Directing Oligarchy: Difference between revisions
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| Paerinn ||c.[[498 CY]] || Declared Greyhawk a Free City | | Paerinn ||c.[[498 CY]] || Declared Greyhawk a Free City | ||
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| [[Nerof Gasgal]] || [[570 CY|570]] - [[598 CY]]|| | | [[Nerof Gasgal]] || [[570 CY|570]]-[[598 CY]]|| | ||
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| [[Ellon Thigpen]] || (?) || in the novel ''[[Night Watch]]'' | | [[Ellon Thigpen]] || (?) || in the novel ''[[Night Watch]]'' | ||
Revision as of 14:48, 26 March 2025
| Directing Oligarchy | |
|---|---|
| Other names: | Directorate, Directorship, Oligarachy |
| Type: | Government |
| Founded: | 209 CY |
| Leader: | Lord Mayor Nerof Gasgal |
| Members: | Greyhawk citizens |
| Headquarters: | Free City of Greyhawk |
| Enemies: | Iuz, Pomarj |
The Directing Oligarchy of the Free City of Greyhawk, sometimes called the Directorship[1], Directorate[2], or simply the Oligarchy[3] is the chief governing body of Greyhawk City. The Directing Oligarchy is also responsible for governing the Domain of Greyhawk, though its authority and reach is somewhat more limited in that respect. Members of the Directing Oligarchy are called "Directors" or sometimes "Oligarchs".
Description
Everyday management of the City and the Domain are the direct responsibility of the Oligarchy, though the Directors "rule leniently."[4].
The Directors meet each week on Starday[5] at the Lord Mayor's Palace (City Hall) (#H14).
Advisory councils
There are four advisory councils which, in theory, serve the interests of various groups as representatives to the Oligarchy. Each meets separately with the Directors quarterly or annually.
- Grand Council of Greyhawk Guilds—comprised of guildleaders in the City of Greyhawk (Quarterly)
- Public Council—comprised of representatives of the citizenry-at-large in the City of Greyhawk. (Quarterly)
- Grand Administrative Council—comprised of minor nobles of the City of Greyhawk (Annually)
- Council of Mayors and Manorial Lords—comprised of civic leaders of the Domain of Greyhawk (Annually)
The Public Council stands out as a democraticly, popularly-elected advisory body consisting of eight representatives, one from each of the city's quarters.
History
The Directing Oligarchy traces its roots back to the early third century CY, when Greyhawk was still subject to the Great Kingdom. In 209 CY, Greyhawk's garrison commander, Ponjes the Bull, was appointed Landgraf of the Selintan by Overking Jiranen, after the assassination of Landgraf Lucien Nial. Attempting to avoid Nial's fate, Ponjes restructured the local government, dubbing himself Greyhawk's first Lord Mayor, and creating an executive council to share power, composed of military, civic, and religious leaders—the Directing Oligarchy.
| Name | Years of Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ponjes the Bull | 209 CY - (?) | first Lord Mayor |
| Zagig Yragerne | c.310 to 421 CY[6] | |
| Paerinn | c.498 CY | Declared Greyhawk a Free City |
| Nerof Gasgal | 570-598 CY | |
| Ellon Thigpen | (?) | in the novel Night Watch |
Members
The Directing Oligarchy usually numbers around sixteen[7][8][9] but can range from twelve to eighteen individuals,[5][7][10][11] representing the city's major professional guilds and the military. Certain positions on the Directorate are set. Among these are "Captain-General of the Watch, the Constable, the Guildmaster of Thieves, and the Guildmaster of Assassins."[10][11] Other seats on the council are filled variously by "representatives of the Society of Magi, the Merchants and Traders Union, Artisans League, and clerical leaders."[9][10][11]
A Director's term is indefinite, though a director may leave office through retirement, being removed from office, or death.[7] A Director may also resign from office.[8][12] The Lord Mayor's term is also indefinite, unless they "die, retire, resign, or fail a no-confidence vote consisting of a two-thirds majority of the Directing Oligarchy."[5] Current sitting council members elect new Directors when a vacancy is to be filled,[5][12] though they are "not always obliged to replace an Oligarch"[7] and "replacement of an Oligarch who dies or retires is not required."[5] To replace a Lord Mayor or Director, they must have a "two-thirds majority"[5] or quorum[12] (the minimum number of members who must be present (as opposed to the number voting) for official business to be carried out)—though quorum changes based on the number of sitting Directors on the Oligarchy at any given time.[note 1]
Directors elect one of their number to serve as Lord Mayor. The Lord Mayor serves for life, acting as head of state for the City and Domain of Greyhawk, while also heading both the Directing Oligarchy and the Council of Mayors and Manorial Lords. The Lord Mayor also officially acts as commander-in-chief of Greyhawk's military, though actual command is most often left to the Captain General of the Watch.
