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I'm creating a Mage in AD&D 2e for fun, and want to know how many spells my character starts off with at first level.
I know that there is Table 21: Wizard Spell Progression, but my Dad and I can't seem to figure out whether it refers to how many spells I have, or how many spell slots I get per level.
To determine what spells are in beginning wizard's spellbook, see the Dungeon Master's Guide (1989) on Initial Wizard Spells (41).
In short, the DM picks a method to use, but a new wizard's spellbook usually contains detect magic, read magic, and about 4 other spells either that the player picks and the DM approves or that the DM picks.
The Player's Handbook Table 21: Wizard Spell Progression (43) has no impact on what spells are actually in a wizard's spellbook. That table shows only how many spells the wizard can memorize and cast of an appropriate level each day.
