Welcome to Verbobonc, the heart of my campaign setting in the World of Greyhawk. As a content creator and longtime Dungeon Master, I designed Verbobonc to be the ultimate launchpad for Temple of Elemental Evil campaigns. This city is not only a vital part of Greyhawk lore but also a resource-rich destination where players can delve into its mysteries, deal with powerful factions, and establish crucial alliances.
As the largest city directly involved in the Temple of Elemental Evil storyline, Verbobonc serves as a perfect starting point for adventurers or a central hub during their journey. Whether players need guidance from powerful church leaders, seek artifacts from skilled gnome smiths, or negotiate with guilds and schools of magic, Verbobonc offers it all.
You can read all about the City of Verbobonc locations, NPC's, organizations and interactive map here: City of Verbononc on the 3orcs WorldAnvil
It’s Readying, 576CY: The City of Verbobonc Awaits
It is the month of Readying in 576CY, the fourth day. Winter still grips Verbobonc tightly, with cloudy skies and cold rains signaling the season’s last stand. Despite the chill, Verbobonc is alive with activity. Farmers, merchants, and townsfolk have gathered in the bustling market squares, selling winter produce and livestock. Baskets overflow with turnips, potatoes, and cabbages, while hardy farmers proudly display lambs, shoats, and calves.
The upcoming Festival of Readying—an event revered by those of the Old Faith—is just days away. As Luna waxes full and Celene remains hidden, the “Great Moon’s Glory” will soon cast its light over the city. This mystical festival draws out Verbobonc’s druids and nature-worshippers, honoring the changing of seasons and preparing for the trials ahead. For adventurers, it’s the perfect time to immerse themselves in the city’s culture, traditions, and secrets.
Why Verbobonc is Essential to Your Temple of Elemental Evil Campaign
Verbobonc isn’t just a city; it’s a Dungeon Master’s treasure trove. In creating this setting, I focused on crafting a city filled with political intrigue, religious influence, and diverse quarters that each contribute uniquely to the adventure’s progression. As a resource for fellow DMs, Verbobonc offers countless NPCs, plot hooks, and side quests designed to add depth to your Temple of Elemental Evil campaign.
This city is a meeting ground for churches, schools of magic, guilds, and mercenary bands. Players might start their journey here, working as agents of the Viscount, or return to negotiate alliances or seek counsel. Here’s a breakdown of Verbobonc’s major quarters, gates, and the formidable Castle Greyfist, each one ready to pull players deeper into the story.
Exploring Verbobonc’s Quarters: A Guide for Dungeon Masters
To bring Verbobonc alive in your campaign, let’s take a closer look at its key quarters and districts. Each area has been designed with rich details to provide a well-rounded environment for your players to explore, strategize, and grow within.
The High Quarter houses Verbobonc’s nobility, including Viscount Wilfrick Verdanhart himself, a key figure who may become an ally or challenge for the adventurers. This quarter’s grand residences and finely maintained gardens showcase Verbobonc’s heritage as a former elven seat of power. Verbobonc Palace is an architectural marvel, blending human strength and elven artistry with open-air walkways, spiraling towers, and arched bridges.
For adventurers, the High Quarter offers connections to power, political intrigue, and potential missions from Verbobonc’s elite. Here, players might secure audiences with the Viscount, petition for aid, or uncover quests tied to the city’s safety.
The Business Quarter is Verbobonc’s bustling economic hub, filled with traders from across Greyhawk. This quarter’s central marketplace is known for the diversity of goods, from everyday necessities to rare artifacts. Here, gnome artisans bring their metallurgy skills to the forefront, contributing items like fine jewelry, armor, and enchanted items, all highly sought after in the Flanaess.
As a DM, use the Business Quarter to introduce NPCs who trade in information as much as they do in goods. Characters here can encounter spies, smugglers, and merchants with hidden connections to the Temple of Elemental Evil, providing clues or even items crucial for the campaign.
Verbobonc’s Civic Centre houses the heart of the city’s administration and law enforcement. The Courthouse of the Viscounty stands as a solemn reminder of the city’s commitment to justice, and it is here that the Cobwalkers patrol to maintain peace. This is where players may petition for legal support, interact with the Viscount’s officials, or negotiate alliances with local leaders.
The Civic Centre is also home to the Hall of Records, a valuable resource for researching the city’s history, local lore, or the more covert activities linked to the Temple. DMs can use this location to connect adventurers with historical records or hidden leads on the Temple’s influence within the Viscounty.
