Needs info about ol' Tam... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Needs info about ol' Tam... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Disciple of Darkness
11-26-03, 01:28 PM Most specifically in what books he has made an appereance, what he has done in them, what do those two artifacts he has do, and so on. I would also like to know why the zulkir of Illusion is reported to have a falling-out with Szass Tam and what caused this?

Y'see, I think that I'm going to use ol' Tam in my campaign as a main villain and I would really like to know that kind of information - it might help me descriping him to my players if they manage to meet him. That brings me to another questions: how you think Tam should be roleplayed? What should be PCs reactions once they realize with whom they are dealing with? And most importantly, what do other power groups of Faerūn - Harpers and so on - think of our beloved zulkir of Necromancy?

Thanks in advance!
Wooly Rupert
11-26-03, 09:40 PM He was given a write-up in the Epic Level Handbook... I'm sure he was also mentioned in the old Spellbound boxed set... I don't recall him being in any novels, but I won't swear to that.
Kuje31
11-26-03, 09:48 PM Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
He was given a write-up in the Epic Level Handbook... I'm sure he was also mentioned in the old Spellbound boxed set... I don't recall him being in any novels, but I won't swear to that.

He made a cameo in the Harper novel Red Wizards. There is also a short story he's in that is reprinted in the Best of the Realms novel. :)

For the poster, The artifacts were written up in Spellbound, Volo's Guide to All Things Magical and I think Villian's Lorebook. In the Spellbound box set is the adventure where you could stop him from using them.
Wooly Rupert
11-26-03, 10:14 PM Originally posted by Kuje31
He made a cameo in the Harper novel Red Wizards.

I was thinking he might have been in that book, but I couldn't remember. I've not read that one in several years... The last time I read it, the Harpers novels were still going strong!
Kuje31
11-26-03, 10:21 PM Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I was thinking he might have been in that book, but I couldn't remember. I've not read that one in several years... The last time I read it, the Harpers novels were still going strong!

Yeah, same here. However I've also reread it a few times because I liked the characters in that book.
Kezghan
11-27-03, 03:26 AM he also briefly appears in the begining of the Netheril Boxed Set which i think is a free download, some dialog with him and Larloch i beleive if memory serves.

And i think he is in the Horde Trillogy book 3 Crusade.
Israfel666
11-27-03, 12:24 PM There's also an adventure module centered around him, the one based on the PCs stopping Tam from using Thakorsil's (sp?) Seat to bind a powerful fiend. I don't know the name, though.
Israfel666
11-27-03, 12:26 PM Oh, and Dreams of the Red Wizards (which I think is available for free at the Download section of Wizards.com) has a good deal of info on him, though dating back to 1357.
Druxus Rhym
11-27-03, 11:26 PM I have tryed to learn everything I can about Szass Tam so far they have printed nothing up on his artifacts(the exact stats I even e-mailed wizards about that)but in all his descriptions. It says he likes to work behind the scenes like all Red Wizards do. And he controls massisive hoardes of undead and dread warriors.
He Highly intelligent and sees his underlings as toys or weapons if one approach doesn't work he easily gives up and tries a different way. That's all I know and all there probably is.....sadly:( .
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
11-27-03, 11:47 PM Originally posted by Kuje31
There is also a short story he's in that is reprinted in the Best of the Realms novel. :)

I thought that was a good story. :) Some of the reviewers of Realms of Magic on amazon.com said they hated that story (but didn't really explain why), and yet it seems enough Realms readers liked it enough to vote for it.
Kuje31
11-27-03, 11:51 PM Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I thought that was a good story. :) Some of the reviewers of Realms of Magic on amazon.com said they hated that story (but didn't really explain why), and yet it seems enough Realms readers liked it enough to vote for it.

I liked it when I read it all those years ago, and reread it when I picked up the new Best of novel. But then I like a lot of books and authors others don't. :)
Malaug
11-28-03, 05:52 AM Tam tried to use Thakorsil's seat to try to bind Eltab from under Eltabbar. Fortunately he failed. If he had of bound Eltab, he probably would have went on to a war of huge expansion. It just says that some Adventurers upset his plans, he doesn't really mind though. He has centuries to plan his next one.

I remember reading somewhere that his second Artifact is a Sphere of something or other believed to be from Netheril. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
ericlboyd
11-28-03, 06:38 AM The old lich of Thay makes an appearance in "The Crimson Gold" (just released). I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.

--Eric
Ilbreth Shadowblade
11-29-03, 07:07 AM Originally posted by ericlboyd
The old lich of Thay makes an appearance in "The Crimson Gold" (just released). I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.

