Mordenkainen - Revision history

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1d4chan>SpectralTime at 14:11, 17 October 2021

2021-10-17T14:11:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:11, 17 October 2021
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	[[File:Mordenkainen WG5.jpg\|left\|300px]]'''Mordenkainen''' is an archmage from the [[Greyhawk]] setting, and technically that setting's equivalent of [[Elminster]]: he's an avatar of [[Gary Gygax]] as much as Elminster is one for [[Ed Greenwood]], though the judgement is still out on that one; Elminster has '''never''' done a single thing wrong and never will as far as Greenwood is concerned, whereas Gygax actually seemed to acknowledge at some points that Mordy is a bit of a dickbag and it was TSR who made Mordenkainen a [[Mary Sue]]. Mordy is famous as the head-asshole-in-charge of the [[Circle of Eight]], a group of archmages who mostly serve him as grunt-labor for Mordy's plans, and is an old adventuring buddy of [[Iggwilv]], [[Murlynd]] and [[Zagyg]].		[[File:Mordenkainen WG5.jpg\|left\|300px]]'''Mordenkainen''' is an archmage from the [[Greyhawk]] setting, and technically that setting's equivalent of [[Elminster]]: he's an avatar of [[Gary Gygax]] as much as Elminster is one for [[Ed Greenwood]], though the judgement is still out on that one; Elminster has '''never''' done a single thing wrong and never will as far as Greenwood is concerned, whereas Gygax actually seemed to acknowledge at some points that Mordy is a bit of a dickbag and it was TSR who made Mordenkainen a [[Mary Sue]]. Mordy is famous as the head-asshole-in-charge of the [[Circle of Eight]], a group of archmages (plus the odd cleric or high-level fighter) who mostly serve him as grunt-labor for Mordy's plans, and is an old adventuring buddy of [[Iggwilv]], [[Murlynd]] and [[Zagyg]].

	While some of the ancient neckbeards of D&D still talk lovingly of Mordenkainen, the plain and ugly truth is that he's a giant fucking shitbag of the highest order. In contrast to their creators' responses, Elminster seems to be the less harmful in-universe. While Elminster is a creeper (and, arguably, a closet pedo), he at least knows that Evil is bad and will get off his wrinkled balls and do something positive for the world once in a while without fucking over a lot of people in the process. By contrast, Mordenkainen deliberately fucks '''everyone''' over, just to maintain his [[Stupid Neutral\|"enforced neutrality"]] philosophy. That said, he's good at making spells, but bad in politicking and maintaining neutrality in Greyhawk.		While some of the ancient neckbeards of D&D still talk lovingly of Mordenkainen, the plain and ugly truth is that he's a giant fucking shitbag of the highest order. In contrast to their creators' responses, Elminster seems to be the less harmful in-universe. While Elminster is a creeper (and, arguably, a closet pedo), he at least knows that Evil is bad and will get off his wrinkled balls and do something positive for the world once in a while without fucking over a lot of people in the process. By contrast, Mordenkainen deliberately fucks '''everyone''' over, just to maintain his [[Stupid Neutral\|"enforced neutrality"]] philosophy. That said, he's good at making spells, but bad in politicking and maintaining neutrality in Greyhawk.

1d4chan>Nubnuber: /* Gallery */

2021-09-13T20:57:59Z

Gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:57, 13 September 2021
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	==Gallery==		==Gallery==
	<gallery>		<gallery>
			Mordenkainen WG5 2.jpg
	Mordenkainen EttRoG.jpg		Mordenkainen EttRoG.jpg
	Mordenkainen ELH.jpg		Mordenkainen ELH.jpg

