Discord
Changelog
07-15-2009, 05:26 PM
Source: Dreams of the Red Wizards (AD&D), circa 1357 DR
Note from The Thayan: Since this sourcebook is 2nd edition (AD&D), stats are not in 3rd edition format
Delhumide
24th level Magic-User, School of Necromancy, Red Wizard of Thay
NE Myrkul
Lich Male
Szass Tam is zulkir of the School of Necromancy, third head of his family since the first days of Thay. He has been around for 250 years, 195 of them as a lich. He understands undead as no one else can.
Unlike most liches, Szass Tam presents a very human-like aspect to the world. His clothes are not rotting, and his body is very well preserved, thanks to the preservation spell he has applied to himself that he renews every few weeks. Occasionally he gets forgetful and his body starts to rot a bit, so there is a slight smell of the grave about him, but he keeps himself heavily perfumed to cover that scent. Because of this preservation, Szass Tam does not frighten low level people away if they look at him. He does have all the other aspects of a lich, including the freezing touch.
Szass Tam’s greatest goal is the destruction of Rashemen. He felt he was on the verge of attaining personal immortality without becoming a lich when he had to leave his researches to lead an invading army into Rashemen (He could have not led the army, but that consideration is not something he pays much attention to). The Witches of Rashemen routed the army and Szass Tam was so badly hurt in the battle that he had to become a lich to survive at all. Now he works on his contribution to the armies of Thay, Myrkul’s Legion, a thousand zombies or more dedicated to the destruction of Rashemen. Currently he is sending this legion, backed up by the usual forces at the Gorge of Gauros, into Rashemen to gain his revenge.
The Tam: This is one of the more ancient families of Thay, not only in lineage but in age of its membership. Its head, Zulkir Szass Tarn, is only the third person to hold that position under conditions that are explained in the Notable Persons of Thay section of this book. At this point, we can only say that the seat of the Tam family is commonly referred to as “The Necropolis”.
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Source: Spellbound (AD&D), circa 1362 DR
Note from The Thayan: Since this sourcebook is 2nd edition (AD&D), stats are not in 3rd edition format
29th-level necromancer lich; formerly a human male
(Lich Male Necromancer 29)
Str 11; Dex 14; Con 0; Int 19; Wis 16; Cha 18
Armor Class: 0
Move: 6
Hit Points: 64
Number of Attacks: 1
Damage: 1d10 + paralysis or by spell
THAC0: 9
Alignment: NE
Special Attacks: Spells
Special Defenses: + 1 or better magical weapon to hit; immune to charm, sleep, enfeeblement, polymorph, cold, electricity, insanity, death spells
Special Weakness: Can be turned by priest
Weapon Proficiencies: Dagger, staff, whip
Magical Items: Many (see below)
Age: 264, Ht: 6.0., Wt: 98 lbs.
Hair: Black, Eyes: Gray
Spells: 10/10/10/10/9/9/9/9/9 (includes bonus spells)
Szass Tam is one of the most powerful liches in Faerûn. In over two centuries as a member of the undead, he has gained a deep and abiding understanding of death and its creatures.
Outwardly, Tam is not terribly lichlike. He appears as a tall, skeletally thin human with pale skin, dark eyes, thinning black hair, and a beard. This is the result of applications of the preservation spell, which he uses to keep his body from decaying. Sometimes Tam lets himself go for too long and he begins to smell of death and his body starts to desiccate, but the oversight is always corrected. Because of this preservation, Tam does not cause terror as a normal lich but retains all other lich abilities.
It should be assumed that after centuries of magical research and exploits, Szass Tam has access to virtually any common (and many uncommon) magical items or spells he desires.
Tam has been driven over the centuries by two desires. First, to destroy Rashemen; second, to end the squabbling of the Red Wizards and unite Thay under his rulership. His hatred of the Rashemaar springs from an incident in 1159, when the witches defeated his army and wounded him so badly that he was forced to become a lich. Tam’s ambition to rule Thay (like many Red Wizards) has been with him practically since boyhood.
