Villains' Lorebook.pdf - Department of Political Science

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History: Most of Szass Tam’s past is shrouded in
mystery, but it’s publicly known that he’s the most
powerful and infamous zulkir in modem Thay.
He built this reputation over the last several years.
When a tharchion and two zulkirs sought to overthrow
several cities along the Sea of Fallen Stars, the
trio summoned a number of efreeti and salamanders
to aid them in exchange for constructing a permanent
gate in the area. Of course, the Thayans never
intended to keep their end of the bargain.
The conquests went well-too well in fact. Soon
after most of the coast fell, the elementals demanded
the gate be built. As yet unprepared to banish them to
their own plane, the Thayans nevertheless tried. They
ousted the efreeti, but the salamanders remained and
ravaged much of the Thayans’ new territory.
Szass Tam then sent a portion of his undead legion
to the trio’s aid at this time; though the war
that followed lasted almost a year, the salamanders
were eventually vanquished.
When the Tuigan Horde came west, they engaged
the Thayans in battle. Despite success in an initial
skirmish, the Thayans were badly beaten in the next
battle.
The Zulkir of Necromancy proposed a deal to the
Tuigan: magical aid for a Tuigan invasion of Rashemen
if the Horde left Thay untouched. (The
Rashemi witches and Rashemaar berserkers still
managed to stop the Thay-assisted horse-warriors,
though parts of their lands were occupied until King
Azoun’s crusade defeated the Horde once and for
all.)
In 1362, Szass Tam even worked with a group of
Harpers to defeat the plan of the then-zulkir of Alteration,
the Red Wizard known as MALIGOR.
Motivations/Goals: After watching almost two
centuries of Thayan back-stabbing, Szass Tam has
decided that Thay must be united under him.
Campaign Uses: If the mighty Zulkir of Necromancy
is used in your campaign (he’s far too potent
for most PCs to meet in person), the best role for
him is that of the master planner, whose schemes the
PCs are always a few steps behind. Szass Tam exemplifies
the image of the ancient, powerful wizard with
more intrigues than the PCs are likely to ever discover,
much less defeat.
Sources: Red Magic, Spellbound boxed set.
Victor Dhostar,
a.k.a. The Faceless
Human male 16th-level thief
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 12
HIT POINTS: 51
THAC0: 13
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
ALIGNMENT: Lawful evil
STR 12, DEX 15, CON 15, INT 15, WIS 13, CHA 14
Thieving abilities: PP 50%, OL 90%, F/RT 85%,
MS 90%’ HS 80%, DN 85%, CW 70%, RL 80%,
SU 95%.
Weapons of Proficiency: Club, hand crossbow,
dagger (thrown and held), long sword, short sword.
Nonweapon Proficiencies: Appraising, disguise,
forgery, local history (Westgate), modem languages
(elvish, halfling), reading lips, reading/writing
(Common, elvish), rope use; 1 open.
Equipment: As leader of a thieves’ guild that essentially
runs the whole city of Westgate and a member
of the city’s merchant elite, Victor could gain access
to almost any form of mundane equipment.
Magical Items: A ring of branding which leaves a
permanent scar that even magical healing won’t cure,
helm of disguise (functions as a hat of same name),
amulet of misdirection, and ring of protection +3. Victor,
through unknown means, also had the skull of the red
dragon MIST and using it, held the dragon’s spirit captive.
He used Mist as an advisor.
Combat/Tactics: While it has been some time
since Victor, as the Faceless, has had to confront a
foe physically, Victor would definitely call on his
(perhaps rusty) thieving abilities to get him into a
position where he could backstab his foe, inflicting
five times (×5) normal damage.
Allies/Companions: The other leaders of the
Night Masks, known as the Night Masters, and the
Night Masks themselves; the thieves, informants,
and other operatives in the employ of the guild.
Foes/Enemies: Alias, Dragonbait, Olive Ruskettle,
Mintassan, the Harpers, and the law-enforcement
authorities of Westgate.