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When people hear 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:the name Mordenkainen, there are typically two responses you get from them. Either they have no idea what you're talking about or they recognize the name from Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse or Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. For those that are part of the latter percentage, most if not all of these people don't realize that, from a narrative perspective, he represents an actual character writing these guidebooks.
Mordenkainen isn't just a random name that the developers at Wizards of the Coast came up with to 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:sell their sourcebooks. No, he's very much a character whose existence has weight within the world of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Dungeons & Dragons. Mordenkainen has a very interesting history, and it's a shame that not many have discovered it.
The Secretive Scholar
While Mordenkainen is a very well-known and powerful wizard, his past is shrouded in mystery. While it is widely believed that the wizard was born 509 CY, or common year, there's very little information about the wizard's place of origin. Whether it be due to the wizard's madness and paranoia or a simple lack of documentation, there exists almost no information on the wizard's early life.
There are numerous rumors as to the wizard's ancestry, but none can be confirmed. Some believe that he is related Ganz Yragerne, the first Landgraf of the Selintan, as well as Zagig Yragerne, a person who would ascend to godhood. However, others believe that he is related to House Craden, one of the royal houses of the Aerdy Kingdom. No two stories of the wizard's birth are the same, leaving historians confused and frustrated.
Whatever his bloodline, it can be confirmed where Mordenkainen spent a great deal of his time. Records state that the wizard spent a great deal of time on the Wild Coast as well as the city of Greyhawk and Highfolk. It's possible these sightings were the cause of several of the rumors surrounding the wizard's origins.
The Team Leader
It wasn't until the 560s that Mordenkainen came into the spotlight. Up until this point, the wizard had been rather reclusive and secretive regarding his studies. He sequestered himself in the Yatil Mountains where he built his stronghold, the Obsidian Citadel. He did have an apprentice named Bigby but, other than that, he mainly kept to himself. This changed as the wizard ✅veᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚntured out into the Flanaess.
During his travels, Mordenkainen became concerned with the tentative peace that hovered over the continent of Oerik. In his eyes, the scales of celestial power were in a constant state of unbalance, and he feared what would occur should there not be a line of defense to keep the peace. Seeing no better option, he put it upon himself and his apprentice to seek out others to join them on their quest to protect the Flanaess.
Formation Of The Citadel Of Eight
With their goal in mind, the duo set out across Oerik to find individuals they deemed worthy to join their effort. First to join was a proud warrior named Robilar and, shortly after, a cleric named Riggby, along with their overzealous assistant, Yrag. From the shores of Nyr Dyv, Moℱrdenkainen recruited a fellow💎 wizard named Tenser and the dimwitted, but good-hearted, Serten. The final member to join this merry band was the ranger Otis, and together they became the Citadel of Eight.
In the following years, the Citadel would venture across Oerik, stomping down any that threatened the peace of the continent. From the city of Greyhawk to the crags of the Cairn Hills, tales of the group's exploits and accomplishments traveled far and wide. The group grew in power and renown, advancing in both their respective fields and the graces of the people. They were becoming the force Mordenkainen had envisioned, but things didn't work out the way he planned.
The Collapse
Despite the group's effectiveness, the Citadel of Eight experienced quite a bit of internal troubles. For one, Robilar never truly agreed with Mordenkainen's intentions for the group and he and Tenser often butted heads regarding the group's morality. Serten, despite being seen as a valued member of the group, was never given much respect. All of this strain built up until it became too much and Otis left.
The ranger was not only fed up with all the in-fighting but also the group's forays into underground dungeons and urban cityscapes. He claimed that he joined to be a protector of the people, not a treasure hunter. He declared his former friends to be blind to the true problems that threatened the world. With his piece said, Otis left the group; his departure would serve as the first step to the group's collapse.
While Mordenkainen and most of the Citadel were gallivanting in Maure Castle, Serten was left alone to participate in the Battle of Emridy Meadows. Alone, Serten🍌 fought valiantly against the hordes of Elemental Evil but was eventually slain in battle. Tenser blamed Mordenkainen for the death of his friend while the others slowly drifted away as the public eye looked upon the group with disfavor. Undeterred by this, Mordenkainen would later reforge the group with the remnants of the original and a few new members, creating the Circle of Eight.
The Lich Hunter
In 581 CY, a great tragedy befell the newly formed group. All the Circle of Eight, save for Mordenkainen himself, were slain by Halmadar the Cruel 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:under the direction of the lich Vecna. The aforementioned lich was attempting to achieve the power of a greater god and the group had attempted t♕o stop him.
Mordenkainen, along with a group of adventurers, confronted Vecna, thwarting his plans and forcing the immortal lich to flee to lick his wounds. With the threat vanquished, Mordenkainen would take the remnants of his team and clone them, reviving the Circle to its former glory. After this event, Mor𝔉denkainen would become more of a shadow member of the Circle of Eight as opposed to an active member, instead deciding to travel and continue his studies.
The Mad Mage
Mordenkai🎀nen had achieved many accomplishments in his life. He was a very successful scholar and believed to be the strongest mage in all of Greyhawk. With a pedigree as extensive as this, one would think that he would be revered as one of the greatest mages of all time.
However, the wizard gained the moniker the Mad Mage during a brief stint in Barovia, one of the Domains of Dread in Ravenloft, shortly after thwarting Vecna. He had heard tell of a vampire that was en𓆏slaving the countr♐y and sought to free the people. However, in his arrogance, he made one crucial mistake. He underestimated the Dark Lord Strahd.
The Consequences Of Hubris
The vampire lord was far more powerful than Mordenkainen expected. He fought tooth and nail, but he was unable to gain the upper hand over the vampire. He was forced to retreat, losing his staff, spellbook, and, eventually, his very mind. As the beaten wizard roamed Barovia, his once brilliant mind began to crack. His memories began to fade away, leaving the wizard mad and earniꦍng him the title of the Mad Mage of Moun🐭t Baratok.
Since his unfortunate encounter with Strahd, Mordenkainen struggles to regain what he had lost. At times, he is coherent and continues to pursue his studies, but he can never rid himself of the madness that befell him. Whether it be because of shame or paranoia, the wizard secludes himself in the Tower of Urm, a vehicle he uses to 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:travel through the multiverse. To this day, the wizard continues to travel the realms, studying the schools of 🌊magic despite his madness.