Silverfall/Not Just Any Mage in a Storm

Not Just Any Mage in a Storm is a novella by Ed Greenwood first published in the 1999 anthology Silverfall.

“

I see a woman leaping like a flume in battle, bathed in the blood of foes, her sword singing a deadly song. I see her crisply negotiating peace while she bathes, unashamed, I see her tending the wounded of both sides, comforting the grief-stricken, and imparting counsel to bewildered young inheritors who must now shape their lives alone—words that they'll remember and cling to for years to come. I see her going to her knees to play with a neglected child in the dust, whilst captains-of-war stand waiting, and keep silent. And in all their eyes I see the same look of awe and love.
I never thought humans could so love a storm.

”

— Belbradyn Tralaer, from Why I am a Harper, published circa the Year of the Staff, 1366 DR^[2]

Summary[]

Maervidal Iloster, a scribe and Harper agent in Shadowdale, has been discovered by the Zhentarim and fears for his life. He encounters Storm Silverhand, explaining his situation. They swap appearances, and Storm allows herself to be captured. While seemingly captured, Syluné contacts her and instructs her to track down Halaster Blackcloak, the mage seemingly behind the conspiracy. Storm wipes out the Zhentarim with the help of local Harpers, sparing only Taerach Thone, a Zhent assassin she discovers is the secret author of the Heartsteel books, a series enjoyed by her and Syluné. Storm confronts Halaster, learning that he has been corrupted by Shar in an effort to claim some of Mystra’s silver fire. Storm is injured but frees Halaster’s mind, although she is nearly killed. Dauntless and Mirt teleport in, confronting Auvrarn Labraster as he has been taken over by the power of Shar, but Elaith Craulnobur arrives and kills him. The other Sisters and Elminster arrive along with Thone arrive and save Storm. Qilué kisses Elaith.

Index[]

Characters

Aldluck Dreen • Aliphar Moongul • Auvrarn Labraster • Blaeragh Ridranus • Calivar Murpeth • Dumathchess Ilchoas • Elaith Craulnober • Elminster Aumar • Gustal Sorold • Halaster Blackcloak • Iyleth Lloodrun • Laeral Silverhand • Maervidal Iloster • Mirt • Nildon Baraejhe • Qilué Veladorn • Raelus Ustarren • Rendal Ironguard • Rungo Baerlan • Strabbin Stillcorn • Sylune • Taerach Thone • Talantha • Toarin Klustoon • Worvor Drezil • Wyndal Thone
Referenced only
Belbradyn Tralaer • Belinjuk Trawan • Brezter • Fzoul Chembryl • Halcedon Muiryn • Manshoon • Oleir • Rindee • Rostin • Samshin • Sarnjack

Locations

Ashaba Bridge • Ashabenford • Crown & Raven Scriveners • Fox Ridge • House of Plenty • Northend • Northriver Road • Old Skull Inn • Shadowdale • Tilverton • Twisted Tower • Warmfires House • Waterdeep
Referenced only
Border Kingdoms • Cormyr • Dragonreach • Faerun • Hillsfar • Mistledale • Nine Hells • Ordulin • Saerloon • Scornubel • Sembia • Tashluta • Teshwave • Thay • The Citadel • Voonlar • Zhentil Keep

Creatures

beholder • illithid • phaerimm • wolf
Referenced only
cat • drow • rabbit • spider

Organizations

Chosen of Mystra • Harpers • Mystra • Shar • silver fire • Zhentarim
Referenced only
Tymora • Watchful Order

Weapons

crossbow • dagger • knife • sword
Referenced only
hammer • strangle-wire

Materials

leather • silk • silver

Clothing

belt • boots • breeches • gown • shirt

Substances

mrildeen • saisha

Instruments

Referenced only
harp

Food and Drink

wine

Miscellaneous

candle • dangle-tassel • goldendazzle • trivet

Literature

Referenced only
Blackserpent's Caress • Heartsteel • Heart in a Clenched Gauntlet • Kisses Like Iron • Redwyrm's Revenge • Tower Sundered at Twilight • The Dragon's Gentle Claw • Why I Am a Harper

Events

Referenced only
Year of the Staff

Appendix[]

References[]

↑ Eric L. Boyd, Ed Greenwood, Steven E. Schend (2000). Presenting...Seven Millennia of Realms Fiction. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2003-06-21. Retrieved on 2015-08-12.
↑ Ed Greenwood (January 2005). “Not Just Any Mage in a Storm”. Silverfall (Wizards of the Coast), p. 319. ISBN 0-7869-3572-3.

[P7M-1] Eric L. Boyd, Ed Greenwood, Steven E. Schend (2000). Presenting...Seven Millennia of Realms Fiction. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2003-06-21. Retrieved on 2015-08-12.

[SF-pp05-p319-c7-2] Ed Greenwood (January 2005). “Not Just Any Mage in a Storm”. Silverfall (Wizards of the Coast), p. 319. ISBN 0-7869-3572-3.

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