Is Ed Greenwood Actually Elminster? (Exclusive Spells + How To RP Him)

[@edgreenwoodofficial]

Don't let the beard fool you! EDIT: I am terribly sorry for the duplicate upload. There was an issue with the video's audio that has now been repaired. Thank you for your patience and support! Huzzah! Thank you all so much for your unyielding support. It's the generosity of Realms fans that allows me to continue my life's work! patreon.com/EdGreenwood

[@TheEldritchGoth]

Ngl when I watched the original upload I thought you guys were just copying each other lmao

[@johnwolf2829]

I can't believe anyone was dumb enough to think Elminster was a "self-insert", let alone dumb enough to SAY it! This new version of Trolls is gonna give the species a bad name. He was never a Fav of mine, more of a fan of Storm and her sisters.... but even they seem to be getting a bit tired in 1499. If could barely imagine a Shadowdale with 16,000 people in it, then they must be truly bemused. Speaking of that place, I once tried to rebuild Castle Krag as a military school (and the reactions were "highly varied" to say the least), I wonder what the cannon is for that old ruin?

[@theprofessorkeen1911]

I think Elminster is to you what my own OC Taxil is to me. I made him over 25 years ago and he seems to be a part of me now. He has different skills, abilities and powers but I feel he could match Elminster for the most part if it came to blows or spells. (btw, Taxil is spell caster too) But i really doubt that would happen if the two met. At most Taxil would love to challenge Elminster over a game of chess if he could.

[@IchimaruGin19877]

Wait , I thought it was some intentional trolling !!!

[@davidragan9233]

Would love to see this in 2024 stats, he sounds like a Wizard & Aberrant Sorcerer multi-class with multiple boons from being 20+

[@MeepChangeling]

I recall very old lore mentioning that Elminster would drop by Ed's house to tell him the latest gossip from the Realms so... Not sure how people think they're the same guy.

[@johnstuartkeller5244]

I love Dragon Magazine 🐉

[@christopherclubb9167]

My players recently got to meet Ed of Greenwood. It was a wonderful gathering.

[@briansheets3996]

I also remember that from maybe 1993 or 1994? I don't remember exactly.

[@user-fo9pf7xx4x]

The Wizards Three, Dragon Magazine

[@Valandar2]

One of the most humorous Elminster appearances I saw was in the old 1e article days. I forget the exact circumstances, but a bunch of mages were having a contest to see who could throw the biggest fireball. Elminster just wiggles his fingers, and a massive fireball roars down from the skies, then weaves and chases the other wizards for a while, looping and dodging and flipping around, before zooming off to explode bigger than all the other fireballs combined.

[@sparklyrockets]

I think there’s a scene like that in the short story ‘Elminster at the Mage Fare’ too. It’s in the first Best Of The Realms anthology.

[@johnsmith-jk9ol]

​@@sparklyrockets in Realms of Valor before that

[@blahlbinoa]

one of my players is an Eldritch Knight and described that she basically just worked for an old wizard that was just aloof and absent minded and probably had dementia and I immediately made him Elminster. They had a run in with him recently so he could put her on the right path to unlock her full potential, but it was an awesome moment to step into his shoes for just a few moments, I think I RPed him well enough with just the right amount of "Ye"s and "Thee"s and some cheese appreciation

[@michaelpettersson4919]

I believe that if an D&D movie need Elminister to appear you should be offered the role.

[@Onkelcuno]

Even if he just was in the background coating himself in silver fire before going through a portal.

[@IH8Usernam3s]

Elminster did appear in Honor among thieves. They race swapped him because D&D lacked diversity according to WOTC

[@seanpinkey2188]

@@IH8Usernam3s incorrect sir. That was actually Simon's inner older wizard (himself) he had to confront to attune to the Helm.

[@dragoninthewest1]

​@seanpinkey2188 correct. It would be funny for Simon to run into him in Neverwinter, like how Gale runs into him on the way to Baldur's Gate.

[@seanpinkey2188]

@@dragoninthewest1 I'd be all for that. Honestly, that's the way it ought to be done.

[@ChilleBruh]

Lore drop from the most loreriffic character in modern literature!

[@seanpinkey2188]

"Am I a joke to you? Wait, don't answer." - Volo

[@onlycorndog6322]

Not sure if Ed himself reads these comments but I just wanna say how incredible these videos are. Your insights have inspired so many of my campaign's most memorable moments!

[@HAOSxy]

My Spelljammer party had to visit Elminster to receive advice on their quests once. When we arrived at his home in Coliar we had to wait a bit, because he couldn't find his pants. Truly the greatest Wizard in the Realms.

[@raymondharnack4160]

Hey man, just wanna say it’s a blessing to have Ed bust his head open and give us all the goods from so many years of crafting this beautiful place.

[@Jobe00]

In a Realms campaign I was part of, a party went to Shadowdale to rest up on a longer journey, and the party's Wizard had the Crown of Horns which can pop off a Meteor Swarm once per tenday. As they were leaving past the Old Skull at night, the DM said they saw an old wizard practicing spells. The spell was Meteor Swarm which was cast three times in quick succession. Another player just imagined an intimidation attempt by El. "Would ye like to see a magic trick?" "Would ye see it again?" "Would ye see it again?" Then one final time without mirth he asks, "Would ye see it again?" We all agreed that would be a terribly effective intimidation attempt.

[@jonathangibson9482]

Gosh dang, I could cry, this channel makes me so happy. Seeing someone who was such a massive part of early and current DnD talk about his beloved character, it's wonderful to me.

[@DogofSinope]

Ed should get a cameo in any Realms set movie, like Stan Lee in the Marvel movies.

[@miguelangelus959]

There needs to be more movies being made, for that

[@SpiritWolf1966]

I enjoy all of Ed Greenwood videos 🎉🎉🎉😂😂😂😊😊😊

[@theprofessorkeen1911]

Mr. Greenwood, I am still having the head cannon that Elminster wears white boxers with red hearts on them. The boxers are enchanted so they can cast healing magic equal to charges used (with charges restoring itself over time). Each charges is a red heart on the boxers.

[@kamikazechipmunk]

I know I've said it before but I absolutely love these videos and I'm really grateful for them. Elminster has long been one of my favourite characters, not because he's overpowered but because he uses his power to be kind whenever he can. I love hearing Ed talk about him and what he's able to do in the current edition. Thank you.

[@sebastiansantin843]

Excelent video Mr Ed, I hope you make more videos about important character's of the realms.

[@Montie-Adkins]

I still have my Dragon Magazine containing the first stats I ever saw of Elminster. ..."and the darkness answered."

[@danielzarkos]

That is the video I asked for!! I was heard!! ♥

[@helixxharpell]

I would love to have you revisit those days when P "ole El" was a thieving street urchin. 😊

[@harrymorrison96]

Great video. Love how quickly you corrected the audio issue. By the way, are there videos on Elminster's pipes or his staff?

[@ItachiUchiha-xr3oj]

Let me know if you find out. I've spent ages trying to find out literally anything about his staff.

[@Razyura]

I’m sure I will butcher my question this second go, but… What is the custom spell of which Elminster is most proud? I know some spells can be used to humorous effect, while being extremely useful. Is his more outlandish than Bigby’s Clandestine Butt-Pat? Has it ever landed him in hot water?

[@Blade_291]

Elminster Charcuterie board.

[@adiuntesserande6893]

I'd wager, given all we know about him, it's going to be something incredibly minor, but he'll be so very proud of it because it was the first one he ever designed.

[@tentaclestv2476]

Think the first actual stats I saw for him were in the 3rd ed book. It’s cool to see how he has developed further over the hundred plus years since. He’s godlike now in terms of power! I wonder if at some point in the far future of the realms Elminster will take over from Mystra and become the god of magic and the weave? I also wonder if the Shadowweave and Shar has a secret chosen dark counterpart to The Sage of Shadowdale?

[@pheralanpathfinder4897]

Char and the Shadoweave plays a big role in my campaigns

[@phanboysmagoria8318]

My party were throwing a big ball when they reached 15th level. They had sent out for the. "Best dancing teacher around". He stayed at their keep for a few days, teaching them to dance and insulting the artwork. It wasn't until after the left that one of my players asked, " was that guy an Realms NPC?" I shrugged and he hit the books. Two days later I get a text...." That was fu@#$ng Elminster, wasn't it?!?"

[@roguevirus]

I love the outtakes!

[@matthewsinclair4322]

I refuse to believe that five year old Ed did not have the beard.

[@mikewaterfield3599]

In my Head cannon Greenwood is Elminster and Gygax is Mordenkainen.

[@airsheeps]

Ivan should be Ed for Halloween, his voice is already close so I'm sure he'd do a killer imitation :D

[@wilytyote]

absolutely love ed and elminster, great video. one thing i'll say is that the meme-ing, zooming, and all the distracting effects really aren't necessary, to me. i'd just be happy seeing ed sit in front of a fireplace and just plainly talk lore and game advice for an hour.

[@dassadec]

Omg thats THE Ed Greenwood?!

[@benward4585]

Thank you for sharing

[@MayorsCorner]

I have that Miniature! One of my favs!

[@Blakobness]

I always thought Elminster was a dragon who masqueraded as a human, so I was a little taken aback when there was no mention of that at all. I wonder where I got that from.

[@b91318]

Elminster gave me his business card, a very professional wizard

[@queenannsrevenge100]

I thought I remember hearing Ed say once that Mirt the Moneylender was more his “self-insert character” than El was, but I might be misremembering.

[@agesisafk131]

Thank you Grand Magus. As the composer is to their music, you are to the Realms. In that way , you are Elminster.

