Overview
Ishmakahl is a doppelganger spy posing as a male yuan-ti pureblood. The doppelganger was sent by Zagmira, a Red Wizard of Thay, to infiltrate the yuan-ti temple in Omu and spy on Ras Nsi. The doppelganger killed and assumed the identity of the real Ishmakahl to gain access to the Fane of the Night Serpent.
Appearance
When in its assumed form, Ishmakahl appears as a handsome Chultan man with snake-like eyes, consistent with yuan-ti pureblood characteristics.
Role in the Adventure
Red Wizard Asset
Zagmira reveals Ishmakahl’s existence to the party if they form an alliance with the Red Wizards to recover puzzle cubes from the yuan-ti. She does not disclose that Ishmakahl is actually a doppelganger rather than a true yuan-ti ally.
Limited Intelligence Gathering
Despite being embedded in the fane, Ishmakahl has had little direct contact with Ras Nsi since arriving. The doppelganger has gathered some intelligence by eavesdropping on conversations between Sekelok (Ras Nsi’s yuan-ti lieutenant) and Neema.
Potential Ally
If the party contacts Ishmakahl on behalf of the Red Wizards, the doppelganger offers to help them steal puzzle cubes from Ras Nsi’s lair (area 12). Ishmakahl provides useful information:
- The general layout of the temple
- The existence of a secret door in the throne room (area 11) leading to Ras Nsi’s lair
- That Ras Nsi’s lair can be reached via the fane’s teleporters (though the doppelganger doesn’t know how to activate them)
- Tactical advice to break into the lair when Sekelok visits the harem
Motivations and Risks
Ishmakahl is secretly contemplating defecting to the yuan-ti rather than remaining loyal to the Red Wizards. If the doppelganger’s plans show signs of failing or if it feels threatened, it will betray the party by revealing itself to Ras Nsi or Sekelok and warning them about the intruders. This makes Ishmakahl an unreliable ally with divided loyalties.