AD&D Greyhawk Adventures: The Temple of Elemental Evil

Game Master Anselth

Sir Galavaine staggers downstairs a little sleep drunk and soon joins the others outside, on the way to the church. By the time he returns from prayers, Gnobby's party is about to start.

Quickly Sir Galavaine passes word to the church and grove that today may be a good day for a village festival. He offers to pay towards the cost so that everyone in Hommlet can enjoy the celebrations.

Meanwhile he asks Podo to sort out food and drink with Ostler and make sure to give the man full payment in exchange from everything that Podo kept safe.

Working behind the scenes, the holy warrior attempts to cajole and diplome the woodsfolk and farmers to stop work and enjoy an impromptu day together. He makes sure that word goes to the tradesmen too so that no one is left out.

After Podo excitedly tries to cheat Ostler, on his payment, and then negotiates the best fees possible, he borrows a chair, raises it to the roof, and sits atop the inn waiting for the fun to begin.

There's no doubt as the festivities continue that the townsfolk know what the group has done. News travels fast in a small town, and many children and even several adults get caught up in the impromptu celebration. Rufus and Burne even watch from a respectful distance, though neither actively participates.

From her perch Sallandrya smiles at her friends antics and the scene reminds her why they brave the terrors of the moat house in the first place.

We should speak Rufus and Burne. Then head to Verbobonc.

Tarmin watches the festivities from far back in the crowds, her lips twitching from time to time with amusement at the antics of her...friends...companions...something more; they had all faced great evil together, on each others behalf, and on behalf of all of these laughing, cheering villagers.

Allowing her friends their exuberant release, Tarmin's eyes are watchful, for even in such bucolic scenes, the enemy can lay in wait.

Notice anything suspicious 1d20 ⇒ 2

At the end of the parade, Gnobby organizes a 'jousting' competition using broomsticks and small ponies.

Can Sallandrya put 20 gp on any child facing off against Sir Galavaine?

I'm kidding :)

Galavaine borrows a pair of wheelbarrows from Ostler Gundigoot and a farmer and allows Gnobby or Podo the opportunity to joust with a reversed broomstick against Andre and the children.

He takes a moment to explain what they found when Rufus or Byrne are watching and adds that the band is headed for Verbobonc. He makes sure to highlight the presence of Lareth and his goddess.

Rufus and Burne listen to Sir Galavaine's story quietly, pressing him for details about the undead they encountered, and about Lareth. They both seem disturbed by the presence of a powerful priest of Lloth. With Sir Galavaine's description of the condition of the moathouse, Rufus offers to send a rider to bring back an engineer to examine the walls to determine if the building is worth repairing.

Burne explains that the brigand that they had sent back had confessed his crimes, including murder, to Rufus upon his arrival. He had therefore been sentenced to hang, which will take place on the following day. The prisoner they had brought back with them had not yet regained consciousness, though Burne believed he would live.

At the mention of Verbobonc, Rufus nods. "There's bound to be some information about the Church of lloth to be had there. You could also travel to Nulb, but I've not heard of a temple to her there. Besides, it's small, and a disreputable port at best. Some say it's improved since the Temple was destroyed, but I don't trust it." He shrugs.

"'Forewarned is forearmed, as the Wise Fool teaches us," Andre says. "Whatever we can learn about this demon goddess will arm us further. I don't like that he was out there, not one bit. That tells me there's more to this than simple banditry. Whatever we can learn about Lloth might clue us in on his plans." He frowns for a moment, thinking. "The prisoner may have more information as well. We might want to visit him and tend to him, find out if he has heard anything useful during his ordeal."

At the end of the parade Gnobby gets all the boys in town and lets them know they are part of Gnobby's Watch. He pays them each a silver and informs them they are to report any suspicious doings to Podo.

He deputizes them in a formal ceremony before joining his friends for a trip to the city. The oldest boy is appointed leader.

big Sherlock Holmes fan

The children nod solemnly as they accept the silver, though their mouths gape open at the value of the coin they are given. Little hands tuck the coins away, and the children scatter.

