Editing Greyhawk (section)

====Significant player characters====
While many players participating in the Gygax and Kuntz home campaign were occasional players, sometimes not even naming their characters,<ref>Q: "I'm curious as to, in the early D&D games, how much character and personality did the players put into the PC's?" Gygax: "The main thrust for most players back then was the action, so a few PCs were unnamed, and we referred to them rather caustically as 'Joe's fighter' or 'Bob's cleric'. The core group, the regulars, were much more concerned with developing their PCs, interacting with each other and some NPCs in character".{{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part VIII, Page 7) | publisher = EN World | date = 2005-02-26 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/121380-gary-gygax-q-part-viii-7.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121004180834/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/121380-gary-gygax-q-part-viii-7.html | archive-date = 2012-10-04 | url-status = dead}}</ref> others played far more frequently, and several of their characters became well known to the general gaming world before publication of the Greyhawk campaign setting. Some of these characters became known when Gygax mentioned them in his various columns, interviews, and publications. In other cases, when Gygax created a new magical spell for the game, he would sometimes use the name of a wizard character from his home campaign to add verisimilitude to the spell name, such as ''Melf's acid arrow'', [[Melf (Greyhawk)|Melf]] being a character created by his son Luke.<ref>Q: "Did you make up named spells like ''Melf's acid arrow'', ''Otiluke's resilient sphere'' and ''Mordenkainen's disjunction'' yourself, or did these come from player research?" Gygax: "All of those spells I made up, usually to honor a PC in my campaign, or for the person who suggested the basis.... Melf [''Melf's acid arrow''] was a PC of son Luke..." {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part III, Page 6) | publisher = EN World | date = 2003-05-02 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/46861-q-gary-gygax-pt-3-a-6.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614222412/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/46861-q-gary-gygax-pt-3-a-6.html | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | url-status = dead}}</ref> Some of the characters who became synonymous with Greyhawk at that time included:
* '''[[Murlynd]]''': Gary Gygax's friend [[Don Kaye]] created Murlynd for the second-ever session of Gygax's Greyhawk campaign in 1972.<ref>Gygax: "The next day they played, and with their PCs were two new ones, that of Rob Kuntz and Don Kaye's Murlynd". {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part VI, Page 9) | publisher = EN World | date = 2004-03-26 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/76849-gary-gygax-q-part-vi-9.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120319233013/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/76849-gary-gygax-q-part-vi-9.html | archive-date = 2012-03-19 | url-status = dead}}</ref> Gygax later recalled that ''Murlynd'' was the first attempt by a player to make a creative name for a character; in the early days, most players—including Gygax himself—simply used their own name as a basis for their character's name, e.g. Gary was ''Yrag'', etc.<ref>Gygax: "In general most of the players, myself included when initially adventuring and not DMing, thought little of the PC's name, but more about what thrilling things would transpire. Thus my first character was named Yrag..."{{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part X, Page 14) | publisher = EN World | date = 2006-06-15 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/161566-gary-gygax-q-part-x-14.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614223112/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/161566-gary-gygax-q-part-x-14.html | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | url-status = dead}}</ref> According to [[Robert J. Kuntz|Robert Kuntz]], Murlynd did not get his trademark "six-shooters" in actual play, but they were given to the character in tribute to Don Kaye's love of the [[Western (genre)|Western genre]].<ref>Kuntz: "Don was a great fan of the Western and an avid supporter of the ''Boot Hill'' rules". {{cite web | title = Robilar Remembers: Murlynd | publisher = Pied Piper Publishing | date = 2004-10-18 | url = http://piedpiperpublishing.yuku.com/topic/1966 | access-date = 2009-09-16 | archive-date = 2008-10-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081016151449/http://piedpiperpublishing.yuku.com/topic/1966 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Although Gygax did not allow the use of gunpowder in his Greyhawk setting, he made a loophole for Don Kaye by ruling that Murlynd actually carried two magical wands that made loud noises and delivered small but deadly missiles.<ref>Gygax: "The strange wands that Murlynd used made a loud noise and delivered a damaging missile, but neither effect was due to gunpowder. These were very rare magic items devised by Murlynd's arcane understanding of technology and how to make it function magically". {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part IV, Page 13) | publisher = EN World | date = 2003-11-25 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/57832-gary-gygax-q-part-iv-17.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121011172006/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/57832-gary-gygax-q-part-iv-17.html | archive-date = 2012-10-11 | url-status = dead}}</ref> His name is used for the ''[[Unearthed Arcana]]'' item, ''Murlynd's Spoon''.
