Mystra
The Lady of Mysteries
Symbol: Blue White Phoenix
Unaligned Greater Goddess
Originally called Mystryl, the goddess of magic was born during a titanic battle between Shar and Selune in the dawn of time. Being the goddess of magic, Mystryl was said to have taught the first spellcaster of the Realms and to have enabled many of the races to use magic. She weighs and judges each new spell or magical item to determine whether it should be permitted into the Realms. She is most venerated by wizards and those who use magic or magic items in their daily use. All spells of all types were known to her when their creators constructed them.
In DR -339 Mystryl reincarnated herself in order to save Faerun from a spellplague which would have resulted from the archwizard Karsus’ inability to handle the raw Art held within the weave of magic enfolding the world. Now known as Mystra, the goddess set forth new limitations upon magic which would ensure no catastrophes of this nature could occur again. Described as being more powerful than any god in the Realms, roughly half of Mystra’s power lay within her Chosen and in the god Azuth.
While Mystra might have been arguably the most powerful god, that did not prevent her demise at the hands of Cyric and Shar in the year 1385, when the two joined forces to murder her in the heart of her domain Dweomerheart. Upon her death, the magic held with the bonds of the weave detonated, cascading throughout Faerun and the planes themselves as an all-consuming and transforming blue fire. Magic as it had been ceased to exist, causing arcane users to spend days, weeks, and even years attuning themselves to the new magical environment.
Since Mystra had not been seen upon Faerun in almost a century, worship of the Lady of Mysteries had dwindled to almost nothing. Then in the year 1379, a band of adventurers managed a feat that would earn them the eternal enmity of Cyric and Shar alike. Learning that the sentience of Mystra remained trapped within Elminster of Shadowdale, the band sought to reunited the goddess’ spirit with the last shard of her power; the Karsestone. Being the last embodiment of the combined powers of Selune and Shar, it was hoped that the “Heavy Magic” would allow the goddess to reconstitute and return to the world. Upon an epic journey into the heart of Mount Talath, a structure constructed of simmering blue fire, the adventurers succeed in reuniting the goddess with her power. Mystra, reincarnated once again as Mystryl, ascended into the heavens and reclaimed the sphere of magic. She lives in the Dominion of Dweomerheart and is served by her exarch Elminster. Learning from her past mistakes, the goddess is unaligned, representing the all-encompassing nature of magic. In addition to her patronage of arcane users, Mystryl also endeavors (with the help of her clergy, Chosen, and servants) to heal the lands, creatures, and peoples ravaged by the blue fires of the spellplague.
That's nice. I may just use that actually. And since the weave was one of her mistakes, she doesn't reconstitute it (even if she could).
The Weave was not her mistake. The Weave is Shar's and Selune's mistake, if it's anyone's. When Mystryl was created, so too was the Weave.
Of course, Mystra's death should have destroyed all of Toril as well, since she was a part of all Toril... But we'll let that one slide.
@Kharazan (are you named after Kharazan in WoW?), I like your idea. If I didn't already have my own plans, I might have adopted yours.
I still might incorporate elements into my plot. ;) Good stuff.Of course, Mystra's death should have destroyed all of Toril as well, since she was a part of all Toril... But we'll let that one.
-No, no, and no. The death of Mystra (and the tearing of the Weave) would not destroy Abeir-Toril. Were this the case, the planet would have been destroyed the previous two times that Mystra was killed. Or, that things in Dead Magic Zones (where there is no Weave present) would be utter wastelands. But, this is not the case.
Yes, that is where my screen name originated :D Glad you liked elements of the posting.
-No, no, and no. The death of Mystra (and the tearing of the Weave) would not destroy Abeir-Toril. Were this the case, the planet would have been destroyed the previous two times that Mystra was killed. Or, that things in Dead Magic Zones (where there is no Weave present) would be utter wastelands. But, this is not the case.
In Mystryl's case, her power was taken by Karsus, and once he died and she sacrificed herself, her power descended from the heavens like a falling star and inhabited a new body very shortly thereafter, arising as the new Mystra. This new Mystra was prepared for her demise during the Time of Troubles (she had almost certainly foreseen it), and so while it might have been some time between her death and Midnight's ascension, she'd taken precautions to maintain the Weave - albeit very unstably.
