| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alruane |
Posted - 16 Nov 2013 : 19:50:32
I know, this had been asked of you before and it's been beaten into the ground I am sure. But I am curious, not for polls sake, but for knowledge sake. What is your favorite Wizard or spell user Realms related or not? It can be anyone! From the highest mightiest mage, down to the most humble and inexperienced arcane student. I want to know what makes you enjoy this person/persons so much! It can be more than one in a particular order, or just one person in general. You don't have to go into detail or make a novel about it if you do not wish. But give us a little back story as to why they are your favorite! I love hearing the opinions of others on fellow mages and sorcerers! Feel free to post as much as you wish.  |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alruane |
Posted - 24 Dec 2013 : 07:45:48
I would say Akar Kessell is a Arcane User and everything but, technically he was a nothing who found Crenshinibon by chance and became powerful THROUGH it. Not that he is my favorite, but still. Just throwing that out there to anyone whom says him in the off chance. |
| Alruane |
Posted - 12 Dec 2013 : 00:22:19
quote:
Originally posted by The Arcanamach
quote:
With lightning no less! Even though Liches are immune to electricity!
That still bugs me.
quote:
I never knew Catti-Brie used magic!
That is a recent development (recent as in books, not the timeline).
The Simbul almost single handedly held the Red Wizards of Thay at bay (they tried to conquer Aglarond numerous times). She is known to have slain thousands of Thayvian soldiers whilst fighting solo (all at once that is). She was reworked into a sorceress under 3e (a move I disliked and never incorporated into my homebrew Realms).
Well seeing as how I said that there are a couple things you might need to know:
1. I have just NOW started reading the Icewind Dale trilogy, so I only knew Drizzt and his companions VAGUELY through games and minor excerpts. Therefore, I never knew much about Catti-Brie to begin with.
And
2. I have been out of the D&D loop since I was 14 maybe? That was the last time I truly cracked open a source book or core rule book. Not to mention the only real lore I truly know about FR is minor things about Baldur's Gate, a few things of Waterdeep, and various books on Elminster. My knowledge on this realm is not as vast as others, hence joining this site and learning as much as I can. So forgive my lack of knowledge and comprehension on Realms based lore and history.  |
| Alruane |
Posted - 11 Dec 2013 : 16:42:59
To be honest, if anything, the last thing he would be good at (outside of his wizard class) is a Cleric or Priest(priestess in Myth Drannor). Because after that book he did not change nor do anything else that differentiated his wizard class. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 11 Dec 2013 : 13:55:27
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Not that I dislike fighter wizards. I even like Kvothe, Elminster, and Martris Drayke, ...
Elminster's something of a special case.
Keep in mind, also, that much of the experience Elminster has gained, along with many of the skills he's learnt, through the long centuries of his life, aren't aspects of his character he can always directly call upon.
From pg. 48 of the Heroes' Lorebook:-
quote:
Elminster has been a fighter, a thief, and a priest (a priestess, actually) before he became a mage. However, all the skills he picked up in those classes have been neglected over the years and are no longer available to him.
I was referring the "old" Elminster, the one in E:TMoaM. I pretty much took the hint that he abandoned his fighter side as he never (AFAIR) ever swings a sword in the later novels (EiH, the Shandril saga, RotA, and the Sage of Shadowdale series). |
| Dennis |
Posted - 11 Dec 2013 : 13:50:05
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
So the fact that Gandalf wielded Glamdring means he no longer invokes awe?
Probably, probably not. As Alruane said, it's all a matter of perspective. People may readily think that a wizard who also takes a sword is either a relatively weak one or has no full confidence in his Art. They may think, "His spells will likely fizzle, and so he'd just grab and swing a sword instead." In comparison, they may think of pure wizards as perfectly confident that they can depend on their Art at all times. |
| Alruane |
Posted - 11 Dec 2013 : 11:14:21
Correct Sage! In the first book of the series, Elminster, Making Of A Mage he was many things before Mystra came to him in that temple. He was a farmer of a sorts, a simple villager. Then he became a brigand after the mages dragon attack, then a simple thief, and so on. So he was many things at first, but through his many long years of ONLY using magic...his other skills have dwindled down to literally nothing. He MAY be able to recall said skills, but I doubt it. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 11 Dec 2013 : 01:28:24
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Not that I dislike fighter wizards. I even like Kvothe, Elminster, and Martris Drayke, ...
