Azuth

Azuth (pronounced ah-ZOOTH ), the Lord of Spells, is a lesser deity who concerns himself with the advancement and preservation of the magical arts. Worshiped by all manner of spellcasters (and wizards in particular), the crafty deity has long acted as an adviser to the sitting deity of raw magic; he and Mystra share an amicable relationship akin to that of tutor and favorite student. Other deities find him crotchety, not understanding his dry wit or ceaseless dedication to collecting magical knowledge. Azuth most often appears as a white-bearded man wearing elaborate, antique clothing and wielding the powerful, gem-topped Old Staff.

Worshipers
Among the most blessed of Azuth's terrestrial servants are The Favored, thought to be a cadre of slain human wizards resurrected by the Lord of Spells himself but which are in fact magical constructs of his subconscious mind. The Favored further the development and channeling of the Weave through written formulas, a process Azuthans view as the apogee of human scientific achievement. Possessing uncanny abilities such as telekinesis and flight, these paragons of magical power deliver important messages to the flock and herald new developments in magical sciences. Azuth has struggled desperately since the Time of Troubles to reconcile the old Mystra with the new, and with the resulting difference in the Weave that blankets Toril. Though the deity does not know it, The Favored—mental manifestations of this struggle—are tearing his church apart and may cost the Lord of Spells, and his worship significantly.

Criticisms
Despite the ecclesiastical turmoil within, many outsiders view Azuth's religion as tradition-bound. To them, it adapts to the times at a glacial pace, concerning itself overmuch with abstract arcane debates while remaining blind to the problems that beset the land. Since so many of Azuth's followers take a neutral stance on matters of morality, the church often comes under criticism by the more proactive cults of Mystra.

History
As a mortal man, Azuth was hungry for power, and in his search for it he studied several long gone empires, in hopes of finding lost secrets. Eventually his dedication lead to him being granted the title of Magister, the first of his kind, to be recognized by Mystra as her most promising mortal pupil. In his bid for divinity he sought to steal a portion of Savras' power, but ultimately he failed which led to Savras and he facing off in a duel to decide their faiths. Azuth was successful and managed to imprison the deity Savras within a staff he had created. And thus, with the help of Mystra who had now become his lover, Azuth finally ascended to divine status. Azuth later freed Savras from his imprisonment, who now serves the Lord of Spells, as does the the vaunted necromancer Velsharoon.