Azuth,god of wizardry (AH-zooth)

Introduction

Ah, my dear reader, let me regale you with the tale of Azuth, the Lord of Spells! In the land of Faerûn, Azuth was known as the lesser deity of arcane magic, a powerful figure who held great influence over the realm of spellcasting. His primary concern was the preservation and advancement of the magical arts, which he viewed as a craft to be honed and perfected over time.
As a loyal servant of Mystra, the goddess of magic, Azuth was highly revered by all those who practiced the arcane arts. He was especially beloved by wizards, who looked up to him as a mentor and guide in their studies. It was said that Azuth took a personal interest in the development of young wizards, and he would often appear to them in dreams or visions to offer guidance and advice.

"There was once a wizard who wanted power beyond all mortal reach. Such stories always end poorly. But luckily for the wizard, the Lady of the Mysteries took a shine to him and became his queen. She granted him powers—such powers—until he was no longer a mere wizard but a god in truth. A god dedicated to his lady and all who wore her crown."
— Azuth telling his story

Despite his formidable powers, Azuth was known for his humility and willingness to help those in need. He was a kind and generous deity, always ready to lend a hand to those who sought his aid. He was also highly respected by other deities, who recognized his great wisdom and intelligence.
Alas, despite his many accomplishments, Azuth was not without his flaws. He could be vain at times, and was known to take great offense at those who questioned his authority or doubted his abilities. Nevertheless, he was a powerful force for good in the world of magic, and his legacy lives on to this day.

Description

Ah, greetings adventurer! If you seek knowledge of Azuth, the Lord of Spells, then you have come to the right place. Let me tell you about the appearance of Azuth's avatar. The great deity usually stood at a height of 10 feet (3 meters), a towering figure to say the least. He was often depicted as a white-haired, bearded, and vigorous old man, clothed in gray silk robes that draped down to his feet.
But that's not all! Azuth could transform himself at will, taking on any shape or form he desired. Sometimes, he appeared as a pyramid shape, towering 20 feet (6.1 meters) tall. The pyramid was covered in glittering, pulsing lights, and had no apparent eyes or mouths. However, despite its lack of sensory features or apparent means of mobility, Azuth was capable of seeing, speaking, and spellcasting with ease.
Truly, Azuth was a marvel of magical power, and his appearance reflected his immense abilities. May his teachings guide you in your magical pursuits, adventurer.

Personality

Azuth was known for his somewhat paternal personality, and he was often seen as a serious, yet not humorless or unkind deity. He had a sardonic sense of humor, and he took pleasure in giving small gifts to his devotees, such as delicacies, colorful flowers, and magical fabrics. However, his humor was often subtle, and his deadpan delivery left many wondering whether he was joking or not. Despite his sense of humor, Azuth was a crotchety deity, and even other gods found him difficult to understand. His devotion to the advancement of magical arts was unending, and he spent much of his time concerned with the preservation of arcane knowledge. He was known to be wrathful when upset, but his terrible anger was balanced by his desire to educate and guide those who were dedicated to the magical arts.

Possessions

Azuth wielded the Old Staff, an ancient, divine artifact taking the form of a long, wooden, iron-shod staff about one and a half times taller than himself. It was inscribed with all manner of sigils and runes and topped with a large gemstone known as the Spirit Stone or Donjon of Facets atop it, varyingly noted as being a cabochon-cut topaz or a blue sapphire. The Old Staff had a host of arcane powers, including but by no means limited to: acting as a staff of striking, staff of power, and staff of the magi, reflecting all spells cast at it or Azuth on the same plane, increasing magical resistance (useless for Azuth himself but beneficial for those without a certain level of resistance already), and imprisoning targets in the Spirit Stone.

