Most powerful caster within the realms..

[Ripe]

Nice one Zysch, but while Larloch is great power within realms due to those liches he got under his command I don't think he'd made it to top 5 of most powerfull wizards in the realm [despite being 32nd level wizard] if considered alone. Those liches, vampires and other undead under his command increase his power base, not individal power. Oh, and Larloch don't have complete spell imunity, his spell imunity is similar to the one possesed by Chosen of Mystra.

As for wizards more powerfull that Larloch [those who will beat him in one-on-one duel] there are:
Telamont Tanthul - ruler of City of Shade and 35th level Wizard
Oysar Shoon VII - formerly 36th level Wizard and demi-lich, currenly living inside a body of a young elven maiden (who herself was 3rd level Wizard and demi-lich [don't ask, it's a long story]) and who still have access to all of his previous knowledge
Currently unnamed members of Twisted Rune [their levels and powers are unknown but since Shoon think he's still not powerfull enough to fight them...]
Queen Amlauril of Evermeet - she's was somewhere between 25th and 30th level wizard before dying, but since then she was resurected by direct intervention from Correlon Larethian and made into Chosen of the Seldarine [the entire elven pantheon, as opposed to being Chosen of a single deity like Elminster, Cadderly or Fzoul Chembryl are] so her current power level can only be guessed.
Shrinshee - moon elven wizard, formerly baelnorn restored to life [and youth] by Mystra and then made Chosen [of Mystra] who was 30th level when Myth Drannor fell. It's believed that she spend a lot of time since in Arvandor, keeping guard over Crownblade.

But all of those guys can hide in fear from one that can take them all [probably even at the same time]: the so-called "Father of Netheril" - Iolaum

Iolaum was oldest and most powerfull Wizard even during the time of Netheril [not suprising considering he's at least 1.000 years older than all others mentioned before, and that he was 300 years older then Netheril itself] and has since fall of Netheril survived as a Elder brain [as the ones that are at the center of each Illithid community] Lich with 41 wizard levels.
It is also believed that Iolaum was responsible for creation of first Alhoon [Illithid lich] from his Illithid students (he used arcane ritual to fuse brains of those students into a elder brain that he than took full control of, destroying their individual wills in the process).
Today he is known as Oracle of Ellyn'taal [and is not suspected to be Iolaum], and the few who ventured into his halls gained pieces of arcane knowledge dating back to formation of Netheril, but at a terible price - voluntary loosing pieces of aplicants sanity [represented with permanent loss of 1d4 points of Wisdom] or piece of arcane knowledge possesd by aplicant [complete permanent loss of a epic spell known by caster]

Among honorable mention category should be listed:
Lady Saharel, another survivor of Netheril, formerly 30th level wizard who after ToT survives as CG ghost [and who is deply inlove with Elminster]
Tabra, last human apprentice of Iolaum who was 23rd level wizard at the time her master become elder brain some 1.500 years ago, and who is still alive today (possibly the only survivor of Netheril still living who is not a Lich, Shade or some other form of undead) due to repeated uses of Iolaum's longevity spell.

[TonyMontana1638]

Ripe maybe you'd know the answer to this seeing as they cropped up in your previous post but who are the Twisted Rune and what is their purpose? There was a group called the Twisted Rune in Baldur's Gate II SoA as you probably know, is there any relation?

Also where have you found all of your info? It seems people are getting all sorts of different stuff, is there a book or something I should be specifically looking at amongst all the FR lore?

Last note of interest: I don't think it's been mentioned yet which surprises me but why is the Chosen's silver fire seemingly being ignored? Isn't it akin to spellfire? I don't think it's fair to judge them based on just pure magical ability when their greatest weapon is their god-given gift... Are there stats for the stuff?

Sorry, lotsa questions .

[Ripe]

Ripe maybe you'd know the answer to this seeing as they cropped up in your previous post but who are the Twisted Rune and what is their purpose? There was a group called the Twisted Rune in Baldur's Gate II SoA as you probably know, is there any relation?