Tam has been cautious, slowly building his power and slapping down those Red Wizards who seem bent on ruling Thay themselves (as he did with the Zulkir Maligor; that tale is chronicled in the novel Red Magic). Recently, his plans have finally begun to come to fruition. The full details of his plot are discussed in the adventure The Runes of Chaos.
--------------
Source: Villains’ Lorebook (AD&D), circa 1362 DR
Note from The Thayan: Since this sourcebook is 2nd edition (AD&D), stats are not in 3rd edition format
29th-level necromancer lich; formerly a human male
Armor Class: 0
Move: 6
Hit Points: 64
THAC0: 9
No. of Attacks: 1
Alignment: Neutral evil
Str 11, Dex 14, Con 19, Int 19, Wis 16, Cha 18
Magical Items: Szass Tam has access to an incredible number of magical items, due to his long lifespan and position of power within Thay. His collection is likely one of the largest in all Faerûn. It’s certain he has vast collections of magical potions, robes, scrolls, wands (including a wand of whips), staves, crystal balls, and other wizardly accoutrements. Moreover, the artifacts known as the Death Moon Orb and Thakorsil’s Seat are in his possession.
Combat/Tactics: Like most Red Wizards, Szass Tam prefers to remain unseen, plotting and scheming, while his lackeys carry out his plans and assassinations. As a necromancer, Szass Tam has the added ability to call on many, powerful undead to perform missions and other deeds for him. Further, he can use his necromantic skills to add dead enemies to the ranks of his own armies. In any war of attrition versus living beings, Szass Tam is supremely confident in his ultimate victory.
Szass Tam has all the normal combat abilities of a lich except that his appearance does not incite terror. See the Monstrous Manual tome for the full capabilities of a standard lich.
Allies/Companions: His innumerable undead armies, which include skeletons, zombies, ghouls, ghasts, wights, and even vampires. He also has an unknown group of apprentices under him and, briefly, Szass Tam even aided a trio of Harpers to defeat the plan of another zulkir.
Foes/Enemies: The peoples and defenders of Rashemen and Aglarond, the Harpers, and even the other zulkirs of the Red Wizards themselves as Szass Tam hopes to displace them all and rule Thay alone.
Appearance: Despite some 200 years as a lich, Szass Tam’s true appearance is less than horrific. (See the preservation spell description for the reason.) He looks to be a skeletally thin, pale, human male with dark eyes and thinning black hair and beard. When the need arises, Szass Tam alters his appearance to that of a tall, scholarly, jet-eyed, fleshy cheeked human in his sixth or seventh decade.
Personality: Szass Tam is cunning and devilishly intelligent-he’s likely one of the most dangerous men in all of Faerûn. He’s supremely arrogant, but has the power and followers to back it up. He can be fair and even kind to his servants, however.
Locales Frequented: Thay; like most Red Wizards, he seldom leaves his stronghold northwest of Tyrtauros, and almost never leaves Thay itself.
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.
--------------
Source: Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (3rd Edition), circa 1372 DR
Male lich Nec10/Red10/Acm2/Epic7: CR 31; Medium-size undead; HD 20d12+5; hp 131; Init +2; Spd 30 ft; AC 29 (touch 14, flatfooted 27); Atk +12+7 melee (1d6+2, staff of power) or +10 melee (1d8+5 [Will DC 25 half] plus paralysis, lich touch) or +12/+7 ranged touch (by spell); SA Paralyzing touch, fear, aura; SQ Archmage high arcane, epic-level benefits, immunities, +4 turn resistance, damage reduction 15/+1, Red Wizard abilities, undead qualities; AL NE; SV Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +21; Str 11, Dex 14, Con -, Int 22, Wis 20, Cha 20. Height 6 ft.
Spellbook: As a very old lich, a powerful wizard, and one of the rulers of a nation of wizards, Szass Tam has access to virtually any spell that is known and has created many unique necromancy spells known only to himself or the other Red Wizards. He normally prepares a quickened teleport and several quickened attack spells. He typically uses his 16-th level spell slot to prepare a quickened, maximized energy drain.
Possessions: Given his position of power and advanced magical abilities, Szass Tam can easily acquire nearly any sort of nonartifact magic item (and has access to at least two known Netherese artifacts, the Death Moon orb and Thakorsil’s Seat). He has a staff of power, bracers of armor +10, and a ring of three wishes in his possession at all times.
