The Village of Hommlet and the Temple of Elemental Evil
In the world of tabletop adventures, few locations are as storied as the Village of Hommlet. Serving as the starting point for the T1 module, Hommlet is a place of deceptive tranquility where weary, low-level adventurers arrive seeking fortune, only to find themselves entangled in a dangerous web of conspiracy and ancient evil.
The adventure begins with characters who are practically void of money and strength, drawn to a town known for both its opportunities for wealth and its lethal risks. While the villagers initially seem hospitable, the protagonists soon discover that many residents are actually powerful spies serving the minions of a dark force.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Path from Hommlet to the Temple
The T1 module is designed as a beginner's scenario that transitions from a village setting to a dungeon crawl. The primary objective for players is to defeat raiders operating from a nearby ruined moathouse. This moathouse serves as a critical plot point, as it is where agents secretly plan to re-enter the Temple and liberate the imprisoned demoness Zuggtmoy.
While T1 stands alone, it is the first part of the larger T1–4 series. The progression of the adventure follows a logical path of increasing danger:
- T1: The Village of Hommlet – Establishing a base of operations and clearing the moathouse.
- T2 – Traveling to the village of Nulb to confront nefarious opponents and Temple agents.
- The Temple of Elemental Evil – Entering the vast dungeons to face various denizens and ultimately challenge Zuggtmoy.
History of the Temple of Elemental Evil
The Temple is an unholy structure located in the central Flanaess, near the city-state of Verbobonc. Its history is marked by cycles of rise and fall, beginning in 566 CY when forces from Dyvers or the Wild Coast built a small chapel near Nulb. This chapel quickly evolved into a stone temple used as a base for bandits and evil humanoids.
The Battle of Emridy Meadows
By 569 CY, the marauding became so severe that a combined allied force was dispatched to destroy the Temple. This led to the Battle of Emridy Meadows, a massive clash between the Horde of Elemental Evil—composed of orcs, ogres, and gnolls—and an alliance of men-at-arms from Furyondy and Veluna, dwarves from the Lortmils, gnomes from the Kron Hills, and elven archers.
The tide turned when elven archers from the Gnarley Forest trapped the humanoid horde against a bend in the Velverdyva river, leading to a total rout of the enemy. However, the battle saw the death of Serten, a cleric of Saint Cuthbert and member of the Citadel of Eight. The Citadel's failure to participate in this pivotal battle contributed to the organization's eventual decline and disbandment.
The Sealing of Zuggtmoy
Following the victory at the meadows, the allied forces besieged the Temple for a fortnight. To ensure the evil was contained, spellcasters performed a sealing ritual that bound the demoness Zuggtmoy, a primary instigator of the Horde, within the deepest chambers of the castle's dungeons.
Despite the victory, rumors of an evil presence persisted. To prevent the Temple from rising again, the Viscount of Verbobonc and the Archcleric of Veluna collaborated to build a small castle outside the Village of Hommlet as a permanent guard post.
Timeline of Events
| Year (CY) | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 566 CY | Construction of the Chapel | Small chapel near Nulb becomes a stone temple for evil forces. |
| 569 CY | Battle of Emridy Meadows | Allied forces rout the Horde of Elemental Evil; Zuggtmoy is sealed. |
| 570s CY | Establishment of Hommlet | Castle built to guard the area; village prospers via adventurers. |
| 578 CY | Resurgence of Evil | Bandits begin appearing on the roads again. |
| 579 CY | T1–4 Events | Adventurers arrive in Hommlet to confront the returning threat. |
| 591 CY | Return to the Temple | Events of the sequel set 12 years after the original module. |
Key Facts
- Starting Point: The Village of Hommlet, a town of deceptive hospitality and hidden spies.
- Primary Antagonist: Zuggtmoy, a demoness imprisoned in the Temple's deepest dungeons.
- Major Conflict: The Battle of Emridy Meadows, where a multi-racial alliance defeated the Horde of Elemental Evil.
- Key Locations: The ruined moathouse, the village of Nulb, and the Temple of Elemental Evil.
- Setting: The central Flanaess, near Verbobonc and the Gnarley Forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the ruined moathouse in T1?
The moathouse serves as the culmination of the T1 module. It is used by agents of evil as a secret base to plan their re-entry into the Temple of Elemental Evil to free the demoness Zuggtmoy.
Who fought in the Battle of Emridy Meadows?
The battle pitted the Horde of Elemental Evil (orcs, ogres, and gnolls) against an alliance of humans from Furyondy and Veluna, dwarves from the Lortmils, gnomes from the Kron Hills, and elven archers from the Gnarley Forest.
What happened to the Citadel of Eight?
The Citadel of Eight declined and eventually disbanded, largely due to their failure to participate in the pivotal Battle of Emridy Meadows.
How does the adventure progress from T1 to T4?
Characters start in Hommlet (T1), move to the village of Nulb to face Temple agents (T2), and eventually enter the Temple of Elemental Evil to fight its denizens and Zuggtmoy herself.
When does the story take place?
The main events of the T1–4 module occur in 579 CY, while the "Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil" takes place 12 years later in 591 CY.