The Red Wizards
Structure
While at their peak, the Red Wizards counted hundreds among their followers. However, their leaders were as follows:
- Acererak, Mordenkainen's First Apprentice
- Tarul Var, the Red
- Szass Tam, the Schemer
- Syluné, the Witch of the Kalor
- Mythrellan, the Illusionist
- Sabass, the Summoner
- Elzarr of the Crimson Eye
- Calin Delkan, the Dragon Speaker
Public Agenda
To discover the limits of magic, understand and harness the power of gods, and to remake the world as they see fit.
Assets
It was said that the Red Wizards had many evil artifacts at their disposal, including the Hand and Eye of Vecna, the Book of Vile Darkness, and the Wand of Orcus (among others). They also had several demons at their disposal, including the demon lord Eltab, Lord of the Hidden Layer.
Eltab, Lord of the Hidden Layer by Wizards of the Coast
History
The Red Wizards started out as a breakaway faction of the Circle of Eight. They believed that powerful magic and magical items should not be suppressed or hidden away. They believed that magic should be pushed to its limits in order to realize its full potential: challenging the gods themselves.
The Red Wizards also incited the Invasion of Chardovia, unleashing the terrible might of demon- and dragon-kind upon the mortal world. They hoped that this great conflict would trigger some form of divine intervention - perhaps the corporeal appearance of a god or goddess - something they could capture and harvest...
To become a Red Wizard, a mage must forsake a particular school of magic (in order to strengthen the other schools), don the red robes, shave their heads, and receive the mark of Eltab.
Disbandment
Defeat at the hands of the Circle of Eight
Territories
At the height of their power, the Red Wizards controlled all of the west coast of Chardovia (including Neverwinter and Waterdeep). Their lands were named Thay.
Agriculture & Industry
The industry of Thay was based upon slavery. As this land was ruled by powerful mages that could bend anyone to their will, they enslaved vast numbers of people. Slaves were forbidden to cut their hair.
Comments
Author's Notes
The Red Wizards are heavily based on the Red Wizards of Thay of Forgotten Realms lore. However, the members, agenda, etc. was altered to better fit the lore of Chardovia.