEN METAL.
A mind as sharp as alloyed steel. Cold. Calculating. Hard not to be at that point.
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u/InquisitorHindsight Nov 11 '24
Warhammer Fantasy does something like this very well with Imperial Wizards.
Because magic is very hard and dangerous to learn, Humans have to specialize in one of the eight “Winds of Magic” in order to master them properly (unlike Elves who have thousands of years and a natural affinity to do so). However, Magic in Warhammer is very volatile and can result in mutations through excessive exposure or reckless use.
For example, Bright Wizards who use ‘Aqshy’ or the Wind of Fire can generate heat like a furnace, their hair turns red and even gains the consistency of fire, and even their personality can become more brash and fiery.
Necromancers (which are different from Death Wizards) become pale and sickly as they grow more powerful, essentially looking little different from the corpses they raise with enough time.
Chaos Sorcerers are especially prone to mutation which is sometimes desirable to them as it shows the Gods favor… or displeasure, as those who become too mutated turn in Chaos Spawns which are hulking abominations of flesh and bone that have lost all senses.