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{{Source | {{Source | ||
|name = | |name = | ||
|image = | |image = [[File:Nightwatch01.jpg|250px]] | ||
|caption = The cover of ''Night Watch'', illustrated by Fred Fields. | |caption = The cover of ''Night Watch'', illustrated by Fred Fields. | ||
|type = Novel | |type = Novel | ||
| Line 10: | Line 9: | ||
|editor = | |editor = | ||
|publisher = TSR Books | |publisher = TSR Books | ||
|cover_artist = | |cover_artist = Fred Fields | ||
|inter_artist = | |inter_artist = | ||
|first published = May 1, 1990 | |first published = May 1, 1990 | ||
| Line 17: | Line 16: | ||
|isbn = 0-88038-914-1 | |isbn = 0-88038-914-1 | ||
|class = Officially Published content | |class = Officially Published content | ||
|setting_date = | |setting_date = | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Cover blurb == | |||
==Cover | |||
{{quoted text|All the fabled Seers of Greyhawk have been killed on the same night, each by their own instruments of divination. And the only unusual sign is the ominous number of black birds in the skies of late. The mystery is dumped in the lap of [[Garett Starlen]], commander of the night shift of the [[Free City of Greyhawk#Military|City Watch]], who discovers that a web of evil has been tightly drawn around the great city. | {{quoted text|All the fabled Seers of Greyhawk have been killed on the same night, each by their own instruments of divination. And the only unusual sign is the ominous number of black birds in the skies of late. The mystery is dumped in the lap of [[Garett Starlen]], commander of the night shift of the [[Free City of Greyhawk#Military|City Watch]], who discovers that a web of evil has been tightly drawn around the great city. | ||
As if murder by magic were not enough, strange beasts descend on the citizenry, and the powerful [[Greyhawk Guild of Wizardry|Guild of Wizards]] is vanquished by an unseen force. Can nothing stop the deadly zealots of the [[Horned Society]]?{{csb|Night Watch|Back cover}}}} | As if murder by magic were not enough, strange beasts descend on the citizenry, and the powerful [[Greyhawk Guild of Wizardry|Guild of Wizards]] is vanquished by an unseen force. Can nothing stop the deadly zealots of the [[Horned Society]]?{{csb|Night Watch|Back cover}}}} | ||
== Plot | == Plot summary == | ||
[[File:Nightwatch02.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The Back over of ''Nightwatch''.]] | |||
''Night Watch'' is a murder mystery detective story. | ''Night Watch'' is a murder mystery detective story. | ||
It takes place in the [[City of Greyhawk|Free City of Greyhawk]], but also moves through several other notable locations in the region like the [[Mistmarsh]]. | It takes place in the [[City of Greyhawk|Free City of Greyhawk]], but also moves through several other notable locations in the region like the [[Mistmarsh]]. | ||
Captain Starlen is put in a position where he has to solve a series of murders, because they occured on his watch. He must deal with an uncooperative Directorate and Lord Mayor, who are more concerned with politics and appearances than they are with the actual murdeers. | |||
Starlen is well-liked and respected in the city and uses interpersonal skills, various informants, and deductive reasoning to solve the murders. Notably, because of the plot framing, he is unable to use magic to simply solve the crimes, though this is additionally consistent with the [[City of Greyhawk]] legal code. Investigation (and court processes, with the exception of perjury) cannot use magic in any form.{{csb|CoG|12|Folks, Feuds, and Factions|note="The use of any magic in criminal proceedings, including ''detect lie'' and ''ESP'', is not part of standard proceedings."}} | |||
=== In-setting date === | |||
Though no specific date is given, the book is set in a timeline of Greyhawk where "no one... had heard from the [[Circle of Eight]] in over fifty years, and Mordenkainen himself had not been seen for more than that."{{csb|Night Watch|170}} This is possibly set in a contemporary year and the "past" is retconned so that Mordenkainen has not been seen, or this may be a possible "future". This would place ''Night Watch'' at least in [[630 CY]] or later if it is considered part of the same [[timeline]] (dated from other material published at the time in which Mordenkainen is present). | |||
