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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 12:09:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Read The Netheril trilogy, or at least Dangerous Games. Karsus was described/addressed as an archwizard there. And in case you forgot, ALL NOVELS ARE CANON.
I don't know that I'd consider that a definitive reference. "Archwizard" may simply have been the author's way of not sayign arcanist 17,052 times in the novel.
Indeed. Archwizard is a fairly generic term when describing mages on considerable power.
Granted, it may have some definitive position in the Netherese lexicon, but it could simply be nothing more than a standard term of use for such a magic-heavy society.
Recently, archwizard is used to mean archmage or any wizard of considerable power. But during the time of Netheril---which is the context of this argument---archwizard was a title only conferred to those who successfully created their own floating enclaves.
While I was reading page 1, I was almost ready to quick reply to explain pretty much this. All "wizards" of Netheril (the class) are Arcanists, while the most powerful ones (the vast majority having their own enclaves) are referred to as Archwizards (a high ranking title), yeet simultaneously remain as Arcanists (think of it as a Prestige Class with high requirements (3/3.5/PF) or an Epic Destiny (4E)).
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Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 12:11:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
I still find BioWare's non-canon NWN version of Karsus a bit insulting. Wizard 15? Seriously? I suppose your NWN party can kill Arthindol and Larloch, too?
It is simply a minor worshipper posing as the great one in order to fool the non-believers and smite them down and convert them to the most holy of faiths! |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 12:20:42
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That was my conclusion when I posted this blasphemy on page 1. An imposter Karsus.
[Edit]
Although I do admit I think the imposter's pointy petit goatee looks rather rakish. Standard issue for every style-conscious wizard/archwizard, along with the pointy skullcap. Let's face it, pipe-smoking Gandalf style is out of fashion. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 03 Feb 2011 12:37:42 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 13:03:29
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It might be one of Cyric's lesser avatars. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 13:18:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
It might be one of Cyric's lesser avatars.
Cyric is secretly a worshipper of Karsus (if he says otherwise, it's a lie  ) |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 13:27:45
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| If Cyric's mouth is open then he's lying. I wouldn't insult Karsus by offering an unworthy slimeball like Cyric, not even as roadkill sacrifice. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 13:30:27
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Fellow true believers, Karsus has declared me his most faithful servant and Exarch! As my first task, I ask you all, what aspect of the high and mighty one do you appreciate the most?
Is it his power? His prestige? His grooming habits? |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 13:35:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
It might be one of Cyric's lesser avatars.
Cyric is secretly a worshipper of Karsus (if he says otherwise, it's a lie )
 Have you found the impostor, then? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 13:54:49
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quote:
Arik
I gotta ask, seriously, exactly what the hell is this about, eh? The "once-great" Karsus the Archwizard, tormented, humiliated, being punished (by succubi) in hell, humbly seeking redemption and offering confession for his "crime", and — most unacceptably heinous of all! — being addressed as a common 15th-level wizard. Pah!
Click the link. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Synthalus
Learned Scribe
USA
170 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 13:55:32
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| His Epic Level Failure to usurp the goddess of magics godhood! |
"That is not dead which can eternal lie,
And with strange aeons even death may die."
— H.P. Lovecraft (The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories) |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 14:05:22
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Ah, Alisttair, being the founder and High Priest of Karsus, have you already decided which title you wish to be addressed with? Archpriest? High Priest? Deidum? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 14:20:42
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Nethermancer! No finer title exists. Though Overlord kinda sounds appropriate.
Am I the only one here who hasn't started a Karsus thread? |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 03 Feb 2011 14:21:40 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 14:39:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Nethermancer! No finer title exists. Though Overlord kinda sounds appropriate.
Am I the only one here who hasn't started a Karsus thread?
Nethermancer sounds like necromancer. Overlord should be Obould's title.
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Every beginning has an end. |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 14:49:25
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In regards to my most holy title as exach of Karsus, I give thee fellow worshippers the task of coming up with a variety of suitable names, from which I will choose the one most appropriate!!
All Hail Karsus!!! |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 09:20:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
Fellow true believers, Karsus has declared me his most faithful servant and Exarch! As my first task, I ask you all, what aspect of the high and mighty one do you appreciate the most?
Is it his power? His prestige? His grooming habits?
The first two. With power comes prestige.
Karsus has so many potentials. That's why I want him to come back. When he does, the first thing he should do to attract more followers and change the minds of those who are indifferent to him, is to act like a mature man. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 11:03:27
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Saying it that way sorta makes it sound like the old Cyric Manifesto.
