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Originally posted by Dennis
Ed himself said that the first Zulkir of Necromancy, Tarabbas Mroound, disappeared in his own volition soon after being named zulkir.

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

TIYARRA ZULKIRATE (= Of the History/Lore of the Zulkirs)
{Ed Greenwood, 1991}


The zulkirs began as Thayd’s inner circle of trusted “loyals” (in their hearts, most of them were anything but, but only one—Ilkrim Hlannadar, better known to Thayan folklore as “the Dragondevoured,” thanks to Thayd’s swift and ruthless reaction to his treachery—ever dared defy him openly). These “loyals” served the founder of Thay as his personal lieutenants, who led Thayan warbands, acted as his messengers, enforcers, and assassins, and helped keep Thayd the dominant wizard in the northern lands wrested from Mulhorand and Unther, and home to many independent mages of power, until the realm of Thay was consolidated.
Originally there were seven zulkirs, then six and five through battle losses. It was only after the death of Thayd that their numbers became set, and linked to specific “schools” of wizardry.
When Thayd fell, a bitter struggle for power followed, in which scores of ambitious wizards perished. Eventually the survivors, brought to reluctant obedience by threat of being trapped in the “Escalthar’s Everlasting Curse” spell that would shapechange them every few breaths, uncontrollably, for the rest of their lives, met with the wizard Escalthar (who had devised that spell, and cast it upon most of those survivors) atop Laltharr, a bare crag (later blasted to rubble in a spell-duel) in southwestern Thay.
This moot later became known as the Council of the Black Star (after the black star mage-sigil used by Escalthar). At the Council it was agreed that there would eight zulkirs, each of them a master of a school of wizardry: Abjuration, Conjuration, Enchantment, Evocation, Illusion, Necromancy, and Transmutation. (Over the years, the zulkirs of Thay have been almost exclusively Thayan, and male humans, but no zulkirate has any formal requirements of residency, race, or gender.)
Outsiders have been told different wild tales about this or that zulkir, or how the ruling structure of Thay came about, but this is—so far as Mystra has confirmed—the truth.
Elminster and Khelben believe they have uncovered evidence that Escalthar—who mysteriously vanished, shortly after the Council, and has never been seen since (though there are many rumors and fear-whispered tales, down the years since, of his being seen by dying Red Wizards or watching crucial events in the unfolding governance of Thay) was either the god Azuth in disguise, or a pawn of Azuth at the time of the Council, but neither Azuth nor Mystra will confirm this. According to the Old Mage, the two deities, whenever asked about such matters, “merely smile.”
Only Szass Tam has held office (formally, “zulkirate,” though this term has been rarely used in the last two centuries) among the zulkirs in any consistent manner since 1300.
The “First Zulkirate” or initial eight zulkirs, appointed at the Council in the autumn of 1030 DR, were:

Hahlomede Teeos (Abjuration): known as “Blackwyrm” for his everpresent tattered black robes and cloaks, that rendered him immune to dragon attacks and made dragons actively avoid him, Teeos loved to act mysterious and to track down lost treasures, old magics, and deceptions, this last sort of hunting quickly making him very unpopular with many Thayans; he became the feared, tireless, and increasingly hated “investigator” of the First Zulkirate

Tlantros Tulhoond (Conjuration): an aloof, private man who feared attack at all times, and was therefore always ready for battle, with schemes and “hanging” spells galore ready as both defenses and deterrents, in addition to the monsters he could magically whisk from elsewhere to his side; a sophisticated lover of music, wines, subtle behaviour, and “refinement” who opposed Thay’s ever-greater reliance on slavery and the plundering of its resources at the expense of rejuvenating the land (he hated mines and quarries, preferring that Thay take what it needed from other lands by conquest or magical seizure and transportation)

Zarhandro Laeluth (Enchantment): a fat, jovial man who deceived his fellow zulkirs—and everyone else he had any contact with, in life—as much as possible; made frequent use of doubles to make it appear that he was in one place while he was busy in another; often bubbled with gleeful laughter as he tricked or slew or took cruel revenges; trusted by very few, and feared by many, especially tharchions (whom he was known to have personally slain scores of, over the unfolding years, many by torture); a hedonist who loved exotic foods and long, gluttonous feasts