--Eric

Yes! Have to get that one :D
Disciple of Darkness
11-29-03, 01:14 PM Gotta read that Crimson Gold. Strange that while the Seven Sisters and Elminster and all the others who gods know how old run around Faerūn and doing stuff and adventuring, Larloch, Szass Tam, and the Twisted Rune mostly remain in their strongholds and doing nothing. Except for the plotting, of course... No wonder they have been "alive" for so long - they must have more contignency plans than even Elminster could fathom. :D This explains why Simbul hasn't just went to Thay and destroyed ol' Tam. And let's all remember what Old Sage himself once said:

... the forces arrayed against us are dark and strong indeed. I might surprise Manshoon or old Szass Tam and burn him from the face of Toril - or he might do the same to me...

Way to go, Szass! :)
Masakado
12-01-03, 09:33 AM Originally posted by Kuje31
He made a cameo in the Harper novel Red Wizards.

You mean Red Magic right? ;)

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1560761180.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
Kuje31
12-01-03, 01:15 PM Originally posted by Masakado
You mean Red Magic right? ;)

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1560761180.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Yeah sorry, well there are red wizards in it. :) They knew what I meant.................
Masakado
12-01-03, 04:48 PM Originally posted by Kuje31
Yeah sorry, well there are red wizards in it. :) They knew what I meant.................

I know, but I had to getcha.

This is like the first time I've ever seen you not do your homework.... sorta.

Not sure when this will happen again... if ever...

I was shocked to see that you'd posted in this thread & didn't link a pic of the book cover.
Kuje31
12-01-03, 05:03 PM Originally posted by Masakado
I know, but I had to getcha.

This is like the first time I've ever seen you not do your homework.... sorta.

Not sure when this will happen again... if ever...

I was shocked to see that you'd posted in this thread & didn't link a pic of the book cover.

I was thinking of the Red Wizards when I wrote that and so it came out that way, since he mention Tam. :) Grumble, grin. That's the problem with getting old and having 15+ years worth of material from TSR and WOTC stuck in your head. :)

