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Council of Zulkirs

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The Council of Zulkirs, also known as the Zulkir Council,[1] was an assembly of powerful wizards that ruled over the nation of Thay, and their ruling class known as the Red Wizards. They were anonymous to the Thayan people,[3] held ultimate power and only competed with one another for authority and influence.[4]

The zulkirs were extremely wealthy and many possessed what seemed like near-infinite resources.[5] While they collectively ruled Thay, each zulkir had their own schemes, interests and various lusts for power and pleasure.[6]

Organization[]

Each zulkir was extremely powerful mage who specialized in a specific school of magic, and were chosen from among their peers in the same order. They served for life, or in some cases well past it into undeath. In truth, a zulkir held their seat within the council until they were completely and utterly destroyed.[3]

Competition between the Red Wizards for the title of "Zulkir" was extraordinarily intense, as it was the highest seat of power in all of Thay.[3]

History[]

Red wizards circle magic

Red Wizards and the circle magic.

Thayd, the mage who led the rebellion against Mulhorand and Unther in the −1087 DR, was the man responsible for the creation of zulkirs. The word "zulkir" originally referred to a member of Thayd's trusted inner circle. Some were more loyal than others, but all feared the man too much to plot against Thayd openly. These zulkirs served as Thayd's lieutenants and became the founders of Thay. During Thayd's lifetime, there existed a limited number of zulkirs that reduced from seven to five as these members of the inner circle perished.[7]

When Thayd was executed in the −1081 DR, the surviving zulkirs dissolved into anarchy and power struggle. This inner conflict cost lives of many ambitious spellcasters. Subsequently, the struggle was abruptly cut short by the use of Escalthar's everlasting curse spell that shape-changed the struggling zulkirs every other second. The effects were permanent unless the zulkirs submitted. The spell's creator Escalthar forced the zulkirs to meet atop the Laltharr in southwestern Thay. There, the wizards became the Council of the Black Star under Escalthar's leadership. They agreed to the set number of eight zulkirs, each seat to be linked to specific "schools" of magic. In the centuries that followed, most members of the zulkirate were Thayan human males, despite there being no legal limitation to a zulkir's sex, gender, species, or residency. The history of the Council of Zulkirs was retold by Mystra as such.[7]

Shortly after the formation of the Council of the Black Star, Escalthar mysteriously disappeared, never to be seen again. According to the research done by Elminster Aumar and Khelben Arunsun, Escalthar was Azuth, the Patron of Wizards, or his pawn. However, neither Azuth nor Mystra would confirm not deny this and simply smiled in response.[7]

The First Zulkirate of the Council of Zulkirs was established in the autumn of the Year of Warlords, 1030 DR,[8][9][7] by the lich Ythazz Buvaar and the original Red Wizards that fought for Thay's independence a century earlier. The Red Wizards appointed eight representatives to the council, each of whom was a master in their respective school of magic. The zulkirs then selected the tharchions, and rulers were given absolute power over Thay's regional territories, who were beholden to the council's greater authority.[10] In addition to Ythazz, the first eight zulkirs were: Hahlomede Teeos from the school of abjuration, Tlantros Tulhoond – conjuration, Zarhandro Laeluth – enchantments, Dlueae Sharshyndree – evocation, Yaerind Mahl – illusion, Tarabbas Mroound – necromancy, and Kulvur Naraelond – transmutation.[7]

Some dissidents were displeased with this system of governance, and rebelled against the council, but were finally stamped out in the Year of the Tightening Fist, 1074 DR.[10] The council remained largely unchanged until the zulkir of necromancy Szass Tam, made a bold move for power in the late 14th century DR.[9] By the Year of the Banner, 1368 DR, the Red Wizards were divided into philosophically-opposed factions and council was divided.[3] Szass Tam was openly opposed by the zulkir of evocation, Aznar Thrul and his fellow councilors Nevron and Lauzoril.[11]

Rather than get bogged down in a lengthy political struggle, Szass Tam manufactured a series of conflicts in the Year of Risen Elfkin, 1375 DR in an attempt to ascend as the elected High Regent of Thay. When all of the zulkirs, including his former allies, refused this proposition,[12] the lich withdrew from the council. He then ravaged the nation with undead hordes, that began a civil war that divided his northern tharchs, from those in the south held by the council.[13] The war raged on for a decade, and finally came to an end in the Year of Blue Fire, 1385 DR, the year the Spellplague struck Toril. Szass Tam emerged as the victor, and the remaining former zulkirs fled Thay for the lands of the Wizards' Reach.[14]