The [[City of Greyhawk]] in the novel has different members of the [[Directing Oligarchy|Directorate]], but [[Lord Mayor]] [[Nerof Gasgal]] only died months before{{csb|Night Watch|270}} and "no one had been too upset when Nerof died suddenly under questionable circumstances."{{csb|Night Watch|229}} Gasgal is also murdered in [[598 CY]] in other officially published material.{{csb|Grumbler3|1}} If the novel is instead considered part of a future timeline, this would mean [[Nerof Gasgal]] lives to be near 110 years old and Lord Mayor for 80 years before being murdered. | |||
== Publication History == | == Publication History == | ||
| Line 36: | Line 41: | ||
''Night Watch'' did not feature the "Greyhawk Adventures" tradedress.<ref name="designers">{{Cite book|author=Shannon Appelcline|title=Designers & Dragons: The 70s, Kindle Edition.|publisher=Evil Hat Productions, LLC.|year=2013| isbn= 978-1-61317-076-2|page=loc.864}}</ref> | ''Night Watch'' did not feature the "Greyhawk Adventures" tradedress.<ref name="designers">{{Cite book|author=Shannon Appelcline|title=Designers & Dragons: The 70s, Kindle Edition.|publisher=Evil Hat Productions, LLC.|year=2013| isbn= 978-1-61317-076-2|page=loc.864}}</ref> | ||
[[ | |||
== Contents == | |||
;Characters | |||
:[[Garret Starlen]] • [[Acton Kathenor]] • [[Almi]] • [[Blossom]] • [[Burge]] • [[Davin Timbriel]] • [[Ellon Thigpen]] • [[Exebur the Seer]] • [[Katina]] • [[Keltellen Mar]] • [[Korbian Arthurian]] • [[Mordenkainen]] • [[Qester Redmorn]] • [[Rudi]] • | |||
: <small>Mentioned only— • </small> | |||
;Creatures: • [[Dragon]] • [[Animal#Wild animals|goose]] • [[Animal#Wild animals|raven]] and giant raven • | |||
: <small>Mentioned only—[[Animal#Wild animals|Gerbil]] • [[Animal#Wild animals|mouse]] • [[Animal#Wild animals|pig]] • [[Animal#Wild animals|rat]] • [[Animal#Wild animals|reindeer]] • [[Animal#Wild animals|robin]]</small> | |||
;Events | |||
: • [[Summer solstice]] • | |||
;Items | |||
: • ''[[Guardian]]'' • | |||
;Locations | |||
: • [[City of Greyhawk]] ([[Artisans' Quarter]], [[Clerkburg]], [[Foreign Quarter]], [[Garden Quarter]], [[High Quarter]], [[Old City]], [[River Quarter]], [[Slum Quarter]], [[Thieves' Quarter]]) <br>• [[Mistmarsh]] | |||
:; Minor locations | |||
:: • Inns and taverns—Almi's tavern • Crusty Widow • [[Low Seas Tavern]] • the [[Tomb]] | |||
:: • Temples—[[Boccob]] • [[Celestian]] • [[Istus]] | |||
:: • Other—[[Grand Citadel]], Military Quarter • [[Strip|The Strip]] • [[University of Greyhawk]] | |||
: <small>Mentioned only—[[Cairn Hills]] • [[Lord's Tomb]] • [[Furyondy]] • [[Nyrond]]</small> | |||
;Organizations | |||
: • [[City Watch]] • [[Directing Oligarchy]] • [[Guidl of Lamplighters]] • [[Guild of Thieves]] • [[Guild of Wizardry]] | |||
;Miscellaneous | |||
: • [[Galda oil]] • | |||
== Reception == | == Reception == | ||
Widely regarded as one of | Widely regarded as one of best-written Greyhawk novels, ''Night Watch'' has the highest composite review rating of any novel set in the {{smallcaps|[[World of Greyhawk]]}}™.<ref>{{cite web |title= Amazon reviews |url= https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/0880389141|format= |work= Customer Reviews|publisher= Amazon|date= |accessdate=30 December 2021 |postscript= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Thriftbooks reviews|url= https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/night-watch_robin-wayne-bailey/884679/#edition=3800093&idiq=140670|format= reviews |work= Customer reviews|publisher= Thriftbooks.com|date= |accessdate=30 December 2021 |postscript= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Goodreads reviews |url= https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57992|format= |work= Community reviews|publisher= Goodreads|date= |accessdate=30 December 2021 |postscript= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Abebooks reviews |url= https://www.abebooks.com/9780880389143/Night-Watch-Tsr-Books-Bailey-0880389141/plp|format= |work= Average rating|publisher= Abebooks|date= |dateformat= |accessdate=30 December 2021 |postscript= }}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 47: | Line 81: | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
===Bibliography=== | ===Bibliography=== | ||
* [[Robin Wayne Bailey|Bailey, Robin W.]], ''[[Night Watch]]''. TSR Books: Lake Geneva, WI. 1990. ISBN 0-88038-914-1 | * [[Robin Wayne Bailey|Bailey, Robin W.]], ''[[Night Watch]]''. TSR Books: Lake Geneva, WI. 1990. ISBN 0-88038-914-1 | ||
{{index}} | {{index|title=%' AND Product LIKE '%Night Watch}} | ||
