“Begin, be bold, and venture to be wise.”
― Horace
Mordenkainen,
hitherto, had been just another adventurer upon the Flanaess. He was schooled
as any other wizard, graduated, travelled, made friends and enemies, delved
dungeons, and amassed such wealth to begin constructing his stronghold. One
might imagine that he would pat himself on the back for his accomplishments.
But Mordenkainen was, as we might say, cut from different cloth. To be frank: he
believed himself to be without apparent purpose, unless existing as a reaver
among men is purposeful.
Was he, though?
A mere adventurer? Most adventurers are mere adrenaline junkies, despite their
voiced desire to make their mark upon the world and have their exploits sung
throughout the ages. Indeed, the only mark most make is an early grave, an
inevitable fate, addicted to the thrill they get from the pursuit of danger.
Few ever amass power, either magical, political, or personal, despite their
desire to, although some survive to do just that, whether through force or courtly
influence or shadowy manipulation.
Unlike them,
Mordenkainen reflected upon his fruitful, yet fruitless, pursuit of excitement
and the buried wealth and trinkets of the past. What use was it all, he
wondered? It was then when he wondered whether he might make his mark upon the
world. A lasting mark. Even if that mark remained unheralded throughout the
ages.
551 CY
Modenkainen
thought long and hard on how he might do just that. When he finally did settle
on a plan, he took Bigby into his confidence.
The series of alliances that
would [eventually] evolve into the Circle of Eight began simply, over a meal of
venison and Celenese nectarwine in a posh inn near the shores of the Wild
Coast. [LGJ#0 – 4]
A few months
ago, you and your apprentice Bigby discussed taking a more active hand in the
preservation of the Balance. [COR1 – 00 The Citadel – PCs – 1]
Mordenkainen
debated with his young apprentice, Bigby, the merits of taking an active hand
in maintaining the celestial balance of power. Thereafter, the two struck upon
a plan to gather a group of like-minded individuals that would act to hinder
advances by those who would dominate the Flanaess. That their expected exploits
would impart upon the mages no small amount of lost magical lore only served to
hasten the alliance. [LGJ#0 – 4,5]
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]
Tenser:
Human magic-user AL: LG [Rogues Gallery 1e – 47]
You now
journey to Verbobonc to speak with the mage Tenser about joining the group.
[COR1 – 00 – 1]
Robilar (8th level human male fighter):
Robilar is known to be friendly and good-natured, but also vengeful and
short-tempered when he is angered. You are not sure how he will work out, but
he seems to embrace your cause right now. Robilar has a henchman, Quij the orc,
who he left in your castle. You are a little nervous. [COR1 – 00 – 2]
Robilar (LN) [COR1 – 00 – 3]
Bigby (7th level human male wizard):
Your apprentice is quite talented, and you have managed to imbue him with your
dedication to the Balance. He follows your lead most of the time, which is just
what you want. You are genuinely fond of him, but don’t really trust him with
all your thoughts (or anyone else, for that matter). [COR1 – 00 – 2]
Bigby (Neutral) [WG5 Mordenkainen’s Fantastic
Adventure – 31/COR1 – 00 – 5]
Riggby (7th level human male cleric of
Boccob): Riggby has political aspirations within his church, and sees himself
as the wise mentor of his followers. That’s okay with you, as long as he is
willing to work toward Balance. Religiously, you incline towards Boccob
yourself, so it is nice to have the priest in the group. [COR1 – 00 – 2]
Riggby (NG) [Rogues Gallery 1e - 46]/ (N)
[WG5 – 32/ COR1 – 00 – 7]
 |
| Serten |
Yrag (8th level human male fighter):
Yrag is Riggby’s friend, almost his assistant. He is cautious, but willing to
be friendly and easy to be around. You have to observe him more carefully to
learn more about him, as he is the newest member of the group. [COR1 – 00 –
2]
Yrag (Neutral) [WG5 – 31] (LN) [COR1 – 00 –
10]
Serten: (7th level human male cleric of Saint
Cuthbert): No mention is made as to what Mordenkainen thought of
Serten, but one might imagine that he found the cleric often been more a
source of exasperation to adventurers than a great help. He is, quite simply,
stupid but likeable. He likes to adventure, but is basically not bright enough
to be trusted on his own; therefore, he will always be found with a group. He understands
the physical side of melee very well and can seldom resist getting in and
mixing it up with his foes. This often creates problems as he is too dumb to
know when to run away, requiring the rest of the party to rescue him. He may
not cast his spells for the cleverest of reasons either. [Rogues 1e – 46]
Serten (LG) [Rogues Gallery 1e – 46]
 |
| Merlynd |
"Merlynd the Mage" soon rounded out their number.
