“Awake, arise or be for ever fall’n.”
― Paradise Lost
 |
| Lord Robilar |
What about Rob’s words in the Oerth Journal, you might ask?
And what about his recent “The Return of Robilar,” published by Three Line
Studio? Aren’t they insights into Robilar, in Rob’s own words? They are, but are
they canonical? One wonders. One has to ask the hypothetical and heretical
question: How relevant are those original campaigns to what came after? Their
Greyhawk predates the published Folio. Their Greyhawk was in a continual state
of evolutionary flux. Indeed, events, facts, and rules may have deviated wildly
from session to session. This too I cannot verify. Therefore, I can only work
with what published canonical material we – or I, in this case – have.
This Robilar, then, is not his Robilar. This, instead, is
a collection of passages found in TSR and WotC sourcebooks and is thus an exploration
of a “history” of an NPC. So, let’s presume that Rob Kuntz’s Robilar and the
published Robilar are different animals altogether and proceed from there.
520 CY
Robilar is born.
Race:
Oeridian [OJ#7 – 41]
Age: 31 [COR1
– 00 The Citadel PCs – 7]
[Calculated from
551 CY {LGJ#0 – 4}, the creation of the Citadel of Eight.]
Robilar was
born in the City of Greyhawk. His mother died in childbirth, and he never knew
his father. [OJ#7 – 41]
Orphaned, he was
not altogether alone.
Module WG6,
Isle of the Ape, introduces Terik (or Teric), Robilar's [older] brother.
[OJ#7 – 41]
[If Robilar’s
mother died in childbirth, Terik must be older than his brother (assuming of
course that they shared a common mother and not a common father); he must also
be old enough to have served as Robilar’s caregiver, however young. I decided
that Terik must then be about 7 years older than Robilar to be even remotely
capable in that role.]
520s CY
 |
| He Grew Up On the Streets |
No other mention
is made of his family. Who were they then? Persons of note? Of respectability?
His mother must surely have been, if they thought need to cast her out for
whatever reason. One then wonders who his father was. Did the family know? Or was
she cast out merely because Terik and Robilar were born out of wedlock, or
perhaps married below her station. I suspect that Robilar’s mother was banished
from their sight after Terik was born, and that he and Robilar might even only
be half-brothers, given their age difference.
Life would have
been hard for the brothers. How could it not be: homeless, living hand to
mouth, taking what they could to survive? Terik takes up the sword in that
pursuit, earning what keep he could. I doubt that he could be considered a
“fighter,” proper, at first. Not then. I expect he began his career as an
opportunistic street urchin, killing his first man at a very young age. He
would have then survived as a member of the city Beggars Guild, where he
received his first instruction.
Robilar
started his career as neutral in alignment [.] [OJ#7 – 41]
Necessity breeds
pragmatism, and not necessarily evil.
529 CY
 |
| Terik |
He is 16 years
of age. [DMG 1e – 12]
Did he remain in
the Beggars Guild? For a time, just long enough until Robilar could fend for
himself.
Robilar is 9
years old.
530s CY
In time, while his
fellow men-at-arms fell, Terik would have gained a reputation as a good man in
a pinch. In time, he would have joined what mercenary bands would have him. He
then ventured up and down the Wild Coast in what bands paid best.
He would have
sent what coin he could home, ensuring that Robilar would not have to endure
what he had to to survive. Indeed, he must have enrolled Robilar in the best
martial school he could afford.
536 CY
Robilar takes up
the sword.
He is 16 years
of age. [DMG 1e – 12]
Robilar would
then have been capable of escape from the Slum Quarter of Old City.
Where did he
venture? Wherever.
Early
successes in the Cairn Hills and the Gnarley Forest brought him to the
attention of the public, and tales of his exploits circulated widely in the
taprooms of the City of Greyhawk. [EttRoG – 10]
He slowly made
his way south, however.
Legendary
natives of the Wild Coast include such persons as Mordenkainen, Robilar, and
Tenser, to name but a few. [WoGA – 42]
540s CY
 |
| Young Robilar |
That said, you can take the kid out of the Slums but you
can’t take the Slums out of the man.
Robilar is a grim, black-haired, saturnine man with a
brooding countenance, deep-set eyes, and a short goatee. [COR1 – 00 – 3]
But time away from the slums had tempered his early
nature.
You are also trustworthy when you have pledged your
word, something you do not often do. Your companions find you a reliable
friend. [COR1 – 00 – 3]
Somewhat….
You are a friendly man, although if moved to violence,
you will fight in a direct and brutal fashion, with little regard for fair play
or the rules of chivalry. [COR1 – 00 – 3]
You fear no man or creature, at least none that you
have run into so far. [COR1 – 00 – 3]
Robilar would spend many years patrolling the Coast out
of Safeton.
[O]rcs and goblins carved up the [Pomarj] into small
territories ruled by individual tribes and chieftains. Human bandits and
privateers still frequented the major cities and towns, but the countryside
became unsafe to travel.
Anarchy persisted for decades [.] [LGG – 87]
Robilar would not remain there for long, however. It was
steady work. But boring.
Safeton (originally Safe Town) was one of the more
peaceful and stable places on the Wild Coast for a very long time. [Slavers
– 45]
Adventurers who crossed his path informed him that there
was more excitement to be had out there than keeping Safeton safe.
You are a strong man, talkative, and willing to give a
gruff welcome to adventurers. [COR1 – 00 – 3]
You spend a lot of time in taverns, where information
and adventuring are both available. [COR1 – 00 – 3]
They told him of their adventures, tales that would ultimately
draw him back home.
Several years ago a series of treasure troves was
discovered in or near Greyhawk castle. Immense wealth began flowing into the
city, and artisans and mercenaries began flocking to Greyhawk due to this boom.
