Mordenkainen is one of the most powerful wizards in the World of Greyhawk.
Description[]
Mordenkainen appears much younger than his years, perhaps in his mid-forties. He is tall, of medium build and often depicted wearing black, blue, or grey. He wears a Van Dyke beard with two prominent grey streaks. Its shape has changed over the years, and in recent art is narrow and pointed, but was originally broad, covering the whole chin. He once wore his graying black hair at medium length, but since 591 CY has been shaving his pate bald, as well as trimming his goatee to a fine point. He speaks with a deep, melodic voice.
When traveling, Mordenkainen often disguises himself as a poor, elderly merchant.
Mordenkainen can be stubborn and difficult, and does not tolerate fools. He normally spends much more time listening than talking, but when he does speak, his pronouncements are authoritative and rarely questioned.
History[]
Mordenkainen was born 509 CY. His birthplace is unknown, but before coming to prominence in the early 560s, he is thought to have resided on the Wild Coast. He also resided for a time in the City of Greyhawk, as well as Highfolk. He is rumored to be of Oeridian blood, possibly Aerdi. Some claim that he is a descendant of Ganz Yragerne, first Landgraf of the Selintan, which would mean he's also related to Zagig and Heward. According to some sources, he is distantly related to House Cranden, one of the royal houses of the Great Kingdom of Aerdy.
About 561 CY, with his young apprentice Bigby, the warriors Robilar and Yrag, the clerics Riggby and Serten, the ranger Otis, and fellow mage Tenser, Mordenkainen formed the Citadel of Eight. The group was named for the Obsidian Citadel, Mordenkainen's stronghold in the Yatil Mountains. The Citadel disbanded after the Battle of Emridy Meadows in 569 CY, where Citadel member Serten lost his life.
Two years later, Mordenkainen formed the Circle of Eight, a cabal of eight wizards with himself acting as the ninth "shadow member" and leader. Mordenkainen felt that the failure of the Citadel was due to its composition. He felt that such a group as he envisioned could only succeed if its members were "men of intellect and sorcerous skill, whose primary interests were more than material.
Allies & Enemies[]
Mordenkainen has had dealings with nearly every other character in the setting. His enemies include Evard, Iuz, Rary, Terik, and Sir Robilar. His allies include Heward, Murlynd, Zagyg, Jallarzi Sallavarian, Otto, Ravel Dasinder, and the lesser deity Dalt.
He is distantly related to Heward, Zagyg, and Bigby. The latter was at one point Mordenkainen's apprentice, as was a young woman named Rautheene.
Mordenkainen is one of the "Wizards Three", a trio (sometimes quartet when Rautheene accompanies him) comprising himself, Elminster of Toril, and Dalamar of Krynn, who occasionally meet in the home of Ed Greenwood of Earth to swap news of the multiverse and tips of the trade.
Mordenkainen's citadel is defended by humans, dwarves, and gnomes. The wizard is also allied with various giants.
Magic[]
Writings[]
Mordenkainen is responsible for authoring the following works:
- Architecture (with Leomund)
- The Codex of Mordenkainen
- Cosmogony of Magnetic Fluids
- Dark Sides of the Memory
- Epic Saga of the Great Conjurers
- Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio
- Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
- On the Rise of Magecraft and Modernity
- Weapons of the Ether (with Melf)
Appendix[]
External Links[]
- Mordenkainen article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
References[]
- CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0
Mordenkainen. Great Library of Greyhawk, GreyhawkOnline.com. (view authors)