She controlled and provided the Weave, allowing (relatively) safe access to the power of raw magic to mortal spellcasters and magical craftsmen. She could shape change at will and could grant other creatures spell knowledge by touching them. The only exceptions to this were if she cast wish, time stop, alter reality, or gate, which required enough concentration that no other spell could be cast in combination. The Lady of Spells could cast any spell ever known at maximum level, one offensive and one defensive spell per minute. Her pride in her status, and the kindness and respect she received from those that aided or worshiped her for other than magical gain, kept her hopes alive. Toward the end of her reign as the keeper of the Weave, she had grown tired and bitter, fed up with the schemes, maneuverings, and blatant attacks that her preeminent position attracted from every power-hungry being, sycophant, and fawning parasite, for century after century. It was her belief that in this way the Art would be strengthened and improved through conflict and adversity. She fully expected that her representative would be challenged and eventually defeated by other mages, only to be replaced by another spellcaster worthy of the office. Įarly in Mystra's tenure, she chose a champion, called the Magister, to wander the Realms, applying the Art as he or she saw fit, choosing enemies that would bring glory to the title. She was not as concerned with the ethics of Good versus Evil as long as the laws of magic were upheld. Among sages and historians this was known as Mystra's Ban. Indeed, in the wake of the Fall of Netheril, one of her first acts as the Lady of Spells was to ban the use of all magic greater than ninth level. Whereas Mystryl was quixotic and quick to change, Mystra was said to be a manifestation of the Cosmic Balance-maintaining order in the world of magic by correcting great inequalities if things went askew. This incarnation of the Mother of All Magic was quite the opposite of her predecessor, Mystryl.

When possessed by Mystra, she appeared taller and her hair moved as if it were alive. Caitlan went barefoot and wore plain ankle-length robes of a dark hue. As she created the pendant that held some of her power, the glow revealed the face of a 'beautiful, willful young woman, with hints of a long-borne pain.' Mystra's avatar at the time was a slim, young girl named Caitlan Moonsong who had a graceful bearing, large, dark eyes and short-cropped blond hair. When Mystra revealed herself to Midnight just before the gods were forced to walk the land of Toril, she was at first just a dark figure surrounded by an aura of blue-white light. Others described her appearing in a form resembling a multicolored will-o'-wisp.

Ĭaitlan Moonsong, who served as an avatar of Mystra.Īs a goddess, Mystra could shape change at will and mortals who saw her reported she changed constantly. The only known description of the mortal that became Mystra was of a 'beautiful peasant girl' who was just beginning her studies of the Art.

Dragonlance the magic audio book