[Folio – 11]
Robilar packed his gear and headed back north.
 |
| The Mad Mage's Maze |
He was no fool, though; he took heed of the dangers they
had faced in the Mag Mage’s maze and knew he could not possibly brave the
Castle alone, if those seemingly tall tales were even partway true. He sent for
Terik, asking him to join him in his bid for fame and fortune.
Terik cared little for fame, but he had every desire
never to be poor again. He also knew that the merc work he was presently
engaged in could only be a quick trip to the grave, so he decided to answer his
brother’s call. If he were going to risk his neck for cold coin, he would
rather it not be for the niggling pay he was being doled.
Robilar spent much of his earlier career adventuring
in Castle Greyhawk [.] [OJ#6 – 41]
[T]he first adventurers to explore the ruins of
Greyhawk Castle set forth. […]
Robilar and Terrik [sic], Murlynd and Tenser, [and] a
cleric […] slew a few rats, found stairs leading down, and entered the dungeon
with torches flaring. [Dragon#AN2
– 96]
How did Robilar
meet Murlynd (or Merlynd, as the case were) and Tenser? In a tavern, I imagine,
one where adventurers gathered.
[Robilar] is a tough, talkative and friendly
individual, who enjoys adventuring, companionship and the many pleasures of
life. [OJ#7 – 41]
Regardless how,
Robilar added a couple of mages to his party.
 |
| Merlynd the Mage |
Tenser: Human magic-user [Rogues 1e
– 47]
Those first
forays paid off! Robilar had never seen so much copper and silver in all his
life! And he was having the time of his life!
Robilar loved Castle Greyhawk, marveling at each
deadly new chamber with the enthusiasm of a child. [EttRoG – 10]
He soon desired more than he had gained thus far.
 |
| Tenser |
It is said that your three
greatest loves are adventuring, magic, and information, and this is true. [COR1
– 00 – 3]
Three things
drive him: magic, adventuring and information, three things he can never seem
to get enough of. [OJ#6 – 41]
Before long,
gold and gems were trickling through his fingers.
550 CY
But all too
soon, that torrent trickled as Robilar found the Mad Mage’s upper levels
crawling with more treasure seekers than treasure. He went in search of far
more fertile fields.
But however hard
he searched the lost city eluded him. Not so orcs. He found them everywhere.
And they took umbrage to his scouring their hard-claimed territories.
A year ago, you conquered a band of orcs
single-handedly, and one of the orcs, Quij, became your henchman. Quij seems to
be blossoming in your service, and except for a cowardly streak that comes out
you have no complaints about him. [COR1 – 00 – 3]
Quij was born
in the Pomarj [.] [TAB – 98]
[Robert Wiese’s
2000 GenCon tournament Finger of the Wind states this occurs in 560 CY,
but I would suggest this earlier date. Why? Because:
Orcs are cruel and hate living things in general
{MM 1e – 76}
Being bullies, the stronger will always intimidate and
dominate the weaker. {MM 1e – 76}
They take slaves for work, food, and entertainment
{MM 1e – 76}
ALIGNMENT: Lawful evil {MM 1e – 76}
The earlier Robilar subjugates Quij the better. Or shall
I say “tamed,” instead? Quij’s innate hatred of humans would be more easily be quelled
at an earlier age, helped along by his understanding that the strong shall rule,
and that he – being young and weak – must obey.]
Quij is 7 years old. [Date calculated from “Finger of the
Wind,” p.4, Characters]
Quij is not a bad sort, for an orc, that is. He is stupid,
but that only made him more pliable.
[CN orc-m
HD4; Str 15, Con 15, Int 5 …]. [TAB – 98]
Young as he is,
Quij would be little more than a fetch-and-carry link-boy to begin. His duties
increased with age, but not by much.
I assume it was also
within the Suss that Robilar acquired his trio of Green Dragons.
Green Dragon
HIT DICE: 7-9
[MM 1e – 33]
Or: Hit Dice 13 (base) [Monstrous Manual 2e – 67]
if you prefer.
The race of green dragons prefer to locate their
underground lairs in or near woods or forests of the bleaker wilder sort if
possible. They are very nasty tempered and thoroughly evil. [MM 1e – 33]
There are fewer woods wilder than the Suss, after all.
He may have subdued them since subduing a Green Dragon is
possible:
INTELLIGENCE: Average to very [MM 1e – 33]
Subduing a Dragon: An attack on a dragon
to subdue, and thus capture it may be opted for if such intent is announced in
advance of combat. […] Note that it is impossible for creatures with less than
average intelligence to attack to subdue. [MM 1e – 30]
Granted, encountering more than one is possible:
Encountering Multiple Dragon: If two or
more dragons are encountered outside their lair it will be a mated pair if two
are encountered and sub-adults if three or more are encountered. If two or more
dragons are encountered in their lair it will be a mated pair - with their
young if applicable. Mated pairs are always 5th through 8th
age categories. [MM 1e – 30]
Indeed it is suggested that he did just that:
The dragons were a small family, consisting of a
mother, father and baby. The creatures had no names, but Robilar spoke their
native language, so all was understood between them. Robilar trained all three
dragons as fighting steeds. [OJ#7 – 41]
That’s all well and good, but I’m more inclined to
believe in the likelihood of his getting his hands on 3 dragon eggs rather than
his subduing 3 green dragons, as that stretches credibility (to me, anyway),
although not impossible.
FREQUENCY: Rare [MM 1e – 33]
NO. APPEARING: 1-4 [MM 1e – 33]
I might point out that Robilar’s choice of dragon would seem
to foreshadow his eventual fall.
ALIGNMENT: Lawful evil [MM 1e – 33]
Raising these hatchlings would take some time, however.
