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The '''Circle of Eight''', also known as the '''Council of Eight'''{{csb|CoG|64|Gem of the Flanaess}} and the '''Eight Magi'''<ref>[[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]]. ''Isle of the Ape''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985. p.6</ref>. (formed from the earlier [[Citadel of Eight]]) is an organization of wizards in the ''[[World of Greyhawk]]'' setting. They are based in the [[Flanaess]], the easternmost portion of [[Oerik]]. The Circle of Eight's chief purpose seems to be the  preservation of the balance of power between the forces of Good, Evil, Law, and Chaos in the Flanaess, ensuring that one does not dominate the other for an extended period of time. To this end, the Circle often works behind the scenes, especially when aiding the cause of evil.
The '''Circle of Eight''', also known as the '''Council of Eight'''{{csb|CoG|64|Gem of the Flanaess}} and the '''Eight Magi'''<ref>[[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]]. ''Isle of the Ape''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985. p.6</ref>. (formed from the earlier [[Citadel of Eight]]) is an organization of wizards in the ''[[World of Greyhawk]]'' setting. They are based in the [[Flanaess]], the easternmost portion of [[Oerik]]. The Circle of Eight's chief purpose seems to be the  preservation of the balance of power between the forces of Good, Evil, Law, and Chaos in the Flanaess, ensuring that one does not dominate the other for an extended period of time. To this end, the Circle often works behind the scenes, especially when aiding the cause of evil.


Despite the organization's name, the Circle of Eight actually has nine members. The Circle consists of eight powerful wizards and their leader, [[Mordenkainen]] the archmage. In fact, the group is sometimes referred to as "Mordenkainen and the Circle of Eight."
The Circle consists of eight powerful wizards and their leader, [[Mordenkainen]] the archmage. In fact, the group is sometimes referred to as "Mordenkainen and the Circle of Eight."
{{quoted text|Some of the greatest spellcasters of the world of Greyhawk form the Circle of Eight, a group dedicated to preserving balance in the world. The group’s general aim is to prevent any single country, faction, or other organized group from becoming too powerful and overwhelming others. The membership of the Circle of Eight is secret.|{{csb|DMG2024|146}} }}


==History==
==History==
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By [[586 CY]], the Circle had returned to its full membership of eight plus one. Though Tenser had been returned to life via a clone he had hidden on [[Luna]], he had no desire to rejoin the Circle.  In his, Rary's, and Otiluke's places stood [[Warnes Starcoat]], [[Alhamazad the Wise]], and the high elf [[Theodain Eriason]]—the Circle's first non-human member.{{csb|Rot8}}  These members would remain the same through at least [[598 CY]].
By [[586 CY]], the Circle had returned to its full membership of eight plus one. Though Tenser had been returned to life via a clone he had hidden on [[Luna]], he had no desire to rejoin the Circle.  In his, Rary's, and Otiluke's places stood [[Warnes Starcoat]], [[Alhamazad the Wise]], and the high elf [[Theodain Eriason]]—the Circle's first non-human member.{{csb|Rot8}}  These members would remain the same through at least [[598 CY]].
=== Fifth edition ===
In the ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' (2024), set in [[576 CY]], members of the Circle aren't commonly known, and only [[Bigby]], [[Jallarzi Sallavarian]], [[Otiluke]], and [[Otto]] (in addition to [[Mordenkainen]]) are named as being members.{{csb|DMG2024|146}}


== Creative Origins ==  
== Creative Origins ==  

Revision as of 14:01, 17 February 2025

"Who born in the last forty years can measure of themselves an ounce of the worth of Otiluke, Bigby, Tenser, or Robilar—or even Rary or Evard?"—Mordenkainen[1]

Greyhawk Organization
Circle of Eight
The Circle of Eight circa 591 CY, as depicted on the cover of Living Greyhawk Journal #0 (2000).
Type:Arcane, political
Founded:571 CY
Leader:Mordenkainen
Members:Wizards
Enemies:Iuz, Vecna

The Circle of Eight, also known as the Council of Eight[2] and the Eight Magi[3]. (formed from the earlier Citadel of Eight) is an organization of wizards in the World of Greyhawk setting. They are based in the Flanaess, the easternmost portion of Oerik. The Circle of Eight's chief purpose seems to be the preservation of the balance of power between the forces of Good, Evil, Law, and Chaos in the Flanaess, ensuring that one does not dominate the other for an extended period of time. To this end, the Circle often works behind the scenes, especially when aiding the cause of evil.

