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Showing posts from March, 2025

The Waterside Hostel of Nulb: A Tavern of Whispers and Knives for Temple of Elemental Evil Greyhawk DND campaign

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A blog post by 3orcs for Dungeon Masters running the Temple of Elemental Evil In the backwaters of the Viscounty of Verbobonc , nestled against the murky banks of Imeryd’s Run , lies the festering hive of Nulb —and at its heart, the Waterside Hostel . It isn’t just an inn. It’s a cauldron of scheming pirates, cutthroats, cultists, and desperate adventurers, each seeking something—coin, glory, or power. If you're a Dungeon Master running T1: The Village of Hommlet and eyeing a deeper dive into the seedy roots of evil in Greyhawk, this is the side location to breathe life into. And trust me—when your party walks into this place, the adventure won’t wait until morning. A Note from 3orcs: How I Use the Waterside Hostel in My Campaign When I first ran Temple of Elemental Evil for my players, I knew I wanted the village of Nulb to feel like a slow-motion ambush. Everyone is watching. Everyone has a knife behind their back. That’s why I love the Waterside Hostel—it’s a tavern wi...

Project Update: Otis’s Smithy & Stable – Location 2 of the Village of Nulb

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Hey folks, David here from 3orcs. Just wrapped up Location 2 for the Village of Nulb module — Otis’s Smithy and Stable —and wow, this one took me the entire day to get right. This one-page entry might look simple on the surface, but if you know Nulb... nothing ever is. Writing this location pushed me to really dig into the tone and flavor I want for this module—gritty, pragmatic, and lived-in. I’ve been drawing heavy inspiration from Glenn Cook's Black Company books (big fan, read 'em all multiple times), and trying to channel that same stark, no-nonsense energy into the village. It fits Nulb’s dirty, dangerous atmosphere perfectly. What’s wild is that in the original Temple of Elemental Evil module, the smithy is mentioned—but there’s no mention at all of it being a boarding stable , or even pricing for shoeing, feed, etc. So I decided to expand that myself. Makes sense, right? People riding into this bandit swamp will want to leave their horses somewhere . I added stab...

Chausticlorinus, Verdant Wyrm of the Gnarley Verge – A Deadly Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil Campaign

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By 3orcs and Haligaunt — Dungeon Master of Greyhawk's Forgotten Shadows There are dragons… and then there is Chausticlorinus . She’s not just a monster in a lair. She’s a whispered name, a forgotten fear, and now—once again—a looming threat over the eastern Gnarley Forest. If you’re running the Temple of Elemental Evil campaign and want to add depth, danger, and devastating choices, then this legendary green dragon’s reappearance in 576 CY is exactly the kind of storyline that will set your players on edge. In today’s blog, we dig deep into the lore of Chausticlorinus, explore her lair, ties to the Temple of Elemental Evil, and how you can incorporate this cunning and seductive manipulator into your Greyhawk game. ✨ As always, full stat blocks, art, dialogue prompts, and adventure hooks are available in the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576cy . For maps, images, and exclusive extras, support us on the 3orcs Patreon . You can also catch breakdowns and lore chats on the 3orcs YouTub...

3orcs TOEE Zassil'torr Map | Lizardfolk Swamp Village for Temple of Elemental Evil (Greyhawk 576 CY)

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 3orcs TOEE Zassil'torr Map | Lizardfolk Swamp Village for Temple of Elemental Evil (Greyhawk 576 CY) Explore the handcrafted Zassil'torr (Torfen) Upper Village Map from 3orcs Cartography, designed for the Temple of Elemental Evil (TOEE) campaign in the World of Greyhawk – year 576 CY! This top-down D&D battlemap features a detailed lizardfolk swamp village deep in the Fens of Tor, on the eastern border of the Viscounty of Verbobonc. With reed huts, ritual fire pits, bone cages, and poison-brewing stations, this location is perfect for any party venturing near Nulb, the Temple, or into the mists of the swamp.

Annika Silverwood, Ranger Knight of the Lake Verge, Gnarley Rangers in the Gnarley Forest, Greyhawk DND campaign

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A Torch Among Shadows in the Gnarley Forest By 3orcs Introduction: The Young Flame of the Gnarley When we talk about the Gnarley Rangers in our Greyhawk campaigns, we often think of weathered veterans, grizzled woodsmen, and mythic guardians lost in the canopies of ancient oaks. But Annika Silverwood? She's the spark of something new—a symbol of youthful determination thrust into the crucible of duty before her time. In my Temple of Elemental Evil campaign, she has emerged as a narrative centerpiece, offering a compelling blend of political intrigue, wilderness grit, and emotional weight. She's a character I love introducing to players when they wander the edge of Dyvers or begin exploring the deeper trails of the Lake Verge. Who Is Annika Silverwood? Raised in the wooded edge near Lake Verge, Annika is a woman of mixed Oeridian-Suel heritage, once a hunter and forager, now a reluctant leader. She walks in the long shadow of her mentor, Darreth Garlson, whose tragic dea...