So, in keeping with Robilar’s claim, his dragons would
likely be:
Adult – 51 -100 years – 5 hit point per die; average
Very young – 1-5 years – 1 hit point per die; small
[MM 1e – 29]
But, as with Quij, the younger the better to ensure
lifelong loyalty from thoroughly evil slaves. (Did I say slaves? I did. You
know I did. And I presume you know why, too.)
Robilar is 30 years old.
551 CY
 |
| Mordenkainen |
Your adventures have taken you
across the Flanaess, and you have met many wizards in your quest for magic. You
find you do not have the patience to study magic yourself, but like to collect
the items that wizards create. One wizard, named Mordenkainen,
approached you a couple months back about joining an adventuring group he was
forming. He prattled on about Balance and working to prevent anyone from
getting the upper hand, but all that meant nothing. To you, the invitation
looks like a call to adventures that you cannot pass up. [COR1 – 00 – 3]
Within
months, Mordenkainen had brought the renowned warrior Robilar to his cause, as
well as the cleric Riggby, and his zealous assistant, Yrag. From the shores of
the Nyr Dyv, Mordenkainen recruited the righteous Tenser, who in turn
introduced the dim-witted though well-meaning Serten to the assembly. [LGJ#0 – 5]
They called
themselves the Citadel of Eight, taking the name from Mordenkainen’s renowned
Obsidian Citadel, in the Yatil Mountains. [LGJ#0 – 5]
Robilar began his career as an
adventurer, seeking his fortune in the company of such Greyhawk luminaries as
Mordenkainen, Bigby, Serten, and from time to time, Rary the Mage. [WGR3 Rary
the Traitor – 11]
 |
| Robilar, of the Wild Coast |
Race: Human male
Class: Fighter
Level: 8
Align: LN
Height: 6 ft. 3 in. Weight: 255 lb Age: 31
S 21, I 11, W 16, D 16, Co 18, Ch 16
[COR1 – 00 – 3]
What did Robilar think about the others in the group:
Mordenkainen (10th level human male
wizard): The apparent leader of your group, this mage worries too much about
the state of the world, and not enough about his own happiness. Then again,
maybe the state of the world is what makes him happy. He seems too concerned in
lofty principles for you. You left Quij to take care of Mordenkainen’s castle,
and the thought of your servant there makes you chuckle.
 |
| Bigby |
Riggby
(7th level cleric of Boccob):
You’ve got to love a group with two wizards and a priest of the god of magic in
it. Riggby has dreams of grandeur, though, and is somewhat overbearing in his
“care” for your soul. If he does not back off a little, you’ll get really
angry. That would not bode well for the group’s survival.
 |
| Riggby |
 |
| Yrag |
 |
| Serten |
550s CY
In the years that followed, their adventures focused on
Greyhawk and the Selintan valley, and the crags of the Cairn Hills and depths
of the Suss Forest were opened to their prying vision. [LGJ#0 – 5]
In his
adventurous youth, he traveled throughout the Flanaess and beyond and met
Mordenkainen, Riggby, Merlynd (now the quasi-diety Murlynd), Robilar, Bigby and
other now-famous personages. [Rot8 – 58]
With
his allies in the Citadel of Eight, Robilar conquered the dungeons of Castle
Roakire and the mirrored halls of the Forever Cairn, meeting each new challenge
with a fearless abandon and a lust for fresh adventuring thrills. [EttRoG –
10]
This
Citadel of Eight appeared to spend more time searching for magic items at first
then “seeking to maintain the Balance,” whatever that was supposed to mean,
which suited Robilar fine. These Citadel members were far more competent
adventurers than most; and that, at least, made their quests more successful
than any of his had been before.
 |
| Terik |
Robilar
could not be more pleased. It would be like old times, pluming the depths of
Castle Greyhawk again with his brother.
Of
course, there was to be a trial period.
Castle
Greyhawk
To
the average man of the modern era, the Crook [of Rao] existed only in scripture
and hymn. In the mid-sixth century CY, however, the adventurers Tenser, Terik,
Merlynd, and Robilar discovered the artifact in the depths of Castle Greyhawk,
only to lose it again in a bizarre demiplane known as the Isle of the Ape. [Dragon
#294 – 95]
 |
| The Crook of Rao |
The
Crook was borne by a party of powerful adventurers, including Tenser the
Arch-Mage, Lord Robilar, his brother Terik, and the quasi-power Merlynd during
their adventures beneath the ruins of Castle Greyhawk circa 5[50s*] CY. It is
likely that they found the Crook in the dungeons of Zagig Yragerne, although
that is not known for sure. [OJ#3 – 18]
[*OJ#3
says the Crook was borne by the Citadel circa 569 CY, implying its membership
of that year, but Murlynd would have moseyed on long before then.]
Tenser:
“Most of you are familiar with the name Robilar, and perhaps a few have
knowledge of his brother, Terik. It was in this company, and with Merlynd as
well, that I first ventured to the Isle of the Ape...” [WG6
– 6]
Merlynd
did eventually mosey, and Terik passed his trial with flying colours,
regardless their recent successes and failures.
Tenser,
Robilar, and Terik were delighted when, upon entering a large chamber, they saw
a figure apparently made entirely of gold. […] Surely, the strange golden
automaton represented millions and millions of gold pieces worth of wealth [.]
Even
as a spell was cast to keep the Jeweled Man from acting, warriors were rushing
to come to grips with this marvel. Alas for the adventurers, the spell had no
effect, and before the eager fighters were near, the figure was off and away,
running so quickly that even boots of speed could not keep pace. Down a
passageway went the glittering form, the party in pursuit. In all too brief a
time, however, the Jeweled Man was lost, vanished in the labyrinth of the
surrounding passages. Swearing to return, the adventurers went away empty
handed, settling eventually for far less precious items taken from likely more
fearsome opponents. [Dragon #290 – 22]
As
time passed, their fame grew, and each member began to pursue his own
interests.