Well, Twisted Rune is secret organization of undead spellcasters based in Calimshan [I didn't play BGII so I can't coment on that]. The membership is very small (there is never more than 30 members) and are governed by so-called inner circle of 9 members seven of whom are relatively known:
Jymahua (female human lich Enchanter 19)
Kartak Spellseer (male human lich Necromancer 26/Archmage 5)
Priamon "Frostrune" Rakesk (male human lich Wizard 23/Archmage 4)
Rhangaun (male human lich Wizard 28/Archmage 5)
Sapphiraktar the Blue (male ancient blue dracolich)
Shangalar the Black (male tiefling lich Wizard 22/Archmage 5)
Shyressa (female vampire Wizard 20/Archmage 3)
The other two are unknown at the moment, but are certainly powerfull undead (something like phaerim, alhoon or beholder mage)

As for their goal - it is unknown.
During last 500 years since it's creation they could easily take control of all the powerfull families that rule Calimshan, but they have left half of them free of any influence by them on PURPOSE. So what their ultimate goal is, nobody know.

Also where have you found all of your info? It seems people are getting all sorts of different stuff, is there a book or something I should be specifically looking at amongst all the FR lore?

FR exist for over 20 years so there is hundreds of books of lore for FR (and I mean literaly). Some of the older stuff you may find on Wizards official site here, or you may buy it in PDF format for 5$ from Rpgnow.com here. Newer 3rd edition stuff you can probably find at some game shop.

Also you are allways welcome at either Wizards FR board here or Candlekeep here. Over at Wizards board discussion like this pops up at least once a month or two, and there is also Who is best fighter discussion [and no, Drizzt doesn't made top 20] apearing with same regularity.

Last note of interest: I don't think it's been mentioned yet which surprises me but why is the Chosen's silver fire seemingly being ignored? Isn't it akin to spellfire? I don't think it's fair to judge them based on just pure magical ability when their greatest weapon is their god-given gift... Are there stats for the stuff?

Yes, and No. Yes, it is a form of spellfire, but it work in completely different way. It does not require charging spell levels, it always deal same damage [4d12], it's particulary dangerous to undead [during 2nd ed they had to make save vs. disintegration or be destroyed]. The reason it usually get ignored is because it's greatest power is defensive - ability to dispell anti-magic fields and restore dead magic areas to Weave and Chosen rarely use it offensively.

And it wasn't many questions. And if you came over at Wizards boards you'll get all the answers you need from true experts [some of the answers might even come from creator of FR, mr. Greenwood himself]

[TonyMontana1638]

Thanks for all the info, I've been to the Wizards Site before but never participated in a forum... I'll get an account to both places tomorrow, thanks again .

[Elminster]

To me I think Elminster is but thats just me.

[Therealfrazer]

Elminster has said himself that he is not hte most powerful mage in Fareun, but I would say he is more powerful than all of the other chosen of Mystra (including the Symbul. This because he is Mystra's favourite, he is the first and oldest chosen and he actually beat the Symbul once when they first met (correct me on that point if I'm wrong)However, I think Larloch is the most powerful. He is over 2000 years old, he is a lich, he has a few of the Nether scrolls (2 of which Mystra herself crafted and gave to him!!!) and he has in any way most experience of all mages. When the chosen of mystra first appeared he studied them for a long time until he fully understood their purpose and then he decided to leave them alone (killing a chosen would most likely have some sort of negative effects on the weave, which would make Larloch's research much more difficult). On top of this, as mentioned before, Larloch has no political interests whatsoever, he only concentrates on developing his magic (another reason to why he is the most powerful). If anyone wants to know more, go to Larloch - Forgotten Realms Wiki. There you can read about his immunities, tactics and so on.

One more point considering this discussion however. During periods like the time of troubles, all mages were quite powerless. Just something to be considered I think...

[Ergopad]

Raistlin

[Siberys]

Originally Posted by Ergopad

Raistlin

Except that's a dragonlance character, not a Forgotten Realms character.

[Ergopad]

But if he would go through a portal, like Solamnic Knights in BG2, he would kill, crush and destroy Forgotten Realms for breakfast. *giggle like a teen*

[Siberys]

Originally Posted by Ergopad

But if he would go through a portal, like Solamnic Knights in BG2, he would kill, crush and destroy Forgotten Realms for breakfast. *giggle like a teen*

Well...there is a difference between a portal to a different land and a portal to a different universe, hell he might not even be able to USE magic as it revolves around the weave which is not only granted by the gods but he knows nothing about.

Square peg in a round hole my friend.

