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jordanz
Senior Scribe
553 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Nov 2007 : 15:43:58
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I have a question for the experts here. What's the deal with Azuth? There seems to be almost no information on him. I would think that the god of Wizards/Mages would have more of a docummented history in the realms. It almost seems like he is as enigmatic as Vecna, God of secrets.
Also what's up with the Magister? What exactly is a magister? Are they similiar to Chosen, except they report to Azuth? Are they particularly powerful? Are the Good, Nuetral, or evil? What is their purpose?
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2007 : 17:04:51
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The Faerūnian gods have got pretty much the same amount of real detail; Azuth is just one of those that's been spared distorting gods-as-people overexposure. By and large gods don't have a history in the Realms (rather their priesthoods do), and they're all enigmatic, despite some illusory appearances to the contrary.
The Magister is Mystra's personal champion; like her Chosen they're charged with promoting the Art, but unlike them it's a completely focused duty, they act as her public figurehead, and they don't serve as vessels for her essence as the Chosen do. They don't report to Azuth. They've ranged from gifted but divinely strengthened near-novices to great archmages, and have been of all alignments. See Secrets of the Magister for more. |
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freyar
Learned Scribe
Canada
220 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2007 : 17:10:48
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| I'll add that probably the best 3e source on the magister is the template in Magic of Faerun. I don't recall there, but there are some details of Azuth's relation to the magister. (I'm not sure, but IIRC Azuth may have been a magister when he was a mortal --- anyone remember?) |
My DnD Links and Creations |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2007 : 17:15:58
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| Yes, he was the first. Magic of Faerūn increases Azuth's role in administering the office, but shouldn't be misinterpreted as having the Magister serve the High One rather then the Lady of Mysteries. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2007 : 17:16:24
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| Seriously, I missed Secrets of the Magister when it first came out, but when I started rebuilding my 2nd edition collection via Paizo's PDFs, I got this, and honestly wanted to kick myself for not getting it back then. Even moreso when I realized that I didn't grab the old copy from the hobby shop bins a few months before I got the PDF. |
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Daviot
Senior Scribe
USA
372 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2007 : 08:32:16
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quote:
Originally posted by jordanz
Also what's up with the Magister? What exactly is a magister? Are they similiar to Chosen, except they report to Azuth? Are they particularly powerful? Are the Good, Nuetral, or evil? What is their purpose?
To sum things up, the Chosen of Mystra are powerful divine agents, and Magister (there's just one) is the official "spokesmage" for Mystra, Azuth, and Savras. The office is administered by Azuth, and past Magisters tended to be recluses since the office, until recently, could be won via challenge-to-the-death. The current Magister is one Talatha Vaerovree of Innarlith on the Lake of Steam, who was literally unknown until she accepted the position.
Magisters could technically be of any alignment, but realistically, it's limited to any-non evil alignment. Talatha is more or less a wandering teacher, teaching people about magic and being a goodwill ambassador for the deities of magic. |
One usually has far more to fear from the soft-spoken wizard with a blade and well-worn boots than from the boisterous one in the ivory tower.
My Tabletop Writing CV. |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2007 : 14:56:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Daviot
Magisters could technically be of any alignment, but realistically, it's limited to any-non evil alignment. Talatha is more or less a wandering teacher, teaching people about magic and being a goodwill ambassador for the deities of magic.
I just want to add, they can also be any race. In the past their has been dragons and beholders and other races that have been Magisters. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2007 : 01:18:58
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
quote:
Originally posted by Daviot
Magisters could technically be of any alignment, but realistically, it's limited to any-non evil alignment. Talatha is more or less a wandering teacher, teaching people about magic and being a goodwill ambassador for the deities of magic.
I just want to add, they can also be any race. In the past their has been dragons and beholders and other races that have been Magisters.
Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2007 : 01:43:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
I just want to add, they can also be any race. In the past their has been dragons and beholders and other races that have been Magisters.
Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks.