Infamous for his wise, cold cruelty and his longevity, Szass Tam is the zulkir of Necromancy in Thay, its most influential Red Wizard, and -observers say- the ruler of Thay. A lich for the last two hundred-odd years, Szass Tam achieved his present power through great arrogance, the skills and preparation to back up his overweening ambitions, and the brilliant schemes of one of the most cunning and intelligent beings in all Faerun.
Like other Red Wizards, Szass Tam prefers to remain unseen, working through lackeys and servitor creatures (including cast armies of undead led by vampire generals) while he plots and schemes. His own undeath gives him patience. He’s quite prepared to abandon servants and attempts that fail, and simply try again later in a better way. Tiring of the continual betrayals and slaughter within the Red Wizards, he has decided that the best future for Thay and the Red Wizards is united under him - controlled through his magic and through fear. He’s not openly exerting power yet, because he wants to preserve Thay’s strength as much as possible, and in doing so control as much as he can before any open conflicts erupt.
Szass Tam possesses a truly incredible collection of magic items, ranging from rings, wands, and other trinkets up through staves and golems to artifacts. In his stronghold northwest of Tyraturos, he’s almost unassailable. Those who meet him (or seemingly real magic images of himself that he creates and send far across Faerun) discover Szass Tam to be calm, cultured, and even pleasant. He appears as a richly robed, skeletally thin pale man. Balding, he has dark eyes, a thinning black beard, and hands that have shriveled to claws. He can, of course, use magic to change his appearance. His favorite false form is that of a tall scholar, aging but vigorous, with glittering jet-black eyes and a soft, purring voice.
Szass Tam is polite but blunt, and he can be plunged instantly into cold, controlled rage by insolence or deliberate defiance. On the other hand, he seems to admire those who cross or foil him by cleverness, as long as they treat him politely. He’s always spinning more simultaneous intrigues than most Faerunians have years in their lives, and with his domination ever growing, he seems content to view existence as a great game, with plots and schemes as the playing pieces - or, if you prefer, weapons.
Note from The Thayan: Since this sourcebook is 2nd edition (AD&D), stats are not in 3rd edition format
Delhumide
24th level Magic-User, School of Necromancy, Red Wizard of Thay
NE Myrkul
Lich Male
Szass Tam is zulkir of the School of Necromancy, third head of his family since the first days of Thay. He has been around for 250 years, 195 of them as a lich. He understands undead as no one else can.
Unlike most liches, Szass Tam presents a very human-like aspect to the world. His clothes are not rotting, and his body is very well preserved, thanks to the preservation spell he has applied to himself that he renews every few weeks. Occasionally he gets forgetful and his body starts to rot a bit, so there is a slight smell of the grave about him, but he keeps himself heavily perfumed to cover that scent. Because of this preservation, Szass Tam does not frighten low level people away if they look at him. He does have all the other aspects of a lich, including the freezing touch.
Szass Tam’s greatest goal is the destruction of Rashemen. He felt he was on the verge of attaining personal immortality without becoming a lich when he had to leave his researches to lead an invading army into Rashemen (He could have not led the army, but that consideration is not something he pays much attention to). The Witches of Rashemen routed the army and Szass Tam was so badly hurt in the battle that he had to become a lich to survive at all. Now he works on his contribution to the armies of Thay, Myrkul’s Legion, a thousand zombies or more dedicated to the destruction of Rashemen. Currently he is sending this legion, backed up by the usual forces at the Gorge of Gauros, into Rashemen to gain his revenge.
The Tam: This is one of the more ancient families of Thay, not only in lineage but in age of its membership. Its head, Zulkir Szass Tarn, is only the third person to hold that position under conditions that are explained in the Notable Persons of Thay section of this book. At this point, we can only say that the seat of the Tam family is commonly referred to as “The Necropolis”.
