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Thayan Knights - Balanor - 04-28-2012
While the Red Wizards are not opposed to blasting their opponents with deadly spells or shredding the minds of their enemies with dark magic, there are times when they need protectors who have mastered the art of swordplay. These protectors are the Thayan Knights, familiar with magic and loyal to none but the tattooed mages.
The Thayan Knights act as bodyguards and enforcers for the Red Wizards and as an extension of their reach. They lead common Thayan troops into battle and help guard the wizard enclaves. Although they are referred to as knights, they have no code of conduct, and the only rule that binds them is that their lives are worth nothing compared to the safety of the Red Wizards. Almost all Thayan Knights are fighters, although monks and rangers have been known to pursue this career. Barbarians are typically too reckless to concentrate on defense, and the Red Wizards consider other individuals too weak for the duties of a Thayan Knight.
Race: Human
Required Class: Fighter, Ranger, Monk, or Barbarian
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Skills: Intimidate 2 ranks, Lore 2 ranks
Social Status: No slaves
Feats: Iron Will, Weapon Focus (longsword)
Alignment: Any nongood
Special: Sworn allegiance to the Red Wizards of Thay (see below for details)
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Proving allegiance to Thay and the Red Wizards can be accomplished in one of three ways.
1. Rise to the rank of captain in one of the legions of Thay.
2. Led a strong Thayan way of life by having captured and sold 30+ slaves, performed 20+ assassinations, bested other adventurers 10+ times in combat, and become somewhat notorious. The notoriety required for this option is less than that required to become a legion captain.
3. Gain the patronage of a powerful Red Wizard and become somewhat notorious. Level 15+ Red Wizard PCs or DMs playing a NPC Red Wizard or Zulkir may provide their patronage to an aspiring Thayan Knight. The notoriety required for this option is much less than that required to become a legion captain.
To become a Thayan Knight, prerequisites must be met or patronage granted, at which point the individual may join by speaking to the Supreme Thayan Knight Commander in the Redhall of Eltabbar. Upon becoming a Thayan Knight, the individual is no longer considered a member of an individual legion -if they were a legionnaire to begin with- and they answer to the Red Wizards alone. Due to their special relationship as elite protectors of the Red Wizards, the commands of a Thayan Knight often supersede that of legion commanders when in battle - but not necessarily all the time.
Thayan Knights strive to be selected by a Red Wizard to serve only that master; otherwise knights serve as the personal bodyguards to all Red Wizards with equal fervor and devotion. Ultimately, Thayan Knights nearing the pinnacle of their career may be selected to serve a Zulkir. Receiving such a coveted position is at the whim of the Zulkir involved, so no criteria for how to attain such an honor is known. If bestowed however, these fortunate knights receive access to -and the responsibility of protecting- the Zulkir’s personal residence as well as the Zulkir himself!
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Game Mechanics Considerations
-Becoming a Thayan Knight in the Thay PW should not be considered achieving a prestige class, but rather joining a faction
-Monks are exempt from the Weapon Focus (longsword) feat requirement
-An aspiring Thayan Knight PC cannot be a member of any faction other than a legion, and if in a legion they must first rise to the rank of captain
-Thayan Knights may not own buildings or merchants as the knight’s focus is only to protect the Red Wizards and lead Thayan troops in battle. Therefore, any residence and/or merchant must be released before the oath to become a Thayan Knight is taken
-Thayan Knights have no special faction area beyond that of their Red Wizard master’s residence if they have been assigned to one. However, as a type of commander for Thayan troops, they may access restricted legion areas throughout all the tharchs of Thay
-Once per in-game year (3 months real-time), a level 13+ Red Wizard PC may use their robes on an aspiring Thayan Knight PC to indicate that person has proven their allegiance to Thay. Note that this patronage granted by a Red Wizard PC only fulfills part of the special allegiance requirement to become a Thayan Knight - all other requirements must still be met. However, patronage granted by a Red Wizard NPC or Zulkir does bypass all requirements except for unaffiliated faction, residence, and merchant status requirements
-Once per in-game year, a Red Wizard PC may use their robes on an available Thayan Knight PC to select that individual as their personal knight for the next in-game year. This selection is not permanent due to player availability concerns; however after an in-game year has passed it may be renewed at the discretion of the Red Wizard PC. Note that when a Red Wizard NPC or Zulkir selects a Thayan Knight PC as their personal knight the selection is permanent unless that NPC (a DM) uses his Red Wizard robes on his PC Thayan Knight to release him from the wizard’s service