Dlueae Sharshyndree (Evocation): the first female zulkir, Dlueae [pronounced “Dul-LOO-ay”] was a curvaceous woman with a melodious voice and alluring walk—who also had a coarse-featured and mannish face; she “had to shave like a man” and had acquired several disfiguring facial scars in her youthful adventuring career, and as a result customarily hid her face behind full head masks, which she sometimes augmented with a warrior’s battle-helm; a bold and calm battle-leader and a good tactician, she served Thay well in warfare and built ever-increasing influence over her fellow zulkirs, both by taking them as lovers and befriending them with aid and assistance for their personal projects, and by often stating and refining successful policies for Thay that she got her fellow zulkirs to support (and that they therefore took pride in); a mediator and peacemaker among her fellow zulkirs

Yaerind Mahl (Illusion): an inscrutable man of few words and fewer direct answers, stances, or clear statements, who customarily cloaked his true appearance with magical disguises, and preferred to spend much time roaming Thay appearing as various creatures, to spy and learn (and sometimes strike down treachery—which he widely defined as “anything he disliked”—where and when he found it); was the first zulkir to force many apprentices and dupes to pretend to be him, so they perished in attacks meant to slay him, so he could strike down those who’d thought they’d killed the Zulkir of Illusion; possessed a pair of golden lions (figurines of wondrous power) that hunted and slew at his command

Tarabbas Mroound (Necromancy): a tall, sardonic, cadaver-thin man who “disappeared into bones” at will, and apparently did so permanently, soon after being named zulkir, apparently of his own volition and not due to any attack launched by a rival or would-be successor; many Thayan night-rumors insist he lives on, still, watching over Thay and covertly bringing misfortune to those he dislikes, whilst aiding those he favors

Kulvur Naraelond (Transmutation): a sly, witty, smart-mouthed trickster of a man, handsome and acrobatic, who was trusted by few; most men loathed him, and most women found him irresistible; a hedonist who seemingly cared more for enjoyment of food, drink, lovemaking, and diversions—even elaborate pranks—more than anything else in life; made many foes very quickly, and did not last long in office (or life)



The only complete roster of the zulkirate known to outlanders (non-Thayans) after the First Zulkirate but before the 1350s DR, comes from an anonymous slave’s account, TWELVE WINTERS UNDER THE LASH, that was smuggled out of Thay in late 1300 DR. It gives a partial roster of the zulkirate, as follows:

Eldryn Lammaraster (Abjuration): an old, bitter, grim pessimist who saw treachery and would-be successors around ever corner, in every shadow, and behind every door—and prepared himself accordingly, between manyfold layers of defensive magics; his specialty was spells—many of which died with him—that had nasty counter-attacks built into them, triggered by their defensive activation and not by the caster having to trigger them

Balineth Skroun (Conjuration): a toad-faced, forbidding man who used intimidation and prepared “stage tricks” of magic to cow many a rival or defiant underling, Skroun hid well his deep love of Thay and his real loyalty to his fellow zulkirs; over time, became as trusted by his fellow zulkirs as any holder of a zulkirate has ever been, and with good reason; a true “team player” who looked ahead and acted for the betterment of Thay, beneath a surly public mask

Iyrith Telgahlagar (Enchantment): described as a darkly handsome, bearded man who was urbane, soft-spoken, and a master strategist and diplomat, the most dominant of the zulkirs through his skilled forging of alliances with his fellow zulkirs and among the tharchions and tharchionesses; ruthless in slaying rivals who act against him, often through spells delivered by bats that fly under his direction; once described by a Red Wizard as “Asmodeus among us,” and probably the closest of any individual to being the true ruler of Thay, at the time

Uldreth Korroth (Evocation): a grossly fat, lewd, aggressive man known for having layer upon layer of backup spells and schemes, and for being a jovial friend to all zulkirs, and a cruel, ruthless trickster to tharchions, tharchionesses, and all Thayans of lower station whom he had contact with; enjoyed frequent personal slayings of the “spectacular butchery” sort

Mahlind Yarrr (Transmutation): a short, dark-haired, slender man of very few words, who always dressed in crimson robes and was very efficient and a master of foreseeing or anticipating events, treacheries against him, and likely outcomes, and preparing for them; almost always on the “winning side” in policy disputes among the zulkirs, who made few fierce foes and enriched himself greatly with trade outside Thay involving manipulated agents and dupes, in sales of drugs and gems, and prostitution


