One of the secrets of the successful dungeon master in Dungeons and Dragons is the ability to provide the right amount of help with impossible quests so that the players can succeed, arrive at the story’s goal and feel like they accomplished the miracle themselves. One of the ways I did this was by using a powerful wizard as a patron. Gristhane the Grizzled Wizard, also known as the Green Wizard of Gorthanc Grotto, was the character I used to do this.
This powerful, mysterious, and possibly evil wizard set the adventurers on quests that led them to the orc-besieged city of Gansdorf to help the human wizard Ganser, the wizard Merlini, and the elves of the Northeastern Forest defend the city. He also set them the task of finding the lost prince of Starnor. Once they found him, they were given the task of locating Ancient Starnor and magically rebuilding the kingdom. They also were charged with defeating the Black Wizard, a task that led them to the Black Wizard’s master, Lord Frakkus, the Lich King known as Nightmare.We had epic battles. Of the four adventurers pictured here, only Sir Hogan and Asduel survived the fighting.
Always the Grizzled Wizard provided the critical clue or the appropriate magic to win the day and achieve the quest. Sir Hogan asked him to bring the thief Clarissa back from the dead. This he did, and the noble knight married her, making her the Lady of Castle Tol Arriseah. He was an essential part of many adventures, and though he never had the starring role in the story, he was always a crucial part of it.
Catch a Falling Star 