Recent Directors
In Planting 598 CY, the Directing Oligarchy numbered sixteen. It was reduced to ten with the deaths and murders of five Oligarchs during the Centennial Celebrations in Goodmonth, and the absconding of Turin Deathstalker.
The Oligarchy consists of the following members:[8]
- Nerof Gasgal††—Lord Mayor of Greyhawk (male human rogue 10/expert 5, LN). Lord Mayor since 570 CY, it is assumed Gasgal was an Oligarch prior to assuming his current office.
- Carmen Halmaster—high-ranking member of the Merchants’ and Traders’ Union (male human rogue 8, N).
- Dernan Nathane—acting Lord Mayor in 598 CY after the assassination of Nerof Gasgal.[12] Guildmaster of the Merchants’ and Traders’ Union (male human swashbuckler 2/rogue 10, N). Second only to Nerof Gasgal among the Directors.
- Glodreddi Bakkanin††—Inspector of Taxes for the Greyhawk Revenue Service (male dwarf rogue 12, LE).
- Kieren Jalucian—Guildmaster of the Guild of Wizardry and Principal of the University of Magical Arts (male human wizard 13/archmage 5, NG). Originally declined membership on the Directorate as President of the Society of Magi in 585 CY, he later accepted in his role as Guildmaster and Principal[13] after his term as President ended.
- Org Nenshen—Master of the Guild of Thieves (male human rogue 18, LN).
- Ravel Dasinder—Patriarch of Boccob (male human cleric 10/divine oracle 10, N).
- Stakaster Villaine—Patriarch of Zilchus (male human cleric 20, LN).
- Vesper Lafanel—Guildmaster of Assassins (male grey elf rogue 3/wizard 5/arcane trickster 7/assassin 3, NE). Chosen to replace Turin Deathstalker in 582 CY.
- Cariel Mansharn††—member of the Merchants’ and Traders’ Union (male human duskblade 8, LE). Chosen to replace Ren o’ the Star in 583 CY.
- Tigran Gellner—Captain-General of the Watch (male fighter 12, LN). Chosen in 583 CY to replace Sental Nurev as both Director and Captain-General of the Watch.
- Torrentz Hebvard††—President of the Society of Magi (male human wizard 12, LN). Chosen to replace Otiluke some time after the latter's death in 584 CY.
- Gerda Hollardel††—Guildmaster of the Jewelers’ and Gemcutters’ Guild (human female expert 5/rogue 1 CN). Chosen to replace her father, Bodmi Hollardel, in 588 CY.
- Stimtrin Cannasay††—officer of the Merchants’ and Traders’ Union (male dwarf expert 6, LN). Chosen to replace Laup Cobrun in 589 CY.
- Sir Gavin Ambus—Chief Constable of Greyhawk (male human fighter 13, LG). Chosen to replace Etin Derecs in 596 CY.
- Silas Steamgem—Master of the Guild of Moneylenders and Pawnbrokers (male gnome). Chosen to replace Eritai Kaan-Ipzirel in Planting of 598 CY.