Murlynd: Human magic-user [EX2 The
Land Beyond the Magic Mirror – 8], in disguise. [LGJ#0 – 5]
Murlynd is rather a misfit anywhere, for he mixes
magic and technology—often to the detriment of everything concerned. Murlynd is
a magic-user of no small ability, and has alchemical skills and certain
technological items that, in general, only he can employ. [EX2 – 8]
AL: Lawful
(good) [Dragon #71 – 21]
That group of
like-minded individuals became the Citadel of Eight.
[Mordenkainen] founded an adventuring group called the
Citadel of Eight—inspired by Zagig’s own Company of Seven—to explore central
Flanaess and discover the treasures and knowledge of lost civilizations [EttRoG
– 9], taking the name from Mordenkainen’s renowned Obsidian Citadel, in the
Yatil Mountains. [LGJ#0 – 5]
One finds it odd that Mordenkainen would gather this hand-picked
group of like-minded individuals and risk his very life to their power and
competency, and yet reserve his full trust concerning their knowing where the
citadel they were named after happened to be situated.
Only Bigby
and Tenser know of his home’s precise location. [PGtG – 22] [Murlynd is exempt, of course.]
But Mordenkainen
has been a suspicious soul since – well, forever, hasn’t he. He’s held his
cards close to his chest, at all times. And rightly so. His philosophy might not
fall well on less than agreeable ears.
Mordenkainen's view of balance is no tit-for-tat
equality, but a highly detailed and extremely theoretical philosophy derived
from decades of arcane research. [LGJ#0 – 9]
In the course of his arcane studies and world travels,
he developed a rigid philosophy based on cosmological balance, fighting on the
side of good as often as he nudged events in the direction of evil. [EttRoG
– 9]
He has fought ardently for the forces of Good, […] but
just as often has worked on darker plots to achieve his ends. [LGG – 156]
In this way he hoped to preserve a status quo within
society, ensuring that no single faction gained the upper hand. [EttRoG –
9]
You will fight ardently for the forces of good, but
could with equal vigor work as a shadow player for malevolence. In all things,
you prefer to maneuver behind the scenes, subtly manipulating events to ensure
that no side gains the upper hand. [COR1 – 00 – 1]
You dislike the incursions of monsters, however, and
whether for good or evil will oppose them. You are not humanocentric, as elves,
dwarves, humans, gnomes, and halflings are all equal in your view. But humanoid
monsters, such as orcs and ogres, find little sympathy. [COR1 – 00 – 1]
His philosophy
is puzzling to such an unenlightened soul as mine. Evil, to my mind, has never
required a helping hand. Evil flourishes without any help at all. Perhaps I am
viewing this from the wrong angle; perhaps Mordenkainen believed that a
benevolent state might indeed be oppressive, applying a heavy-handed approach in
its interpretation of what might be good for one-and-all, suppressing
unsanctioned opinion and ambition, upward mobility, or pragmatic views
concerning violence that, in the end, might stagnate or fail to safeguard the
state from outside forces. Whatever his reasons, Mordenkainen could be a
double-edged sword, indeed.
Mordenkainen is 42 years old.
Early 550s CY
In the
beginning, the Citadel of Eight did little to alter the course of any state.
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 the company of his apprentice Bigby, the fearless
Lord Robilar, and the willful cleric Riggby, [Mordenkainen] relentlessly
explored the ruins of Zagig’s castle, charting its secrets and plundering its
priceless treasures. [EttRoG – 4]
In the beginning, the Citadel of Eight would seem to be
more preoccupied with the acquisition of magic items and the long-buried wealth
from long-forgotten civilisations than in meddling with the policies of
misguided Lord Mayors or oppressive Kings and Queens.
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]
Nor did they adventure exclusively with their membership,
either.
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]
Indeed, the
Citadel appeared to be more of a loose confederation of daring-doers than a
serious political player.
Late 550s CY
 |
| Terik |
How did Mordenkainen’s Citadel of Eight fare? It appears to have largely
been a force for good, despite Mordenkainen’s claim that he could work
with equal vigor as a shadow player for malevolence.
[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]
Which must have
suited its membership, which remained unchanged for some time, until Merlynd
the Mage declared his desire to depart, and was replaced by Robilar’s brother
Terik.
But as time
passed, Mordenkainen spent ever more time poring over dusty tomes than plunging
into dusty tombs, much to Robilar’s chagrin. Books were boring. And he told
Mordenkainen as much.
Mordenkainen
disagreed. The wisdom of the world was etched within them, he explained, as he
turned yet another dusty page.
