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 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 Battle of Emridy Meadows, they were left shattered, leaderless, and exiled to the Fens of Tor.

To regain their strength, Zorgrek made a dark bargain with the remnants of the Temple of Elemental Evil. The cultists of the Water Temple, eager for brutal warriors, offered them a cursed "blessing"—lycanthropy.

This deal transformed Zorgrek’s warriors into werewolves. Their howls now echo through the forests and fens, making them one of the most feared groups of raiders in Greyhawk.

💡 DM Tip: Their lycanthropy isn’t just a curse—it’s a religious transformation. They have shamans who conduct blood rites, and they believe only the strongest deserve the "gift" of the wolf.

⚔️ The Structure of the Howling Moon

Zorgrek, Son of Murgz – The Alpha Werewolf

  • The ruthless warlord who led his tribe through exile and into power.
  • Now a fully transformed werewolf, he only allows the strong to survive.
  • Wears a cloak made of black wolf pelts, symbolizing his dominance over the curse.
  • Devotion: Once loyal to Iuz, now follows his own twisted mix of wolf spirits and dark gods.

💀 "The strong hunt. The weak perish."

Warriors & Shamans

  • Elite werewolf warriors – personally chosen and bitten by Zorgrek.
  • Shamans mix cult magic & lycanthropic rites into a new, terrifying faith.
  • Weak orcs serve as scouts, archers, and fodder—always afraid of being culled.

💡 DM Tip: Give lycanthropic warriors a unique fighting style—they shift mid-battle when enraged, causing chaos and panic.

🩸 How They Fit into the Temple of Elemental Evil

The Temple of Elemental Evil doesn’t just recruit humanoid cultists—it seeks out monsters, warbands, and savage warriors to expand its growing army. The Howling Moon Clan is a perfect tool for the Water Temple, which sees them as:

  • Elite shock troops to raid caravans & weaken Verbobonc.
  • A terror weapon—letting werewolves loose sows panic and fear.
  • A disposable asset—if they die, they don’t care.

💡 DM Tip: The Howling Moon might be temporary allies, but they are too wild and independent to be controlled for long.

🐺 Their Role in Nulb & The Gnarley Forest

The Howling Moon isn’t just an army—they are a lurking threat in the forests and swamps around Nulb.

Tactics & Current Operations

🔥 Ambushing caravans – striking along the roads between Dyvers, the Wild Coast, and Verbobonc.
🌲 Terrorizing Nulb – hunting drunken pirates, travelers, and lone cultists.
🩸 Wiping out rival tribes – they annihilated the Storm-Eyes, proving their dominance.
👁️ Eluding the Gnarley Rangers – using caves, ruins, and hidden swamp paths.

💡 DM Tip: Their attacks should feel sudden and brutal—bodies are found torn apart, and villagers fear the full moon.

🎲 How to Use the Howling Moon in Your Campaign

The Howling Moon Clan adds raw danger, intrigue, and horror to your TOEE campaign. Here are four side quests to introduce them.

🩸 "The Curse of the Howling Moon" – A Hunt Begins

A Gnarley Ranger patrol was slaughtered—the bodies torn apart by unnatural claws.

🛠️ DM Hook:

  • The rangers seek the adventurers’ help to track the killers before the next full moon.
  • The PCs must find the werewolves’ hidden lair in the Fens of Tor.
  • If they fail to act fast, Zorgrek's warriors will strike again.

💀 "Hunt or Be Hunted" – Silver Cannot Save You

A merchant caravan carrying silver weapons has vanished.

🛠️ DM Hook:

  • The players must track the raiders to their cave before the full moon.
  • Normal weapons won’t work—only silver or magic can harm them.
  • If they fail, the Howling Moon gains silver weapons, making them unstoppable.

🐺 "The Wolf-Blood Pact" – A Dangerous Alliance

Lady Nysera Krivaltis, ruler of Nulb, has sent an emissary to Zorgrek.

🛠️ DM Hook:

  • She wants the adventurers to broker an alliance.
  • Do they convince Zorgrek to fight for her—or kill him to prevent chaos?
  • If they fail, the Howling Moon might launch a full-scale war on Nulb.

🦴 "Survivors of the Storm-Eyes" – The Last Revenge

Two exiled orc warriors, Tuelk and Pintark, seek revenge on Zorgrek.

🛠️ DM Hook:

  • They ask the players to lead a final strike against the Howling Moon.
  • The adventurers must travel deep into the Fens, facing orcs, werewolves, and dark cult magic.
  • If the PCs fail, the Howling Moon will grow even stronger.

📖 Want More TOEE Content?

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

📖 Read the full Howling Moon Clan 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 Use the Howling Moon?

✔️ They bring horror, savagery, and werewolf terror to TOEE.
✔️ They fit as both allies OR enemies.
✔️ They are a unique mix of cultists, orcs, and shapechangers.

💬 Would YOU use the Howling Moon in your campaign? Let me know in the comments! 

 

Additional Resources

3orcs
Bringing traditional Dungeons & Dragons back to life, one story at a time. Happy adventuring, and may your dice roll true!

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