Villains' Lorebook.pdf - Department of Political Science

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complish deeds for him. When forced into battle
he’ll use his items before calling upon his own spells.
He’s also very likely to have powerful NPCs or creatures
hidden or nearby to deal with interlopers such
as the PCs. Maligor is too cautious to expose himself
to danger needlessly.
Allies/Companions: An army of more than 300
human mercenaries and 1,200 well-trained gnolls.
He also created an unnumbered horde of darkenbeasts.
Finally, his lieutenant, Asp, was a cunning,
power-hungry spirit naga. See the MONSTROUS
MANUAL tome for details on Maligor’s unusual aide.
Foes/Enemies: SZASS TAM, ZULKIR OF NECRO-
MANCY, the Harpers Galvin, Brenna Graycloak, and
Wynter the centaur.
Appearance: Maligor is small, only 5’6” tall, pale,
and thin to the point of frailness. He’s normally
clean-shaven, including his head. Atop his skull is a
tattoo paying homage to Myrkul. While he appears
to be 60 to 70 years old, he’s actually over 200, using
potions of longevity to extend his lifespan. His hair
and beard grow rapidly whenever he ingests one of
these potions.
Personality: Maligor is bold, cruel, and sadistic. He
enjoys the terror and tortures he inflicts on his slaves
and all those weaker than he. Like all Red Wizards,
he’s constantly plotting the downfall of another wizard
while looking over his shoulder to assure himself
that no other Red Wizard is looking to remove him.
Locales Frequented: Only momentous plans or
the direst of emergencies could convince Maligor to
abandon his tower (and power base) west and north
of Amruthar.
History: Maligor’s early life is unrecorded, but he
garnered much notice in 1362 DR for his bold attempt
to wrest control of Thay from the Council of
Zulkirs. His scheme entailed using his gnoll forces in
a diversionary raid on another, minor Red Wizard.
Meanwhile, he would strike at his true target, the
nation’s gold mines, with an army of magically transformed
darkenbeasts under his total control.
His plan might have worked was it not for the intervention
of three Harper agents and the lich/zulkir,
Szass Tam. This unlikely alliance brought down Maligor’s
plan and the Zulkir himself in the depths of the
very mines he’d hoped to conquer.
Motivations/Goals: As is common with Red Wizards,
especially zulkirs, Maligor sought a means to
make himself the most powerful Red Wizard of all.
Chief among his rivals for this post was the Zulkir of
Necromancy, Szass Tam. Maligor’s last known
scheme involved seizing control of the nation’s gold
mines.
Campaign Uses: If Maligor survived the mine
collapse (archmages are noted for being difficult to
kill), his power in Thay is gone. It would have behooved
him to let his enemies think him dead, then
seek to leave Thay as quietly and as quickly as possible.
PCs could encounter him, likely in disguise or
going by a new name, in some isolated region of
Thay or in the surrounding area.
Once assured of his own safety, Maligor would
likely seek out the Harpers who brought him to ruin;
or, failing that, any Harpers or their supporters he
could get his evil hands on. Maligor could devote
himself to become a long-term foil for Harper plans
all across the East.
Sources: Red Magic.