What was
Mordenkainen perusing? Histories. Zagig’s. Tasha’s. Iggwilv’s. Iuz’s. One
thread led to another. Each of them, in their time, Mordenkainen realised, had
been searching for something, each in turn obsessed with unfathomable
mysteries, and traps…. What did it all mean?
557 CY
One day, all of Mordenkainen’s
research bore fruit and led him and his Citadel, perhaps not surprisingly, back
to Castle Greyhawk, years after they had all but abandoned its variable
catacombs.
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 ever shifting maze, but Robilar suspected it continued to
elude him.
He was wrong in that assumption.
At the culmination of his research, in the shadow of a
dozen lost companions, Mordenkainen finally discovered Zagig’s Prison, an
entire dungeon level designed to imprison nine demigods encountered by Zagig on
his travels. In his final act as a mortal, Zagig carved an essence of their
divine power and claimed it as his own, departing the Material Plane as the
newly divine “Zagyg” to serve in the court of Boccob, Archmage of the Gods. But
the nine prisoners remained. Among them was Iuz the Old, the half-demon son of
the Witch-Queen Iggwilv and the demon prince Graz’zt. The fiendish tyrant had
vanished from his northern empire in Mordenkainen’s youth, leaving savage
humanoid hordes and diabolical societies in the ensuing power vacuum. […]
With the discovery of Zagig’s Prison, Mordenkainen decided to try to prevent
that return from ever happening. [EttRoG – 4]
He did not, just then, however, know how he might do that.
Mordenkainen did reveal a most striking discovery to his
fellows, though.
Zagig was still alive and active long after he was
believed by all to be dead. Then came the revelation by Mordenkainen and
several of his associates that they believed Zagig (now called Zagyg, a
variation that the archmage often used at whim in signing documents when he was
Lord Mayor of Greyhawk) to not only be alive but to be a demigod; several of
the Circle accorded him their worship. [TAB – 61]
 |
| Mordenkainen |
Mordenkainen did not confide to his supposed closest
friend, Robilar, about his discovery of Zagig’s godtrap. One wonders whether
Mordenkainen had already begun to wonder where Robilar’s loyalties lay.
Indeed, one day Mordenkainen
came to call on Robilar’s loyal henchman Quij when Robilar was off, out and
about. And asked to see him, and not Robilar!
He asked Quij
many curious questions, like did he know where Robilar went, what he was about,
and whether he, Quij, liked working for his master.
Quij did not
know what to make of it – indeed, he wondered if it were some sort of trap, a
way for them to be rid of him, the stupid orc, once and for all – so he said
that he liked his master very much and that he was always loyal.
Then
Mordenkainen left. But not before he commanded Quij that he ought to keep this
conversation between them, hinting that Robilar might not like others talking
about him behind his back.
Quij thought it best to never mention the visit. Because,
truth be told, it worried him, and because he suspected it might be a test of
his loyalty, but mostly because, in time, he forgot about it.
Mordenkainen is 48 years old.
559 CY
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]
Having engaged Otto, Mordenkainen turned his attention to
another matter.
Serten had brought a certain young woodsman of promise to
his attention. He decided to appraise the boy’s worth himself.
A year or two ago, a wizard named Mordenkainen and his
apprentice Bigby helped [Otis] defeat a band of trolls near Hommlet [.]
[COR1 – 00 – 13]
The young woodsman did indeed warrant further scrutiny.
He might even one day be of use.
Mordenkainen is 50 years old.
560 CY
Otto set to work, placing himself directly
in Robilar’s path.
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]
So it was
that Otto worked his way into Robilar's organization, and onto the path of
events that would see him as a founding member of the Circle of Eight. [LGJ#0
– 10]
Otto the mage
retained his laboratories/apartments on the third floor of Robilar's Castle,
near Robilar's training halls. [OJ#7 – 41]
Mordenkainen
could not have been more pleased.
He was not entirely pleased with the Citadel’s
membership, however.
[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]
Indeed, it was
only a matter of time before its members would – how shall we say it – disagree
with its (Mordenkainen’s) aims, its means, and methods. Terik, for instance. His
loyalty was not to Mordenkainen but to his brother. It was thus time for
Robilar’s head-strong brother to go.
[Mordenkainen’s] philosophy has gained the archmage a
virtual army of enemies, not a few of whom once considered him a good friend.
Among these last can be counted Evard the Black, Terik and, of course, Rary.
[LGJ#0 – 9]
Terik […] vanished, some said to the anonymity of the
Bandit Kingdoms. [LGJ#0 – 5]
Who to replace him…? Someone young and impressionable
would serve best. The young woodsman Otis came instantly to mind.
When Mordenkainen asked you to join his adventuring
group, you agreed. It will be a chance to practice working with a team.