Elminster's something of a special case.
Keep in mind, also, that much of the experience Elminster has gained, along with many of the skills he's learnt, through the long centuries of his life, aren't aspects of his character he can always directly call upon.
From pg. 48 of the Heroes' Lorebook:-
quote:
Elminster has been a fighter, a thief, and a priest (a priestess, actually) before he became a mage. However, all the skills he picked up in those classes have been neglected over the years and are no longer available to him.
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| Alruane |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 23:29:48
Okay Drustan, first of all: I love that list of Arcane Users.
Secondly: That part about Zatahl Sylwynon your gold elf swordmage being pen pals with Elminster, and the two criticizing each other about their respective smoking habits. Clever and very funny actually, but the best part is the fact that the scrolls were 'Important'. Well done Drustan, well done.  |
| Drustan Dwnhaedan |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 22:46:06
Okay, it took me a while to work out which characters I liked best (too many choices!). Here's what I finally decided;
1: Storm Silverhand
2: Alustriel Silverhand
3: Elminster
4:Liriel Baenre
5:Danilo Thann
6: This one's actually a tie between Khelban and Laeral (couldn't decide between the two)
7: The Simbul
8: Sylune Silverhand (some of you might have noticed certain recurring themes here...)
9: Gromph Baenre
10: Manshoon
And a couple honorable mentions;
1: My first (FR) PC ever, Zatahl Sylwynon, gold elf swordmage ( when I first joined my gaming group, my DM was running a 4e campaign set in 1285 D.R.) and devote worshipper of Eilistraee (yes, you read that right; a gold elf who worships Eilistraee).
2:Felix (an original creation of my DM's), an Illithilich information broker working out of Skullport and (sort of*) pen pal of Elminster.
*'Sort of' because they would write 'important' scrolls, which were then entrusted in my character's care. After attempting to deliver the first scroll resulted in considerable frustration (My character had to deal with Lhaeo for a couple hours. After a couple of hours he decided he had had enough, burned the scroll, said something along the lines of, "If the Old Sage wants to read that ******* scroll, then he better be able to read ******* ashes," and stormed off. This led to Felix teleporting over, handing him a copy of the scroll, and warning him to, "never do that again"), my character simply carried them around with him (after a certain amount of time, the scrolls would just disappear, replaced by a 'response' scroll). Felix finally revealed the nature of these 'important' scrolls towards the end of the campaign; basically, Elminster and Felix had been criticizing one another for their respective smoking habits (Eliminster with his pipes, Felix with his hookah). |
| Alruane |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 20:43:14
That he does, just not as much as one that never touched a sword or shield in their life. It's all a matter of personal perspective. I love Gandalf and what he does throughout the novels, and I love Elminster, and so on. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 20:25:07
So the fact that Gandalf wielded Glamdring means he no longer invokes awe? |
| Alruane |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 17:57:48
Yes exactly, the arcane and mysterious nature loses it's feeling when they are not PURE. So I agree with that. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 17:47:46
Not that I dislike fighter wizards. I even like Kvothe, Elminster, and Martris Drayke, all of whom have relatively good fighter skills (especially Kvothe). It's just that somehow the fighter side takes away the sense of awe that a wizard is supposed to evoke. That is why I'm partial to the likes of Pug, Telamont, Larloch, and Szass Tam. |
| Alruane |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 15:54:24
Don't you love when they don't have many writings on your favored character or lore in general?!  |
| hashimashadoo |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 15:12:32
I guess I've always had a fondness for Kartak Spellseer. The guy is pretty much the only founding member of the Twisted Rune who is still alive and kicking...or at least kicking. I've always found it odd that he hasn't had more written about him. Every source just says 'refer to the module Castle Spulzeer for more on Kartak'. Well, that's all very well and good for his history but I want to find out what he's up to after said castle disappeared into the Demiplane of Dread.