1d4chan>Zimriel: /* Background */

2021-08-22T17:15:38Z

Background

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:15, 22 August 2021
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	Mordy, according to various sources, seems to have been born around 509 CY and spent his younger days around the Wild Coast (wedged south of the City of Greyhawk, north of the Pomarj). He founded a group called the Citadel of Eight, in 561, named for having eight members: himself, Bigby, Robilar, Yrag, Riggby, Serten, Otis, and Tenser. The idea was simply to place a big fucking stronghold in a place where adventure would be within easy reach no matter which direction they headed in. Then the Battle of Emridy Meadows happened; Serten died, and it exposed deep ideological differences between the members, so they fucked off to do whatever.		Mordy, according to various sources, seems to have been born around 509 CY and spent his younger days around the Wild Coast (wedged south of the City of Greyhawk, north of the Pomarj). He founded a group called the Citadel of Eight, in 561, named for having eight members: himself, Bigby, Robilar, Yrag, Riggby, Serten, Otis, and Tenser. The idea was simply to place a big fucking stronghold in a place where adventure would be within easy reach no matter which direction they headed in. Then the Battle of Emridy Meadows happened; Serten died, and it exposed deep ideological differences between the members, so they fucked off to do whatever.

	Mordy, not hearing a fucking thing Tenser tried to tell him about how stupid he was being, forged on ahead with a newer-and-better Circle of Eight in 571, comprised only of wizards. Things weren't so bad for a while, this time; they mostly all just kind of screwed around with their own projects and Mordy kept thinking everything was going Just As Planned. Then, Vecna, showing Mordy what actual cunning and guile looks like, used some throwaway minion to murder the entire fucking Circle. No, seriously, eight fucking arch-wizards were taken out by what was basically a ~~henchman~~. Mordy, being the "shadow" ninth member, wasn't there when it happened (a recurring theme with Mordy, never being where the actual action happens), and put together a group to go retrieve pieces of his "friends" (really, he treats them like minions, but whatever helps him sleep at night I guess), and use the wizard spell ''clone'' to put them back together.		Mordy, not hearing a fucking thing Tenser tried to tell him about how stupid he was being, forged on ahead with a newer-and-better Circle of Eight in 571, comprised only of wizards. Things weren't so bad for a while, this time; they mostly all just kind of screwed around with their own projects and Mordy kept thinking everything was going Just As Planned. Then, Vecna, showing Mordy what actual cunning and guile looks like, used some throwaway minion to murder the entire fucking Circle. No, seriously, eight fucking arch-wizards were taken out by what was basically a [[Retainer]]. Mordy, being the "shadow" ninth member, wasn't there when it happened (a recurring theme with Mordy, never being where the actual action happens), and put together a group to go retrieve pieces of his "friends" (really, he treats them like minions, but whatever helps him sleep at night I guess), and use the wizard spell ''clone'' to put them back together.

	Bad news for Mordy, though, was that this might have been a cover for the start of the infamous Greyhawk Wars. It wasn't called that because any fighting actually happened in that city; the war consumed most of the Flanaess region, and Greyhawk was where they signed the treaty ending it. Apparently Mordy didn't want to bother risking his own neck doing much about Iuz, Ivid, and the other dozen or so villains running around and ruining (almost literally) everything, so he decided to hide out in the Obsidian Citadel to grow some friends.		Bad news for Mordy, though, was that this might have been a cover for the start of the infamous Greyhawk Wars. It wasn't called that because any fighting actually happened in that city; the war consumed most of the Flanaess region, and Greyhawk was where they signed the treaty ending it. Apparently Mordy didn't want to bother risking his own neck doing much about Iuz, Ivid, and the other dozen or so villains running around and ruining (almost literally) everything, so he decided to hide out in the Obsidian Citadel to grow some friends.

1d4chan>Nubnuber: /* Gallery */

2021-04-28T16:35:53Z

Gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:35, 28 April 2021
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	Mordenkainen EttRoG.jpg		Mordenkainen EttRoG.jpg
	Mordenkainen ELH.jpg		Mordenkainen ELH.jpg
			Mordenkainen Dragon 344.jpg
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons]] [[Category: Greyhawk]]		[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons]] [[Category: Greyhawk]]