[[Category:Sources]] | [[Category:Sources]] | ||
[[Category:Canonical sources]] | [[Category:Canonical sources]] | ||
[[Category:Novels]] | |||
Latest revision as of 13:23, 26 April 2025
| Night Watch | |
 |
|
| The cover of Night Watch, illustrated by Fred Fields. | |
| Type: | Novel |
|---|---|
| Author(s): | Robin Wayne Bailey |
| Cover Artist(s): | Fred Fields |
| Publisher: | TSR Books |
| First Published: | May 1, 1990 |
| Pages: | 311 |
| ISBN: | 0-88038-914-1 |
| Class: | Officially Published content |
Cover blurb
"All the fabled Seers of Greyhawk have been killed on the same night, each by their own instruments of divination. And the only unusual sign is the ominous number of black birds in the skies of late. The mystery is dumped in the lap of Garett Starlen, commander of the night shift of the City Watch, who discovers that a web of evil has been tightly drawn around the great city. As if murder by magic were not enough, strange beasts descend on the citizenry, and the powerful Guild of Wizards is vanquished by an unseen force. Can nothing stop the deadly zealots of the Horned Society?[1]"
Plot summary
Night Watch is a murder mystery detective story.
It takes place in the Free City of Greyhawk, but also moves through several other notable locations in the region like the Mistmarsh.
Captain Starlen is put in a position where he has to solve a series of murders, because they occured on his watch. He must deal with an uncooperative Directorate and Lord Mayor, who are more concerned with politics and appearances than they are with the actual murdeers.
Starlen is well-liked and respected in the city and uses interpersonal skills, various informants, and deductive reasoning to solve the murders. Notably, because of the plot framing, he is unable to use magic to simply solve the crimes, though this is additionally consistent with the City of Greyhawk legal code. Investigation (and court processes, with the exception of perjury) cannot use magic in any form.[2]
In-setting date
Though no specific date is given, the book is set in a timeline of Greyhawk where "no one... had heard from the Circle of Eight in over fifty years, and Mordenkainen himself had not been seen for more than that."[3] This is possibly set in a contemporary year and the "past" is retconned so that Mordenkainen has not been seen, or this may be a possible "future". This would place Night Watch at least in 630 CY or later if it is considered part of the same timeline (dated from other material published at the time in which Mordenkainen is present).
The City of Greyhawk in the novel has different members of the Directorate, but Lord Mayor Nerof Gasgal only died months before[4] and "no one had been too upset when Nerof died suddenly under questionable circumstances."[5] Gasgal is also murdered in 598 CY in other officially published material.[6] If the novel is instead considered part of a future timeline, this would mean Nerof Gasgal lives to be near 110 years old and Lord Mayor for 80 years before being murdered.
Publication History
It was chosen to launch a new imprint from TSR, inc. called "TSR Books".[7]
Night Watch did not feature the "Greyhawk Adventures" tradedress.[7]
Contents
- Characters
- Garret Starlen • Acton Kathenor • Almi • Blossom • Burge • Davin Timbriel • Ellon Thigpen • Exebur the Seer • Katina • Keltellen Mar • Korbian Arthurian • Mordenkainen • Qester Redmorn • Rudi •
- Mentioned only— •
- Creatures
- • Dragon • goose • raven and giant raven •
- Mentioned only—Gerbil • mouse • pig • rat • reindeer • robin
- Events
- • Summer solstice •
- Items
- • Guardian •
- Locations
- • City of Greyhawk (Artisans' Quarter, Clerkburg, Foreign Quarter, Garden Quarter, High Quarter, Old City, River Quarter, Slum Quarter, Thieves' Quarter)
• Mistmarsh- Minor locations
- • Inns and taverns—Almi's tavern • Crusty Widow • Low Seas Tavern • the Tomb
- • Temples—Boccob • Celestian • Istus
- • Other—Grand Citadel, Military Quarter • The Strip • University of Greyhawk
- Mentioned only—Cairn Hills • Lord's Tomb • Furyondy • Nyrond
- Organizations
- • City Watch • Directing Oligarchy • Guidl of Lamplighters • Guild of Thieves • Guild of Wizardry
- Miscellaneous
- • Galda oil •
Reception
Widely regarded as one of best-written Greyhawk novels, Night Watch has the highest composite review rating of any novel set in the World of Greyhawk™.[8][9][10][11]
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ Night Watch (1990), p.Back cover.