[COR1 – 00 – 13]
Finally, the young woodsman, Otis, rounded out the
group. [LGJ#0 – 5]
[Otis is] a ranger [.] [T1-4 The Temple of
Elemental Evil – 34]
Otis (7th level human male ranger): Otis
is not as committed to Balance as the rest of the members, but he is a valiant
ally and a friend. You have adventured with him in the past, and his skills
complement the rest of the group very well. He sometimes goes alone to perform
personal missions, but has agreed to participate with the group when needed.
[COR1 – 00 – 2]
But no sooner had the idealist young ranger joined the
Citadel did half of his new companions fly of on a magic carpet, without so
much as a how-you-do, or where-you-going.
Where was Mordenkainen off to? To where his research had
led him – to Maure Castle.
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 |
MORDENKAINEN THE MAGECLASS: Magic-User
LEVEL: 12
Strength: 10 Intelligence: 18 Wisdom: 15 Dexterity: 17
Constitution: 17 Charisma: 18
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
DEITY: Boccob
Mordenkainen appears to be a middle-aged man bedecked
in simple grey robes, perhaps resembling a merchant. His face suggests age
beyond his normal appearance, as if wisdom were a part of his charisma,
thrusting out upon those that stand near him almost as much as do his bushy
eyebrows. His hair is black and cropped, his beard black with silver streaks
and well waxed.
Magic Items: Dagger +1, Bracers of
Defense AC 4, Wand of Fear, Scroll of the Efreeti, Silver Key of Portals, Carpet of Flying, Crystal Ball
Spells Carried:
Level 1: Charm Person, Jump, Magic Missile, Protection
from Evil
Level 2: Continual Light, Locate Object, Ray of
Enfeeblement, Web
Level 3: Dispel Magic, Fireball, Haste, Slow
Level 4: Fire Shield, Ice Storm (x2), Wizard Eye
Level 5: Monster Summoning III, Teleport (x2), Wall of
Force
Level 6: Globe of Invulnerability
[WG5 – 30]
 |
| Riggby, Mordenkainen, Bigby, and Yrag |
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 with him, 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.
“Whatever,” Robilar shrugged, dismissing Mordenkainen’s stupid
reason.
In truth, Mordenkainen did not include Robilar because he
begun to sense a change in his hitherto first choice of “meat shield” and
thought him unsuitable for what might come to pass during this expedition.
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]
Robilar (LE) [Rogues 1e – 46]
Not that Mordenkainen would admit to such knowledge.
Robilar was a useful member of their fellowship, and Mordenkainen had every
wish to keep his longtime friend close.
He was not the only one, however, to notice the change in
Robilar.
Tenser: “Robilar’s feet are now on a
path unspeakable. [WG6 The Isle
of the Ape – 6]
Upon arrival,
they might have remarked on Maure Castle’s ominous appearance.
Maure Castle is a forlorn, forbidding place on the
edge of the Cairn Hills, standing above a boggy valley in Urnst. The
above-ground levels of the castle are largely ruined, and the presence of a
nesting pair of rocs in the hills nearby discourages the casually curious.
Evilly-inclined ravens and other carrion birds flock to the castle towers.
Fierce tyrgs are known to roam the area.
The entrances to the dungeons of Maure Castle are well
obscured and reputedly located down long, slime-covered chutes with traps and
hazards all their own, such as nesting otyughs, acid pools, and worse.
[FtAC – 30]
Evil radiated from its every aspect. They were not
disappointed by what they found there.
Mordenkainen
and his companions entered the dungeon [,] slew Tomorast and most of his
agents, robbed the place of much lore and wealth, and departed for greater
challenges elsewhere.
[Dungeon #112 – 13]
This book was written by
several evil magi, whose time of existence upon Oerth is not recorded, save
that they dwelt near the Valley of the Mage. The Tome was lost during those
years when the Mage of the Valley brought down a great ruin upon these evil
ones. [WG5 – 25]
 |
| Eli Tomorast |
Indeed, Mordenkainen knew exactly what was to be found
there. It was the very reason why he had insisted they go there: to gain
possession of that very volume that Zagig had once, long ago, stolen away from
lost Veralos! [Dragon #293 – 91]
He had learned that mad Eli Tomorast has been many places,
including a long-past visit to the Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun […] some years
back, where he was instructed by priests concerning the ways of hidden
knowledge as taught by the once-powerful Tharizdun. Recently, he sought to
return to a place he chanced upon in the past, a place named in a forgotten
rhyme as “The Lost City of the Elders.” [WG5 – 16]
That Tomorast sought knowledge of Tharizdun and Elder
Evils was disturbing. That he had in his possession a book that could have opened
pathways to those unspeakable horrors as terrifying. Indeed, it was not until Tomorast had laid hand on the tome that he had
had any success in his dark pursuit. So, one might consider it a “good”
thing that they retrieved that infamous tome from that madman.
