Mystra

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Lore & Background

Mystra is a Neutral Good Greater Power. Since the ascension of Midnight, her symbol is a circle of seven stars with red mist contained inside; however, her older and still commonly seen symbol is a simple seven-pointed star. Her divine realm is Dweomerheart, located in the Outlands or a demiplane in later canon, and her Third Edition D&D domains are Good, Illusion, Knowledge, Magic, Protection, and Spell. Originally called Mystryl, the goddess of magic was a Chaotic Neutral greater power of Limbo within the domain Dweomertor, created by Selûne and Shar together. Being the goddess of magic, spells, creativity, invention, and knowledge, she was said to have taught the first spellcaster of the Realms. Mystryl died when Karsus, wanting to take her place as god of Magic created the most powerful spell ever (12th level spell) and nearly destroyed the Weave. Mystryl sacrificed herself to save the Weave before it was too late. Mystra came into being after Mystryl sacrificed herself to save Faerûn from the destruction of Netheril caused by Karsus in DR -339. When reincarnated as Mystra, she was already a goddess with full power, not needing to learn the basics of magic. She recreated the 'Weave' of magic with a few more rules, and no spell above 9th level would function. Mystra installed the mortal Azuth as the first magister, a position created specifically to recognize her most promising mortal pupil. With the help of Mystra, who had become his lover, Azuth finally ascended to divine status, and also enslaved Savras and Velsharoon.

In Their Own Story

Mystra told Azuth at about the time of the Year of the Rising Flame (0 DR) that some of her divine power must be given into mortals, which would slumber within them, so that Mystra could call on it only with their permission. It would serve to help them heal quickly and would stretch their years into virtual immortality, but otherwise it would avail them little. The Chosen might gain some special powers, but these would still be far less than those of a deity. The Goddess of All Magic accordingly appeared to a few mortals she considered suitable, first in dream visions and then directly, and ultimately invested part of her divine power (known as the Silver Fire) in them. Elminster (who was trained by Mystra personally in the form of one of her own priestess named Myrjala), and Khelben Blackstaff, were two of the first. It soon became clear to Mystra that most mortals were not tough enough to carry divine power. They either soon withered and died, burnt out by the load they carried, like the elfqueen Aloevan of Ardeepor, or they thrived but were twisted and corrupted by their power, like the mage Sammaster, who began to think of himself as a god and set about building himself a cult of worshippers (which survives today as the Cult of the Dragon). Thus Mystra proceeded to breed her own children, known as the Seven Sisters through the possessing of the Half-Elf Elué Shundar and mating with Dornal Silverhand. Elué/Mystra and Dornal were wed in the Year of Drifting Stars (760 DR). The happy couple had a daughter, Anastra Syluné, the following winter (the Year of Laughter, 761 DR), and six other daughters.

Reader's Guide

Mystra is most commonly worshipped by magic-users of any alignment, and characters working as sages. According to Ao, Mystryl had ultimate control over all magic and could shape it to her will, and she could withdraw a being's access to the Weave and prevent it from using spells of any sort, and in an even harsher restriction she could also prevent a being from using any sort of magic whatsoever if she so decreed. These conditions persisted until she removed them. Mystryl could even deny deities access to the Weave, but she couldn't deny other gods the ability to grant their worshipers spells through prayer. According to the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide (2008), Mystra has been murdered by Cyric, and is no longer part of the Pantheon. Her death initiated the Spellplague, which is the direct cause of most of the changes Toril has undergone between editions. The in-game mechanic to transition the Forgotten Realms from 4th Edition to 5th Edition was called the Second Sundering; this undid the effects of the Spellplague which restored much of the world to its pre-Spellplague state. Mystra is listed as the goddess of magic for the Forgotten Realms setting in the Player's Handbook (2014). The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide (2015) includes information on the worship of Mystra and on her connection with both magic and the Weave.

Did You Know?

• Mystra first appeared in Dragon #54 (October 1981) in Ed Greenwood's article 'Down-to-earth Divinity'.
• Mystra was made lawful neutral on the premise that magic is inherently neutral, and exhibits internal order and laws.
• Mystra's predecessor Mystryl was a Chaotic Neutral greater power of Limbo within the domain Dweomertor, created by Selûne and Shar together.
• Karsus is accredited as being the only human to have ever achieved godhood through spellcasting, even if it was only for a fleeting moment.
• Mystra's Chosen include Elminster (trained by Mystra personally in the form of her priestess Myrjala) and Khelben Blackstaff.