The Red Wizards of Thay are the ruling elite of Thay’s magocracy, known for their distinctive red robes often embroidered with arcane designs. Membership is drawn almost exclusively from the native Thayan population, and each wizard is required to specialize in a single school of magic. The order is governed by the Council of Zulkirs, powerful specialists who each represent one of the recognized schools of magic (eight during the Baldur’s Gate era).
As the rulers of Thay, the Red Wizards routinely assail neighboring lands in pursuit of conquest, slaves, or magical resources. Rashemen has resisted their incursions for centuries, but other realms such as Aglarond and Mulhorand have also endured repeated Thayan aggression.
Description[]
| “ | The Red Wizards are the premier power in Thay; the ruling Zulkirs of that land are chosen from among their number. The Red Wizards work abroad throughout the Realms as spies and agents of their kingdom. Their actions are supposedly for the good of their home government, but each Red Wizard has his or her own agenda to pursue.
The Red Wizards' stated goal is to establish Thay as the supreme political and magical force in the Realms. Red Wizards encountered in the Realms may be working toward this end, advancing their own causes or seeking to discredit others, including other Red Wizards. The byzantine plots of the Red Wizards are so involved that it is often difficult to determine where one ends and another begins. The Red Wizards are many things, but subtle is not one of them. Swaggering, boastful, loud, insulting, and dangerous, yes, but never subtle. It takes great control for a Red Wizard to affect personal humility, no matter how slight, or tolerate even the most subtle reproach to the superiority of the Thayvian people. Despite this, there are always (apparently) new Red Wizards to challenge adventurers. |
” |
— from the Manual | ||
Gameplay[]
Baldur’s Gate[]
The first Red Wizard encountered in Baldur’s Gate is Edwin Odesseiron, found standing on the bridge in Nashkel. He seeks mercenaries to aid him in the hunt for the Rashemi mage Dynaheir. If she is killed, he remarks:
| “ | Rashemaar fools tramping about the realms, did they expect to escape the eye of Thay? All that is to be determined is what they were doing here. | ” |
The circumstances of Dynaheir’s presence in the region, or how she and Edwin first crossed paths, are never explained.
Edwin’s purpose for being on the Sword Coast is alluded to by Denak, should the two meet:
| “ | Good day, travelers. Mmm, Edwin, I did not expect to see you so soon. I hope your... business has been attended to. If it hasn't, then you should deal with it soon. I think that Zulkir Nevron would be most disappointed if he were to hear that you failed. That is all that really needs to be said. Good day again, and goodbye. | ” |
Whether this “business” refers to Dynaheir or another matter abroad is left ambiguous. Edwin gives no response, regardless of Dynaheir’s status, and Denak does not acknowledge her even if she is present in the party.
Denak is encountered in Spider Wood together with Diana, Brendan, and Lasala. If Edwin is not in the party, the group attacks to ensure their privacy.
In Beregost, the Red Wizard Ekandor attempts to capture Neera, whose wild magic he claims must be studied. He reappears during Neera’s personal quest to find the wild mage Adoy, confronting the group with another band of mercenaries.
Siege of Dragonspear[]
| “ | They mock me. Me! (This cannot stand. This WILL not stand!) | ” |
— Edwin | ||
Edwin explains that he and three fellow Red Wizards—Rowena, Ahdzekharrin, and Vichand—were once invited to negotiate with Caelar Argent. They did not believe her propaganda, but the promise of great payment drew them to the table. During that meeting, Ahdzekharrin and Vichand were swayed by Caelar’s charisma. Rowena refused and was executed, while Edwin pretended to submit and later fled in anger.
Enraged by this betrayal, Edwin joins the allied forces, seeking vengeance in particular against Vichand.
In Neera’s quest line, it is revealed that the Red Wizards have already found and killed the wild mage Adoy. His ghost appears to warn Neera about the Order of Eight Staves, a Thayan group devoted to the study and control of wild magic.
Baldur’s Gate II[]
Edwin Odesseiron is first encountered in Mae’Var’s guild. He is already disillusioned with them when Gorion's Ward meets him.