1d4chan>Nubnuber at 20:04, 30 December 2020

2020-12-30T20:04:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:04, 30 December 2020
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	5E seems to be giving him more of a showing. In ''Curse of Strahd'', he apparently is trapped by the "dark powers" of Barovia to fight against Strahd; the vampire, showing himself to be one of the true badasses of D&D, defeats Mordy and throws his ass off a cliff. Mordy goes a touch insane, and may or may not be helpful. Later, in the Forgotten Realms novel, 'Death Masks', he is directly referred to being in the care of Elminster and Storm Silverhand, trying to help him recover from his madness. (Ed Greenwood mary sue nonsense). Later, he sends a Simulacrum to Avernus to keep an eye on a massive push by the forces of the Abyss to conquer the first level of Hell, and can help the party if they play nice. He even got his own book, where alongside the monster stats and planar lore, we get to hear his [[Stupid Neutral\|philosophical insights]] and his racism towards [[halflings]]. No, really.		5E seems to be giving him more of a showing. In ''Curse of Strahd'', he apparently is trapped by the "dark powers" of Barovia to fight against Strahd; the vampire, showing himself to be one of the true badasses of D&D, defeats Mordy and throws his ass off a cliff. Mordy goes a touch insane, and may or may not be helpful. Later, in the Forgotten Realms novel, 'Death Masks', he is directly referred to being in the care of Elminster and Storm Silverhand, trying to help him recover from his madness. (Ed Greenwood mary sue nonsense). Later, he sends a Simulacrum to Avernus to keep an eye on a massive push by the forces of the Abyss to conquer the first level of Hell, and can help the party if they play nice. He even got his own book, where alongside the monster stats and planar lore, we get to hear his [[Stupid Neutral\|philosophical insights]] and his racism towards [[halflings]]. No, really.

	One wonders if maybe Strahd and Vecna could put any possible differences aside and just go take Mordy out once and for fucking all, so we won't have to hear about any more of his failures. Bonus points if Dalamar from Dragonlance - one of Mordenkainen's supposed peers that he used to chat with (in the old Dragon "Wizards Three" articles) - would step in to deliver the killing blow and/or keep Elminster out of it.		One wonders if maybe Strahd and Vecna could put any possible differences aside and just go take Mordy out once and for fucking all, so we won't have to hear about any more of his failures. Bonus points if Dalamar from Dragonlance - one of Mordenkainen's supposed peers that he used to chat with (in the old [[Dragon Magazine\|Dragon]] "Wizards Three" articles) - would step in to deliver the killing blow and/or keep Elminster out of it.

	==Legacy Spells==		==Legacy Spells==

1d4chan>Nubnuber at 20:00, 30 December 2020

2020-12-30T20:00:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:00, 30 December 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Mordenkainen WG5.jpg\|left\|300px]]'''Mordenkainen''' is an archmage from the [[Greyhawk]] setting, and technically that setting's equivalent of [[Elminster]]: he's an avatar of [[Gary Gygax]] as much as Elminster is one for Ed Greenwood, though the judgement is still out on that one; Elminster has '''never''' done a single thing wrong and never will as far as Greenwood is concerned, whereas Gygax actually seemed to acknowledge at some points that Mordy is a bit of a dickbag and it was TSR who made Mordenkainen a [[Mary Sue]]. Mordy is famous as the head-asshole-in-charge of the [[Circle of Eight]], a group of archmages who mostly serve him as grunt-labor for Mordy's plans, and is an old adventuring buddy of [[Iggwilv]], [[Murlynd]] and [[Zagyg]].		[[File:Mordenkainen WG5.jpg\|left\|300px]]'''Mordenkainen''' is an archmage from the [[Greyhawk]] setting, and technically that setting's equivalent of [[Elminster]]: he's an avatar of [[Gary Gygax]] as much as Elminster is one for [[Ed Greenwood]], though the judgement is still out on that one; Elminster has '''never''' done a single thing wrong and never will as far as Greenwood is concerned, whereas Gygax actually seemed to acknowledge at some points that Mordy is a bit of a dickbag and it was TSR who made Mordenkainen a [[Mary Sue]]. Mordy is famous as the head-asshole-in-charge of the [[Circle of Eight]], a group of archmages who mostly serve him as grunt-labor for Mordy's plans, and is an old adventuring buddy of [[Iggwilv]], [[Murlynd]] and [[Zagyg]].