--------------
Source: Spellbound (AD&D), circa 1362 DR
Note from The Thayan: Since this sourcebook is 2nd edition (AD&D), stats are not in 3rd edition format
29th-level necromancer lich; formerly a human male
(Lich Male Necromancer 29)
Str 11; Dex 14; Con 0; Int 19; Wis 16; Cha 18
Armor Class: 0
Move: 6
Hit Points: 64
Number of Attacks: 1
Damage: 1d10 + paralysis or by spell
THAC0: 9
Alignment: NE
Special Attacks: Spells
Special Defenses: + 1 or better magical weapon to hit; immune to charm, sleep, enfeeblement, polymorph, cold, electricity, insanity, death spells
Special Weakness: Can be turned by priest
Weapon Proficiencies: Dagger, staff, whip
Magical Items: Many (see below)
Age: 264, Ht: 6.0., Wt: 98 lbs.
Hair: Black, Eyes: Gray
Spells: 10/10/10/10/9/9/9/9/9 (includes bonus spells)
Szass Tam is one of the most powerful liches in Faerûn. In over two centuries as a member of the undead, he has gained a deep and abiding understanding of death and its creatures.
Outwardly, Tam is not terribly lichlike. He appears as a tall, skeletally thin human with pale skin, dark eyes, thinning black hair, and a beard. This is the result of applications of the preservation spell, which he uses to keep his body from decaying. Sometimes Tam lets himself go for too long and he begins to smell of death and his body starts to desiccate, but the oversight is always corrected. Because of this preservation, Tam does not cause terror as a normal lich but retains all other lich abilities.
It should be assumed that after centuries of magical research and exploits, Szass Tam has access to virtually any common (and many uncommon) magical items or spells he desires.
Tam has been driven over the centuries by two desires. First, to destroy Rashemen; second, to end the squabbling of the Red Wizards and unite Thay under his rulership. His hatred of the Rashemaar springs from an incident in 1159, when the witches defeated his army and wounded him so badly that he was forced to become a lich. Tam’s ambition to rule Thay (like many Red Wizards) has been with him practically since boyhood.
Tam has been cautious, slowly building his power and slapping down those Red Wizards who seem bent on ruling Thay themselves (as he did with the Zulkir Maligor; that tale is chronicled in the novel Red Magic). Recently, his plans have finally begun to come to fruition. The full details of his plot are discussed in the adventure The Runes of Chaos.
--------------
Source: Villains’ Lorebook (AD&D), circa 1362 DR
Note from The Thayan: Since this sourcebook is 2nd edition (AD&D), stats are not in 3rd edition format
29th-level necromancer lich; formerly a human male
Armor Class: 0
Move: 6
Hit Points: 64
THAC0: 9
No. of Attacks: 1
Alignment: Neutral evil
Str 11, Dex 14, Con 19, Int 19, Wis 16, Cha 18
Magical Items: Szass Tam has access to an incredible number of magical items, due to his long lifespan and position of power within Thay. His collection is likely one of the largest in all Faerûn. It’s certain he has vast collections of magical potions, robes, scrolls, wands (including a wand of whips), staves, crystal balls, and other wizardly accoutrements. Moreover, the artifacts known as the Death Moon Orb and Thakorsil’s Seat are in his possession.
Combat/Tactics: Like most Red Wizards, Szass Tam prefers to remain unseen, plotting and scheming, while his lackeys carry out his plans and assassinations. As a necromancer, Szass Tam has the added ability to call on many, powerful undead to perform missions and other deeds for him. Further, he can use his necromantic skills to add dead enemies to the ranks of his own armies. In any war of attrition versus living beings, Szass Tam is supremely confident in his ultimate victory.
Szass Tam has all the normal combat abilities of a lich except that his appearance does not incite terror. See the Monstrous Manual tome for the full capabilities of a standard lich.
Allies/Companions: His innumerable undead armies, which include skeletons, zombies, ghouls, ghasts, wights, and even vampires. He also has an unknown group of apprentices under him and, briefly, Szass Tam even aided a trio of Harpers to defeat the plan of another zulkir.
Foes/Enemies: The peoples and defenders of Rashemen and Aglarond, the Harpers, and even the other zulkirs of the Red Wizards themselves as Szass Tam hopes to displace them all and rule Thay alone.
