Karsus
Encyclopedia
Lord Karsus is an arcanist in the Forgotten Realms
campaign setting of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. He was the Netherese creator and caster of the Karsus's Avatar spell that triggered the Fall of Netheril.
Gifted with magic, but lacking the necessary discipline that comes with hard work and research, he founded a school of magic on his enclave and encouraged the attendance of radical thinkers and those interested in taboo projects. One of his students, now known only as Lord Shadow, wrote a treatise on the exploration and exploitation of other planes, such as the Plane of Shadow, which garnered initial criticism but was eventually embraced as the key to an infinite source of shadow-creatures as slave laborers as well as a dumping ground for unwanted garbage.
was about to face her greatest challenge - one that could alter the perception of magic for all time.”
Shouldering the responsibility for preserving his civilization, Karsus finished creating a spell, Karsus's Avatar he had been developing for years. This spell would steal the power of a deity and transfer it to the archwizard that cast it. Karsus believed that with the power of a deity at his disposal, he could destroy the Phaerimm
and unite his people. Karsus cast the spell in the 3,520th year of Netheril, -339 DR, and chose Mystryl
, the goddess of magic, as his target, feeling that she was the most powerful deity and the most appropriate choice for his purposes. Karsus gained the powers over all magic.
Far away in Illefarn
Karsus' attempt had other consequences. The death of Mystryl forced the Guardian of Illefarn, which was powered by the Weave, to turn towards the Shadow Weave
for sustenance or be destroyed. As a result, the Guardian was transformed into the King of Shadows.
.
the player character can meet Karsus in a hell created by a book in the Great Library of the risen Netherese city of Undrentide
. He is being tormented by demons but the player character can redeem him by re-writing the magical tome in which his spirit is imprisoned.
campaign setting of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. He was the Netherese creator and caster of the Karsus's Avatar spell that triggered the Fall of Netheril.
Gifted with magic, but lacking the necessary discipline that comes with hard work and research, he founded a school of magic on his enclave and encouraged the attendance of radical thinkers and those interested in taboo projects. One of his students, now known only as Lord Shadow, wrote a treatise on the exploration and exploitation of other planes, such as the Plane of Shadow, which garnered initial criticism but was eventually embraced as the key to an infinite source of shadow-creatures as slave laborers as well as a dumping ground for unwanted garbage.
was about to face her greatest challenge - one that could alter the perception of magic for all time.”
Shouldering the responsibility for preserving his civilization, Karsus finished creating a spell, Karsus's Avatar he had been developing for years. This spell would steal the power of a deity and transfer it to the archwizard that cast it. Karsus believed that with the power of a deity at his disposal, he could destroy the Phaerimm
and unite his people. Karsus cast the spell in the 3,520th year of Netheril, -339 DR, and chose Mystryl
, the goddess of magic, as his target, feeling that she was the most powerful deity and the most appropriate choice for his purposes. Karsus gained the powers over all magic.
Far away in Illefarn
Karsus' attempt had other consequences. The death of Mystryl forced the Guardian of Illefarn, which was powered by the Weave, to turn towards the Shadow Weave
for sustenance or be destroyed. As a result, the Guardian was transformed into the King of Shadows.
.
the player character can meet Karsus in a hell created by a book in the Great Library of the risen Netherese city of Undrentide
. He is being tormented by demons but the player character can redeem him by re-writing the magical tome in which his spirit is imprisoned.
campaign setting of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. He was the Netherese creator and caster of the Karsus's Avatar spell that triggered the Fall of Netheril.
Gifted with magic, but lacking the necessary discipline that comes with hard work and research, he founded a school of magic on his enclave and encouraged the attendance of radical thinkers and those interested in taboo projects. One of his students, now known only as Lord Shadow, wrote a treatise on the exploration and exploitation of other planes, such as the Plane of Shadow, which garnered initial criticism but was eventually embraced as the key to an infinite source of shadow-creatures as slave laborers as well as a dumping ground for unwanted garbage.
was about to face her greatest challenge - one that could alter the perception of magic for all time.”
Shouldering the responsibility for preserving his civilization, Karsus finished creating a spell, Karsus's Avatar he had been developing for years. This spell would steal the power of a deity and transfer it to the archwizard that cast it. Karsus believed that with the power of a deity at his disposal, he could destroy the Phaerimm
and unite his people. Karsus cast the spell in the 3,520th year of Netheril, -339 DR, and chose Mystryl
, the goddess of magic, as his target, feeling that she was the most powerful deity and the most appropriate choice for his purposes. Karsus gained the powers over all magic.
Far away in Illefarn
Karsus' attempt had other consequences. The death of Mystryl forced the Guardian of Illefarn, which was powered by the Weave, to turn towards the Shadow Weave
for sustenance or be destroyed. As a result, the Guardian was transformed into the King of Shadows.
