Melf, Larloch, and the rest of the gang.

Larloch is a powerful lich??? Well, that'd make sense why its a necromancy spell.

[Arias De'Minal]

And why it sucks.

[Memnoch]

Originally posted by Morgeruat: Larloch is a powerful lich in Forgotten Realms, known to be allied with Szass Tam, the Zulkir of Necromancy, and leading contender for sole rulership of Thay.

Actually, Larloch the Shadow King is a powerful lich (30+ level I believe) dating back to the days of ancient Netheril. He's one of the oldest beings in Faerun, ancient or otherwise. Allied is probably not the right term to describe Larloch's relationship with Szass Tam and Thay - it's probably more descriptive to say that Szass Tam performs tasks for Larloch in exchange for knowledge and other favours.

One of those favours bestowed upon Szass Tam was the provision of the artifacts known as Larloch's chairs, of which there are eight (one for each school of magic). These stone chairs are dead magic zones through which magic cannot pass in or out, and damage cannot be inflicted upon whoever is seated upon them (magical or otherwise). Seated in one of these chairs renders the occupant both invulnerable and powerless at the same time - which is why they are used by the Zulkirs of Thay when they come together for Ruling Councils.

Here's a snippet from the old "Netheril" campaign sourcebook which shows the relationship between Larloch and Szass Tam.

-------------
The dusty corridors of Warlock’s Keep led everywhere and yet nowhere, but Szass Tam knew where he was going. Walking through seemingly solid walls, Thay’s Zulkir of Necromancy felt his body magically whisked away to deeper and darker chambers of Warlock's Keep. The lich glanced around the halls as he walked‚ noting the many traps that would have destroyed a mortal form that walked these halls.

“Larloch!” Szass called out, entering an ancient library. “I bring part of the payment that I promised you. Show yourself.”

“Ashrath,” intoned a rumbling voice some distance away. The library slowly illuminated itself in a flickering red glow, casting a fiery light across the assembled tomes.

“I’ve been expecting you, Tam,” the voice intoned. “But you’re still three weeks late with payment.”

Szass Tam walked toward the sound of the voice, rounding the end of a bookshelf and strolling nonchalantly toward an ornate golden throne pushed into a corner. Larloch, the ancient lich who hailed from Netheril, sat amidst a clutter of books and braziers.

The Shadow King’s body was in stark contrast to that of Tam. While the Zulkir of Necromancy strove to maintain his human appearance, Larloch was nothing more than a collection of bones partially covered in fine garments. The Netheril lich’s bones were bright white in color, and trails of emerald energy traveled across his form. More than two dozen ioun stones circled his skull, and globes of red light gazed up at Szass Tam as he approached.

“As I expected, we ran into some Harper resistance,” Tam replied, taking a seat opposite the Shadow King. “They weren’t going to give up the mantle without a fight.”

“If they had any inkling of its power‚ they wouldn’t have given it up in death‚ either‚” Larloch grumbled. With a wave of his hand‚ the entire collection of books that lay before him scattered back to their appropriate shelf. His skeletal hand then reached toward Tam. “The mantle?” he asked.

Szass reached into a pouch and pulled from its magical confines a metal vest enveloped in a violet glow. Larloch’s red eyes shimmered briefly for a moment, determining the magic surrounding the mantle to be a form of preservation spell. He then took the vest from Szass and laid it on the table. A moment later‚ Larloch glanced up at Szass Tam.

“Why are you still here‚ Tam?” questioned the ancient lich. “This part of your payment is completed.”

“The search for this ancient magic has raised my curiosity,” the Zulkir replied. “I wish to know more about what Netheril really was.”

A long moment of silence descended over the two undead creatures, their gazes locked on one another. If Szass would have had a heart, it would have been racing.

Finally, Larloch replied. “You are both vain and impetuous,” the Shadow King replied. “All who have visited me in the past have been destroyed, regardless of their allegiance.”

“That’s because the others who came before me were inept,” said Szass.

“True,” replied Larloch. “You have not failed me,” he intoned. “Not yet.”

Another long moment of silence filled the library. Years could have passed for all either of the undead cared. Time was meaningless. Finally, without warning or preamble, Larloch, the Shadow King, revealed the secret past of Netheril.
--------------------------


Incidentally, Larloch resides in a place called Warlock's Keep, near the mouth of the Winding Water, a name that has been corrupted over the centuries (it used to be called Larloch's keep, funnily enough).

[ 02-08-2003, 07:01 AM: Message edited by: Memnoch ]