- ↑ The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.12, Folks, Feuds, and Factions, "The use of any magic in criminal proceedings, including detect lie and ESP, is not part of standard proceedings.".
- ↑ Night Watch (1990), p.170.
- ↑ Night Watch (1990), p.270.
- ↑ Night Watch (1990), p.229.
- ↑ Greyhawk Grumbler #3, Goodmonth 598 (2008), p.1.
- ↑ a b Shannon Appelcline (2013) Designers & Dragons: The 70s, Kindle Edition., Evil Hat Productions, LLC., p. loc.864 ISBN: 978-1-61317-076-2.
- ↑ Amazon reviews. Customer Reviews. Amazon. Retrieved on 30 December 2021.
- ↑ Thriftbooks reviews (reviews). Customer reviews. Thriftbooks.com. Retrieved on 30 December 2021.
- ↑ Goodreads reviews. Community reviews. Goodreads. Retrieved on 30 December 2021.
- ↑ Abebooks reviews. Average rating. Abebooks. Retrieved on 30 December 2021.
Bibliography
- Bailey, Robin W., Night Watch. TSR Books: Lake Geneva, WI. 1990. ISBN 0-88038-914-1
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acton Kathenor | Non-player character | Human, male, High Priest of Boccob (City of Greyhawk) | Night Watch (1990) | 1-6, 15-16-19, 22, 26, 30, |
| Almi | Non-player character | Female, human, | Night Watch (1990) | 7, 8, 10, 18, 34, |
| Artisan's Quarter (City of Greyhawk) | Place | Quarter, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 15, |
| Attloi | People Group | People, | Night Watch (1990) | 25-27, |
| Azure Sea (Azure Coast) | Geographical feature | Sea, | Night Watch (1990) | 11, |
| Black Gate (City of Greyhawk) | Infrastructure | Gate, | Night Watch (1990) | 10, |
| Blossom | Non-player character | Female, human, City Watch (City of greyhawk) | Night Watch (1990) | 15-21, 23-25, 28, 34, |
| Boccob the Uncaring {Al-Zarad, Cabbac} | Deity | The Uncaring, Worshipped by: Human, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | Night Watch (1990) | 4, 5, 17, 18, 22, |
| Boccob, Temple of (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Temple | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 2, 22, |
| Burge | Non-player character | Male, half-elf, City Watch (City of Greyhawk) | Night Watch (1990) | 13-19, 22-26, 28, 32-35, |
| Cairn Hills | Geographical feature | Hills, | Night Watch (1990) | 13, |
| Cargo Gate | Infrastructure | Gate, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, |
| Cargo Street (City of Greyhawk) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | Night Watch (1990) | 10, |
| Celestian (The Far Wanderer) | Deity | The Far Wanderer, Worshipped by: Human (Oeridian), Native of: Astral, | Night Watch (1990) | 21, 22, |
| Celestian, Temple of (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Temple, | Night Watch (1990) | 21, |
| Chancreon's Escape (City of Greyhawk) | Place | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, | |
| Chokerat Road | Infrastructure | Street or road, | Night Watch (1990) | 26, |
| City Watch (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Army, | Night Watch (1990) | 8, 10, 11, 24, 25, |
| Clerkburg {Clerksburg} (City of Greyhawk) | Place | Quarter (Middle City, School Quarter, The Halls), | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 16, 29, 32, |
| Davin Timbriel | Non-player character | Seer River Quarter (City of greyhawk) | Night Watch (1990) | 29, 30, |
| Directing Oligarchy {Directorate} (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Night Watch (1990) | 11, 24, 31, |
| Druid's Gate (City of Greyhawk) | Infrastructure | Gate, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, |
| Duke's Gate (City of Greyhawk) | Infrastructure | Gate, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 3, |
| Ellon Thigpen | Non-player character | Male, human, Directing Oligarch (City of Greyhawk) | Night Watch (1990) | 14, 30, 31, 33, |
| Exebur the Seer | Non-player character | Male, human, Rhennee (Attloi), | Night Watch (1990) | 25-28, |
| Exebur the Seer's abode (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Residence, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 27, |
| Flanaess (Flaness) | Region | Night Watch (1990) | 29 | |
| Foreign Quarter (City of Greyhawk) | Place | Quarter, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 15, 24, 26, |
| Furyondy {Furyon}, Kingdom of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 350000), (591 pop: 1481800), | Night Watch (1990) | 14, |
| Galda Oil | Item | Night Watch (1990) | 13, | |
| Galda Tree | Item | Flora, | Night Watch (1990) | 13, |
| Garden Gate (City of Greyhawk) | Infrastructure | Gate, | Night Watch (1990) | 10, |
