@TheEdVerse I'm interested in something you published on Twitter a few months ago. Do you have any Twitter postings regarding Weave Anchors. I believed there were some mentions about certain wizards who serve in the function and purpose for Mystra, Lady of the Weave.
— Snow-Woman, Voice of the Dragonborn – PG/R/NSFW (@CatalogFantasy) August 15, 2020
1)
Ao commanded Mystra to vest some of her divine essence (the silver fire) into mortals, in part to lessen her power, which in magic-rich Toril far outstripped the other gods. She did so, but had the foresight to anchor the…2)
…Weave in these mortals, as well as in more static natural concentrations of magic (such as the Athora) to keep the Weave (herself) from collapsing if anything happened to her. (This is also something Ao expected and wanted…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) August 15, 2020
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…her to do; it isn’t just insurance for Mystra, it increases stability for the world.)
Many of these Weave anchors are also Mystra’s Chosen (the mortals who loyally serve her, whom she trusts the most) and are Weavemasters… 4)
…(know how to manipulate the Weave directly, not just through arcane spellcasting), but not all, and many of them (such as Volo) may even be unaware they are Weave anchors. Being a Weave anchor doesn’t involve doing anything…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) August 15, 2020
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…except existing; your presence focuses and stabilizes the Weave around you if you’re a Weave anchor. Disjunction and anti-magic and dead magic effects tend to fail or fade in your immediate vicinity because you’re a Weave… 6)
…anchor, but otherwise you will experience very little difference in your life if you aren’t also attuned to the Weave. (That you know of; in reality, you will live longer naturally, and Mystra will watch over you and rescue…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) August 15, 2020
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…you miraculously from time to time if need be, which is why Volo seems to lead a charmed life).
So Elminster, Storm, and The Simbul are all Weave anchors and know it, but there are also plenty of mortals serving as anchors…8)
…who are less likely to be seen as likely anchors and targeted by a foe of Mystra, or someone wanting to wrest control of magic to themselves, or just to destroy (like Shar). These “less likely” anchors include the likes of…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) August 15, 2020
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…Mirt and Durnan, as well as Volo, but most of them remain secret for their own protection and so as not to interfere with their lives (if they don’t know, it doesn’t influence their thinking, dreams, or actions; much kinder… 10)
…to them). This also, of course, makes it very easy for a DM to have anyone be, or not be, a Weave anchor, as they see fit.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) August 15, 2020
Can anyone be plot important and not to be a weave anchor?
Mystra doesnt seem to have a good personality imo, and the thought you are either tied to her or you are nothing kinda worries. There are many, many "important" NPCs in the Realms (millions of them) who aren't Weave anchors. Our interest in game and fiction on magic, rulers, adventurers, villains, and martial leaders skews our focus and views.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) August 15, 2020
1. Understood, just it seemed that the most huge powers on realms are either evil, or Mystra. Which created some narrative problems for my fanfiction XD.
But, on the other side, I really want to examine an ark where compassion will be given to Mystra. Their nurturing, tied-to-the-land tends to relegate truly mighty-in-daily-influence powers like Chauntea and Silvanus in the 'often overlooked' status. And your average adventurer who isn't an arcane spellcaster tends to look to Tymora before Mystra.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) August 15, 2020