Battlemage:  This magic-based hybrid class allows the mage to combine spellcraft with physical attacks.  Spells can be channeled through a weapon to increase physical damage or to focus spell power to increase effectiveness.  Class-based spells include both offensive and defensive capabilities, single target and area of effect.  Main attributes are Will Power and Intelligence, with a secondary focus on Strength and Stamina.  Luck may play a significant role in this class.

Allistor squirmed in his seat.  Battlemage sounded badass!  It fit the new path he’d chosen for his attribute build, and the thought of defensive magic was just cool.  He pictured casting a bubble of protection over himself and Fuzzy as they were bombarded by fire from a hovering drake.

“Battlemage it is!” he mumbled to himself as he verified that selection.  A tingling feeling rushed through his body from his feet upward.  A congratulatory message scrolled across his interface, and a new tab labeled Battlemage Class highlighted itself.

“What was that?” Helen asked, keeping her eyes scanning the road and trees ahead.

“I reached level ten.  Just chose my class.  I’m now officially a Battlemage.”  He deepened his voice and tried to sound like Sam Elliot when he said the word.

Helen snorted.  “Sounds very scary.” She humored him.  “But what does it mean?  Can you call down lightning or make fire rain from the sky?  Or is that more of a ‘make-your-sword-all-sparky’ kind of thing?”

“I’m not sure yet, I’ve been a Battlemage for all of twenty seconds!” he answered, a little defensive.  “But from what I’ve read so far, maybe a bit of both?  Plus magic shields!”

Helen nodded her head.  “I think I’d go with a Druid class.  But I’ve got a ways to go. I’m only level 4.  Being rangers, Cliff and I started out trying not to kill anything we didn’t have to.  And then, well you already know I spent a week in the cellar.”

“No worries.  We’ll get you leveled up in no time.  This little road trip is bound to bring us up against some higher level creatures.  And…”  He paused to consider for a moment.  Looking at Helen, he decided to trust her.  “And I haven’t told anyone else this yet.  But when I’ve had to kill other humans, I got experience points and loot.”

“You’ve murdered people since this started?”   Helen hit the brakes and pulled to the side of the road.  She turned to look suspiciously at him.