Building Better Villages for Greyhawk: How Bellwright’s Beta Brought Life to the Viscounty of Verbobonc DND Greyhawk Campaign

-
Image
By 3orcs If you're like me, crafting an immersive fantasy world means digging deeper than stat blocks and encounter tables. It means knowing where the bread is baked, who tends the goats, and what the smith drinks after dusk . That’s why I want to talk to you today—not about dice, but about a game that’s become an unlikely but powerful source of inspiration for my Greyhawk campaign: Bellwright . Currently available as a beta on Steam , Bellwright is a medieval survival village builder meets RPG-strategy hybrid . And if you're a Dungeon Master running something as iconic as Temple of Elemental Evil , I highly recommend checking it out—not just for play, but for inspiration . What is Bellwright? Imagine this: You’re not just scavenging or surviving in the woods. You’re building a village , defending it, managing its farms and hunters, recruiting people to your banner, and slowly building a network of settlements that owe you their lives. Bellwright is about liberating th...
Post a Comment

Falls Keep: The Last Bastion of Order in the Western Gnarley Forest in the World of Greyhawk DND Campaign

-

Mounted Borderer Fort in the Gnarley

Deep in the Gnarley Forest, standing as the last line of defense between civilization and chaos, Falls Keep is a key outpost of the Mounted Borderers. Strategically positioned near the village of Twilight Falls, this motte-and-bailey stronghold watches over the Forest Road, a vital trade route that connects Dyvers, the Wild Coast, and the Viscounty of Verbobonc.

For Dungeon Masters running the Temple of Elemental Evil, Falls Keep is an essential location that brings in political intrigue, frontier law enforcement, and rising tensions between factions. Whether your players seek military aid, uncover dark plots, or test their combat prowess against roving bandits and orc raiders, this fortress serves as a gateway to adventure.

🏰 The History & Purpose of Falls Keep

Built in the early 570s CY, Falls Keep was one of several military outposts constructed following the Battle of Emridy Meadows (569 CY). Its mission? To pacify the lawless frontier, deter banditry, and secure Verbobonc’s claim over the region. However, the fort’s diminishing garrison and growing threats have left many wondering if its walls will hold.

"They call it Falls Keep, but one day, it will be Falls Ruin."
— A disgruntled woodsman in Twilight Falls

⚔️ Key Historical Notes

✔ Constructed in response to increased bandit activity and humanoid incursions
✔ Part of the Mounted Borderers' expansion after Emridy Meadows
✔ A symbol of Verbobonc’s power, yet resented by local villages and elves

💡 DM Tip: Players may uncover ancient Flan ruins beneath the keep, adding an element of mystery and magic.

🏛️ The Layout & Defenses of Falls Keep

Falls Keep is a simple but highly defensible fortress, consisting of a three-story central keep, a palisade wall, and a fortified gatehouse.


🔑 Key Features of Falls Keep

✔ Central Keep – A three-story tower housing the commander’s quarters and garrison.
✔ Defensive Walkways – A 12-foot-high wooden palisade lined with archer positions.
✔ Garrison Quarters – Housing up to 40 soldiers (though only 12 remain).
✔ Shrine to St. Cuthbert – A small chapel maintained by a loyal cleric.
✔ Supply Storage & Prison Cells – A basement stocked with food, water, and two prison cells for captured criminals.
✔ Observation Post – Provides a commanding view of Twilight Falls and the surrounding forest.

💡 DM Tip: If Falls Keep is ever besieged, the adventurers may need to lead its defense against an overwhelming force!

🌲 The Role of Falls Keep in the Campaign

Falls Keep is more than just a military outpost—it sits at the heart of rising tensions and ongoing conflicts.

🛡️ The Duties of the Mounted Borderers at Falls Keep

✔ Patrolling the Trade Routes – Protecting merchants from bandits and humanoid warbands.
✔ Defending Twilight Falls – Serving as a bulwark against orcs, goblins, and giants.
✔ Maintaining the Viscount’s Law – Mediating disputes and collecting taxes.
✔ Monitoring Elven Tensions – Watching over the four major elven clans, who resent human expansion.

💡 DM Tip: Players who befriend Falls Keep’s garrison may gain allies, military assistance, or even training. However, crossing them could lead to exile—or worse.

⚖️ Political & Military Challenges Facing Falls Keep

Falls Keep’s garrison is stretched thin, and Viscount Wilfrick’s shifting priorities have weakened its position.

📜 Political Issues

✔ Tension with the Gnomes – The Free Assembly of the Kron Hills is furious over reduced Mounted Borderer patrols.
✔ Strained Relations with the Elves – The Elven Clans of the Gnarley see Falls Keep as an instrument of human expansion.
✔ Resentment Among the Villagers – Many in Twilight Falls believe the Borderers are nothing more than tax collectors.