If only they had burned that black book, then and there!
But Mordenkainen insisted that he need know what lay betwixt its covers, to
guard against what it promised.
He read that foul book. He ought not to have. Because
what he found within it changed him forever. None knew it then, however.
The Tome of the Black Heart was not the only thing they
found there. They found a particular sword, too. One wonders what Modenkainen
did with that sword, The Ebon
Flame.
This longsword +2, 4 vs. lawful good alignment, is
evil, usable by all evil alignments. It is not intelligent, although it can
communicate through empathy. It has no ego at all. The sword’s face and edge
have many small black fickering flames upon it, though these do not radiate
warmth. When used in combat, the sword bursts forth in black flame, which runs
from pommel to tip but does not affect the wielder in any way. […]
Each Sword of the Ebon Flame comes complete with a
curse [.] […]
It is thought that several varieties of these swords
were made by some great artificer for all alignments. If researched […], the
history surrounding their placement in the Flanaess will be scarce and
unreliable, indicating instead that the swords might be more likely found in
the outer realms. [WG5 – 25]
Did he hide it away? Or did he gift it to Robilar,
knowing full well that his friend could wield it without ill-effect? And to
appease his friend for having left him behind…. To throw him a bone, as it
were.
Hey, it's better than a T-shirt!
560s CY
 |
| His Citadel Complete! |
Mordenkainen finally
completed his citadel amid the Yatils. It’s a dark place. Remote. Hidden.
Shadowed. Secretive. Indeed, if one thought for any length of time upon its
appearance, one might find parallels to Maure Castle. Rooks wheel overhead.
Giants and dragons patrol its approaches. Its very name is suggestive: The
Obsidian Citadel. One wonders if its aspect mirrored Mordenkainen’s
increasingly shadowed soul? It appears a perfect place to brood and scheme, and
to unearth and ponder hitherto long-lost mysteries.
It would seem
that is exactly what Mordenkainen did there, too.
Engaged in so
much research and pondering, he entered his most prolific period – prolific
would be an understatement; indeed, he wrote more spells over the coming years
than would seem humanly possible.
When a magic-user attains 11th level
(Wizard) or higher, he or she may enchant items or scribe magic scrolls.
[PHB 1e – 25]
[One imagines
then that a magic-user must be at least this level to begin creating spells.]
Mordenkainen’s Spells
Level One
Mordenkainen’s
Buzzing Bee [Miniatures
Handbook – 37]
Mordenkainen’s Protection From Avians [GA – 56]
Level Two
Mordenkainen’s Encompassing Vision [GA – 56]
Level Three
Mordenkainen’s Defense Against Lycanthropes [GA –
56]
Mordenkainen’s Defense Against Nonmagical Reptiles and
Amphibians [GA – 57]
Mordenkainen’s Protection From Insects and Arachnids [GA
– 57]
Level Four
Mordenkainen’s
Celebrity [Tome of Magic –
30]
Mordenkainen’s Electric Arc [GA – 57]
Mordenkainen’s Faithful Phantom Shield-Maidens [GA
– 57]
Mordenkainen’s
Force Missiles [Players
Option: Spells and Magic]
Mordenkainen’s Protection From Slime [GA – 57]
Mordenkainen’s
Trusted Bloodhound
[Complete Mage - 111]
Level Five
Mordenkainen’s Faithful Hound [PHB 1e – 81]
Mordenkainen’s Faithful Phantom Defenders [GA –
57]
Mordenkainen’s
Involuntary Wizardry
[Dragon #200 – 24]
Mordenkainen’s Private Sanctum [GA – 58]
Level Six
Mordenkainen’s
Ascent [Dragon #366 4e –
30]
Mordenkainen’s Faithful Phantom Guardian [GA – 58]
Mordenkainen’s
Joining [Dragon #366 – 30]
Mordenkainen’s
Lubrication [Dragon #68 –
54/UA – 61]
Level Seven
Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mansion [Dragon
#68 – 55/UA – 62]
Mordenkainen’s Penultimate Cogitation [GA – 58]
Mordenkainen’s Sword [PHB 1e – 88]
Level Eight
Mordenkainen’s
Capable Caravel [Stormwrack
– 119]
Level Nine
Mordenkainen’s
Disjunction [Dragon #68 –
59/UA – 65]
Mordenkainen’s
Guardian Hound [Arcane
Power 4e]
[See Dragon #401 and the 4e Players Handbook for other new and variant versions of existing spells.]
One wonders when
he found the time to invent so many spells while engaged in all his other
exploits. But he did. Presumably.
