We know Zallanora Agentresses is really Shoon VII, a powerful necromancer that is perhaps as powerful as Larloch (if not more powerful). In 2E he was a level 34 Necromancer, which was, to put it bluntly - insane.
I'd imagine that Shoon VII has, by this time, gained complete control of the Twisted Rune and all of its members. He'd likely lead the Red Wizards by proxy using a puppet, so it wouldn't be likely for him to make a direct appearance in anyones games. (Unless as a possible ally.)
Basing the Red Wizards out of Calimport, located in Calimshan, gives them the ability to keep to their old ways (mostly). In other words, they could still be slavers and open practitioners of magic. They could work toward becoming the "New Zhents" now that the Black Network seems to have taken a major blow.
By this, I mean, establishing themselves as traders rather than just magic item peddlers.
Perhaps there was even a coup in Calimshan and now the Red Wizards control the city, establishing a new Mageocracy. This, of course, would have been made possible through the actions of Shoon VII.
Just my thoughts on a method to keep the Red Wizards in play without too many changes, considering Thay is now entirely filled with undead.
As well, Shoon VII is just too good of a villian to toss to the wayside. He was never used by anyone after being brought back, and I think over all, it'd work out great. Calimshan never got much play - now they could actually play a role in world events.
Thoughts?
EDIT: It would happen because of the following reasons.
1. Shoon wants to restart his empire and is using the Red Wizards toward that end. He has embraced the mercantile concept of the Enclaves and is controlling trade.
2. The Shades are opposed to the Red Wizards for obvious reasons. Further more, it hasn't helped as the Red Wizards set themselves up as "Anti-Shades". A nice way to get support. Stick with the devil you know, after all.
3. Tam is stuck in Thay, but he wants to branch out. Obviously, due to his actions there is going to be more than a little bit of animosity between him and the Red Wizards.
4. Larloch and the Shades are at odds over who has the right to various old Netherese artifacts and what not, as well as who gets to claim who is Netheril and who is not. After all, Larloch built himself on the legacy of Netheril, and has spent generations trying to (slowly) reclaim Netherese artifacts. Something the Shades are now also doing - putting them at obvious cross purposes.
Four very different factions, all of them opposed to one another directly and indirectly.
EDIT AGAIN: For Shoon, you can easily use one of the surviving Zulkier's as his puppet. After Thay was destroyed, the Zulkier (hiding out in Calimport) could have fallen under the sway of Shoon - willingly or unwillingly. There could have been an enclave there he was hiding out in... and word could have been sent out to the other enclaves with this Zulkier claiming himself the rightful heir to Thay.
Not all of the Enclaves would have followed him, of course, but I imagine over the course of 100 Years most, if not all, have been brought to heel and are at least loosely connected with one another.
On a side note, while I do like this, I have implemented a new string in my own campaign for return to old Thayan ways. A clash of ideaologies so to speak, where old world meets new world, and the enclaves are devided.
-RW
The best solution, I believe, is simply to create a new NPC Lich that is part of the Twisted Rune, ruled by Shoon VII. Have him be an illusionist and have him 'fake' being Lauzoril or some other Zulkir.
That could be interesting / fun, because in that method, you leave tracks. What happens if the body of the real Lauzoril is found? You'd definitely have a hit out on you for your life, then. ;)
As for various factions within the Red Wizards, I don't see why it can't work plus using my suggestion. :P
Seriously, the more various groups within an organization fighting for control the more interesting the group becomes. After all, it's not like any traditionalist Red Wizards can -really- return to Thay even if they topple Tam considering it's mostly a wasteland now. So a new 'home base' would be required.
And I think Calimshan, and Calimport in particular, is something that could be molded to suit their needs very nicely. I do not, over all, like the idea of having the Enclaves basically being independent of each other. They need a central figurehead somewhere -trying- to direct their movements. Whether the individual enclaves listen... well... that's another matter all together.
18DELTA :D
Of course, WotC said evil won't be fighting evil in 4e, but thank goodness we've learned to pretty much ignore everything they say. :D
You got Memnon ruling in Calimshan, no? Don't know how thats gonna work out for Shoon.
To be honest, I don't know much about Calimshan history or Memnon. I know he was a powerful efreeti that laid claim to the area, but that's about it. :P
Since he was destroyed / imprisoned in the past, I think it's possible that the same could happen again. Alternatively you can have the various factions going to war with one another. I love conflict.
Either way, I am certain that Shoon would know of his existence one way or another. That is the problem with certain folks, when they will not come right out and do battle with you. They can keep harassing you, wearing you down, until they can finally take you out.
So we know where the 'Fire Genasi Kingdom' will be. ;)
Is Memnon even still alive in 4E?
To be honest, I don't know much about Calimshan history or Memnon. I know he was a powerful efreeti that laid claim to the area, but that's about it. :P
Since he was destroyed / imprisoned in the past, I think it's possible that the same could happen again. Alternatively you can have the various factions going to war with one another. I love conflict.
Either way, I am certain that Shoon would know of his existence one way or another. That is the problem with certain folks, when they will not come right out and do battle with you. They can keep harassing you, wearing you down, until they can finally take you out.
Memnon and Calim (Efreet and Djinni respectively) were bound into the desert (Memnon as the land, Calim as the sky) by a elven high magic ritual, which created the desert (funny how often high magic spells always alter the environment, considering the elven attitude towards nature). That is why there are so many storms in the Calim desert, these two are still at war.
We already have one Genasi Kingdom in place of either Chessenta or Unther, right? Do we -really- need another?
As to High Elven magic... yeah... I always say when the Elves start working that stuff run for cover. It almost -never- works out as intended. You'd think they learn.
Memnon and Calim (Efreet and Djinni respectively) were bound into the desert (Memnon as the land, Calim as the sky) by a elven high magic ritual, which created the desert (funny how often high magic spells always alter the environment, considering the elven attitude towards nature). That is why there are so many storms in the Calim desert, these two are still at war.
-The spell did not create the desert. At least, I'm 80% sure of this. I need to check the relevant sources, but The Star of Cursrah took place both before and after the binding of the two entities, if I recall correctly, and was a desert during both timelines.
-The spell did not create the desert. At least, I'm 80% sure of this. I need to check the relevant sources, but The Star of Cursrah took place both before and after the binding of the two entities, if I recall correctly, and was a desert during both timelines.
GHotR pg 21
-6500 DR to -6100 DR
Era of Skyfire: Memnon and Calim ...
...The High Magic of the elves forcibly disembodies Calim and Memnon and binds their elemental essences to the sky and earth, respectively. The ongoing struggles of the two noble genies creates the Calim desert.
Strictly speaking the spell did not create the desert, but is indirectly responsible.
Strictly speaking the spell did not create the desert, but is indirectly responsible.
-We have semantics again. ;)