I can't believe anybody is arguing against the creator of the realms himself. If Ed says something, then its got to be so (until published material trumps him.)
I can't believe anybody is arguing against the creator of the realms himself. If Ed says something, then its got to be so (until published material trumps him.)
I would think Ed ranks above the concept of "the best spellcaster." As such, you shouldn't be able to easily quantify the Ol' Bearded One's position in Realmsspace.
Sage, I don't think althen's voting for Ed; he's voting for the Srinshee, whom I believe actually is a more powerful arcane spellcaster than Karsus. She's certainly a more successful one; I mean, Karsus' greatest accomplishment was killing the god he was trying to help.
Playing in the Realms since the Old Grey Box (1987)... and *still* having fun with material published before 2008, despite the NDA'd lore.
If it's comparable in power with non-magical abilities, it's not magic.
I meant, that you really can't vote for Ed because he's not actually in the setting.
Well if Elminster has visited our world I am sure he brought Ed along to visit the realms a few times, so in a sense, he is in the setting (albeit only sometimes)
Hello everyone, I had just thought of a question and had been wondering for some time. All right, this poll asks all the scribes, veteran and elite scribes of candlekeep who you think is the best, most powerful, most superior spellcaster in the realms in terms of your own opinion, not based on some stats. A honest vote and honest reply is greatly appreciated, I express my thanks to all in advance. Thank you.
well, befoe I vote, might I ask on what grounds we ar talking here?
because Elminster is widely regarded as the most powerful and knowledgable of Magic in the Realms. he has definitely an innate understanding and connection with the Weave which cannot be denied. in that sense, he is like an extension of Mystra herself.
in contrast, Manshoon has proven himself the most talented mage in the Realms. he has unlocked secrets which to this day, nobody else has managed to duplicate. he has cloned himself numerous times and they all activated at once (which by the way, makes me wonder what exactly happened to his Soul/Spirit), and furthermore he has afterwards overcome the bug in that incredible feat of Spellcraft (the doppleganger-killing compulsion which pitted his clones against one another).
Khelben is by far the wisest Mage in teh Realms, in my personal honest opinion, and I think that that should account for something.
I wouldn't put Halaster Blackcloak in the top list on my personal opinion, though that isn't to say he deserves no consideration. I just personally think he's far too mad to count. he's powerful, yes, but nothing compared to the other mages. in most games that include an insane hermit wizard, said wizard has some kind of secret knowledge which poses a serious threat to the entire world. Halaster doesn't live up to that legacy. he'd make an awesome opponent in a Mage Duel though. =w=
so, I think my top three choices are Elminster, Khelben and Manshoon, depending on what qualities count for this question.
and a heart can only break so many times and I've been to hell and back so many times and I've seen folks walk away so many times but just like anyone else I gotta stand up by myself and a heart can only break so many times a heart can only break so many times
Hello everyone, I had just thought of a question and had been wondering for some time. All right, this poll asks all the scribes, veteran and elite scribes of candlekeep who you think is the best, most powerful, most superior spellcaster in the realms in terms of your own opinion, not based on some stats. A honest vote and honest reply is greatly appreciated, I express my thanks to all in advance. Thank you.
well, befoe I vote, might I ask on what grounds we ar talking here?
because Elminster is widely regarded as the most powerful and knowledgable of Magic in the Realms. he has definitely an innate understanding and connection with the Weave which cannot be denied. in that sense, he is like an extension of Mystra herself.
in contrast, Manshoon has proven himself the most talented mage in the Realms. he has unlocked secrets which to this day, nobody else has managed to duplicate. he has cloned himself numerous times and they all activated at once (which by the way, makes me wonder what exactly happened to his Soul/Spirit), and furthermore he has afterwards overcome the bug in that incredible feat of Spellcraft (the doppleganger-killing compulsion which pitted his clones against one another).
Khelben is by far the wisest Mage in teh Realms, in my personal honest opinion, and I think that that should account for something.
