I like this concept a lot... I assume beginner is on bottom while master is at top? I'm going by the addition of the little rod and the floating stones, as well as the lightened hair.

Speaking of which, are the stones those expensive little stat increasing items that fly around whoever is using them?

Yeah, that's the direction I'd intended. I'd hoped the guy getting slightly jowlier and definitely paunchier as he aged "reads" as well - does it?

And yes, the little stones are "Ioun Stones." I really like the conceit of someone having the little things whizzing around 'em - in fact that's pretty much my favorite part of the second X-Men movie, the scene where Magneto's got little iron spheres zipping around him while he floats across a 100' chasm (okay, so he has a thin iron plate under him).

Oh yeah, he definitely got a little rounder and such, I was just trying to see if I read the less-obvious signs! Now,let's see if my random single readthrough of someone's item guide was correct-did the little Ioun stones cost about 4000gp for a low stat one? I knew the name had an I and an O earlier but knew it was not "Ion" :P

And yes, floaty accessories are fun, though if an opponent chose to attack it I would be very unhappy.

I think ninjas should be able to stick shurikens with holes in the middle over thier Ioun stones. Buzzsaw! :)

This is why the ninjas can't be allowed to have them.

Especially if they're gnome ninjas.

Hurray for gnomes! I love the older version, he looks like a very pleasant chap to spend time with.