Partially what you WANT to be, but mainly what you THINK you would be. I think i'd be a drow or a crinti. For one, I drastically prefer the dark to light. Also, the drow value women and have them in power, as it should be. Oh also im queer. So yeah. Drow.

As my 40th NPC, I finally decided to try the Old Mage himself.

Disclaimer, if you expect or wanna see an Elminster with a simple and efficient (in terms of combat application) but rudimentary 5e stat block without any uniqueness or appeal, go use Archmage from MM, slap Legendary Resistance, a few basic actions then called Legendary Actions, and the name Elminster on it, and call it a day. WotC does pretty much the same, after all.

That said, my interpretation is based on El's 2e and 3e write-ups, and on Ed's video about Elminster's abilities. I didn't include everything Ed suggested; if I did there probably wouldn't be enough room for all the stuff of previous editions. For other sources used, have a look here.

Let's have a look at it from top to bottom:

• Page 1: Quote by Elminster from Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. Summary is straight from the last printed Dragon Magazine issue (#359 - Elminster vs Raistlin), and the Advice from Heroes' Lorebook has always been an important part. However, since the dark days of 4e, it's become even more essential to point out to new DM's that there can be, in fact, a meaningful coexistence between powerful NPCs and the PCs who are the heroes of the campaign. bUt WhY hAsN't ElMiNsTeR dEfeAtEd...? You get it.
• Page 2: El's Eversmoking Pipe and Evasion are from 2e/3e. His pipe has lots of powers but nothing ridiculously OP. His Evasion, on the other hand, is indeed ridiculously OP. It's basically a Get out of Jail card because, well, it's Elminster. Players are never supposed to catch El unprepared, after all. Note that I also converted his listed triggering conditions to something that feels like it actually belongs to 5e. Stuff like "the destruction of both upper limbs" as per the 2e sources is just no longer applicable here.
• Page 3: Stat Block:
  • Lots of skills because of his many classes, but no longer proficient in some of them.
  • Ed mentioned his cool staff but refused to elaborate further (maybe he did by now, correct me on that). Anyway, deliberately left blank here and up to each DM.
  • Ear of the Chosen (canon trait, although it's underwhelming and should be changed to include more Chosen power like no need to eat and sleep and so on), Master Attuner (pretty much necessary for El), and also Midnight's Blessing are pretty straightforward.
  • Ghostgrail and Vocalize are spells from 2e/3e, deliberately converted in passive traits with limited use per day.
  • Keryfaertel is straight out of The Fall of Myth Drannor. Nothing too fancy but note the inclusion of small lore tidbits here and there. Sure, the stats get longer, but it adds some kind of flavor to an otherwise lifeless 5e stat template (latest example, Szass Tam in Deadfall).
  • Weave Anchor is a custom trait that fits from a lore perspective.
  • Multiattack - note that his Psionic spells (because Elminster has also been a Psionicist in 2e) require more resources than his ordinary Arcane spells do. It's not balanced, his Arcane magic is straight up the preferable choice, but again it's lore accurate. Also note the footnote: Before using his spells, Elminster will always use his magic items! You don't do that in 5e NPC/monster stats. Fluff, baby.
  • Whisper Blade is another spell from 2e. I made it into his permanent longsword, better than the +5 thundering longsword from 3e imo. The extra damage from Silver Fire is identical to how I did it with the other Chosen of Mystra.
  • Spellfire is his standard ranged attack because I just needed something that's more like a signature power instead of a random blast or burst or ray or whatever 5e monsters generally get. Damage or healing on an individual basis on top of that.
  • Srinshee's Spellshift and again El's Eversmoking Pipe. I had to detach these from the stat block because it was getting too long. The pipe isn't really necessary for combat anyway, and the spellshift is detailed later.
  • Spellcasting. Because it's Elminster I refrained from listing his actual spell list (that would never do him justice anyway). Depending on the situation, Elminster will always be perfectly prepared.
  • Arcane Recovery and Silver Fire are canon Bonus Actions I already used elsewhere.
  • Weave Mastery is from Ed's video (including the Ring he also mentioned against the Exhaustion level), slightly adjusted.
  • El's Evasion. See above for the triggering conditions.
  • And his Legendary Actions are inspired by the The Wizards Three (excluding the Simbul, of course). But she's his GF, so it's cool, I guess, and she threatened Dalamar once. Dalamar's Lightning Lance is a spell from 3e, Mordenkainen's Disjunction is used by El very reluctantly because he hates destroying magic that way, and Simbul's Deliquescence is a non-lethal, defensive ability he might or might not use against characters that are just annoying.
• And the last thing, Srinshee's Spellshift is also from The Fall of Myth Drannor. Basically it's a Globe of Invulnerability on steroids, coupled with several Reactions and Bonus Actions that mess up his enemies' Spellcasting.

So my version of Elminster actually tries to make it clear that casting spells is Elminster's greatest asset. He might not have the highest DPR or best combat abilites which overwhelm his foes with sheer firepower, but his understanding of the Weave is without equal (except, of course, for THE Weavemaster, the Srinshee - see Spellstorm).