So saith Ed. His mention of the 1350s DR of course refers to all the published Realmslore (FR6/DREAMS OF THE RED WIZARDS, RED MAGIC, and everything since) that has made the identities, activities, aims, and roster changes of the zulkirs of that era clear to all interested scribes.
So here you are . . . enjoy!
love to all,
THO



Hi again, all.
Thauramarth, Thayd survived as an undead sentience (perhaps unique; Ed hasn't said) that could possess living bodies (mammals of all sorts), but "burned them out" rapidly (a matter of two tendays at most). He clung to the company of his lieutenants . . . but eventually vanished, either destroyed by one of them or "lost" when a body burned out "under him" when he couldn't reach another to attack it...or for some other reason or cause, that PERHAPS has him lurking to this day, awaiting a chance to rise again...

So saith Ed, paraphrased by me.
love,
THO

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Originally posted by Dennis


A wizard can only have one or two contingency spells cast upon themselves at a time? That may be the rule in the games, however, do remember that novels, while they retain a certain semblance of the game rules, do not necessarily adhere to them, and can most definitely scrap the rules in preference to the plot's needs.

I am not saying that what I suggest is exactly the most logical thing that Nevron had done, but it is plausible.

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Originally posted by Dennis


I do find it intriguing. Perhaps once or twice he had possessed another zulkir, then moved on when the zulkir's body eventually expired.

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Originally posted by sleyvas

Also would depend on if he has the craft contingent spell feat, which is common in the East. If that's the case, he might have a whole heck of a lot of contingencies. Their cost can get retributive though.

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Originally posted by sleyvas

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Originally posted by Dennis


I do find it intriguing. Perhaps once or twice he had possessed another zulkir, then moved on when the zulkir's body eventually expired.

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Only if it was prior to "the Zulkirate" being formed as the form of governance. The history as written states that it wasn't finalized to its current form until after Thayd "fell". Now, does "fell" mean noone was binding him anymore (if he was a vestige).
Or, if you select the idea that he was indeed some kind of possessing spirit... which actually may have other possibilities... maybe he had some kind of physical form. Isn't their some kind of prestige class for fiendish being to possess other forms? What if he'd been one of those mages who over time had infused himself with abyssal or hellish energies. I know the picture of him in the Grand history of the realms (or at least I suppose that's his picture) looks very fiendish.

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Originally posted by Dennis


A wizard can only have one or two contingency spells cast upon themselves at a time? That may be the rule in the games, however, do remember that novels, while they retain a certain semblance of the game rules, do not necessarily adhere to them, and can most definitely scrap the rules in preference to the plot's needs.

I am not saying that what I suggest is exactly the most logical thing that Nevron had done, but it is plausible.

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Originally posted by sleyvas

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Originally posted by Dennis


I do find it intriguing. Perhaps once or twice he had possessed another zulkir, then moved on when the zulkir's body eventually expired.

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Only if it was prior to "the Zulkirate" being formed as the form of governance. The history as written states that it wasn't finalized to its current form until after Thayd "fell". Now, does "fell" mean noone was binding him anymore (if he was a vestige).
Or, if you select the idea that he was indeed some kind of possessing spirit... which actually may have other possibilities... maybe he had some kind of physical form. Isn't their some kind of prestige class for fiendish being to possess other forms? What if he'd been one of those mages who over time had infused himself with abyssal or hellish energies. I know the picture of him in the Grand history of the realms (or at least I suppose that's his picture) looks very fiendish.

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Originally posted by Firestorm

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Originally posted by Dennis


A wizard can only have one or two contingency spells cast upon themselves at a time? That may be the rule in the games, however, do remember that novels, while they retain a certain semblance of the game rules, do not necessarily adhere to them, and can most definitely scrap the rules in preference to the plot's needs.

I am not saying that what I suggest is exactly the most logical thing that Nevron had done, but it is plausible.

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If Wizards could cast contingencies for every possible scenario, then they would never die.

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Originally posted by Therise

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Originally posted by sleyvas

Also would depend on if he has the craft contingent spell feat, which is common in the East. If that's the case, he might have a whole heck of a lot of contingencies. Their cost can get retributive though.

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No offense, but... ouch, that's one of the most broken mechanics for casters that's been invented.

I realize that novels often go beyond game rules for narrative/story purposes, but that's one of those feats that should never be allowed IMO.