.
the player character can meet Karsus in a hell created by a book in the Great Library of the risen Netherese city of Undrentide
. He is being tormented by demons but the player character can redeem him by re-writing the magical tome in which his spirit is imprisoned.
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
campaign setting of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. He was the Netherese creator and caster of the Karsus's Avatar spell that triggered the Fall of Netheril.
Early life
Karsus was born about 3,100 years after the nation's founding, in -696 DR. He was able to cast his first spell at the age of two, and by the age of twenty-two had become the youngest arcanist to ever create his own floating city.Gifted with magic, but lacking the necessary discipline that comes with hard work and research, he founded a school of magic on his enclave and encouraged the attendance of radical thinkers and those interested in taboo projects. One of his students, now known only as Lord Shadow, wrote a treatise on the exploration and exploitation of other planes, such as the Plane of Shadow, which garnered initial criticism but was eventually embraced as the key to an infinite source of shadow-creatures as slave laborers as well as a dumping ground for unwanted garbage.
Creation of Karsus's Avatar
In -345 DR, Arthindol the Terraseer appeared before Karsus and stated, “MystrylMystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
was about to face her greatest challenge - one that could alter the perception of magic for all time.”
Shouldering the responsibility for preserving his civilization, Karsus finished creating a spell, Karsus's Avatar he had been developing for years. This spell would steal the power of a deity and transfer it to the archwizard that cast it. Karsus believed that with the power of a deity at his disposal, he could destroy the Phaerimm
Phaerimm
The phaerimm are a fictional species of creatures in the Forgotten Realms setting, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
and unite his people. Karsus cast the spell in the 3,520th year of Netheril, -339 DR, and chose Mystryl
Mystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
, the goddess of magic, as his target, feeling that she was the most powerful deity and the most appropriate choice for his purposes. Karsus gained the powers over all magic.
Fall of Netheril
Unfortunately, his choice was a terrible mistake, for one of the responsibilities of the deity of magic was to regulate the flow of magic to and from all beings, spells, and magic items in the world. Lacking the ability to do so properly, magic surged and fluctuated. With her last remaining bit of power, Mystryl sacrificed herself to block Karsus's access to the weave, causing all magic to fail. The flying cities of Netheril plummeted to the earth. The severing of the link also killed Karsus and transformed him into stone, and the last thing he saw was his entire civilization being destroyed because of his actions. This was to be known as Karsus's Folly. The stone form of Karsus eventually landed in a part of the High Forest, now called the Dire Wood. The city of Karse was built around its base.Far away in Illefarn
Illefarn
Illefarn is a location in the fictional Forgotten Realms setting of Dungeons and Dragons, on the continent of Faerûn.- General :What is now called the Fallen Kingdom used to be the grand elven kingdom of Illefarn , a forest stretching from the present-day Kryptgarden Forest to the Trollbark Forest,...
Karsus' attempt had other consequences. The death of Mystryl forced the Guardian of Illefarn, which was powered by the Weave, to turn towards the Shadow Weave
Shadow Weave
In the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Shadow Weave is a force of magic that is the inverse and opposite of the Weave. The Shadow Weave does not originate from Mystra, but from the dark goddess Shar. A spellcaster who wants to manipulate the...
for sustenance or be destroyed. As a result, the Guardian was transformed into the King of Shadows.
Final fate
Karsus was never accepted as a petitioner by any god, nor did he go to the Fugue Plane when he died. Instead, his soul was bound to the Material Plane. Those with experience in Pact magic can call up his vestige where he appears as a giant blood red boulder, like the one found in the High Forest where his petrified form landed. Blood burbles up from the top of the stone, trickling down the side facing the summoner, pooling at the base. When he speaks, the pool fountains upwards, its height varying on the volume of his voice. Karsus grants the summoner a boost in magical ability, though he also imparts some of the arrogance he is renowned for. Also, this vestige for some reason has a strange enmity with AmonAmon
Amon can refer to:* Amun, an Ancient Egyptian deity, also known as Amon and Amon Ra* Amon , a Goetic demon* Amon * Former name of the band Deicide* Amon of Judah, king of Judah and son of Manasseh...
.
Other media
In the game Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of UndrentideNeverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide
Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide is an expansion pack for Neverwinter Nights developed by Floodgate Entertainment and BioWare, and published by Infogrames Entertainment . It was released in June 2003...
the player character can meet Karsus in a hell created by a book in the Great Library of the risen Netherese city of Undrentide
Undrentide
-Track listing:# Undrentide# Isabella# Quan Vey la Lauzeta# Besse Bunting# E Volentieri# Cantiga Listen# Summerisle # Averil# Secreit Nicht# Now Welcom Somer# Veni Coronaberis# Omnes Gentes Plaudite # Lanquan Li Jorn...