I'm surprised no one else caught that like Wooly and Rinonalyrna. :)
Sheriff Yoda
12-02-03, 07:42 PM The way I've portrayed Tam is with a very twisted sense of humor, for instence, I had him send the PC's to a dungeon designed to test their skills. There was only one way out and if they didn't find it they kept running up against tougher monsters until they 'died' which just cast a teleport spell on them to bring them out of the dungeon. He was confident and not suffering of foolish acts, as the psionic monk found out.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Disciple of Darkness 11-26-03, 01:28 PM	Most specifically in what books he has made an appereance, what he has done in them, what do those two artifacts he has do, and so on. I would also like to know why the zulkir of Illusion is reported to have a falling-out with Szass Tam and what caused this? Y'see, I think that I'm going to use ol' Tam in my campaign as a main villain and I would really like to know that kind of information - it might help me descriping him to my players if they manage to meet him. That brings me to another questions: how you think Tam should be roleplayed? What should be PCs reactions once they realize with whom they are dealing with? And most importantly, what do other power groups of Faerūn - Harpers and so on - think of our beloved zulkir of Necromancy? Thanks in advance!
Wooly Rupert 11-26-03, 09:40 PM	He was given a write-up in the Epic Level Handbook... I'm sure he was also mentioned in the old Spellbound boxed set... I don't recall him being in any novels, but I won't swear to that.
Kuje31 11-26-03, 09:48 PM	Originally posted by Wooly Rupert He was given a write-up in the Epic Level Handbook... I'm sure he was also mentioned in the old Spellbound boxed set... I don't recall him being in any novels, but I won't swear to that. He made a cameo in the Harper novel Red Wizards. There is also a short story he's in that is reprinted in the Best of the Realms novel. :) For the poster, The artifacts were written up in Spellbound, Volo's Guide to All Things Magical and I think Villian's Lorebook. In the Spellbound box set is the adventure where you could stop him from using them.
Wooly Rupert 11-26-03, 10:14 PM	Originally posted by Kuje31 He made a cameo in the Harper novel Red Wizards. I was thinking he might have been in that book, but I couldn't remember. I've not read that one in several years... The last time I read it, the Harpers novels were still going strong!
Kuje31 11-26-03, 10:21 PM	Originally posted by Wooly Rupert I was thinking he might have been in that book, but I couldn't remember. I've not read that one in several years... The last time I read it, the Harpers novels were still going strong! Yeah, same here. However I've also reread it a few times because I liked the characters in that book.
Kezghan 11-27-03, 03:26 AM	he also briefly appears in the begining of the Netheril Boxed Set which i think is a free download, some dialog with him and Larloch i beleive if memory serves. And i think he is in the Horde Trillogy book 3 Crusade.
Israfel666 11-27-03, 12:24 PM	There's also an adventure module centered around him, the one based on the PCs stopping Tam from using Thakorsil's (sp?) Seat to bind a powerful fiend. I don't know the name, though.
Israfel666 11-27-03, 12:26 PM	Oh, and Dreams of the Red Wizards (which I think is available for free at the Download section of Wizards.com) has a good deal of info on him, though dating back to 1357.
Druxus Rhym 11-27-03, 11:26 PM	I have tryed to learn everything I can about Szass Tam so far they have printed nothing up on his artifacts(the exact stats I even e-mailed wizards about that)but in all his descriptions. It says he likes to work behind the scenes like all Red Wizards do. And he controls massisive hoardes of undead and dread warriors. He Highly intelligent and sees his underlings as toys or weapons if one approach doesn't work he easily gives up and tries a different way. That's all I know and all there probably is.....sadly:( .
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin 11-27-03, 11:47 PM	Originally posted by Kuje31 There is also a short story he's in that is reprinted in the Best of the Realms novel. :) I thought that was a good story. :) Some of the reviewers of Realms of Magic on amazon.com said they hated that story (but didn't really explain why), and yet it seems enough Realms readers liked it enough to vote for it.
Kuje31 11-27-03, 11:51 PM	Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin I thought that was a good story. :) Some of the reviewers of Realms of Magic on amazon.com said they hated that story (but didn't really explain why), and yet it seems enough Realms readers liked it enough to vote for it. I liked it when I read it all those years ago, and reread it when I picked up the new Best of novel. But then I like a lot of books and authors others don't. :)
Malaug 11-28-03, 05:52 AM	Tam tried to use Thakorsil's seat to try to bind Eltab from under Eltabbar. Fortunately he failed. If he had of bound Eltab, he probably would have went on to a war of huge expansion. It just says that some Adventurers upset his plans, he doesn't really mind though. He has centuries to plan his next one. I remember reading somewhere that his second Artifact is a Sphere of something or other believed to be from Netheril. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
ericlboyd 11-28-03, 06:38 AM	The old lich of Thay makes an appearance in "The Crimson Gold" (just released). I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers. --Eric
Ilbreth Shadowblade 11-29-03, 07:07 AM	Originally posted by ericlboyd The old lich of Thay makes an appearance in "The Crimson Gold" (just released). I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers. --Eric Yes! Have to get that one :D
Disciple of Darkness 11-29-03, 01:14 PM	Gotta read that Crimson Gold. Strange that while the Seven Sisters and Elminster and all the others who gods know how old run around Faerūn and doing stuff and adventuring, Larloch, Szass Tam, and the Twisted Rune mostly remain in their strongholds and doing nothing. Except for the plotting, of course... No wonder they have been "alive" for so long - they must have more contignency plans than even Elminster could fathom. :D This explains why Simbul hasn't just went to Thay and destroyed ol' Tam. And let's all remember what Old Sage himself once said: ... the forces arrayed against us are dark and strong indeed. I might surprise Manshoon or old Szass Tam and burn him from the face of Toril - or he might do the same to me... Way to go, Szass! :)
Masakado 12-01-03, 09:33 AM	Originally posted by Kuje31 He made a cameo in the Harper novel Red Wizards. You mean Red Magic right? ;) http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1560761180.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
Kuje31 12-01-03, 01:15 PM	Originally posted by Masakado You mean Red Magic right? ;) http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1560761180.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg Yeah sorry, well there are red wizards in it. :) They knew what I meant.................
Masakado 12-01-03, 04:48 PM	Originally posted by Kuje31 Yeah sorry, well there are red wizards in it. :) They knew what I meant................. I know, but I had to getcha. This is like the first time I've ever seen you not do your homework.... sorta. Not sure when this will happen again... if ever... I was shocked to see that you'd posted in this thread & didn't link a pic of the book cover.
Kuje31 12-01-03, 05:03 PM	Originally posted by Masakado I know, but I had to getcha. This is like the first time I've ever seen you not do your homework.... sorta. Not sure when this will happen again... if ever... I was shocked to see that you'd posted in this thread & didn't link a pic of the book cover. I was thinking of the Red Wizards when I wrote that and so it came out that way, since he mention Tam. :) Grumble, grin. That's the problem with getting old and having 15+ years worth of material from TSR and WOTC stuck in your head. :) I'm surprised no one else caught that like Wooly and Rinonalyrna. :)
Sheriff Yoda 12-02-03, 07:42 PM	The way I've portrayed Tam is with a very twisted sense of humor, for instence, I had him send the PC's to a dungeon designed to test their skills. There was only one way out and if they didn't find it they kept running up against tougher monsters until they 'died' which just cast a teleport spell on them to bring them out of the dungeon. He was confident and not suffering of foolish acts, as the psionic monk found out.