I wouldn't put Halaster Blackcloak in the top list on my personal opinion, though that isn't to say he deserves no consideration. I just personally think he's far too mad to count. he's powerful, yes, but nothing compared to the other mages. in most games that include an insane hermit wizard, said wizard has some kind of secret knowledge which poses a serious threat to the entire world. Halaster doesn't live up to that legacy. he'd make an awesome opponent in a Mage Duel though. =w=
so, I think my top three choices are Elminster, Khelben and Manshoon, depending on what qualities count for this question.
Unless we are talking about the possibility of a Manshoon behind the scenes manipulating all his clones like puppets, he really does not belong in the conversation. Elminster has made him look like an inept bum every confrontation.
Hello everyone, I had just thought of a question and had been wondering for some time. All right, this poll asks all the scribes, veteran and elite scribes of candlekeep who you think is the best, most powerful, most superior spellcaster in the realms in terms of your own opinion, not based on some stats. A honest vote and honest reply is greatly appreciated, I express my thanks to all in advance. Thank you.
well, befoe I vote, might I ask on what grounds we ar talking here?
because Elminster is widely regarded as the most powerful and knowledgable of Magic in the Realms. he has definitely an innate understanding and connection with the Weave which cannot be denied. in that sense, he is like an extension of Mystra herself.
in contrast, Manshoon has proven himself the most talented mage in the Realms. he has unlocked secrets which to this day, nobody else has managed to duplicate. he has cloned himself numerous times and they all activated at once (which by the way, makes me wonder what exactly happened to his Soul/Spirit), and furthermore he has afterwards overcome the bug in that incredible feat of Spellcraft (the doppleganger-killing compulsion which pitted his clones against one another).
Khelben is by far the wisest Mage in teh Realms, in my personal honest opinion, and I think that that should account for something.
I wouldn't put Halaster Blackcloak in the top list on my personal opinion, though that isn't to say he deserves no consideration. I just personally think he's far too mad to count. he's powerful, yes, but nothing compared to the other mages. in most games that include an insane hermit wizard, said wizard has some kind of secret knowledge which poses a serious threat to the entire world. Halaster doesn't live up to that legacy. he'd make an awesome opponent in a Mage Duel though. =w=
so, I think my top three choices are Elminster, Khelben and Manshoon, depending on what qualities count for this question.
Unless we are talking about the possibility of a Manshoon behind the scenes manipulating all his clones like puppets, he really does not belong in the conversation. Elminster has made him look like an inept bum every confrontation.
Hello everyone, I had just thought of a question and had been wondering for some time. All right, this poll asks all the scribes, veteran and elite scribes of candlekeep who you think is the best, most powerful, most superior spellcaster in the realms in terms of your own opinion, not based on some stats. A honest vote and honest reply is greatly appreciated, I express my thanks to all in advance. Thank you.
well, befoe I vote, might I ask on what grounds we ar talking here?
because Elminster is widely regarded as the most powerful and knowledgable of Magic in the Realms. he has definitely an innate understanding and connection with the Weave which cannot be denied. in that sense, he is like an extension of Mystra herself.
in contrast, Manshoon has proven himself the most talented mage in the Realms. he has unlocked secrets which to this day, nobody else has managed to duplicate. he has cloned himself numerous times and they all activated at once (which by the way, makes me wonder what exactly happened to his Soul/Spirit), and furthermore he has afterwards overcome the bug in that incredible feat of Spellcraft (the doppleganger-killing compulsion which pitted his clones against one another).
Khelben is by far the wisest Mage in teh Realms, in my personal honest opinion, and I think that that should account for something.
I wouldn't put Halaster Blackcloak in the top list on my personal opinion, though that isn't to say he deserves no consideration. I just personally think he's far too mad to count. he's powerful, yes, but nothing compared to the other mages. in most games that include an insane hermit wizard, said wizard has some kind of secret knowledge which poses a serious threat to the entire world. Halaster doesn't live up to that legacy. he'd make an awesome opponent in a Mage Duel though. =w=
so, I think my top three choices are Elminster, Khelben and Manshoon, depending on what qualities count for this question.
Unless we are talking about the possibility of a Manshoon behind the scenes manipulating all his clones like puppets, he really does not belong in the conversation. Elminster has made him look like an inept bum every confrontation.
Perhaps she was holding back? Or maybe she believed there's no point showing what she could really do because there were others who could it for her, and just as effectively too. As the old adage goes, "Why do it when you can trust others to do it for you?"
