Nystul

From Greyhawk Wiki
Revision as of 15:38, 16 April 2020 by Abra Saghast (talk | contribs) (appending {{index]}} to pages.)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Greyhawk Character
Nystul
Nystul, as depicted in Living Greyhawk Journal #0 (2000). Art by Sam Wood.
General info
Home:Tenh
Alignment:Neutral
Gender:Male
Species:Human
Class:Wizard 17
Dates
Age:Born 538 CY

Nystul is an archmage and member of the Circle of Eight. He is also the most famous native of the Duchy of Tenh.

Description

Nystul is 53 years old in 591 CY. He stands 6'7" tall and weighs 184 pounds. His lank, uncombed hair is mousy brown in hue, and his features are rather plain, with Flan features and an Oeridian's olive complexion. He has been described as a "ridiculous gangling beanpole," a condition which has inspired him to specialize in magic that disguises his appearance. He often travels disguised as a demure half-elven maiden, a form in which he flirts with chivalrous knights and paladins in order to gain their protection. He rarely shows his true visage, however (except, perhaps to the Circle of Eight).

Nystul is a flippant sort with a preference for puns and quips that tend to annoy his colleagues Mordenkainen, Bigby, and Drawmij. Nystul is intelligent, subtle, and profound, however, with an unerring tactical sense.

Misattribution

In Window on the World, Living Greyhawk Journal #6, Dragon Magazine #290, p108, the author of the article references a concept sketch by artist Sam Wood. The artist refers to the appearance of Nystul resembling the previous work of Ken Frank[1], but, the author misattributed them by stating the names of Nystul and Bigby in reverse order in the key to the photo (seen below in the Gallery). Though the most recent depiction of Nystul seems very different from the first depictions, the evolution of his appearance can be seen in the Gallery below, following the images counter-clockwise from top left to top right.

Relationships

Nystul is a member of the Circle of Eight. At one time, Nystul had an apprentice named Janina. Nystul is allied with the Keepers of the Flan, a group of mages, druids, and loremasters of the Tenha clans currently dwelling in the Rakers or the Phostwood.

Nystul, unlike the other members of the Circle, believes that Rary's apparent betrayal of their group is only a ruse. He believes that Iuz and his servants are the true enemy of both the Circle of Eight and his homeland of Tenh.

History

Nystul was born to a family of well-connected nobles in the city of Nevond Nevnend. His family's better-connected enemies brought them low, however, charging them with sedition and insurgency in the court of the then-ruling Duke Pet'yeu of Tenh. The nobles in Nystul's house were tried for treason, and the house was disbanded. Nystul was secreted away by servants and raised in a small monastery of Pholtan monks on the border of the Pale, near the Phostwood. A clever old cleric called Friar Nemonicus, obsessed with the powers of light and darkness, encouraged young Nystul's gift for magic and provided him with a permanent protection from evil enhancement. When he came of age, the monks paid for Nystul to study in the Sorcerous Union in Radigast City. There, Nystul befriended Otto. After graduating, Nystul built a home in Redspan and took on apprentices of his own. It was not long before Mordenkainen offered him membership of the Circle of Eight in 571 CY.

During the Greyhawk Wars, Nystul did his best to help evacuate refugees and arm his countrymen against the invaders.

Spells

Nystul is responsible for developing such commonly known spells as Nystul's Magic Aura and Nystul's Undetectable Aura.

Nystul has also developed the following additional spells:

  • Nystul's Blacklight Burst
  • Nystul's Blackmote
  • Nystul's Blazing Beam
  • Nystul's Crystal Dagger
  • Nystul's Crystal Dirk
  • Nystul's Dancing Dweomer
  • Nystul's Dancing Werelight
  • Nystul's Enveloping Darkness
  • Nystul's Expeditious Fire Extinguisher
  • Nystul's Flash
  • Nystul's Golden Revelation
  • Nystul's Grue Conjuration
  • Nystul's Lightburst
  • Nystul's Radiant Arch
  • Nystul's Radiant Baton

Writings

Nystul is known to have authored the following works:

  • Libram of the Great Paravisual Emanations
  • Metaphysics of Mathematics
  • Ken Frank, From the Ashes, Card #13
    Ken Frank, From the Ashes, Card #13
  • AD&D Trading Cards #167, TSR, (1991)
    AD&D Trading Cards #167, TSR, (1991)
  • Sam Wood, LGJ #6, Dragon Magazine #290, p108
    Sam Wood, LGJ #6, Dragon Magazine #290, p108
  • Mark Zug, LGJ #6, WotC, cover (2000)
    Mark Zug, LGJ #6, WotC, cover (2000)
  • Compilation showing evolution of Nystul's appearance (counter-clockwise)
    Compilation showing evolution of Nystul's appearance (counter-clockwise)

References

Citations
  1. ↑ Window on the World, LG Journal #6. Dragon Magazine #290. WotC. (2001). p108. - “This was an attempt to update some of the old Ken Frank illustrations to the new Greyhawk style. The sketch served as the template for the definitive Circle illustrations in the Living Greyhawk Journal #0, though we made a few significant changes to Bigby and Nystul to better fit earlier descriptions and pictures of them. I liked the sense of encroaching age seen here.”
Bibliography
Zavoda Index Entry

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index page has a list of sources, abbreviations, and a link to the full index. 

