Necromancy of Thay: A Comprehensive Guide for Baldur's Gate 3

Introduction

Necromancy of Thay is a specialized school of magic in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of Dungeons & Dragons. It is practiced by the enigmatic and powerful Red Wizards of Thay, a nation of necromancers renowned for their mastery over the dead. In Baldur's Gate 3, players have the opportunity to delve into the dark secrets of Thayan necromancy and unlock its potent abilities.

Understanding Thayan Necromancy

Core Principles:

• Manipulation of Life and Death: Necromancers have the ability to manipulate the life force of creatures, animate the dead, and control the undead.
• Soul Magic: By harnessing the power of souls, necromancers can perform powerful spells that heal, damage, or even enslave their targets.
• Unholy Rites: Necromancers often employ dark rituals and sacrifices to enhance their powers and create powerful undead servants.

Classes and Subclasses

Classes:

• Wizard (School of Necromancy): The classic necromancer class, specializing in spells that damage, summon, and control the undead.
• Cleric (Death Domain): A cleric who worships deities of death and decay, gaining access to necromantic spells and abilities.
• Warlock (Undead Patron): A warlock who has made a pact with an undead entity, granting them necromantic powers.

Subclasses:

• Circle of Spores (Druid): Druids who harness the power of decay and disease through their connection with the natural world.
• College of Spirits (Bard): Bards who perform haunting dirges and summon spirits to their aid.

Spells

Key Spells:

• Animate Dead: Creates undead servants from humanoid corpses.
• Vampiric Touch: Drains health from target, healing the caster.
• Raise Dead: Resurrects a creature that has been dead for no more than 10 days.
• Soul Cage: Traps the soul of a creature in a gem, rendering it vulnerable.
• Wither and Bloom: Damages target and heals another for half the damage dealt.

Undead Creatures

Types of Undead:

• Skeletons: Reanimated humanoid bones.
• Zombies: Reanimated humanoid bodies.
• Ghouls: Feral, flesh-eating creatures.
• Spectres: Ethereal spirits that drain health and energy.
• Liches: Powerful undead wizards who have gained immortality.

Tactics and Strategies:

• Control the Undead: Necromancers can use spells and abilities to summon, command, and buff their undead minions.
• Exploit Weaknesses: Undead creatures are vulnerable to radiant damage, so use spells and weapons that deal this damage type.
• Escape the Grasp: Undead creatures have a variety of mobility limitations, such as slow movement speed or the inability to climb.

Lore and History

Thay and the Red Wizards:

• The Red Wizards of Thay are a powerful guild of necromancers who rule the nation of Thay.
• They are feared throughout the Realms for their ruthless tactics and thirst for power.
• Thay's necromantic rituals have shaped the land, creating cursed barrows and raising ancient undead horrors.

The Path to Necromancy

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overreliance on Undead: While undead minions can be powerful allies, they are vulnerable and can quickly be overwhelmed.
• Neglecting Non-Necromantic Spells: Necromancers have access to a wide range of spells, so don't limit yourself to just necromancy.
• Underestimating the Lore: Understanding the lore of Thay and necromancy will greatly enhance your gameplay and roleplaying experience.

Step-by-Step Approach

1. Choose a Class and Subclass: Select a class and subclass that complements your necromantic aspirations.
2. Master the Spells: Study and practice necromantic spells to become proficient in their use.
3. Acquire Undead Allies: Summon and control undead creatures to augment your spellcasting abilities.
4. Learn Thayan Lore: Read books, talk to NPCs, and immerse yourself in the lore of Thay to deepen your understanding of necromancy.
5. Embrace the Darkness: Roleplay your necromancer character to the fullest, embracing the dark powers at your command.

Call to Action

Unlock the secrets of Thayan necromancy in Baldur's Gate 3. Explore the depths of this forbidden magic, command the undead, and unleash your malevolent power upon your foes. Remember, the path of necromancy is fraught with danger, but also offers immense rewards for those who dare to tread it.

Supplemental Material

Table 1: Key Necromantic Spells

Table 2: Types of Undead Creatures

Table 3: Red Wizards of Thay

Stories and Lessons Learned

Story 1: The Necromancer's Apprentice

A young wizard named Ardan sought to learn the secrets of necromancy. He traveled to Thay and became the apprentice of a powerful Red Wizard. However, Ardan quickly discovered that the path of necromancy was not for the faint of heart. His master forced him to perform gruesome experiments and witness unspeakable horrors. Eventually, Ardan realized that he could not bear the weight of his newfound knowledge and abandoned his studies.

Lesson: Necromancy is a dangerous art that can corrupt even the purest of souls.

Story 2: The Cursed Barrows

The village of Ravenswood was plagued by a curse that turned its deceased into restless undead. A necromancer named Alyra was called upon to break the curse. She ventured into the cursed barrows beneath the village and confronted the ancient lich responsible for the curse. After a fierce battle, Alyra defeated the lich and lifted the curse from Ravenswood.

Lesson: Undead creatures are not always inherently evil. Some may be victims of circumstances or trapped in a cycle of torment.

Story 3: The Treacherous Necromancer

A necromancer named Eldrin offered his services to a group of adventurers. He promised to resurrect their fallen comrade, but demanded a high price. The adventurers agreed, but Eldrin betrayed them. He used their fallen comrade as a sacrifice to create a powerful undead servant. The adventurers turned on Eldrin, defeating him and his unholy creation.

Lesson: Trust a necromancer at your own peril. They may use you as a pawn in their own dark schemes.