The Mansion of Count Reichart Petrides
This exotic estate was once the summer home of Zagig himself. Now, it serves as the residence of Count Reichart Petrides, the honored ambassador from the Duchy of Urnst.
The mansion, though well-maintained, is far too large for its current residents—the count shares its vast halls with his courtesan, a handful of servants, and the two City Watchmen assigned to guard him.
The onion-domed towers of this sprawling house, with their wide bases and high, narrow windows, are unlike any other in the Free City. Yet, its most remarkable features lie within.
- The Round Ballroom – A grand circular chamber located in the widest of the towers, connected by a wide arch to a smaller adjoining tower, where a raised orchestra platform resides.
- The Trophy Halls – A testament to the count’s renown as a hunter, three rooms at the rear of the mansion display the stuffed remains of his most impressive kills. Each room is dominated by a centerpiece:
- A cave bear, towering over all who enter.
- A griffon, wings partially extended as if ready to strike.
- A troll, its gnarled features frozen in a perpetual snarl.
- Alongside these monstrous trophies, the halls also contain numerous lesser beasts, including a wolf, a giant frog, a carrion crawler, an axe beak, and even a petrified basilisk.
Despite its grandeur, the mansion feels strangely hollow, as though its halls remember the whispered intrigues of past occupants.
Count Reichart Petrides
Ambassador from the Duchy of Urnst
Count Reichart Petrides is a seasoned diplomat and former adventurer, now representing the Duchy of Urnst in the Free City of Greyhawk. At 49 years old, he stands 6'1" tall, weighing 246 lbs., with light brown hair tapering to a widow’s peak and keen hazel eyes.
A defining mark of his past is the long, jagged scar that runs from the inside of his left wrist around to his elbow joint—a grim reminder of an assassination attempt by an agent of Iuz, who struck him with an envenomed magical tiger’s claw. Though he conceals the scar, he is secretly proud of it, a token of his adventuring days that now feel far behind him.
The Ambassador’s Role in Greyhawk
Petrides now devotes himself to diplomacy, ensuring that Urnst’s interests are well-represented in Greyhawk. His residence in the High Quarter is grand, but he finds the constant presence of two City Watch constables irksome—a reminder that even in diplomatic circles, trust is a fragile thing.
While not a habitual liar, Petrides is a man of subtlety, and his magical items serve him well in the delicate dance of politics. He navigates Greyhawk’s intricate power plays with a mix of charm, persistence, and quiet cunning.
Political Influence & Friction
Given Urnst’s close trade ties with Greyhawk, his presence in the Free City is unquestioned, and he is generally well received. He maintains cordial relations with Nerof Gasgol and has ensured that Urnst coinage is freely accepted in the City through favorable dealings with the Mint’s administrators.
However, Petrides’ current political maneuvering is causing tension. He is pressuring Gasgol to fund a Urnst fleet to drive northern pirate ships from the Nyr Dyv, unaware that Gasgol is already funneling aid to Furyondy in its struggle against Iuz. The Lord Mayor, as ever, offers vague responses, citing Greyhawk’s precious neutrality, which frustrates Petrides to no end.
Determined to push his agenda, the ambassador has begun quietly lobbying other Oligarchs to gain their support—a move that has infuriated Nerof Gasgol , whose delicate balance of power is now at risk. As tensions rise within the Ruling Council, Petrides finds himself walking a fine line between diplomacy and outright political warfare.
A Man of Many Faces
Though he now prefers negotiation over combat, Count Petrides is far from defenseless. A lifetime of adventuring experience, a keen mind, and a collection of magical resources make him a formidable player in Greyhawk’s political arena—one who should never be underestimated.
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