Mordenkainen
Mordenkainen is a human wizard from Oerth whose wanderlust and hunger for new magic take him across the multiverse. Mordenkainen is calculating and mysterious, but he isn’t cruel.
Mordenkainen has been involved in several friendly rivalries, including with Tasha, another powerful spellcaster from Oerth. Many significant figures across the multiverse are aware of Mordenkainen, but few truly know him—something the vampire Kas exploits to impersonate Mordenkainen. Throughout the adventure, Kas is masquerading as Mordenkainen. The mage is unaware of the vampire warlord’s actions.
History
Mordenkainen has told conflicting tales about his origins, but most scholars believe he accumulated impressive magical power at a young age. Known for his ingenuity, the wizard is responsible for writing several planar tomes and creating many spells that bear his name, including Mordenkainen’s Faithful Hound and Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mansion.
As his fame on Oerth grew, Mordenkainen became the leader of a powerful group of spellcasters called the Circle of Eight. The group included several wizards who similarly pioneered new spells, including Tenser and Bigby. Eventually, the circle disbanded after it stopped an uprising organized by Vecna. That development fueled Mordenkainen’s lifelong hatred of the lich.
Mordenkainen travels the multiverse while following his academic whims. The wizard owns a home called the Tower of Urm, which pops into existence in Avernus when Mordenkainen visits to study how the Nine Hells affect various schools of magic.
Personality
Mordenkainen is stubborn and egotistical to the point of driving even his friends to annoyance. He has few close relationships, although nearly all wizards recognize his accomplishments. He is lonely and dreams of building a community of spellcasters who support each other. Unfortunately, his ego makes that dream all but impossible.
Although Mordenkainen can be brash and off-putting, he eschews cruelty and sees no reason to cause pointless suffering. The wizard doesn’t like to admit it, but he would put his own safety at risk to quell the pain of innocents.