Elminster

Archaic records attest to the fact that a son named Elminster

was born more than 1150 years ago to Elthryn, the lord

of the village of Heldon, and his wife Amrythale. His family

was killed by a Shadowmaster named Undarl, one of the

magelords of the ancient kingdom of Athalantar. Taking up

his father’'s broken sword, Elminster became a brigand and a

thief at the ripe age of 12.

He soon realized that he had no taste for killing, and gave

it up when he went to become a burglar in the city of Hastarl,

the capital of Athalantar. It was here that Elminster first met

that era’'s Magister, the wizard who bore the mantle of Mystra'’s power. When asked if he was interested in learning sorcery,

Elminster refused.

After many adventures, Elminster was visited by Mystra,

the Goddess of All Magic. She tarried with him and left the

awestruck Elminster with the message that he should learn of

magic and worship her.

Soon thereafter, while he was still a young adult, perhaps

to further widen his worldview, Elminster became Elmara,

priestess of Mystra. This change also allowed him to move within

his enemies’ circles without their knowledge. After more adventures, Elmara was at last ready to become

a mage, and Elminster reappeared. In the time that followed, he learned much about magic from the sorceress Myrjala

—reaching the point where he could finish taking his revenge

against the evil magelords who had usurped the kingdom.

After a terrific battle, Elminster persevered and assumed

the throne of Athalantar.

However, no sooner had he gained the kingship than he

passed it one to one of his friends, Helm, a knight of Athalantar.

Elminster stated that he had wanted to avenge his

family’'s death, not become a monarch. As he and Myrjala left the kingdom, the sorceress revealed

herself to be Mystra. She offered to make Elminster

one of her Chosen, and he readily accepted.

Many of Elminster’s adventures following this time are undetailed,

but it is known that he visited such places as Cormanthor,

the Towers of Song, and Myth Drannor before its

fall and stayed some 20 years. For years more he traveled, and

only he (and perhaps Lhaeo) knows what transpired.

He also served as a foster parent to three other of Mystra’'s

Chosen some 600 years ago: Syluné, Storm, and the woman

who hundreds of years later would become his paramour, the

Simbul.

It is also suspected that he had something to do with the

founding of Waterdeep, or at least with the organizing of the

city’'s Lords. The next major adventures Elminster took part in for

which records exist were the events of the chaotic Time of Troubles. He was instrumental in forming the Rangers Three, who

aided him in recurring battles with the mysterious Shadowmasters

during this time. Elminster also took time out to defend

Shadowdale from an army of Zhentarim led by the

avatar of Bane. The avatar and Elminster did battle in the

old mage'’s tower, and both were caught up in the spell that

Elminster had called upon to dispose of the avatar. Elminster

was originally thought to have been destroyed, but when he

later reappeared it became apparent that he had merely been

transported to another plane of existence for a time.

In his absence, the foes of good tried to rally, but the other

Chosen, the Knights of Myth Drannor, and the Rangers

Three held them at bay until he returned.

With the present crisis averted, all seemed calm, but the

Shadowmasters had other ideas. Elminster and the Rangers

Three, along with their allies, managed to frustrate and foil

the plans of this race of shapeshifters. Elminster also confronted

the overgod, Lord Ao, over his instigation of the

Time of Troubles while innocents were being killed.

As the critical moment of the Time of Troubles approached,

Mystra knew of what was to come and she shed most

of her power into another, a mortal, so that all of her essence

would not cease to exist. (This mortal was the mage Midnight,

who went on to become the new manifestation of Mystra.)

Since Elminster (among many other mages) obtained his

power from Mystra, this change left him personally powerless

at a critical juncture. He recruited one of the Rangers Three,

Sharantyr, and they equipped themselves from Elminster’'s

cache of magical items, which would still function.

The two of them were later reunited with the other two

members of the band, Itharr and Belkram, but even the

Rangers Three could not prevent Elminster from being

wounded in battle. Despite this setback, Elminster and the

Rangers, along with their allies, not only freed High Dale and

defeated Manshoon of the Zhentarim, but they also outlasted

the Time of Troubles, and Elminster regained his magic.

What Elminster is currently up to is not known, though it

is rumored that he has been meeting in some far distant plane

to discuss matters of deep importance with wise and powerful

mages of other worlds. Perhaps, in that world, some record of

these conversations exists. . . .