Grave-Soaked Secrets in the Shadow of Nulb, in the World of Greyhawk for the Temple of Elemental Evil DND campaign

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How the Village Graveyard Became a Cornerstone of My Temple of Elemental Evil Campaign When I first laid eyes on the crumbling, moss-covered tombstones of the Nulb Graveyard , I didn’t expect it to become such a pivotal piece of my campaign. But that’s what I’ve come to love about building out the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576cy —those small, seemingly forgotten places often reveal the most story-rich, atmospheric threads. Nulb , with its damp streets and looming threat of corruption, has always been a favorite location of mine when expanding upon the legendary Temple of Elemental Evil campaign by Gary Gygax. I’ve worked to bring this infamous, chaotic village to life—not as a cardboard cutout of evil, but as a living, breathing space of secrets, routines, and long-buried grief. The graveyard , tucked between Baroness Nysera’s Manor and the road to the old Temple ruins , is no exception. The Forgotten Heart of Nulb This is no grand cathedral graveyard. The Nulb Graveyard is winds...
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Embracing the Chaos: The Elder Elemental God in Your Greyhawk DND Campaign

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 Greetings, Dungeon Masters! It’s 3orcs here, ready to guide you into the terrifying depths of Greyhawk lore. Today, I want to delve into one of the most enigmatic and chaotic deities in the World of Greyhawk: The Elder Elemental God (often referred to as Rentaq). Whether you’re running the Temple of Elemental Evil or building your own narrative in this richly detailed world, the Elder Elemental God offers endless opportunities to challenge your players with cosmic horror, primal chaos, and morally complex storylines.

So grab your dice, your DM screen, and let’s explore the dark majesty of this ancient deity! You can read more here on the Elder Elemental God and more on the 3orcs WorldAnvil Temple of Elemental Evil website.

The Elder Elemental God: A History of Chaos and Power

The Elder Elemental God is a being of unimaginable power and chaos, embodying creation, destruction, and the horrors that lie between. Known as Rentaq to his followers, his story begins with divine intervention: the Earth Mother, Beory, transformed him into a colossal column of stone, only to shatter it and scatter the shards across Oerth. These fragments still serve as conduits of his power, lurking in the forgotten corners of the world.

Key Historical Points:

  • Beory’s Wrath: The Earth Mother shattered Rentaq, entrapping his essence in countless shards to prevent his total destruction.
  • Cosmic Exile: Banished from higher planes, Rentaq’s influence survives through the fragments, each harboring immense and terrifying power.
  • Link to the Temple of Elemental Evil: Gary Gygax hinted that Rentaq’s essence ties directly to the Temple’s eldritch energies, making him a critical figure in any campaign involving the Temple of Elemental Evil.

Incorporating the Elder Elemental God into Your Campaign

The Elder Elemental God is more than just a lurking evil; he’s a force of nature with deep thematic ties to chaos, creation, and horror. Here’s how to bring his influence into your campaign:

1. The Moathouse: A Gateway to Chaos

The Moathouse in the T1 module is a fantastic starting point for introducing your players to Rentaq’s influence. Beneath its crumbling ruins, you could hide one of the Elder Elemental God’s shards, radiating chaotic energy and attracting cultists or monsters. This allows you to foreshadow the greater horrors awaiting in the Temple of Elemental Evil.

2. Cult of the Giants

The Elder Elemental God’s worship began with evil giants, whose size and strength resonated with his chaotic essence. Perhaps the giants are working with the Temple’s cultists, and the players must thwart a scheme to resurrect Rentaq through ancient rituals.

3. The Shards of Rentaq

Each shard of the Elder Elemental God holds immense power and presents unique challenges. Create quests around discovering or destroying these shards. Each fragment could grant unique abilities, corrupt those who wield them, or even open portals to Rentaq’s chaotic realm.

Temples, Shrines, and Rituals of the Elder Elemental God

Temples dedicated to the Elder Elemental God are dark, foreboding places filled with symbols of chaos and primal elements. Imagine shadowy halls lit by purple flames, with inverted triangles and jagged runes carved into obsidian walls. These sanctuaries could serve as the backdrop for pivotal battles or desperate rituals.

Features of Rentaq’s Shrines:

  • Unnerving Atmosphere: Use dim lighting, strange sounds, and otherworldly phenomena to set the tone.
  • Dangerous Rituals: Cultists might perform sacrifices or summon elemental horrors, challenging your players to intervene.
  • Corruption Effects: Exposure to Rentaq’s influence might curse or transform characters, adding stakes to their encounters.

Running the Clergy and Followers of Rentaq

Rentaq’s clergy, known as the Servants of the Eye, are devoted to spreading chaos and unlocking their god’s power. These clerics wield elemental magic, perform horrific rituals, and seek to create elemental nodes—places of concentrated power tied to their god.

Suggestions for NPCs:

  • High Priest of Chaos: A zealous leader obsessed with merging the elements into a singular destructive force.
  • Elemental Adepts: Cultists aligned with specific elements, each presenting unique threats (e.g., fire cultists wielding infernos, earth cultists causing tremors).
  • Shattered Souls: Followers driven mad by their devotion, now conduits for Rentaq’s fractured essence.

A Dungeon Master’s Advice: Bringing Rentaq to Life

As a DM, I love using the Elder Elemental God to create tension and fear. Here’s how you can make him a memorable part of your campaign:

  • Foreshadowing is Key: Introduce subtle hints of his influence early on—strange dreams, corrupted wildlife, or whispers of a lost god.
  • Balance Horror and Mystery: Keep your players guessing about Rentaq’s true nature and intentions. The unknown is far scarier than the revealed.
  • Moral Dilemmas: Challenge your players with tough choices—save a village at the cost of unleashing chaos, or destroy a shard and risk angering Rentaq’s cult.

A Personal Note from 3orcs

I’ve been running campaigns in the World of Greyhawk for over 40 years, and the Elder Elemental God remains one of my favorite elements to incorporate. His fragmented power, cosmic origins, and terrifying presence make him a fantastic addition to any campaign, especially those tied to the Temple of Elemental Evil. Whether your players are fighting his cultists or uncovering the secrets of his shards, Rentaq’s influence will leave a lasting mark on their story.

Explore More with 3orcs

For more Greyhawk lore, maps, and campaign ideas, check out the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576 CY. I also discuss Greyhawk topics in-depth on my YouTube channel, so don’t forget to subscribe!

Final Thoughts

The Elder Elemental God is chaos incarnate, a perfect blend of cosmic horror and primal destruction. By weaving his influence into your campaign, you’ll give your players an unforgettable experience filled with tension, mystery, and high-stakes adventure. Let’s keep Greyhawk alive and thriving—one chaotic encounter at a time!

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