A corpulent elemental of corruption and bad taste, Balabar Smenk lords his political clout over everyone in Diamond Lake save the governor-mayor and garrison commander, whom he privately mocks. Smenk has wrestled four mines into his possession in the last 10 years, and has designs upon the rest. A covern of sycophants and hired goons surrounds him at all times. Rumors suggest that he has powerful friends in the Free City of Greyhawk.