Device Mage

Origin - Device Mage

Device Mages are a type of magical warrior powered by technology from outer space! Their power is channeled through an AI assistant called an Intelligent Device that performs the calculations necessary to turn the magic inside them into spells, and acts in a similar manner to a mascot. Their transformation comes in the form of a Barrier Jacket, magical armor that provides outsize strength as well as protection from harm.

There are two main types of Device User, though overlap is much more common in the modern era. Mid-Childan Device Users often fit more in the mold of a classic mage, their Intelligent Devices speaking in English and taking the form of a staff, book, accessory, or other techno-magical accourtrements. Belkan Device Users take more the style of a magic warrior, their Devices speaking in German and often taking the form of weaponry.

As the Device User depends on their Device, so too do they draw power from their friends and loved ones. Isolated, a Device User might fall to despair and be easy to overcome or corrupt, but with friends to fight with and protect, a Device User's confidence, determination, and lasers may give any Dark creature pause.

The style of Barrier Jacket echoes the templates of Mid-Childan and Belkan style, though they always have a distinct science-fiction slant. Techy armor pieces are also common, and a Device User will often alter their Barrier Jacket to optimize for different styles of combat.

Their magic is equally flexible, and take a dizzying array of shapes. All Device Users have some form of Barret spell as a low-power attack, but there also exist Boost-type enhancements, mobility spells like Flier Fin, Bind-style restraints... The only real hard limits on a Device User's toolkit are imagination and power reserves -- and the latter usually runs out well before the former does.

While a Device User is incapable if true healing, there are spells that do ease pain, and allow a wounded fighter to get back into the fray. Purification magic is completely beyond them, however. But if you need a mobile, flexible combat buddy to clear away the minions, or distract the Big Bad long enough for the purifier to charge up, or even lock away a powerful artifact the Big Bad has been using? You definitely want a Device User on speed-dial!

Origin Default Powers

Henshin Armor: Like most mahoujin, transformed Device Mages and Belkan Knights are incredibly resistant to damage in their henshin. This henshin is called a Barrier Jacket for Midchildan mages and Knight Armor for Belkan Knights. Additionally, as a last-ditch defensive measure, Midchildan mages with Intelligent Devices can have their henshin 'detonate' in a final burst of protective magic to defend against a lethal attack (though this leaves them depowered and unhenshined after) called a Reactor Purge.

Sealing: Both types of Device Mages can use their Device to Seal a troublesome magical object, restricting its power and storing it within their Device, though for magical artifacts from other themes this is temporary and may have other side effects, as Sealing the object within your device is enough to be considered 'in possession of' the artifact.

Storage: Device mages can store items inside their devices, like they were dimensional backpacks; mundane items can be stored without issue, but magical items stored within may cause issues or other effects.

Shield: Generally, Mages defend against attacks by putting up round (Midchildan) or triangular (Belkan) shields, powered by their own energy, which resist attacks from the direction the shields are in. Defending against attacks in this way still wears them down as energy is required to create the shield and maintain it against attacks, and the shields can be pierced or broken by strong attacks.