Divine Realm

Azuth's divine realm was a wondrous sight to behold, a reflection of his eternal passion for arcane magic. Located on Buxenus, the second layer of Arcadia in the Great Wheel cosmology, Azuth's realm was a place of knowledge, learning, and understanding. The realm was a vast, sprawling library that seemed to stretch on forever, with towering shelves of books, scrolls, and tomes lining every wall. The books themselves were a marvel to behold, each one bound in the finest leather and inscribed with shimmering, silver runes that glinted in the soft, golden light that bathed the room.
Azuth's realm was not just a place of learning, however. It was also a place of creation, where spells and magical items were crafted with the utmost care and precision. Workshops and laboratories dotted the landscape, filled with strange and wondrous devices, and bustling with the activity of countless artisans and craftsmen.
The air in Azuth's realm was heavy with the scent of arcane energies, a heady mix of incense, rare herbs, and exotic reagents. The very ground beneath one's feet seemed to hum with power, and even the walls themselves pulsed with arcane energy.
Despite the seemingly endless expanse of Azuth's realm, there was a sense of order and purpose to the place. Everything had its place, and everything was perfectly arranged. The librarians and scholars moved about their tasks with a sense of purpose, never straying from their appointed duties.
All in all, Azuth's realm was a place of both wonder and awe, a testament to the power and majesty of arcane magic, and a fitting reflection of the Lord of Spells himself.

Relationships

Azuth's relationships with other deities were complex and varied, reflecting his own multifaceted nature. Among his most prominent allies were Deneir, Oghma, and Leira, all of whom shared his dedication to the preservation and advancement of knowledge in its many forms. Together with these deities, Azuth worked to ensure that magic and other forms of learning remained accessible to all who sought them out. Azuth's relationship with the deity Velsharoon was one of servitude, with Velsharoon serving as his apprentice in matters of magic. Though he was technically Azuth's subordinate, Velsharoon was a powerful and independent figure in his own right, and the two deities maintained a dynamic and respectful relationship despite their differing roles.
Azuth's relationship with Savras, on the other hand, was more complex. Though the two deities shared an interest in divination and foresight, they also harbored a longstanding rivalry that sometimes erupted into open conflict. In fact, Azuth had once imprisoned Savras in his own divine realm for many years, a fact that still rankled the Lord of Divination to this day.
Of all his relationships, however, Azuth's bond with Mystra was perhaps the most significant. Having served as her Chosen, her lover, and her adviser, Azuth was intimately connected to the goddess of magic in all her many forms. Though he loved and respected both the original Mystra and her successor, Midnight, Azuth's relationship with each was unique. With the first Mystra, he shared a deep mutual affection and a passionate romance that endured even beyond death. With Midnight, however, he took a more paternal stance, guiding her through the difficult process of adapting to her new role as goddess of magic.
Despite his close relationship with Mystra, however, Azuth was also in love with one of her Chosen, the powerful wizard Alvaerele Tasundrym. Though he was careful to keep his feelings in check and never acted on them, Azuth could not help but feel a deep protective instinct towards Alvaerele, going to great lengths to keep her safe from harm. Such was the depth of his devotion to the pursuit of magic and knowledge, and the people who embodied them, that it colored every aspect of his relationships with other deities and mortals alike.

Worshipers

Ah, the Magistrati of Azuth, a fascinating group of spellcasters and scholars, if I do say so myself. This group of faithful followers included not just wizards and clerics, but also monks, each bringing their own unique perspectives to the worship of the Lord of Spells. Now, when it comes to their temples, the Magistrati preferred to keep them within the bustling confines of large cities. They believed that by aligning themselves with powerful magical guilds and acting as a sort of magical administration, they could better facilitate communication between spellcasters and enforce the Magebond. And let me tell you, they took that last part seriously. The Magebond, for those unfamiliar, was a code of conduct that ensured the responsible use of magic within society.
But let's not forget about the Favored, those arcane paragons who were among the highest order of Azuth's followers. These individuals were heralds of magical development and dedicated themselves to formulating arcane processes to further channel the Weave, which was viewed as the apex of magical science among the faithful.
Now, it's important to note that the church of Azuth was often viewed as archaic in their traditions and pedantic in their debates. They were sometimes criticized for being oblivious to the real-world problems within the Realms. And while they often possessed a moral neutrality, it wasn't always viewed favorably by the average layperson. But, as with any religious organization, opinions and perspectives vary, don't they?