In the years of their companionship […] and Riggby was
promoted speedily within the church of Boccob in Verbobonc. Tenser, Bigby, and
Mordenkainen likewise advanced in their own wizardly ways, gaining arcane
knowledge and power. [LGJ#0 – 5]
Mordenkainen and Bigby began to spend ever
more time in dusty old libraries, pouring over dusty old tombs.
Expeditions became less frequent. The
sporadic.
One
wonders how Robilar and Yrag became embroiled in a mass murder investigation.
But they did. Who’d have thought either had a knack for investigative work?
Sir Bluto Sans Pite [, a fighter/rogue,]
was a respected Knight of the Realm before his indictment in the River of Blood
mass murder case. [S2 – 11 / White Plume Mountain Revisited – 25]
Yrag
was ennobled by the Oligarchy [of the Free City] several years ago, when he and
Lord Robilar aided in bringing the villain behind the River of Blood mass
murder case to justice. [LGJ#2 – 8]
[B]oth Robilar and Yrag were ennobled by
Greyhawk [LGJ#0
– 5]
Robilar
reached the pinnacle of his career when he was named a Lord of Greyhawk [.] [WGR3
– 11]
What
to do with this newfound respectability?
Robilar
built his castle.
 |
| Robilar's Castle |
Robilar's
Castle was located about 70 miles southwest of the City of Greyhawk, on the
Wild Coast (Hex E4-89). The castle complex was surrounded by several villages,
all of whom paid a tithe to Robilar for protection. The castle consists of a
series of structures; a great keep surrounded by four walls with towers at the
corners. [OJ#7 – 41]
Heraldry:
A green dragon on a yellow shield. The yellow represents gold, which Robilar
believes is a more powerful source of power than magic, for with it, one can
utilize anything that can be bought. [OJ#7 – 41]
Robilar
grew bored. Lording over a castle and collecting taxes was not all it cracked
up to be. For one thing, maintaining a stronghold was expensive! Before long he
began to look for ways to augment his income.
 |
| Lord Robilar |
Robilar
decided to delve into the dungeons alone. As if drawn by a magnet, he went to
the location of the first sloping passage and followed it, and the rest,
downward. After many hundreds of feet, the wily adventurer suspected that he
was indeed moving down. He decided to carry on so as to go as deeply as he
could and discover what lay in the dungeon’s depths. That he did, and he was
promptly rewarded and then sent off to the other side of Oerth.
The
next day, Robilar’s companion, Terik, searched the city for his friend. He
learned that Robilar had adventured alone into the ruined castle, so he decided
to seek his companion there. I was astonished by what followed. Somehow Terik
managed to follow much the same course Robilar had taken. It took him about six
hours, but eventually the worthy fighter also came to the lowest level of the
dungeons, and he likewise was transported to the other side of the planet. The
very next day, Tenser […] sought his usual cohorts, but soon discovered that
both Robilar and Terik were gone, vanished into the dungeons without a trace.
Of course Tenser then went into the dungeon to search, and [followed them to
their distant destination]! [Dragon #295 – 20]
They caught up with him by scrying and
they finished the adventure together. They all split later – Teric visited the
southeast area around the Sea Barons (he was looking for Voodoo-type areas),
Tenser went home, and Robilar trudged down into the southern jungles, far past
the reach of Sea Prince slavers. [OJ#7 – 41,42]
556 CY
Robilar’s green dragons would be:
Adult – 51 -100
years – 5 hit point per die; average
Young – 6-15
years – 2 hit point per die; small [MM 1e – 29]
557 CY
One day, Mordenkainen’s
and Bigby’s research led them, surprisingly, back to Castle Greyhawk.
In the company of his apprentice Bigby, the fearless
Lord Robilar, and the willful cleric Riggby, the wizard [Mordenkainen]
relentlessly explored the ruins of Zagig’s castle, charting its secrets and
plundering its priceless treasures. [EttRoG – 4]
Mordenkainen never let on about what he was looking for
in the Mad Mage’s forever shifting maze, but Robilar suspected it continued to
elude him.
No matter, it was good to get out of the castle and
stretch his legs. Those ventures also alleviated his cash-flow problem.
Green Dragon Inn
The Green Dragon Inn is located in Greyhawk’s River
Quarter, along a wide street crowded with rivermen, cutthroats, and thieves. At
night the two-story stone building comes alive with activity, the sound of
boisterous laughs and the sight of fl ickering windows attracting custom from
all quarters of the city. Most of the shabby clientele are locals, Dockway
bully-boys or bargefolk looking for cheap drinks and good atmosphere. The
Dragon provides the latter in quantity, for its proprietor does little to quell
light violence and overtly encourages enthusiastic drinking and carousing.
Weapons and armor are allowed (and a wise precaution). It’s a dangerous place
but a friendly one, as long as no one harms the staff. [EttRoG – 14]
Robilar is 37.
560 CY
 |
| Otto of Almor |
Robilar, Tenser and Teric [sic] were adventuring in
Castle Greyhawk when they encountered Otto in a room on the second dungeon
level. In the ensuing melee, Otto was subdued by Tenser. After a dispute
involving the two mages, he decided to work for Robilar. [OJ#7 – 44]
Otto the mage retained his laboratories/apartments on
the third floor of Robilar's Castle, near Robilar's training halls. [OJ#7 –
41]
Perhaps the most
dangerous duty of all was unmasking those who sought to steer the fate of
nations towards too greater “good” or “evil.”
How did
Mordenkainen’s Citadel of Eight fare? People came. People went.
