Zagyg (ZA-gig)
Demigods
(The Mad Arch-Mage), CN (CG) demigod of Humor, Eccentricity, Occult Lore, and Unpredictability
Zagyg (ZA-gig) was once Zagig Yragerne, the most famous lord mayor of the city of Greyhawk. Part of his apotheosis required the capture of nine demigods of opposing alignments (including Iuz, Merikka, Wastri, and Rudd). While some of these demigods were freed by a group of adventurers, their tempo rary confinement (and Boccob's sponsorship) was sufficient to allow Zagig's ascendance. Eccentric and likely insane when a mortal, he chose the rune of insanity as his symbol. He favors dark blue and silver but has little constancy in his physical depictions. He serves his divine sponsor and has been known to associate with Celestian.
All deserve and need to be entertained and surprised by humor, although preferably in a manner that leaves them wondering for some time; to provide this service is of the highest priority. The quest for odd bits of information on magic is of utmost importance, and above all one should live a life of unpredictability and abstain from repetitive habits. The various small clusters of his faith focus on one type of humor for a time, then abandon it when they believe it perfected, only to take it up again after a seemingly random interval.
Zagyg's few clerics enjoy bringing strangeness and humor to the lives of those around them, espe cially those in need of comedy to lift up their dulled souls. Many work as bards, travel far when their jokes are misunderstood or cause offense, and try to uncover lost magical knowledge. Most have at least one odd personal quirk, although whether this is an actual trait or one affected solely for the observer is debatable.
Domains Chaos, Knowledge, Magic; Weapons club
Zagyg, the Mad Arch-Mage and punster, is the sole known servant of Boccob, for the latter recognizes no others except on special occasions. Zagyg is mad only in that none but his master seem to be able to fathom his reasoning and sense of humor; few, if any, hold him as their deity.
Zagyg will appear in nearly any guise when upon the Prime Material Plane. His actual appearance is said to be rather unremarkable in a wizardly sort of way. Likewise his garb is varied to suit the situation, dark blue and silver being colors often noted.
Being able to employ weapons and devices common to both fighters and magic-users, Zagyg is likely to appear with a vorpal blade in one hand and a wand of wonder in the other. Harmful effects of items employed by this being tend to affect not him but his opponents instead. Thus, if Zagyg donned a ring of weakness, all those around him might well be affected while Zagyg is untouched. He has been known to strike with a padded club, or cast a haste spell upon an opponent, however. Somehow, despite his seeming madness, Zagyg survives, carries out his assignments, and moves on.
Zagyg can likewise travel all planes and is the bane of many. He serves Boccob most carefully, but apparently out of his own will and a desire to retain enlightened neutrality and uncertain humor everywhere.
It is said that anyone mad enough to seek to serve Zagyg must confront the demi-god personally, and periodically thereafter, and be subject to judgment.
Zagyg is the Mad Arch-mage, servitor of Boc cob, the demipower of humor, eccentricity, and occult studies. He is mad inasmuch as none but his master seem to be able to fathom his reasoning and sense of humor. Zagyg has no priests and very few worshipers.
Zagyg is rarely portrayed, since he can appear in any guise he wishes, but the few portraits that exist show a balding, white-haired, portly fellow with a wide smile and eyes inscrutably closed. This depiction bears a striking similarity to Zagig Yragerne, the lunatic of the Free City of Greyhawk who initiated the construction of its infamous Castle. Sages usually consider the two to be one and the same. Whether the demipower took mortal form, or the mortal became a demi god, is unknown.
Zagyg receives small offerings and homages from time to time, from sages and scholars studying difficult and arcane areas of lore. Whether Zagyg takes any notice of this is unknown.
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