Former Directors
The following Directors are listed in the order in which they left the Directing Oligarchy:
- Ponjes the Bull†—former Landgraf of the Selintan. Founded the Directing Oligarchy circa 209 CY, serving as Lord Mayor until his death.
- Zagig Yragerne—now demigod (male human wizard, CN). Joined the Directing Oligarchy 310 CY, and shortly thereafter became Lord Mayor, serving until 421 CY.
- Turin Deathstalker—military governor of Safeton (male human, LE). Former Guildmaster of Assassins. Resigned as Guildmaster and Director in 582 CY, and replaced by Vesper Lafanel in both capacities.
- Ren o’ the Star†—former Guildmaster of the Merchants' and Traders' Union (male half-elf). Murdered in 583 CY.[14] Replaced as Director by Cariel Mansharn, and as Guildmaster by Dernan Nathane.
- Sental Nurev†—former Captain-General of the Watch (male human fighter). Committed suicide in 583 CY and replaced in both offices by Tigran Gellner.
- Bodmi Hollardel—Guildmaster of the Jewelers’ and Gemcutters’ Guild. Succeeded by his daughter, Gerda Hollardel, in 588 CY.
- Derider Fanshen—priestess of Pelor (female human cleric 7/radiant servant 7, NG). Former Chief Constable of Greyhawk, retired in late 591 CY. Replaced in both offices by Etin Derecs.
- Etin Derecs—retired Chief Constable (male human fighter 13, LE). Replaced Derider Fanshen in 591 CY, serving until 596, when he was forced to "retire" for health reasons. Replaced as Director and Chief Constable by Sir Gavin Ambus.
- Jerome Kazinskaia—priest of Rao (male human cleric 20, LG). Former Patriarch of Rao in Greyhawk. Retired to Mitrik in 596 CY.
- Sir Anton Palmirian†—former Chief Judge of Greyhawk and Guildmaster of the Guild of Lawyers. Scribes, and Accountants (male human expert 12, LE). Sir Anton died in 597 CY.[8] Was not replaced on the Directorate after his death.
- Eritai Kaan-Ipzirel—Matriarch of Saint Cuthbert (female cleric 14, LN). Served as an Oligarch from 584 CY until her resignation in Planting of 598 CY. Replaced on the Directing Oligarchy by Silas Steamgem.
Later members
In Night Watch, Robin Wayne Bailey names the current Lord Mayor and other Directors. Though no specific date is given, the book is set in a potential "future" 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."[15] It is possible (dated from other material published at the time in which Mordenkainen is present) this would place Night Watch at least in 630 CY or later if it is considered part of the same timeline. Or it may be that it is a more contemporary year, and the "past" is retconned so that Mordenkainen has not been seen.
The City of Greyhawk in the novel has different members of the Directorate, but Nerof Gasgal only died months before[16] and "no one had been too upset when Nerof died suddenly under questionable circumstances."[17] This would mean (if part of the same timeline) Nerof Gasgal lives to be near 110 years old and Lord Mayor for 80 years before being murdered. He is also murdered in 598 CY in other officially published material.[12]
Dak Kasinskaia has taken the place as the high priest of Rao from the earlier Patriarch, Jerome Kasinskaia.[18] Their relationship is not stated.