[T]he Citadel of Eight, was a known opponent of
darkness in its many guises. Its members stood, and fell, protecting the
balance and defending Oerth from the influence of malign beings and, rarely,
benevolent interlopers, as well. [LGJ#0
– 4]
It just so happened that the Citadel was just then shy of
its optimal eight. Mordenkainen asked the membership if they knew of potential
candidates. Serten believed he knew just a one: an idealistic young man from a village called Hommlet.
 |
| Otis |
[Otis is] a ranger [.] [T1-4 – 34]
What did Yrag think about this newest addition to the
company?
Otis (7th level human male ranger): Otis
is a reserved young man who prefers the woods to the city, and the rough life
to the easy one. That’s okay with you; you do just as well in the woods as in
the city. You prefer the city because of your life interests, but Otis won’t
out-do you in any of this woodsy stuff. He seems a competent fighter, also in
the two-weapon style. He is better than Yrag at basic fighting, but Yrag has
some flashy moves. You know little about Otis himself, and expect that you will
learn more as the group adventures. [COR1 – 00 – 4]
No sooner had
Otis joined their illustrious group, certain core members embarked on a mission
of great importance.
Events of WG5 Mordenkainen’s Fantastic Adventure
The adventure is assumed to take place before 570 CY,
perhaps as early as 560, because of the lower levels listed for Mordenkainen
and Bigby. [TAB – 3]
Mordenkainen the Mage and his boon companions, Yrag,
Riggby, and Bigby […] have been tempted to explore Maure Castle because of the
widespread rumors concerning the “unopenable” doors. Preferring not to attract
attention, they have traveled from their abode, the Citadel of Eight, upon
Mordenkainen’s carpet of flying. [WG5 – 4]
Mordenkainen did not take Robilar, however.
“You’re kidding, right?” Robilar argued. He knew that
region far better than Yrag, he reasoned.
Lord Robilar once spent his summers in Pontyrel, in
Urnst's Maure Lands [LGG – 16]
There was not enough room on the carpet for Yrag and him
both, Mordenkainen said, as if that explained everything.
In truth, Mordenkainen did not include Robilar because he
begun to sense a change in his hitherto first choice of fighter.
Although his alignment slowly changed from neutral to
evil over the years, Robilar remained trustworthy and friendly, if somewhat
gruff. In those days it was said that his three greatest loves were
adventuring, magic, and information. [WGR3 – 11]
Not that he admitted to such.
Nor was he the only one to notice a change in Robilar.
Tenser: “Robilar’s feet are now on a
path unspeakable. [WG6 – 6]
“Whatever,” Robilar shrugged, dismissing Mordenkainen’s stupid
reason.
He wondered what he might do while they were gone.
[Robilar] decided that one of the moons of Oerth was
the place to go in order to gain renown unlike any had by another [.] After
Robilar posited his plan to Herb [the Sage], the scholar asked for a research
budget. […] The enthused warrior gladly handed over sacks of gold coin, and in
due course Herb was called upon to report his progress. The sage was
enthusiastic: “Good news, m’lord, good news! The moon in question has
breathable air, according to some legends these stemming from heroic myths
regarding ancient adventurers’ journeys to such places.” Herb then said that
the preparations for such a project must be clandestine, kept most secret. To
this end he needed to construct a very large, barn-like building, hire
engineers and workmen, and stock up on materials.
When questioned about the device, the clever scholar
would only wink and shake his head. “You’ll know soon enough, noble master. I
prefer to keep this absolutely covert until the very end.” Not wanting to argue
with the genius, Robilar agreed. […]
Robilar finally demanded to see the device. After some
hesitation, Herb agreed. In a week it would be ready, and then not only could
Lord Robilar see the machine, he could go forth on his amazing voyage to the
moon.
So in the appointed time, the great moment was at
hand. Robilar entered the vast structure and saw there the mightiest catapult
ever constructed. The sage was dumbfounded when Robilar not only refused to see
if the device would work as Herb thought it would, but scrapped the whole
project. [Dragon #301 – 16]
Robilar is 40.
560s CY
The Citadel’s
aim was true. And noble. Some of them were not as dedicated to their cause as
others, however – if they ever were.
Over the
years, the Citadel played home to such luminaries as Prince Melf Brightflame,
of the Olvenfolk, the half-orc Quij, Felnorith, Robilar's brother Terik, and
even, at one point, the Quasi-Deity Murlynd, in disguise. [LGJ#0
– 5]
But their
Fellowship was not to last. Some of them were not as dedicated to their cause
as others.
For a group
that so decisively defeated its enemies, there remained several problems. Robilar never quite bought into Mordenkainen’s philosophy,
and he and Tenser often bickered over matters of morality. Serten, though
seen as useful, was never truly respected and Otis, tired of underground
excursions and forays into urban territories, left the group, decrying his
friends as cave-delvers and treasure seekers blind to the real problems of the
world. [LGJ#0 – 5]
That bickering
had distracted them.
 |
| The Temple of Elemental Evil |
They, each in
their now lofty influence, looked to lofty goals and lofty foes, forgetting
that evil festers in shadow as much as in the utterings of courtly influence.
564 CY
[B]y this time [Robilar] had begun to grow weary of
his old friends [.] Feeling that all the others had grown soft and weak as a
result of their prestigious positions, Robilar maintained friendly relations
only with Rary. [WGR3 – 11]
Although the above quote does not come out and actually
say that Robilar left the Citadel of Eight, it appears to imply that he did.
Robilar must be Lawful Evil by this time, if he’s begun
to view the others as soft and weak.
Lawful Evil: Creatures of this alignment
are great respecters of laws and strict order, but life, beauty, truth, freedom
and the like are held as valueless, or at least scorned. By adhering to
stringent discipline, those of lawful evil alignment hope to impose their yoke
upon the world. [PG 1e – 33]
[Gotta say, I’ve never thought that Robilar’s behaviour
was ever typically LE, unless one considers his seemingly thitherto blind faith
in Mordenkainen as adhering to stringent discipline.]
