Why do so many people refer to Forgotten Realms as "High Magic?"

[Darkness]

Most prospective DMs seem to have issues with the fact that the published uber-NPCs shouldn't be there because they want their own uber-NPCs in the mix.

Sorry; you seem to have misunderstood my meaning. I'll try to explain it better...

See, my point wasn't that Elminster (nor other uber-NPCs) bothered me because he'd get in the way of my own uber-NPCs (in fact, he doesn't); my point was that I don't mind uber-NPCs in general but will use only those I have need for - whether they come with the FR or have to be created by myself.

More specifically, like I said, I'm just toning down Elminster (because I don't play primarily in Shadowdale and thus, have no need for him as an advisor/patron/whatever for the PCs) and change the Seven Sisters to better fit my needs. (I.e., not all of them are sisters. Especially the drow. And at least one got her race changed to half-elf. Anyway...)
However, I don't mind a lot of the other FR uber-NPCs being as powerful as they are - e.g., Khelben. Heck, I don't mind the Simbul's power level, either, come to think of it. (She's just not a sister of most of the other six, but that's another matter altogether.) The same goes for Alustriel. Nor do I mind Drizzt or Malchor Harpell (sp?) or Vangerdahast or assorted others. (And I certainly don't mind most of the very strong, evil NPCs either.)
I guess I just find it easier to see a ruler's need for such power, than that of an old sage in some backwater town. (Especially considering that the FR are overrun with archmages in backwater towns anyway; thus, toning down those I don't need to be that powerful is quite necessary.)

Heck, if I saw a need, I'd raise Drizzt to 30th level immediately. And I don't even particularly like Drizzt. (Nor do I loathe him, though.)
Just as I reduce NPCs I feel are too strong for my current needs. (Heck, my Elminster is still strong; he just serves me better as just a renowned sage and archmage. And if I ever decide that it's necessary for him to become the new Greater Deity of War, he will.)

 

[Darkness]

on the epic spell thing...does any NPC in any FR book have the feat required for epic spells?.....I haven't seen one...just wonderin

They were still busy writing the ELH when the FRCS came out; the rules for that just weren't finished back then...
And I misplaced my ELH, which has the updated stats.

 

[William Ronald]

They were still busy writing the ELH when the FRCS came out; the rules for that just weren't finished back then...
And I misplaced my ELH, which has the updated stats.

Darkness, let me lend you a hand.


From the ELH:

Elminster: No, but Improved Spell Capacity (10th)

Halaster Blackcloak: No, but Improed Spell Capacity 12th.

The Simbul: She has Epic Spellcasting. (3 epic spells per day)

Szass Tam: No, Improved Spell Capacity (11th).

Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun: No, Improved Spell Capacity (10th).

Alustriel: No.

Manshoon: No, Improed Spell Capacity (10th)


Iryaclea, Cleric of Auril, Ice Queen of the Great Glacier: She has Epic Spellcasting. (2 epic spells per day.)

Of the two Greyhawk spellcasters in the ELH, Eclavdra and Mordenkainen, only Mordenkainen has Epic Spellcasting (3 per day)

 

[Shazman]

I think that Forgotten Realms is no more high magic than Greyhawk or any other standard campaign setting. As long as the DM keeps the epic NPC's and things like spellfire and elven high magic in the background where they belong and doesn't hand out magic items and gold like candy, it's pretty much a standard magic setting. Sure, there may be more material on magic in the Realms than other settings, but most of should be kept in the background. I'd say most of it was actually given rules to help sell FR products and to appease its many fans. Let's face it, once 3.0 came out, products without crunch didn't sell very well. Just remember for every Elminster in FR, there's a Mordenkaiden, Dalamar, etc. in other campaing settings.

 

[Psion]

(A couple reasons why you might think of FR as high magic)

I think you are missing one.

This one stems back from 2e, but one big reason FR has a reputation for abundant magic is that it invoked it more casually than other settings. Waterdeep has magical sewer systems. There is one picture of a farmer on an FR product with a flaming scythe (!).

Further in 2e, FR was always presented as "more magical than your setting." For example, in 2e, levels were capped at 30, except for FR in which they were capped at 40. This attitude shines through in other ways in 3e. For example, despite the fact that portals are part and parcel of the planes, they are described as being so ubiquitous in the realms that they felt in appropriate that portal related spells are added to the list of all classes in the realms instead of just a few.

 

[Mystery Man]

Sure, there may be more material on magic in the Realms than other settings, but most of should be kept in the background. I'd say most of it was actually given rules to help sell FR products and to appease its many fans.

There is more in them than any DM or player could use in a campaign. Great thing is there is something there for everyone.

 

[WizarDru]

This one stems back from 2e, but one big reason FR has a reputation for abundant magic is that it invoked it more casually than other settings. Waterdeep has magical sewer systems. There is one picture of a farmer on an FR product with a flaming scythe (!).

Further in 2e, FR was always presented as "more magical than your setting." For example, in 2e, levels were capped at 30, except for FR in which they were capped at 40. This attitude shines through in other ways in 3e. For example, despite the fact that portals are part and parcel of the planes, they are described as being so ubiquitous in the realms that they felt in appropriate that portal related spells are added to the list of all classes in the realms instead of just a few.

Well, I jumped from AD&D to GURPS, then from GURPS to 3e, so I missed most of the 2e glut. My main exposure to the Realms at that time was through the comics that Jeff Grubb was writing (and which I loved). However, what you describe was the impression that I got from the setting.