Everburning Lantern - unique non-magic item for Greyhawk DND campaign

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Rare Non-Magical Item • Price: 200 gp Powered by lumina essence, a bioluminescent compound distilled from subterranean fungi Description The Everburning Lantern is a masterfully crafted piece of frontier ingenuity—an ornate, iron-and-bronze lantern whose pale blue-green flame never dims, flickers, or consumes fuel . Unlike magically enchanted items, this light source owes its eternal glow to a rare and volatile alchemical fuel called lumina essence . Each lantern is carefully assembled with heat-resistant glass , etched brass runes (purely decorative), and a containment vial that holds the essence safely in place. The lantern sheds bright light in a 30-foot radius and dim light for an additional 30 feet. It produces no heat, smoke, or scent, making it especially favored by miners, night caravans, forest rangers , and wealthy collectors alike. Rarity and Value Everburning Lanterns are rarely seen outside of major trade hubs like Dyvers or Verbobonc, and are highly sought aft...

The Gnarley Rangers – Wardens of the Wild of the World of Greyhawk in Gnarley Forest DND campaign

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  By 3orcs | Greyhawk Campaign Guide 576 CY At the shadowed edge of the civilized world, where mist curls through ancient trees and the wind whispers forgotten names, the Gnarley Rangers walk paths few others dare. They are the last line between the creeping dark and the settled lands of the Viscounty of Verbobonc. They are sword and bow, shield and silence, sentinels of the deep forest. And they are yours to bring to life in your Temple of Elemental Evil campaign. As a longtime Dungeon Master and Greyhawk fan, let me tell you: there is no better way to breathe danger and mystery into your T1 Village of Hommlet sessions than to weave the Gnarley Rangers into your side quests, politics, and player backstories. This isn’t just another faction—it’s a legacy of grit, sacrifice, and unwavering loyalty to the wilds. Who Are the Gnarley Rangers? The Gnarley Rangers are an elite, independent force of scouts, hunters, monster-slayers, and wilderness protectors. Numbering around 200 st...

The Wine Hall of Twilight Falls: Narrick’s Tavern & the Elegance of Myhriss in Your Greyhawk Campaign

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  If there’s one place in Twilight Falls where the candlelight softens more than the shadows and even the roughest ranger feels the pull of poetry, it’s Narrick’s Tavern—also known to many as The Wine Hall . In a campaign full of cults, corruption, and creeping dread, this elegant gem offers something unexpected: beauty, refinement, and a glimmer of joy. Hi, this is 3orcs, and today I want to talk about one of the most beautifully thematic social hubs you can drop right into your Temple of Elemental Evil campaign set in the World of Greyhawk. This location is a must for Dungeon Masters looking to deepen their village encounters with rich atmosphere, romantic intrigue, and side quests that hum with artistic soul. Narrick’s Tavern: At a Glance Nestled in the heart of Twilight Falls , where cobbled lanes bend under flowering trellises and soft music floats through the forest mist, Narrick’s Tavern stands as a cultural cornerstone. It’s not just a tavern—it’s a sanctuary of Myhri...

Drey Garson, Ranger Knight of the Gnarley Forest, Greyhawk DND campaign

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A 3orcs Blog for Dungeon Masters Running the Temple of Elemental Evil Campaign Introduction: The Legend Who Refuses to Die Some men become legends. Others are burdened by them . Drey Garson is one of the last true Rangers of the Gnarley Forest , a man who has spent a lifetime fighting the horrors lurking within its depths. He has walked the wild paths since his youth , hunted beasts that most wouldn't dare name, and watched too many friends fall in the fight to keep the lands of Verbobonc and the Free Peoples safe. But time has taken its toll . Once the proud Knight of the Gnarley , he is now a tired, broken old man , his body failing him thanks to a hag’s dying curse . He had hoped to fade into quiet retirement , but fate refuses to let him rest. A young ranger has vanished , and if no one else will go looking, then Drey will. Appearance & Presence Drey Garson is past his prime , but still commands the respect of anyone who knows the wilds. Aged but formidable: O...

3orcs Review: Greyhawk Grognard’s new Greyhawk Players Guide on DMsGuild

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Greyhawk Players Guide Review! Hey everyone, David here from 3orcs! I just finished reviewing Greyhawk Grognard’s new Greyhawk Players Guide on DMsGuild, and let me tell you—it’s packed with great lore, mechanics, and inspiration for players and DMs alike.   In this video, I go through the entire guide, breaking down what works, what stands out, and how I’m incorporating its content into my own Temple of Elemental Evil campaign in Verbobonc, the Gnarley Forest, and the Kron Hills. If you’re running a Greyhawk game (or thinking about starting one), this book has a lot to offer!   Greyhawk Players Guide on DMsGuild     For more Greyhawk lore, NPCs, and adventure hooks , visit the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576CY and check out 3orcs’ latest updates on YouTube!

Alber Guildenstern: The Invisible Hand of Verbobonc’s Shadows for Temple of Elemental Evil DND campaign

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A 3orcs Blog for Dungeon Masters Running the Temple of Elemental Evil Campaign Introduction: A Whispered Name in the Dark Verbobonc, a city known for its trade and wealth, is also home to secrets best left unspoken . Beneath its bustling markets and noble houses lies a network of spies, assassins, and criminals —a world where whispers hold more power than swords. Among these shadows, one name resurfaces time and again: Alber Guildenstern. A man of no renown, no face, and no true identity , yet somehow, he always knows everything . Adventurers navigating Verbobonc’s criminal underworld may hear his name whispered in the backrooms of taverns, among thieves in alleyways, and in the dying words of those who have crossed him . But who is Alber Guildenstern? And more importantly, who does he truly serve? The Unseen Spider of Verbobonc Alber Guildenstern has built his power not through brute force, but through anonymity, deception, and manipulation . He is never seen, never heard, ...