I would not
doubt that Robilar’s departure inspired Terik’s.
 |
| Warnes Starcoat |
Did Robilar appreciate his brother’s loyalty? Not at all.
Truth is, Robilar really didn’t need his brother anymore. He had lots of useful
“friends.”
Warnes [Starcoat] went on many adventures across the
Flanaess and elsewhere on Oerth, and he came to know such future powers as
Mordenkainen, Bigby, Nystul and Robilar. [Rot8 – 3]
Besides, he was used to going it alone, more often than
not, these days.
Tomb of Horrors
[Robilar], by expending a lot of orc servants, managed
to get through [the tomb] to the final encounter, and as the skull of the
demilich rose to assail the one daring violation of his sanctum, Robilar swept
all immediately visible treasure into his bag of holding and escaped.
[RttToH – 3]
[I am not suggesting that Warnes accompanied Robilar. By
all accounts, Robilar braved the Tomb “on his own,” if one is willing to
discount all the orcs he spent (used as a meat shield) in the pursuit, which
I’m sure Robilar did. But he would have travelled through the Duchy of Urnst on
his way to the Vast Swamp, and might have made Warnes’ acquaintance while
passing through.]
Robilar is 44.
566 CY
Robilar’s green dragons would be:
Old – 101-200
years – 6 hit point per die; average
Sub-adult –
16-25 years – 3 hit point per die; medium [MM 1e – 29]
569 CY
Alas, the Citadel was to have all but dissolved
at just the time the Flanaess needed their vigilance the most.
After the
dissolution of the Citadel, Mordenkainen remained great friends with the
organization’s most cunning fighter, Lord Robilar, and together they traveled
the length and breadth of the Flanaess, from the City of the Gods in the
northern wastelands of Blackmoor to the vine-choked crumbling pyramids of the
Amedio Jungle. [OJ#25 – 15]
Perhaps Mordenkainen believed Robilar was
still of use to him.
City of the
Gods
"You say
that this city – City of the Gods – is beyond Blackmoor then." Robilar had
directed his question to a tired Mordenkainen, who lay curled up by their
campfire. The evening air was brisk, as was the fighter in his questioning.
Mordenkainen sat up and looked at him. […]
Mordenkainen
looked north towards Castle Blackmoor, another enigma of the North which for
now would be left unplumbed by them. […] [OJ#6 - 45]
As for the
[C]ity [of the Gods] – it was all too much for them to take in in such a short
time. Mordenkainen noted that the place had to be miles round, though Robilar
contended that it was more rectangular. It had been hard to tell as they'd
approached. Surely it was a sight. All golds and silvers, with towers and
buildings of the oddest shapes and hues and sizes. Many towers seemed
proportioned the same; but this in no way indicated mundanity, for surely the
towers gleamed in morning's sunlight. Metal towers, and hundreds of them! Both
Mordenkainen and Robilar muttered a few prayers to the gods of protection as
they started along its strange streets. [OJ#6 – 46]
 |
| City of the Gods |
[…]
As the
adventurers spent more and more time within the city confines they made little
or no attempt to conceal themselves or their activities and so more roving
creatures were drawn to their ramblings.
[…]
The
expedition's main claim to fame was their escape from the city when it appeared
that the entire complex was searching for them. Why our two heroes were
surprised that their activity had aroused the city, and that the Guardians had
taken the elementary precaution of guarding the exits, was quite naive of them.
They did, however, leave before it became impossible to do so, and they also
kept moving rather than stand and fight (although they did consider doing so)
their pursuers. [OJ#6 – 51,52]
No sooner had
they returned, perhaps the greatest confrontation in decades was about to
unfold.
Battle of
Emridy Meadows
A great
battle was fought to the east, and when villagers saw streams of ochre-robed
men and humanoids fleeing south and west through their community, there was
great rejoicing, for they knew that the murderous oppressors had been defeated
and driven from the field in panic and rout. [T1 – 2]
When Serten
fell, none of his friends stood at his side. [LGJ#0 – 5]
Robilar was present, actually – if not
officially.
After hearing
of the happenings in the Hommlet area, Robilar finally decided to investigate
the Temple himself. [OJ#7 – 42]
Robilar
traveled with his henchmen Quij and Otto the Mage to the Temple of Elemental
Evil. [OJ#7 – 42]
Robilar
arrived on his carpet of flying, and then set off into the Temple depths,
leaving his trusty orc hero Quij to guard the transport device and a pair of
griffons. [T1-4 – 28]
Lord Robilar eventually entered the Temple with a small
party. [T1-4 – 28]
While other adventurers raided the temple
and then withdrew, Robilar entered the temple and fought his way through it.
[OJ#7 – 42]
 |
| Zuggtmoy, Lady of Fungi |
Two days
later, much of the Temple was sacked, bits and pieces of monsters were spread
about, and a certain personage was loosed. But in the process, the minions of
Good had been alerted, and they too arrived in the area, in force. [T1-4 –
28]
Robilar freed the demoness Zuggtmoy, who was imprisoned
beneath the temple complex. [OJ#7 – 42]
Why did Robilar free Zuggtmoy? Robilar
purposefully released the demoness, because too much good was going on around
the place. In a manner, to balance the proceedings. [OJ#7 – 42]
[Robilar’s reasoning sounds like he’s
regurgitating lessons learned from Mordenkainen to justify his altogether
irresponsible act; but seeing that Evil had been running rampant in and around
the Temple of Evil for quite some time I don’t buy it. Indeed, one wonders why
a LE Robilar would ever consider unleashing a CE ZUGGTMOY
(Demoness Lady of Fungi) {T1-4 – 123} upon the world. Unless he was sent by
Mordenkainen to kill her, that is; if he were, then his actions were justified
– if a failure. Indeed, rumour has it that Mordenkainen was present and
purposefully assisted in "freeing" Zuggtmoy in some scheme designed
to preserve the Balance. {Artifact of Evil}]
Robilar's ravages were followed by the
army of enraged Good folk, led by Tenser and associates—including Otis, Burne,
Rufus, et al. [T1-4 – 28]
Robilar left with pursuit hot on his
tail, Quij wearing a new poncho he'd made from "master's flying rug"
(two days being a long time to wait in the cold)! [T1-4 – 28]
Robilar and Otto fled back to his castle,
with the Force of Good in hot pursuit. The druid Jaroo, in falcon form,
followed Robilar and Otto over 200 miles back to Robilar's castle. After they
were informed of his whereabouts, the good war party eventually rallied outside
of Robilar's castle. Robilar and Otto abandoned the castle and it fell to the
Forces of Good. [OJ#7 – 42]
Robilar is 49 years old.