Not only did he
find the time for such extensive magic research, but he also found the time to create magic items and write a great many erudite tomes.
Arcane Key
The arcane key is a humble tool for use with a common
ritual, but it has grand roots. The wizard Mordenkainen first crafted it to
make his wards more accessible to allies he might make later, but he also
wanted the wards to be more secure than a simple visible symbol or secret sign.
Making his ability to access others’ secrets is a hidden bonus. Legend claims
the great wizard spread a dozen chests warded with the most powerful Arcane
Locks throughout the world, only to be opened by the unique arcane keys that he
used in their enchantment. [Dragon #387 – 28]
“Architecture” by Leomund &
Mordenkainen
(Leomund’s secure shelter, Leomund’s tiny hut,
forcecage, Mordenkainen’s magnificent mansion)
[Dragon #82 – 58]
“Cosmogony
of Magnetic Fluids” by Mordenkainen
(chain lightning, volley, energy drain, Mordenkainen’s
disjunction)
[Dragon #82 – 58]
“The
Dark Sides of the Memory” by Mordenkainen
(banishment, Mordenkainen’s lucubration, ensnarement,
contingency)
[Dragon #82 – 58]
“Epic
Saga of the Great Conjurers”
by Mordenkainen
(Mordenkainen’s faithful hound, conjure animals,
monster summoning VI, cacodemon)
[Dragon #82 – 58]
“On The
Rise of Magecraft and Modernity” by Mordenkainen
The sagacious
Mordenkainen has written in his work, On the Rise of Magecraft and Modernity,
that the evolution of written wizardry was key to the Proliferation of magic
among the masses. He theorizes that incantations and other magical formulae
were originally developed as teaching tools by such beings as the Suel Mages of
Power and Baklunish Sorcerer-Priests to advance the Art in their apprentices. [LGJ#4 – 11]
“The
Weapons of the Ether” by Melf & Mordenkainen
(whip, Melf’s acid arrow, magic missile, enchant an
item, enchanted weapon, Mordenkainen’s sword)
[Dragon #82 – 59]
That is quite a varied
bibliography!
Why was he so
driven? It’s as if he were obsessed with unearthing clues to some deep, dark,
and perhaps unfathomable secret.
It was then that
be began his most serious and secretive work, the “Codex of Mordenkainen”.
For decades, [Mordenkainen] has been collecting his
thoughts in a work known as the Codex of Mordenkainen. Archmages across the
Flanaess would give anything to peruse its pages. [LGJ#0 – 9]
He would never tell, though. Indeed, not even Bigby knew
what Mordenkainen was so furiously inscribing in it.
It was also then
that he had become ever more obsessed with gods and artifacts, and portals.
- Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale:
The origin of this artifact is unknown, although the Mage Mordenkainen is
reported to have asserted that the Nightingale was made by Xagy and the goddess
of volcanic activity, Joramy, some 17 centuries ago. […] It is rumored that the
eyes of this artifact can shoot forth scintillating rays of brilliant color,
each color having a different effect; its songs likewise are able to work
magical wonders, and if the rays and songs are directed in combination highly
powerful spells are supposedly woven. It is known that the device throws forth
a protective sphere, preventing detection or magical (or psionic) intrusion in
a 30' radius. [DMG 1e – 160]
- Dalt
[Suel god of Portals, Locks, and Keys] was largely forgotten until the mage,
Mordenkainen, discovered one of the god’s artifacts, after which he
gained popularity among those who watch over, open, or break down doors. [SB – 82]
 |
| Veralos |
Mordenkainen
stole away to search out and explore the nooks and crannies of those lost
cities and forgotten civilisations he’d unearthed, searching for buried
artifacts. One wonders if he was searching for Tomorast’s
Lost City of the
Elders. He began where Zagig had long ago found that dreadful
Tome of
the Black Heart, Veralos.
- Veralos
does exist, and it is located along the northern edge of the Rift canyon, but
the land immediately surrounding the ruin is reportedly cracked and perilously
dotted with sinkholes making it difficult to approach. Mordenkainen himself has
reluctantly confirmed as much on a few occasions, especially to the mage Nystul
(of Flannish heritage) who took particular interest in the place. [Dragon #293 – 91]
What did he discover
during his ever more secret investigations? Secrets.
- Yamoskov, a sage of Rel Mord, theorizes that
according to the Codex of Mordenkainen Iuz held the life-force items of his
minion fiends and could thus force them to his will. He argues that during
Iuz’s “imprisonment” in the dungeons of Zagyg, the demi-god was actually
banished from the Prime Material plane. During this exile, Yamoskov suggests,
Iuz collected the items he needed. [Wars – 27]
When Mordenkainen found the time to meddle in the affairs
of the nation-states of the Flanaess is beyond my ken, but he did.