Does he still get transported to the Castle for 24 hours a year? Would that even be possible after the events of The Forgotten Terror? Lords of Darkness makes it clear that he's still around but nothing is noted of the projects of any of the Runemasters. Considering that Kartak is both one of the oldest members of the organization and the closest thing to 'the face' of the Runemasters, I think there should be more on him.
I do also quite like Gromph Baenre...not to say I only like evil wizards. |
| Alruane |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 14:56:39
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
I'm old-school. Don't want my wizard to have fighter skills.
My Gandalf/Elminster knockoff was created as an NPC. I'll be revisiting him at some point to revamp his backstory, but the fighter thing will remain. It seems a not unreasonable thing to me: he wanted to study magic, but found himself lacking all resources save for an older sibling with a spare sword. Later on, after swinging his sword for several levels, then he found himself alone again, with resources, and decided it was time to pursue magic.
By all means it makes sense, actually very interesting to be sure. But it's interesting he is an NPC as well, wouldn't mind hearing the back story when you finish it. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 14:39:27
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
I'm old-school. Don't want my wizard to have fighter skills.
My Gandalf/Elminster knockoff was created as an NPC. I'll be revisiting him at some point to revamp his backstory, but the fighter thing will remain. It seems a not unreasonable thing to me: he wanted to study magic, but found himself lacking all resources save for an older sibling with a spare sword. Later on, after swinging his sword for several levels, then he found himself alone again, with resources, and decided it was time to pursue magic. |
| Alruane |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 13:22:03
Keeping to the archetype I see? Good, I usually do as well. Haha |
| Dennis |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 13:13:46
I'm old-school. Don't want my wizard to have fighter skills. |
| Alruane |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 12:17:07
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Alruane
Another favorite of mine is my wizard I have been working on for some time, Alruane. He has aspects of Gorion and Elminster, but who's wizards AREN'T like Elminster these days eh? Haha Either way, I favor his story and his style, he is not your usual mage. Nothing like it actually, yes he possesses GREAT wisdom and intelligence. But his demeanor and personality say more rogue and fighter, than wise old wizard. Sly as a rogue, and as tough as a fighter. His elven nature makes his personality offset his class EVEN more than normal!
My Elminster/Gandalf knockoff was a skilled fighter before getting into magic, so he's quite comfortable with a sword, and often grabs his blade before resorting to spells.
Oh yeah? Wow, so he has physical combat to back his magic or vice versa! That's great! I just meant, this one is ONLY a spellcaster, but he has the mentality and personality style of a fighter and a rogue. Something not TOO often seen with mages. Most have a high and mighty outlook on themselves, others humble and gracious. If he didn't actually carry around a staff, you'd think he was a quirky elven fighter/rogue. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 12:05:00
quote:
Originally posted by Alruane
Another favorite of mine is my wizard I have been working on for some time, Alruane. He has aspects of Gorion and Elminster, but who's wizards AREN'T like Elminster these days eh? Haha Either way, I favor his story and his style, he is not your usual mage. Nothing like it actually, yes he possesses GREAT wisdom and intelligence. But his demeanor and personality say more rogue and fighter, than wise old wizard. Sly as a rogue, and as tough as a fighter. His elven nature makes his personality offset his class EVEN more than normal!
My Elminster/Gandalf knockoff was a skilled fighter before getting into magic, so he's quite comfortable with a sword, and often grabs his blade before resorting to spells. |
| Alruane |
Posted - 10 Dec 2013 : 11:05:30
Another favorite of mine is my wizard I have been working on for some time, Alruane. He has aspects of Gorion and Elminster, but who's wizards AREN'T like Elminster these days eh? Haha Either way, I favor his story and his style, he is not your usual mage. Nothing like it actually, yes he possesses GREAT wisdom and intelligence. But his demeanor and personality say more rogue and fighter, than wise old wizard. Sly as a rogue, and as tough as a fighter. His elven nature makes his personality offset his class EVEN more than normal! |
| Alruane |
Posted - 02 Dec 2013 : 21:06:29
Interesting choice there, Chosen of Asmodeus. Thanks for your input |
| Chosen of Asmodeus |
Posted - 02 Dec 2013 : 21:03:41
I always rather liked Jalanvaloss, myself. |
| Alruane |
Posted - 02 Dec 2013 : 16:53:24
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Alruane
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Two more:
Dyrr the lichdrow, because he's practically protected his House (more than their Matron Mother did) against the backstabbing Houses in Menzo, and because he nearly killed Gromph.
