Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Vegepygmy 01-17-07, 05:48 PM	This is aimed at Green Giant, but everyone is welcome to respond. I found a thread from about two years ago where you posted stat blocks for several of Thay's less-well-known zulkirs. I was wondering if you've updated or changed them since, or have any other information you'd be willing to share with me. I'm preparing to run a Thayan campaign, and any help would be appreciated!
Red_Wizard 01-17-07, 05:53 PM	The old 2nd edition Boxset Spellbound, the supplement Dreams of the Red Wizards, and very minorly the 3.x source Unnaproachable East, should be all you need to accuratly portray Thay, and it's ruling class. Also, familiarize yourself with the Red Wizard Prestige Class found in the 3.5 copy of the DMG pp. 193-194.
The Simbul 01-17-07, 06:37 PM	There are a few augmentations I would reccomend you make to their stats; Equipment: Green Giant largely gave them the equipment they are listed with in 2E AD&D in order to be faithful to the original sources. Under the 3E rules, they should have a large arsenal of magic items at their disposal. At the very least, most of them should have enough equipment added to them in order to give them wealth equitable for an NPC of their level. In addition, they should also enjoy the same caveat given to most epic level iconic NPCs...namely that they can acquire or make most non-artifact magic items, given time Skills: In 3.5 the only Knowledge skill with a regional subskill is Knowledge (local). Therefore, the Zulkir's skill check entry for "Knowledge (history, Thay)" should be replaced with "Knowledge (history)". Other NPCs: If you use Green Giant's Zulkirs, then you should also be fair to the Zulkir whose stat block he didn't create, and that would be Szass Tam. Namely you should increase the INT score of the official WoTC version of Szass Tam by 4-5 points. This is because; A) Green Giant actually followed the official guidelines for converting characters from 2E to 3E, namely by giving them ALL of their due in level-dependent ability score adjustment points, and applying them to their original (unmodified) 2E ability arrays. By contrast, WoTC only gave Szass Tam two of the seven ability score adjustment points he is entitled to for having 29 class levels. B) Szass Tam by default should be more intelligent than the majority of the Zulkirs. If used "as is" in the Epic Level Handbook, he would have a lower INT score than most of the Zulkirs, despite being 5-10 levels higher and having the Lich template. In fact, you really should give the equipment/ability-score touch up to most of the published realms NPCs as a whole, like Drizzt, Elminster, Manshoon, and all the others who were cheated of level dependent ability score increases and who do not have adequate/relevant equipment for NPCs of their class/level.
ClobberinTime 01-17-07, 06:49 PM	I agree with the Simbul, The other thing I would do is after you bump them up to the proper NPC gear level, take a look at their Feats, if they have the Craft Magical Ring feat, then give them any and all rings for 1/2 price, I would do this for all of their item creation feats, Also take a look at the sidebar in the Epic Level Handbook and use the rules to lower the CR for high level NPCs, the RAW are too high, unless you give them PC wealth levels.
Green Giant 01-17-07, 06:52 PM	Check the links in my sig. I believe I've converted all the NPCs found in the 2e boxed set Spellbound. It also contains more unofficial Realms NPCs that may be useful. As for changes to the zulkirs, I think I only updated them from 3.0 rules to 3.5 rules. The Simbul is correct in the augmentations she proposes. The Zulkirs should have more equipment available to them and Szass Tam needs an Int boost.
The Simbul 01-17-07, 06:58 PM	I agree with the Simbul, The other thing I would do is after you bump them up to the proper NPC gear level, take a look at their Feats, if they have the Craft Magical Ring feat, then give them any and all rings for 1/2 price, I would do this for all of their item creation feats, Also take a look at the sidebar in the Epic Level Handbook and use the rules to lower the CR for high level NPCs, the RAW are too high, unless you give them PC wealth levels.Actually if an NPC is capable of crafting a magic item on their own, then it's "cost" is at 70% of its market price (i.e. a 30% discount). This is because time and XP are abstract concepts for NPCs, and they are instead converted into an alternate gp cost. The rule is found in the NPC section of the DMG I believe, and I have tested it on a few 3.5 FR NPCs (most recent being Laeral...who supposedly has the most item creation feats of all the NPCs published) and it seems to hold. Also (to the OP) bear in mind that NPC wealth per level is substantially lower than PC wealth per level, so do not confuse those two separate tables.
Vegepygmy 01-18-07, 11:53 AM	Thank you, everybody, for the replies!
ClobberinTime 01-18-07, 08:04 PM	Ah, I don't have the 3.5 dmg guide, I manage to make due with the SRD and the 3.0 one. It makes sense especially if the NPC is very high level, Expts are hard to come by at 30th+ level in the realms.