. He is being tormented by demons but the player character can redeem him by re-writing the magical tome in which his spirit is imprisoned.
Sources
Lord Karsus is an arcanist in the Forgotten RealmsForgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
campaign setting of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. He was the Netherese creator and caster of the Karsus's Avatar spell that triggered the Fall of Netheril.
Early life
Karsus was born about 3,100 years after the nation's founding, in -696 DR. He was able to cast his first spell at the age of two, and by the age of twenty-two had become the youngest arcanist to ever create his own floating city.Gifted with magic, but lacking the necessary discipline that comes with hard work and research, he founded a school of magic on his enclave and encouraged the attendance of radical thinkers and those interested in taboo projects. One of his students, now known only as Lord Shadow, wrote a treatise on the exploration and exploitation of other planes, such as the Plane of Shadow, which garnered initial criticism but was eventually embraced as the key to an infinite source of shadow-creatures as slave laborers as well as a dumping ground for unwanted garbage.
Creation of Karsus's Avatar
In -345 DR, Arthindol the Terraseer appeared before Karsus and stated, “MystrylMystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
was about to face her greatest challenge - one that could alter the perception of magic for all time.”
Shouldering the responsibility for preserving his civilization, Karsus finished creating a spell, Karsus's Avatar he had been developing for years. This spell would steal the power of a deity and transfer it to the archwizard that cast it. Karsus believed that with the power of a deity at his disposal, he could destroy the Phaerimm
Phaerimm
The phaerimm are a fictional species of creatures in the Forgotten Realms setting, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
and unite his people. Karsus cast the spell in the 3,520th year of Netheril, -339 DR, and chose Mystryl
Mystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
, the goddess of magic, as his target, feeling that she was the most powerful deity and the most appropriate choice for his purposes. Karsus gained the powers over all magic.
Fall of Netheril
Unfortunately, his choice was a terrible mistake, for one of the responsibilities of the deity of magic was to regulate the flow of magic to and from all beings, spells, and magic items in the world. Lacking the ability to do so properly, magic surged and fluctuated. With her last remaining bit of power, Mystryl sacrificed herself to block Karsus's access to the weave, causing all magic to fail. The flying cities of Netheril plummeted to the earth. The severing of the link also killed Karsus and transformed him into stone, and the last thing he saw was his entire civilization being destroyed because of his actions. This was to be known as Karsus's Folly. The stone form of Karsus eventually landed in a part of the High Forest, now called the Dire Wood. The city of Karse was built around its base.Far away in Illefarn
Illefarn
Illefarn is a location in the fictional Forgotten Realms setting of Dungeons and Dragons, on the continent of Faerûn.- General :What is now called the Fallen Kingdom used to be the grand elven kingdom of Illefarn , a forest stretching from the present-day Kryptgarden Forest to the Trollbark Forest,...
Karsus' attempt had other consequences. The death of Mystryl forced the Guardian of Illefarn, which was powered by the Weave, to turn towards the Shadow Weave
Shadow Weave
In the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Shadow Weave is a force of magic that is the inverse and opposite of the Weave. The Shadow Weave does not originate from Mystra, but from the dark goddess Shar. A spellcaster who wants to manipulate the...
for sustenance or be destroyed. As a result, the Guardian was transformed into the King of Shadows.
Final fate
Karsus was never accepted as a petitioner by any god, nor did he go to the Fugue Plane when he died. Instead, his soul was bound to the Material Plane. Those with experience in Pact magic can call up his vestige where he appears as a giant blood red boulder, like the one found in the High Forest where his petrified form landed. Blood burbles up from the top of the stone, trickling down the side facing the summoner, pooling at the base. When he speaks, the pool fountains upwards, its height varying on the volume of his voice. Karsus grants the summoner a boost in magical ability, though he also imparts some of the arrogance he is renowned for. Also, this vestige for some reason has a strange enmity with AmonAmon
Amon can refer to:* Amun, an Ancient Egyptian deity, also known as Amon and Amon Ra* Amon , a Goetic demon* Amon * Former name of the band Deicide* Amon of Judah, king of Judah and son of Manasseh...
.
Other media
In the game Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of UndrentideNeverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide
Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide is an expansion pack for Neverwinter Nights developed by Floodgate Entertainment and BioWare, and published by Infogrames Entertainment . It was released in June 2003...
the player character can meet Karsus in a hell created by a book in the Great Library of the risen Netherese city of Undrentide
Undrentide
-Track listing:# Undrentide# Isabella# Quan Vey la Lauzeta# Besse Bunting# E Volentieri# Cantiga Listen# Summerisle # Averil# Secreit Nicht# Now Welcom Somer# Veni Coronaberis# Omnes Gentes Plaudite # Lanquan Li Jorn...
