Mordenkainen
Mordenkainen is a male character who features in Dungeons and Dragons.
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Biography
Mordenkainen
According to writings in the Codex of Mordenkainen, he began developing his philosophy of neutrality at least as far back as 551 CY. Mordenkainen first explored the infamous Castle Greyhawk circa 557 CY in the company of his apprentice Bigby, the warrior Lord Robilar, and the cleric Riggby. No fewer than a dozen other compatriots were slain in adventuring. The four are among only thirteen individuals who have made it to the eighth level beneath Zagig's Tower of Magic since 409 CY. In 561 CY, Mordenkainen established an adventuring group known as the Citadel of Eight, modeled after the Company of Seven once founded by former Lord Mayor of Greyhawk Zagig Yragerne. This group explored the central Flanaess with the goal of uncovering lost treasures and knowledge of fallen civilizations. Among its members were the legendary warrior Lord Robilar, and Tenser, a good-aligned mage whose disagreement Mordenkainen's philosophy of balance ultimately led to the Citadel's dissolution. Mordenkainen continued to adventure with Robilar across the Flanaess, visiting such distant places as the City of the Gods in the northern wastes and the Amedio jungle of the south. Mordenkainen and the Citadel of Eight were credited with having "quietly" and "invisibly" directed the downfall of the Temple of Elemental Evil in 569 CY. The only apparent direct involvement in that event was Serten being part of the Righteous Host led by Prince Thrommel IV, with Serten dying in the Battle of Emridy Meadows. Tenser blamed Mordenkainen for Serten's death because the Citadel of Eight wasn't more actively involved, which is credited with leading to the dissolution of the Citadel of Eight in 569 CY.
At an unknown point, Mordenkainen rediscovered the forgotten minor Suel deity Dalt, god of doors and locks, when he discovered one of Dalt's artifacts. Mordenkainen was almost single-handedly responsible for the revival of this deity's popularity in the Flanaess. Mordenkainen also visited other planes, discovering the sealed seventh layer of the Abyss, known as the Phantom Plane. Mordenkainen's exploration of Castle Greyhawk in particular spanned some thirteen years (c. 557-570 CY) and resulted in the discovery of the Godtrap, an artifact created by Zagig Yragerne to steal the divine power from nine captured demigods. Zagig had used this artifact c. 505 CY to ascend to divinity, becoming the deity Zagyg. The captured demigods were still imprisoned some 65 years later when discovered by Mordenkainen. Fearing that others would the Godtrap, Mordenkainen recruited Lord Robilar to put it beyond use by freeing and assassinating the imprisoned demigod Iuz the Old. Robilar, accompanied only by his orc henchman Quij and the cleric Riggby, resolved to accomplish this task. However, just as he dispelled the barriers holding Iuz, he was interrupted by an party composed of Tenser, Bigby and the warrior Neb Retnar, who opposed Mordenkainen's assassination plan on moral grounds. The attempt to slay Iuz failed, with the six adventurers barely escaping with their lives. In the battle, the dungeon level was collapsed, and the remaining gods were freed. Mordenkainen himself did not personally take part in this battle, intending to avoid the scorn of good-aligned allies like Tenser who objected to the assassination attempt, while also avoiding Iuz's vengeance should the plan fail. However, he did gift Robilar the Blade of Black Ice shortly before the attempt, a freezing sword crafted by Iuz himself.
Overview
Personality and attributes
Powers and abilities
He sometimes communicates with agents from the distance in illusory form, projected by a ring carried by an agent. In other instances, he appears to people via a simulacrum designed to impersonate him.
Mordenkainen occupied the Obsidian Citadel that was a fortified complex in the Yatil Mountains. Its location is a closely guarded secret, known to only to himself, Tenser and Bigby. It is protected against accidental discovery by terrain, weather, illusions, and magical effects which cause a searcher to become easily lost. A certain single-use magical amulet allows it to be located once only. It is immune to entry by teleportation and similar magic. It is likewise exceptionally well-guarded, including by an army of elite dwarves, gnomes, and humans.
Notes
- Mordenkainen was created by Gary Gygax where he featured in the setting of the Dungeons & Dragons universe.
Appearances
- Dungeons & Dragons:
External Links
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