Hamun Kost
Basic Info
| Race | Human |
| Class | Wizard — Necromancy |
| Affiliation | Red Wizards of Thay (former?) |
| Status | Active — location unknown |
| Location | Old Owl Well (formerly) |
First Seen
| Session | A06 |
| Role | Quest giver; excavating site |
A stout man in red robes, sallow skin, shaved scalp, and a black tattoo on his forehead — the mark of a Thayan necromancer. He carries himself with the studied calm of someone who knows exactly how much danger he represents and prefers not to use it unless necessary.
He claims to have grown weary of Thay and simply wants to retire. He was at Old Owl Well to dig, not to fight.
Background
Hamun Kost is a Red Wizard of Thay — a member of the most feared and dangerous magical order in Faerûn. Red Wizards are necromancers and power-seekers who tattoo their bodies as marks of specialisation and rank. Kost's tattoo is a necromantic symbol; his red robes are institutional.
Thay is a nation ruled by the undead Zulkir Szass Tam, where necromancers hold political and military power. Red Wizards operate as agents, merchants, and power brokers across Faerûn. They are not to be trusted — but they are often willing to deal.
Whether Kost truly defected from Thay or is acting in Thay's interests under the cover of "retirement" is unconfirmed.
Campaign Role
Old Owl Well — First Contact (Session A06)
Kost set up camp at the ruins of Old Owl Well to excavate the site for Netherese artifacts. He raised zombies to guard the camp and frighten off visitors.
When the Forge Wardens arrived, Othorion's stealth approach was detected immediately. Kost launched spellcasting and combat erupted. Both Kavu and Othorion were struck by the zombies' necromantic rot during the fight — Othorion's infection was severe enough that tissue began dying in his hand mid-battle.
After the fight, Kost offered parley. He argued — correctly — that the party had trespassed and attacked first. As a show of good faith he fully cured Kavu and halted Othorion's infection before it could spread, but deliberately refused to restore Othorion's already-damaged hand as punishment for trespassing. He instructed the party to return to Phandalin and announce publicly that he now claims Old Owl Well and all its contents.
The Deal (Session A07)
On a subsequent visit, Kost struck a deal with the party: 50gp each to explore the underground compound on his behalf, plus a share of any major finds.
The party fulfilled the contract — scrolls and books from the compound were handed over to Kost. He departed Old Owl Well shortly after.
Key Moments
| Session | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| A06 | First contact — combat erupts, then parley | Zombies inflict necromantic rot on Kavu and Othorion; Kost fully cures Kavu, halts Othorion's infection but refuses to restore the already-damaged hand as punishment |
| A07 | Deal formalised; party delves the lower compound | 50gp each + profit-share agreement; scrolls and books delivered to Kost; Sylphrena Lantern found by party |
Threads
- What did Kost do with the Netherese texts? If returned to Thay, the Red Wizards now have leads on Arthindol's work beneath Old Owl Well
- Was he ever truly "retired"? His comfort with the undead and the scale of his operation suggest active Thayan backing
- Arthindol — the name of Old Owl Well's builder. Kost wanted it. What does he intend to do with it?
- Daran Edermath (Order of the Gauntlet) considers Kost a threat — his report to the Order is on record