Unfortunately, I can't refute your argument about Dead Magic Zones... So there you go. You're right and I'm wrong.
@Karazhan - I took my Boomkin on her second Kara run last weekend, got as far as Shade of Aran... and then wiped trying the "easy" (read cheaty) way... Fun stuff.
This new Mystra was prepared for her demise during the Time of Troubles (she had almost certainly foreseen it), and so while it might have been some time between her death and Midnight's ascension, she'd taken precautions to maintain the Weave - albeit very unstably.
-While that may very well be the case, and is reall the only way to explain things, canon does not support that notion. In How the Mighty are Fallen, the PCs have 10 rounds (and however amount of time that translated to in 2e. I am assuming it was still 6 seconds, meaning 60 seconds/1 minute) to kill the Lich Lord after Mystryl sacrificed herself. This countdown was representative of the time in which there was no magic available. Meaning that until Mystra was reborn, the planet was under the effects of a Dead Magic Zone.
-While that may very well be the case, and is reall the only way to explain things, canon does not support that notion. In How the Mighty are Fallen, the PCs have 10 rounds (and however amount of time that translated to in 2e. I am assuming it was still 6 seconds, meaning 60 seconds/1 minute) to kill the Lich Lord after Mystryl sacrificed herself. This countdown was representative of the time in which there was no magic available. Meaning that until Mystra was reborn, the planet was under the effects of a Dead Magic Zone.
In 2nd ed, 1 round = 1 minute.
In 2nd ed, 1 round = 1 minute.
-One round was 1 minute!?
-Okaaay...Well, I didn't know that...Well, that means the Weave was down for 10 rounds = 10 minutes.
-Are you sure? That just doesn't sound right.
-But, still, that has some serious ramifications that don't make sense, then. It took 5 minutes for the enclaves to fall from the sky, and in the end, Mystra was still able to save three from crashing! Weighing tons upon tons, how the hell high were they? They'd have to be beyond space for that to make any sense!
Perhaps the Mythallars had reserves of power beyond the Weave. Maybe Mystra secreted away some of her own power in them, which kept them aloft for a time.
As an aside: The destruction of Mystryl or Mystra could have easily destroyed Faerûn. It's not as though her previous deaths were without worldwide calamity.
Perhaps the Mythallars had reserves of power beyond the Weave.
-Netherese Mythallars exploded with the destruction of the Weave, which is why they are so rare today, with very few remaining.
Maybe Mystra secreted away some of her own power in them, which kept them aloft for a time.
-There is no evidence to substantiate this. Regardless if she did or not, all magic items ceased functioning during this period of time.
As an aside: The destruction of Mystryl or Mystra could have easily destroyed Faerûn. It's not as though her previous deaths were without worldwide calamity.
-What worldwide calamity? With Mystryl's death, there was no worldwide calamity described, save the destruction of High Netheril, and a large whirlpool that developed in the Inner Sea. And, with the death of Mystra the second time, the world was already in fluctuation due to the Time of Troubles, and there not being a deity of magic, but the Weave continuing to exist, albeit erratically, and not because of a Mystra's avatar's death.
-I went back and checked, and it was only 5 rounds, not 10.
-But, still, that has some serious ramifications that don't make sense, then. It took 5 minutes for the enclaves to fall from the sky, and in the end, Mystra was still able to save three from crashing! Weighing tons upon tons, how the hell high were they? They'd have to be beyond space for that to make any sense!
From the days of old, 1 round equaled six seconds. 10 rounds equaled a "turn," which seems to get easily confused with a round.
From the days of old, 1 round equaled six seconds. 10 rounds equaled a "turn," which seems to get easily confused with a round.
-Why are things never easy?
-In 2e, 1 round was:
(A) Six seconds?
(B) One minute?
-Why are things never easy?
-In 2e, 1 round was:
(A) Six seconds?
(B) One minute?
What did I just say, dude? 1 round was six seconds. 10 rounds equaled a turn, which was one minute. People tend to get turns and rounds confused.
