Looking at the source material for the Red Wizards of Thay faction in Tomb of Annihilation, I can see this is a significant antagonist group. Let me create a comprehensive summary.
Overview
The Red Wizards of Thay are a hostile faction operating in Chult under orders from Szass Tam, the most powerful lich among the Red Wizards. Their primary mission is to seize control of the Soulmonger or, failing that, destroy it. The Soulmonger is trapping souls that would otherwise be available for liches to use in their phylacteries, motivating Szass Tam’s interest in the device.
Leadership and Organization
Valindra Shadowmantle serves as the expedition leader, though she is not technically a Red Wizard herself. She is an elven lich who works directly for Szass Tam and operates from a base at the Heart of Ubtao. Her phylactery is safely stored in Thay, and she maintains a teleportation circle to travel between Chult and Thay for reports and instructions.
A secondary team of Red Wizards operates in Omu itself:
- Zagmira (female, highest ranking) - appears eighteen years old but inhabits her own granddaughter’s body through a terrible ritual, giving her a wizened half-face
- Dyrax (male)
- Thazma (female)
- Yamoch (male)
These four mages are accompanied by eight mercenary thugs and a translator named Orvex Ocrammas, whose loyalty is tenuous.
Base of Operations
The Red Wizards occupy the Heart of Ubtao, a massive earthmote (floating chunk of earth) held aloft by undispellable magic, hovering 200 feet above the swampy forest. This sacred Chultan site, considered the petrified heart of the god Ubtao, has been converted into Valindra’s base. The teleportation circle inside allows instant travel to and from Thay.
Activities in Chult
The Red Wizards are actively searching the ruins of Omu for the Soulmonger’s location. The secondary team attempted to camp in a ruined compound (area 2) but suffered heavy casualties from a yuan-ti night raid led by Ras Nsi’s forces. The survivors continue searching for puzzle cubes needed to unlock the Tomb of the Nine Gods, where they believe the Soulmonger is hidden.
Valindra’s Tactics
Valindra is pragmatic and strategic rather than immediately hostile. She can mask her undead nature with an illusion, appearing as a living elf. When encountering adventurers, she may present herself as a scholarly wizard seeking to “imprison” the Soulmonger for study rather than destroy it. She views the characters as potential tools and will share information about Omu if it serves her purposes, even if she suspects eventual betrayal.
If threatened, Valindra relies on undead servants to fight while she escapes through her teleportation circle. She has no interest in killing characters if they might prove useful to her mission.
Key Relationships
Allies/Servants:
- Szass Tam (master and commander)
- Orvex Ocrammas (reluctant translator, can be turned)
- A doppelganger spy in the Fane of the Night Serpent (area 10) who aids Red Wizard interests
Enemies:
- Yuan-ti forces under Ras Nsi (active combat)
- Adventurers seeking the Soulmonger (tactical opposition)
- Competing factions in Chult
Potential Complications:
- The Red Wizards actively hunt Artus Cimber for the Ring of Winter
- They may appear at any time to capture Artus if he’s traveling with the party
Encounter Locations
- Heart of Ubtao - Primary base with Valindra and undead servants
- Walled Compound (Omu area 2) - Initial camp site, now abandoned after yuan-ti attack
- Throughout Omu - Scattered search teams looking for puzzle cubes
- Fane of the Night Serpent (area 10) - Doppelganger spy embedded in yuan-ti harem
After the Soulmonger
If the characters destroy the Soulmonger, Valindra returns to Thay and reports her failure to Szass Tam. Angered by the party’s interference, Szass Tam sends new operatives and powerful undead to spy on the characters, learn their weaknesses, and eventually eliminate them. Harper or Zhentarim contacts may warn characters of this ongoing threat.
Game Statistics
Valindra Shadowmantle uses the lich stat block with these modifications:
- Neutral evil alignment
- Languages: Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Infernal
- Can swap prepared spells for any wizard spell of same level when preparing
- Bonus action: Mask appearance as living elf (ends if reduced to 30 HP or below, uses Frightening Gaze, or is targeted by dispel magic)
- Cannot take lair actions at the Heart of Ubtao
Red Wizard Mages use the mage stat block (lawful evil). Each carries a spellbook containing all their prepared spells.
Mercenaries use the thug stat block (lawful evil).