"If they let us do our jobs, the roads would be safe, the gnomes would have their trade, and the elves would know their place. But politics, politics ruins everything."
— Jeska Rawl, Commander of Falls Keep

⚔️ Growing Military Threats

✔ Banditry on the Trade Roads – Brigands prey on merchants traveling from Dyvers, the Free Lands, and Verbobonc.
✔ Orc & Goblin Raids – Humanoid warbands increasingly test Falls Keep’s defenses.
✔ Giant Incursions – Hill giants and ogres have been spotted moving southward.

"The elves say we do not belong here. The gnomes say we do not do enough. The villagers say we tax them too harshly. And the orcs? The orcs say nothing, but their axes speak plenty."
— A weary soldier at Falls Keep

💡 DM Tip: Falls Keep may fall if the players do not intervene, making its survival a major campaign event.

🎭 Key NPCs & Factions in Falls Keep

🏇 Jeska Rawl, Commander of Falls Keep

✔ Seasoned warrior, leader of the garrison
✔ Fiercely loyal to the Viscount, but critical of recent orders
✔ Struggles to balance military needs with local resentment

💡 DM Tip: Jeska may ask for adventurers’ help in handling sensitive missions without direct involvement from Verbobonc’s leadership.

🎲 Adventure Hooks for Falls Keep

Falls Keep is a hub of adventure opportunities in a Temple of Elemental Evil campaign.

🔥 1. The Bandit King’s Ransom (Espionage & Combat)

  • A bandit warlord has captured a merchant caravan near the Forest Road.
  • The garrison is too small to mount a full rescue—will the adventurers take the job?

🔥 2. The Orc Warband Approaches (Defense & Diplomacy)

  • A large orc warband is preparing to raid Twilight Falls.
  • Do the adventurers fortify Falls Keep, or take the fight to the enemy first?

🔥 3. The Cultists in Twilight Falls (Investigation & Deception)

  • Suspicious activity in Twilight Falls suggests agents of the Temple of Elemental Evil are operating nearby.
  • Can the adventurers infiltrate the cult before they strike?

💡 DM Tip: Each of these hooks ties into the broader Temple of Elemental Evil storyline, expanding the world and offering players meaningful choices.

📖 Want More TOEE Content?

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

💬 Would YOU defend Falls Keep, or let it fall to chaos? Let me know in the comments!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Elon Musk, Rob Kuntz, and the Defense of Dungeons & Dragons’ Legacy

-
Image
Hello, adventurers and Dungeon Masters! It’s 3orcs here, bringing you a deep dive into the latest storm surrounding Dungeons & Dragons , sparked by none other than Elon Musk and Rob Kuntz. As someone who grew up with Gary Gygax’s brilliant World of Greyhawk and who runs traditional D&D campaigns, I felt compelled to address this controversy and what it means for fans of classic D&D. Musk’s fiery comments defending Gary Gygax and criticizing Wizards of the Coast (WotC) and Hasbro—calling out their perceived disrespect for D&D’s origins—have resonated with many fans. Rob Kuntz, a close collaborator of Gygax, has also voiced his frustration, accusing WotC of historical revisionism and sidelining the game’s creators. Let’s break this down and explore how these sentiments impact us as Dungeon Masters and fans of classic D&D. Elon Musk’s Defense of Gary Gygax When Elon Musk tweeted, “ Nobody, I mean nobody, gets to trash E. Gary Gygax and the genius who created Dungeons ...
Read more

Humans of Greyhawk: Diversity in the Flanaess for your DND Temple of Elemental Evil campaign

-
Image
  Greetings, Dungeon Masters! It’s 3orcs here, and today, we’re diving into a cornerstone of the World of Greyhawk —the rich diversity of its human populations. One of the most striking aspects of this campaign setting is the fact that “human” isn’t just a singular race but a tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions woven together across the Flanaess .  If you’re preparing to run the legendary T1 Village of Hommlet or the sprawling Temple of Elemental Evil , understanding the distinctiveness of Greyhawk’s human races will add depth and immersion to your campaign. Let’s explore what makes the humans of Greyhawk a vibrant and essential part of this world! The Races of Humans in Greyhawk Unlike other settings that lump humans together, Greyhawk celebrates the distinctiveness of its six major human groups: Baklunish Appearance: Golden to olive skin, dark hair, and almond-shaped eyes. Cultural Vibe: Exotic mysticism and a deep spiritual connection to their pantheon. Regio...
Read more