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Showing posts from February, 2025

Bringing Hommlet to Life – Random Encounters, Realism, and DM Magic in the Temple of Elemental Evil

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  Bringing Hommlet to Life – Random Encounters, Realism, and DM Magic in the Temple of Elemental Evil By 3orcs ( Dungeon Master, Lore-Crafter, Creator of the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576 CY )   Why The Inn of the Welcome Wench Deserves Its Own Spotlight As a lifelong Dungeon Master and lover of the World of Greyhawk, there's a very particular magic in the sleepy village of Hommlet—especially within the smoky, bustling walls of The Inn of the Welcome Wench . This unassuming tavern serves as the social heart of T1: The Village of Hommlet , and in my campaign it has grown into something much more: a living ecosystem of personalities, secrets, side quests, and drama that I return to time and again. When I sat down to write the random encounter tables for this inn, I didn’t want just names and numbers. I wanted to capture village life —the push and pull of rumors, the clink of mugs and coin, the eyes in the dark corner booth. These tables aren’t just tools. They’re story eng...

The Iron Claw Clan – Bugbear Raiders in the Temple of Elemental Evil DND campaign

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 Bugbear Reinforcements for the TOEE Greetings, Dungeon Masters! If you’re running The Temple of Elemental Evil and want to introduce a brutal, well-organized warband into your game, look no further than the Iron Claw Clan . These vicious bugbears , hardened by years of guerrilla warfare, have transformed Varnifane , a former grugach (wild elf) settlement , into a heavily fortified war camp. Their alliance with Commander Feldrin , a leader of the Temple of Elemental Evil , makes them a key force in the region’s growing chaos . In this post, we’ll explore: ⚔️ The history & fall of Varnifane 🏹 How the Iron Claw Clan operates in Welkwood & Nulb 🛡️ Their alliance with the Temple of Elemental Evil 🎲 How to use them in your TOEE campaign 🔥 The Rise of the Iron Claw Clan The Iron Claw Clan was once a scattered band of bugbear mercenaries , raiding small villages along the Welkwood Forest . However, under the leadership of Braggok Iron-Claw , they conquered Varnifane , seizi...

The Whiterock Clan – Giants and Ogres in the Temple of Elemental Evil DND campaign

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 Giant Invasion into Verbobonc Fellow Dungeon Masters, if you’re looking for a brutal, intelligent, and politically entangled faction to add to your Temple of Elemental Evil campaign, the Whiterock Clan is an absolute must . These massive warriors , once a secluded band of hill giants and ogres , were drawn into the service of the Temple of Elemental Evil by the mysterious Cowled Lady , an undead sorceress with her own sinister agenda. Though the Battle of Emridy Meadows nearly wiped them out, the survivors rebuilt their numbers and now rule a significant portion of the Kron Hills . In this article, we’ll explore: 🏰 The history & dark origins of the Whiterock Clan 🛡️ How they operate in the Kron Hills ⚔️ How the Temple of Elemental Evil and Iuz manipulate them 🎲 How to use them in your TOEE campaign as raiders, mercenaries, or major villains 🏔️ The Origins of the Whiterock Clan Deep in the Kron Hills , the Whiterock Clan’s ancestral home is a vast, hidden cave system...

The Howling Moon Clan – Savage Werewolves in the Temple of Elemental Evil DND campaign

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 Orc clan in the campaign Fellow Dungeon Masters, if you're running The Temple of Elemental Evil and want to introduce a terrifying, elite orcish werewolf tribe into your campaign, the Howling Moon Clan is exactly what you need. These are not just another band of orcs . They are cursed warriors , once servants of Iuz , now twisted by lycanthropy into something far worse. With their bloodthirsty chieftain Zorgrek, Son of Murgz , at the helm, the Howling Moon Clan has become one of the most feared factions in the western Gnarley Forest . In this blog, we’ll break down: 🐺 The history & dark origins of the Howling Moon ⚔️ How they operate in the Gnarley Forest & Nulb 🩸 How the Temple of Elemental Evil is using them 🎲 How to make them an unforgettable enemy (or dangerous ally) in your TOEE campaign 🐺 The Rise of the Howling Moon Clan Once a feared orcish warband from the lands of Iuz , the Howling Moon Clan served the Old One as raiders and shock troops. But after the B...

