Lord Mayor of the Free City of Greyhawk

Nerof Gasgol is a master manipulator, a cunning leader, and a man haunted by his past. His ambition and paranoia drive him to both greatness and danger. Whether as an ally, employer, or foe, one thing is certain—underestimate the Lord Mayor at your peril.

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Lord Mayor of the Free City of Greyhawk

Age: 42
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 157 lbs.
Appearance: A sharply dressed man with graying dark hair, Nerof prefers conservative yet impeccably tailored clothing that reflects his status. Though he has access to many magical items—especially through his connections with the Guild of Wizardry —he avoids relying on them unless absolutely necessary.

The Cunning Politician

Nerof Gasgol is a shrewd and charismatic politician, though not particularly intelligent. Fortunately, his longtime associate, Org Nenshen , compensates for this with his keen mind. Nerof's greatest strengths lie in his wisdom, cunning, and masterful ability to manipulate others.

His ambitions are twofold:

1. To be remembered as the greatest mayor in Greyhawk’s history.


2. To be accepted into the ranks of the city’s aristocracy.

Despite holding the city's highest office, Nerof is still looked down upon by the old nobility. Raised in the Slum Quarter , he has spent his entire life attempting to escape his humble origins. While he commands great power, the elite continue to view him as an upstart from the gutters. This social snubbing fuels his relentless drive for status.

A Mayor of the People (and Himself)

Nerof has ruled wisely and effectively. Under his leadership:

• The currency system was simplified.


• Tax burdens were shifted away from the common folk, ensuring their loyalty.


• Greyhawk’s economic power has grown, despite external pressures.

However, Greyhawk’s positionh is now at risk. The Horned Society and the Bandit Kingdoms make the Nyr Dyv's trade routes vulnerable. If northern raiders were to unleash a fleet of pirate vessels, Greyhawk’s economy could be strangled.

Despite his commitment to neutrality, Nerof—after private discussions with Org Nenshen —has been secretly aiding Furyondy in bolstering its naval forces at Willip. This covert funding has been facilitated by Glodreddi Bakkanin , the corrupt Inspector of Taxation. Should this breach of neutrality be exposed, it could invite full-scale war upon Greyhawk.

With tensions rising and dangers mounting, Nerof has become increasingly agitated. Though he has kept his secrets thus far, the balancing act is becoming precariously thin.

The People's Opinions

Public sentiment varies across the city's social classes:

• Merchants and guilds are content, as their rights and privileges remain well-protected.


• The aristocracy views Nerof as little better than a merchant or an artisan—certainly not a "man of rank." This infuriates him.


• The lower classes are amused by their rulers, openly mocking the fact that Nerof and Nenshen are known thieves. While slum dwellers are punished for stealing, their leaders have made a career of it.

Despite the cynicism, no one truly desires a change in leadership. Greyhawkers know things could be much worse, and many citizens are thriving under Nerof’s rule.

From Thief to Lord Mayor

Born into abject poverty, Nerof idolized the Thieves' Guild from a young age, admiring their courage, skill, and wealth. After his parents died of starvation when he was ten, a family friend—a Guild official—sponsored his apprenticeship.

Nerof proved meticulous in his craft, obsessively studying blueprints and layouts to eliminate risk. His attention to detail earned him respect, but he was ruthless with incompetence, striking fear into apprentices under his command.

His life took a dramatic turn when he was traumatized during a heist. While looting an abandoned wizard’s tower, he triggered an illusory airshaft trap. Though the fall was an illusion, the psychological damage was real—he developed crippling vertigo and a fear of falling. Unable to continue as a thief, he turned to politics.

Publicly, Nerof was known only as the proprietor of an upscale gambling house frequented by Greyhawk’s wealthy youth. The games were rigged, but his charm and discretion won him many influential allies. When the time came to pursue office, his wealthy patrons rallied behind him.

A Mayor with Many Faces

Nerof is widely respected, if not entirely trusted. He is known for his tireless work ethic, routinely putting in twelve-hour days. While he accepts bribes, he does so from both sides, then rules on merit—ensuring no one can claim bias.

His public goals are to run the city smoothly and leave a lasting legacy. His private goal remains acceptance into high society—a dream constantly thwarted by his origins.

However, those who publicly humiliate him do so at great peril. One noble family that openly mocked him was soon ruined:

• Their home was ransacked by thieves.


• Family members died under mysterious circumstances.


• Rivals somehow acquired intimate knowledge of their business dealings.

By the time their fortune collapsed, their surviving kin were left begging on the streets. The message was clear—mock Gasgol at your own risk.

The Man Behind the Mask

Despite his ambitions, Nerof finds little joy in high society. He attends aristocratic gatherings only to gather information. His true social circle consists of Guildmasters and thieves, with whom he reminisces about the "good old days."

Though he remains deeply tied to the Thieves' Guild, his vertigo has forever barred him from climbing—a painful reminder of the life he left behind.

His personal effects include:

• Masterwork leather armor, custom-crafted by the Leatherworkers’ Guild after he exempted them from taxes during a leather shortage.


• Exquisite weapons, stolen as a gift from the Thieves' Guild Master upon his election.


• A hidden set of thieves' tools, which he still practices with regularly—except for skills involving climbing.


• Access to many magical items, though he keeps few on hand unless absolutely necessary. His preferred magic items enhance thieving skills without involving flight or climbing.

There is a 20% chance of finding such items in his office or personal safe.

Encounters with Nerof Gasgol

Player characters may cross paths with Nerof in numerous ways:

• As diplomats negotiating with the Lord Mayor of Greyhawk.


• As thieves seeking expert guidance from one of the city's greatest masterminds.


• As mercenaries hired to protect Greyhawk's secret interests—or eliminate threats.


• As spies or informants, offering valuable intelligence in exchange for coin.

Those who oppose Greyhawk will find Nerof to be a ruthless and resourceful enemy. He maintains close ties with the Assassins’ Guild , and several deadly killers are on his personal payroll. When subtlety fails, Nerof has no qualms about eliminating threats permanently.