Janos Mezaros
János Mézáros is not a man to be crossed lightly. He is the master of the river, the unseen hand behind countless illicit dealings, and a ruthless enforcer of Rhennee law. In the shadows of Greyhawk’s bustling streets, where secrets are bought and sold like coin, his name is spoken in whispers—sometimes in fear, sometimes in reverence, but never without respect.
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Race: Human (Rhennee)
Class: Fighter 11
Age: Late 40s
Appearance: A wiry, weathered man of Rhennee descent, Mézáros has piercing gray eyes, sharp features, and a permanent smirk of quiet menace. His curly black hair is streaked with silver, and he wears fine but well-worn clothes adorned with subtle symbols of his power among the Rhennee. His left hand is adorned with a ring carved from river-polished bone, a supposed charm of luck—or a warning to his enemies.
Background & Influence
János Mézáros is one of the most feared and respected figures in Greyhawk’s River Quarter, a self-styled "Lord" among the Rhennee who commands eleven barges and forty-seven loyal crew members—a formidable network of smugglers, thieves, and informants. He holds court at the Low Seas Tavern, where his mere presence enforces an unspoken law: outsiders tread carefully, or they don’t tread for long.
Mézáros embodies the ruthlessness, cunning, and unbreakable loyalty of the Rhennee. Among his own people, he is both a protector and a tyrant, dispensing justice as he sees fit and demanding absolute fealty from those in his orbit. His word is law on the river, and those who cross him—or worse, disrespect his extended “family”—quickly find themselves weighted down with chains and sinking beneath the waters of the Nyr Dyv.
While the city authorities turn a blind eye to his activities, most know that Mézáros is deeply entangled in smuggling, contraband trade, and black-market dealings. If something valuable has entered or left Greyhawk without taxes being paid, there is a good chance that Mézáros had a hand in it. He is not reckless, however; he chooses his battles carefully and ensures that when trouble arises, it never leads back to him.
Personality & Tactics
Mézáros is charming but cruel, preferring honeyed words before the blade. He speaks softly, but his presence alone is enough to cow most into submission. He is a man who rewards loyalty lavishly but punishes betrayal with unrelenting brutality. Even the slightest insult to him or his kin is met with swift and disproportionate retribution.
In a fight, Mézáros is a ruthless combatant, wielding twin curved Rhennee dueling blades with precision and speed. He prefers ambushes, overwhelming force, and duels fought on his own terms. When possible, he lets others fight his battles, ensuring his enemies never see him coming.
Notable Relationships
- One-Eye Halloran (Owner of the Low Seas Tavern): Mézáros treats Halloran like a senile figurehead, a relic of a past when the tavern was neutral ground. Now, it is his domain, and Halloran exists at his sufferance.
- Amalia Mézáros (Third Wife): Unlike his other wives, Amalia is clever, resourceful, and quietly rebellious. She often seeks refuge at the Green Dragon Inn, where she might strike up friendships with adventurers—especially those who might challenge her husband’s dominance.
- Greyhawk’s Underworld: Mézáros is not a direct rival to the city’s thieves’ guild, but he carefully balances cooperation and competition, ensuring his influence does not provoke unnecessary conflict with Greyhawk’s criminal elite.
Adventure Hooks
- A Smuggler’s Bargain: A valuable shipment has gone missing, and Mézáros believes the party is responsible. They must either prove their innocence or retrieve it before his patience runs out.
- A Wife’s Whispered Plea: Amalia Mézáros secretly approaches the party, offering information about her husband’s dealings—but crossing Mézáros is dangerous, and the party will have to decide whether to aid her or turn her over.
- The River Runs Red: Someone is killing Rhennee along the riverbanks, and Mézáros is prepared to burn Greyhawk’s docks to the ground in retaliation. Can the party uncover the truth before open war erupts in the River Quarter?
- Dagger in the Dark: A rival seeks to overthrow Mézáros, offering the party a chance to remove one of Greyhawk’s most dangerous men. But is his replacement truly any better?
Rhennee barge lord and true owner of the Low Seas Tavern
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