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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The Gilded Shackle – The Power Behind Nulb’s Coin in the TOEE DND campaign

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 Chapel of Zilchus in Nulb

Welcome, fellow Dungeon Masters! If you’re running The Temple of Elemental Evil campaign and looking to add depth, intrigue, and financial corruption to your game, The Gilded Shackle – Chapel of Zilchus is an essential location to introduce.

This temple-turned-financial power hub is more than a place of worship—it’s a front for money laundering, smuggling operations, and backroom deals that keep Nulb’s criminals, pirates, and even the Temple of Elemental Evil financially afloat.

In today’s post, we’ll explore:
⚖️ The history & structure of The Gilded Shackle
💰 Its influence in Nulb & political ramifications in Greyhawk
🏴 How to use it as an adventure hub in your TOEE campaign

 

🏛️ The Gilded Shackle: A Den of Coin & Corruption

The Gilded Shackle is no ordinary temple—its high priest, Jereader Zomawyn, saw the potential of Nulb’s lawless economy and twisted Zilchus’ doctrine of wealth and commerce into something far darker.

What should have been a center for financial blessings became a black-market bank for Nulb’s cutthroats, smugglers, and cultists.

💰 Structure & Appearance

  • Exterior: A repaired wooden structure reinforced with fine Dyvers stone, standing starkly out of place in the filth and ruin of Nulb.
  • Symbolism: Above the entrance hangs Zilchus’ sigil—hands clutching a golden bag—mocking the village’s poverty.
  • Interior: Polished wood, bronze candelabras, and a silver-gold altar designed to lure merchants, nobles, and criminals alike.
  • The Vault: Beneath the chapel, a hidden vault stores coin, stolen goods, and debt contracts, protected by traps, wards, and ruthless enforcers.

💡 DM Tip: This location should feel unnervingly clean and opulent—a stark contrast to Nulb’s grime, reinforcing its corrupt influence over the desperate and greedy.

⚖️ The Political Web of the Gilded Shackle

The Gilded Shackle isn’t just a local problem—its financial tendrils stretch into powerful factions, making it a critical player in Nulb’s underworld and beyond.

💀 The Temple of Elemental Evil – The Hidden War Chest

Jereader Zomawyn isn’t just lining his own pockets—he’s secretly funneling funds to the Temple of Elemental Evil, making sure their operations never run dry.

🔺 Where does the money go?

  • Bandit Lords – Paid to raid trade routes and weaken Verbobonc’s economy.
  • Pirates & River Raiders – Funded to disrupt merchant fleets along the Velverdyva River.
  • Bribes & Corruption – Gold ensures Verbobonc’s guards, officials, and mercenaries look the other way.
  • Cultists & Mercenaries – Supplies and coin fuel the Temple’s growing army.

💡 DM Tip: If players dig too deep into the Shackle’s books, they might uncover the financial evidence of the Temple’s resurgence—leading to assassins being sent after them.

🛡️ Lady Nysera & The Iron Talons – A Power Struggle

  • Lady Nysera Krivaltis, the secretive Baroness of Nulb, uses the Gilded Shackle for money laundering and slave trade profits.
  • Zomawyn advises her on financial matters, but his true loyalty lies with Zilchus & personal power.
  • The Iron Talons, Nysera’s brutal enforcers, rely on the chapel’s banking services, but resent Zomawyn’s growing influence.

💡 Adventure Hook: If Nysera discovers Zomawyn’s Temple connections, she might demand his loyalty—or send assassins to remove him.

 

🏴 The Smugglers, Inns, & Criminal Network

  • Waterside Hostel of Nulb – A meeting point for criminals using the chapel’s laundering services.
  • Captain Marad Vesrek (Pirates) – Uses the chapel to turn stolen goods into “legitimate” trade.
  • Debt Collectors – The chapel employs ruthless enforcers to ensure no one escapes their debts.

💡 DM Tip: The Gilded Shackle keeps people in its grip—if players owe money, steal from it, or interfere, expect mercenaries or bounty hunters to show up.

🔥 How to Use the Gilded Shackle in Your Campaign

The Chapel of Zilchus is an invaluable adventure hub in The Temple of Elemental Evil campaign. Here are some epic side quests for your players.


📜 "A Debt Unpaid" – The Merchant’s Plea

A desperate merchant begs the party for help—he owes the chapel a massive debt.

💡 DM Choices:

  • Negotiate with Zomawyn (he never gives charity).
  • Steal from the chapel’s vault (heavily guarded, magically trapped).
  • Escape Nulb before the debt collectors come knocking.

🔍 "The Ledger of Secrets" – A High-Stakes Heist

A noble from Dyvers wants evidence of the chapel’s crimes—but the ledger is hidden deep in its vault.

💡 DM Challenges:

  • Sneak past the Debt Collectors.
  • Bypass divine wards & mechanical traps.
  • Escape before Zomawyn realizes what’s missing.

💀 "Zomawyn’s Rival" – A Cleric’s War

A legitimate cleric of Zilchus in Dyvers seeks to expose Zomawyn’s corruption and asks the party for help.

💡 DM Choices:

  • Side with the rival & dismantle Zomawyn’s empire.
  • Side with Zomawyn & silence the rival—for a hefty reward.
  • Play both sides & profit off the chaos.

📖 Want More TOEE Content?

If you’re running The Village of Hommlet or The Temple of Elemental Evil, check out 3orcs’ deep-dive guides, NPCs, and quests for Dungeon Masters!

📖 Read the full Gilded Shackle article in the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576CY: World Anvil
📺 Watch deep-dive TOEE videos on the 3orcs YouTube Channel: YouTube
🎲 Get exclusive TOEE content & support 3orcs: Patreon.com/3orcs

🏴 Final Thoughts – Why the Gilded Shackle?

The Gilded Shackle is so much more than a temple—it’s a criminal empire hidden in plain sight.

✔️ A neutral ground for political intrigue
✔️ A financial hub funding the Temple of Elemental Evil
✔️ A prime location for heists, espionage, and power struggles

💬 How would YOU use the Gilded Shackle in your campaign? Let me know in the comments!

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