Directing Oligarchy
| 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,[7][5][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 [of the Watch], 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] (especially of Boccob and Rao), as well as the "Inspector of Taxes".[9]
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†† (LN male human Rog10/Exp5)—Lord Mayor of Greyhawk. Lord Mayor since 570 CY, it is assumed Gasgal was an Oligarch prior to assuming his current office.
- Carmen Halmaster (N male human Rog8)—high-ranking member of the Merchants’ and Traders’ Union.
- Dernan Nathane (N male human Rogue 10/Swashbuckler 2)—acting Lord Mayor in 598 CY after the assassination of Nerof Gasgal.[12] Guildmaster of the Merchants’ and Traders’ Union. Second only to Nerof Gasgal among the Directors.
- Glodreddi Bakkanin†† (LE male dwarf Rog12)—Inspector of Taxes for the Greyhawk Revenue Service.
- Kieren Jalucian (NG male human Wiz13/Archmage 5)—Guildmaster of the Guild of Wizardry and Principal of the University of Magical Arts. 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 (LN male human rogue 18)—Master of the Guild of Thieves.
- Ravel Dasinder (N male human Clr10/Divine Oracle 10)—Patriarch of Boccob.
- Stakaster Villaine (LN male human Clr20)—Patriarch of Zilchus.
- Vesper Lafanel (NE male grey elf Rog3/Wiz5/Arcane Trickster 7/Assassin 3)—Guildmaster of Assassins. Chosen to replace Turin Deathstalker in 582 CY.
- Cariel Mansharn†† (LE male human Duskblade 8)—member of the Merchants’ and Traders’ Union. Chosen to replace Ren o’ the Star in 583 CY.
- Tigran Gellner (LN male human Ftr12)—Captain-General of the Watch. Chosen in 583 CY to replace Sental Nurev as both Director and Captain-General of the Watch.
- Torrentz Hebvard†† (LN male human Wiz12)—President of the Society of Magi. Chosen to replace Otiluke some time after the latter's death in 584 CY.
- Gerda Hollardel†† (CN female human Exp5/Rog1)—Guildmaster of the Jewelers’ and Gemcutters’ Guild. Chosen to replace her father, Bodmi Hollardel, in 588 CY.
- Stimtrin Cannasay†† (LN male dwarf Exp6)—officer of the Merchants’ and Traders’ Union. Chosen to replace Laup Cobrun in 589 CY.
- Sir Gavin Ambus (LG male human Ftr13)—Chief Constable of Greyhawk. Chosen to replace Etin Derecs in 596 CY.
- Silas Steamgem (male gnome)—Master of the Guild of Moneylenders and Pawnbrokers. 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 (CN male human Wiz). Joined the Directing Oligarchy 310 CY, and shortly thereafter became Lord Mayor, serving until 421 CY.
- Turin Deathstalker (LE male human Ftr18)—military governor of Safeton. Former Guildmaster of Assassins. Resigned as Guildmaster and Director in 582 CY, and replaced by Vesper Lafanel in both capacities.
- Ren o’ the Star† (CN male half-elf Ftr7/Mag7)—former Guildmaster of the Merchants' and Traders' Union. Murdered in 583 CY.[14] Replaced as Director by Cariel Mansharn, and as Guildmaster by Dernan Nathane.
- Sental Nurev† (LN male human Ftr13)—former Captain-General of the Watch. Died under suspicious circumstances 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 (CG female human Clr7/radiant servant 7)—priestess of Pelor. Former Chief Constable of Greyhawk, retired in late 591 CY. Replaced in both offices by Etin Derecs.
- Etin Derecs (LE male human Ftr13)—retired Chief Constable. 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 (LG male human Clr20)—priest of Rao. Former Patriarch of Rao in Greyhawk. Retired to Mitrik in 596 CY.
- Sir Anton Palmirian† (LE male human Exp12)—former Chief Judge of Greyhawk and Guildmaster of the Guild of Lawyers. Scribes, and Accountants. Sir Anton died in 597 CY.[8] Was not replaced on the Directorate after his death.
- Eritai Kaan-Ipzirel (LN female Clr14)—Matriarch of Saint Cuthbert. 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 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."[15] 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 Nerof Gasgal only died months before[16] and "no one had been too upset when Nerof died suddenly under questionable circumstances."[17] Gasgal is also murdered in 598 CY in other officially published material.[12] If the novel is considered part of the same timeline, this would mean Nerof Gasgal lives to be near 110 years old and Lord Mayor for 80 years before being murdered.
Dak Kasinskaia takes the place as the high priest of Rao from the earlier Patriarch, Jerome Kasinskaia.[18] Their relationship to each other 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] His plan was to 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][note 2] However, quorum is counted from the official number of sitting Directors, not a quorum counted from a specific number of members. 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] (quorum) for council action. Since it is not required to replace Directors if they die, the number of Directors can change, as would quorum. It cannot be assumed with the minimum number of Directors in the Oligarchy being twelve, that quorum would be set to a specific number or that it would ever require a unanimous vote for the Oligarchy to act—this would defeat the purpose of quorum. Quorum of 18 sitting Directors members would be 12 members present, and quorum of 12 sitting Directors would be 9. If there were fewer, action certainly would have to be taken to return the Oligarchy to the required minimum of twelve Directors, but that would not require a unanimous vote of all sitting members, and could be done by fewer Directors.
- ↑ This number (11) is based on the number of sitting Directors being sixteen. However, the number of sitting Directors fell from sixteen to ten with the murders/deaths occurring at the Centennial Celebrations of 598 CY. Two-thirds majority (quorum) would be counted from sitting Directors, and actoins could be performed 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 c 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 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.102-103.
- ↑ 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, |