Mage Builds: Arcane Arts and Elemental Power

Discover the best mage builds in Graven's Guide to Artifice. Learn about arcane arts, elemental power, and crafting potent magical items from materials across different realms.

Hey there! So you're diving into Graven's Guide to Artifice and want to know about building up your mage character, right? Let's talk about how you can harness arcane arts and elemental power to become a force to be reckoned with. It's not just about flashy spells; it's about understanding the materials you use to channel that magic. ### Planeswalker Guide to Materials Anything can technically hold an enchantment, but not all materials are created equal. Think of it like metals in a forge – some are just better suited for the job. You'll find plenty of great stuff right here in the Mortal Realm, but the *really* potent materials often come from beyond. Now, a quick word of caution: the guide warns against planeswalking. It mentions a past destruction caused by a planeswalker in the second era. So, if you're not already in another plane or don't have a cullis gate handy, maybe stick to what's familiar for now. It's a serious risk! #### The Mortal Realm Before you go chasing after exotic stuff, get comfortable with what our own world offers. * Silver: This is your go-to foundation. It's a fantastic conductor of arcane power and is even believed to ward off poison, like in that tale of the knight and the adder, where a silver medallion saved him. * Jade: Depending on its color, jade connects to elemental powers – air, earth, fire, or water. It's great for infusing spells with specific essences. * Lyrium: This mineral is potent but dangerous. Touching raw lyrium floods you with psychic energy – ouch! Experienced artificers can 'listen' to its psychic song, and it's mainly used in alchemy or to amplify raw arcane power in implements. * Glitterdust: Found along the Yunith coastline, this powdered rock adds essence of fire or light. Be careful, though! It's dangerous if ingested or inhaled and highly flammable. Use it sparingly and only if you're experienced. * Treantwood: Harvested from Treants, this wood can be carved into powerful implements. For the brave, that is! * Dragon Materials: If you're feeling *really* brave (or foolish), dragon corpses are a treasure trove. Dragon blood is a top-tier alchemical ingredient. Dragonbone can grant powerful draconic influence and fire essence to staves. Drakeskin and dragon hide are excellent for holding enchantments. And those Eldunarya crystals in their throats? Pure pyromancy power! Even Dragonthorn vines can be carved into implements. #### The Feywild If you venture into the Feywild, keep an eye out for: * Ironbark: Stronger and lighter than steel, it's great for implements and weapons. It's said to only come from dead trees and carries the Feywild's essence, making channeled arcana a bit wild. * Vhenadahl: These trees are sacred to the fey, so collecting from them is tricky. The Ancestral Heartwood is special because it stays alive even after being harvested. Its life essence, combined with the Feywild's, makes Vhenadahl implements incredibly radiant and potent. #### The Elemental Chaos This realm is unpredictable, but you can find: * Enchanted Ice: Found in places like the Teeth of Lormoch, this ice is incredibly strong, possibly due to its use in imprisoning Cryonax, an elemental prince of evil. Arcana channeled through it is boosted by elemental cold, and it makes binding spells almost unbreakable. #### Shadowfell Even this grim place has something for mages: * Soulsteel: Made from the bodies of ghosts and shards of the Necropolis, soulsteel is infused with the pain of trapped spirits. It's a horrifying material, but likely potent for certain dark arts.