A recurring character from the Ring of Steel, a Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms campaign set in and around Harrowdale. ““Red Wizard!” Nephis turned toward the voice. It was not uncommon to hear her title called out on streets or in markets, but the tone was usually one of alarm, warning or fear. This time the tone was different. Scanning the bustling street for the source of the call, her eyes settled upon an oddly dressed young man pushing through the thong. “Red Wizard,” Kaulen called again, as he rushed toward her. Nephis stopped and waited for him, the other people moving down the street giving her a wide berth. Although her hood concealed the tattoo of mystic runes that covered her bald head, her deep red robe clearly marked her class; Red Wizard of Thay, considered by most dalesmen as universally evil. “I’m glad I caught you,” Kaulen panted as he reached her. “Well met, Kaulen Dundragon,” she greeted him formally, her voice still thick with a Thayan accent despite having lived in Scardale for many years. “Well met, Nephis Sepret, Red Wizard of Thay,” he replied, regaining his composure. “I wanted to thank you for the scroll,” he continued, still sounding a bit too excited. “It likely saved my life and those of my companions.” “It was fairly bought,” she replied in a business-like tone. “But, it pleases me that it served you well. We do take pride in your work.” Kaulen knew the reputation of Thay, and its infamous Red Wizards, but she was the only one he had met, and she had dealt fairly with him. Besides, he knew all too well that not all reputations were deserved. “What are you doing here?” he inquired. Nephis eyed the young sorcerer carefully before answering. Most dalesmen thought her every act was part of a Thayan conspiracy and she knew the Harrans distrusted magic, but his tone was friendly, and he had an air of innocence about him. “Marketing our wares,” she replied, motioning to an apothecary a few shops away. “The Burghers will never allow an enclave here!” he stated, clearly surprised. “We do not need to have an enclave here to sell our goods here,” she returned. “Your people may not trust us. But they do trust one of their own, who has sold cures for many years.” Kaulen knew the old woman who ran the apothecary was trusted by the town’s folk. “But she only sells medicinal herbs and natural cures,” he countered. “Until now,” Nephis corrected him. “I have left her a sample of healing potions. Once she sells them, and sees the demand from her customers, she will want more, and our enclave in Scardale will gladly supply them. At a price, of course…”” The daughter of the khazark (i.e. leader) of the Thayan enclave in Scardale Town and of noble birth, Nephis enjoys more freedom then the others stationed there. Raised in the city of Bezantur, trade capital of Thay, she was exposed to more foreign interests early in life then most, and therefore has a more open mind then most Thayans. Nephis truly believes that Thay has awoken from its nightmare of world domination through force, and embraces its new mercantile philosophy whole heartedly. Coming and going almost as she pleases, Nephis acts as an ambassador for the Scardale enclave, exploring new markets and arranging trade agreements through out the dalelands. Often traveling alone, an extreme rarity for a Thayan, she seems determined to prove that her people have changed, frequent surprising the locals by side with them against the drow & Zhents for no other reason then to make them question their long held beliefs that the Red Wizards are just as evil. Thanks for looking... Hope you enjoy! Comments and suggestions always welcome and appreciated!