I've long noted that most of the mortals who ascend to godhood in the Realms lose some indefinable part of themselves, their personality, élan vital, heart, soul, spirit, vibrance, energy, essence, whatever you call it ... their humanity is somehow diminished. But none of these exaltants has ever gained any humanity in return. I'm uncertain whether this is a deliberately designed subtlety or a consequence of the authors inadvertently treating these characters in a more subdued manner after apotheosis (to portray them with greater gravity, perhaps).
Karsus Ascended will not suffer from fewer faults than did Karsus Aspirant, nor will he have gained any of the human qualities that eluded him as a mortal. It would be ironic if his hubris continued to compel him towards attainment of higher station at any cost. It would be ironic tragedy if he instead struggled to regain what he's lost by searching for a path that descends back to humanity.
I personally think the essence of Karsus is shattered and insane, perhaps beyond the power of even other gods to restore. He might be salvageable if enough divine energy were focussed on the task of repairing him, but he would never be the same as the Karsus who came before nor the Karsus who was meant to be. It does seem strange that his power has not dissipated (or succumbed to divine predation) when so few have worshipped him over the passing centuries, while stronger gods like Moander have struggled to simply continue existing with only minimal or marginal success. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 04 Feb 2011 11:55:19 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 11:17:46
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Cyric is a hopeless case. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 12:05:52
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How does Karsite Arcanist Supreme sound?
Cyric is in prison. Karsus may....may use him as a minion! |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 12:36:10
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Karsus had contempt for gods when he lived, he won't have any respect for gods when he is reborn among them. He'll likely just ignore the lot of them as much as possible and focus on researching some arcanical method of exceeding the "limitations" Ao places upon him. Cyric is useless for anything other than fetching coffee, and can't even be trusted to bring one back without adding poison and lies.
Karsus died at age 357. How old was he when he abandoned longevity magics and liched up?
His major arcanum was Mentalism. That still leaves the Invention and Variation arcana — one was his minor and one forbidden, but which?
Did any arcanists apprentice under him? If so, who?
The only new titles I can conceive are Karsonist and Heavy Mage. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 04 Feb 2011 12:38:43 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 13:07:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
How does Karsite Arcanist Supreme sound?
Cyric is in prison. Karsus may....may use him as a minion!
It sounds too close to Dr. Strange's title. The first two words are fine, but change the last. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 13:16:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Karsus had contempt for gods when he lived, he won't have any respect for gods when he is reborn among them. He'll likely just ignore the lot of them as much as possible and focus on researching some arcanical method of exceeding the "limitations" Ao places upon him. Cyric is useless for anything other than fetching coffee, and can't even be trusted to bring one back without adding poison and lies.
Karsus died at age 357. How old was he when he abandoned longevity magics and liched up?
His major arcanum was Mentalism. That still leaves the Invention and Variation arcana — one was his minor and one forbidden, but which?
Did any arcanists apprentice under him? If so, who?
The only new titles I can conceive are Karsonist and Heavy Mage.
Karsus had no known apprentice. Though Telamont (who was then known as Shadow) might be one. He studied in Karsus Academy, and Karsus was the only one who supported his controversial research on the then Demiplane of Shadow. But whether he taught Telamont or not was never revealed.
Mage Arcane is a nice title, too. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 13:30:24
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Grand Arcanist of Heavy Magic
Karsonist Most Arcane
Karsonist of most High Arcana
Karsonist Arcanist Most High
??? |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 13:58:56
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Grand Arcanist sounds cool. You can combine it with my previous suggestion to have: Grand Mage Arcane. Now that's way cooler. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 16:13:47
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| Aw, don't waste any more time. Überblaster or Archlich. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 16:26:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Aw, don't waste any more time. Überblaster or Archlich.
Well it needs to sound obvious that it is both a Netherese/Arcanist title and dvout worshipper of Karsus.  |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2011 : 06:25:59
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Karsite Arcanar. Pretty kewl. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2011 : 06:42:07
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| Of karse it does, Dennis. You didn't say Archanar. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2011 : 06:54:32
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That could be a good variation.
What about Karsus's title? Definitely not Lord of Spells. Azuth deserves to carry that till his (ridiculous) destruction/absorption. Not God of Magic, either. Mystra 3.0 is back.
I can't think of any atm. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2011 : 12:39:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Karsite Arcanar. Pretty kewl.
I think I will go with this one. Thanks Dennis  |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2011 : 01:26:45
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I'm glad you finally decided on one. That leaves one more thing: what will Karsus' title be? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Topic |
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Karsus Worship Thread
