Maret Nial
| Maret Nial | |
|---|---|
| Names and titles | |
| Nickname: | the Clever, also First Lord |
| Title(s): | Captain, later Lord, and Landgraf |
| General info | |
| Occupation: | Landgraf of Selintan, Lord of Greyhawk |
| Home: | Free City of Greyhawk |
| Alignment: | Neutral Good |
| Gender: | Male |
| Species: | Human |
| Ethnicity: | Oeridian |
| Class: | Fighter 10 |
| Dates | |
| Age: | 63 |
| Birthdate: | -26 CY |
| Death: | 37 CY |
Maret Nial was the first self-styled Lord of Greyhawk and later was granted the title as the first Landgraf of Selintan (the Domain of Greyhawk) by the first Overking of the Great Kingdom, Nasran of House Cranden.[1]
Description
Maret Nial had closely cut dark brown hair. He was a very fit 5'11 and 205 lbs, and he kept this robust frame for his entire adult life, even in old age. Maret Nial always kept a spartan, military appearance. He dressed as a soldier unless attending state functions if summoned to the Great Kingdom or other state affairs, or when hosting dignitaries of other states in Greyhawk City. Even at these events he appeared in more subdued and austere clothing.
Maret Nial's primary abode was in the motte-and-bailey keep he constructed in Greyhawk, which eventually became the site of the Grand Citadel.[1]
Personality
Maret Nial was nothing if not forward looking. He often took advantage of existing situations and bent them to his own advantage, in surprising ways, including the taking of the village of Greyhawk, and making it his own. Fortunately, he also was a good, and fair leader. His military prowess was matched by his capacity to envision a good future for himself and others, and lead to help others see and reach those goals. [1]
Abilities
Maret Nial's was an able warrior, and a strong leader.[1] These were reflected in his Str 16, Int 14, Wis 14 and Cha 15.
Possessions
Maret Nial was primarily concerned with practical possessions, chief among them weapons and armor, despite his accumulated wealth. His outlook always remained closer to that of a infantry captain than puissant lord. He did own several magical weapons, and two very fine magical suits of mail. His keep was well appointed, but never ostentatious.
Activities
Maret Nail spent the majority of time in and around the then village of Greyhawk, developing its physical attributes. He also spent time developing the trading capacity of the community, lending his troops to protect caravans, to help move wealth from the cairns in the Cairn Hills, and to develop safe travel on the Selintan River for trade. These activities, and others, guaranteed growth and prosperity for merchants, the town, surrounding communities, and for Lord Nial, himself.[1]
Relationships
Maret Nial managed to develop good relations among those in the village of Greyhawk, surrounding communities, and with powers such as the Court of the Great Kingdom. Although he was known as a tough negotiator, especially with merchants and traders, he was also effective. He had good relations with his son, Ganz, to whom he left a strong and growing domain, and who in turn increased the fortunes of the area through good management.[1]
History
Maret Nial was originally from the village of Greyhawk, but he served as a local Aerdian Infantry Captain helping keep the troubled lands in the surrounding area under some kind of order, although it was far from trouble free where bandits, humanoids, and other creatures and entities that wished humans, and their kingdoms, no weal. In 4CY, sensing that the nearby kingdoms did not really exert any authority over the area, he, along with a large band of soldiers that had served with him, moved over the Cairn Hills, to the village of Greyhawk, where Captain Nial declared himself Lord of the village, and surrounding lands, and declared them for the Great Kingdom. By 15 CY, he had made such a difference in the area, the Overking formally granted the then "Lord" Nial, the Domain of Greyhawk, identified in the Kingdom as the Selintan, and gave him the title Landgraf. Maret Nial served in this position until his death of natural causes in 37 CY. He was succeeded by his son, Ganz. [1]
See Also
See also: Steve Wilson for the creator from whose TSR Online Message Board username "Tamerlain" Roger E. Moore made this anagram generated character.
Creative origins
Maret Nial was created by Roger E. Moore as a character in The Adventure Begins, based on an anagram of "Tamerlain". It is considered one of the "Easter eggs" of this work.
Author Steve Wilson known as "Tamerlain" in his online writing on the TSR Online AOL message boards in 1995. During this time, Steve began interacting with Roger. In 1998, Roger Moore developed this character in The Adventure Begins, as a nod to Steve, whom he thanked in the "Research Assistance" credit in the masthead of the book.
External links
Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.
References
Notes
Citations
Bibliography
- Moore, Roger E.. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998. Item code TSR9577.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maret Nial | Non-player character | The Adventure Begins | 57 |