Hi,
I am working on an adventure plot for our 3e FR campaign. While I like some of the "simplification" done to the FR, I think it was done too abruptly and not so well designed. (Apologies to the 4eFR designers, but it a lot of the changes look like they have been forcibly pushed upon the FR.)
The party has a NG high-priest of Mystra. Furthermore, it is mostly a spell-casting group, with all the wizards paying at least lip service to her. So killing Mystra will create a very interesting roleplaying opportunity. However the killing of the millions of innocent people in Halruaa, Lurien, Luskan, Lantan, Nimbral, etc. is not something we like for our FR. So the players will be given a chance to save the Weave - in return for being doomed as the murderers of Elminster. (Another interesting roleplaying twist.)
The PCs will learn of the impending doom and they will know that they cannot stop Cyric and Shar from killing Mystra. But they should have a chance to save Azuth (whose death and absorption by Asmodeus is the lamest idea I have read in the whole of FR history) somehow by killing Elminster. (How? Any ideas?) Perhaps, they will save Azuth by preventing him from being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Perhaps killing Elmo will unleash the portion of Mystra's power in him and Azuth is going to come to collect it.???
Now how they will manage to kill Elmo is another question. I have some concrete ideas there, but any suggestions would still be welcome.
Thanks,
PS: Perhaps it was really Elmo who was responsible for the death of Mystra in the first place. When he was in hell, Shar might have managed to gain access to something he knew about Dweomerheart, which allowed her to help Cyric in the murder.
Hm.
I'll play off your idea. While in hell Shar cut a deal with Asmodeus. Asmodeus was seeking to learn the secrets of Spellfire so that he could then find a way to become a deity. Shar (being the Goddess of Secrets) learned of what Asmodeus had done, and offered him the promise of godhood if she could be allowed to examine Elminster's mind. She promised him either Velsharoon or Azuth.
Shar is also the goddess of forgetfulness, so after she had done this she caused Elminster to simply forget. Her probing of his mind allowed her to learn of a way to bring Azuth under a form of magical domination, which would then allow Cyric access into Mystra's Planar Domain.
The PC's must unravel the truth before it is too late. They learn of what is to happen, and seek to find a way to stop it. They must also learn how to unlock Elminster's suppressed memories of his time in hell (suppressed by Shar). In doing so it allows them to gain the knowledge of how to free Azuth from Shar's arcane domination... but it is too late. Cyric is already there. Azuth watches as Mystra is slain and both he and Velsharoon are ejected from the plane.
Elminster - as the horrific memories of his time in Hell are unlocked - is driven insane. Like Halaster insane. If the PC's let him go he does all sorts of awful things in his insanity - forcing them to hunt him down. Alternatively, when the PC's realize he is insane they could slay him on the spot. Either way they would be marked the slayers of Elminster.
Meanwhile, as they worry about Elminster Azuth is trying to hold the Weave together.
If the PC's fail then Azuth shows up in Hell as promised by Shar to be devoured by Asmodeus who becomes a god.
I feel sorry for those PC's...The Simbul is going to be pissed with a capitol P!
Great Idea Meldread.
Sounds like an epic adventure, should be loads of fun.
I gotta use this now....Elminster MUST Die!
you enjoyed that didnt you.
If they kill El in that book, no more FR novels for me.
anyway, the best way would be to use the time portals, go back in time, warn him 2 years beforehand of his death.
and then go back
Yes I did. Thank you very much!:D
I don't believe the old goat will ever die.:P
Could you imagine a novel with Elminster, using the Crank story? 
If they kill El in that book, no more FR novels for me.
If I recall, Ed's El books are some of the most successful FR novels out there (though I'm not sure they approach Drizzty-Wizzty levels). I think if WOTC wants money (which they do, being avaricious businessfolk), they'll keep El around so Ed can dish out a few more stories.
Now how they will manage to kill Elmo is another question. I have some concrete ideas there, but any suggestions would still be welcome.
Perhaps a stupid question, but, if they have enough information about the future "problem" of the weave, perhaps they could convince him to sacrifice himself à-la Elf high Mage ?
alaster can be another element in your game, either to gain some information about the weave, either to kill Elminster.
my 2 cents.