Sorcerer A sorcerer , sometimes known as a sorceress if female , is a wielder of arcane magic bound only by their own willpower . Unlike most other arcane spellcasters , particularly the wizards they are often compared with , sorcerers have innate magical ability and are noted for their lack of study in obtaining such power . And while a wizard focuses on isolating their foes and diminishing their ability to fight , a sorcerer prefers to unleash his or her full power , without restraint , blasting their enemies into oblivion . The magic a sorcerer wields is , as a result , intensely powerful though often somewhat unpredictable , much like a barbarian in the heat of a " rage " . Among the best - known sorcerers in Faerûn is the Simbul , a powerful sorceress from Aglarond , although most of her sisters are also skilled sorcerers . Culture . Sorcerers are arcane artists , casting spell s as a poet might write poetry , innately , rather than through regimented study . How they come by this power is not commonly known , though it is speculated that sorcerers ' very flesh is , in some way , touched by arcane power . Many sorcerers claim to be the descendants of dragons , a claim that is neither wholly false nor wholly true . It is evident that many sorcerers do indeed draw upon ancient dragon blood but others appear to draw their power from other sources , such as wild magic . Regardless of the origin in question , most sorcerers view their magic through a lens of emotion rather than logic , and they are not prone to specialization in the same way many wizards are . As a result , most sorcerers do not get along very well with wizards and are usually , at best , competitive with the studied mages , with wizards viewing sorcerers as inept bunglers and sorcerers viewing wizards as obstinate and unnecessarily secretive prudes . However , many who are neither fail to see a difference between the two in practice . For similar reasons to their uneasy relationship with wizards , sorcerers do not typically get along with monk s or paladin s , though they often enjoy the company of druid s or rogue s . Regardless of the origin of a sorcerer ' s power , most discover their power some time during puberty , where it begins to manifest in unpredictable and often disturbing manners , such as haunting lights or mysterious sounds . In time , most sorcerers realize they are the source of the disturbance and react accordingly , either for good or ill . Fortunate sorcerers might come under the tutelage of a more experienced arcanist but more often sorcerers are left to fend for themselves , friends and family shying away from them and their uncommon abilities . As a result , few sorcerers feel any brotherhood of any kind , and have little urge to work with one another . Most sorcerers do , however , share a common bond in their worship of gods associated with magic , including , in the past , any of the Mystra s . However , sorcerers are drawn to the worship of many gods , favoring none in particular and a sorcerer is as likely to worship Lathander as Selûne . As a result of their uneasy upbringing , the ease with which power flows to them , and other factors , most sorcerers are free spirits who flinch against authority and tradition . Most seek out an adventurer ' s life in order to expand their own power and test its limits . Some do this in order to help others , using their power to protect the weak . Others seek to simply prove themselves , obtaining a place of respect within society . Other sorcerer have crueler ends in mind , however , intent on using their power as a means to subjugate or instill fear in those whom they consider inferior . Sorcerers are often human or half - elven in origin , in part because of humanity ' s diversity and adaptability . However , there is nothing particular about humans that makes them well - suited for a sorcerer ' s talents , and individuals of any race can manifest sorcerers . Kobold sorcerers are particularly common , likely due to their origins , of which kobolds are extremely proud . Arcane spellcasters from other uncivilized races are also more likely to be sorcerers than wizards , since they lack the proper infrastructure and culture for the intellectual pursuit of arcane power . Gold dwarves , wild elves , and lightfoot halfling s often also demonstrate a natural talent for sorcery . Sorcerers are found throughout all of the world , though some realms have a greater tolerance for their talents than others . For instance , Aglarond , particularly during the rule of the Simbul in the Era of Upheaval held a great amount of respect for sorcerers . Similarly , many sorcerers can be found now throughout Calimshan , the Dragon Coast , the Great Dale , the High Forest , the Lake of Steam , the Nelanther Isles , the Shaar , Silverymoon , Tethyr , and the Western Heartlands , as well as formerly in Mulhorand before the Spellplague . Abilities . Sorcerers are best in a support role , though they often put themselves at risk as a part of their job . While in combat , sorcerers are typically heavy hitters , dealing lots of damage , though many sorcerers also appreciate the utility of long - ranged , hindering spells that exchange raw power for a greater number of enemies injured or other effects . To aid