Read or paraphrases the following: Zulkir Thrul leans forward, the gravity of her words reflected in her formal tone and posture. “Thank you for joining this cause. You’re now operatives of Operation Deadfall. Before I describe the parameters of our undertaking, think of code names for yourselves and your group. Wynston and I will refer to you by these code names at all times; we will never use…
A twenty-foot-wide rune scribed on the floor glows green. Two serpentine figures chant incantations in a hissing, guttural tone, their eyes closed in concentration. Tables holding open books and vials of liquid sit along the walls. The chanting figures are Tresshe and Yethel (Sarrukh Tyrants; see appendix B). They know Szass Tam’s ritual has bathed the area in unholy magic (see “ Unhallowed…
Bookcases filled with weathered tomes surround a reading table here. Two bulky serpentine figures peruse the volumes on the shelves. Two Arisen Sarrukhs (see appendix B) search through these books about necromancy, seeking to better understand Szass Tam’s ritual. The sarrukhs fight the characters on noticing them. Treasure. The books contain all the Necromancy spells in the Player’s Handbook. A…
Once the undisputed regent of Thay, Szass Tam is an old and powerful lich who plots to regain control over the nation. Although he still wields great power as the zulkir of necromancy and the tharchion of Thaymount (see chapter 1), Szass Tam believes it’s his destiny to rule Thay and use its living people as fodder for his undead armies. History An eloquent and inventive wizard, Szass Tam rose…
Szass Tam (ZASS TAM) is a powerful lich and necromancer in the Forgotten Realms setting. As leader of the Red Wizards of Thay, he has countless spies, assassins, and other agents at his service, and his schemes span centuries and reach to the ends of the world.
Flickering green light from sconces forms shadowy scenes on the walls of serpentine creatures hoisting polearms. An overwhelming sense of dread fills you as the shadows leap from the walls and slither toward you. This magical effect is an illusion. Illusory Danger. When a character enters this area, they can take the Study action and make a DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation) check to try to…
The following information is key to this chapter’s story:
| 1d10 | Secret Club Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Panic Room |
| 2 | The Desperate Fear Dance Hall … |
This campaign is a spy thriller. The fate of Thay lies on the characters’ shoulders, but no one can know about their heroics. Use the guidance in this section to emphasize Operation Deadfall’s high stakes, the importance of secrecy, and the danger involved.
Wondrous Item, Legendary This cube is 3 inches across and radiates palpable magical energy. The six sides of the cube are each keyed to a different plane of existence, one of which is the Material Plane. The other sides are linked to planes determined by the DM. The cube has 3 charges and regains 1d3 expended charges daily at dawn. As a Magic action, you can expend 1 of the cube’s charges to cast…
Map 3.3: Zulkir Thrul's Demiplane View Player Version When the characters walk through the shadowy door, read or paraphrase the following: Sconces shed soft, yellow light over this beautifully furnished office, which boasts oak furniture upholstered in maroon velvet. A gleaming desk sits to the south, along with nearby seats and a plush armchair. A wraparound sofa and a table bearing crystal…
The party successfully escapes the secret tunnel. Proceed to Epilogue.
Since the characters must not openly discuss their missions in public, Zulkir Thrul assigns code names to their targets and goals. Code names are nicknames that obscure the subject’s identity, allowing the discussion of sensitive matters in public without identifying real names. The characters might come up with code names for other aspects of their clandestine work. Encourage this tactic; the…
Humanoid zombies usually serve as guardians, servants, or soldiers for evil magic-users. In rare cases, foul magic might result in widespread reanimation of the dead, unleashing hordes of zombies to terrorize the living.
This brightly lit lounge looks comfortable and lavish, with four beautifully carved statues of mages ringing the room. Sitting around an oak table are five red-robed people—four humans and a tiefling. A dark-haired, well-coiffed human man rises to greet you. When the characters enter the tower’s lounge, each character earns 7,800 XP for gaining access to the mages’ inner sanctum. Meeting the…
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