Appearance: Despite some 200 years as a lich, Szass Tam’s true appearance is less than horrific. (See the preservation spell description for the reason.) He looks to be a skeletally thin, pale, human male with dark eyes and thinning black hair and beard. When the need arises, Szass Tam alters his appearance to that of a tall, scholarly, jet-eyed, fleshy cheeked human in his sixth or seventh decade.
Personality: Szass Tam is cunning and devilishly intelligent-he’s likely one of the most dangerous men in all of Faerûn. He’s supremely arrogant, but has the power and followers to back it up. He can be fair and even kind to his servants, however.
Locales Frequented: Thay; like most Red Wizards, he seldom leaves his stronghold northwest of Tyrtauros, and almost never leaves Thay itself.
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.
--------------
Source: Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (3rd Edition), circa 1372 DR
Male lich Nec10/Red10/Acm2/Epic7: CR 31; Medium-size undead; HD 20d12+5; hp 131; Init +2; Spd 30 ft; AC 29 (touch 14, flatfooted 27); Atk +12+7 melee (1d6+2, staff of power) or +10 melee (1d8+5 [Will DC 25 half] plus paralysis, lich touch) or +12/+7 ranged touch (by spell); SA Paralyzing touch, fear, aura; SQ Archmage high arcane, epic-level benefits, immunities, +4 turn resistance, damage reduction 15/+1, Red Wizard abilities, undead qualities; AL NE; SV Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +21; Str 11, Dex 14, Con -, Int 22, Wis 20, Cha 20. Height 6 ft.
Spellbook: As a very old lich, a powerful wizard, and one of the rulers of a nation of wizards, Szass Tam has access to virtually any spell that is known and has created many unique necromancy spells known only to himself or the other Red Wizards. He normally prepares a quickened teleport and several quickened attack spells. He typically uses his 16-th level spell slot to prepare a quickened, maximized energy drain.
Possessions: Given his position of power and advanced magical abilities, Szass Tam can easily acquire nearly any sort of nonartifact magic item (and has access to at least two known Netherese artifacts, the Death Moon orb and Thakorsil’s Seat). He has a staff of power, bracers of armor +10, and a ring of three wishes in his possession at all times.
Infamous for his wise, cold cruelty and his longevity, Szass Tam is the zulkir of Necromancy in Thay, its most influential Red Wizard, and -observers say- the ruler of Thay. A lich for the last two hundred-odd years, Szass Tam achieved his present power through great arrogance, the skills and preparation to back up his overweening ambitions, and the brilliant schemes of one of the most cunning and intelligent beings in all Faerun.
Like other Red Wizards, Szass Tam prefers to remain unseen, working through lackeys and servitor creatures (including cast armies of undead led by vampire generals) while he plots and schemes. His own undeath gives him patience. He’s quite prepared to abandon servants and attempts that fail, and simply try again later in a better way. Tiring of the continual betrayals and slaughter within the Red Wizards, he has decided that the best future for Thay and the Red Wizards is united under him - controlled through his magic and through fear. He’s not openly exerting power yet, because he wants to preserve Thay’s strength as much as possible, and in doing so control as much as he can before any open conflicts erupt.
Szass Tam possesses a truly incredible collection of magic items, ranging from rings, wands, and other trinkets up through staves and golems to artifacts. In his stronghold northwest of Tyraturos, he’s almost unassailable. Those who meet him (or seemingly real magic images of himself that he creates and send far across Faerun) discover Szass Tam to be calm, cultured, and even pleasant. He appears as a richly robed, skeletally thin pale man. Balding, he has dark eyes, a thinning black beard, and hands that have shriveled to claws. He can, of course, use magic to change his appearance. His favorite false form is that of a tall scholar, aging but vigorous, with glittering jet-black eyes and a soft, purring voice.
Szass Tam is polite but blunt, and he can be plunged instantly into cold, controlled rage by insolence or deliberate defiance. On the other hand, he seems to admire those who cross or foil him by cleverness, as long as they treat him politely. He’s always spinning more simultaneous intrigues than most Faerunians have years in their lives, and with his domination ever growing, he seems content to view existence as a great game, with plots and schemes as the playing pieces - or, if you prefer, weapons.