Hello everyone, I had just thought of a question and had been wondering for some time. All right, this poll asks all the scribes, veteran and elite scribes of candlekeep who you think is the best, most powerful, most superior spellcaster in the realms in terms of your own opinion, not based on some stats. A honest vote and honest reply is greatly appreciated, I express my thanks to all in advance. Thank you.
well, befoe I vote, might I ask on what grounds we ar talking here?
because Elminster is widely regarded as the most powerful and knowledgable of Magic in the Realms. he has definitely an innate understanding and connection with the Weave which cannot be denied. in that sense, he is like an extension of Mystra herself.
in contrast, Manshoon has proven himself the most talented mage in the Realms. he has unlocked secrets which to this day, nobody else has managed to duplicate. he has cloned himself numerous times and they all activated at once (which by the way, makes me wonder what exactly happened to his Soul/Spirit), and furthermore he has afterwards overcome the bug in that incredible feat of Spellcraft (the doppleganger-killing compulsion which pitted his clones against one another).
Khelben is by far the wisest Mage in teh Realms, in my personal honest opinion, and I think that that should account for something.
I wouldn't put Halaster Blackcloak in the top list on my personal opinion, though that isn't to say he deserves no consideration. I just personally think he's far too mad to count. he's powerful, yes, but nothing compared to the other mages. in most games that include an insane hermit wizard, said wizard has some kind of secret knowledge which poses a serious threat to the entire world. Halaster doesn't live up to that legacy. he'd make an awesome opponent in a Mage Duel though. =w=
so, I think my top three choices are Elminster, Khelben and Manshoon, depending on what qualities count for this question.
Unless we are talking about the possibility of a Manshoon behind the scenes manipulating all his clones like puppets, he really does not belong in the conversation. Elminster has made him look like an inept bum every confrontation.
Perhaps she was holding back? Or maybe she believed there's no point showing what she could really do because there were others who could it for her, and just as effectively too. As the old adage goes, "Why do it when you can trust others to do it for you?"
It is up to whoever is reading really. Srinshee looked pretty inept vs Larloch's pet liches though. Her reputation may be just that. Reputation.
Ed has been known to pimp certain people up in his talks. The Manshoon manipulator behind the scenes puppetmastering all his clones was something Ed hinted at, saying perhaps Elminster would want nothing to do with the true Manshoon, etc
Hints about everything have been dropped here or there if you know where to look. There really is no "best caster" answer because everything dropped is just subtle tidbits designed to get the gamers creative juices flowing. You can make up a million answers and still be right
Hello everyone, I had just thought of a question and had been wondering for some time. All right, this poll asks all the scribes, veteran and elite scribes of candlekeep who you think is the best, most powerful, most superior spellcaster in the realms in terms of your own opinion, not based on some stats. A honest vote and honest reply is greatly appreciated, I express my thanks to all in advance. Thank you.
well, befoe I vote, might I ask on what grounds we ar talking here?
because Elminster is widely regarded as the most powerful and knowledgable of Magic in the Realms. he has definitely an innate understanding and connection with the Weave which cannot be denied. in that sense, he is like an extension of Mystra herself.
in contrast, Manshoon has proven himself the most talented mage in the Realms. he has unlocked secrets which to this day, nobody else has managed to duplicate. he has cloned himself numerous times and they all activated at once (which by the way, makes me wonder what exactly happened to his Soul/Spirit), and furthermore he has afterwards overcome the bug in that incredible feat of Spellcraft (the doppleganger-killing compulsion which pitted his clones against one another).
Khelben is by far the wisest Mage in teh Realms, in my personal honest opinion, and I think that that should account for something.
I wouldn't put Halaster Blackcloak in the top list on my personal opinion, though that isn't to say he deserves no consideration. I just personally think he's far too mad to count. he's powerful, yes, but nothing compared to the other mages. in most games that include an insane hermit wizard, said wizard has some kind of secret knowledge which poses a serious threat to the entire world. Halaster doesn't live up to that legacy. he'd make an awesome opponent in a Mage Duel though. =w=
so, I think my top three choices are Elminster, Khelben and Manshoon, depending on what qualities count for this question.
