-	-		-	-
The Barrier Peaks	-	-	-	World of Greyhawk

His Most Magical Authority, the Exalted Mage of the Valley and Laird of the Domain (?)

POPULATION: 10,000(?)
DEMI-HUMANS: Possibly Elves, Gnomes
HUMANOIDS: Unknown
RESOURCES: Unknown

REGIONAL ALIGNMENT: <>
REGIONAL PRODUCTS: <>

Long ago a mighty wizard secluded himself in the
lush valley at the headwaters of the Javan River
amidst the Barrier Peaks. His servants posted the
approaches to the AREA, warning all alike that
entrance to the domain thus established was forbidden
except by express invitation from its laird. What
has transpired since the valley was claimed many
decades ago is simply a matter of conjecture, for no
one goes there. (The Grand Duke does not care, and
an expedition from Gran March never returned.)
There are, of course, tales of bold adventurers returning
loaded with platinum and gems which aer said to
litter stream beds as pebbles do elsewheere, but even
these stories are insufficient to cause much interest, as
the AREA is positively known to be infested by horrible
monsters. What is known for certain is that
bodies of troops are sometimes seen near the verges of
Dim Forest, and that mysterious groups sometimes
journey in the direction of this place.
 

VALLEY OF THE MAGE

Dice Roll	Encounter
01-03	Demi-humans (01-05 = Dwarf, 06-70 = Elf, 71-80 = Gnome, 81-100 = Hobbit)
04-12	Elf, Valley
13-17	Gnomes
18-20	Humanoids (01-05 = Gnoll*, 06-10 = Goblin, 11-15 = Hobgoblin, 16-94 = Orc**, 95 = Qullan, 96-100 = Xvart)
21-23	Men, Bandits
24-25	Men, Brigands
26-27	Men, Cavemen (mountain)
28-29	Men, Characters
30-33	Men, Patrol, Heavy
34-35	Men, Tribesmen
36-00	Use Standard Encounter Tables

* 10% of all gnoll encounters will include flinds.
** 5% of all orc encounters will include ogrillons.
 

TEMPERATE CIVILIZED Plains and Scrub (d8+d12)

 

2	Lammasu, Greater
3	Ghost
4	Lycanthrope, Wererat
5	Castle
6	Ankheg
7	Owl
8	Man, Pilgrim
9	Man, Bandit
10	Cattle, Wild
11	Man, Merchant
12	Falcon, Small
13	Man, Patrol
14	Character Party (RG)
15	Bugbear
16	Hobbit
17	Man, Dervish
18	Goblin
19	Oliphant
20	Quasi-elemental, Lightning

Q: Where can I get detailed information
about the Valley of the Mage?
A: The last word on the Valley of the Mage
can be found in module WG12 Vale of the
Mage (TSR Product #9270).
(160.33)
 
 
 
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by haakon1

When I read about the shadows and shades in the MMII, I had the idea that the Mage of the "Valley of the Mage" was one.
I'm going to guess that was not your intent?

No, the spell-worker ruling the Valley of the Mage was envisioned by me as a demi-urge in retirement rather akin to Tom Bombadil. 

Cheerio,
Gary
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by trollwad
Can you elaborate a bit on how you envisioned the Mage of the Valley? What exactly do you mean by a demi-urge? A demi-god somehow tied to a specific geographic feature. For example, the river (godling) Skamander in the Iliad? How similar was he to Basiliv in your Gord novel? I found Basiliv and Bardilingham odd because they seemed awfully tame compared to how the Valley of the Mage was described in the world of greyhawk glossography.

I use the Skamander example because I had always thought that since the mighty Javan River rises in the valley that the demi-urge might be related to the river (relegated to a backwater due to humanity's incursion into the Sheldomar)?

Any other thoughts on this topic? The nature of the Valley of the Mage was always one of those untouched gems that linger to this day.

As the IP in question is the property of WotC/Hasbro, I find it bootless to go into lengthy discussions regarding any portion of it.

Suffice say that Basiliv was envisaged as a demiurge in the classic sense of the term, a tool used by the creator, and is better personified by envisioning Tom Bombadil.

The rest is in the hands of the DMs utilizing the setting...and WotC to whatever extent they care to elaborate upon it.

Cheerio,
Gary
 

<gentlegamer>
Those who don't know "demiurge" have not studied their Plato well enough. 

By the way, I had a professor that firmly believed that a sniper should be placed near the graduation stage at college commencements, and any student who has not studied The Republic should be shot just as he reaches for his diploma.
 

Oh-oh!

It has been nearly 50 years since i read Plato's Republic

Gary
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
"Read" =/= "studied"

The demiurge is not described in Republic, though. It is found in the dialog, Timaeus. 

Gary, you've mentioned some college studies. I recall that you had a description of your overall formal education at your old homepage . . . would you mind recounting it here please?

Nah...

It's too brief to bother with.
Only about a year's worth of college credits...and acceptance to the U of Chicago that I turned down in favor of a position as an onsurance underwriter.

Gary