Mordenkainen

Mordenkainen is a powerful wizard NPC from the outlander world of Oerth (the world of the Greyhawk campaign setting) and the in-game creator of a number of different famous spells from the Player's Handbook such as Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion. He appears or is mentioned in several different Greyhawk and Dungeons and Dragons products. Although not featured in Ravenloft products prior to Curse of Strahd, he appears in that module after having lost his memories and having gone mad. Locally, he is only known as the Mad Mage of Mount Baratok.

History

Mordenkainen is a well-known adventurer on his home world and a member of the Circle of Eight. Although Elminster of Shadowdale is from Toril (a totally separate world), Mordenkainen and Elminster have met and are friends.

Mordenkainen eventually came to Barovia, where he sought to undo Strahd and save the land from his influence. Unfortunately, Strahd thoroughly beat him and threw him over the edge of Tser Falls. Mordenkainen secretly survived, but he was overtaken by madness, paranoia, and amnesia. He lurks on Mount Baratok to this day.

In Curse of Strahd

The Mad Mage's paranoia manifests in mansions created through his trademark spell high upon Mount Baratok. His paranoia renders him hostile to intruders, and his magical protections make it difficult for anyone to restore his sanity. He may be chosen as Strahd's Enemy by the card reading of Madame Eva but will not otherwise accompany the party if healed. Still, he will present the player characters with a powerful magic boon before leaving to find his lost belongings.

Game Statistics

Chaotic Neutral archmage (with different spells as given in the text)