[@seibervideo]

I’d like to imagine that Elminster sometimes hangs out with Merlin from Disney’s Sword in the Stone.

[@rpgchronicler]

Considering Elminster has discussions with Mordenkainen in their own little plane of existance, likely.

[@kamikazechipmunk]

They hang out in Bermuda.

[@DLH_21]

Pretty much a demigod ✔️

[@queenannsrevenge100]

I always enjoy listening to Ed expound on Realms lore, but this is a long way to say El is a walking plot device. I’d rather hear Ed tell some short tales of Elminster’s adventures or in depth relationships to interesting Realms characters, much like the short excerpts he would put in the start of his Dragon articles.

[@Shadowslave604]

hello again ed of the greenwoods. does elminster still like bermuda shorts? also quick question - what is your favourite edition of the realms? as someone that still plays 2e i love the 1e/2e/3e time frame in the realms. keep the videos coming this is great.

[@Shy--Tsunami]

I love these ❤❤❤

[@RyllenKriel]

I also have resistance to fire, cold and can breathe under water. Ed, what are Elminster's favourite foods? If the ingredients only exist in the Realms, then what are examples of what they would taste like?

[@bradymiles4733]

Great video

[@AbstractTraitorHero]

Would you consider doing a video on the elven language? I've been playing a female human raised by the elves of Ardeep forest before they left for the retreat & been struggling with the more limited vocabulary that's on the wiki. Incase it's important at all, some words not being invented or concepts not being invented yet in some way. It's the 30th day of Marpenoth, 1351 Dalereckoning, "The Year of the Crown" & I'm currently in waterdeep on the night of the mask, I'm really loving exploring the lore & would love to be able to get advice for how to showcase my character's immersion in elven culture!

[@AMRosa10]

"He's far ruder than I'll ever be comfortable being, for one thing." So we can rule out that Elminster is Canadian.

[@joshuaharvey8046]

I have a pc that’s is called the “Storyteller” in my campaign that is Ed.

[@lorcandruid]

Can (or could) Elminster cast True Dweomers (i.e. 10th level spells)? Also, who'd be more fun to have a tavern drink with: Ed Greenwood or Elminster? I'd buy the drinks btw if that helps :)

[@jasongrundy1717]

I've played DDO, I know Ed is Elminster.

[@adiuntesserande6893]

Elminster has always come across to me as a more generally upbeat and playful version of David Xanatos, if David were a) a much better mage than he actually is and b) about one hundred times older....

[@da8675]

How was Elminster created at 5? Wouldn't that be at least a decade before Dungeons and Dragons was created?

[@VixenRosa]

Yes the Realms are older than D&D, watch the beggining of the previous video in the channel if you wanna know more.

[@ABPAK1]

Can we have a statblock?

[@thedragondaddydm6182]

Elminster was made by Ed, often played by Ed, and perhaps may have been an ideal that child Ed wanted to be like or something close to it when he grew up which I’m sure is common among children when inventing characters but he clearly states Elminster is not a self insert character and I do not doubt him but on the other hand like with many creators they often seed pieces of themselves into their creations wether intentional or not and with Elminster having been made so long ago in Ed’s life they likely influenced each other as he grew up I have not read any book with Elminster yet but I’m sure many similarities between the two are likely due to this. Does anyone have suggestions on a good starting book for Elminster? Preferably ones where physical copies can still be found even if only preowned copies are available

[@IH8Usernam3s]

0:33 IS THAT A GNOME?!

[@jackodees1765]

I always thought Ed was just born with that beard.

[@danielzarkos]

Is Daniel Actually Zarkos? (Exclusive Battle Master Manuevers + How to RP Him)

[@frost5890]

Elminster is the most Mary Sue character in the forgotten realms.

[@cbear3476]

Ive been watching the channel for awhile and still have no idea who the younger guy is.

[@Jimmy-p9n]

Isn't he something like 1300 years old?

[@mdpenny42]

Born c. 212 DR, according to the book "Elminster - The Making of a Mage".

[@Jimmy-p9n]

@@mdpenny42 I think it is nearly 1500 DR. So pretty close guesstimate

[@psdirewolf]

Elchemical Casting

[@IvanGarcia-xy7bf]

Well only know for sure if he could resist a plate of the Finest Cheeses 🧀 from Baulders Gate or not 😂

[@DynamiteBlues]

How old is elminster

[@geoffchurchill5492]

Ed should have just said stay a while and listen

[@Nesseight]

What? No. The novels clearly state several times that Elminster has a beak.

[@danielzarkos]

Is Ed Greenwood Actually Elminster? Yeah, basically! lol

[@escapadesrpg]

So basically, "magic is my girlfriend"?😂

[@SortKaffe]

I'm here for the lore, but recently you mostly read up from old stat blocks 🥴 not only boring, but completely irrelevant

[@ABPAK1]

Are you sure it’s a Old stat block? What edition?