570 CY
 |
| The Chessmaster |
Iuz remained imprisoned just as Zagig had left him
sixty-five years prior. [EttRoG – 4]
Iuz was imprisoned beneath Castle Greyhawk by an
alliance of adventurers (including the Mad Archmage Zagig), possibly with the
assistance of an avatar of St. Cuthbert. [PGtG – 24]
But Mordenkainen knew that the archmage’s prison would
not last forever. If Mordenkainen could find the deity trap, so could someone
else. Only a final solution would suffice, and a final solution required the
enlistment of Lord Robilar.
When the opportunity to destroy Iuz once and for all
presented itself to the wizard, he manipulated his longtime friend and ally,
Lord Robilar into releasing the imprisoned demon-god [.] [OJ#25 – 15]
The gregarious fighter lord thrilled at the audacity
of Mordenkainen’s suggestion. The fearless swordsman chased adventure with the
enthusiasm of an addict, often venturing into Castle Greyhawk on highly
dangerous solo missions, facing every challenge with a wide grin and a clever
rejoinder. In the company of his orc henchman Quij and
the cleric Riggby, Robilar confidently set into motion Mordenkainen’s grand
plan to save the future of the Flanaess.
Then
everything started to go wrong. [EttRoG – 4]
It’s not like Mordenkainen, however manipulative he had
become, did not try to ensure Robilar’s every success in this undertaking.
Indeed, he did. He gifted Robilar with such magic as to ensure that very
success.
Blade of Black Ice: This keen +5 icy […]
sword is said to have been forged by Iuz, and was gifted to Robilar by
Mordenkainen shortly before Robilar’s disastrous last foray into Castle
Greyhawk. Tenser, who was present at the time, claims that the blade had been
enchanted with special dispelling magics that aided Robilar in his release of
the Old One from his magical prison beneath that great edifice. [Epic Level
Handbook – 307]
Robilar […] secretly carried a pair of highly unusual
dispelling magics about himself on that fateful day [.] [WGR5 Iuz the
Evil – 5]
Regardless of that, events unfolded as few would have
expected.
Originally, three set out to investigate the prison of
Iuz below Castle Greyhawk. These were Lord Robilar, his orc henchman Quij, and
Riggby, Patriarch of Boccob. [WGR5 Iuz the Evil – 5]
Tenser had learned of
Robilar's plan, feared that Riggby was being duped, and came post haste to
prevent their action. [WGR5 – 5]
Robilar, who was
10th level at the time, entered the containment room, and viewed the nine
imprisoned creatures [:] Iuz, Ralishaz, Trithereon, Erythnul, Olidammara,
Heironeous, Celestian, Hextor, and Obad-Hai [.] [OJ#7 – 42] Robilar’s
memory is in error, however; as Wastri was among them.
The Brotherhood gained another foe when a group of
adventurers released Iuz, Watri and seven other demigods in 6085 SD. [SB –
5]
 |
| Iuz the Evil |
Just as Robilar dispelled the barriers keeping Iuz at
bay so that he might be slain, the wizard Tenser appeared with Bigby and the
warrior Neb Retnar at his back. The trio had come to stop the dangerous gambit,
but arrived too late. [EttRoG – 4]
The archmages Bigby and Tenser arrived, intending to
kill him, but during Iuz's incarceration the half-demon had transformed, and he
emerged a demigod [.] [PGtG – 24]
Tenser and his cohort began battling the freed,
enraged demigod. Riggby at once aided the assault. [WGR5 – 5]
Robilar and Quij considered
flight and felt their chances would be best if they made odds of four against
one into six against one. [WGR5 – 5]
The six
adventurers were no match for the enraged Iuz, who escaped certain death in the
clutches of Bigby’s notorious crushing hand by plane shifting to the Abyss. [EttRoG
– 4]
He left
behind him a backwash of chaotic evil magic which altered the alignment of
Retnar, left Riggby catatonic for days, and caved in a large part of Castle
Greyhawk's deepest dungeon complexes. [WGR5 – 5]
That magical
warp freed the additional gods and caved in many of Castle Greyhawk’s deepest
dungeon complexes. [EttRoG – 4]
[T]he other
eight "demi-gods" were "accidentally" released, as loosing
one seemed to have a domino effect. As the nine "demi-gods" turned
their attentions toward destroying each other [.] [OJ#7 – 42]
Robilar
executed a tactical withdrawal (i.e. he ran for his life) to lick his wounds.
[OJ#7 – 42]
Iuz returned to his lands more powerful
and wicked than ever before, with an unholy priesthood leading his forces in
his unholy name. [LGG – 15]
After it was
all over, safe on the skull-adorned battlements of his grisly palace, Iuz swore
vengeance upon the adventurers who had attempted to kill him, dedicating a
portion of his eternal rage to plotting their destruction. [EttRG – 4]
Iuz's most
burning desire is to have revenge on those who freed and tried to slay him.
