3orcs D&D Blog: Greyhawk Guides, Campaign Tips, & Dungeon Master Resources

  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...

A Resource for DMs—and New Players Whether you're a veteran Dungeon Master looking to deepen the Temple of Elemental Evil with layered cultures, or a  new player  the song Battle of Emridy Meadows is heard in most Taverns.,   Visit the Verbobonc Campaign Guide Explore all the loremasters, and see artwork of the village and its magical halls, visit: 🔗  The Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576 CY  on World Anvil I also go into deep discussion on Oakvein and how to use it in your campaign on my YouTube channel: 🎥  3orcs on YouTube If you want  Greyhawk villages that live and breathe , that evolve with the players and remember the scars of past wars, I hope this song inspires your own creations. — 🛠️ Written by 3orcs 🎨 Creator of the  Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576 CY 📺 Dungeon Master, Writer, Worldbuilder

  A DM’s Reflection on Bringing Elven Depth to the Temple of Elemental Evil Campaign By 3orcs When I first cracked open The Village of Hommlet —Gary Gygax’s legendary introduction to the Temple of Elemental Evil campaign—I saw an incredible foundation. But what I needed wasn’t just a dungeon map or encounter table. I needed a world that breathed , and villages that remembered . That’s where Oakvein was born. A City in the Boughs of Memory Oakvein is more than a tree—it's the sacred heart of Clan Enlanefel , the smallest and most contemplative of the elven clans of the Gnarley Forest. Nestled in the high limbs of a 240-foot ancient tree where the Gnarley meets the Welkwood, Oakvein is a living monument of elvenkind . I wrote Oakvein to be a city built not with hammers, but with song, memory, and divine whispers. It is home to six loremasters—each a master of a magical or spiritual discipline—and their sanctums are woven into the living wood of the tree: Naerion’s Aetheriu...

Welcome to the 3orcs YouTube Channel, where Greyhawk gets deadly deep! In this lore-heavy episode, David is joined by special guest Kostadis for an in-depth discussion on one of the most mysterious and dangerous aspects of the Temple of Elemental Evil campaign: How do the cults—and their shadowy leader Loreth—respond when adventurers threaten their plans? 🧠 Dive into the inner workings of the Temple's leadership structure, the power struggles between the elemental factions, and what Loreth really wants. This episode explores how a clever DM can make the Temple feel alive, reactive, and lethal. Your players kick the hornet's nest? Here's how the hornets fight back. 🔍 In This Episode: 🧝‍♀️ Who is Loreth? Myth, mage, or master manipulator? 💀 The four elemental cults: Water, Earth, Fire, and Air—how they compete and plot in the shadows 🧙‍♂️ The chain of command within the Temple and how it affects your campaign 🗡️ Real-time strategies for Temple retaliation, faction...

Boatmans Tavern Random Encounter Chart There’s a flicker of torchlight on warped wooden beams, tankards clink with cheap ale, and somewhere in the shadows, someone’s watching. The Boatman’s Tavern isn’t just another watering hole—it’s the pulse of Nulb after dark. And with the new Nighttime Encounter Table by 3orcs, it becomes an indispensable centerpiece for Dungeon Masters running a Temple of Elemental Evil campaign in the World of Greyhawk . As a Dungeon Master, my passion has always been about more than plotlines or monsters. It’s about place —the sense that this world lives and breathes even when the players aren’t looking. That’s why I built the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576CY and why the Boatman’s Tavern became such a central piece of Nulb. For years now, I’ve been expanding the Greyhawk setting with rich, grounded villages like Hommlet , Sheernobb , Ostverk , Twilight Falls , and of course Nulb . It’s all been possible thanks to the depth and inspiration sparked by Gary Gyg...

   NOW AVAILABLE: The 3orcs Village of Nulb Campaign Sourcebook "Where cults whisper, pirates drink, and adventurers vanish."   We’re proud to unveil our latest release in the Verbobonc 576 CY Project—a 140+ page sourcebook that turns the Village of Nulb into a full-fledged sandbox of corruption, faction warfare, and roleplaying gold. Whether you're running the Temple of Elemental Evil or carving your own path through Greyhawk, this book gives DMs everything they need to make Nulb a treacherous, unforgettable part of your campaign. Factions like the Iron Talons, River Pirates, and Crimson Reapers Cults of Earth, Water—and whispers of something deeper 50+ Locations including brothels, shrines, markets, and mud-soaked inns Dozens of NPCs, quests, and factional secrets ready to explode at your table ➤ Get the sourcebook now on DMsGuild: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/522583/3orcs-Village-of-Nulb-Campaign-Sourcebook-for-Temple-Elemental-Temple-Campaign?affiliate_id=1802525 ...

