- Red Wizard
:"This article is on the Red Wizards of Thay in the "Forgotten Realms" fantasy setting. For other types of Red Wizards in fantasy, see
Red Mage ."The Red Wizards of Thay are a
fictional organization andsocial class of evil wizards in the "Forgotten Realms " campaign setting of "Dungeons & Dragons " andAdvanced Dungeons & Dragons . Attaining the Red Wizardprestige class makes a character a member of this organization.According to the "
Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting " book, Red Wizards are the notorious and nefarious spellcasters who are the ruling class in the inhospitable but well-inhabited country of Thay. The Red Wizards are slavers, demonologists, and magical experimenters. They constantly scheme to bring down their neighbouring nations ofRashemen —where they are thwarted by the Witches ofRashemen ; Aglarond—where they are turned back bythe Simbul of the Seven Sisters; andMulhorand —where the people of Thay originated.The leaders of the Red Wizards are the eight zulkirs, each for a different school of magic. Chief amongst these is Szass Tam, an undead
archmage .The Red Wizards are described as the enemies of many forces in
Abeir-Toril —whilst they receive support from demons and devils and drow, amongst those who oppose them are the Witches of Rashemen, the Seven Sisters and their allies, the goodly Harpers, and even theZhentarim , who dislike the wizards encroaching on their territory.The Red Wizards' latest plot, after another failed attempt at securing Rashemen in 1357 DR, is to infiltrate the nations of
Faerûn legitimately—in Thayan enclaves which will publicly sellmagic item s and quietly also traffic drugs, wicked spells, and slaves. Using these they hope to eventually have strongholds and resulting political infiltration that will make them indispensable and powerful, and further their hopes ofworld domination .More information about the Red Wizards can be found in the "
Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting " book, and the supplemental "Forgotten Realms" sourcebooks "Lords of Darkness " and "Unapproachable East ".
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