So, with your 5 rounds, it took 30 seconds for Netheril to plummet.
So, with your 5 rounds, it took 30 seconds for Netheril to plummet.
-That's how I've always operated, and makes the situation much more plausible. All is right now.
-That's how I've always operated, and makes the situation much more plausible. All is right now.
Glad your mind is at ease. If we ever come to a point where I have to explain THAC0 to you, I'll be sure to explain in more detail.
Glad your mind is at ease. If we ever come to a point where I have to explain THAC0 to you, I'll be sure to explain in more detail.
-'To Hit Armor Class 0', I know that much. That, and you want it to be very low, not very high.
-'To Hit Armor Class 0', I know that much. That, and you want it to be very low, not very high.
Yeah, I remember that discussion and the 2e/3e debate. Glad you do, as well. Soon, you'll be able to pretend you're old school with the rest of us. ;)
-Netherese Mythallars exploded with the destruction of the Weave, which is why they are so rare today, with very few remaining.
Ah, mayhap not all of them did.
Or perhaps some of them (unknown to their creators) were tied in to the Shadow Weave.
Or perhaps divinities lent some of their personal power to certain of the enclaves.
Or perhaps some enclaves slipped in and out of reality with the tumult of magic turning on and off even as they literally fell to the surface.
And so on. Lots of possibilities.
-There is no evidence to substantiate this. Regardless if she did or not, all magic items ceased functioning during this period of time.
Even if there’s not written evidence, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Remember, we know the enclaves survived. The idea is to work backwards to that.
Wouldn't Heavy Magic have functioned still?
-What worldwide calamity? With Mystryl's death, there was no worldwide calamity described, save the destruction of High Netheril, and a large whirlpool that developed in the Inner Sea.
Forget not the loss of magic and all that entailed for other people and places that depended on it.
And, with the death of Mystra the second time, the world was already in fluctuation due to the Time of Troubles, and there not being a deity of magic, but the Weave continuing to exist, albeit erratically, and not because of a Mystra's avatar's death.
This is well said. I always understood the fluctuations to be primarily a function of magic going mostly ungoverned, but I can see how one might view it as a result of so many avatars roaming the face of Faerûn.
Ah, mayhap not all of them did.
-No, not all of them did. There were no enclaves that were in the sky who had mythallars that survived however, to save their respective cities. The mythallars in Skullport, for example, survived, but that settlement was landbound, underground.
Or perhaps some of them (unknown to their creators) were tied in to the Shadow Weave.
-Only the Mythallar in the Shade Enclave was tied to the Shadow Weave. Their mythallar was untouched, as the city was transported to the Plane of Shadows.
Or perhaps divinities lent some of their personal power to certain of the enclaves.
Or perhaps some enclaves slipped in and out of reality with the tumult of magic turning on and off even as they literally fell to the surface.
-There is no evidence to substantiate either of these.
Even if there’s not written evidence, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Remember, we know the enclaves survived. The idea is to work backwards to that.
-Five enclaves survived. Two were removed from the Prime Material Plane. The surviving three were saved by Mystra at the last moment, as their mythallars stopped functioning, and the enclaves began to plummet to certain doom.
Wouldn't Heavy Magic have functioned still?
-Maybe, maybe not. Mythallars did not "run" on Heavy Magic, however.
Forget not the loss of magic and all that entailed for other people and places that depended on it.
-All of this possible calamity, there is nothing mentioned, aside for the collapse of the Netherese enclaves, and the whirlpool in the Inner Sea (which may or may not be related). As such, being as that nothing else is mentioned, I think it is safe to assume that there was no such calamity. Otherwise, there'd be a shred of lore mentioning it.
This is well said. I always understood the fluctuations to be primarily a function of magic going mostly ungoverned, but I can see how one might view it as a result of so many avatars roaming the face of Faerûn.
-I did not mean it like that. The fluctuations in magic, and it's unstable and erratic nature were because of the mitigating factors and fallout of Ao's decree and the resulting Time of Troubles, not of Mystra's death while in avatar form to the hands of Helm.