It came to pass that while occupied in his perpetual balancing act of research, and creation, and setting the state of the Flanaess to rights,
Mordenkainen found himself at the foot of the Yatils.
[Mordenkainen was o]nce a resident of […] Highfolk [.]
[LGJ#0 – 9] [I take this to be a reference to his Obsidian Citadel, above
Highfolk.]
Despite Iuz’s imprisonment Evil continued to ravage his
demesnes in his absence.
Within Iuz's own lands, many factions struggled for
power when their master left. Tanar'ri and gehreleth came to odds with each
other and decided to leave the barren lands to their own fate. Orcs and evil
humans began to squabble and fight. Chaos reigned, and the good folk of
Furyondy and the Vesve breathed a sigh of relief. [WGR5 Iuz the Evil
– 3]
Mordenkainen expected their relative “peace” was but a
reprieve, so he began recruiting a network of eyes and ears to keep tabs on the
Old One’s chaotic realm.
One such recruit was Gustin Longpike,
half-elf Perrenlander mercenary [.]
Gustin is also one of the few people who can say he
knows the archmage Mordenkainen personally, as he worked for the wizard a few
times on missions in the Yatils. He cannot say he’s a close friend of
Mordenkainen, but he thinks well of the wizard and passes along interesting
information to the [Citadel] of Eight. [TAB – 102] [Test says “Circle” and
not “Citadel,” but Modenkainen had to have recruited his web of spies sometime
prior to each of their first mentions.]
It was then when
Mordenkainen met Melf.
The Vesve also has its powerful allies. In addition to
Philidor, Mordenkainen looks out over Highvale and would help protect it, were
it invaded or in dire peril. [WGR4 The Marklands – 55]
And it was then that Mordenkainen invited Melf to visit
said Citadel. Mordenkainen must have
made quite an impression on Melf, because he swore vassalage to the archmage,
soon afterwards, serving as a member of the Red Rampart Guard.
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 QuasiDeity
Murlynd, in disguise. [LGJ#0 – 5]
Indeed, a great
many have claimed residence there over the years.
Dwarves, gnomes, and humans all serve as troops within
the citadel, and are usually of elite quality and strongly loyal to the
archmage. Many do so in grateful return for Mordenkainen s help in protecting
their clans and homes against marauding humanoids in the Yatil range. [CoG:FFF – 21]
Whyever the Citadel’s members’ initial reasons for
joining Mordenkainen’s merry band, time had eroded their dedication. Fame and
fortune invariably led to self-interest, one imagines.
In the years of their companionship, both Robilar and
Yrag were ennobled by Greyhawk, 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]
Thus, their Fellowship… faded.
That bickering had distracted them.
The thickets and marshes around Nulb became the lair
and hiding place for bandits, brigands, and all sorts of evil men and monsters
alike. The chapel grew into a stone temple as its faithful brought in their
ill-gotten tithes. Good folk were robbed, pillaged, enslaved, or worse. In but
three years a grim and foreboding fortress surrounded the evil place, and
swarms of creatures worshipped and worked their wickedness there. The
servants of the Temple of Elemental Evil made Hommlet and the lands for leagues
around a mockery of freedom and beauty. Commerce ceased, crops withered,
pestilence was abroad. But the leaders of this cancer were full of hubris, and
in their overweaning pride sought to overthrow the good realms to the north who
were coming to the rescue of the land being crushed under the tyranny wrought
by the evil temple. [T1 The Village of Hommlet – 2]
They, each in their now lofty influence, looked to their
own lofty goals and lofty foes, forgetting that evil festers in shadow as much
as in the utterings of courtly influence.
564 CY
 |
| Rary |
[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.
One imagines
that they (all the Citadel’s membership) met and adventured with others during
their long tenure.
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 – 59]
And they may have, each of them in their turn, wondered
what it might be like out on their own, or in the company of these new
acquaintances.
Mordenkainen is 55 years old.
568 CY
Indeed, Robilar
was not the only one to have grown weary of his old friends.
Mordenkainen’s darker actions brought him into
conflict with certain members of the Citadel, notably the good wizard Tenser,
who advocated direct intervention on the side of weal and who couldn’t grasp
why Mordenkainen would not dedicate himself and his band to the eradication of
evil. Such rifts eventually tore the group apart [.] [EttRoG – 9]
Mordenkainen is 59 years old.
569 CY
Alas, the
Citadel had 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/ EttRoG – 9]
Perhaps
Mordenkainen still believed in Robilar; or perhaps it was merely that he still
had use of 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]
[…]
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, the greatest confrontation between
good and evil in decades was about to unfold.