The Circle consists of eight powerful wizards and their leader, Mordenkainen the archmage. In fact, the group is sometimes referred to as "Mordenkainen and the Circle of Eight."

"Some of the greatest spellcasters of the world of Greyhawk form the Circle of Eight, a group dedicated to preserving balance in the world. The group’s general aim is to prevent any single country, faction, or other organized group from becoming too powerful and overwhelming others. The membership of the Circle of Eight is secret."[4]

History

The Citadel of Eight

The Citadel of Eight was formed at some point after 561 CY, and was dissolved in 569 CY. Its initial members were Mordenkainen and his apprentice, Bigby. The two decided to form a group to attempt to maintain the balance between the extremes of Oerth. They recruited Robilar, Riggby, Yrag, Tenser, Serten, and Otis.[5] The name of the group was based on their number and Mordenkainen's Obsidian Citadel.

The group eventually dissolved for ideological reasons (in the case of Robilar and Otis), because of grudges between members (such as Tenser who blamed Mordenkainen for the death of Serten), or because of outright death in the case of Serten who fell in 569 CY fighting against the hordes of evil.

The Circle of Eight

The Circle was founded in 571 CY[6] by Mordenkainen, from the remnants of the Citadel. The exact make-up of the eight has changed over time and has continued to remain somewhat of a secret to the general populace of the Flanaess. Gygax has said the original Circle of Eight was composed of his player characters—Mordenkainen, Yrag, Bigby, Riggby, Ziggby, Felnorith, Vram, and Vin. In the novels, the Circle was expanded to encompass other PCs such as Tenser (originally played by Ernie Gygax).[7]

Among the group's original members were former Citadel members Mordenkainen and Bigby, and soon was comprised of the wizards Bucknard, Drawmij, Leomund, Nystul, Otto, Rary, and an unknown ninth mage.[citation needed] In 574 CY, the unnamed member left to explore other planes of existence,[6] and was replaced by former Citadel member Tenser.[8][6]

In 576 CY, Otiluke, president of Greyhawk's Society of Magi and member of the city's Directing Oligarchy, joined the Circle, replacing Leomund, who had retired earlier that year. In 579 CY, Bucknard mysteriously disappeared,[6] and was not replaced until 581 CY, when Jallarzi Sallavarian became the first woman to join the Circle of Eight.[9] (Bucknard was eventually found to have died while exploring.)

Later, in 581 CY, nearly six months after Jallarzi joined, the group met with tragedy when all its members, save Mordenkainen, were slain by Halmadar the Cruel, a former Shield Lands tyrant under the control of the fabled lich Vecna, who had somehow achieved godhood. Mordenkainen responded by assembling a group of "small cadre of apprentice wizards, former companions. and long-time confidantes"[6] to thwart Vecna's plans, and was able to recover the remains of his allies and clone them. The cloning took some time, which could otherwise have been used to prevent the Greyhawk Wars. (Cook, Vecna Lives!)

By 584 CY, the Circle was fully restored and working toward an end to the Greyhawk Wars. On the eve of the day when all parties involved were to sign the treaty bringing the wars to an end, Otiluke, Tenser, and Bigby discovered a plan by the Circle's own Rary to slay all the assembled diplomats via a great magical trap. Unfortunately, Rary witnessed their discovery, and a great magical battle ensued, resulting in the deaths of Otiluke and Tenser, and severely wounding Bigby, who was unable to pursue Rary as he escaped. Word later came that Rary's allies, among them former Citadel member Lord Robilar, had ensured Tenser's and Otiluke's deaths by destroying every clone they had prepared for such an incident. Rary and Robilar fled to the Bright Desert, southeast of Greyhawk, where they established the Empire of the Bright Lands. (Cook, "History of the Greyhawk Wars"[1])

By 586 CY, the Circle had returned to its full membership of eight plus one. Though Tenser had been returned to life via a clone he had hidden on Luna, he had no desire to rejoin the Circle. In his, Rary's, and Otiluke's places stood Warnes Starcoat, Alhamazad the Wise, and the high elf Theodain Eriason—the Circle's first non-human member.[10] These members would remain the same through at least 598 CY.