	While some of the ancient neckbeards of D&D still talk lovingly of Mordenkainen, the plain and ugly truth is that he's a giant fucking shitbag of the highest order. In contrast to their creators' responses, Elminster seems to be the less harmful in-universe. While Elminster is a creeper (and, arguably, a closet pedo), he at least knows that Evil is bad and will get off his wrinkled balls and do something positive for the world once in a while without fucking over a lot of people in the process. By contrast, Mordenkainen deliberately fucks '''everyone''' over, just to maintain his [[Stupid Neutral\|"enforced neutrality"]] philosophy. That said, he's good at making spells, but bad in politicking and maintaining neutrality in Greyhawk.		While some of the ancient neckbeards of D&D still talk lovingly of Mordenkainen, the plain and ugly truth is that he's a giant fucking shitbag of the highest order. In contrast to their creators' responses, Elminster seems to be the less harmful in-universe. While Elminster is a creeper (and, arguably, a closet pedo), he at least knows that Evil is bad and will get off his wrinkled balls and do something positive for the world once in a while without fucking over a lot of people in the process. By contrast, Mordenkainen deliberately fucks '''everyone''' over, just to maintain his [[Stupid Neutral\|"enforced neutrality"]] philosophy. That said, he's good at making spells, but bad in politicking and maintaining neutrality in Greyhawk.

1d4chan>Nubnuber: Added images

2020-12-30T19:53:27Z

Added images

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:53, 30 December 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~{{NeedsImages}}~~		[[File:Mordenkainen WG5.jpg\|left\|300px]]'''Mordenkainen''' is an archmage from the [[Greyhawk]] setting, and technically that setting's equivalent of [[Elminster]]: he's an avatar of [[Gary Gygax]] as much as Elminster is one for Ed Greenwood, though the judgement is still out on that one; Elminster has '''never''' done a single thing wrong and never will as far as Greenwood is concerned, whereas Gygax actually seemed to acknowledge at some points that Mordy is a bit of a dickbag and it was TSR who made Mordenkainen a [[Mary Sue]]. Mordy is famous as the head-asshole-in-charge of the [[Circle of Eight]], a group of archmages who mostly serve him as grunt-labor for Mordy's plans, and is an old adventuring buddy of [[Iggwilv]], [[Murlynd]] and [[Zagyg]].
	'''Mordenkainen''' is an archmage from the [[Greyhawk]] setting, and technically that setting's equivalent of [[Elminster]]: he's an avatar of [[Gary Gygax]] as much as Elminster is one for Ed Greenwood, though the judgement is still out on that one; Elminster has '''never''' done a single thing wrong and never will as far as Greenwood is concerned, whereas Gygax actually seemed to acknowledge at some points that Mordy is a bit of a dickbag and it was TSR who made Mordenkainen a [[Mary Sue]]. Mordy is famous as the head-asshole-in-charge of the [[Circle of Eight]], a group of archmages who mostly serve him as grunt-labor for Mordy's plans, and is an old adventuring buddy of [[Iggwilv]], [[Murlynd]] and [[Zagyg]].

	While some of the ancient neckbeards of D&D still talk lovingly of Mordenkainen, the plain and ugly truth is that he's a giant fucking shitbag of the highest order. In contrast to their creators' responses, Elminster seems to be the less harmful in-universe. While Elminster is a creeper (and, arguably, a closet pedo), he at least knows that Evil is bad and will get off his wrinkled balls and do something positive for the world once in a while without fucking over a lot of people in the process. By contrast, Mordenkainen deliberately fucks '''everyone''' over, just to maintain his [[Stupid Neutral\|"enforced neutrality"]] philosophy. That said, he's good at making spells, but bad in politicking and maintaining neutrality in Greyhawk.		While some of the ancient neckbeards of D&D still talk lovingly of Mordenkainen, the plain and ugly truth is that he's a giant fucking shitbag of the highest order. In contrast to their creators' responses, Elminster seems to be the less harmful in-universe. While Elminster is a creeper (and, arguably, a closet pedo), he at least knows that Evil is bad and will get off his wrinkled balls and do something positive for the world once in a while without fucking over a lot of people in the process. By contrast, Mordenkainen deliberately fucks '''everyone''' over, just to maintain his [[Stupid Neutral\|"enforced neutrality"]] philosophy. That said, he's good at making spells, but bad in politicking and maintaining neutrality in Greyhawk.

