[Vortar the Mad]

Admitedly I do not have the encyclopedic knowledge of the realms that some of you guys have...but I always thought that Vecna and Kas were a very interesting story...The arch lich who would become a god and his vampire lieutenant who would betray him. Their legendary artifacts (sword, hand and eye) surviving them to carry on their eternal feud...

Of any country in the realms..Thay, with it's mage centric government of evil, self serving mages would be the most likely to not only permit but actively seek out the relics of the arch lich and the power they command.

Also...since the sword follows the eye and hand..a country FULL of undead and evil warriors would offer the sword a vast amount of potential wielders of its might.

I think it's also interesting because it is totally an evil vs evil fight...ALL the artifacts in question are evil but still completely oppose eachother.

This leaves the door completely open for MANY factions to align for or against either side of the conflict.

Another bonus is that the sword and the eye / hand allow PC's to take a center stage as sort of avatars of legendary figures....without having to actually involve the figures themselves in the flesh...removing any constrictions that the cannon might impose.

Other than those...I've always been a big fan of Gaurgauth. His church is one of the coolest in Thay and I know they play behind the scenes alot but involving the tenth lord of the nine with all the double dealing, corruption and powerbroking would be cool. He always reminded me of the devil at the crossroads penning deals in blood...

As far a Drizzt is concerned...He was OK I guess..I just hated all his supporting cast. Much like the whiny bard in the deadlands series.