them in casting these spells , sorcerers make use of dagger s and staff s as implement s , which empower their spells and make them more potent . And while wizards rely on their ability to learn and memorize for the purpose of spellcasting , sorcerers more typically rely on their willpower and emotional presence to focus and empower their abilities . Because a sorcerer ' s power is inherent most of their abilities are dependent on their precise ancestry . Many sorcerers are descended from dragons , at least distantly , and draconic blood , with its arcane infusions , makes a potent source of power for many sorcerers , many of whom learn to tap this power in order to make themselves stronger , more resilient , or elementally gifted . Others sorcerers tap into the power of wild magic , giving them an added versatility in their powers at the cost of predictability . Because this power comes naturally , sorcerers have an opportunity to pick up training in most simplistic weapons , giving them a slight edge over wizards in non - magical combat , though still behind other arcanists . Like wizards , the vast majority of sorcerers lack training in the use of any armor . A few sorcerers , though not all , take on familiar s or magical companions who can be summoned to service . Like the familiars of wizards , sorcerer familiars can cast spells that their master is capable of using , as well as having the capacity to communicate with them on a very basic level . Sorcerer origins . Sorcerers come from a variety of backgrounds . While sorcerers of draconic ancestry are probably among the best known , sorcerers from other origins exist as well . These origins greatly determine the abilities and characteristics of a sorcerer and most sorcerers specialize to some degree in the abilities granted by their powers ' origin . Sorcerers generally come from one of the origins described below . Chaos sorcerer . Experts in the use of wild magic , chaos sorcerers derive their power from the terrible and wondrous forces of the planes of power and Elemental Chaos . Extremely impressive founts of power , chaos sorcerers are often extremely dexterous as well , using their agility and strong reflexes to slip out of the way of their own , often unpredictable , spells . Though their magic can be dangerous uncontrolled , chaos sorcerers gain a number of important benefits , such as resistance to all forms of magical energy , though on an unreliable and ever - changing basis . On the whole , a chaos sorcerer ' s magic does far more good than harm to its caster . Experienced chaos sorcerers who focus on their use of wild magic might become wild mage s . Dragon sorcerer . The archetypical sorcerer is , of course , the dragon sorcerer . Granted magical power by some innate connection to dragons , either through blood ties or magical infusion ( one method of infusion is being bathed in dragonblood as an infant , though a ritual blood transfusion later in life may also produce the desired effect ) . Dragon sorcerers are both emotionally and , quite often , physically powerful , awe - inspiring in their might as they add their physical strength to the power of their spells and to plow their way through enemy attacks , reducing the harm done to them . Resilient , dragon sorcerers are difficult to kill , becoming even more so as they channel their pain into a powerful rage . Additionally , dragon sorcerers are blessed with both an affinity for and an immunity to one of the elemental energies used by most dragons in their breath weapons , such as acid or fire . With the proper training , dragon sorcerers can further unleash their heritage by becoming dragonsoul heir s . Storm sorcerer . The raw and unbridled fury of the storm is at the beck and call of these sorcerers . Though many fear the fury of lightning and the terrible sound of thunder , these mages revel in their power , internalizing these forces and then turning them back on their foes . Storm sorcerers gain two resistances , to both lightning and thunder damage , and have an ability unique among sorcerers to sacrifice these resistances temporarily to boost their own defenses . This type of sorcerer is perhaps closest to the " glass cannon " stereotype , possessing very high damage but very low survivability . They make up for this with a plethora of ranged attacks and excellent mobility . Those Storm sorcerers who feel the might of lightning most strongly may become a Lightning Fury . Cosmic sorcerer . These sorcerers are linked with the heavenly bodies above Toril and gain power from the constant cycle of the Sun , Moon , and Stars . Cosmic sorcerers manifest a certain heavenly body each day , which may change after a significant amount of combat . They may manifest the brilliance of the Golden Sun , allowing them to be shrouded in astral fire and to resist the hottest flame . Or they might manifest the majesty of the Silver Moon , Giving them great power over enemies ' minds while protecting their own mind from harm . They may also manifest the Awe of the Many Stars in the sky , letting them shed great light upon their enemies and to resist that light themselves . Their spells allow them to partly manipulate the never - ending cycle of the Cosmos for their own uses , be they benevolent or nefarious .