Most wizards are unmarried and childless

by Me with Hero Forge

-Basim, Confederate Satyr Apothecary And Reagent Dealer

 

"Celibacy and abstinence are not the same thing. Just because you don't see many wizards with spouses and children doesn't mean that they are aren't playing the field.   A lot of wizards are skilled herbalists. If a wizard isn't a herbalist herself, then she certainly will find it expedient to establish a good working relationship with herbalists. Ideally, wizards want an herbalist that doesn't ask inconvenient questions.

  As an apothecary, I would say almost half of my total business is in selling treatments that increase fertility or contraceptive remedies that decrease fertility. People either want babies, or they don't want them. A lot of my best customers are wizards."

The Two Types of Wizards

Bendek by Eron12 on Hero Forge

-Sir Bendek Deorac, hermetic knight

 

"Some wizards view magical learning as a worthy end for its own sake. They want to advance their magic as much as possible and they do this because they love the study of magic. These wizards often form the stereotype that everyday Scarterrans base their preconceptions of wizards around.   If you speak of mages to the average peasant, he is probably going to fall back on the mental image of an old codger or in a pointed hat that is so focused on mastering complex magic that he can't lace up his own boots.

  If you want to be polite, you call these men and women "Arcane Scholars". If you want to insult them you can "Bootless Wizards" among other colorful nicknames that I won't get into.   On the other hand, some wizards that will only advance to a certain point in their magical learning and then stop their magical advancement. Or at least they will slow down their magical advancement after they meet a specific bench mark.   If you want to be polite, we call these men and women "Arcane Generalists". If you want to insult them you can call them "Dabblers" among other colorful labels I won't get into.   Arcane Scholars form the general stereotype for all wizards. Since the "Bootless Wizards" seldom marry or have children, most assume all wizards are in the same boat.   I used to think of myself as being one of the rare mages in between the two extremes, but I guess I am more of an Arcane Generalist than an Arcane Scholar.   In my general observation, Arcane Generalists are far more likely to marry and have children than Arcane Scholars are. But even then Arcane Generalists are less likely to marry and have children than non-wizards.   An Arcane Scholar's goal is to become as powerful of a mage as possible. Arcane Generalists have another goal. Arcane Generalists may seek wealth or status. They might seek to destroy a hated enemy. They might want to obtain a cushy position as a court wizard somewhere. Whatever the case, magic is a tool to achieve their end goals and is not the end goal itself.   But regardless of the end goal, a single-minded focus often precludes having time to court a potential spouse or properly raise children.   My goal is to serve my king and my House, and ( use my magic to serve my king by protect the friends and allies of my king. When the war is over, if I survive it, my duties may lead to produce heirs so that the legacy of my king and House can be maintained. But for now, my duties are on the battlefield."

Intellectual Children Versus Literal Children

Carcelli, Parchment Background by Zeta Gardner

Carcelli the Arcane Priestess

 

"Most Scarterran wizards value their lineages of wisdom more than they value their lineage of blood. This is reasonable. Anyone can pass on their bloodline if they engage in the carnal act of procreation, but it takes time and effort to train a proper wizard.   This is one reason wizards don't have a lot of blood offspring. We don't view it as important. But wizards aren't the only profession that uses a grueling apprenticeship system. Blacksmiths, bookbinders, leatherworks, stone masons, and scores of other skilled trades have some kind of lengthy apprenticeship system.

  Most skilled tradesmen learn their craft from one or both of their parents. For them, their lineage of wisdom and their lineage of blood are one and the same. This holds true for peasants and princes alike. Even royalty will work hard to try to forge their sons and daughter into good leaders.   In theory, there is nothing to stop a wizard from teaching wizardry to her own offspring. Some of the most powerful wizards I've met are the sons and daughters of people who were themselves powerful mages. Not many though.   A potential wizard can come from anywhere, but this doesn't mean anyone can be a wizard. A wizard needs a strong will above all else. A keen intellect and a hardy stamina are also valuable traits for a good wizard.   A lot of wizard candidates wash out early in their apprenticeship. That's normally not a big deal, but if the apprentice washing out is the mentor's son or daughter, than it is quite embarrassing.   The potential shame is so great that I believe many wizards opt not to have physical offspring simply to avoid this fate. To say nothing of what may happen to mental state of the failed apprenticeships. It is dangerous to leave bitter and spiteful children running around unchecked..."

Stunted Social Skills

by Me with Hero Forge

-Uncle Lanpos, farmer and teller of dirty jokes.

 

"It's not complicated. You don't see many wizards with spouses or children because it takes a lot of time to become a wizard.   Even for a long-lived race like a gnome or elf, time is limited. Time I spend working in the fields is time I can't spend with my wife. If my wife and I didn't occasionally leave our bedroom, no work would get done and our family would starve to death. would starve to death. There is a time for work and a time for play, but wizards just take their work ethic too far.   They spend so much time focusing on their mystic wands that they don't have time to attend to their own wands."

by Me using Hero Forge

-Sir Pie Eater, Kantoca Court Jester

 

There is a stereotype that wizards spend so much time focusing on their magical studies that they don't learn practical skills. They can't skin a rabbit, start a fire, or so much as lace up their own boots without casting a spell.   That's patently untrue! Wizards have lots of practical skills. I saw a wizard lace up his own boots with my own eyes. Only took him forty-five minutes! Very impressive.

  While he had the skills and knowledge to manipulate the fabric of the universe via the select application of ancient arcane laws, some secret techniques were beyond his grasp, among them is how to talk to a pretty girl.

by Eron12 with Heroforge

Zajac of the Fumayan Lanterns

 

"A lot of man or woman's physical beauty is inborn. You are either blessed with good looks or you are not. Wizards may be attractive or homily, but it makes no difference to the spells they cast. A lot of one's appearance comes down to grooming and presentation, as an actor who does his own costumes and makeup, I know this well.   A lot of wizards are so focused on their arcane pursuits that they don't bathe very often and dress slovenly. This is not the norm, at least not among the wizards I've met, especially in theatrical troupes. Even if they never take the stage and only cast special effects behind the scenes, most wizards take pride in their appearance as much as anyone else does.

  The problem is usually not in appearancess but in speaking to people. There is a stereotype that hermetic wizards are wallflower scroll heads who are afraid to come out of their shells. There is a stereotype that body wizards are adrenaline seeking weirdos who scare away normal people. I've met hermetics and body wizards who are actually personable and engaging.   Bardic wizards of various stripes are famously charming and captivating. Musicians are often considered attractive whether they are wizards or not. I've met a few wizards that were not musicians who were charming and captivating, especially Enchanters are almost required to be sociable.   The problem is that wizards apply the principles of studious spell-crafting to every aspect of their daily lives. Other mortals aren't people to interact with, they are puzzles or challenges to unlock. Social interactions are formulas to be mastered.   Many socially adept wizards plan and practice various responses to social situations. They have dozens if not hundreds of well-honed techniques and pre-planned responses to talk to specific people in specific circumstances. These mages are often good at making first impressions but struggle to forge meaningful social bonds.   As long as they have a script to stick to do well, but force them to improvise and things fall apart."