[WGR5 – 5]
He dreams of
destroying the Free City of Greyhawk and those who nearly killed him when he
was released. [PGtG – 24]
Since that
fateful brush with extinction, Iuz has schemed to destroy those six [Bigby,
Quij, Rary, Riggby, Robilar, and Tenser]. [WGR5 – 5]
Robilar would
have to worry about that later. If he ever has. I suspect it is never far from
him mind, though, regardless his outward bravado to all danger.
Robilar is 50
years old.
 |
| Exiled |
Friendless now, Robilar realised that he had to get out
of Greyhawk.
After Lord Robilar was exiled from the City of
Greyhawk and the sacking of his lordly lands the two split and despite an
attempt to remain aloof from the consequences of his actions, Mordenkainen was
left bearing the responsibility of his actions. [OJ#25 – 15]
[Yes, Robilar’s realm had already been sacked; so I
imagine this means that the forces of Good scoured his lands and castle
searching for him.]
Not that anyone other than Mordenkainen was aware of Mordenkainen’s
involvement. He kept that to himself and
chalked the failure up as a learning experience.
Robilar fled, no
one knew where. No one except Mordenkainen, truth be told.
In 570, with Robilar's part in the release of luz
revealed, Mordenkainen sought to keep tabs on the noble's activities. Since
Lord Robilar was said to have the ability to discover magical scryes placed
upon him, it was necessary to plant a spy within his sizable host. [LGJ#0 –
10]
Mordenkainen had long suspected that Robilar might pose a
problem to his plans as early as 560 CY, so he took measures shortly after.
Having found Robilar's servant, the euroz Quij, wholly
incorruptible (insofar as loyalty to his master was concerned), the Archmage of
Greyhawk set upon a more mundane plan. Working through contacts in the Prelacy
of Almor, he drafted an aspiring magic-wielding priest of Boccob as his mole.
[LGJ#0 – 10]
Where did
Robilar run to? Time would tell.
“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a
heaven of hell, a hell of heaven...”
― Paradise Lost
One must always
give credit where credit is due. This History is made possible primarily by the
Imaginings of Gary Gygax and his Old Guard, Lenard Lakofka among them, and the
new old guards, Carl Sargant, James Ward, Roger E. Moore. And Erik Mona, Gary Holian,
Sean Reynolds, Frederick Weining.
The list is interminable.
Special thanks
to Jason Zavoda for his compiled index, “Greyhawkania,” an invaluable research
tool.
The Art:
Lord Robilar, from Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk, 2007
Map detail, by Darlene, from World of Greyhawk Folio, 1980
Cover art, by Keith Parkinson, from WG7 Castle Greyhawk, 1988
Murlynd, by Mike Bridges, from the Castle Greyhawk blog/graphic novel, 2015
The Suss Forest, from Anna B. Meyer's map
Green Dragon, from Monsterous Manual 2e, 1989,1995,2015
Mordenkainen detail, by McLean Kendree, from Mordenkainen's Tome of Marvelous Magic II, 2020
Bigby, by Jeff Easley, from WG5 Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure, 1985
Serten, from Finger of the Wind, 2000
The Crook of Rao, by Richard Pace, from Dragon #294, 2002
Robilar's Castle map, by Sam Wood, from The Adventure Begins, 1998
The Green Dragon Inn, by Grey Irons, from The Official AD&D Coloring Album, 1979
The Temple of Elemental Evil, by Keith Parkinson, from T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil, 1985
Warnes Starcoat, by Gary Williams, from WG6 Isle of the Ape, 1985
Zuggtmoy, from Out of the Abyss, 2015
Mordenkainen detail, by Dan Burr, from Dragon #185, 1992
Iuz, from Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk, 2007
Sources:
1015
World of Greyhawk Boxed Set, 1983
1162
Return to the Tomb of Horrors, 1998
2009
Monster Manual 1e, 1977
2011 Players Handbook 1e,
1978
2011A Dungeon Masters Guide
1e, 1979
2140 Monsterous Manual 2e,
1993
9025
World of Greyhawk Folio, 1980
9026
T1 The Village of Hommlet, 1979,1981
9027
S2 White Plume Mountain, 1979
9031
The Rogues Gallery 1e, 1980
9075
EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror, 1983
9112
WG5 Mordenkainen’s Fantastic Adventure, 1984
9147
T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil, 1985
9153 WG6 Isles of the Ape, 1985
Artifact
of Evil, 1986
9386
WGR3 Rary the Traitor, 1992
9399
WGR5 Iuz the Evil, 1993
9576 Return of the Eight, 1998
9577
The Adventure Begins, 1998
9578
Players Guide to Greyhawk, 1998
11843
Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, 2001
11621
Slavers, 2000
11743
Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, 2000
Epic
Level Handbook 3e, 2002
White Plume Mountain
Revisited, 2005
Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk, 2007
Dragon Magazine #37,290, 294, 295, 301, AN2
LGJ #0,2
Oerth Journal #3,6,7,25
COR1 – 00 The Citadel PCs
Greyhawkania,
Jason Zavoda
The Map of Anna B. Meyer
There's alot going on with Robilar and we are not even into 576 CY! The 3 green dragons is always a nice bit of monty haulism. And yah I agree, foreshadows his later escapades.
ReplyDeleteAlso, did I read that right? His castle is SW of the city? I guess the 2e map has it wrong being NW? Did I miss something?
You know, I never thought to check if the two locations match.
DeleteE4-89 places R.'s keep where the Ery and Neen tributaries drain into the Selintan, way south of where the TAB map places it. Fancy that discrepancy! You'd think they'd have done their homework.
I'm humbled by your close reading!