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Manshoon
Manshoon is a major antagonist in the Dungeons & Dragons setting of Forgotten Realms. He is the founder and leader of the mercenary organisation of the Zhentarim, also known as the Black Network and was the despotic ruler of Zhentil Keep. He is also infamous for having created at least a dozen clones of himself to keep his legacy alive. In the adventure book, Waterdeep Dragon Heist, he is the main antagonist of the Winter session.
Appearance[]
Manshoon is a man of average height who is rarely seen without a mask. Only few people know of his true face. Manshoon dresses in dark colors such as black, purple and deep red. He tops all these with a robe of the archmagi.
Personality[]
Manshoon is the quintessential evil Wizard with a love of schemes and a genuine talent for manipulating others.
Manshoon without mask
Any who stand against the evil Archmage are quickly destroyed as he continually seeks to prove his superiority. He is obsessed with gaining power (both magical and otherwise) and obsessively seeks opportunities to dominate others.
For Manshoon, those who wield arcane abilities are superior to the rest of the people of the realms. Therefore, growing his own magic abilities to conquer all other magic users is the quickest way to conquer everything else.
Manshoon longs for the solitude necessary to further his studies so that he can enact his evil plans. He will happily take minions to do his bidding, but he has no interest in getting caught up in the affairs of others unless absolutely necessary.
He has an uneasy alliance with Fzoul Chembryl, the high priest of the god Bane, and he is a supporting antagonist of the legendary Elminster. His interactions with Fzoul are often friendly but the two frequently conspire against each other, whenever they can get away with it. However, Manshoon still values Fzoul's leadership skills and clerical powers.
Biography[]
Manshoon is the eldest son of Harlshoon, warlord and first ruler of Zhentil Keep. Manshoon learned of oppression early in his life, as his father used his position to abuse his family and subjects. Manshoon came to the decision that no one else should have power over him. After his father's death, Manshoon even went as far as assassinating his brother Asmuth, so he would ascend as the lord of Zhentil Keep.
Over the years, Manshoon gradually took control of the Keep's ruling council using skill, intrigue, and the help of his longtime friend Fzoul Chenbryl with his church of Bane, and the beholder Manxam. With the city under his thumb, Manshoon founded the Zhentarim in 1261 DR. The Black Network serves to spread Manshoon's influence and power over the Dalelands and the rest of Faerun.
Throughout the years, Manshoon and his Zhentarim battled with many heroes, including Elminster,the Knights of Myth Drannor, Shandril Shessair and, of course, the Harpers.
At one point in his career, Manshoon went into seclusion in a monastic community in Sembia, claiming to have embraced the ways of Lathander. In truth, the community's location allowed him to spy on all the lands between Thunder Peaks and Dragon Reach. Manshoon probed every back alley, trail, cavern and underground passage he could locate. To this day, he could remember the general layout of Sembia, the Dalelands and the Underdark. He is familiar with many locations in these areas to use as destinations for his teleportation.
Manshoon relocated his base of operations from Zhentil Keep to the Citadel of the Raven a few years before 1368 AD, when Cyric sent his mechanical inquisitors to exterminate the unbelievers in the Keep. The whole Cyrinishad Fiasco didn't bother him, aside for the effort of teleporting his henchmen to safety.
The Manshoon Wars[]
In 1370 DR, Manshoon was "killed" by Fzoul and Lord Orgauth, who then found themselves facing around a dozen clones that the wizard had created. Each of the clones was convinced that he was the real Manshoon and was inexplicably compelled to slay his rival clones. Most of these perished in the ensuing battles. The caches of magical items formerly hidden by the original Manshoon were scattered throughout the Realms.
Three clones, who supressed this killing compulsion by means of spells and devices, survive with the one that returned to the Zhentarim appearing to be the real Manshoon. Used to ruling and manipulating from behind the scenes and relieved of responsibility of administering to the Black Network, he seems to have learned a lesson in caution and patience. He has since redoubled his arcane research, seeking ways to transfer his consciousness from one clone to another at will. The second Manshoon clone moved to Westgate, where he got turned into a vampire and became the leader of the Night Masks.
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist[]
One of the three surviving clones of Manshoon escaped death by hiding in the dungeons of Undermountain, where he eventually encountered Halaster Blackcloak, the mad mage. After a brief spell duel, Halaster captured Manshoon and amputated his left arm at the elbow for reasons unknown. Manshoon escaped imprisonment and fled Undermountain, taking refuge in the city of Waterdeep. Attempts to magically regenerate his severed limb failed, forcing him to craft an artificial golden arm and hand for himself.
Manshoon took control of Kolat Towers, a crumbling residence in the Southern Ward that was abandoned years ago by the two wizards who built it. The edifice is surrounded by a magical barrier that has the properties of a wall of force. Manshoon rarely leaves the towers and uses a teleportation circle when he must do so, and thus is never seen entering or leaving.
Manshoon aims to rule Waterdeep and replace the City Watch with Black Network mercenaries that are loyal to him alone. By bribing and blackmailing the Masked Lords, he hopes to oust Laeral Silverhand as Open Lord and take her place, kill the current wielder of the Blackstaff, reduce the Masked Lords to mere vassals, and declare himself the Wizard-King of Waterdeep. Once the city is firmly in his clutches, Manshoon will then turn his attention toward Undermountain, destroy Halaster once and for all, and claim the dungeon's riches.
Powers and Abilities[]
Manshoon fighting adventurers
Manshoon is a very powerful wizard rivaling with the likes of Khelben Blackstaff and is also a genius scientist, having created perfect clones of himself and all implanted with his memories.
Manshoon's impressive collection of magical items only makes him that much dangerous. His underlings and allies (like the beholdef Manxam) also makes him a very dangerous foe in combat. Despite this, Manshoon is often quick to retreat from battle if things are going against him. While some might view it as cowardice, it is actually pragmatism and canny tactics.
Gallery[]
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 Villains
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Arklem and Valindra's Agents
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