| Garden Quarter (City of Greyhwk) | Place | Quarter, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 29, |
| Garett Starlen | Non-player character | Male, human, Captain of the City Watch | Night Watch (1990) | Throughout |
| Grand Citadel, Military Quarter (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Defensive Structure, Citadel, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 3, 11-13, 30, 24, 26, 30, 32, 35, |
| Greyhawk, City of {Gem of the Flanaess} | Settlement | Greyhawk, Capital, Free City, (576 pop: 53000), (591 pop: 69500), | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 3, 4, 9, 10, 20, 26, 27, 29 |
| Greyhawk, University of (City of Greyhawk) | Building | College or School, | Night Watch (1990) | 16, |
| High Market {Grand Bazaar} (City of Greyhawk) | Place | Market square, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 11, 14, 35, |
| High Quarter (City of Greyhawk) | Place1 | Quarter, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 3, 10, 11, 25, 35, |
| Highway Gate (City of Greyhawk) | Infrastructure | Gate, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Night Watch (1990) | 22, |
| Istus, Temple of (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Temple, | Night Watch (1990) | 22, |
| Katina | Non-player character | Seer, Garden Quarter (City of greyhawk) | Night Watch (1990) | 29 |
| Keltellen Mar | Non-player character | Male, human, Magister (City of Greyhawk); chief judiciary | Night Watch (1990) | 14, |
| Korbian Arthurian | Non-player character | Male, human, Directing Oligarch (City of Greyhawk) | Night Watch (1990) | 12, 14, 21, 30-33, |
| Lamplighters, Guild of (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Guild, | Night Watch (1990) | 10, |
| Low Market {Petit Bazaar, Old Market} (City of Greyhawk) | Place | Market Square, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, |
| Low Market {Petit Bazaar, Old Market} (City of Greyhawk) | Place | Market square, | Night Watch (1990) | 15, |
| Marsh Gate (City of Greyhawk) | Infrastructure | Gate, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 27, |
| Marsh Street | Infrastructure | Street or road, | Night Watch (1990) | 26, |
| Moonshadow Lane | Infrastructure | Street or road, | Night Watch (1990) | 10, |
| Mouser's Way | Infrastructure | Street or road, | Night Watch (1990) | 27, |
| Night Watch | Publication | Novel | Night Watch (1990) | |
| Nightwatchmen, Guild of (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Guild, | Night Watch (1990) | 24-27, |
| Nyr Dyv {Lake of Unknown Depths} | Geographical feature | Lake, | Night Watch (1990) | 11, |
| Old City {Old Town} (City of Greyhawk) | Place | Quarter, | Night Watch (1990) | 14, 24, |
| Processional (City of Greyhawk) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | Night Watch (1990) | 10, 11, 24, 26, |
| Qester Redmorn | Non-player character | Seer, Clerkberg (City of Greyhawk | Night Watch (1990) | 29 |
| Ratikers {Ratikkan} | People Group | People, | Night Watch (1990) | 17-19, 22, |
| River Quarter (City of Greyhawj) | Place | Quarter, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 15, 27, 33, |
| Rudi | Non-player character | Male, human, City Watch Sergeant (City of gReyhawk) | Night Watch (1990) | 16-23, 28, 29, 34, |
| Saint Cuthbert (Of the Cudgel) | Deity | Cuthbert of the Cudgel, Worshipped by: Human, Native of: Arcadia, | Night Watch (1990) | 22, 23, |
| Selintan River | Geogaphical feature | River, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, |
| Slum Quarter (City of Greyhawk) | Place | Quarter, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, 14, 15, 35, |
| Street of Temples | Infrastructure | Street or road, | Night Watch (1990) | 16, 21, 24, |
| Summer Solstice | Calendar | Night Watch (1990) | 9, 14, 108, 179, 255, 270 | |
| The Cat's abode (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Inn, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, |
| The Crusty Widow (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Inn, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, |
| Thieves' Guildhall (City of Greyhawk) | Place | Guildhall | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, |
| Thieves' Quarter (City of Greyhawk) | Place | Quarter, | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, |
| Thieves, Guild of (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Guild, | Night Watch (1990) | 11, |
| Wizards Guildhall (City of Greyhawk) | Place | Guildhall | Night Watch (1990) | IFC, |
| Wizards, Guild of {Wizardry} (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Guild, | Night Watch (1990) | 12, 24, |