The Bloodied Fangs: The Crimson Reapers' Deadliest Raiders in the Temple of Elemental Evil DND Campaign

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 Brigands of Nulb Greetings, fellow Dungeon Masters! If you're looking to expand the world of Greyhawk , add ruthless, well-organized bandits to your campaign, and raise the stakes in Nulb , then you’ll love this group—the Bloodied Fangs . These elite raiders , a specialized squad within the Crimson Reapers , are not your average roadside thugs. They're highly disciplined, brutally efficient, and tied directly to the resurgence of the Temple of Elemental Evil . Today, I’m diving into how you can use them in your game , what makes them so dangerous , and why they add intrigue, conflict, and dynamic encounters to your Temple of Elemental Evil campaign. ⚔️ Who Are the Bloodied Fangs? The Bloodied Fangs are a highly disciplined band of raiders specializing in: Ambushing merchant caravans Capturing prisoners for ransom or sacrifice Seizing valuable goods along the trade routes between Dyvers, the Wild Coast, the Gnarley Forest, and the Viscounty of Verbobonc Led by Felix Fahno...

3orcs Greyhawk Action Plan: Assigned Locations for DM Content Creators |...

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Bugbear, Gnolls, Ogres Recruitment  The Temple of Elemental Evil is more than just a chaotic stronghold—it is a sprawling network of alliances, manipulations, and monstrous diplomacy. While its demonic overlords and high priests wield terrible power, they rely on key figures to expand their influence by enlisting the aid of monstrous humanoid warbands. In our deep dive into the Temple’s leadership, politics, and recruitment tactics , we uncover which leaders were most likely responsible for bringing key monstrous factions into the Temple’s growing army. The Temple’s War Machine: Who Recruited Which Tribe? The Temple is not just a cult; it is a war machine built on the backs of ogres, gnolls, bugbears, and other savage creatures . These factions were brought into the fold by specific leaders based on their influence and skills. Here’s how these recruitment efforts most likely played out: 1. Deggum – Commander of the Temple’s Security Forces Recruited: Blackthorn Tribe (Eastern ...

The Fire Temple Cultist of the Eternal Flame: A New Specialty Cleric for the Temple of Elemental Evil DND campaign

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 Fire Elemental Cult Welcome, fellow Dungeon Masters! If you’re running The Temple of Elemental Evil in the World of Greyhawk , you know that the cultists of the Elder Elemental God are more than just standard clerics. They are fanatical elemental worshipers, each devoted to one of the four corrupting forces: Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. Today, we’re diving into one of the most fearsome sects—the Cult of the Eternal Flame , and specifically, the Fire Temple Cultist of the Eternal Flame , a new Specialty Cleric developed by 3orcs to bring more depth and terror to your campaign. Why Use Specialty Clerics in Your TOEE Campaign? One of the challenges in running TOEE is keeping enemy encounters unique. While the original module provides a great foundation, having templated enemy clerics can make battles feel repetitive. Specialty Clerics offer: Thematic Spells and Abilities : Tailored to their element, making them feel distinct. Roleplaying Depth : Each cleric has specific motivations...

The Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576CY Action Plan is here! Created by 3orcs, designed to organize and expand the Temple of Elemental Evil campaign

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 The Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576CY Action Plan is here! Created by 3orcs , this structured plan is designed to organize and expand the Temple of Elemental Evil campaign like never before. We’re tackling the massive project of detailing the Viscounty of Verbobonc, Gnarley Forest, Wild Coast, Dyvers, and beyond —and we need your help! We are inviting Greyhawk content creators, writers, and mapmakers to join us in developing the missing locations, organizations, and adventures that will enhance the most legendary campaign TSR ever produced. As Gary Gygax intended , this expanded version integrates Living Greyhawk-inspired lore to bring new depth to the Temple of Elemental Evil setting. Join us on the 3orcs Discord to collaborate, discuss, and advise on this epic undertaking. Let’s build the ultimate Greyhawk campaign together! 📜 Read the full Action Plan here: 🔗 Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576CY Action Plan ⚔️ Join the 3orcs Discord and become part of Greyhawk history!

The Earth Trembles: Customizing Specialty Clerics for the Cult of the Black Earth in Your Temple of Elemental Evil DND Campaign

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Thematic Clerics for the Earth Temple For Dungeon Masters running The Temple of Elemental Evil , the generic cultist clerics of the Earth Temple can feel underwhelming. If you want a more thematic experience, one that immerses your players in the crushing inevitability of Black Earth’s power, then customizing Specialty Clerics is a must. These aren’t just generic spellcasters; they are Dread Delvers, Stone Prophets, and Heralds of the Unyielding Rock , wielding unique abilities granted through their devotion to the Elder Elemental God . “The Black Earth is the unyielding stone! The earth quakes, the mountains fall—elemental ruin shall awaken the Elder Elemental God!”   Why Use Specialty Clerics? The Cult of the Black Earth isn’t just a group of robed fanatics casting Hold Person and Spiritual Hammer . They are the living embodiment of the earth’s power , wielding abilities to reshape the battlefield, collapse tunnels, and stand as unbreakable fortresses against invaders . With...