I'm currently running around with a level 12 Dunmer, and my intention going in was for him to be primarily a mage with sword backup. Well, it wasn't my first character so I knew it wasn't going to be like that in the beginning, but as I move forward it still isn't working, mostly just because my spell points are too low to cast any worthwhile spells. My intelligence is now at 100 and I think my spell points are at 47 or 49 or something like that. What gives? Is there any way I'm not aware of for increasing the amount of magic I have? And do any races give you a bonus amount of spell points like they do in Morrowind or Oblivion or something, I couldn't see any info on it. I was kind of under the impression that the only special beginning race type abilities you had were those things you pick in character creation, but I'm supposin' I'm wrong.

Also, does turning down a quest make someone like me less or lower reputation? So far I just reload if someone wants me to do a quest that I don't feel like for fear of pissing them off.

Oh, another thing.. does gold weigh anything? pretty sure it does. I had something like 26,000 and nothing else, and kept getting weighed down. Then I went to try and drop gold into my Wagon.. well, I dropped all but 500 of it and it didn't go into the wagon, and I couldn't find it on the floor. I'd just completed a really annoying quest and hadn't yet saved so I just said 'screw it' and moved on, but that was annoying. Where'd it go?

Yet another thing.. I have some sort of Mithril sword of sphere of negation. What the hell is that? It looks cool though.

Your spell point bonus is a part of your class. Anyone who even thinks about taking magic skills should invest in the "3x INT in spell points" advantage. Spells become less expensive to cast as your skill increases, but the only way to increase your magicka pool is by increasing your INT or taking one of those advantages at chargen.

No. You can refuse any guild quest you want at no penalty.

Yes, gold has weight. Approx 1kg/400gold. If you "drop" gold it just disappears. Go to a bank and deposit it into your account, or take it back out as a letter of credit (for a 1% fee). You can still buy things out of a letter of credit, but innkeepers and travel costs only accept cash.

Sphere of Negation is a disintegration spell--which, if successful, is instakill. They are hard to pull off, but regardless you have an awesome weapon in your hands. Don't waste it on the easy critters

Hmm alright, thanks for the help. I didn't even see that 3x option..
Guess I'll just make a new character. Level 12 ain't too hard to get to.. I was a rank 5 or so in the mages guild though. Oh well.

If you want to continue the character, there is still an option: magic items. Once you can create custom items in the item-maker, make items that increase your spell points during both the seasons and the phases of the moon (all of both). (Don't bother with any to raise your spell points in the presence of certain enemies unless you can somehow absorb spells.) Also make items that increase your skill levels in each school of magic. Since these will be highly valuable items to your character, make them from the most durable materials available; Daedric and/or diamonds would be best. Make back-ups if you can.

Creative use of the spell-maker can also help. Make short duration versions of things like water walking/water breathing, levitation and invisibility. The short durations lower the spell-point cost, and recasting quickly extends the duration as needed. Attack spells that only affect one opponent are much cheaper to cast than ones that affect areas. I can't provide you with specific spell formulas, as you will need to play with the parameters to maximize the cost/benefits for your own character's needs. :spotted owl:

Of course all the above advice applies to any magic-using character, but is most needed by those characters that are gimped by low spell points. When applied to characters with high spell point levels, truly scary spell-slingers can be created.