What did I just say, dude? 1 round was six seconds. 10 rounds equaled a turn, which was one minute. People tend to get turns and rounds confused.
So, with your 5 rounds, it took 30 seconds for Netheril to plummet.
I'm pretty sure that 1 round = 1 minute in 2nd edition. So 1 turn was = 10 minutes. I don't have my 2nd edition PHB right here, but soon as a get a chance to look at it, I'll give you the exact page for reference (the English version; I think it's not in the same page in the Portuguese version ;) ).
:headexplo
I'm pretty sure that 1 round = 1 minute in 2nd edition. So 1 turn was = 10 minutes. I don't have my 2nd edition PHB right here, but soon as a get a chance to look at it, I'll give you the exact page for reference (the English version; I think it's not in the same page in the Portuguese version ;) ).
No. You're quite right. It was that way for a bit. Then people started *****ing about how they could only get one attack every one minute.
It was changed by TSR due to that fact. Though, I can't tell you if it was in a reprint or a 2.5e or something. Long ago.
-I now have closure...Which is sad, because the actuality of it is that the less believable of the two is it.
Huh?
Wha' you talkin' 'bout, Willis?
-I now have closure...Which is sad, because the actuality of it is that the less believable of the two is it.
Don't forget about "segments" in AD&D. Heh! ;)
For Karsus, closure is a four-letter word.
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1079418&page=2
For Karsus, closure is a four-letter word.
Love when LK gets his panties in a bunch.
Either way, this is the same thing I came across when I brought up the fatigue rule. So, yeah, Combat & Tactics may have been it. All I know is that is how I played it for years.
And, as far as Karsus goes--the real one, not this imitation ;) --it makes far more sense for the Fall of Netheril.
see this thread
Don't forget about "segments" in AD&D. Heh! ;)
Shut up!!!
Shut up!!!
Meep!
Meep!
Sorry, hon. Still love you. Forgive me?
Sorry, hon. Still love you. Forgive me?
Mais oui, mon petit doudou.
Mais oui, mon petit doudou.
Wee, wee! :D
Now grab that whip, girl. Been too long.
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1079418&page=2
For Karsus, closure is a four-letter word.
-I think it begins with 'F'...
I figure Elminster is tired at this point and the opportunity for him to become her exarch would be beneficial for him.
I figure Elminster is tired at this point and the opportunity for him to become her exarch would be beneficial for him.
Would it? I'd think it would be jumping from the Frying Pan into the Fire.
No rest for Exarchs, they don't have to worry about petty little things like mortality anymore. (Not that El was mortal, but I think you know what I mean...) ;)
At the end of the Time of Trouble, I have referenced this time way too often of late, AO threatened/offered Elminster the job of god of magic, and El turned it down, claiming that AO would regret it (IIRC). He has no aspirations to godhood, and I think is tired of immortality.
That's been stated somewhere--his being tired of immortality.
In a campaign, I managed to save him from death. Then, later on, while all of Shadowdale was getting busy in the local tavern celebrating things, he walked up and slapped me for saving him. Evidently, he had been told his time had come and that I had screwed it for him.
Oh, well...
Would it? I'd think it would be jumping from the Frying Pan into the Fire.
No rest for Exarchs, they don't have to worry about petty little things like mortality anymore. (Not that El was mortal, but I think you know what I mean...) ;)
-I'd have to agree with that. Added responsibilities, less down time, more paperwork, more bureaucratic red tape...
-I'd have to agree with that. Added responsibilities, less down time, more paperwork, more bureaucratic red tape...
Not to mention those bothersom insane gods trying to kill you
Not to mention those bothersom insane gods trying to kill you
-Well, to be honest, he already had to be on the look out for those when he was a mortal, so that's nothing new there.
BTW i like the blue phoenix as her new symbol, i'm glad its not lost on anyone else that poor Mystra is Faerun's version of Jean Grey kill her and bring her back kill her and bring her back kill her and split her up. Part of me says KILL HER ALREADY but as they are both super big favs of mine i have to keep saying BRING HER BACK AND STOP KILLING HER. Get a new way to change the Realms geez.