Nystul (Mu16) (3e Wiz17)
      Bigby's Curse	                                56, 89, 90, 186
      City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions	24, 25
      City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess	        64
      Dragon Magazine #082	                        58
      Dragon Magazine #290	                        108
      Dragon Magazine #293	                        91
      From the Ashes: Reference Card	                #13
      Greyhawk Adventures	                        3, 58-61, 127
      Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins	                7, 23
      Ivid the Undying	                                146
      Living Greyhawk Gazetteer	                        112, 114, 156
      Living Greyhawk Journal #0	                6, 8, 10, 11
      Players Guide to Greyhawk	                        18, 21, 22
      The Return of the Eight	                        3, 59
      U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh	        7
      WGA4 Vecna Lives!	                                10, 13, 14, 85, 86, 95
      WGR2 Treasures of Greyhawk	                38
      1992 TSR Trading Cards - Gold Set	                167

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

Great Paravisual Emanations by Nystul Item Book, Dragon magazine #082 58
Great Paravisual Emanations by Nystul Item Book, Encyclopedia Magica - Volume III 1178
Janina (Nystuls Apprentice) Non-player character Bigby's Curse 89, 90
Libram of the Great Paravisual Emanations By Nystul Item Book, Dragon magazine #082 58
Metaphysics of Mathmatics By Nystul Item Book, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 40
Metaphysics of Mathmatics By Nystul Item Book, U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh 7
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Oerth Journal #33 28
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Player's Guide to Greyhawk 18, 21, 22
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Return of the Eight 3, 59
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], The Adventure Begins 7, 23
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], 1992 TSR Trading Cards - Gold Set 167
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh 7
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], WGA4 Vecna Lives! 10, 13, 14, 85, 86, 95
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], WGR2 Treasures of Greyhawk 38
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Bigby's Curse 56, 89, 90, 186
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions 24, 25
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess 64
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Dragon magazine #082 58
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Dragon magazine #290 108
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Dragon magazine #293 91
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], From the Ashes: References Card #13
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Greyhawk Adventures 3, 58-61, 127
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Ivid the Undying 146
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 112, 114, 156
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Living Greyhawk Journal #0 6, 8, 10, 11
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Oerth Journal #03 11
Nystul Non-player character Male, Human, [M16][3e M17], Oerth Journal #25 31
Nystul's Blacklight Burst (LVL4) Spell Spell (Magic User), CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook 108
Nystul's Blacklight Burst (LVL4) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 60, 127
Nystul's Blacklight Burst (LVL4) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 624
Nystul's Blackmote (LVL2) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 59, 127
Nystul's Blackmote (LVL2) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 624
Nystul's Blazing Beam (LVL2) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 59, 127
Nystul's Blazing Beam (LVL2) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 624, 625
Nystul's Crystal Dagger (LVL2) Spell Spell (Magic User), CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook 106
Nystul's Crystal Dagger (LVL2) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 59, 127
Nystul's Crystal Dagger (LVL2) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 625
Nystul's Crystal Dirk (LVL3) Spell Spell (Magic User), CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook 107
Nystul's Crystal Dirk (LVL3) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 58, 127
Nystul's Crystal Dirk (LVL3) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 625
Nystul's Dancing Werelight (LVL1) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 59, 127
Nystul's Dancing Werelight (LVL1) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 625
Nystul's Enveloping Darkness (LVL5) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 61, 127
Nystul's Enveloping Darkness (LVL5) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 625, 626
Nystul's Expeditious Fire Extinguisher (LVL3) Spell Spell (Magic User), CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook 107
Nystul's Expeditious Fire Extinguisher (LVL3) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 59, 127
Nystul's Expeditious Fire Extinguisher (LVL3) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 626
Nystul's Flash (LVL1) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 59, 127
Nystul's Flash (LVL1) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 626
Nystul's Golden Revelation (LVL3) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 60, 127
Nystul's Golden Revelation (LVL3) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 626
Nystul's Grue Conjuration (LVL4) Spell Spell (Magic User), CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook 108
Nystul's Grue Conjuration (LVL4) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 60, 127
Nystul's Grue Conjuration (LVL4) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 627
Nystul's Instant Daylight (LVL4) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 627
Nystul's Instant Daylight (LVL4) Spell Reference SEE ALSO Nystul's Lightburst (LVL4)
Nystul's Lightburst (LVL4) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 61, 127
Nystul's Lightburst (LVL4) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 627, 628
Nystul's Magic Aura (LVL1) Spell Spell (Magic User), Player's Handbook, AD&D 1e 41, 67
Nystul's Magic Aura (LVL1) Spell Spell (Magic User), Player's Handbook, D&D 3.5e (Premium Edition) 182
Nystul's Magic Aura (LVL1) Spell Spell (Magic User), Player's Option - Spells And Magic 182
Nystul's Magic Aura (LVL1) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 628
Nystul's Magic Aura (LVL1) Spell Spell (Ranger), Player's Handbook, AD&D 1e 67
Nystul's Magic Aura (LVL7) Spell Spell (Illusionist), Player's Handbook, AD&D 1e 42, 100
Nystul's Magic Aura (LVL7) Spell Spell (Illusionist), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 628
Nystul's Magical Aura (LVL1) Spell Spell (Magic User), Hidden Lore, D&D 3.0 2
Nystul's Radiant Arch (LVL5) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 61, 127
Nystul's Radiant Arch (LVL5) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 628
Nystul's Radiant Baton (LVL3) Spell Spell (Magic User), Greyhawk Adventures 60, 127
Nystul's Radiant Baton (LVL3) Spell Spell (Magic User), Wizard's Spell Compendium - Volume III 628, 629
Nystul's Undetectable Aura (LVL1) Spell Spell (Magic User), Hidden Lore, D&D 3.0 2
Retrieved from "https://gateway.greyhawk.city/greyhawkwiki/index.php?title=Nystul&oldid=43568"