[Trenniguage]

Originally Posted by Ripe

Nice one Zysch, but while Larloch is great power within realms due to those liches he got under his command I don't think he'd made it to top 5 of most powerfull wizards in the realm [despite being 32nd level wizard] if considered alone. Those liches, vampires and other undead under his command increase his power base, not individal power. Oh, and Larloch don't have complete spell imunity, his spell imunity is similar to the one possesed by Chosen of Mystra.

As for wizards more powerfull that Larloch [those who will beat him in one-on-one duel] there are:
Telamont Tanthul - ruler of City of Shade and 35th level Wizard
Oysar Shoon VII - formerly 36th level Wizard and demi-lich, currenly living inside a body of a young elven maiden (who herself was 3rd level Wizard and demi-lich [don't ask, it's a long story]) and who still have access to all of his previous knowledge
Currently unnamed members of Twisted Rune [their levels and powers are unknown but since Shoon think he's still not powerfull enough to fight them...]
Queen Amlauril of Evermeet - she's was somewhere between 25th and 30th level wizard before dying, but since then she was resurected by direct intervention from Correlon Larethian and made into Chosen of the Seldarine [the entire elven pantheon, as opposed to being Chosen of a single deity like Elminster, Cadderly or Fzoul Chembryl are] so her current power level can only be guessed.
Shrinshee - moon elven wizard, formerly baelnorn restored to life [and youth] by Mystra and then made Chosen [of Mystra] who was 30th level when Myth Drannor fell. It's believed that she spend a lot of time since in Arvandor, keeping guard over Crownblade.

But all of those guys can hide in fear from one that can take them all [probably even at the same time]: the so-called "Father of Netheril" - Iolaum

Iolaum was oldest and most powerfull Wizard even during the time of Netheril [not suprising considering he's at least 1.000 years older than all others mentioned before, and that he was 300 years older then Netheril itself] and has since fall of Netheril survived as a Elder brain [as the ones that are at the center of each Illithid community] Lich with 41 wizard levels.
It is also believed that Iolaum was responsible for creation of first Alhoon [Illithid lich] from his Illithid students (he used arcane ritual to fuse brains of those students into a elder brain that he than took full control of, destroying their individual wills in the process).
Today he is known as Oracle of Ellyn'taal [and is not suspected to be Iolaum], and the few who ventured into his halls gained pieces of arcane knowledge dating back to formation of Netheril, but at a terible price - voluntary loosing pieces of aplicants sanity [represented with permanent loss of 1d4 points of Wisdom] or piece of arcane knowledge possesd by aplicant [complete permanent loss of a epic spell known by caster]

Among honorable mention category should be listed:
Lady Saharel, another survivor of Netheril, formerly 30th level wizard who after ToT survives as CG ghost [and who is deply inlove with Elminster]
Tabra, last human apprentice of Iolaum who was 23rd level wizard at the time her master become elder brain some 1.500 years ago, and who is still alive today (possibly the only survivor of Netheril still living who is not a Lich, Shade or some other form of undead) due to repeated uses of Iolaum's longevity spell.

Ehh... where did you get your information on Larloch? Last I heard was he's a level 46 Demi-Lich. I think Wizard 36/Archmage 5/Netherese Arcanist 5, if I'm not mistaken.

[Siberys]

Lords of Darkness Page 161 says he's Wizard 20/Epic 12, and this is the only book he has stats in.

Unfortunately, this is 3rd edition, so I don't remember if Epic applies to something other than wizard as his hit dice are listed as 20D12.

[Trenniguage]

Originally Posted by Siberys

Lords of Darkness Page 161 says he's Wizard 20/Epic 12, and this is the only book he has stats in.

Unfortunately, this is 3rd edition, so I don't remember if Epic applies to something other than wizard as his hit dice are listed as 20D12.

While this may be true, Ed Greenwood made a comment on Larloch, which I will now post a link to:

http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.as...20&whichpage=2

The Sage's 3rd comment down.

[Siberys]

Unfortunately, that's a forum, and Lords of Darkness is an official supplement which thus applies to the logic of this thread "Who is the most powerful mage in forgotten realms."

Otherwise, I'd just create a 100th level sorcerer and say he's from Sembia or The Great Dale or something.

[Trenniguage]

Well I'm just saying, the creator of Forgotten Realms says Larloch is 46th level.
And even if Larloch is only 32nd level, there's always Daurgothoth: Wizard 20/Archmage 5 Black Dragon Great Wyrm Dracolich. There's some raw power.