* '''[[Robilar]]''': Robilar was a fighter belonging to Rob Kuntz. Like Murlynd, Robilar was also created for the second-ever session beneath Castle Greyhawk in 1972, rolled up on Gygax's kitchen table. Gygax suggested to Kuntz the name of Robilar, after a minor character in Gygax's novella ''The Gnome Cache''.<ref>Kuntz: "Robilar's name is derived from Gary's novel, ''The Gnome Cache''". {{cite web | title = Robilar Remembers: Journey to the City of the Gods | publisher = Pied Piper Publishing | year = 1997 | url = http://pied-piper-publishing.com/ | access-date = 2009-10-03 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091017133829/http://www.pied-piper-publishing.com/ | archive-date = 2009-10-17}}</ref> Because Kuntz was a constant player, Robilar rapidly gained power and possessions. As the city of Greyhawk was developed, he also became the secret owner of the Green Dragon Inn in the city of Greyhawk, where he kept tabs on happenings in the city.<ref name = oj7>{{Cite journal | last1 = Kuntz | first1 = Robert J. | author-link = Robert J. Kuntz | last2 = Behringer | first2 = Douglas J. | title = Tales from the Green Dragon Inn | journal = The Oerth Journal | issue = 7 | pages = 41–44 | date = June 1994 | url = http://www.oerthjournal.com/oerthjournals/OJ_07.pdf | access-date = 2009-09-05 | archive-date = 2006-01-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060103154823/http://www.oerthjournal.com/oerthjournals/OJ_07.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref> Kuntz quickly grew impatient with play when it involved more than a couple of players, and often played solo adventures one-on-one with Gygax.<ref>Q: "What was the largest party Robilar ever adventured with (I mean, with other player characters)?" Kuntz: "Probably 6-7 in the earlier days. That then was too much for my wants, which spurred me to seek solo adventures when possible". {{cite web | title = Robilar Remembers: Robilar Q & A | publisher = Pied Piper Publishing | date = 2007-05-02 | url = https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/piedpiperpublishing/robilar-q-a-t1951.html | access-date = 2009-05-16 | archive-date = 2011-07-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718150138/http://piedpiperpublishing.yuku.com/topic/1951/t/Robilar-Q-amp-A.html?page=8 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Robilar was not only the first to reach the 13th and bottom level of Gygax's Greyhawk dungeons, but on the way, he was also responsible for freeing nine demi-gods (whom Gygax revived a decade later as some of the first deities of Greyhawk: [[Iuz]], [[Ralishaz]], [[Trithereon]], [[Erythnul]], [[Olidammara]], [[Heironeous]], [[Celestian]], [[Hextor]], and [[Obad-Hai]]). Robilar was also the first to enter Gygax's [[Temple of Elemental Evil]], and conquered it completely. Robilar also freed the demoness Zuggtmoy from her prison at the centre of the Temple. Kuntz later related that Gygax was very dismayed that his masterpiece dungeon had been destroyed by a single adventurer, and as punishment, Gygax had an army pursue Robilar back to his castle, which he had to abandon.<ref>Kuntz: "Gary was none too happy with Robilar's adventure beneath the Temple of Elemental Evil. Robilar had a great time dismembering creatures, crunching things and watching Gary's look of consternation grow with every toppled column. The final straw was the releasing of Zuggtmoy. The DM's vendetta pursued Robilar all the way back to his castle, which he was forced to abandon". {{cite web | title = Robilar Remembers: Lord Robilar and Co | publisher = Pied Piper Publishing | url = http://site.pied-piper-publishing.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=65 | access-date = 2009-05-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090221002750/http://site.pied-piper-publishing.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=65 | archive-date = 2009-02-21 | url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>Kuntz: "Losing my castle was a major defeat, but I decided to abandon it because [Gygax] was noticeably intent on getting even with me for the Temple of Elemental Evil sacking I'd perpetrated". {{cite web | title = Robilar Remembers: Robilar's defeats | publisher = Pied Piper Publishing | date = 2007-01-29 | url = http://piedpiperpublishing.yuku.com/topic/1953 | access-date = 2009-05-16 | archive-date = 2008-10-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081016151440/http://piedpiperpublishing.yuku.com/topic/1953 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Robilar also lost possession of the Green Dragon Inn.