Elven high magic Elven High Magic ( Arselu ' Tel ' Quess in elven or the Great Art of the People ) is the term used to describe one of the most powerful forms of magic practiced in Faerûn . Casters of this magic are called Selu ' taar , also known as the " Art ' s Disciples " or simply as " High Mages " . High Magic spells are powerful enough to affect deities or to create world - changing spell effects . Non - elves cannot cast High Magic as they are simply unable to wield such power without being consumed by it , and in truth even most elves are found lacking in the necessary finesse and skill . All High Magic spells are rituals , and they frequently require collaboration of more than one High Mage . In addition , the necessary material components and timing of High Magic can be very specific . For example , in 1375 DR a priest of Vhaeraun used a High Magic spell to open the realm of Eilistraee to Vhaeraun , in order that he might slay her . The components for this mighty ritual included a certain specific configuration of heavenly bodies existing in the skies of Faerûn . Another example of High Magic was used by Q ' arlynd Melarn to wipe the name of Kiaransalee from the minds of her worshipers , thus eliminating her mortal followers . Due to the edict of Ao , any deity without mortal worship can no longer exist . Kiaransalee ceased to exist in the realm of Toril . It was also High Magic which destroyed the ancient elven realm Tintageer and also what was used to open the gate between Faerie and Abeir - Toril to help the survivors escape . The caster of the spell to open the gate was also consumed by the power of her spell . During the Crown Wars High Mages of Aryvandaar caused the so called Dark Disaster and destroyed the realm Miyeritar . Another example of elven High Magic of this period was cast by the elves with the help of the Seldarine to punish the dark elves . They were turned into the drow and after that their descent began . Language . Elven High Magic is written in the Seldruin language , which uses the Hamarfae alphabet . Types of ritual . High Magic rituals are roughly divided into three different types . Rituals of Solitude . Rituals of Solitude are the lowest - level , touching the direct source of magic the least , and they can be cast by a solitary high mage . Despite their name , many of these ritual spell effects can involve bolstering the morale of entire armies of elves or of demoralizing their foe ' s forces . Rituals of Complement . Rituals of Complement require three high mages working in tandem , and they require more time and are more complex . Effects include creating permanent " gates " , the creation of many magic items at once , or of creating a phantasmal illusion capable of hiding an entire elven homeland . Rituals of Myriad . Rituals of Myriad are the most powerful form of High Magic and require at least five high mages , though some of these rituals require many more participants . Examples of Rituals of Myriad include the creation of the Mythal s of elven cities . High Magic made easy . Elven High Magic had a number of ways to make its casting easier . For example , when one wanted to create a mythal , dying as part of the casting was an easy and reliable way to fill the gap between < nowiki > " skill held by the caster " < / nowiki > and < nowiki > " skill required by the spell " < / nowiki > . It was considered one of the most honourable ways to die in elven culture , which was the reason why many elven high mages died casting a spell when they reached a level of skill which was high enough for their death to cover their lack thereof . Probably the best example of substituting lack of resources were the vhaeraunites who tried to open a gate between Ellaniath , Vhaeraun ’ s realm , to Arvandor . What they needed was manpower , presumed to be a 3 - 4 digit number , while they were a 4 - headed group and the willingness to die for the casting , they preferred to live . Their way to cover their lack of manpower was to tap the power of an earth node that happened to be in a darkstone cavern , it reduced the required number of casters to three . Their way to counter the demand for their lives was to use a spell called soultheft . As the name implies , each of them stole a soul and used its energy as magical fuel for the magic , thus keeping their own lives safe . Unwanted Effects of High Magic . Elves occasionally used their high magic in quite irresponsible ways . The biggest effect on the world was probably done by the First Sundering , the creation of Evermeet . The elves during the First Flowering cast the spell and miscalculated . Not only did all the casters barring the focus die , they only succeeded because their deities intervened and even then was the continent sundered with corresponding casualties . Another effect was the result of Cormanthor ’ s search for planar lore . The elves created a gate to the Far Realm with elven high magic , not only did they allow a monstrosity like Father Llymic come through , they also created a permanent link to the Far Realm , but they managed to close the gate . By the 14th century DR , elven high magic was a dying craft . The high mages grew reluctant to teach new ones , due to the elves ’ potential for reckless and irresponsible use . This made it likely for the craft to die out in a single generation .