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The Waterside Hostel of Nulb: A Tavern of Whispers and Knives for Temple of Elemental Evil Greyhawk DND campaign

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A blog post by 3orcs for Dungeon Masters running the Temple of Elemental Evil In the backwaters of the Viscounty of Verbobonc , nestled against the murky banks of Imeryd’s Run , lies the festering hive of Nulb —and at its heart, the Waterside Hostel . It isn’t just an inn. It’s a cauldron of scheming pirates, cutthroats, cultists, and desperate adventurers, each seeking something—coin, glory, or power. If you're a Dungeon Master running T1: The Village of Hommlet and eyeing a deeper dive into the seedy roots of evil in Greyhawk, this is the side location to breathe life into. And trust me—when your party walks into this place, the adventure won’t wait until morning. A Note from 3orcs: How I Use the Waterside Hostel in My Campaign When I first ran Temple of Elemental Evil for my players, I knew I wanted the village of Nulb to feel like a slow-motion ambush. Everyone is watching. Everyone has a knife behind their back. That’s why I love the Waterside Hostel—it’s a tavern wi...

Shadowdark vs Old-School Essentials (OSE): My 3Orccs RPG Review & Comparison!

 My 3orcs pits Shadowdark RPG, the "Product of the Year," against the classic feel and B/X compatibility of Old-School Essentials (OSE) in this in-depth review and comparison. We cover everything from the streamlined mechanics of Shadowdark to the massive adventure support of OSE. https://youtu.be/9QlllJIV0vg

Naimur, the Great Druid of the Gnarley Forest, Greyhawk DND campaign

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A Living Root of Balance in the Flanaess Hidden beneath the age-old canopy of the Gnarley Forest, where moss covers stone and fey song lingers in the wind, walks a figure both humble and mythic— Naimur , the Great Druid of the Gnarley Forest . Among gnarled roots and sun-dappled groves, he is a name spoken with reverence by druids, rangers, elves, and even cautious noblemen of Verbobonc. He is not a warrior who claims power, but a gardener who cultivates it. This blog by 3orcs brings to life this monumental figure for your Temple of Elemental Evil campaign. If your players are journeying through the Gnarley, consider what it means when the forest itself begins to stir... because when Naimur takes notice, the trees themselves remember. 📜 Naimur in the World of Greyhawk Naimur isn't just a high-ranking NPC—he is a narrative device cloaked in wool robes. A gnome who once wore the mantle of Grand Druid of the Flanaess , Naimur has since returned to his grove, content to serve...

Project Update: Otis’s Smithy & Stable – Location 2 of the Village of Nulb

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Hey folks, David here from 3orcs. Just wrapped up Location 2 for the Village of Nulb module — Otis’s Smithy and Stable —and wow, this one took me the entire day to get right. This one-page entry might look simple on the surface, but if you know Nulb... nothing ever is. Writing this location pushed me to really dig into the tone and flavor I want for this module—gritty, pragmatic, and lived-in. I’ve been drawing heavy inspiration from Glenn Cook's Black Company books (big fan, read 'em all multiple times), and trying to channel that same stark, no-nonsense energy into the village. It fits Nulb’s dirty, dangerous atmosphere perfectly. What’s wild is that in the original Temple of Elemental Evil module, the smithy is mentioned—but there’s no mention at all of it being a boarding stable , or even pricing for shoeing, feed, etc. So I decided to expand that myself. Makes sense, right? People riding into this bandit swamp will want to leave their horses somewhere . I added stab...

Chausticlorinus, Verdant Wyrm of the Gnarley Verge – A Deadly Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil Campaign

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By 3orcs and Haligaunt — Dungeon Master of Greyhawk's Forgotten Shadows There are dragons… and then there is Chausticlorinus . She’s not just a monster in a lair. She’s a whispered name, a forgotten fear, and now—once again—a looming threat over the eastern Gnarley Forest. If you’re running the Temple of Elemental Evil campaign and want to add depth, danger, and devastating choices, then this legendary green dragon’s reappearance in 576 CY is exactly the kind of storyline that will set your players on edge. In today’s blog, we dig deep into the lore of Chausticlorinus, explore her lair, ties to the Temple of Elemental Evil, and how you can incorporate this cunning and seductive manipulator into your Greyhawk game. ✨ As always, full stat blocks, art, dialogue prompts, and adventure hooks are available in the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576cy . For maps, images, and exclusive extras, support us on the 3orcs Patreon . You can also catch breakdowns and lore chats on the 3orcs YouTub...

3orcs TOEE Zassil'torr Map | Lizardfolk Swamp Village for Temple of Elemental Evil (Greyhawk 576 CY)

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 3orcs TOEE Zassil'torr Map | Lizardfolk Swamp Village for Temple of Elemental Evil (Greyhawk 576 CY) Explore the handcrafted Zassil'torr (Torfen) Upper Village Map from 3orcs Cartography, designed for the Temple of Elemental Evil (TOEE) campaign in the World of Greyhawk – year 576 CY! This top-down D&D battlemap features a detailed lizardfolk swamp village deep in the Fens of Tor, on the eastern border of the Viscounty of Verbobonc. With reed huts, ritual fire pits, bone cages, and poison-brewing stations, this location is perfect for any party venturing near Nulb, the Temple, or into the mists of the swamp.

Annika Silverwood, Ranger Knight of the Lake Verge, Gnarley Rangers in the Gnarley Forest, Greyhawk DND campaign

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A Torch Among Shadows in the Gnarley Forest By 3orcs Introduction: The Young Flame of the Gnarley When we talk about the Gnarley Rangers in our Greyhawk campaigns, we often think of weathered veterans, grizzled woodsmen, and mythic guardians lost in the canopies of ancient oaks. But Annika Silverwood? She's the spark of something new—a symbol of youthful determination thrust into the crucible of duty before her time. In my Temple of Elemental Evil campaign, she has emerged as a narrative centerpiece, offering a compelling blend of political intrigue, wilderness grit, and emotional weight. She's a character I love introducing to players when they wander the edge of Dyvers or begin exploring the deeper trails of the Lake Verge. Who Is Annika Silverwood? Raised in the wooded edge near Lake Verge, Annika is a woman of mixed Oeridian-Suel heritage, once a hunter and forager, now a reluctant leader. She walks in the long shadow of her mentor, Darreth Garlson, whose tragic dea...