[size=+3]T[/size][size=+2]HE[/size] [size=+3]B[/size][size=+2]LUE[/size] [size=+3]M[/size][size=+2]AGE[/size]
[size=+3]F[/size][size=+2]REQUENTLY[/size] [size=+3]A[/size][size=+2]SKED[/size] [size=+3]Q[/size][size=+2]UESTIONS[/size]Q: Which happens first: learning the spell or the effects of the spell?A: The two happen simultaneously. No benefits gained from learning the spell on the effects of the spell (such as the bonus to your wave from Been There, Done That) apply to the casting of the spell from which you learned it, and no benefits gained from the effects of the spell (such as the increase to Intelligence from
Fox’s cunning) apply to learning the spell.
Q: Can I learn spells of any level, or only of levels I can cast?A: Any level, as long as you can make the Spellcraft check and have enough spells levels learned per day remaining. You still can’t cast it, though (other than through Turquoise Efficiency).
Q: Can I learn divine spells, such as cure light wounds?A: You can learn any spell as long as you experience it somehow (or have Azure Awareness and/or Improved Azure Awareness, depending on the spell) and can make the Spellcraft check. You still cast all your spells as arcane spells though.
Q: From what source do I cast these divine spells, and do I gain alignment restrictions?A: You cast these spells as arcane spells (in other words, they emanate from the same source as your other spells: your personal power). You do not gain alignment restrictions.
Q: What happens if I learn a spell that has a metamagic applied to it?A: You learn every spell at its unmodified level without any metamagic feats applied. You learn a maximized, extended, cold-subbed
fireball as the 3rd level spell
fireball without any alterations.
Q: How do I find out what level a spell-like ability is?A: There a number of ways you could do this. The first option is to check the spell. If the spell appears on only one list (such as
magic missile), then simple use that level. If multiple class lists are mentioned (and they are not all the same level of spell), then it becomes more complicated. If the spell-like ability offers a save, it will be listed, along with the name of the ability that modifies it. Subtract this ability modifier and an additional 10 from the save DC and number remaining is the level of the spell. If the spell-like ability doesn’t offer a save (or, for whatever reason, doe not list one), then simply treat the spell-like ability as a spell cast by the highest level list (so if a spell is on the Bard, Cleric, and Druid lists as levels 2, 3, and 4 respectively, treat the spell-like ability as a fourth level spell).
Q: But what if the spell is on multiple class lists and I learn it from a spellcaster?A: In that case, you learn it at the level the caster casts it. Example: a Blue Mage who learns
irresistible dance would learn it as a 6th level spell if it was cast by a Bard, but as an 8th level spell if cast by a Sorcerer or Wizard.
Q: If I learn a spell of a level above that which I can cast and I find a scroll or wand containing the spell, do I still have to make a caster level check to cast it?A: Magic items such as wand use the spell trigger method and merely require the spell to be on your spell list. Example: a 2nd level Blue Mage may freely use a wand of
fly if she knows
fly. Items such as scrolls use the spell completion method, and are a bit more complicated. Even if you know the spell, you still must have a Charisma score equal to 10 + the level of the spell in order to cast the spell off the scroll, you must know the spell, and your caster level must be equal to or greater than that of the scroll. In other words, if you know the spell but cannot cast it, you cannot cast the spell off the scroll. In order to cast the spell off of the scroll, you must either make a Use Magical Device or a caster level check (choose beforehand).
Q: Is it true that the Blue Mage is allowed to make retries of knowledge checks?A: Yes, but only for the purposes of ascertaining the special abilities or weaknesses of creatures. This is mainly because he is trying to “feel” the creature’s magical ability and isn’t linked as strongly to actual book study.
Q: I am rolling up a Blue Mage above 1st level. How do I decide which spells I know?A: The question, like starting items when starting above 1st, is up to your DM. Other than your initial 3 spells (2 of which must be 0-level spells and 1 of which must be 1st level), every spell known must be a spell that you can actually learn. However you choose your spells, the DM is allowed to strike whichever spells he or she sees fit from your list of spells known beforehand.
Q: What about those first three?A: Those first three spells can be whatever spells you like. Example: you could pick
ghost sound, silent image, and
read magic..
Q: Does the Blue Mage allow multiclassing?A: Yes it does, just like every other core class. In its very early stages of development, it was forbidden to multiclass due to dipping problems, but the class has since been reworked upwards of 50 times and now allows multiclassing as normal.
Q: What about Psionic Powers? Can I learn those?A: Like Psionics themselves, this is wholly up to your DM.
Q: Do I lose out on spell levels known if I take levels in Prestige Classes that offer caster levels (such as Archmage)?A: No. Add any additional Blue Mage caster levels to your Blue Mage level to determine spell levels known (but not caster levels from other classes. A Blue Mage 1/ Sorcerer 15/Archmage 4 casts Blue Mage spells as a level 1 Blue Mage and only knows a number of spell levels equal to 5 + Int modifier. But a Blue Mage 15/Archmage 5 would cast spells as a 20th level Blue Mage and knows a number of spell levels equal to 100(5 times 20) + Int modifier).
Q: What do you mean by “experience” a spell?A: Generally “experiencing” a spell is what would happen to you if you failed the save, or if the save was only for partial. If something happens to you because of the spell, chances are you experienced it. At 5th level, the Blue Mage can learn spells even if he makes the save to negate, and at 15th level, he can learn spells which do not directly effect him (such as Summon Monster spells), although in both cases he needs to make a higher Spellcraft check than normal to do so.
Q: What about spells that don’t offer a save, but have the possibility of not effecting you either, such as Power Word Kill?A: If the spell doesn’t offer a save in certain circumstances, treat it as if it had a save for negate and you made it. In other words: If someone tired to cast
power word kill on you and you had more than 100 hit points, then the Spellcraft check to learn it would be 51. If you had fewer than 100 hit points (and the spell therefore killed you), then you still make the Spellcraft check but as DC 42 (and if you are ever resurrected, you return knowing the spell).
Q: I’m confused by “Improved Azure Awareness.” What do you mean by “interact with,” exactly?A: “Interacting with” a passive spell is generally simple: touch it. In the case of a summon monster spell, you must effectively grapple with the monster summoned for one round per spell level. In the case of the
wall of force, you must place your hands on the wall and concentrate for the appropriate amount of time.
Q: How exactly can a Blue Mage learn spells with a range of Personal?A: He can make use of the Use Magical Device skill which was made a class skill for this very reason. Because he has such a small class list, Use Magical Device was added to ensure that he could use scrolls, wands, and other magic items occasionally.
Q: If I have SR and block the spell because of that, can I try to learn it?A: No. Spell Resistance wholly blocks the spell and prevents you from learning it, although you can usually voluntarily allow your Spell Resistance to fail and let the spell though.
Q: If I am hit by a spell such as wish or miracle that was used to duplicate a spell, what Spellcraft check do I use, and which spell do I learn?A: In this case, you learn the root spell and use its level to determine the Spellcraft check. Example: if Gerald the Wizard casts
wish to duplicate
magic missile, you must make a Spellcraft check of 42 in order to learn it, and the spell you would learn is
wish.
Q: What is this “Elven Starstepper” dealie that Aramek keeps talking about?A: The
Elven Starstepper is a custom race that Aramek created. It has (among other things) diminutive size, flight speed, and Favored Class: Blue Mage.
:D 