Indeed, some of the non human magisters are: a sun elf, a moon elf, a dark elf renegade from Sshamath, a black dragon, a weredragon, and a beholder mage. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
Edited by - Kuje on 25 Nov 2007 01:46:28 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2007 : 01:49:52
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| Well now, I learn new things all the time (especially about the Realms). |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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jordanz
Senior Scribe
553 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2007 : 04:00:12
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| Agreed good stuff. Is there any info out there regarding Azuth's mortal life and subsequent ascension or is that just a rumor? I can envision Elminster as a logical replacement for Azuth if it were ever necessary. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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jordanz
Senior Scribe
553 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 01:39:10
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| So who is the Magister now? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 02:02:40
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| In the 3e Realms it was Talatha Vaerovree of Innarlith. With the "death" of Mystra in 4e though, I'm guessing that the office may now be defunct -- but we'll all have to wait and see what Ed's spin is on this. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Darsson Spellmaker
Seeker
56 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 06:32:36
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Here's some bits of Azuthan lore I can recall off the top of my head (Azuth being my favorite god, after all):
He was the first Magister, and while still a mortal, created the artifact known as The Belt of Stars and battled the demigod Savras.
When he gave up the office of the Magister, Azuth continued in Mystra's service as her first Chosen.
Azuth managed to steal a portion of Savras' divinity as well as imprison him in the Scepter of Savras.
Mystra sponsored him to full godhood soon after these acts.
Azuth was present at the death of the Tyche, and the twin births of Tymora and Beshaba.
During the Time of Troubles, Azuth stepped in to protect a statue of Mystra, in which she had placed a measure of her power, after one of his faithful wizards died protecting it from an undead horde.
Just some Azuth trivia for you guys.
Btw, Vecna, the Maimed God of Greyhawk fame, has had a lot more written about him than Azuth has. Pity, that.
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"Know, O mages, that there is learning, and there is wisdom, and they are very far from being the same thing."--Azuth the High One, Utterances from the Altar: Collected Verbal Manifestations of the Divine and Most Holy Lord of Spells (holy chapbook, assembled by anonymous priests of Azuth circa 1358 DR)
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Eldacar
Senior Scribe
438 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 06:58:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Faraer
The Faerūnian gods have got pretty much the same amount of real detail; Azuth is just one of those that's been spared distorting gods-as-people overexposure. By and large gods don't have a history in the Realms (rather their priesthoods do), and they're all enigmatic, despite some illusory appearances to the contrary.
The Magister is Mystra's personal champion; like her Chosen they're charged with promoting the Art, but unlike them it's a completely focused duty, they act as her public figurehead, and they don't serve as vessels for her essence as the Chosen do. They don't report to Azuth. They've ranged from gifted but divinely strengthened near-novices to great archmages, and have been of all alignments. See Secrets of the Magister for more.
As I recall, didn't one of the former Magisters became a Chosen of Mystra upon giving up the Magisterial office? |
"The Wild Mages I have met exhibit a startling disregard for common sense, and are often meddling with powers far beyond their own control." ~Volo
"Not unlike a certain travelogue author with whom I am unfortunately acquainted." ~Elminster |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 10:39:29
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Ahhh Azuth, the first Magister.
The Secrets of the Magister book is a most excellent one. It's interesting to read the diverse people who held that office. Shows the neutral aspect of Mystra/Mystryl v.2.0
I particularly enjoyed the rules/guidelines for having a PC Magister. I almost got to make use of it with one player. |
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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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3285 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 10:49:50
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
In the 3e Realms it was Talatha Vaerovree of Innarlith. With the "death" of Mystra in 4e though, I'm guessing that the office may now be defunct -- but we'll all have to wait and see what Ed's spin is on this.
Wasn't she in the short story by Ed called The Many Murders of Manshoon? |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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jordanz
Senior Scribe
553 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 14:21:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Darsson Spellmaker
Here's some bits of Azuthan lore I can recall off the top of my head (Azuth being my favorite god, after all):
He was the first Magister, and while still a mortal, created the artifact known as The Belt of Stars and battled the demigod Savras.
When he gave up the office of the Magister, Azuth continued in Mystra's service as her first Chosen.
Azuth managed to steal a portion of Savras' divinity as well as imprison him in the Scepter of Savras.
Mystra sponsored him to full godhood soon after these acts.
Azuth was present at the death of the Tyche, and the twin births of Tymora and Beshaba.
During the Time of Troubles, Azuth stepped in to protect a statue of Mystra, in which she had placed a measure of her power, after one of his faithful wizards died protecting it from an undead horde.
Just some Azuth trivia for you guys.
Btw, Vecna, the Maimed God of Greyhawk fame, has had a lot more written about him than Azuth has. Pity, that.
Darrson Thanks! Never knew Azuth was the 1st chosen as well. I wonder when he was a mortal? Also based on his accomplishments perhaps it is safe to say the Mortal Azuth was the greatest spell caster the realms has ever seen... |
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Azuth and the Magister
