Elminster was born around 212 DR to Elthryn, the lord of the village of Heldon and a prince of Athalantar, and his wife Amrythale, in the kingdom of Athalantar.

The first novel in The Elminster Series, The Making of a Mage, recounts the character's origin story, which explains why he has such extensive and varied experience. Greenwood himself was included in the stories as a character, sequestered in hidden locations in order to eavesdrop and take the notes from which the stories were supposedly written later. The metafictional conceit central to the series was that, unbeknownst to the other wizards, the meetings were being held in the home of real-world author Ed Greenwood. 'The Wizards Three', a series of short fiction pieces in Dragon, featured Elminster holding meetings with wizards from other Dungeons & Dragons settings.

He was used as a source of information for Greenwood's 'Pages from the Mages' articles in which various spells were described, as well as various miscellaneous articles such as 'Cloaked in magic'. ' articles, such as 'The ecology of the ochre jelly'. He divulged lore on various Dungeons & Dragons monsters in 'The ecology of. In Dragon Magazine articles written by Ed Greenwood, Elminster often appeared as a wise sage imparting knowledge to a fictional interviewer. The Knights of Myth Drannor were also close friends and confidants, and two or three knights were always in Shadowdale in case it was in peril. He has no known wife, but retains contact with several previous lovers, including the goddess Mystra - although his relationship with Mystra changed when the goddess was slain during the Time of Troubles and the sorceress Midnight assumed the mantle of the Lady of Mysteries.Įlminster's allies included the Harpers, the other Chosen of Mystra (especially the Simbul), and his scribe Lhaeo. Besides Narnra Shalace, two others are Laspeera of the War Wizards and the dowager queen Filfaeril of Cormyr. Readers learn that Elminster has several daughters at the end of Elminster's Daughter. He can portray himself as a trickster, rake, stern father figure, fool, or any other stereotype that he wants to assume, depending on what he wants to accomplish or what reaction he wants to elicit from those around him. He rarely reveals the full extent of his true nature to anyone who is not an extremely close friend. Furthermore, he is a natural storyteller and a consummate actor. He can, however, be imperious, grave, and terrible. Personality Įlminster is normally a witty, clever, and very charming man. He is almost always smoking a meerschaum pipe that spouts vile-smelling blue or green smoke. He speaks in a gruff tone and generally wears nondescript attire. Elminster appears as a gray-bearded man of weathered visage, with a hawk-like nose and alert, dancing eyes.

The making of a mage