  By 3orcs – For Dungeon Masters who dream deeper A Quiet Clan with Loud Impact When you crack open The Temple of Elemental Evil , it’s easy to get swept into the pitched battles and dark dungeons of Hommlet and Nulb. But as a Dungeon Master, I found that the real magic—the lasting depth—comes when you bring the quiet parts of the world to life . That’s where Clan Enlanefel comes in. Featured in my latest lore article, Clan Enlanefel: The Quiet Flame of the Gnarley Forest , this reclusive and wise elven clan isn’t charging into battle with swords raised—they’re holding the ley-lines , nurturing ancient fey pacts , and whispering dreams of Sehanine Moonbow under the vast boughs of Oakvein , their mystic fortress-tree. Why I Wrote This Article for the Verbobonc Campaign Guide I created the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576 CY to make the world outside the dungeon just as rich, real, and immersive as the chaos within. Temple of Elemental Evil is a masterclass in high-stakes adve...

In the realm of tabletop role-playing games, the intricate weaving of lore and player interaction is both an art and a challenge. Whether you're navigating through the tumultuous world of the Temple of Elemental Evil or exploring the mysterious depths of the Gnarly Forest, creating an environment that is both immersive and engaging demands careful attention to detail. In this post, we delve deep into the thought process and strategies behind building a rich campaign setting, drawing on existing lore and crafting new storylines for players to explore. Developing the Gnarly Forest The Gnarly Forest offers a rich tapestry of history and intrigue, ideal for any campaign seeking depth. The forest is divided into territories ruled over by four clans: Fealefel, Enlanefel, Sherendyl and Meldarin. Each clan brings its distinct flair to the table, offering myriad opportunities for players to interact, trade, and forge alliances. Engagement with Local Politics Navigating the local politics is...

  By 3orcs, for DMs who want their Greyhawk to bleed, breathe, and brawl When the River Runs Red… In my Temple of Elemental Evil campaign, I wanted Nulb to feel alive —a chaotic frontier village of danger, opportunity, and shadowed power struggles. Captain Tolub, pirate lord of The Iron Dagger , was born from that need. He’s not just a stat block; he’s a force on the Velverdyva River, a cunning manipulator who drinks with his enemies before feeding them to the current. This article is part of my Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576 CY , a growing collection of content designed to flesh out the world around T1: The Village of Hommlet . If you’re a Dungeon Master looking to ground your Greyhawk campaign in realism and factional drama, Tolub is the perfect hook for smuggling, slavery, political alliances, and treachery by moonlight. Why Tolub Matters Tolub isn’t just a pirate—he’s a linchpin . In my game, he: Extorts merchant barges traveling the Velverdyva River. Acts as a broker ...

Connect with 3orcs! If you enjoy what I’m building with the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576cy , check out more detailed articles, NPC writeups, custom artwork, and maps at the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576cy website ! I also host deep dive discussions on the 3orcs YouTube channel , and there's exclusive bonus material for members over on Patreon . Adventure on, friends — and beware the dark trails. 🚩 Quick Links: Visit: Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576cy Website Watch: 3orcs YouTube Channel Support: Join the 3orcs Patreon

When I first opened the pages of the Temple of Elemental Evil module, like many Dungeon Masters, I was both inspired and overwhelmed. Hommlet was quaint, the ruins of the temple loomed with mystery, but something felt missing. Where were the vibrant threads of divine purpose? Where were the priests, the theology, the power behind a god’s will—not just in mechanics, but in spirit? That question is what led me, 3orcs, to build the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576 CY —and central to that project is one of the most pivotal and awe-inspiring characters I’ve ever created: His Holiness Solinar Aurelius Dawnbringer , Arch-Hierophant of Pelor, Vicar of the Light . Who is Solinar? Solinar is no ordinary NPC. He is Pelor’s walking covenant. Born mortal, yes, but after years of direct communion and solar transfiguration, he is now something more . His body radiates the solar fire of divine justice. His voice burns away falsehoods. His presence bends undead to flight. And yet, his mercy is overwhelmin...

Connect with 3orcs! If you enjoy what I’m building with the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576cy , check out more detailed articles, NPC writeups, custom artwork, and maps at the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576cy website ! I also host deep dive discussions on the 3orcs YouTube channel , and there's exclusive bonus material for members over on Patreon . Adventure on, friends — and beware the dark trails. 🚩 Quick Links: Visit: Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576cy Website Watch: 3orcs YouTube Channel Support: Join the 3orcs Patreon