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Alustriel Silverhand appeared in early editions ofDungeons & Dragonsas the High Mage of Silverymoon, a friend to famous heroes across the realms, and an ardent force of good. Beloved by her people, cheerful, and nearly unmatched in tact, Alustriel prefers to deal with her problems diplomatically, refusing magical charm abilities in favor of employing empathy with her enemies.
Though she finds arrogance intolerable and cruelty boorish, very little causes the former High Mage to crack under pressure, including the end of the world as she knows it in Vecna: Eve of Ruin. Because her lore is mostly confined to early editions, many fans may find themselves unfamiliar with the enigmatic Chosen of Mystra. So, whoisAlustriel Silverhand?
What Are Alustriel Silverhand’s Origins?
Born Endué Alustriel to the half-elven sorceress Elué Shundar and the ranger Dornal Silverhand, Alustriel was the second-born of a group of women namedThe Seven Sisters.
While each of the Seven Sisters was technically born from the two mortals,the goddess Mystra would possess Elué when she was having each child, making themtrueborn daughters of the goddess.
Unfortunately, the sorceress would eventually die, and Dornal would abandon his divine children. They would each be adopted into separate families, but maintained a telepathic link with one another.
Mystra’s Chosen
Being thatAlustriel was the daughter of Mystra, she received the honor ofbeing named her Chosenas well.
Each of her sisters would also become the Chosen of Mystra, and powerful mages in their own right.
Highly regarded in magical circles, Alustriel’s connection to Mystra both as daughter and Chosenrendered her immortal.While shecouldbe killed (and a few of her sisters were),death by old age was an impossibility.
She was also immune to poison, exhaustion, and charm, and she boasted a resistance to radiance due to her heritage. Plus, she had the ability to cast many high-level spells innately.
High Mage Of Silverymoon
For a time, Alustrieldisguised herself as a human mage known as Elué Silverhand, rising to rule over the city of Silverymoon. However, she would eventually use her given name and would return to her true, partially divine form.
Alustrielassisted in creating the Moonbridgein Silverymoon, one of the mostfamous structures in the Silver Marches.She would also help found the Lady’s College, the first school of its kind.
The college allowed magic users to learn magic outside of the bounds of apprenticeship,though Alustriel would have many apprentices herselfthroughout her tenure as High Mage.
She developed many spells in Dungeons & Dragons' second edition, namely: Alustriel’s Improved Mantle, Alustriel’s Mantle, Alustriel’s Sword of Stars, Alustriel’s Banner, and Alustriel’s Fang.While these spells did not make it into the fifth edition, they go a long way in providing the players with examples of her proficiency in magic.
Alustriel would work with and form many lasting relationships with iconic heroes such as Bruenor Battlehammer, Driz’zt Do’Urden, Elminster, and Sammaster, a fellow Chosen with whom she would have a long, torrid, romantic relationship.She also had a connection to the Harpers, who often aligned themselves with her interests.
Alustriel And The Spellplague
However, the multiverse called for Alustriel’s help elsewhere, andshe stepped down as High Mage,leaving the position in the hands of her son.
During the Spellplague, a cataclysm that was caused by the death of Mystra,Alustriel disappeared, leading many to believe she had died. In truth,Alustriel has been roaming the world, protecting it from evil where she can.
She has currently taken up residence in a sanctum in Sigil, where she lives with her wife,Malaina van Talstiv, a retired human rogue.
Appearances
Alustriel Silverhand appeared in various comics featuring Driz’zt, as well as a few published novels.
Out of the Abysswas her first small role in a sourcebook, appearing as an ‘echo’ in Gravenhollow that wanders the library until the players speak with her. She cheerfully refuses to tell them where she’s from and will admonish too-curious players. She also appears as a mention in theRise of Tiamat.
She features more prominentlyin Vecna: Eve of Ruin as one ofthe Wizards Three, a group of powerful spellcasters attempting to take down Vecna.
Having received news that the lich-god was attempting a takeover of the multiverse,Alustriel houses the Wizards and player characters within her sanctumbetween adventures, going as far as to allow clerics of Silverymoon to resurrect players should they fall to hostile beings.