<ref>Kuntz: "The city, at the instigation of those Good forces, especially Tenser, had [the Green Dragon] confiscated". {{cite web | title = Robilar Remembers: Robilar's defeats | publisher = Pied Piper Publishing | date = 2007-01-29 | url = http://piedpiperpublishing.yuku.com/topic/1953 | access-date = 2009-05-16 | archive-date = 2008-10-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081016151440/http://piedpiperpublishing.yuku.com/topic/1953 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
* '''[[Tenser]]''': Tenser was a wizard played by Gygax's son Ernie. In the earliest days of Greyhawk, Ernie often gamed with Rob Kuntz (Robilar) and Terry Kuntz (Terik). At one point, using their combined forces of loyal henchmen, the three controlled access to the first level of the Greyhawk dungeons while they ransacked the lower levels.<ref>Kuntz: "Robilar, along with Teric and Tenser, formed a triumvirate and took over the first level of Castle Greyhawk for a while. They barracked their respective forces there and guarded ingress and egress, using the location as a base for further adventures deep within the sprawling castle complex". {{cite web | title = Robilar Remembers: Lord Robilar and Co | publisher = Pied Piper Publishing | url = http://site.pied-piper-publishing.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=65 | access-date = 2009-05-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090221002750/http://site.pied-piper-publishing.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=65 | archive-date = 2009-02-21 | url-status = dead}}</ref> Tenser became the second character to reach the thirteenth (and bottom, at the time) level of the Greyhawk dungeons, when he noticed that Robilar was missing and went in search of him.<ref>Gygax: "Ernie, noting Rob's absence from adventuring with the party, sent Tenser on a solo quest to discover Robilar's whereabouts. He managed to follow a similar path, and made level 13". {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part III, Page 11) | publisher = EN World | date = 2003-05-13 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/46861-q-gary-gygax-pt-3-a-11.html#post893009 | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614222820/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/46861-q-gary-gygax-pt-3-a-11.html#post893009 | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | url-status = dead}}</ref> Gary Gygax included the name ''Tenser'' in the names of two spells, ''Tenser's floating disc'' and ''Tenser's transformation''.
* '''Terik''' (or Teric) was a character created by Terry Kuntz. Terik often adventured with Tenser and Robilar in the days when the three controlled the first level of the dungeons of Greyhawk.<ref name=oj7 /> Terik became the third and last character to reach the bottom level of Gygax's original Greyhawk dungeon when he noticed Robilar and Tenser were missing and went in search of them.<ref name=oj7 />
* '''[[Erac's Cousin]]''': Gary Gygax's son Ernie originally had a character he called Erac. Later, he created a wizard who, due to a personal issue as part of his [[backstory]], refused to reveal his name, simply referring to himself as Erac's Cousin. Gary Gygax knew that Ernie liked the [[Barsoom]] stories of [[Edgar Rice Burroughs]], and at one point, transported Erac's Cousin to a Barsoom-like Mars,<ref name=oj7 /> where the inhabitants refused to let the wizard use magic. Erac's Cousin was forced to become a fighter instead, and learned to fight proficiently with two weapons simultaneously. Eventually he was able to teleport back to Oerth, but when he acquired two [[vorpal]] blades, Rob Kuntz and Gary Gygax decided he had become too powerful,<ref name=oj7 /> and lured him into a demon's clutches. The demon took him to an alternative plane that drained the magic from the vorpal blades, destroying them.
