Running Noble Ambitions Inside Temple of Elemental Evil: The Suel Pantheon Toolkit for DMs

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  If you’re threading Living Greyhawk’s Noble Ambitions through Temple of Elemental Evil (ToEE), the Suel ruins and gods aren’t just wallpaper—they’re switches and levers your players can read and pull. This post is my behind-the-screen guide to using my Suel Pantheon article as a practical, table-ready engine for side quests, clues, and atmosphere. TL;DR: This supplement gives you a readable Suel myth-map, visual keys for ruin symbols, fast DCs for “reading” rooms, and plug-in side quests—all built to snap directly into Noble Ambitions scenes inside the ToEE sandbox. Why I wrote this (and why it helps you run NA in ToEE) I’m 3orcs . I’ve spent years building the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576cy —adventures, NPCs, art, and maps for running ToEE at epic, lived-in scale. My players weren’t satisfied with “a dusty mosaic and some orcs.” They wanted to decode the place. So I distilled the Suel mythos into table tools: A clear Elder Order list with symbols you can drop into ...
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Why the T1 Village of Hommlet is the Perfect Starting Adventure

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Hello, adventurers and fellow Dungeon Masters! I’m 3orcs, a proud content creator, traditional DM for over 40 years, and passionate advocate of Greyhawk. Today, I want to talk about why the Village of Hommlet from the T1 module is hands-down the perfect starting point for any D&D campaign set in the World of Greyhawk.

Having worked with TSR and published supplements like 3orcs Side Quests for T1 Village of Hommlet, I’ve seen how impactful a well-designed starting location can be. Hommlet stands out because it blends intrigue, danger, and opportunity into a seamless introduction to high fantasy adventuring. Let’s dive into what makes this unassuming hamlet an essential launchpad for adventurers.

I highly recommend getting a PDF copy of the T1 module 'Village of Hommlet' at DriveThruRPG website. 

A Richly Detailed Village

Hommlet isn’t just a place on a map; it’s a living, breathing community filled with relatable characters, hidden dangers, and endless possibilities. Located just southeast of Verbobonc, this crossroads village serves as a hub of trade and culture, but with a dark past tied to the infamous Temple of Elemental Evil.

The village features a variety of colorful NPCs, such as the innkeeper Ostler Gundigoot at the Inn of the Welcome Wench and the suspicious traders Rannos Davl and Gremag at the Trading Post. With these characters, you’ll find plenty of hooks to keep players engaged and guessing.

The Moathouse: A Perfect Starter Dungeon

Just outside Hommlet lies the decaying Moathouse, an early test for novice adventurers. This dungeon is the perfect blend of combat, exploration, and mystery, offering encounters with brigands, giant frogs, and the sinister agent Lareth the Beautiful.

The Moathouse’s design teaches adventurers to be cautious and creative. It’s not just about brute force—it’s about strategy, teamwork, and resource management. For new players, it’s a masterclass in how D&D works, and for experienced players, it’s a nostalgic challenge.

Layers of Intrigue and Politics

Hommlet’s story isn’t just about fighting monsters. The village is steeped in intrigue, with subtle hints that all is not as it seems. The rising bandit activity on the roads and the return of adventurers to the area suggest that the Temple of Elemental Evil may not be as dormant as everyone hopes.

This political undercurrent connects Hommlet to larger events in Verbobonc and beyond, making it a vital part of the Greyhawk campaign setting. Players will feel their actions have weight as they decide who to trust, who to aid, and how to handle the encroaching threat.

Why Hommlet Works for New and Veteran Players

Village of Hommlet is the Greatest Campaign start

  1. For Beginners:

    • Hommlet introduces D&D essentials like NPC interactions, tactical combat, and dungeon exploration in a manageable way.
    • The stakes start small but grow organically, making it easy for new players to grasp.

  2. For Veterans:

    • The nostalgia of the Temple of Elemental Evil storyline combined with the potential for complex roleplay makes Hommlet a satisfying experience.
    • Veteran DMs can weave the threads of Hommlet’s history into larger campaign arcs.

Personal Connection: My First Foray into Hommlet

Back in the early days of AD&D, Hommlet was the first module I ever ran as a Dungeon Master. I still remember my players cautiously stepping into the Inn of the Welcome Wench, wondering if they’d been lured into a trap. That campaign sparked my love for storytelling and worldbuilding, and it’s why I continue to champion this module after 40 years.

Tips for Running Hommlet

  • Make the NPCs Memorable: Give each one a quirk or secret that will hook your players. Burne and Rufus, for example, are more than retired adventurers—they’re key defenders of the village.
  • Leverage the Moathouse: Use it as a training ground for new adventurers but don’t shy away from its dangers. Make Lareth’s influence felt even before players meet him.
  • Foreshadow the Temple: Plant rumors and clues about the resurgence of the Temple of Elemental Evil to build tension.

3orcs Side Quests Supplement for T1 Village of Hommlet

I highly recommend my best selling '3orcs Side Quests Supplement for T1 Village of Hommlet by 3orcs' PDF on the DMsGuild to help you really turn this into an Epic adventure: 

Conclusion

The Village of Hommlet is more than a starting location—it’s a masterclass in adventure design. Whether you’re a seasoned DM or a new player, it offers a rich, immersive experience that sets the tone for an epic campaign. With its dynamic mix of characters, politics, and challenges, Hommlet remains the crown jewel of introductory adventures.

What are your experiences running Hommlet? Let me know in the comments or on my 3orcs YouTube Channel, where we discuss all things Greyhawk. And if you want to dive deeper, check out my 3orcs Side Quests for T1 Village of Hommlet supplement on the Dungeon Masters Guild!

Happy adventuring,
3orcs

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