	==Background==		==Background==
			[[File:Mordenkainen 3e.jpg\|thumb\|Mordy went bald somewhere around third edition.]]
	Mordy, according to various sources, seems to have been born around 509 CY and spent his younger days around the Wild Coast (wedged south of the City of Greyhawk, north of the Pomarj). He founded a group called the Citadel of Eight, in 561, named for having eight members: himself, Bigby, Robilar, Yrag, Riggby, Serten, Otis, and Tenser. The idea was simply to place a big fucking stronghold in a place where adventure would be within easy reach no matter which direction they headed in. Then the Battle of Emridy Meadows happened; Serten died, and it exposed deep ideological differences between the members, so they fucked off to do whatever.		Mordy, according to various sources, seems to have been born around 509 CY and spent his younger days around the Wild Coast (wedged south of the City of Greyhawk, north of the Pomarj). He founded a group called the Citadel of Eight, in 561, named for having eight members: himself, Bigby, Robilar, Yrag, Riggby, Serten, Otis, and Tenser. The idea was simply to place a big fucking stronghold in a place where adventure would be within easy reach no matter which direction they headed in. Then the Battle of Emridy Meadows happened; Serten died, and it exposed deep ideological differences between the members, so they fucked off to do whatever.

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	Since then, Mordy seems to realize how he should fuck off and stop doing things. He only appears in 3.5 in Expedition to Castle Greyhawk to fix the Robilar/Bilarro situation. In 4E, he appears in Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium to tell everyone how bad it is for you to have magic items, nevermind that he owns fucking dozens of them, including possibly various artifacts.		Since then, Mordy seems to realize how he should fuck off and stop doing things. He only appears in 3.5 in Expedition to Castle Greyhawk to fix the Robilar/Bilarro situation. In 4E, he appears in Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium to tell everyone how bad it is for you to have magic items, nevermind that he owns fucking dozens of them, including possibly various artifacts.

	5E seems to be giving him more of a showing. In ''Curse of Strahd'', he apparently is trapped by the "dark powers" of Barovia to fight against Strahd; the vampire, showing himself to be one of the true badasses of D&D, defeats Mordy and throws his ass off a cliff. Mordy goes a touch insane, and may or may not be helpful. Later, in the Forgotten Realms novel, 'Death Masks', he is directly referred to being in the care of Elminster and Storm Silverhand, trying to help him recover from his madness. (Ed Greenwood ~~marty stue~~ nonsense). Later, he sends a Simulacrum to Avernus to keep an eye on a massive push by the forces of the Abyss to conquer the first level of Hell, and can help the party if they play nice. He even got his own book, where alongside the monster stats and planar lore, we get to hear his [[Stupid Neutral\|philosophical insights]] and his racism towards [[halflings]]. No, really.		5E seems to be giving him more of a showing. In ''Curse of Strahd'', he apparently is trapped by the "dark powers" of Barovia to fight against Strahd; the vampire, showing himself to be one of the true badasses of D&D, defeats Mordy and throws his ass off a cliff. Mordy goes a touch insane, and may or may not be helpful. Later, in the Forgotten Realms novel, 'Death Masks', he is directly referred to being in the care of Elminster and Storm Silverhand, trying to help him recover from his madness. (Ed Greenwood mary sue nonsense). Later, he sends a Simulacrum to Avernus to keep an eye on a massive push by the forces of the Abyss to conquer the first level of Hell, and can help the party if they play nice. He even got his own book, where alongside the monster stats and planar lore, we get to hear his [[Stupid Neutral\|philosophical insights]] and his racism towards [[halflings]]. No, really.