* '''Yrag''': After Gygax made Kuntz a co-DM, this fighter was Gygax's first character,<ref>Gygax: "My first PC was a fighter named Yrag, back in 1972". {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part VIII, Page 8) | publisher = EN World | date = 2005-03-01 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/121380-gary-gygax-q-part-viii-8.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614222149/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/121380-gary-gygax-q-part-viii-8.html | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | url-status = dead}}</ref> and Gygax often referred to Yrag's various adventures in columns and interviews. ''Yrag'' is simply ''Gary'' spelled backwards.
* '''[[Mordenkainen]]''': This was perhaps Gygax's most famous character, and also his favorite.<ref>Q: "Of the characters you have played, which is your favorite?" Gygax: "I really must admit Mordenkainen is my favorite. I enjoy playing fighters, rangers, thieves, clerics, and multi-classed sorts in OAD&D, but the magic-user is usually most fun for me". {{cite web | last = Johnson | first = Joel | title = Dungeons & Dragons Creator Gary Gygax Passes Away; Interview | publisher = Boing Boing Gadgets | date = 2008-03-04 | url = http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/03/04/dungeons-dragons-cre.html | access-date = 2009-05-14}}</ref> Mordenkainen was created in early 1973,<ref>Gygax: "Mordenkainen came into being about the first month of 1973". {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A | publisher = EN World | date = 2005-03-01 | url = https://www.enworld.org/threads/q-a-with-gary-gygax.22566/page-140 | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614222149/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/121380-gary-gygax-q-part-viii-8.html | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | url-status = dead}}</ref> and his name was drawn from Finnish mythology.<ref>Gygax: "The background I created for Mordenkainen was Finnish-like in nature.... I really was captivated with Finnish myth after seeing a B&W movie done by the Russians, I think, about [Vainomoinen], Leminkainen, and Ilmarinen adventuring to Pojola and entering Louhi's fortress, then reading ''The Green Magician'' by de Camp and Pratt as well as the Kalevala". {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part X, Page 13) | publisher = EN World | date = 2006-06-13 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/161566-gary-gygax-q-part-x-13.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614222212/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/161566-gary-gygax-q-part-x-13.html | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | url-status = dead}}</ref> Due to constant play, often with Rob Kuntz as DM, Gygax advanced Mordenkainen into a powerful character. Gygax never revealed exactly how powerful Mordenkainen was, simply stating that the wizard had "twenty-something levels".<ref>Gygax: "I do believe that Mordenkainen earned his twenty-something levels through cleverness, daring, a bit of luck, and dint of trying..." {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part X, Page 13) | publisher = EN World | date = 2006-06-13 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/161566-gary-gygax-q-part-x-13.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614222212/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/161566-gary-gygax-q-part-x-13.html | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | url-status = dead}}</ref> Even years after he last played Mordenkainen, he would not disclose any of Mordenkainen's powers or possessions.<ref>Q: "May we see [Mordenkainen's] stats?" Gygax: "Can you see Mordie's stats? No!" {{cite web | last = Johnson | first = Joel | title = Dungeons & Dragons Creator Gary Gygax Passes Away; Interview | publisher = Boing Boing Gadgets | date = 2008-03-04 | url = http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/03/04/dungeons-dragons-cre.html | access-date = 2009-05-14}}</ref> Various spells from first edition bear his name, such as ''Mordenkainen's faithful hound'', ''Mordenkainen's lucubration'', and ''Mordenkainen's sword''.