Later, after Edwin has transformed himself into a woman, Gorion's Ward may encounter another Red Wizard, Degardan. Though an acquaintance of Edwin, Degardan speaks of him with scorn, declaring that Edwin has been expelled from the Red Wizards and is now a fugitive:
| “ | We are interested in the whereabouts of Edwin, a long-winded bag of gas. … He’s gone rogue. … There is a king’s ransom for the kind soul who would be so obliging as to turn the impotent imposter over to the proper judicial authority. | ” |
Degardan later reappears to dispel Edwin’s transformation, only to be promptly killed by him.
In the Bridge District, Lanneth, a Red Wizard accompanied by bodyguards, attempts to abduct a young wild mage, only to be stopped by Neera.
The Red Wizards’ operations are based around a Thayan enclave established in Waukeen's Promenade. Gorion’s Ward may attack it during the quest Neera's Hidden Refuge. If Edwin is present, he leaves the party with the words:
| “ | Don't tell me what I can and cannot do, you wretched baboon! I journey with you only so long as you serve my purposes. My purposes do not include attacking other Thayans or enacting some reckless girl's post-adolescent revenge fantasy! Goodbye! | ” |
The enclave was founded by Gul Dukeem, himself not a Red Wizard. Not all Thayan wizards have the privilege. Regardless, the symbol of the Red Wizards has been engraved into the floor. His enclave has been seized by the Order of Eight Staves, and he the takeover.
He can be convinced to turn a blind eye to Gorion’s Ward’s attempt at driving out the Red Wizards. The specifics of that effort can be found on the page dedicated to the Red Wizard Enclave.
Lanneth is the sole named Red Wizard in the enclave. She recognizes Gorion’s Ward by and threatens them with her connections:
| “ | Know this: If you interfere with me, you kill one enemy only to anger a host. I serve the autharch Vicross, appointee of Aznar Thrul, tharchion of Priador. The Order is the autharch's masterwork. | ” |
If she survives a bit of punishment, she will teleport to the next room, hoping that she can use a hostage to hold off her assailants. But her attempt fails, and so the fight continues to her demise.
Throne of Bhaal[]
The Order of Eight Staves continues its hunt for wild mages. A letter sent to Neera reveals that they plan to strike at the first sign of wild magic in a certain clearing. If Gorion’s Ward agrees to Neera’s plan to ambush them, a confrontation follows with Vicross, the group’s leader. Like her subordinate Lanneth before her, Vicross invokes her authority in distant Thay, though combat is unavoidable.
When her forces are defeated, Vicross triggers a wild surge that teleports both herself and the party into a gladiatorial arena within Thay. The act itself marks her as a wild mage.
The party is forcibly drawn into the schemes of Szass Tam, the ancient lich and Zulkir of Necromancy, one of the most powerful figures among the Red Wizards of Thay. He regards Vicross’ wild surge as an opportunity that must be seized before Aznar Thrul can distance himself from her. Claiming he cannot act against her directly, Tam argues that her death must appear to be Thrul’s doing, ridding himself of an embarrassment.
When Gorion's Ward confronts Vicross, she is at once desolate and exhilarated. Hunted and cornered, she embraces a final stand, free of the expectations and restraints of her former position. She dies as a wild mage.
Ringing the nearby bell summons Szass Tam. He thanks Gorion's Ward for eliminating Vicross, then immediately turns on them to “tie up all loose ends.” After a brief battle, he teleports the party back to Tethyr. If Gorion's Ward resists further, a second clash is possible, but Tam cannot be killed; the confrontation always ends with him forcibly sending the party home.
Trivia[]
- According to Dungeons & Dragons lore, free citizens of Thay usually shave off all body hair. This custom is not observed by Thayan characters in the game.
- Tam’s true motives are uncertain. His conspicuous use of teleportation and other magics within the area could themselves leave traces pointing back to him rather than to Aznar Thrul. One interpretation is that he staged events to appear as a defender who arrived too late to save Vicross from “foreign assassins,” while still laying the blame at Thrul’s feet. The party, returned to Tethyr, is unavailable to contradict such a narrative.
Associated Party Members[]
- Edwin Odesseiron is a member of the Red Wizards.
- Neera is pursued by Red Wizard agents who wish to capture her to study her Wild Mage abilities in every single appearance. For this reason, she is hostile towards Edwin.
- Due to hailing from Rashemen, Dynaheir and Minsc cannot stand to be in the same party as Edwin.
External links[]
Red Wizards of Thay on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.