Elmunchkin

TheGraveDigger

What's the point of Elminster?

Why does one of the realm's most powerful men stalk a level 1 character? Why doesn't he pester Sarevok or some other child of bhaal? They're all more dangerous, and a more immediate threat to his Harper ways.

He pops up everywhere, he's in almost every chapter. NPCs mention him, the main character can mention him... You can't even buy a drink in most taverns without seeing his name(Elminster's Choice beer...) And after all his encounters, he never actually helps in any way. He also shows no interest in avenging his friend Gorion's death. So why does he exist? He wont stay dead if you manage to kill him either.

Should have just replaced him with someone like Firebead Elvenhair, atleast he's likeable and helps you out.

Lord_Tansheron

He's a plot device. His presence supposedly gives you, the player, a sense of importance and destiny. I agree that the way he's implemented into the story is weird, and at times even hypocritical - but this is a story, and some artistic liberty can probably be excused.

Corvino

His minimal intereference apart from pointing you in the right direction is meant to be because him becoming directly involved would actually cause Evil Deities to get their knickers in a twist and join in against you.

He's also a recognisable Forgotten Realms character, like Drizzt. Having him make just a few cameos doesn't distract from his own core story or cause deviations in FR Canon.

Greenpakto

TheGraveDigger said:

What's the point of Elminster?

Why does one of the realm's most powerful men stalk a level 1 character? Why doesn't he pester Sarevok or some other child of bhaal? They're all more dangerous, and a more immediate threat to his Harper ways.

SPOILER:
Why you ask? Becasue you will become ONE of the most powerful men in the realm. He knows this. Why would he pester Sarevok when he is way weaker than you in the end? Think of elminister as a sort of man with knowledge of the past and future. He follows you cause he see potential in you.
And thats exactly what happens. You defeat sarevok and you defeat every single last baalspawn eventually, and that is why he pesters you.

TheGraveDigger

I understand he's a famous FR character, and that's mostly the problem. His beaknose is forced into too many FR stories. His and Drizzt's books are quite bad. They could solve all the Sword Coast problems within a week, but they'd rather just stalk noobs and get bullied by gnolls.

If you know where you're going you can run into Elminster, Drizzt, and Volo within 5-10 mins of starting a new game. Are the Forgotten Realm's really so small?

Adul

Elminster sticks his nose everywhere because he's a Harper and that's what Harpers do. They avoid becoming involved in problems as long as said problems might resolve themselves, however, they keep a close eye on things in case somewhere their intervention is required (e.g. when everything has already gone to hell).

Any why do you meet both Drizzt and Volo within a week of leaving Candlekeep? Because they're famous FR heroes and every 12-year-old D&D fan wanted to meet them. Myself included.

Call it destiny or something.

AHF

In my games, I meet them because they are starstruck and want to meet a soon-to-be god of the FR.

Calmar

Class levels are a game mechanic. People do not measure themselves or others in levels or classes. Why should Elminster do it?

elminster

Some people just aren't grateful. Basically you have a high level character who for once isn't trying to kill you. In fact occasionally in his ramblings he points you in the right direction (or tells you you can trust Scar).

As for the fact that he doesn't help other spawns of Bhaal well he is helping a spawn of Bhaal whom he knows was raised by a Harper. Maybe he is hoping that either he or Jaheira and Khalid can have some positive influence on you in your early stages of adventuring.

TheGraveDigger

There's nothing to be grateful for... The fat hermit in the area where Gorion dies tells you the same things as Elminster, with half the ramblings and no deception.

Even if he wasn't Elminster he still doesn't come across right. When you first run into him after Gorion's death, he straight up asks if you're desperate or deranged... How can anyone possibly respond to that in a good way.

Elendar

Just Ctrl-Y him everytime you see him... and pretend he didn't exist. :P

Adul

Obviously by telling him that his pestering of strangers makes his own mental status questionable. Works every time, and it gets you respect points with the Big E.

TheGraveDigger

Elendar said:

Just Ctrl-Y him everytime you see him... and pretend he didn't exist. :P

I like your style Just pretend the Xvarts killed him before I got there

CrevsDaak

Elendar said:

Just Ctrl-Y him everytime you see him... and pretend he didn't exist. :P

Or Time Stop + Shapechange + Mind Flyers change if you want to kill him being an HL Mage... :P

artificial_sunlight

TheGraveDigger said:

There's nothing to be grateful for... The fat hermit in the area where Gorion dies tells you the same things as Elminster, with half the ramblings and no deception.
.

You call Klossed a fat hermit?? You bastard (sword)

elminster

Sylvus_Moonbow said:

elminster said:

Some people just aren't grateful. Basically you have a high level character who for once isn't trying to kill you. In fact occasionally in his ramblings he points you in the right direction (or tells you you can trust Scar).

As for the fact that he doesn't help other spawns of Bhaal well he is helping a spawn of Bhaal whom he knows was raised by a Harper. Maybe he is hoping that either he or Jaheira and Khalid can have some positive influence on you in your early stages of adventuring.

Gee, I'm not even playing the game right now and here he is, sharing his wisdom!

Now that's spooky!

I poke around threads from time to time

Eleassar

Adul said:

[...]

Any why do you meet both Drizzt and Volo within a week of leaving Candlekeep? Because they're famous FR heroes and every 12-year-old D&D fan wanted to meet them. Myself included.

Call it destiny or something.

Strange...as a 12-year old I would have rather met the Simbul or any orther of the (supposedly hot) daughters of Mystra.

Edit: But to post something on topic: I just always pretend, he actually closely monitors Charnames progress and would interfere if deemed necessary.