* '''[[Bigby (Greyhawk)|Bigby]]''': Bigby started life as an evil low-level wizard non-player character in Rob Kuntz's dungeons of Greyhawk. Gary Gygax, playing Mordenkainen, managed to subdue him, and forced Bigby to become his servant. After a long time and several adventures, Mordenkainen managed to convince Bigby to leave his evil ways behind, and Kuntz ruled that Bigby had changed from an enemy to a loyal henchman, and therefore Gygax could take over Bigby as a player character.<ref>Gygax: "Mordenkainen was adventuring in Rob's dungeon when he surprised a 3rd level magic-user of Evil persuasion. Mordie's ''charm'' spell worked on that worthy, whose name turned out to be Bigby. By dint of fellowship, lecturing, mentoring, and sharing with Bigby, he was not only turned from [Evil] to Neutral, but from there to a leaning towards [Good] as he considered his past actions". {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part IX, Page 24) | publisher = EN World | date = 2006-08-08 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/167680-gary-gygax-q-part-xi-24.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614221846/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/167680-gary-gygax-q-part-xi-24.html | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>Q: "I heard a story which made it sound like Bigy was an NPC that you charmed and [who] later became your PC". Gygax: "Mordenkainen did indeed manage to get the drop on Bigby, [and] charm him. At the time Bigby was a 3rd-level [Evil] dungeon dweller. By word and deed Mordie brought him around from [Evil] to [Neutral], and thus Bigby became his apprentice. I got to roll the stats for that character after Rob [Kuntz] determined he was a loyal henchman of Mordenkainen". {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part VIII, Page 3) | publisher = EN World | date = 2005-02-19 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/121380-gary-gygax-q-part-viii.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614221912/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/121380-gary-gygax-q-part-viii.html | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | url-status = dead}}</ref> Thereafter, Gygax developed Bigby into a powerful wizard second only to Mordenkainen, and used his name to describe a series of ''hand'' spells, e.g. ''Bigby's crushing hand'' and ''Bigby's grasping hand''. For a time after this, Rob Kuntz ruled that all the names of Mordenkainen's future henchmen had to rhyme with Bigby. This resulted in Zigby the dwarf; Rigby the cleric; Sigby Griggbyson the fighter; Bigby's apprentice, Nigby; and Digby, Mordenkainen's new apprentice who replaced Bigby.<ref>{{cite journal | title = What's in a Name? Call it Whatever, But it Still Smells Sweet | journal = Dragon | issue = 318 | publisher = Paizo | location = Bellevue WA | date=April 2004}}</ref>
* '''[[Melf (Greyhawk)|Melf]]''': Melf was an elven character created by Gary Gygax's son Luke. Gary Gygax borrowed Melf's name for the spell ''Melf's acid arrow''.<ref>{{Cite web | last = Whitehead | first = Adam | title = The Worlds of D&D: Greyhawk | work = The Wertzone | date = 2009-10-25 | url = http://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2009/10/worlds-of-d-greyhawk.html | access-date = 2010-04-15}}</ref>
* '''[[Rary]]''': Rary was a wizard created by [[Brian Blume]] and played only until he reached the 3rd level, at which point Blume retired him, having reached his objective, which was to be able to call his character "Medium Rary".<ref>Gygax: "[Rary] was one that Brian Blume created early in the D&D cycle, a magic-user that Brian wanted to work up to 3rd level so as to introduce him as 'Medium Rary.' When he gained that level Brian quit playing that PC, and pretty much dropped out of regularly playing D&D in fact".{{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part X, Page 7) | publisher = EN World | date = 2006-05-29 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/161566-gary-gygax-q-part-x-7.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110615030501/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/161566-gary-gygax-q-part-x-7.html | archive-date = 2011-06-15 | url-status = dead}}</ref> Gygax borrowed the name for the spells ''Rary's mnemonic enhancer'' and ''Rary's telepathic bond''.
* '''[[Otto (Greyhawk)|Otto]]''': Otto, like Bigby, started life as an evil non-player character wizard in the dungeons of Greyhawk. Tenser and Robilar defeated him in combat, and when given a choice of which master to serve, Otto chose to serve Robilar, thereby becoming a character controlled by Robilar's creator, Rob Kuntz. Thereafter, Otto accompanied Robilar on many adventures, including Robilar's destruction of the Temple of Elemental Evil.<ref name=oj7 /> Gary Gygax borrowed Otto's name for the spell ''Otto's irresistible dance''.
* '''[[Drawmij]]''': Drawmij was a wizard created by [[Jim Ward (game designer)|Jim Ward]]—''Drawmij'' is simply his name spelled backwards. Gygax borrowed Drawmij's name for the magical spell ''Drawmij's instant summons''.
