Mordenkainen

"The planes exist in a precarious state, A seemingly small event could echo across the worlds and tip the balance. My task is to keep a finger on each end of the scales ensuring it never sways too violently."
-Mordenkainen

(a.k.a. Mad Mage of Mount Baratok)

Mordenkainen (Pronounced: MOR-den-kay-nen) is a renowned and powerful Archmage originally from the world of Oerth who has traveled through hundreds of Crystal Spheres and has had a hand in most major events in all of them. Mordenkainen is also the creator of many useful and powerful spells still utilized by wizards today. In Korrisian Space, Mordenkainen is the head of the mysterious order of wizards, The Circle of Eight, whose primary goal is to maintain the balance between good, evil, law, and chaos. 

Description

Mordenkainen was described as having a "hawk-like face, with a permanent frown that gave the appearance of alertness and almost anger, and a penetrating gaze." (See footnote 2) He preferred to keep a nicely trimmed mustache and goatee, and on the rare occasions he had hair it would be short and black. During his brief time in Barovia, Mordenkainen's hair and beard became long and salt & peppered. When he would become angry, his eyes would crackle with raw arcane power.
Mordenkainen's dress would often be grey, high-collared robes. In certain occasions he would wear pieces of armor that fit to his robes, pauldrons, bracers, and even a breastplate. One of the most unique identifiers is Mordenkainen's staff, which was a unique design made of brass, wood, and arcane metals. The staff stood taller than the archmage, at 6'5" and had three circles near the middle which Mordenkainen had wrapped in leather for better grip. 

Personality

"Undeniably, the man is personally a bit of a dick, but his moral reasoning is well principled, internally consistent, and shows intelligent forethought."
-An unnamed Wizard

Mordenkainen is a rare level of stubborn and arrogant. He rarely could suffer fools and could be difficult, even with dear close friends. Some would say that this is because of the sheer stress on his shoulders to maintain such a precarious balance, and he has no time for those that cannot think at the same level as he. If one were to simply ask who he is, the Archmage would respond that all one needs to know is that it is he and his associates who are the people keeping the multiverse running along happily and not collapsing in on itself.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Although Mordenkainen resided primarily in the world of Oerth (Greyhawk), his spells and stories could be found all across the Crystal Spheres, in realms like Faerun or Korrisia. One of the Archmage's dear friends is Elminster Aumar, one who like Mordenkainen shares the want to perform good deeds. Following the demise of many members of the Circle of Eight at the hands of the Archlich Vecna and the Dracolich Imrys, Mordenkainen spent years reflecting with Elminster the fragility of good deeds and whether or not this was the truest path for him.
When the Circle was fully reformed, Mordenkainen fully adjusted the goal of the Circle to maintain the balance be it good or evil, there must be no true victor or the Cosmos will fall into ruin.
Mordenkainen also traveled from Korrisia to the Demiplane of Dread, Ravenloft, and discovered the land of Barovia. The Archmage attempted to free the population and kill the Vampire darklord, Strahd von Zarovich. The wizard fully underestimated the Vampire's power and barely survived a toe-to-toe encounter with him, losing his staff and spellbook in the process. After spending weeks wandering the landscape of Barovia, Mordenkainen lost his mind and was driven to the brink of madness. The locals referred to him as the Mad Mage of Mount Baratok. After having his mind restored by a group of adventurers, Mordenkainen assisted them in finishing his task of freeing Barovia, and returned to the Material Plane once more. 
The long-term psychological damage from his experiences in Barovia would stay with Mordenkainen for years to come. Elminster found him and took him to the City of Waterdeep, where he assisted in Mordenkainen's mental recovery. After feeling that he had rested enough, Mordenkainen continued his work and had taken residence in the Tower of Urm, using its plane shifting powers to travel the multiverse. Occasionally, Mordenkainen would visit Avernus to study the effects of the Nine Hells over Magic and to ensure the balance of the universe.

Age

Unknown

Eyes

Dark brown and squinty

Hair

Bald

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Lightly tanned

Height

6'3"

Weight

Approx. 135 lbs.

Aligned Organization

The Circle of Eight

Mordenkainen is obviously heavily inspired from the character of the same name that is the creation of Dungeons & Dragon's creator, Ernest Gary Gygax. 
Information on Mordenkainen & photos all taken from https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Mordenkainen or Wizards of the Coast's Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes