Presto

Presto the Magician, also called Preston, was a wizard and an adventurer from Earth and the Realm. He was a companion of the monk Diana, the barbarian Bobby, the fighter Eric, the ranger Hank, and the rogue Sheila.

Description
Presto was a budding adventurer with an aptitude for casting spells with a magical hat. He wore glasses and a long green robe, and had tatty auburn hair. Presto had a golden sash around his waist that fastened his robe and held a couple of pouches.

When he was older, his appearance remained similar, but Presto had grown noticeable facial hair.

Personality
Though intelligent, Presto had low self esteem. This caused him to become nervous, especially when casting magic or trying out something new.

Abilities
Being a competent wizard Presto could cast spells such as ice storm and wall of fire.

Possessions
His most well-known possession was the Hat of Many Spells, which generated random effects when used. It could be used to summon items and empower spells.

Preston carried a significant amount of magical equipment, such as a wand of magic missiles and several potions. His gear was mostly magical. He wore a cloak of resistance, a headband of intellect, and a ring of protection.

History
Presto was from Earth, but later became trapped in the Realm. He and his companions tried to get home to Earth, but constantly found themselves in trouble, particularly with Tiamat.

The Victims of Tiamat
Living long before the mid-to-late 14 century DR, he was among a band of young adventurers who were all trying to find a way back to their distant home. However, it was said they were all slain horribly by Tiamat. By 1369 DR, the Adventurer Mart in Athkatla, Amn, displayed paintings of his two friends, the ranger and the barbarian, together with his miniature unicorn.

The Grand Tour of the Realms
In the mid–14 century DR, Presto and his friends made their way to Faerûn, seeking the great sage, Elminster. In the 1360s DR, Presto was taken on a grand tour across the Realms, and learned much of the history and geography of Faerûn.

Background
First appearing in the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon series of 1983–1985, the characters Hank, Eric, Diana, Presto, Sheila, and Bobby were teenagers from Earth who were transported to a place called 'the Realm'—which is not in any way, shape, or form related to the Forgotten Realms setting or the world of Toril. Despite this, since the end of that series, they have made no less than four cameo appearances in Forgotten Realms sources, before having a comic series of their own set in the Realms (plural), Saturday Morning Adventures, which mistakenly calls the Realm 'the Forgotten Realms' and assumes it to be on Toril.

As such, their five appearances in the Realms (plural) are contradictory and spread over more than a century of time, with them having different apparent ages and, in one case, being killed before they live. Short of a storyline involving cloning and/or time travel, these are difficult to reconcile. Only Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn may be disregarded, as it neither names nor depicts the characters, only loosely describes them. In any case, for completeness, each appearance is included here.

However, to maintain focus on the Realms (plural) and avoid further confusion, only information from Forgotten Realms sources is included here and the Realm is considered not to be a part of the Realms.