Mystra

Mystra (pronounced MISS-trah ), the Mother of all Magic, is the name of the two most recent incarnations of the greater deity who guides the magic that envelopes Toril. This article principally deals with the second, more recent incarnation. Mystra tends to the Weave constantly, making possible all the miracles and mysteries wrought by magic and users of magic. She is believed to be the embodiment of the Weave and of magic itself. Mystra's symbol is a ring of seven stars surrounding a rising red mist, spiraling to the heavens, though her older and often seen symbol is a simple seven-pointed star. Her divine realm resides in Dweomerheart.

Worshippers
The church of Mystra preserves magical lore so that magic would continue and flourish in the future even if the dominant races of Faerûn were to fall. Its members also search out those skilled in magic or who have the potential to use it, keeping a close eye on those who are likely to become skilled. Her clerics are encouraged to explore magical theory and create new spells and magic items. Sites dedicated to the goddess are enhanced by the Weave to allow any spell cast by her clerics while in them to be affected by metamagic. Mystra honors the commitments that members of her clergy who joined the church before the Time of Troubles, not being forced to leave the clergy due to alignment differences.

Mystra's Chosen
Mystra also has powerful mortal servants among her ranks of followers, including Elminster, Khelben Arunsun and the Seven Sisters.

Orders

 * Order of the Starry Quill : The Starry Quill is an order of Mystran bards who often work as information gatherers and rumor-mongers for the church or spend part of their time in designated libraries unearthing magical knowledge and then preserving it for posterity.


 * Order of the Shooting Star : The Church of Mystra sponsors an order of rangers, known as the Order of the Shooting Star. These rangers receive their spells from Mystra. They serve as long-range scouts and spies for the church and also deal with magical threats that impose upon the natural order of things, such as unloosed tanar'ri and baatezu and creatures born of irresponsible wizardly experimentation.


 * Knights of Mystic Fire : The Church of Mystra also sponsors a knightly order of paladins called the Knights of the Mystic Fire, who are granted their spells by Mystra. They often accompany members of the clergy on quests to locate lost hoards of ancient magic and also form the cadre from which the leadership for the small groups of armed forces who guard Mystra's larger temples and workshops is drawn.

Relationships
Mystra's greatest enemies are Shar, who created the Shadow Weave to oppose Mystra's Weave, and Cyric, who was a mortal along with Mystra and Kelemvor (with whom Mystra has a cold friendship). Mystra's customary adviser is Azuth and is served indirectly by Savras and Velsharoon. Other allies of hers include Selûne and Kelemvor, whom she knew as a man when she was a mortal.

History
The goddess of magic has had three incarnations over the years. All shared the same role and responsibilities, but they were different in alignment and temperament.

Mystryl
Mystryl, as she was originally called, was the goddess of magic and a chaotic neutral greater deity born during the battle between Shar and Selûne at the dawn of time. Being the goddess of magic, spells, creativity, invention, and knowledge, she was said to have taught the first spellcaster of the Realms. All spells of all types were known to her when their creators constructed them, and her spirit was said to imbue all inventors, authors, songwriters, and artists. She was most venerated by wizards and those who used magic or magical items. She provided and tended the Weave, the conduit that enabled mortals to safely access the raw magic force.

Mystra
Mystra came into being after the previous incarnation sacrificed herself in -339 DR to save Faerûn from the destruction Karsus of Netheril nearly brought upon them. She used as a basis a beautiful peasant girl who was still just learning cantrips but who had the potential of becoming an archmage. She was Lawful Neutral in alignment.

Midnight/Mystra
During the Time of Troubles, Mystra was killed by the deity Helm for defying the god and trying to climb the Celestial Stairway to the heavens. Her death caused great damage to the Weave, but the young mortal Midnight was chosen to succeed the goddess as the next Mystra — eventually restoring the magic of Toril. Midnight killed Myrkul in a duel in the skies over the city of Waterdeep.

In 1385 DR, in the Year of Blue Fire, Cyric murders Mystra. It is suspected that Shar is somehow responsible. The events are believed to have caused the spellplague, as no further goddess of magic was reborn to take her place, and therefore magic goes wild and surges throughout Faerun.

Appearances

 * Shadows of the Avatar : Mystra has a secret revealed stating she is more powerful than any god, save for Lord Ao, but therein lies the secret. Roughly half of her power lies in her Chosen and in the lesser power Azuth, thus planned by Ao so Mystra does not rule all Realmspace.