During his rule, Szass Tam appointed a number of powerful liches as the new Zulkir Council of Thay. While they all practiced some form of necromantic magic, they kept their role as supreme authority over the respective schools of magic within the Red Wizards. Even though they were superior to nearly all within the Thayan bureaucracy, they all remained subservient to the High Regent.[1]

All the remaining zulkirs-in-exile were killed in the Year of the Dark Circle, 1478 DR while stopping Szass Tam's ultimate plan to perform the ritual of the Unmaking.[15] By the late 15th century DR, Szass Tam had reestablished the zulkirate by elevating powerful arcanists loyal to his rule. Tharchions and autharchs were allowed to run the territories of Thay under his control.[16]

Members[]

School of Magic Zulkir
Abjuration Hahlomede Teeos in 1030 DR[7]
Eldryn Lammaraster in late 1300 DR[7]
Baastat Thalamarn (1343–1367 DR)[17][18]
Lallara Mediocros (circa 1375 DR)[6]
Ethra Dralas (late 15th century DR)[19]
Sirikhan (late 15th century DR)[20]
Conjuration Tlantros Tulhoond in 1030 DR[7]
Balineth Skroun in late 1300 DR[7]
Sabass (?–1368 DR)[21]
Nevron (1368–1478 DR)[15][note 1]
Saj Amog (circa 1479 DR)[22]
Akhara Nihil (circa 1489 DR)[23]
Divination Ythazz Buvaar in 1030 DR[7]
Elzarr (early 12th century)[24]
Yaphyll (circa 1372–1385 DR)[6][25][note 2]
Damond (late 15th century DR)[26]
Enchantment Zarhandro Laeluth in 1030 DR[7]
Iyrith Telgahlagar in late 1300 DR[7]
Nybor (13th century DR)[27]
Lauzoril (?–1478 DR)
Dar'lon Ma (circa 1490 DR)[28]
Evocation Dlueae Sharshyndree in 1030 DR[7]
Uldreth Korroth in late 1300 DR[7]
Narvonna Kren (1201–1347 DR)[29]
Aznar Thrul (?–1375 DR)[30]
Kumed Hahpret (1375–1385 DR)[31][32][note 3]
Vallrath Sakar (circa 1489)[23]
M'Weru (late 15th century DR)[20]
Illusion Yaerind Mahl in 1030 DR[7]
Nymor Thrul (?–1201 DR)[note 4][29]
Mythrellan (?–1375 DR)[6]
Dmitra Flass (1375–1385 DR)[33][note 5]
Hlarkus Baltreyo (circa 1479 DR)[22]
Necromancy Tarabbas Mroound in 1030 DR[7]
Nyressa Flass[34]
Szass Tam (circa 1159–1375 DR)[8][13] (1385–1489 DR)[35][note 6]
Zola Sethrakt (1375–1385 DR)[31]
Transmutation Kulvur Naraelond in 1030 DR[7]
Mahlind Yarrr in late 1300 DR[7]
Maligor (?–1362 DR)[36]
Druxus Rhym (1362–1375 DR)[37]
Samas Kul (1375–1385 DR)[38][note 7]
Unknown Thalomeade[39]
Merdrith the Mad (before late 14th century DR)[40]
Droic Orgul (?–1374 DR)[41][note 8]
Kavor (late 14th century DR)[42]
Talaskos Murthrond (before the late 14th century DR)[43]

Appendix[]

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See Also[]

Notes[]

  1. ↑ Nevron was killed by Szass Tam and his soul transformed into a mane demon.
  2. ↑ Yaphyll was inadvertently slain by Szass Tam while casting a powerful divination spell under duress.
  3. ↑ replaced Aznar Thrul following his assassination in 1375 DR.
  4. ↑ Szass Tam murdered Thrul with a suffocate spell after a failed invasion of Aglarond.
  5. ↑ Dmitra Flass, who replaced Mythrellan following her demise in 1375 DR, was killed in 1385 DR.
  6. ↑ for a couple of years Zola Sethrakt represented the few necromancers not allied with Szass in the council of zulkirs during the war of Thay until she was killed in 1385 DR by one of Nevron's demons.
  7. ↑ replaced Druxus Rhym in 1375 DR following his assassination.
  8. ↑ Droic and his phylactery were destroyed in 1374 DR by the Elven Crusade at the ruins of Myth Drannor.

