Who is Gareth?

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

myriddian

Oct 21, 2005 11:41:49
Back in the brilliant Poor Wizard's Almanac series , before the pathetic Joshuan's Almanac, there was mention in the Current events of a new Immortal in Sind. Sitara Rohini and Anand Brishnapur were his agents. Does anyone here have any idea where this storyline was going? Who this mysterious Gareth was? It has been bugging me for years....
#2

eldersphinx

Oct 21, 2005 13:24:27
Nobody knows. Oooooh, mys-teeeerious! :D

That said, here's a linky to a few possible speculations advanced over the years. Pick and choose as needed to suit your campaign.

Hope this helps!
#3

Cthulhudrew

Oct 21, 2005 16:50:54
Another link, this one to yet another theory that I came up with (looks like 5 years ago) when thinking about the nature of the Ylari's Eternal Truth.

One idea I had after writing that article was that Al-Kalim's companion, Farid, who is the guy who wrote down much of Al-Kalim's story, may have been the Immortal avatar of whatever nasty Immortal decided to usurp his legacy and following.
#4

myriddian

Oct 21, 2005 23:11:55
Thanks for the responses. :D

Most helpful.
#5

zombiegleemax

Oct 24, 2005 7:34:42
Uhm.. I thought it was canon the fact that Gareth is in fact an alter ego of Benekander... have I dreamt of it? I cannot place the reference, but I'm pretty positive to this fact (IMC it's a different story, however).
#6

havard

Oct 24, 2005 7:38:27
Uhm.. I thought it was canon the fact that Gareth is in fact an alter ego of Benekander... have I dreamt of it? I cannot place the reference, but I'm pretty positive to this fact (IMC it's a different story, however).

Not AFAIK. Gareth's real identity was never revealed before the Mystara line was cancelled, and now we'll never know.

Håvard
#7

gazza555

Feb 20, 2006 4:52:24
Not AFAIK. Gareth's real identity was never revealed before the Mystara line was cancelled, and now we'll never know.

Unless Bruce has something to add. ;)

Regards
Gary
#8

havard

Feb 22, 2006 14:41:16
Unless Bruce has something to add. ;)

Regards
Gary

Gareth is the EGG of Coot! Gareth aka E. Gary Gygax aka EGG. Hmmm...there is something rotten in Mystara and it smells of eggs? Or is it just Gary Gazza555? :D

Håvard
#9

gazza555

Feb 23, 2006 4:14:48
Hmmm...there is something rotten in Mystara and it smells of eggs? Or is it just Gary Gazza555? :D

OK Who's been talking? ;)

Regards
Gary
#10

twin_campaigns

Feb 23, 2006 9:40:50
I have never had the time to read WotI and MoA properly, so I'm a bit at a loss here.

Did Gareth appear in WotI or in MoA, or just the Almanacs?

In any case, the texts in the Vaults refer to Loki's smile/grin. Where can I find these references originally?

Just out of curiosity.
#11

Cthulhudrew

Feb 23, 2006 10:09:09
Did Gareth appear in WotI or in MoA, or just the Almanacs?

He first appeared in the Almanacs. PWA1011, I believe.

In any case, the texts in the Vaults refer to Loki's smile/grin. Where can I find these references originally?

I think that one comes from the almanacs as well. If I am not mistaken, the presence of the "Immortal" Gareth (whoever or whatever he/she/it is) is first brought to the attention of the Immortals in the 1012 almanac (following the events of his followers in 1011), and while most Immortals have mixed reactions, Loki just smiles. Could have been a big hint, could have been nothing. I would have to check the almanac later to be sure about where it appears, though.
#12

jtrithen

Feb 23, 2006 17:34:40
I think that one comes from the almanacs as well. If I am not mistaken, the presence of the "Immortal" Gareth (whoever or whatever he/she/it is) is first brought to the attention of the Immortals in the 1012 almanac (following the events of his followers in 1011), and while most Immortals have mixed reactions, Loki just smiles. Could have been a big hint, could have been nothing. I would have to check the almanac later to be sure about where it appears, though.

Yeah, I always suspected, and assumed that that story was leading up to Loki being the puppet master in that plot.

The Immortal was present in Sind, near Hule, and I thought it logical that Loki, who is Bozdogan in Hule, the 'master-deceiver' was behind all the machinations involving Gareth. (It just was an invetible conclusion, until proved otherwise, by the writers.)

Unless Bruce has something to add.

Ditto that -- I too would be hopeful that Bruce Heard was able to add any insight, if he was aware of what the writers' intentions were as to where that plotline was going...! 'Bruce...?
#13

Cthulhudrew

Feb 23, 2006 18:25:34
AFAIK, Ann Dupuis is still working with/for Grey Ghost Press (she was one of the founders), and she used to frequent the MML on occasions. She was the primary author of PWAs 1011 and 1012, so its possible she might have some idea where the plot was going, even if she wasn't the creator of Gareth (which I think she probably was).

I seem to recall that she might have chimed in on the list about the identity of Gareth once, a long time ago (something to the effect of deciding to leave it vague and open to interpretation), but I don't recall. Anyone else from the MML remember if she weighed in on the matter?
#14

havard

Feb 24, 2006 6:14:29
I seem to recall that she might have chimed in on the list about the identity of Gareth once, a long time ago (something to the effect of deciding to leave it vague and open to interpretation), but I don't recall. Anyone else from the MML remember if she weighed in on the matter?

I seem to remember the same thing; that she did not wish to reveal much more on the matter or even if she had made a decision herself at the time. It would be strange if she hasnt though.

I had forgotten about Loki's smile BTW. I had pretty much pegged Gareth as Benekander since he is in need of a cult and Gareth's opinion of the immortals seems not unlike Benny's (though perhaps slightly more hostile). Gareth's involvement in Sind also indicates Loki's involvement since this would be a likely expansion area for his Bozdogan persona so I remain undecided...

Håvard