In the banterpack interaction, Nalia tells Imoen that she is an archmage just like her. It got me thinking. What exactly is an archmage? Is there a precise definition, or is it just a term for "very powerful mage?"

Well, I've just read through the Elminster books and the term 'archmage' is used to describe the man himself and any number of mages of different races and good or evil.

I guess therefore it's just a word for a very powerful mage. I would also suggest that age and venerability are a criteria - I don't remember young mages being labelled as such, no matter their power.


Edit: I would not classify Imoen as an archmage myself, but then Nalia is a complete romantic when it comes to the 'adventuring' world which may be why she makes this mistake.

[ 04-27-2005, 06:24 PM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

Its a prestige class, or just means pwnage at magic (consequently, pwnage at D&D).

Raistlin?

Just a term for a very powerful mage... USUALLY venerable ;)

In the older versions of pen & paper D&D "archmage" was the title a mage would receive upon reaching 18th level; in other words, able to cast 9th level spells.

In some areas a wizard become an archmage by defeating another archmage through magic. Others define it by mastery of dweomers or alike - e.g in ADOM an archmage can cast Wish at will.
I don't think a Fearûn wizard go to sleep as mage and wake up as archmage. It's a process and a title of the people. When a sufficient amount of people refer to you as archmage you have become an archmage. Much like the title hero.

ToB Imoen is lv20+ half-god mage, that would make her archmage for sure.

Archmage? I had a stint as a contortionist sorceress prostitute in Waterdeep a few years back. Heard "Archmage!" a lot in those days, believe you me.

[ 04-28-2005, 01:17 AM: Message edited by: Illumina Drathiran'ar ]

i would assume that an archmage would be the head mage for a perticular orginsation/branch/sector or whatever. daveron was an archmage, he was the top mage in the iron thrones mines in bg 1. but having said that it contradicts what nalia says, so im not sure, but thaqts what i have always assumed it to mean

I always just assumed that and archmage is a mage who is either older or more powerful than other mages. But mad=dogs explanation of being referred to as an archmage sounds better.