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 180. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
  2. ↑ Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 165. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 978-0786901395.
  4. ↑ Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), p. 11. ISBN 978-0786901395.
  5. ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 205. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 278. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 Ed Greenwood, The Hooded One (2010-10-04). Questions for Ed Greenwood (2010). Candlekeep Forum. Archived from the original on 2024-05-01. Retrieved on 2024-06-30.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Steve Perrin (1988). Dreams of the Red Wizards. (TSR, Inc), p. 4. ISBN 0-88038-615-0.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 163. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), p. 4. ISBN 978-0786901395.
  11. ↑ Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), p. 9. ISBN 978-0786901395.
  12. ↑ Richard Lee Byers (April 2007). Unclean. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 244–260. ISBN 978-0-7869-4258-9.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Richard Lee Byers (April 2007). Unclean. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 316–318. ISBN 978-0-7869-4258-9.
  14. ↑ Richard Lee Byers (March 2008). Undead. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 297–299. ISBN 978-0-7869-4783-6.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Richard Lee Byers (February 2009). Unholy. (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 978-0-7869-5021-8.
  16. ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 180. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
  17. ↑ Victor Milán (October 1995). War in Tethyr. (TSR, Inc), pp. 143–144. ISBN 0-7869-0184-5.
  18. ↑ Template:Cite archive/Greenwood's Grotto/2025-05-03/Baastat
  19. ↑ Greg Marks (2018). Turn Back the Endless Night (DDAL07-18) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Tomb of Annihilation (Wizards of the Coast), p. 3.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Greg Marks, Ben Heisler (October 2020). Uncertain Scrutiny (DDAL-DRW05) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Dreams of the Red Wizards (Wizards of the Coast), p. 74.
  21. ↑ Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), p. 113. ISBN 978-0786901395.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Cryptic Studios (June 2013). Neverwinter. Perfect World Entertainment.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Iam Pace, William Murakami-Brundage (2018). Streams of Crimson (DDAL07-15) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Tomb of Annihilation (Wizards of the Coast).
  24. ↑ George Krashos (November 2000). “Bazaar of the Bizarre: Soargar's Legacy”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #277 (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 86–90.
  25. ↑ Richard Lee Byers (March 2008). Undead. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7869-4783-6.
  26. ↑ Greg Marks, Ben Heisler (October 2020). Uncertain Scrutiny (DDAL-DRW05) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Dreams of the Red Wizards (Wizards of the Coast), p. 6.
  27. ↑ Sean K. Reynolds (2004-12-15). Nybor's Small Codex. Magic Books of Faerûn. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16. Retrieved on 2016-05-19.
  28. ↑ Greg Marks, Ginny Loveday (August 2020). Foreign Affairs (DDAL-DRW04) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Dreams of the Red Wizards (Wizards of the Coast), p. 21.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), p. 5. ISBN 978-0786901395.
  30. ↑ Richard Lee Byers (April 2007). Unclean. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 224. ISBN 978-0-7869-4258-9.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Richard Lee Byers (March 2008). Undead. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 25. ISBN 978-0-7869-4783-6.
  32. ↑ Richard Lee Byers (March 2008). Undead. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 297. ISBN 978-0-7869-4783-6.
  33. ↑ Richard Lee Byers (March 2008). Undead. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 260. ISBN 978-0-7869-4783-6.
  34. ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 122. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  35. ↑ Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 13. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  36. ↑ Dale Donovan (July 1998). Villains' Lorebook. (TSR, Inc), p. 44. ISBN 0-7869-1236-7.
  37. ↑ Richard Lee Byers (April 2007). Unclean. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 4. ISBN 978-0-7869-4258-9.
  38. ↑ Richard Lee Byers (April 2007). Unclean. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 21. ISBN 978-0-7869-4258-9.
  39. ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: First Look At The Border Kingdoms”. In Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #109 (TSR, Inc.), p. 8.
  40. ↑ Elaine Cunningham (April 2003). Windwalker (Hardcover). (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 6. ISBN 0-7869-2968-5.
  41. ↑ Standing Stone Games (August 2024). Dungeons & Dragons Online: Magic of Myth Drannor. Daybreak Game Company.
  42. ↑ Philip Athans (October 2005). Whisper of Waves. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 1. ISBN 0-7869-3237-6.
  43. ↑ Ed Greenwood (September 2013). “Eye on the Realms: The Sundering: To Rule Two Worlds”. In Steve Winter ed. Dragon #427 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 37.
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