Circle of Eight

This group of wizards was formed by the archmage Mordenkainen as a tool to manipulate political factions of the Flanaess in an attempt to preserve the balance of power within the region and preventing any one faction from gaining the upper hand. Original members include Bigby of Mitrik, once Mordenkainen’s apprentice and now an archmage in his own right; the rotund and jovial Otto, who favours the kitchen over the laboratory; Drawmij, who oversees Keoland and the south from his undersea lair near Gradsul; and Nystul of Tenh, who wishes to expand the Circle to combat the growing threats across the Flanaess. The newer members are the redoubtable Warnes Starcoat of Ursnt; the beautiful Jallarzi Sallavarian of Greyhawk, one of the most dynamic members and the only woman in the Circle; Alhamazad the Wise of Zeif, who is intent on preserving Baklunish culture; and the cold, unemotional elf, Theodain Eriason. Mordenkainen remains the ninth member, a “shadow leader” dictating his agenda to others and influencing the Flanaess through his powerful network of agents and servitors. Past members include Tenser the Archmage, who left the Circle, chafing at Mordenkainen’s agenda, to promote the forces of Good; the now deceased Otiluke, a secret member who was also the President of the Society of Magi; Leomund, who retired in 576 CY; Bucknard, who mysteriously vanished in 579 CY; and Rary of Ket, who betrayed the Circle right before the Signing of the Pact of Greyhawk, killing Otiluke and Tenser. One of Tenser’s clones was retrieved by adventurers in 585 CY and the archmage is now alive and well.