So a chosen of Illmater for example is on a lower level than a Chosen of Mystra?
— Steve Fidler of Vorpal 'New Year' 🏳️🌈 (@vorpaldicepress) February 29, 2020
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…(ever wonder why Undermountain and other places many adventurers have explored still have magic lying around in them, to be found?), and working against beings who use their magic to oppress (giving magic a bad reputation) or to prevent others from gaining. 3)
…magic or access to magic, or who imprison or coerce 'wild talents.' Mystra is dedicated to the widespread use of magic. One way to think of it is that her servitors work to spread the wealth across a society. She sees magic for all improving the world for all. #Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 29, 2020
These chosen of the other deities. Would this, ultimately, just be like the F&A-TSR9516 specialty priests, or something else altogether?
And what of gods not, themselves, lawful? Would they – especially the more capricious sorts – prefer a more free-willed individual?— 🌈Jaye🦄Em🌹Edgecliff🏳️🌈 (@jayeedgecliff) February 29, 2020
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Something else altogether. During the Second Sundering, we saw LEGIONS of “Chosen” as deities decided their power in the new order would depend on how influential their worshippers were, so they named scads of Chosen. But aside from that insane time, “Chosen” of. 2)
…all deities are mortals imbued by a god with certain powers (that they can alter, remove, and augment more or less at will). They can all choose what and how much power they grant their Chosen, so they customize. If a deity has three Chosen, they could have…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 29, 2020
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…markedly different powers. Some may resemble specialty priests in what they end up with, but usually not. Mystra’s alone have enough self-will that she can bestow abilities and power IF THEY AGREE but not take away UNLESS THEY FREELY AND WILLINGLY GIVE 4)
A few gods might prefer more free-willed individuals, but most gods have a touch of the paranoid control freak. If they want Chosen at all, they want them to be UTTERLY loyal and precision-controllable. It depends on the nature/portfolio and character of the deity.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 29, 2020
Is there any reason why Ao enforced Mystra to do such a thing? One thing is clear to me: this event means Ao is not the all-powerful being he wants us to believe he is. Mortals know not the whys and hows of gods.
We try to understand, but must always remember: EVERYONE is an unreliable narrator. The gods and their priests and sages lie to us; everybody "spins" and slants and fabricates, sometimes unwittingly, as they see the world.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 29, 2020