	One wonders if maybe Strahd and Vecna could put any possible differences aside and just go take Mordy out once and for fucking all, so we won't have to hear about any more of his failures. Bonus points if Dalamar from Dragonlance - one of Mordenkainen's supposed peers that he used to chat with (in the old Dragon "Wizards Three" articles) - would step in to deliver the killing blow and/or keep Elminster out of it.		One wonders if maybe Strahd and Vecna could put any possible differences aside and just go take Mordy out once and for fucking all, so we won't have to hear about any more of his failures. Bonus points if Dalamar from Dragonlance - one of Mordenkainen's supposed peers that he used to chat with (in the old Dragon "Wizards Three" articles) - would step in to deliver the killing blow and/or keep Elminster out of it.
Line 24:		Line 23:
	==Legacy Spells==		==Legacy Spells==
	Aside from completely being a fuck-up who can't seem to learn that he's bad at being some kind of quasi-political mastermind, Mordy has, in point of fact, created some very useful spells. The ''Mordenkainen's disjunction'', ''Mordenkainen's magnificent mansion'', and ''Mordenkainen's private sanctum'' spells are three of the most clutch spells for big-time wizards: the first one can break almost any magic in the game (even a slim chance to break artifacts), the second is essentially an hours-long buffet and resting area that nobody can get into, and the last one provides (potentially permanent) protection against scrying and mind-reading. He's got a few other spells, though most aren't hugely useful, though ''Mordenkainen's capable caravel'' is basically the god-mode way to travel when you don't have an airship since it's a self-propelled ''magnificent mansion'' in ship form.		Aside from completely being a fuck-up who can't seem to learn that he's bad at being some kind of quasi-political mastermind, Mordy has, in point of fact, created some very useful spells. The ''Mordenkainen's disjunction'', ''Mordenkainen's magnificent mansion'', and ''Mordenkainen's private sanctum'' spells are three of the most clutch spells for big-time wizards: the first one can break almost any magic in the game (even a slim chance to break artifacts), the second is essentially an hours-long buffet and resting area that nobody can get into, and the last one provides (potentially permanent) protection against scrying and mind-reading. He's got a few other spells, though most aren't hugely useful, though ''Mordenkainen's capable caravel'' is basically the god-mode way to travel when you don't have an airship since it's a self-propelled ''magnificent mansion'' in ship form.

			==Gallery==
			<gallery>
			Mordenkainen EttRoG.jpg
			Mordenkainen ELH.jpg
			</gallery>

	[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons]] [[Category: Greyhawk]]		[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons]] [[Category: Greyhawk]]

1d4chan>Stephenlucas600 at 23:20, 16 November 2020

2020-11-16T23:20:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:20, 16 November 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
			{{NeedsImages}}
	'''Mordenkainen''' is an archmage from the [[Greyhawk]] setting, and technically that setting's equivalent of [[Elminster]]: he's an avatar of [[Gary Gygax]] as much as Elminster is one for Ed Greenwood, though the judgement is still out on that one; Elminster has '''never''' done a single thing wrong and never will as far as Greenwood is concerned, whereas Gygax actually seemed to acknowledge at some points that Mordy is a bit of a dickbag and it was TSR who made Mordenkainen a [[Mary Sue]]. Mordy is famous as the head-asshole-in-charge of the [[Circle of Eight]], a group of archmages who mostly serve him as grunt-labor for Mordy's plans, and is an old adventuring buddy of [[Iggwilv]], [[Murlynd]] and [[Zagyg]].		'''Mordenkainen''' is an archmage from the [[Greyhawk]] setting, and technically that setting's equivalent of [[Elminster]]: he's an avatar of [[Gary Gygax]] as much as Elminster is one for Ed Greenwood, though the judgement is still out on that one; Elminster has '''never''' done a single thing wrong and never will as far as Greenwood is concerned, whereas Gygax actually seemed to acknowledge at some points that Mordy is a bit of a dickbag and it was TSR who made Mordenkainen a [[Mary Sue]]. Mordy is famous as the head-asshole-in-charge of the [[Circle of Eight]], a group of archmages who mostly serve him as grunt-labor for Mordy's plans, and is an old adventuring buddy of [[Iggwilv]], [[Murlynd]] and [[Zagyg]].