As a born and bred Thayan, Barzal was born with a gift for magic that runs in his family. Since he was a young boy, Barzal had a keen interest in this mystical art and discovered his powers while playing with his friends. When he accidentally killed his friend while playing, Barzal ran to his family and told them what he had done. The great power within him made him rise to become one of Szass Tam's bodyguards. Taking secret missions in Water Deep, Neverwinter, and many other major cities, Barzal rose to the rank of Szass Tam's chief sorcerer.