The Gray Mouser

Something about the set of his wiry frame betokening exceptional competence in street fights and tavern brawls.

Lankhmar Tales of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser Volume 1 by Fritz Leiber

Description

The Gray Mouser loses his wizard master, gains his revenge, and takes his girl to the city to survive. He's your typical jack of all trades, except he seems to be best at close quarters and the arts of thieving. He represents the city dweller in contrast to Fafhrd's barbarian (yet refined) nature.

This first volume starts slow as it introduces both Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser in separate stories, but picks up the pace once the two characters meet in Lankhmar, the city of thieves. These two aren't your heroic adventurers, but that was intentional. Leiber created a "realistic" duo of men, who drink too much, work for hire, and discover fantastic things about the world of Nehwon, much of it unwittingly.

Character classes

Master Thief

His knowledge of the city is great, as is his ability to steal from it.

Master Swordsman

When battle begins The Gray Mouser is quite competent and fleet in hand to hand combat.

Novice Wizard

His training ended when he was still an apprentice, and he has knowledge of both black and white magic arts.

 

Abilities

Disguise

The Gray Mouser crafts a bad, but quickly rendered disguise for himself and Fafhrd in the form of beggars.

Swordplay

He's especially capable with the light sword and throwing dagger.

White Magic arts

These spells are protective, and thus heal, protect, and give knowledge.

Black Magic arts

These spells are destructive, and affect the soul of the one using them.

 

Equipment

Scalpel

The light sword he fights with in his main hand.

Cat's Claw

Often, a throwing dagger of some kind.

 

Allies

Fafhrd

The Gray Mouser's constant companion, they treat each other as equals as they strive to see the world of Nehwon to forget a horrible disaster they both share.

Glavas Rho

The Gray Mouser's wizard master, back when he was called Mouse

Ivrian

Daughter of Duke Janarll, she was also apprenticing under Glavas Rho at the time of his death

 

Enemies

Duke Janarll

Destructive hater of white magic, he and his men slay Glavas Rho and hunt Mouse going so far as to torture the Duke's daughter to trap Mouse.

Slayers' Brotherhood

An enforcement arm of the Thieves Guild, the Slayers' Brotherhood hires warriors to defend their thieving operations in Lankhmar

Thieves' Guild

They do not allow any thieving to go on in Lankhmar without their approval, cut, or vengeance.

Ningauble of the Seven Eyes

Sometimes an ally, Ningauble hires the two adventurers or sends them on quests. Other times, he/she/it seems to be toying with them.

Sheelba of the Eyeless Face

Another wizard, he/she/it is often shown to be in competition or perhaps in cahoots with Ningauble. They also send the pair off on quests.

Krovas

Thieves' Guild Guildmaster

Hristolimo

A warlock in Krovas's employ.

Lord Rannarsh

A seeker of treasure

 

Exploration

Nehwon

The setting for the entire story

Cold Waste

A land of cold, snow and mountains.

Lankhmar

The city of thieves, where Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser learn to coordinate and survive.

Jewels in the Forest

A treasure easily found, but easily retrieved?

 

Quests

Seek the jewel without violence

A part of his apprenticeship included finding certain objects without resorting to violence. The quest is a reason he was not around at the time of Glavas Rho's death.

Avenge Glavas Rho

The Gray Mouser turns to black magic to avenge his master's death.

Forget the disaster

In an attempt to forget their disaster in Lankhmar, Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser travel up and down the world of Nehwon in the span of 10 or so pages.

Seek the Jewels in the Forest

Diamonds as big as a man's head! They are hidden, but not too hidden. But what could have allowed these treasures to remain unclaimed for so long?

 

Credits

The Gray Mouser's head is from a cover created by Mike Mignola.

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