Elminster Aumar

The Sage of Arcanum; The Old Mage Athalantar (a.k.a. Wanlorn)

Elminster, is one of the most famous and powerful wizards in all of Korrisia, as well as a trained fighter & thief.
As a powerful wizard, Elminster was able to taking on any appearance he imagined. In his natural state, Elminster appears as a gray-beareded man of weathered visage, with gruff tone, alert eyes, and nondescript attire. He was almost always smoking a meerschaum pipe that often spouted a vile blue or green smoke.
Elminster's most distinguishing feature is his hawk-like nose.

Physical Description

Identifying Characteristics

Hawk-like Nose

Special abilities

Incredibly gifted in the use of magic.

Apparel & Accessories

Often wears nondescript clothing.
Is one of the only known wizards to wear the more stereotypical "Wizard's Hat"

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Elminster was born near the end of the Age of Creation, to a minor lord in the Empire of Eldoria. His family was murdered by warlords seeking to spread their influence while Eldoria struggled against its enemies. Elminster left and traveled the world as a young orphan, eventually finding himself in a flourishing city. It was here that Elminster became a thief at the age of twelve. He realized soon-after, that he had no taste for killing, and gave it up to become a burglar in the city of Calemdar, capitol of the newly built Empire.
Elminster formed a guild of Thieves known as "The Velvet Hands" to combat a rival gang who sought to rob and murder innocents. The Velvet Hands eradicated all signs of the rival gang, the Moonclaws. After many adventures, Elminster was visited by the now late Goddess Mystra. She entranced him, and even shared a bed with him, after leaving him awestruck she also left a message telling him that he was destined for more, and should learn magic. Soon thereafter, Mystra had also transformed Elminster into a woman, so he could understand the powers of the Weave, but also to learn to walk in the shoes of a woman. This also allowed him entry into his enemies' circles without their knowledge. After many years, Elminster, in woman form and known as "Elmara" became a high-priestess of Mystra.
Mystra returned to Elminster in an avatar state, and began to teach him in the ways of Magic. He had reached the point of such skill that he could seek vengeance against the warlords and the followers who murdered his family and burned his home. Elminster was named as King, but passed the title to a dear friend (the name of this kingdom is long forgotten, many believe it was the First Kingdom of Arcanum). While searching through an ancient tomb, Elminster had his first and only known crossing with the Lich, Vecna. Elminster sought to battle and banish him, but Vecna, being far his superior, encased Elminster in stasis for many centuries. By the time Elminster awoke, the world had changed drastically. His home had fallen, burned, and was wiped clean for a new kingdom to grow, in the form of the Republic of Sevrinkar.
When Karsus' magic murdered Mystra, Elminster lost almost all of his power, and was unable to rely on the Winds of Magic. Elminster took this chance to train with a blade, and to refresh his skills as a thief. Elminster traveled the world for many years, taking jobs to protect those who could not protect themselves. After Mystra had reformed into Ioun, the Knowing Goddess, Elminster asked for his power over magic to return. Ioun refused to gift him his powers, telling him that the Winds would rejoin him should he be worthy.
Elminster continued traveling the world, and eventually onto the Planes. During a foray into the Astral Plane, Elminster chartered a Spelljammer under a Gith crew, the Spelljammer was attacked and destroyed, leaving Elminster mortally wounded and stranded on one of the many floating husks of worlds. Elminster traveled through the charred and soot-covered landscape, until he slowly realized he was in Eldor, his people's capitol. Elminster awoke the Shard of Myrddin, who offered to re-teach him in the ways of magic, if he would assist Myrddin in constructing a magic capsule to encase another wounded soul who had come to the dead city. Elminster fulfilled his promise, and followed Myrddin's instructions exactly. Elminster lived in the dead city of Eldor for many years, and after which his power was returned, and he regained his grasp over the Winds. Myrddin believed that Ioun wanted Elminster to find his way here, to serve a grand purpose for something to come.
Elminster eventually returned to the Material Plane, seeing now that much more time had passed than he expected. It had been well over a thousand years since he left the Material Plane, and was now watching the dawn of the Age of Heroes. Elminster settled in Waterdeep, where he promised Ioun he would watch over his now-adopted daughter and the newly appointed Open Lord of Waterdeep, Laeril Silverhand.

Education

Trained as a Thief by the Velvet Hands
Trained in the ways of Magic by the (now fallen) Temple of Mystra
Trained in the ways of Magic by the (now dead) Goddess Mystra
Self-Trained in swordsmanship
Re-Trained in Magic by Myrddin, Mage Lord of Eldoria

Accomplishments & Achievements

Defeat of the Warlord Gruk Irontusk, who had enslaved the entirety of the (now-named) Arcanian Contient.
Halted the plans of the Archlich Vecna, at the consequence of being trapped for centuries.
Prevented assassination attempts on Laeril Silverhand without anyone discovering the attempt occurred.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Protect the world from evil. Foil evil's plans.
Find and destroy Vecna, or return him to Carceri.
Kill Acererak.
Find Mordenkainen.
Destroy the villain Soleyana Nirinath
Protect Laeril Silverhand and Waterdeep
Destroy Halaster Blackcloak and Undermountain

Social

Contacts & Relations

Allies

Laeril Silverhand
House Ashglade
Order of the Gray
The Harpers

Acquaintances

Volothamp Geddarm
Jarlaxle Baenre

Enemies

Archlich Vecna
Acererak the Lich
Halaster Blackcloak
Strahd von Zarovich
Soleyana Nirinath

Apprentices

Elminster had scarcely any apprentices, and thought that there were those who were far better equipped to train others in the use of magic. When Elminster took on apprentices, he often did so under a guise as not to give himself away.
Archmage Balthasar Lupindrian
Balarin Firestar
Adam the Wizard (Elminster often chastised his apprentice for adding the title, and always persisted in trying to break him of the habit)

Family Ties

Adopted Daughter - Laeril Silverhand

Religious Views

Fervently religious towards Mystra, regardless of the fact that she has long-since passed.

Social Aptitude

A natural storyteller, Elminster was normally a witty, clever, and very charming man. He was a consummate actor, however, and could be imperious, grave, and terrible as the situation demanded. He rarely revealed the full extent of his true nature to anyone who was not an extremely close friend. He could portray himself as a trickster, a rake, a stern father figure, or any other stereotype he wanted to assume, depending on what he wanted to accomplish or what reaction he wanted to elicit from those around him.

Mannerisms

Elminster snored loudly while sleeping, although he muted this magically if it would disturb friends. It should be noted that as one of Mystra's Chosen, Elminster did not need to sleep.

Alignment

Chaotic Good

Year of Birth

3020 RB 6704 Years old

Birthplace

Ancient Eldoria

Current Residence

Waterdeep

Eyes

Grey, always alert

Hair

Long and gray, with a long and bushy gray beard

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Pale white, wrinkled from age and stress

Height

5'11"

Weight

143 lbs

Quotes & Catchphrases

"Magic creates, but it also destroys. Whatever ye use it for, it always, always transforms the user and that upon which it acts. Forget that at thy everlasting peril. Remember also that the mage who slays with Art carries the weight of every slain soul around with him from the moment of killing onward. It is not a burden to be lightly assumed."
"Adventurer, I am Elminster, and I say to ye that these realms are yours to discover, reforge, and defend, yours to make anew in winning your own crown. Go forth and take up arms against the perils that beset us!"
"Outrage? That's one of those overblown emotions reserved for fools who haven't been paying attention."

Character Prototype

D&D's Version of Gandalf, the Grey.