There are eighteen Directing Oligarchs in Night Watch.[18] Among them are:
- Ellon Thigpen—Lord Mayor of Greyhawk who followed Nerof Gasgal. Previously, he had been one of the Directors for years.[17] Thigpen was acting Lord Mayor for two months[17] and "carried the title and duties of the office for months since the death of his predecessor".[16] Later, the rest of the Oligrachs confirmed his position with a "formal investiture in a small, quiet ceremony".[19]
- Korbian Arthuran—Captain General of the Watch[18][20]
- Elmon Kohl—headmaster of the Guild of Lawyers. Scribes, and Accountants[21]
- Prestelan Sun—guildmaster of the Wizards' Guild, Lord High Wizard, one of the most powerful Directors.[18]
- Sorvesh Kharn—head of the Thieves’ Guild—previously expected to be the next Lord Mayor, instead of Thigpen[18]
- Dak Kasinskaia—the youthful patriarch of the Temple of Rao[18]
- Axen Kilgaren—the silent, brooding master of the Assassins’ Guild[18]
- Rankin Fasterace—Inspector of Taxes. Plump and bejeweled, the general citizenry called him "Fester-face"[18]
- Acton Kathenor—high priest of Boccob[18]
In Living Greyhawk
 | This section contains content from the Living Greyhawk organized-play campaign. |
The Free City was without a Lord Mayor and full Oligarchy for at least four months in 598 CY, when six members of the Oligarchy died and/or were murdered. At the time, Director Dernan Nathane (Guildmaster of the Merchants' and Traders' Union) planned to sway popular opinion and use the Public Council of Greyhawk to "ratify his appointment of a new Oligarch to restore a quorum"[12][22] He would then attempt to have the other Oligarchs make his role as unofficial acting Lord Mayor [12][22] made permanent. His plan focused on needing 11 of 16 Oligarchs for a quorum vote, and with only ten remaining after the disastrous events following Greyhawk’s Centennial Celebrations, the narrative was that the Directorate was unable to vote or act, at all.[note 1] However, quorum is counted from the official number of sitting Directors, not from a set number of members, and there were enough Directors for a vote to appoint new members of the Directing Oligarchy, and Nathane seems to have been attempting to not follow that standard.
The outcome is not known, so it is possible the normal procedure for appointing new Directors (a quorum vote, instead of appointment by the Public Council) followed later in the year (after Goodmonth). It is also possible an appointment by the Public Council was still made, and a vote by sitting Directors to elect a Lord Mayor was made.
References
Notes
- † — denotes a character deceased by 598 CY.
- ††—denotes a character who died (or was assassinated) during the Centennial Celebrations in 598 CY.[12]
- ↑ a b The Adventure Begins cites "a two-thirds majority"[5] for council action. Separately, in Greyhawk Grumbler #3, quorum (which is a two-thirds majority) is defined as "eleven".[12] This number is based on two-thirds of the then-current number of sitting Directors being sixteen. Since it is not required to replace Directors if they die, the number of sitting Directors would fall from sixteen to ten with the murders/deaths occurring at the Centennial Celebrations of 598 CY. However, it cannot be assumed that with a minimum number of Directors in the Oligarchy being twelve, that quorum would be set to a specific number (eleven) or that it would require a unanimous vote of eleven for the Oligarchy to act. Action certainly would have to be taken to return the Oligarchy to the required minimum of twelve Directors, but that would likewise not require a unanimous vote of all ten sitting members, and could be done by seven Directors (two-thirds of ten).
Citations
- ↑ The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.32, Folk, Feuds, and Factions.
- ↑ Night Watch (1990).
- ↑ The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.9, Folk, Feuds, and Factions.
- ↑ The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.7, Folks, Feuds, and Factions.
- ↑ a b c d e f g The Adventure Begins (1998), p.62.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.59.
- ↑ a b c d The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.6, Folks, Feuds, and Factions.
- ↑ a b c d The Directing Oligarchs of Greyhawk. (April 2008)
- ↑ a b Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.151.
- ↑ a b c The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (1980), p.11.
- ↑ a b c World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.25, Guide.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i Greyhawk Grumbler #3, Goodmonth 598 (2008), p.1.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.63.
- ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.8, Campaign Book.
- ↑ Night Watch (1990), p.170.
- ↑ a b Night Watch (1990), p.270.
- ↑ a b c Night Watch (1990), p.229.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i Night Watch (1990), p.103.
- ↑ Night Watch (1990), p.307.
- ↑ Night Watch (1990), p.12.