Lady Polaris (before she turned into a fat tadpole), because she used to be the very emblem of Netherese aristocracy, and because she could walk in the Nine Hells--literally--as though she were walking in the park and swat a pit fiend like a fly.
I swear I've heard of Dyrr the lichdrow from somehwere, and cannot recall where. 
And again, I know that name. For the life of me I cannot remember where I've heard their names before. This shall drive me insane. >_<
Alystra has the right of it. Dyrr appears in the six-book multi-author WotSQ series. He specifically has the most "face time" in book 5, Annihilation. That I'm aware of, that is. You see, I've only read three yet (books 5, 1, and 2--in that order). Though right now I'm reading book 6, Resurrection by Paul S. Kemp (and loving it so far).
It appears this humble sage has many books to read, and by that I mean tons of them. I know the names and figured I'd read any novels or books about them, but I guess not. |
| Alruane |
Posted - 02 Dec 2013 : 16:48:50
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Alruane
CRAP! I forgot about Raistlin! Thank you for reminding me, Alystra! Good choices, great list.
I thought you're asking for FR wizards only? Oh well, I can list my fave non-FR wizards too, but that's gonna be a very long list and quite possibly have a very lengthy explanation on the reasons I like them.
Well, I'll edit the topic and we'll just throw any favored wizard in regardless. It'll be our little secret. Haha |
| Dennis |
Posted - 02 Dec 2013 : 13:39:48
quote:
Originally posted by Alruane
CRAP! I forgot about Raistlin! Thank you for reminding me, Alystra! Good choices, great list.
I thought you're asking for FR wizards only? Oh well, I can list my fave non-FR wizards too, but that's gonna be a very long list and quite possibly have a very lengthy explanation on the reasons I like them. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 02 Dec 2013 : 13:33:27
quote:
Originally posted by Alruane
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Two more:
Dyrr the lichdrow, because he's practically protected his House (more than their Matron Mother did) against the backstabbing Houses in Menzo, and because he nearly killed Gromph.
Lady Polaris (before she turned into a fat tadpole), because she used to be the very emblem of Netherese aristocracy, and because she could walk in the Nine Hells--literally--as though she were walking in the park and swat a pit fiend like a fly.
I swear I've heard of Dyrr the lichdrow from somehwere, and cannot recall where.
And again, I know that name. For the life of me I cannot remember where I've heard their names before. This shall drive me insane. >_<
Alystra has the right of it. Dyrr appears in the six-book multi-author WotSQ series. He specifically has the most "face time" in book 5, Annihilation. That I'm aware of, that is. You see, I've only read three yet (books 5, 1, and 2--in that order). Though right now I'm reading book 6, Resurrection by Paul S. Kemp (and loving it so far). |
| Alruane |
Posted - 02 Dec 2013 : 05:13:27
CRAP! I forgot about Raistlin! Thank you for reminding me, Alystra! Good choices, great list. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 02 Dec 2013 : 04:23:37
Dyrr was in the War of the Spider Queen series. Along with Gromph, Pharaun, and all those other drow wizards, etc that were involved in that mess.
My personal faves-
Danilo Thann
Elminster
Halaster
Khelban
Alustriel
Liriel Baenre
Non-Realms
Raistlin
Dalamar the Dark
Bigby (I'd like to thank him for all those hand spells!)
Mordenkainen (for the protections out the yin-yang)
And finally, my very own gnome wizard, Beznik Bogglewort (a pyromancer/alchemist who's a clumsy, near-sighted, and absent-minded pyromaniac who hates elves, with a sarcastic mechanical ferret for a familiar.) |
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