Nearly a decade after the Citadel's formation, Otis'
critical words took on the air of prophecy. In 569 CY, when the first arrow
flew at Emridy Meadows, the Citadel was noticeably absent. Whether
investigating magical secrets far to the west or unearthing lost passages in
Urnst's Maure Castle, these self-absorbed celebrities were too preoccupied to
influence one of the century's most critical battles. All were absent save
Serten, who fought valiantly at the side of Prince Thrommel against the hordes
of Elemental Evil. [LGJ#0 – 5]
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. Though most attended his ostentatious funeral service in Verbobonc, a
crucial rift had been torn in the organization. The Citadel was crumbling.
Tenser blamed Mordenkainen for the death of his friend, and retired inward to
his castle.
Terik and Yrag vanished, some said to the anonymity of
the Bandit Kingdoms. Even the loyal Bigby left the side of his one-time
master and returned to Oldridge, where he adventured for a time with a band of
boyhood friends.
Mordenkainen, the man who had brought the Citadel
together, simply shrugged and returned, with cold eyes, to his studies. [LGJ#0 – 3,4]
Did he, though?
Simply shrug and return to his studies?
That does not
seem like Mordenkainen, does it, working behind the scenes, subtly
manipulating events to ensure that no one faction gains the upper hand. [LGG – 156]
Perhaps he did
take a hand in what was to come.
 |
| The Temple of Elemental Evil |
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 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/OJ#7 – 42}]
 |
| Zuggtmoy |
Whyever his reason, a certain former comrade happened on
the scene as he was about it.
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]
One wonders whether, had Tenser not interceded, Robilar
would have succeeded in dispatching Zuggtmoy – if that were his intent. Alas,
we shall never know.
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]
Did Mordenkainen come to his friend’s defence? He did
not.
But it would appear that he did have further use of his
“friend.”
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it
must be kept.”
― Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of
the Wind
One must always
give credit where credit is due. This piece 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:
Serten, from Finger of the Wind, 2000
Murlynd, by Mike Bridges, from the Castle Greyhawk blog/graphic novel, 2015 Map detail, by Sam Wood, from The Adventure Begins, 1998
Castle Greyhawk Environs map, by Sam Wood, from The Adventure Begins, 1998
Mordenkainen detail, by Dan Burr, from Dragon #185, 1992
Mordenkainen, by Clyde Caldwell, from WG5 Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure, 1985
Flying Carpet, by Jeff Easley, from WG5 Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure, 1985
Maure Castle Environs map, by Sam Wood, from The Adventure Begins, 1998
Eli Tomorast, by Wayne Reynolds, from Dungeon #112, 2004
Mordenkainen detail, by McLean Kendree, from Mordenkainen's Tome of Marvelous Magic II, 2020
Veralos, by Kalman Andrasofszky, from Dragon #293, 2002
Rary, by Andrew Hue, from Dungeon Magazine #103, 2003
Regional map, by Dave Sutherland, from T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil, 1985
The Temple of Elemental Evil, by Keith Parkinson, from T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil, 1985
Zuggtmoy, from Out of the Abyss, 2015
Sources:
1015
World of Greyhawk Boxed Set, 1983
1043 City of Greyhawk Boxed
Set, 1989
1064
From the Ashes Boxed Set, 1992
1068
Greyhawk Wars Boxed Set, 1991
2010
Players Handbook 1e, 1978
2011A
Dungeon Masters Guide 1e, 1979
2017
Unearthed Arcana, 1985
2023
Greyhawk Adventures, 1988
2121
Tome of Magic, 1991
9025
World of Greyhawk Folio, 1980
9026
T1 The Village of Hommlet, 1979,1981
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
9386
WGR3 Rary the Traitor, 1992
9398
WGR4 The Marklands, 1993
9399
WGR5 Iuz the Evil, 1993
9576
Return of the Eight, 1998
9577
The Adventure Begins, 1998
9578
Player’s Guide to Greyhawk, 1998
11374
The Scarlet Brotherhood, 1999
11742
Gazetteer, 2000
11743
Living Greyhawk Gazeteer, 2000
WGR7
Ivid the Undying, 1998
Players Option: Spells and
Magic, 1996
Complete
Mage, 2006
Miniatures
Handbook, 2003
Shipwrack,
2005
Expedition
to the Ruins of Greyhawk, 2007
Arcane
Power, 2009
Dragon
Magazine 68, 71, 82, 200, 293, 366
Oerth
Journal #6,7,25
Living
Greyhawk Journal #0,4
COR1 – 00 The Citadel PCs
Greyhawkania,
Jason Zavoda
The Map of Anna B. Meyer