Fifth edition

In the Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), set in 576 CY, members of the Circle aren't commonly known, and only Bigby, Jallarzi Sallavarian, Otiluke, and Otto (in addition to Mordenkainen) are named as being members.[4]

Creative Origins

Main page: Creative origins of Mordenkainen

Circle of Eight in Gygax's Personal Game

Gygax was notoriously particular about not releasing in-game stats for his characters[11] , but, in discussions in the years after his departure from TSR he gave names of the characters which had been in the Citadel and Circle in his home game before the World of Greyhawk was a published setting by TSR.

References

Citations
  1. ↑ Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium (2011), p.4.
  2. ↑ The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.64, Gem of the Flanaess.
  3. ↑ Gygax, Gary. Isle of the Ape. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985. p.6
  4. ↑ a b Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.146.
  5. ↑ "History Check: Rary the Traitor".  Dragon #405 (Nov 2011), p.2.
  6. ↑ a b c d e Living Greyhawk Journal #0 (Aug 2000), p.6.  
  7. ↑ Gygax, Gary. Q&A with Gary gygax (forum). ENWorld p.163. Retrieved on 6 December 2023. "Q: Who were the Circle of Eight, and what classes were they? I know of Mordenkainen the Mage, but who were the others? A: To be completely accurate, I'd have to do a search to find the ring binder in which all that information is kept. Haven't looked at it for almost 20 years now. From memory the original CoE was composed of my PCs--Mordenkainen, Bigby, Yrag, Rigby, Felnorith, Zigbie, Vram & Vin. In the novel version the Circle was expanded to encompass other PCs in my campaign such as Tenser."
  8. ↑ "History Check: Rary the Traitor".  Dragon #405 (Nov 2011), p.2-3.
  9. ↑ "History Check: Rary the Traitor".  Dragon #405 (Nov 2011), p.3.
  10. ↑ Return of the Eight (1998).
  11. ↑ Gygax, Luke (Melf), in a comment on Mordenkainen, in 1974 and today., Playing at the World, June 5, 2018
Bibliography
  • Cook, David. "History of the Greyhawk Wars". Wars boxed set. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1991. Archived: [2] Accessed: Dec 19, 2019
———. Vecna Lives!. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990.
———. Return of the Eight. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.

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

Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Artifact of Evil 50, 58, 70, 71, 321, 323
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus, D&D 5e 97
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Come Endless Darkness 130
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, The City of Greyhawk: Adventure Cards 13
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions 2, 17, 21-25, 27, 28, 36, 63
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess 61, 63, 64, 75, 83
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Curse of Strahd, D&D 5e 39
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Dragon magazine #185 58, 59, 62
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Dragon magazine #188 27, 28
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Dragon magazine #206 24
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Dragon magazine #225 49
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Dragon magazine #233 92, 93
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Dragon magazine #241 40, 80
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Dragon magazine #249 90, 93
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Dragon magazine #290 108
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Dragon magazine #297 91
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Dragon magazine #299 99, 100
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Dragon magazine #AN2 98, 99
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Dungeon magazine #042 34
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, El Raja Key Archive (Standard Edition) 154, 164
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 9
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Greyhawk Wars: Adventurer's Book 24
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Ivid the Undying 116, 136
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e 13, 105, 109
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 15, 16, 17, 37, 38, 58, 78, 112, 114, 126, 127, 147, 156
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Living Greyhawk Journal #0 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Living Greyhawk Journal #2 8
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Living Greyhawk Journal #4 15, 17
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Living Greyhawk Journal #5 6
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Player's Guide to Greyhawk 1, 10, 11, 21-23, 27, 29, 48, 51
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Return of the Eight 2, 3, 8, 10, 19, 32, 53, 54, 56-58, 60-62
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, Slavers, AD&D 2e 75, 127
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, The Adventure Begins 3, 3, 6, 7, 19, 20, 23, 26, 31, 35-38, 43, 60-63, 71, 76, 78, 86, 88-91, 97, 98, 102, 110, 111, 113, 114, 119, 121
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, 1992 TSR Trading Cards - Gold Set 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, LT3 The Doomgrinder 3, 6, 7, 16, 27, 44
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, The Scarlet Brotherhood 23
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, LT1 The Star Cairns 2
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, WG6 Isle of the Ape 6, 8, 22, 27
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, WGA4 Vecna Lives! 8, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 30, 46, 53, 84, 85, 86, 89
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, WGQ1 Patriots of Ulek 19
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, WGR2 Treasures of Greyhawk 32, 34, 38, 39
Circle of Eight People Group Mage order, WGR3 Rary the Traitor 4, 6-8, 11, 31, 57
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