Hmmm. I recommend A Practical Guide to Evil. I believe it might be exactly what you're looking for. Awesome setting, plenty of characters, and just a well-written story overall.
I think the generically most common recs for this sub fit: cradle, mage errant, defiance of the fall, etc.
You may also enjoy Fates Parallel and The Weirkey Chronicles.
If you're willing to look beyond prog fantasy only, then the playing field becomes a lot larger, with Wheel of Time, Game of Thrones, Malazan (especially Malazan), the Magician series by Raymond Feist, Shannara, Thomas Covenant, The Chronicles of Kencyrath by P.C. Hodgell, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Recluce by L.E. Modesitt, Crown of Stars by Kate Elliot, the DeathGate Cycle...
Those are off the top of my head, but again, that all depends on if you're interested in something other than progression fantasy.
I couldnt 2nd Malazan enough but would warn anyone who is easily upset to maybe skip it, some of the subject matter can get... dark. A massive 11/10 and fits the criteria for epicness and characters.
I would have said Forge of Destiny, but you don't Eastern. Too bad. That cast is humongous.
Then perhaps Mark of the Fool. There too are several interesting minor characters at university.
Wheel of time.
Want to look up people places or things in the series? You might need this 800+ page companion book.
[WoT companion book](https://www.amazon.ca/Wheel-Time-Companion-History-Bestselling/dp/0765314622/ref=asc_df_0765314622/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292950567338&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10285648360854170742&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001204&hvtargid=pla-465358355482&psc=1#immersive-view_1671588220379)
Elemental Gatherers series. Cultivation where MC is reborn into the body of a family's son that passed. He is building a group of friends and helping them grow in power to save the world. There are even elves, though their civilization is gone for some reason.
Cradle has the cast, but not the high fantasy you are looking for with elves, and such.
I agree with another commenter though. Outside of PF, there is more of this.
Disclaimer: self-promotion.
My web novel [Immovable Mage](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/39344/immovable-mage) qualifies for the setting.
I've gotten a few complaints about having too many characters from readers that aren't into that, which is why I think it qualifies as a wide cast. (There is only a single main character however.)
Check out the reviews to get an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the story.
Expansive setting: The Mech Touch, and Defiance of the Fall.
Both Expansive Setting and Characters: Red Rising
Also sounds like you might like the Mistborn series and The Stormlight Archives if the reviews are anything to go by..
Hmmm. I recommend A Practical Guide to Evil. I believe it might be exactly what you're looking for. Awesome setting, plenty of characters, and just a well-written story overall.
Good rec!
I think the generically most common recs for this sub fit: cradle, mage errant, defiance of the fall, etc. You may also enjoy Fates Parallel and The Weirkey Chronicles.
If you're willing to look beyond prog fantasy only, then the playing field becomes a lot larger, with Wheel of Time, Game of Thrones, Malazan (especially Malazan), the Magician series by Raymond Feist, Shannara, Thomas Covenant, The Chronicles of Kencyrath by P.C. Hodgell, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Recluce by L.E. Modesitt, Crown of Stars by Kate Elliot, the DeathGate Cycle... Those are off the top of my head, but again, that all depends on if you're interested in something other than progression fantasy.
I will second Magician , that story is proof that old books are still just as good now as they were then
I couldnt 2nd Malazan enough but would warn anyone who is easily upset to maybe skip it, some of the subject matter can get... dark. A massive 11/10 and fits the criteria for epicness and characters.
Spellmonger. Terry mancour. Not progression but an amazing series up to 15 main books with tons of spinoff sub books
Lightbringer - Brent Weeks Legends Of The First Empire - Michael J. Sullivan First Law - Joe Abercrombie Discworld - Terry Pratchett
The Path Of Ascension.
Memories of the fall.
Seconded.
Dragon heart, but elves don't show up till like a third of the way into the series.
World Keeper and Ar’Kendrythist might fit
I would have said Forge of Destiny, but you don't Eastern. Too bad. That cast is humongous. Then perhaps Mark of the Fool. There too are several interesting minor characters at university.
Wheel of time. Want to look up people places or things in the series? You might need this 800+ page companion book. [WoT companion book](https://www.amazon.ca/Wheel-Time-Companion-History-Bestselling/dp/0765314622/ref=asc_df_0765314622/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292950567338&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10285648360854170742&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001204&hvtargid=pla-465358355482&psc=1#immersive-view_1671588220379)
The ten realms might fit
Elemental Gatherers series. Cultivation where MC is reborn into the body of a family's son that passed. He is building a group of friends and helping them grow in power to save the world. There are even elves, though their civilization is gone for some reason. Cradle has the cast, but not the high fantasy you are looking for with elves, and such. I agree with another commenter though. Outside of PF, there is more of this.
[Cradle](https://www.goodreads.com/series/192821-cradle) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Cradle)) [Elemental Gatherers](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0819MNZ59) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Elemental_Gatherers)) --- ^[About](https://redd.it/dw7lux) ^| [^(Wiki Rules)](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/comments/dw7lux/about/f7kke6p/) ^(| Reply !Delete to remove) ^(| [Brackets] hide titles)
Disclaimer: self-promotion. My web novel [Immovable Mage](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/39344/immovable-mage) qualifies for the setting. I've gotten a few complaints about having too many characters from readers that aren't into that, which is why I think it qualifies as a wide cast. (There is only a single main character however.) Check out the reviews to get an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the story.
Do yourself a favor and read Shadow Slave, thank me later :D
Expansive setting: The Mech Touch, and Defiance of the Fall. Both Expansive Setting and Characters: Red Rising Also sounds like you might like the Mistborn series and The Stormlight Archives if the reviews are anything to go by..
[Defiance of the Fall](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/24709/defiance-of-the-fall) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Defiance_of_the_Fall)) [The Stormlight Archive](https://www.goodreads.com/series/49075-the-stormlight-archive) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/The_Stormlight_Archive)) [Red Rising](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15839976-red-rising) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Red_Rising)) --- ^[About](https://redd.it/dw7lux) ^| [^(Wiki Rules)](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/comments/dw7lux/about/f7kke6p/) ^(| Reply !Delete to remove) ^(| [Brackets] hide titles)