Holy Orders

Ah, the Orders of Azuth, a fascinating topic indeed. Let me tell you about two of the most prominent ones. Firstly, we have the Loomwardens, a rather austere sect of Azuth's church. They were highly skeptical of sorcerers and the more unpredictable, chaotic aspects of Mystra's power. Instead, they sought to emphasize the order and control of magic, viewing it as a potent tool for maintaining social stability. The Loomwardens had a significant presence in cities such as Halarahh and Bezantur, where their strict doctrine found a receptive audience among the ruling classes.
On the other hand, we have the Spellsavants, an order of mages that embraced a more tolerant approach to magic. They sought to foster cooperation between all practitioners of the arcane, regardless of their background or ideology. The Spellsavants believed that the true power of magic lay in the cumulative efforts of humanity as a whole, rather than any individual or group. They were often seen as idealistic and naive, but their message resonated with many who saw the need for greater unity among the magically gifted.
Both of these Orders had their strengths and weaknesses, and their divergent philosophies often brought them into conflict with one another. But each played an important role in shaping the legacy of Azuth, and their contributions to the arcane arts are still felt today.

History

"He forgot what it was to be human. What it was to not wear the god's mantle. He forgot what it was to crave power. And so he was not there when her rivals came for his queen. Down, down, the wizard fell, from heights of the heavens to the depths of the Hells, the fabric of the very planes tearing as he passed. And perhaps, then, it was a fitting punishment, for the wizard who forgot what it was to want, that he landed broken at the feet of one who was nothing but want incarnate. He remembers now, too late, what it means, the perils and the potentials."
— Azuth ending his tale

Greetings, dear reader! Today I will regale you with the fascinating history of Azuth, the God of Wizards. Azuth's mortal life is shrouded in mystery as there were virtually no records of it, and Azuth himself refused to discuss the topic. Therefore, most of what we know about Azuth's life is based on legends passed down through the ages. As a mortal man, Azuth was consumed by his hunger for power. He devoted himself to studying lost empires in search of forgotten magical secrets. Eventually, his dedication and hard work paid off, and he was recognized as the first Magister, the most promising mortal pupil of Mystra, the goddess of magic.
At some point, however, Azuth felt that he was no longer worthy of the title of Magister. Mystra, recognizing his potential, turned him into one of her Chosen instead. During or shortly after the Dawn Cataclysm, Azuth sought to become a god and attempted to steal a portion of the demigod Savras' power. This led to a series of battles between Azuth and Savras, culminating in a duel that shattered a mountain and created a deep lake. In the end, Azuth emerged victorious and managed to imprison Savras within a staff he had created, the Scepter of Savras. With the help of Mystra, who had become his lover, Azuth finally ascended to divine status.
Unfortunately, Azuth's newfound power came at a cost. He had to pay for his actions, and after the Time of Troubles, he freed Savras from his imprisonment in exchange for a pledge of fealty. However, the destruction of Dweomerheart sent Azuth to Asmodeus's domain of Nessus. Many people believed that the archdevil had killed Azuth and consumed his divine essence to attain godhood, but in reality, Asmodeus fused with Azuth, and both gods coexisted in the same body. Asmodeus usually dominated the shared body and used his divine powers, while Azuth remained dormant. However, in rare moments, Azuth gained control, and Asmodeus appeared mad to the denizens of the Nine Hells.
In 1486 DR, Azuth regained most of his strength and chose Ilstan Nyaril as his Chosen. This caused a power struggle between Azuth and Asmodeus, jeopardizing the hierarchy of the Nine Hells. Ilstan and Farideh, one of the Chosen of Asmodeus, devised a plan to separate the two gods and avoid a potential devil invasion. They contacted the god Enlil, who agreed to release Azuth from his body and resurrect the Untherite god Nanna-Sin as a non-god immortal. In exchange, Asmodeus could consume Nanna-Sin's divine spark to become a god. In a ritual performed in Djerad Thymar amid the First Tymanther-Unther War, on Hammer 10 of 1487 DR, Ilstan sacrificed his life to allow Azuth to become an individual god once more.
After the Second Sundering ended, Azuth returned to the Faerûnian pantheon. Despite the archaic traditions and moral neutrality of the church of Azuth, he remains a beloved and revered deity among the practitioners of magic.