* '''The Circle of Eight''': At the point where Gygax's own characters in the Greyhawk home campaign had collectively accumulated both enough wealth that they could not easily spend it, and a standing army that rivalled most nations' forces, he gathered all eight of the characters—Mordenkainen (wizard), Yrag (fighter), Bigby (wizard), Rigby (cleric), Zigby (dwarf), Felnorith (fighter), Vram (elf) & Vin (elf)—together as the Circle of Eight. Pooling their resources, Gygax had the Eight construct a stronghold in the middle of an evil land so they would not have to travel far to find adventure.<ref>Gygax: "The original [Circle of Eight] was composed of my PCs--Mordenkainen, Bigby, Yrag, Rigby, Felnorith, Zigby, Vram & Vin. In the novel version the Circle was expanded to encompass other PCs in my campaign such as Tenser. It came into being because Mordenkainen and Associates had a lot of wealth stored up from successful adventuring, located a place for a stronghold deep in enemy territory to assure plenty of action, and then went to work building the citadel". {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part IV, Page 9) | publisher = EN World | date = 2003-11-01 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/57832-gary-gygax-q-part-iv-9.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120319232836/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/57832-gary-gygax-q-part-iv-9.html | archive-date = 2012-03-19 | url-status = dead}}</ref> After three years of game time,<ref>Gygax: "As there was a small army of dwarves associated with the larger, mounted field army, the building project went relatively quickly, about three game years to complete". {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part IV, Page 9) | publisher = EN World | date = 2003-11-01 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/57832-gary-gygax-q-part-iv-9.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120319232836/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/57832-gary-gygax-q-part-iv-9.html | archive-date = 2012-03-19 | url-status = dead}}</ref> the result was the Obsidian Citadel, an octagonal castle which housed the Circle of Eight and their armies.<ref>Gygax: "The Obsidian Citadel was indeed my personal creation as a player.... It was an octagonal castle with eight wall towers and a central keep with much space between the outer wall and the inner works because of the number of troops housed in this fortress". {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part VI, Page 9) | publisher = EN World | date = 2004-03-26 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/76849-gary-gygax-q-part-vi-9.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120319233013/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/76849-gary-gygax-q-part-vi-9.html | archive-date = 2012-03-19 | url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>Gygax: "The Obsidian Citadel and its Circle of Eight was original to my own campaign. When Mordenkainen was at a level I considered too high for normal adventuring, I used the money he and his associates had amassed to construct the said fortress". {{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part III, Page 17) | publisher = EN World | date = 2003-07-08 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/46861-q-gary-gygax-pt-3-a-17.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121014144355/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/46861-q-gary-gygax-pt-3-a-17.html | archive-date = 2012-10-14 | url-status = dead}}</ref> After Gygax was ousted from [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]], [[Carl Sargent]] and Rik Rose remolded Gygax's old "Circle of Eight" in ''[[The City of Greyhawk]]'' boxed set into a new plot device. Instead of a group of eight companions belonging to Gygax, who sallied forth from an impregnable bastion to fight evil, the Circle became eight wizards brought together by Gygax's own creation now owned by TSR, Mordenkainen.<ref name="BoLS">{{cite web | title = D&D: Mordenkainen's Magnificent Backstory | last=Zambrano |first=J.R. | publisher = BoLS Interactive | date = 2020-06-10 | url = https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2020/06/dd-mordenkainens-magnificent-backstory.html | access-date = 2021-04-28}}</ref> Game designer [[Ken Rolston]] described this new Circle of Eight as "a powerful and influential local organization of wizards".<ref name="Dragon #156">{{cite journal | last = Rolston | first = Ken | author-link = Ken Rolston | title = Role-playing Reviews | journal = [[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] | issue = #156 | pages = 84–85 | publisher = [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] | location = [[Lake Geneva, Wisconsin]] | date=April 1990}}</ref> [[Wolfgang Baur]] found the Circle of Eight a small but knowledgable organization, central to the mythos of the ''Greyhawk'' setting, with all its members being important.<ref name="WB">{{cite book |last=Baur |first=Wolfgang |author-link=Wolfgang Baur |date=2016 |title=Des Kobolds Handbuch der Welterschaffung |location= |publisher=Ulisses Spiele |chapter=Eine Gilde, ein Kolleg oder eine Geheimgesellschaft entwerfen |isbn=9783957523501}}</ref>