Epic magic

Epic magic, also known as true dweomers or high-level magic, was magic of incredible power. It was usually associated with ancient magical kingdoms like Netheril, but became severely restricted with Mystra's Ban after Karsus's Folly in the. Nevertheless, items and places of epic magic could still be found by the 14 century DR. These restrictions are as follows:


 * One’s first attempt at casting epic spells will always be a failure.
 * This level of magic is only available to those casters who have achieved the pinnacle of power, and are among the most intelligent and wisest of their rank.
 * A second spellcaster, who may be less experienced and wise, to a point, but also highly intelligent, must be present to act as an “anchor”, using another spell or spells to link their will, mind, and life energy to the main caster. Without the help of an anchor, unintended wild magic results will ensue.
 * Casting such high level magic is mentally and physically taxing; the casters involved will lose some small measure of their health and forget a few of their memorized spells. There is also a significantly high chance that they lose their grasp of their greatest abilities, forcing them to climb back up to their previous ranks before making another attempt.
 * Mystra and Azuth are aware of all casting attempts, and will afflict all casters involved with feeblemindedness (as in the Feeblemind spell), as well as remove the written spell from existence, if they consider the casting to be for purely selfish and/or malevolent ends, working against the free and individualistic development of magic.

These limitations maintain an illusion of non-function; after the events of Karsus's Folly, Mystra altered the enchantments used in high-level magic such that they could no longer take hold of the weave, as well as making some of the symbols and glyphs injurious to the minds of beings attempting to memorize, read or tinker with them. This has led to a widespread, though mistaken, notion that mortals can no longer cast epic magic, as was Mystra’s intention. Despite the secrecy, Mystra commands that some knowledge of these limitations be disseminated through visions to any mages who pray to her, Azuth, Oghma, or Savras specifically and directly about such things.

Mystra's Magisters are exempt from these limitations, as their attempts will always succeed. However, Mystra and Azuth are free to immediately reverse the spell's effects, and the Magister will lose their office and seemingly die for their transgression. In truth, they would be thrust into Mystra's Choice.

High-Level Spells of Netheril

 * Ioulaum's longevity
 * Karsus's avatar
 * Lefeber's weave mythal
 * Mavin's create volcano
 * Mavin's earthfast
 * Mavin's worldweave
 * Proctiv's breach/seal crystal sphere
 * Proctiv's move mountain
 * Tolodine's killing wind
 * ''Valdick's spheresail

Spells of Cormanthyr

 * Create mythal: used in the creation of wizardly mythals.

Epic Spells
The following spells known in the Realms were created after Karsus's Folly. Some were known by the same names as the Netherese high-level spells, or were recreations.
 * Aumvor's fragmented phylactery
 * Aumvor's soulshatter
 * Bonfire of insanity
 * Cataract of fire
 * Diluvial torrent
 * Horrendous dessication
 * Ioulaum's longevity: Harmed or killed all creatures within range of the spell to add to the life-span of the caster.
 * Mythanthor's create mythal
 * Necromantic singularity
 * Proctiv's move mountain
 * Tolodine's killing wind

Other Epic Spells
These epic spells are not known to exist in the Realms, but are listed here for completeness:
 * Animus blast
 * Animus blizzard
 * Contingent resurrection
 * Create living vault
 * Crown of vermin
 * Damnation
 * Demise unseen
 * Dire winter
 * Dragon knight
 * Dragon strike
 * Eclipse
 * Eidolon
 * Enslave
 * Epic counterspell
 * Epic mage armor
 * Epic repulsion
 * Epic spell reflection
 * Eternal freedom
 * Greater spell resistance
 * Greater ruin
 * Hellball
 * Kinetic control
 * Let go of me
 * Living lightning
 * Lord of nightmares
 * Mass frog
 * Momento mori
 * Mummy dust
 * Nailed to the sky
 * Origin of species: achaierai
 * Peripety
 * Pestilence
 * Rain of fire
 * Raise island
 * Ruin
 * Safe time
 * Soul dominion
 * Soul scry
 * Spell worm
 * Summon behemoth
 * Superb dispelling
 * Time duplicate
 * Vengeful gaze of god
 * Verdigris tsunami