Laeral Silverhand

Lore & Background

As a daughter of Mystra, Laeral possesses an innate connection to the Weave that often manifests as silver fire. Throughout the centuries, she has balanced the dual roles of ruler and rebel, maintaining order within Waterdeep while secretly aiding the Harpers in their fight against tyranny. Her marriage to Khelben Arunsun united two of Faerûn's most potent magical lineages, cementing her place as a central pillar of regional stability.

In Their Own Story

Below, the city slept unaware as a rift tore open beneath the market district. She raised a hand with calm precision, not fear. The air shimmered as she wove a binding spell, her voice a low hum cutting through the storm. With a final gesture, the tear sealed, leaving only ozone and a city saved once more by its silent guardian.

Reader's Guide

Laeral Silverhand embodies the archetype of the archmage-ruler, balancing political responsibility with raw magical power. As an elf who has lived through millennia of history, she views her role as Open Lord not as a job but as a lifelong vow to protect Waterdeep. Resilience defines her tenure; having lost her home in Myth Drannor and witnessed the fall of empires, she remains a beacon of stability in a chaotic world. Her powers are vast, encompassing high-level spellcasting that rivals gods, with specific talents in abjuration and divination. She often acts as a mentor to younger adventurers while simultaneously being their greatest ally in times of crisis. Defining moments include her long service alongside Khelben Arunsun, the defense of Waterdeep during the Spellplague era, and her continued leadership through the Second Sundering. Laeral represents the ideal of the benevolent ruler who wields power with restraint. She is not a conqueror but a protector, often working behind the scenes to ensure the city's safety while maintaining its reputation as a haven for commerce and culture. Her story illustrates that true leadership requires both the strength to fight monsters and the wisdom to govern wisely.

Did You Know?

• Mystra is a Neutral Good Greater Power who was previously and still also Lawful Neutral.
• The goddess's symbol is a ring of eight stars surrounding a red mist, though her older symbol is a simple seven-pointed star.
• Mystra created the Seven Sisters by possessing the half-elf Elué Shundar and mating with Dornal Silverhand.
• Elminster was trained personally by Mystra in the form of one of her own priestesses named Myrjala.