Elven Dawn Quarter (D1 - D7) Elven Quarter
The Elven Dawn Quarter is a serene and mystical area that honors Verbobonc’s ancient elven past. Elves who reside here enjoy a lifestyle that blends nature with architecture, surrounded by towering trees and well-kept gardens. This quarter is also where shrines to Ehlonna and Obad-Hai are located, serving as places of worship for druids and others of the Old Faith.
During the Festival of Readying, this quarter is adorned with garlands and illuminated by candles, as the elven community prepares for the Great Moon’s Glory. Adventurers visiting the Elven Dawn Quarter may gain blessings or assistance from the local elven clergy or meet NPCs with deep knowledge of the region’s spiritual and natural history.
The Ryemend District is a humble neighborhood that speaks to the industrious spirit of Verbobonc’s working-class residents. Farmers, laborers, and artisans populate this area, their livelihoods connected to the seasonal flow of crops and trade. The district is especially lively during festivals, with community-led games and feasts marking the end of winter.
Ryemend is the perfect setting for side quests that involve the common folk of Verbobonc—perhaps helping with a farm problem, handling disputes, or seeking local knowledge that only the hardworking people of Ryemend might have.
The Foreign Quarter serves as a gathering place for travelers and traders from every corner of the Flanaess. Known for its eclectic markets, bustling inns, and multicultural atmosphere, this quarter is an ideal spot for adventurers to find leads, make connections, or engage in some light-hearted revelry. Performers and exotic goods from afar lend the area an adventurous energy.
The Foreign Quarter is where your players are most likely to encounter NPCs tied to far-reaching factions, each with its agenda. As a DM, you can use this area to introduce new allies or rivals who may influence the adventurers’ journey in ways they least expect.
Gnomesberg (G1 - G8) Gnomesberg
The Gnomesberg is a unique district where Verbobonc’s gnomish population resides. Known for their expertise in metallurgy and invention, the gnomes here are master craftsmen, producing fine jewelry, enchanted weapons, and custom items for travelers and locals alike. Shops in the Gnomesberg teem with unusual gadgets and magical trinkets that might aid adventurers on their journey.
For players in need of custom equipment, enchanted items, or rare potions, the Gnomesberg is the place to be. DMs can add extra flair here by introducing NPC artisans who are eccentric, competitive, or have ties to Verbobonc’s deeper mysteries.
City Gates and Castle Greyfist
Each of Verbobonc’s gates serves as both a symbol and a safeguard, bearing the city’s heraldic symbols and its motto, “Earth and Stone, Man and Gnome.” These entrances are heavily guarded, ensuring the safety of the city while giving adventurers a sense of the structured order that Verbobonc values. Guards stationed at these gates inspect travelers carefully, and any strangers entering Verbobonc’s walls are likely to be questioned.
Castle Greyfist
Castle Greyfist rises above the city as a stronghold of military might. This fortress, with its fortified towers and defensive walls, is where Viscount Verdanhart oversees the city’s military efforts and coordinates the Vigil Wardens. With its cold, imposing architecture, Castle Greyfist is the opposite of the elegant Verbobonc Palace, reminding all who see it that Verbobonc is a city prepared to defend itself against the forces of evil.
For adventurers, Castle Greyfist is both a reminder of Verbobonc’s might and a potential source of quests. DMs can introduce military figures who need aid in dealing with bandits, spies, or threats linked to the Temple of Elemental Evil.
Verbobonc: A City of Opportunity and Mystery
As a creator and Dungeon Master resource, my aim with this expanded look at Verbobonc is to give DMs a vibrant setting that not only enriches a Temple of Elemental Evil campaign but stands out as an immersive city of its own. Whether players seek political intrigue, alliances with powerful NPCs, or quests that prepare them for the challenges ahead, Verbobonc is ready to deliver.
For those of us devoted to the World of Greyhawk, Verbobonc is a place that balances tradition with adventure, offering something to every kind of player. This is a city that remembers its past, cherishes its diverse culture, and meets every challenge head-on. So welcome to Verbobonc—a city where the spirit of Greyhawk lives. - 3orcs
Dive Deeper into Greyhawk with 3orcs
If you’re captivated by Verbobonc and the intricate world of Greyhawk, there’s more waiting for you! Join me, 3orcs, on my YouTube Channel, where I share vlogs, in-depth reviews, and insights into running Greyhawk campaigns, along with tips for bringing the Temple of Elemental Evil to life.
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Nice! and very useful thanks
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