History Literature / TheElminsterSeries

* SquishyWizard: Mages are repeatedly shown as dependent on their magic along, while helpless generally without it (some exceptions exist though). In many cases, they neglect to protect themselves against normal weapons, thus they can be felled through ambush, surprise or being [[InTheBack attacked from the rear]] even when they still have their magic as well.

* BalefulPolymorph: In ''Making of a Mage'', Eliminster turns three magelords into stones whom he then puts in an ocean, saying he hopes they have large and strong lungs to swim ashore when the spell wears off.

* DeusSexMachina: Elminster is made one of the Chosen at the end of ''Making of a Mage'' by having sex with an [[GodInHumanForm avatar of Mystra]]. [[ZeroGSpot In midair]]. And they get seen by a merchant on the road, which becomes [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments one of the most hilarious moments in the book]].

* TheCasanova: One of Elminster's defining traits is that he'll flirt and/or sleep with virtually anything that is female and not related to him. Even ghosts, liches, [[spoiler:and dragons in human form]]. If we account for the disparity in series entries, the number of his conquests probably rivals Film/JamesBond. Even outside of his saga it's pretty much a RunningGag.

* DisappearedDad: Elminster fathers lots of children by his different women, but is mostly absent in their lives. Some, like Nastra, he had to [[DaddyHadAGoodReasonForAbandoningYou leave them for their safety]], but they later meet and team up. Since he's constantly off on various adventures however there is little chance of much relationship.

* DisappearedDad: Elminster fathers of children by his different women, but is mostly absent in their lives. Some, like Nastra, he didn't even know about at first, but they later meet and team up. Since he's constantly off on adventures however there is little chance of much relationship.

* HealingFactor: Elminster and the other Chosen.

*** Elminster himself consciously averts this at the end of the same novel: after overthrowing the Magelords, he ''could'' legitimately claim the throne for himself by right of descent (and having the witnesses to confirm that he really is who he says, too), but decides that he's not really rulership material and that the kingdom likely has had its fill of being governed by wizards for a good long while.

* MentorShip: In the first book, Myrjala Darkeyes mentors Elmara, who then learns how to turn herself back into Elminster. They then become romantically involved after she rescues him when he challenges the Mad Mage in battle and bites off more than he can chew. [[spoiler:This is before she's revealed to be an avatar of Mystra.]]

* TheArchmage: The Magister, the "Mad Mage", and eventually Elminster himself.

* DeusSexMachina: Elminster is made one of the Chosen at the end of ''Making of a Mage'' by having sex with an [[GodInHumanForm avatar of Mystra]]. [[ZeroGSpot In midair]]. And they get seen by a merchant on the road, which becomes [[CrowningMomentOfFunny one of the most hilarious moments in the book]].

* LogicalWeakness: Casting spells requires making hand gestures. Elminster having his [[{{Fingore}} fingers cut off by a rival mage]] thus renders him unable to do so, and temporarily helpless.

* LukeNounverber: Myrjala Darkeyes. The Silverhand family (a.k.a. the Seven Sisters). The Wyvernspurs. Et cetera. It's a pretty common trope in the ForgottenRealms.

* TheCasanova: One of Elminster's defining traits is that he'll flirt and/or sleep with virtually anything that is female and not related to him. Even ghosts, liches [[spoiler:and dragons in human form]]. If we account for the disparity in series entries, the number of his conquests probably rivals Film/JamesBond. Even outside of his saga it's pretty much a RunningGag.

* DaddyHadAGoodReasonForAbandoningYou: ''Elminster's Daughter'' notes that Elminster has left a trail of children across western Faerun over the years (including the Dowager Queen of Cormyr!), but in the case of Narnra Shalace, it was because he was attacked by the evil goddess Shar (a rival of Mystra) through her mother and had to leave them for his own safety.
* DeusExMachina: The literal version-it's hard enough to face Mystra's top-rank servants with overwhelming power or control them, and doing this tends to attract her personal (and rather annoyed) attention. In ''Myth Drannor'' several elven High Mages were quite disconcerted to have a goddess manifest and wag her finger at them. During [[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon The Very Definitely Final Battle]] of ''Elminster in Hell'' [[spoiler:the Red Wizards are invading Aglarond, blasting everything in sight, Elminster and the Simbul are exhausted, and then an avatar of Mystra rejuvenates them and [[CurbStompBattle the battle ends very quickly]]]].

* DaddyHadAGoodReasonForAbandoningYou: ''Elminster's Daughter'' notes that Elminster has left a trail of illegitimate children across western Faerun over the years (including the Dowager Queen of Cormyr!), but in the case of Narnra Shalace, it was because he was attacked by the evil goddess Shar (a rival of Mystra) through her mother and had to leave them for his own safety.

* BalefulPolymorph: In ''Making of a Mage'', Eliminster turns three magelords into stones whom he puts in an ocean, saying he hopes they have large and strong lungs to swim ashore when the spell wears off.

* BalefulPolymorph: In ''Making of a Mage'', Eliminster turns three magelords into stones whom he sends into an ocean, saying he hopes they have large and strong lungs to swim ashore when the spell wears off.

* TruthSerum: The wizard who accosts Elminster outside his village in the hills herding sheep places him under a {{mind control}} spell, and uses it to make him answer questions truthfully. Thankfully he doesn't realize that Elminster is the son of the man he's looking for (a [[KingIncognito hidden prince]] who's being targeted over his claim to the throne) or he'd have been killed as well. As it is, he still orders Elminster to [[PsychicAssistedSuicide run off a cliff]]. Fortunately Elminister has a latent magical ability he uses to save himself. Later he uses it himself on another mage.