Unless we are talking about the possibility of a Manshoon behind the scenes manipulating all his clones like puppets, he really does not belong in the conversation. Elminster has made him look like an inept bum every confrontation.
I wholeheartedly AGREE!
I don't like roaches, anyway.
how so? the fact of the matter is, the act of creating those clone sin th efirst place was a marvel of Spellcasting that NOBODY else has duplicated! and further, whil ethe original Manshoon may in fct be dead (unless one of them realy is the real one, somehow, as it's still a mystery exactly how that cloning spell variant worked), all the remaining ones who survived assassination have ovecome the strange bug in the spell that compelled them to kill eachother. yes, they might not be th ebest after all, but still they DO warrant appropriate place in this discussion! they are well in the running!
so, I have to seriously check your nerve in just writing Manshoon off just lik ethat. you realy are not taking into account the sheer ingenuity of Manshoon as a Mage, let alon ethe power and experience it would take to perform such an incredble magical technique as he did. he is just as worthy of being considered for the "Best Caster" position.
and a heart can only break so many times and I've been to hell and back so many times and I've seen folks walk away so many times but just like anyone else I gotta stand up by myself and a heart can only break so many times a heart can only break so many times
I might be impressed by his ingenuity [highly questionable world to attach to a roach, really] had he focused on making his clones nigh-indestructible, than on their numbers. Elminster blasted them in every confrontation as though they're pests, which, come to think of it, they really must be. [Insert evil laugh here!]
Larloch, Karsus and Azuth as a mortal are/were all arguably better spell casters than everyone on the first list. Each one of them could(or did!) take on and possibly beat demigods.
Hello everyone, I had just thought of a question and had been wondering for some time. All right, this poll asks all the scribes, veteran and elite scribes of candlekeep who you think is the best, most powerful, most superior spellcaster in the realms in terms of your own opinion, not based on some stats. A honest vote and honest reply is greatly appreciated, I express my thanks to all in advance. Thank you.
well, befoe I vote, might I ask on what grounds we ar talking here?
because Elminster is widely regarded as the most powerful and knowledgable of Magic in the Realms. he has definitely an innate understanding and connection with the Weave which cannot be denied. in that sense, he is like an extension of Mystra herself.
in contrast, Manshoon has proven himself the most talented mage in the Realms. he has unlocked secrets which to this day, nobody else has managed to duplicate. he has cloned himself numerous times and they all activated at once (which by the way, makes me wonder what exactly happened to his Soul/Spirit), and furthermore he has afterwards overcome the bug in that incredible feat of Spellcraft (the doppleganger-killing compulsion which pitted his clones against one another).
Khelben is by far the wisest Mage in teh Realms, in my personal honest opinion, and I think that that should account for something.
I wouldn't put Halaster Blackcloak in the top list on my personal opinion, though that isn't to say he deserves no consideration. I just personally think he's far too mad to count. he's powerful, yes, but nothing compared to the other mages. in most games that include an insane hermit wizard, said wizard has some kind of secret knowledge which poses a serious threat to the entire world. Halaster doesn't live up to that legacy. he'd make an awesome opponent in a Mage Duel though. =w=
so, I think my top three choices are Elminster, Khelben and Manshoon, depending on what qualities count for this question.
Unless we are talking about the possibility of a Manshoon behind the scenes manipulating all his clones like puppets, he really does not belong in the conversation. Elminster has made him look like an inept bum every confrontation.
I wholeheartedly AGREE!
I don't like roaches, anyway.
how so? the fact of the matter is, the act of creating those clone sin th efirst place was a marvel of Spellcasting that NOBODY else has duplicated! and further, whil ethe original Manshoon may in fct be dead (unless one of them realy is the real one, somehow, as it's still a mystery exactly how that cloning spell variant worked), all the remaining ones who survived assassination have ovecome the strange bug in the spell that compelled them to kill eachother. yes, they might not be th ebest after all, but still they DO warrant appropriate place in this discussion! they are well in the running!
so, I have to seriously check your nerve in just writing Manshoon off just lik ethat. you realy are not taking into account the sheer ingenuity of Manshoon as a Mage, let alon ethe power and experience it would take to perform such an incredble magical technique as he did. he is just as worthy of being considered for the "Best Caster" position.