- ↑ Night Watch (1990), p.92.
- ↑ a b Foundations (2008) (RPGA) , p.2.
Bibliography
- Brown, Anne. Player's Guide. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- Bulmahn, Jason, James Jacobs, and Erik Mona. Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2007.
- Cook, David. "History of the Greyhawk Wars." Wars. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1991. Available Online: [1]
- Gygax, Gary. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983. Item code TSR1015.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Menge, Eric. The Greyhawk Gumbler #1. Wizards.com. WotC, 23 February 2008. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved on 20 January 2023.
- -----. The Greyhawk Gumbler #2. Wizards.com. WotC, 23 April 2008. Archived from the original on 4 June 2009. Retrieved on 20 January 2023.
- -----. The Greyhawk Gumbler #3. Wizards.com. WotC, 23 May 2008. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved on 20 January 2023.
- Mona, Erik. "Gem of the Flanaess: City of Greyhawk - Clerkburg." Living Greyhawk Journal #4. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
- Moore, Roger E. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- Niles, Douglas, and Carl Sargent. The City of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
- Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
- Tetreault, Denis, and Erik Mona. "Gem of the Flanaess: City of Greyhawk - Clerkburg." Living Greyhawk Journal #4. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
- ———. "Gem of the Flanaess: City of Greyhawk - Clerkburg, part 2." Living Greyhawk Journal #5. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
- ———. "Gem of the Flanaess: The Artisans' Quarter." Living Greyhawk Journal #2. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Ward, James M. Greyhawk Adventures. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1988.
- Weiss, Sam. The Directing Oligarchs of Greyhawk. Wizards.com. WotC, 18 April 2008. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved on 20 January 2023.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | The City of Greyhawk: Adventure Cards | 5, 22 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions | 4, 6-16, 19, 25, 27-42, 54, 61, 65, 66, 75, 77, 78 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess | 22, 32, 56, 58, 83 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | City of Hawks | 38, 39, 133, 213, 394 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Dragon magazine #009 | 6 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Dragon magazine #262 | 39 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Dragon magazine #268 | 70 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Dragon magazine #301 | 88, 90 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Dragon magazine #344 | 48, 50, 51, 55 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Dragon magazine #359 | 76 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Dragon magazine #AN3 | 104 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Dungeon magazine #041 | 48 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | From the Ashes: Campaign Book | 4-12, 25, 33, 62-66, 71, 82, 85 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Greyhawk Adventures | 36, 37, 40 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 41, 51, 52 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Living Greyhawk Journal #0 | 6 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Living Greyhawk Journal #1 | 26, 27 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 7, 8, 9, 10, 29 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Living Greyhawk Journal #3 | 27 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Living Greyhawk Journal #4 | 29, 30 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 4, 5, 9 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Night Arrant | 276, 277, 301, 346, 351, 356, 384, 387-392, 396 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Oerth Journal #03 | 7 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Oerth Journal #04 | 4 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Oerth Journal #06 | 20 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Oerth Journal #07 | 17 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Oerth Journal #10 | 22,75,76 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Oerth Journal #17 | 16 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Oerth Journal #28 | 7 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Oerth Journal #31 | 28 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 23, 29 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Restless Nights, D&D 3.5e Web Article | Web |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 6, 32, 109 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Saga of Old City | 45, 65 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | The Adventure Begins | 7, 33, 40-43, 45, 47, 54, 58-60, 62-67, 70-72, 74, 76, 78, 83-88, 91, 92, 94-97, 101, 102, 110-112, 114-119, 121, 123, 124, 126 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | LT3 The Doomgrinder | 22, 23, 27 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | WGA4 Vecna Lives! | 21, 86 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | 11 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | WGR4 The Marklands | 9 |
| Directing Oligarchy (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 25 |
| Directing Oligarchy {Directorate} (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Council, | Night Watch (1990) | 11, 24, 31, |