Archmage

Archmages were the among the most powerful arcane spellcasters found throughout all of Faerûn. These practitioners of the Art were experts at manipulating and altering their spells, often in strange ways.

Culture
Many cities across Faerûn had a single Archmage who dedicated themselves to serve that settlement and its people. Some notable cities included Lyrabar in Impiltur, and the great western metropolis of Waterdeep.

The term "archmage" was often used to refer to those spellcasters who took on leadership roles among similarly-inclined practitioners of The Art. In the drow city of Menzoberranzan, the head of the arcane academy known as Sorcere was granted the title, Archmage of Menzoberranzan. Similarly, the leader of the Arcane Brotherhood was referred to as the Archmage Arcane.

Abilities
Archmages continued developing their skills as spellcasters in the same manner as they had during their previous experiences in the Art. While they gained knowledge and lore about "high arcana" that was unavailable to lesser wizards and sorcerers, they were forced to focus less on the number of spells they could prepare each day.

As archmages become more experienced they progress in their spellcasting ability as if done so through their primary arcane spellcasting class. For each level, the archmage also gains a high arcana ability. Each ability requires the archmage to give up a single spell slot from a certain level of spells he/she can cast.

By forgoing one of their most powerful spells, archmages could tap into a power known as arcane fire. This was a bolt of raw magical energy that was drawn from the power they typically reserved for normal spellcasting.

They learned techniques that allowed them to reach across long distances, using spells that normally took effect upon touch and utilizing them from as far away as.

As Archmages were considered master spellcasters, it followed that they were capable of mastering particular elements of spellcasting. Rather than performing typical counterspelling, archmages could turn spells back upon their casters. They mastered ways to alter their spells that drew upon the elements, particularly those that were acidic, cold, fiery, electric, or sonic in nature. Additionally they perfect the practice of "spell shaping", and could readily manipulate the area over which a spell took effect.

Plainly put, the spells cast my archmages were capable of a level of power unheard of by typical spellcasters. They functioned at levels a number of degrees more intense and potent that lesser experienced wizards and sorcerers.

One of most unique applications of high arcana available to archmages was the ability to prepare spells as spell-like abilities. By forgoing some one of the spells they would normally prepare, they could cast a spell twice in a day or more, without having to normally inscribing it within their spellbook.

Members
Many sun elves who wished to continue their arcane studies often chose the path of the archmage, as did many of the human Red Wizards.

Notable Archmages

 * Elminster Aumar, the famous Sage of Shadowdale.
 * Ioulaum, the Netherese arcanist who established Xinlenal, the first enclave of ancient Netheril.
 * Manshoon, founder of the Zhentarim and progenitor of the numerous "Manshoon clones".
 * Mordenkainen, the powerful planewalker who originated from the planet of Oerth.
 * Nezram the World-Walker, another exceptionally powerful planewalker who hailed from the eastern realm of Mulhorand.
 * Raumark, this arcanist of Netheril who escaped Karsus's Folly and led his people to the land that came to be known as Halruaa.
 * Simbul, the fearsome and enigmatic ruler of Aglarond who was born as one of the Seven Sisters.