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Revision as of 11:37, 28 February 2008 by Gavin.collins (talk | contribs) (→History)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Template:Greyhawk Character Iggwilv is a powerful, fictional spellcaster, in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, famous for the creation of her Demonomicons. Iggwilv is known by various titles, including the Witch Queen of Perrenland and the Mother of Witches. Iggwilv was also named as one of the greatest villains in D&D history by the final issue of Dragon.
Description
Iggwilv is said to have two forms, one of which is that of an old crone (said to be her true form), and the other, a human female of dark beauty. It is said none who have seen her in her true form still live.
Relationships
Iggwilv is the daughter of Baba Yaga. She is the mother of the demigod Iuz, sired by the demon lord Graz'zt, and also of the vampiress Drelzna (now destroyed). She was at one time the apprentice of Zagig Yragerne.
Iggwilv is a fierce enemy of the Circle of Eight and occasional allies include her son, Iuz, and the demoness Zuggtmoy. Iggwilv's power is so great that some contend she has achieved demigod status. Besides her awesome magical might, Iggwilv is also notoriously known for consorting with (as well as controlling and manipulating) fiends, notably demons from the Abyss.
History
Iggwilv is said to have once been named Natasha, and it is under this name that she was "adopted" as a child by the witch Baba Yaga. Iggwilv next appeared in Ket some 300 years ago, in the third century CY, where she was known as Hura. After being driven from Lopolla for plundering the Vault of Daoud, Hura made her way to the Free City of Greyhawk. Now using the name Tasha, Iggwilv encountered the wizard Zagig Yragerne, who quickly (and scandalously) took her on as an apprentice. Sometime during this period (early fourth century CY), Tasha also served as a member of the Company of Seven, Zagig's adventuring band. Zagig and Tasha's relationship culminated in the imprisonment the demon lord Fraz-Urb'luu. Shortly thereafter, Iggwilv absconded with many of Zagig's magical tomes, including the Tome of Zyx, which she would later make additions to and rename The Demonomicon.
Iggwilv next appears in the historical records of Perrenland in 460 CY. Using what she had learned (and stolen) from Zagig, Iggwilv summoned and imprisoned the demon lord Graz'zt. She managed to seduce the demon lord into helping her with her plans of conquest and went on to bear him a son, Iuz. In 480 CY, she assembled an army and attacked Perrenland from her base in the Yatil Mountains known as the Lost Caverns. It is thought that at some point during or prior to this period of conquest, Graz'zt gifted Iggwilv with a magical cloak of pit fiend hide known as Fiend's Embrace. Iggwilv's conquest of Perrenland was complete by 481 CY, and she held a firm grip on that nation until 491 CY, when Graz'zt escaped her control, enabling the native Perrenlanders to defeat her forces and regain their nation. Iggwilv herself was forced to battle Graz'zt, just barely managing to slay his earthly form, banishing him to the Abyss. As a consequence of this battle, Iuz's beautiful form was wracked by magic and split into two hideous manifestations. After the loss of Perrenland, little was heard from Iggwilv for decades and for a short while, she was presumed dead.
In the 570's, Iggwilv had two prominent clashes with the Circle of Eight, who had sent adventurers to thwart her plans. The first took place in the fabled Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth and ended with the destruction of her daughter, the vampiress Drelzna. The second regarded her plans to bring a large number of fiends to Oerth, which was thwarted by a band of adventurers (Warnes Starcoat, Agath of Thrunch, Franz Torkeep, Rowena of the Silverbrow, Reynard Yargrove, and Rakehell Chert) who recovered the Crook of Rao from a magical demiplane known as the Isle of the Ape.
She last clashed with agents of the Circle of Eight in 585 CY when Warnes Starcoat employed a band of adventurers to recover Tenser's clone from Luna. Iggwilv currently resides in a manor in the Gray Wastes. Her current plans, if any, are unknown.
References
- Bulmahn, Jason (September, 2007). "1d20 Villains: D&D's Most Wanted; Preferably Dead". Dragon. 32(4) (359). Pazio: 54–69.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - D&D Editors (September, 2007). "Unsolved Mysteries of D&D: Who is Tasha?". Dragon. 32(4) (359). Pazio: 30.
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Further Reading
- Baur, Wolfgang. "Enemies of my Enemy." Dungeon #149 (Paizo Publishing, 2007).
- Greer, Stephen S. "Fiend's Embrace." Dungeon #121 (Paizo Publishing, 2005).
- Gygax, Gary. Artifact of Evil (TSR, 1986).
- Gygax, Gary. Come Endless Darkness (New Infinities, 1988).
- Gygax, Gary. Dance of Demons (New Infinities, 1988).
- Gygax, Gary. Isle of the Ape (TSR, 1985).
- Gygax, Gary. The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth (TSR, 1982).
- Gygax, Gary. The Slayer's Guide to Dragons (Mongoose Publishing, 2002).
- Gygax, Gary. Sea of Death (New Infinities, 1987).
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (Wizards of the Coast, 2000).
- Holian, Gary and Owen Stephens. "The Demonomicon of Iggwilv." Dragon #336 (Paizo Publishing, 2005).
- Jacobs, James. "The Demonimicon of Iggwilv: Baphomet." Dragon #341 (Paizo Publishing, 2006).
- Jacobs, James. "The Demonimicon of Iggwilv: Fraz-Urb’luu." Dragon #333 (Paizo Publishing, 2005).
- Jacobs, James. "The Demonimicon of Iggwilv: Kostchtchie." Dragon #345 (Paizo Publishing, 2006).
- Jacobs, James. "The Demonimicon of Iggwilv: Pazuzu." Dragon #329 (Paizo Publishing, 2005).
- Jacobs, James. "The Demonimicon of Iggwilv: Zuggtmoy." Dragon #337 (Paizo Publishing, 2005).
- Jacobs, James, Erik Mona, and Ed Stark. Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss (Wizards of the Coast, 2006).
- Moore, Roger E. Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins (TSR, 1998).
- Moore, Roger E. "The Dancing Hut." Dragon #83 (TSR, 1984).
- Moore, Roger E. Return of the Eight (TSR, 1998).
- Mullin, Robert S. Campaign Classics: Three Greyhawk Grimoires. Dragon #225 (TSR, 1996).
- Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes (TSR, 1992).
- Sargent, Carl. Iuz the Evil (TSR, 1993).