Bishop Raunalf

[Scott]

In the Wargames Digest article where Gary tells the story of Mordenkainen's encounter with the iron golem, he mentions Bishop Raunalf the cleric as one of the reinforcements that Bigby returns to the dungeon with.
Anybody ever ask Gary or Rob about this character? Do you think he was an actual character, or a pseudonym for Riggby?

[geneweigel]

Sounds familiar. Is there a link somewhere to the article where I can read it?

[Scott]

Here's a link to a site with the article reprinted: grendelwulf.blogspot.com/2010/07/gygax-legendarium-swords-sorcery-in.html

Here's the only mention: "Within a few hours he was back once more before the gates of the Great Hall, and with him were two fighters of exceptional ability, the doughty Lords Yrag and Felnorith, as well as a cleric, the Bishop Raunalf."

[geneweigel]

There is a download link at the bottom that has a pdf of the original complete with Greg Bell artwork of Mordenkainen.

Heh, so this pretty much confirms that WG5 MORDENKAINEN'S FANTASTIC ADVENTURE was in Castle Greyhawk in the Great Hall on level 4.

[Scott]

I'd guess it was El Raja Key in Kalibruhn.

[Scott]

But the two later were merged.

[geneweigel]

I suspected something like that was going on especially in the wake of the Robilar castle fiasco where Gary was adamant where Robilar's castle was and Rob was telling some other version.

I think at the time when I was hanging out at Pied Piper Publishing boards, I had no idea why Mike Mornard was pissed indirectly at Kuntz all the time. I may not be on the same wavelength as Mornard in regards to style, so I can't relate, but I definitely see the source of his consternation now!

[geneweigel]

I went back to that blog looking for more cool stuff by the time I got to the second page I think that I got a rash. It didn't happen all at once it was just kind of that build up of second edition bowdlerized thinking about things. Like for instance, there was a comment on the Brethren footguard that expects them to look like monks. Whuh?

[Scott]

Back to my original post, I came across a tidbit online that states Bishop Raunalf was just a name for Rigby, per an article in Dragon 307, that I haven't read to verify.

[geneweigel]

Heres the excerpt from #307:

From the citadel came a rescue party
led by Nigby the magic-user. The fighters
Yrag and Felnorith were there to smite the
metal monster, as Rigby the cleric went to
attend to the poisoned Bigby. Observing
that their weapons were not damaging the
golem, the two warriors made a dash for
the dais, looking frantically for some
device that might deactivate the automaton.
Indeed, they found a strange sword
and dagger. These weapons proved to be
the key to besting the golem. and that was
done. Quickly bringing the two mages
back to life with stored wishes, the group
beat a hasty retreat to their home.

[Scott]

When I read the Black Reservoir story I wondered if Gary might have added a little flourish to the names of Erac’s sidekicks too.

[geneweigel]

I wouldn't doubt it.

But also keep in mind it might be more of the same considering nature of hirelings.

[Scott]

Yeah. I know that Gary's game had it's silly points that weren't the best examples for selling D&D in other gaming zines.