The problem is, however, and that's a 5e problem actually, that spellcasting can be very difficult to balance when applied to NPCs and monsters. For that reason, Elminster is my first NPC for whom I explicitly wanna mention that each respective DM can make or break the encounter if they actually decided to let their players try to take on Elminster.

In any case, enjoy.

Is this celestial or any other Faerun thing not to my knowledge?

Short summary:

City of **Hlammach (**and Impiltur) were parts of one of my PCs (now DMPCs) background. I've made some research and concepts about realm and city look.

I'm aware that this particular walls and gate will fit other places - for example Suzail in Cormyr - better, and you're welcome to use it as you'd like ^^.

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SOURCES:

Bloodstone Lands by R.A. Salvatore (TSR09267) - short description of a city, it's economy and some threats that the country faces.

Dragon Magazine 346 - history and more in-depth description of Impiltur.

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Lore:

Impiltur is a rich and powerful land - with feudal lords and ruling dynasty bound by a strict code of laws (King's Code). It fluorishes due to resources (mines in Earthfast Mountains provided silver, gold and bloodstone) and trade (serving as a major hub in the eastern Faerun).

Despite wealth, power and laws - the Impiltur remains a frontier nation, with hordes of humanoids, fiends and vicious cults (with occasional dragon) threatening the land and it's citizens. That constant threat was a reason to homebrew fortification system pictured above.

Hlammach is a fortified port located at the coast of Sea of the Fallen Stars. While not a capital city - Hlammach is a major economic centre, and a location for Impiltur's Royal Mint (which is an impenetrable fortress on it's own). It rivals city of Lyrabar and has cold relations with Sarshel (the rivalry predates the founding of a kingdom). This rivalry - and a presence of major wealth concentration - were another reasons for making imposing fortification system).

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Inspiration:

Theodosian walls of Constantinople.

I've envisioned the names of the gates as related to heraldic animals - with carvings of them serving as "mouths" for chains of drawbridge. Hence "Lion's Gate" ^^.

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What's inside:

• Outer wall
• Drawbridge and gate
• Inner wall
• Portcullis tower
• Side towers
• Misc (archery range, training grounds etc.)

Inside corridors and spaces are recreated.

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LINKS:

• 72DPI maps are available FOR FREE (no account required) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/171129994
• 150DPI maps, description, in-game use and gallery are available FOR FREE SUBSCRIBERS here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/171149786

Supporters (Cartographer level) got access to 300DPI no watermark maps and VTT ready files (roll20, Foundry, UniversalVTT), as well as an alternative night variant.

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^(Credits and attribution:)

^(Created in Dungeon Alchemist, with additional assets.)

^(Thanks to DA asset creators: Tavaron, smashbear76, MACx3D, SAC, DallasRT, CentimarDeVarion, varkas.amdir, swedish.cook and others)

^(Thanks to sketchfab creators: eucocker, Stephengury, kEam, demidrew, wolfgar74, Lessien and others)

^(This map was created by hand, with assets placed carefully together. I don't use generative AI and I did my level best to avoid using AI-generated assets.)

Cheers

Zaganza

Frights and Festivities in Phandalin

A spooky harvest festival supplement for Lost Mine of Phandelver and Dragon of Icespire Peak!

The harvest is in, the jack-o'-lanterns are glowing, and Phandalin is celebrating its annual Festival of Faces! Inspired by the traditions of Liar's Night and the Masquerade of Liars, this autumn celebration brings merchants, travelers, and townsfolk together for an evening of food, games, storytelling, and frightful entertainment.

But beneath the merriment, an old enemy is preparing to make his return...

Inside this supplement, you'll find:

• Biddip-Bo's Marvelous Menagerie: A gnomish showman's collection of extraordinary creatures and curiosities.
• Black Cat Roulette: Test your courage against a particularly vicious feline.
• Fireside Frights: A haunting poetry performance brought to life through magic.
• Ring the Belle: Brave a treacherous rope ladder above a muddy pit to win a barmaid's favor.
• Shadow Theater: Witness the legendary battle between Lady Tanamere Alagondar and the green dragon Azdraka.
• Harvest Fare: Sample the food and drink of Phandalin's autumn celebration.
• The Headless Horseman: A terrifying mounted encounter featuring a familiar villain seeking revenge!

Designed for low-level adventurers, Frights and Festivities in Phandalin offers a festive interlude between adventures, culminating in a Halloween-inspired encounter.

FREE | PAY WHAT YOU WANT

A full preview of the supplement is available at Dungeon Masters Guild. Download it here:

https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/588144/along-the-triboar-trail-frights-and-festivities-in-phandalin

Please check out my twenty-one other products tailored to Lost Mine of Phandelver and Dragon of Icespire Peak! All of them are FREE/PWYW downloads.

https://www.dmsguild.com/en/browse?authorName=%22Ronny%20Little%22