...in the 'Burgh for the next few days. Won't be around these parts until Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon. I expect to see all y'all then, most likely with my accent and dialect restored to the default settings. In the meantime, have a read on this, the ToEE Back-story: Enjoy! Excerpt from Module T 1-4, The Temple of Elemental Evil, by G. Gygax & F. Mentzer The Village of Hommlett - or merely Hommlett, as it is commonly called, is situated in the central part of the Flanaess, that portion of the western Oerik continent known as civilized. The hamlet sized village (local parlance having distinguished it with the greater term) is located some 10 leagues south east of he town of Verbobonc, or thereabouts, on the fringe of the territory controlled by the noble Lord the Viscount of Verbobonc. It is at a crossroads. To the north is the mighty Velverdyva river, along whose bank runs the "Lowroad". Many days travel to the east, on the shores of the Lake of Unknown Depths (Nyr Dyv), is the great walled city of Dyvers. The village of Sobanwych lies about halfway along the route. Below that to the southeast and east are miles and miles of forest (the Gnarley Forest). Further still beyond the forest is the Wild Coast, Woolley Bay, and the Sea of Gearnat. The road south forks a league or so beyond the little community, one branch meandering off towards the wild coast, the other rolling through the Kron Hills to the village of Ostverk, and then eventually turning southward again into the Elven Kingdom of Celene. The western road leads into the very heart of the gnomish highlands, passing through Greenway Valley about a days journey distant, and going onwards to the Lortmil Mountains far beyond. Hommlett grew from a farm or two, a rest house, and a smithy. The roads brought a sufficient number of travelers and merchant wagons to attract traders and artisans to serve those passing through. The rest house became a thriving inn, and a wheel & wainwright settled in the thorp. More farmers ands herdsmen followed, for grain was needed for the passing animals, and meat was in demand for the innfolk. Prosperity was great, for the Lord of the district was mild and taxed but little. Trade was good, and the land was untroubled by wars, outlaws, and ravaging beasts. The area was free, bountiful, and beautiful. Too much so, in the eyes of some... Whether the evil came west from Dyvers (as is claimed by one faction) or crept up out of the forest lands bordering the Wild Coast (as others assert), come it did. At first, it was only a few thieves or the odd group of bandits molesting the merchant caravans. Then came small bands of humanoids - kobolds or goblins - raiding the flocks and herds. Local militia and foresters of the Waldgraf of Ostverk apparently checked, but did not stop, the spread of outlawry and evil. A collection of hovels and their slovenly inhabitants formed the nucleus for the troubles which were to increase. A wicked cleric established a chapel at this point. The folk of Hommlett tended to ignore this place, Nulb, even though it was but 6 miles distant. But its out-of-the-way position was ideal for the fell purposes planned for this settlement, as was its position on a small river flowing into the Velverdyva. The thickets and marshes around Nulb became the lair and hiding places for bandits, brigands, and all sorts of evil men and monsters alike. The chapel grew into a stone temple as its faithful brought in ill-gotten tithes. Good folk were robbed, pillaged, enslaved, and worse... In but three years, a grim and forbidding fortress surrounded the evil place, and swarms of creatures worshipped and worked their wickedness therein. The servants of the Temple of Elemental Evil made Hommlett and the lands for many leagues around a mockery of freedom and beauty. Commerce ceased, crops withered; pestilence was abroad. But the leaders of this cancer were full of hubris and, in their overweening pride, sought to overthrow the good realms to the north, who were coming to the rescue of the land being crushed under the tyranny wrought by the evil temple. A great battle was fought. When the good people of Hommlett saw streams of ochre-robed men and humanoids fleeing south and west through their community, there was great rejoicing, for they knew that the murderous oppressors had been defeated and driven from the field in panic and rout. So great was the slaughter, so complete the victory of good, that the walled stronghold of the Temple of Elemental Evil fell within a fortnight, despite the aid of a terrible demon. The place was ruined and sealed against a further return of evil by powerful blessings and magic. Life in Hommlett quickly returned to a semblance of its former self, before the rise of the temple. For five years afterward, the village and the surrounding countryside have become richer and more prosperous than ever before. A monstrous troll which plagued the place for a time was hunted down by a party of passing adventurers. Carrying its ashes and a goodly fortune as well, the adventurers returned to the village. Before going elsewhere to seek their fortunes, the adventurers returned a portion of the villagers losses. Other adventurers, knowing that evil had once resided in the area, came to seek out similar caches, and several did find remote lairs and wealth....just as some never returned at all. After a time, adventurers stopped coming to the area. It seemed that no monsters were left to slay, and no evil here existed to be stamped out. The villagers heaved a collective sigh - some pained at the loss of income, but others were relieved at the return to normal life. Hommlett continued it quiet existence for four years more. But then, a year ago, bandits began to ride the roads again - not frequently, but to some effect. To the good folk of Hommlett, this seemed all too familiar, so they sent word to the Viscount that wicked forces might still lurk thereabouts. This information has spread throughout the countryside, and the news has attracted outsider to the village once again. Who and what these men are, no one can be quite sure. All claim to be bent on slaying monsters and bringing peace and security to Hommlett; but deeds speak more loudly than words, and lies cloak the true purpose of the malevolent.
most excellent. I always like to know the back story, helps my imagination fill in blanks in plot, gives RP opportunities, etc.