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Originally posted by Dennis

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Originally posted by sleyvas

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Originally posted by Dennis


I do find it intriguing. Perhaps once or twice he had possessed another zulkir, then moved on when the zulkir's body eventually expired.

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Only if it was prior to "the Zulkirate" being formed as the form of governance. The history as written states that it wasn't finalized to its current form until after Thayd "fell". Now, does "fell" mean noone was binding him anymore (if he was a vestige).
Or, if you select the idea that he was indeed some kind of possessing spirit... which actually may have other possibilities... maybe he had some kind of physical form. Isn't their some kind of prestige class for fiendish being to possess other forms? What if he'd been one of those mages who over time had infused himself with abyssal or hellish energies. I know the picture of him in the Grand history of the realms (or at least I suppose that's his picture) looks very fiendish.

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One more possibility: Perhaps he still lives, but his power is too diminished that, despite his desire to lend aid to either Szass Tam or the united Zulkirs, he wasn't able to help end the Civil War. He might be wandering in Shadowfell, recuperating...just like the Imaskaran archwizard Madryoch...biding his time till he is once again powerful enough to possess a formidable wizard/fiend.

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Originally posted by Dennis

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Originally posted by Firestorm

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Originally posted by Dennis


A wizard can only have one or two contingency spells cast upon themselves at a time? That may be the rule in the games, however, do remember that novels, while they retain a certain semblance of the game rules, do not necessarily adhere to them, and can most definitely scrap the rules in preference to the plot's needs.

I am not saying that what I suggest is exactly the most logical thing that Nevron had done, but it is plausible.

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If Wizards could cast contingencies for every possible scenario, then they would never die.

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Unlikely. Some contingencies may fail, [like Rivalen's, when he was fighting the green dragon wrecking havoc in Selgaunt. He would have died had Brennus not directed the power of Sakkors's mythallar to his sword.] But in Nevron's case, I'd like to think his didn't fail.

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Originally posted by Dennis


I am too lazy at the moment to grab the book and review that scene, so let's say you have the right of it. Still, the truth remains the same: some contingencies may fail.

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Originally posted by MrHedgehog

How did Aoth escape the fight with Szass tam? I don't have Unholy on hand but I thought Lallara had a ring that would allow her to escape that she gave him (I read the book a long time ago, though...) Wouldn't people potentially have potions, rods, small devices, etc. that could permanently contain the same effects as a contingency spell? The Zulkir of Transmutation at the start of the Haunted Lands trilogy had a tattoo that would allow him to teleport to a safe place, for example.

I'm pretty sure its up to the author/DM to decide.

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Originally posted by Quale

Lallara Mediocros

I don't know a lot about individual zulkirs, I think most of their names are the best in FR, and generally Thayan names

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

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Originally posted by Quale

Lallara Mediocros

I don't know a lot about individual zulkirs, I think most of their names are the best in FR, and generally Thayan names

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I dunno, I can't see that surname without thinking it's based on "mediocre" -- which is hardly a ringing endorsement.

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Originally posted by Markustay

I am going to have to go with... Bob.

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Originally posted by Thauramarth

Lauzoril, especially in the light of how Lynn Abbey portrayed him in The Simbul's Gift. The only Zulkir who's become a heavily used NPC in my campaigns - a great fellow for PCs to interact with...

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Originally posted by Dennis

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Originally posted by Markustay

I am going to have to go with... Bob.

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Sorry, I fail to see the jest.

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Originally posted by Dennis


I dunno. If ever someone with that name is elected zulkir, I think the other zulkirs would slay him on their first convocation, just because he bears such a name. [No offense to RAS and anyone else with that name.] Nevron had been known to have slain a zulkir [Zola] for some ridiculous reason, mayhap he'd kill Bob the Zulkir himself.

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

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Originally posted by Dennis


I dunno. If ever someone with that name is elected zulkir, I think the other zulkirs would slay him on their first convocation, just because he bears such a name. [No offense to RAS and anyone else with that name.] Nevron had been known to have slain a zulkir [Zola] for some ridiculous reason, mayhap he'd kill Bob the Zulkir himself.

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With names like Szass, Lauzoril, and Nevron, is Bob really that ridiculous? I'll agree it's not a Realms name, but I fail to see any inherent in-setting issues with the name.

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