Yes, Manshoon created a spell which allows him to come back to life at great personal cost to himself. It is an ingenious spell, but hardly the only super spell created, and in the context of this conversation, does not lead me to believe Manshoon belongs in the company of these other powerful characters.
The spell exists simply because he is utterly incapable of defeating most of those on the list in a spell duel. To me, that makes them better casters.
About the Srinshee being all reputation, consider this, almost all the major power player wizards in the realms act through proxies. She didn't need to expend her power because she didn't NEED to. After she abducted El, she knew that the Simbul would show up. She most likely conserved her power in case the Man himself (Larloch) showed up.
Hello everyone, I had just thought of a question and had been wondering for some time. All right, this poll asks all the scribes, veteran and elite scribes of candlekeep who you think is the best, most powerful, most superior spellcaster in the realms in terms of your own opinion, not based on some stats. A honest vote and honest reply is greatly appreciated, I express my thanks to all in advance. Thank you.
well, befoe I vote, might I ask on what grounds we ar talking here?
because Elminster is widely regarded as the most powerful and knowledgable of Magic in the Realms. he has definitely an innate understanding and connection with the Weave which cannot be denied. in that sense, he is like an extension of Mystra herself.
in contrast, Manshoon has proven himself the most talented mage in the Realms. he has unlocked secrets which to this day, nobody else has managed to duplicate. he has cloned himself numerous times and they all activated at once (which by the way, makes me wonder what exactly happened to his Soul/Spirit), and furthermore he has afterwards overcome the bug in that incredible feat of Spellcraft (the doppleganger-killing compulsion which pitted his clones against one another).
Khelben is by far the wisest Mage in teh Realms, in my personal honest opinion, and I think that that should account for something.
I wouldn't put Halaster Blackcloak in the top list on my personal opinion, though that isn't to say he deserves no consideration. I just personally think he's far too mad to count. he's powerful, yes, but nothing compared to the other mages. in most games that include an insane hermit wizard, said wizard has some kind of secret knowledge which poses a serious threat to the entire world. Halaster doesn't live up to that legacy. he'd make an awesome opponent in a Mage Duel though. =w=
so, I think my top three choices are Elminster, Khelben and Manshoon, depending on what qualities count for this question.
Unless we are talking about the possibility of a Manshoon behind the scenes manipulating all his clones like puppets, he really does not belong in the conversation. Elminster has made him look like an inept bum every confrontation.
I wholeheartedly AGREE!
I don't like roaches, anyway.
how so? the fact of the matter is, the act of creating those clone sin th efirst place was a marvel of Spellcasting that NOBODY else has duplicated! and further, whil ethe original Manshoon may in fct be dead (unless one of them realy is the real one, somehow, as it's still a mystery exactly how that cloning spell variant worked), all the remaining ones who survived assassination have ovecome the strange bug in the spell that compelled them to kill eachother. yes, they might not be th ebest after all, but still they DO warrant appropriate place in this discussion! they are well in the running!
so, I have to seriously check your nerve in just writing Manshoon off just lik ethat. you realy are not taking into account the sheer ingenuity of Manshoon as a Mage, let alon ethe power and experience it would take to perform such an incredble magical technique as he did. he is just as worthy of being considered for the "Best Caster" position.
Yes, Manshoon created a spell which allows him to come back to life at great personal cost to himself. It is an ingenious spell, but hardly the only super spell created, and in the context of this conversation, does not lead me to believe Manshoon belongs in the company of these other powerful characters.
The spell exists simply because he is utterly incapable of defeating most of those on the list in a spell duel. To me, that makes them better casters.
that still doesn't undo my main point though. that "Best Caster" depends on what criteria.
Manshoon is the most Ingenious, Elminster is the most Powerfull and Knowledgeable, and Khelben is the Wisest and most Cunning.
and a heart can only break so many times and I've been to hell and back so many times and I've seen folks walk away so many times but just like anyone else I gotta stand up by myself and a heart can only break so many times a heart can only break so many times
Who is the best spellcaster in the realms
Posted - 10 May 2010 : 15:52:54