. He is being tormented by demons but the player character can redeem him by re-writing the magical tome in which his spirit is imprisoned.
Sources
Lord Karsus is an arcanist in the Forgotten RealmsForgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
campaign setting of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. He was the Netherese creator and caster of the Karsus's Avatar spell that triggered the Fall of Netheril.
Early life
Karsus was born about 3,100 years after the nation's founding, in -696 DR. He was able to cast his first spell at the age of two, and by the age of twenty-two had become the youngest arcanist to ever create his own floating city.Gifted with magic, but lacking the necessary discipline that comes with hard work and research, he founded a school of magic on his enclave and encouraged the attendance of radical thinkers and those interested in taboo projects. One of his students, now known only as Lord Shadow, wrote a treatise on the exploration and exploitation of other planes, such as the Plane of Shadow, which garnered initial criticism but was eventually embraced as the key to an infinite source of shadow-creatures as slave laborers as well as a dumping ground for unwanted garbage.
Creation of Karsus's Avatar
In -345 DR, Arthindol the Terraseer appeared before Karsus and stated, “MystrylMystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
was about to face her greatest challenge - one that could alter the perception of magic for all time.”
Shouldering the responsibility for preserving his civilization, Karsus finished creating a spell, Karsus's Avatar he had been developing for years. This spell would steal the power of a deity and transfer it to the archwizard that cast it. Karsus believed that with the power of a deity at his disposal, he could destroy the Phaerimm
Phaerimm
The phaerimm are a fictional species of creatures in the Forgotten Realms setting, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
and unite his people. Karsus cast the spell in the 3,520th year of Netheril, -339 DR, and chose Mystryl
Mystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
, the goddess of magic, as his target, feeling that she was the most powerful deity and the most appropriate choice for his purposes. Karsus gained the powers over all magic.
Fall of Netheril
Unfortunately, his choice was a terrible mistake, for one of the responsibilities of the deity of magic was to regulate the flow of magic to and from all beings, spells, and magic items in the world. Lacking the ability to do so properly, magic surged and fluctuated. With her last remaining bit of power, Mystryl sacrificed herself to block Karsus's access to the weave, causing all magic to fail. The flying cities of Netheril plummeted to the earth. The severing of the link also killed Karsus and transformed him into stone, and the last thing he saw was his entire civilization being destroyed because of his actions. This was to be known as Karsus's Folly. The stone form of Karsus eventually landed in a part of the High Forest, now called the Dire Wood. The city of Karse was built around its base.Far away in Illefarn
Illefarn
Illefarn is a location in the fictional Forgotten Realms setting of Dungeons and Dragons, on the continent of Faerûn.- General :What is now called the Fallen Kingdom used to be the grand elven kingdom of Illefarn , a forest stretching from the present-day Kryptgarden Forest to the Trollbark Forest,...
Karsus' attempt had other consequences. The death of Mystryl forced the Guardian of Illefarn, which was powered by the Weave, to turn towards the Shadow Weave
Shadow Weave
In the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Shadow Weave is a force of magic that is the inverse and opposite of the Weave. The Shadow Weave does not originate from Mystra, but from the dark goddess Shar. A spellcaster who wants to manipulate the...
for sustenance or be destroyed. As a result, the Guardian was transformed into the King of Shadows.
Final fate
Karsus was never accepted as a petitioner by any god, nor did he go to the Fugue Plane when he died. Instead, his soul was bound to the Material Plane. Those with experience in Pact magic can call up his vestige where he appears as a giant blood red boulder, like the one found in the High Forest where his petrified form landed. Blood burbles up from the top of the stone, trickling down the side facing the summoner, pooling at the base. When he speaks, the pool fountains upwards, its height varying on the volume of his voice. Karsus grants the summoner a boost in magical ability, though he also imparts some of the arrogance he is renowned for. Also, this vestige for some reason has a strange enmity with AmonAmon
Amon can refer to:* Amun, an Ancient Egyptian deity, also known as Amon and Amon Ra* Amon , a Goetic demon* Amon * Former name of the band Deicide* Amon of Judah, king of Judah and son of Manasseh...
.
Other media
In the game Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of UndrentideNeverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide
Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide is an expansion pack for Neverwinter Nights developed by Floodgate Entertainment and BioWare, and published by Infogrames Entertainment . It was released in June 2003...
the player character can meet Karsus in a hell created by a book in the Great Library of the risen Netherese city of Undrentide
Undrentide
-Track listing:# Undrentide# Isabella# Quan Vey la Lauzeta# Besse Bunting# E Volentieri# Cantiga Listen# Summerisle # Averil# Secreit Nicht# Now Welcom Somer# Veni Coronaberis# Omnes Gentes Plaudite # Lanquan Li Jorn...
. He is being tormented by demons but the player character can redeem him by re-writing the magical tome in which his spirit is imprisoned.