What is an archmage?

Attalus · 04-27-2005, 06:13 PM

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?"

shamrock_uk · 04-27-2005, 06:21 PM

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 ]

Sir Degrader · 04-27-2005, 08:38 PM

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

Dace De'Briago · 04-27-2005, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shamrock_uk:
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.

Raistlin?

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

Desuma Malevois · 04-27-2005, 09:24 PM

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.

mad=dog · 04-27-2005, 11:37 PM

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.

K2Grey · 04-28-2005, 12:59 AM

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

Illumina Drathiran'ar · 04-28-2005, 01:17 AM

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 ]

timothy trotter · 04-28-2005, 03:56 AM

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

Iron Greasel · 04-28-2005, 08:01 AM

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.

04-27-2005, 06:13 PM	#1
Attalus Symbol of Bane Join Date: November 26, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 75 Posts: 8,167	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?" __________________ Even Heroes sometimes fail...

04-27-2005, 09:24 PM	#5
Desuma Malevois Emerald Dragon Join Date: March 20, 2001 Location: Louisville, KY, USA Age: 64 Posts: 967	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. __________________ Guerilla gourmet, and proprieter of the KFA.<br /><br />\"It\'s all part of the master plan.\"

04-27-2005, 11:37 PM	#6
mad=dog Avatar Join Date: April 18, 2004 Location: Copenhagen Age: 48 Posts: 549	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. __________________ [url]\"http://www.dsr.kvl.dk/~maddog/isur.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Ooooookay. I surrender.</a><br />Sometimes I get the eerie feeling that my computer is operating me and not the other way around.

04-28-2005, 01:17 AM	#8
Illumina Drathiran'ar Apophis Join Date: July 10, 2002 Location: I can see the Manhattan skyline from my window. Age: 38 Posts: 4,673	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 ] __________________ http://cavestory.org PLAY THIS GAME. Seriously. http://xkcd.com/386/ http://www.xkcd.com/406/ My heart is like my coffee. Black, bitter, icy, and with a straw.

04-28-2005, 03:56 AM	#9
timothy trotter Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: December 29, 2004 Location: south australia Age: 42 Posts: 603	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 __________________ Nobody expects the Spanish inquisition!<br />You will stay in the comfy chair until lunchtime, with only a cup of coffee at 11!

04-27-2005, 06:21 PM	#2
shamrock_uk Dracolich Join Date: January 24, 2004 Location: UK Age: 41 Posts: 3,092	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 ]

04-27-2005, 08:38 PM	#3
Sir Degrader Thoth - Egyptian God of Wisdom Join Date: November 3, 2001 Location: Canada Age: 63 Posts: 2,871	Its a prestige class, or just means pwnage at magic (consequently, pwnage at D&D).

04-28-2005, 12:59 AM	#7
K2Grey Dungeon Master Join Date: November 4, 2004 Location: Illinois, USA Age: 39 Posts: 64	ToB Imoen is lv20+ half-god mage, that would make her archmage for sure.

04-28-2005, 08:01 AM	#10
Iron Greasel Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: July 13, 2004 Location: Finland Age: 35 Posts: 1,701	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. __________________

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Archmage	Malavon's Rage	Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2 Also SoU & HotU Forum	2	12-21-2002 10:25 PM
Archmage Robe	SnarktheStrange	Baldurs Gate & Tales of the Sword Coast	5	09-20-2002 06:32 PM
STAFF OF THE ARCHMAGE!?	UnForGiven	Baldurs Gate II Archives	0	10-22-2000 09:39 PM
STAFF OF THE ARCHMAGE	UnForGiven	Baldurs Gate II Archives	0	10-22-2000 06:53 PM
Staff Of The ARCHMAGE	UnForGiven	Baldurs Gate II Archives	1	10-21-2000 08:01 AM