Andre notes Gnobby's dealings with the children with some small degree of satisfaction. Clearly the gnome is learning the value of charity to the disadvantaged, so he reminds himself to be a bit more lenient with Gnobby in the future. The formal ceremony that Gnobby came up with was, for lack of a better term, irregular.

"My lord Rufus, whom doth we approach on the matter of Lloth. Perchance you have someone in mind? And this Nulb does it lie on our track back to here from Verbobonc or is there another route. I am no mapmaker but my heart tells me that Nulb may be east of the city rather than south and east to here?"

Sir Galavaine strokes his slightly unruly beard and smiles at the thought of a proper barber.

"Podo, we may be better meeting you in Nulb in a months time. How say you?"

Sallandrya will want a brief word with lords Rufus and Burne as well but when the party is not with them so we are not seen together.

Then off to Verbobonc? Could Podo come if he Disguised himself as a gnome perhaps?

"Speak to the high priest at the Temple of Delleb, for a start. I'm sorry I cannot provide an introduction, but the God of Intellect seems a good place to begin. As to Nulb, it lies east of here, within the Gnarley. You'll not pass it on your way."

Podo shivers at the thought of returning to Verbobonc. "I'm happy right here...besides someone needs to make sure the town is safe, what with Rufus, and Burne getting old and decrepit you know". "Maybe I can make a trip to Nulb, and scout things out while you're gone". "If not, I'll do everything I can to deplete the town's supply of pies".

As the festivities wind down, the group returns to the inn to pack their things in preparation for their trip to Verbobonc. Podo is granted a room at the inn for as long as he will remain behind. When the group moves inside again, Sallandrya is afforded her chance to speak with Rufus and Burne.

'My lords I am sure my allies have already told you the most grave news, the bandits and marauders were being led by a vile cleric of the Fell Traitor. This is a most unfortunate turn of events my lords. The Traitor was main reason behind the Elven civil wars the broke my people centuries ago and led to the Splintering where a full one fifth of the Elves exiled themselves from our great ancestral homes.'

Sallandrya continues with a brief history and why her worries are justified and implore on the lords that they must gather both allies and information fast and without hesitation. These are troubling times!

She will ask if they have such allies or contacts in Verbobonc and if the group can seek them out on the lord's behalf. Are there any who would take up their cause against a dark threat.

She will also ask the lords if they can spare an arcane scroll for Pettry to put in his spell book, a scroll for Sir Galavaine or perhaps a potion they can spare.

She will draft yet another letter for her superiors, this time with the fell news of the Traitor, once again active on the surface world and now in league with evil men. Is there an Elven enclave, consul or embassy in Verbobonc?

Sir Galavaine takes the halfling aside when the room in the Welcome Wench is sorted. A little private chat.

Podo/DM Anselth

"Those elven boots are quite fetching, but they look a little worn. As a great friend of elves, what price would you charge for an elffriend?"

Gnobby looks at Sally and Tarmin for support.

DM

In Verbobonc, the group makes their way to the temple of Delleb. When they mention Lloth and the Moathouse, they are granted and audience with the High Priest.

Armed with this knowledge and the equipment you procure, the companions make the trek back to Hommlett. Pettry meets them at the inn, and tells them that Podo has gone to Nulb to see what he can find. It is late, and he suggests they start in the morning. If they ride hard, Ostler Gundigoot assures them they will arrive around nightfall. otherwise, they can wait for Podo to return.

DM

Tarmin donates 300gp to any efforts to rebuild the moathouse

"Thank you Gundigoot, Pettry. I worry for worth Podo, let us make haste at first light"

Gnobby checks in on his town watch and listens attentively for their reports, treating the childrens' slightest exploits of observation with praise.

Gnobby hands out another silver piece each to the children and informs them it is a secret club that must watch the town and report to the gnome. Gnobby uses his new audible illusions to replay for the children the climactic battle in the moathouse to impress upon them the foe they are facing.

Before they leave, Gnobby gives them a serious warning: "If you betray this trust and let the word of this club get out, I will have to disband it. While you are not thought of as vigilant, you are in no danger and you will be able to see things. The moment the secret is out, we have to stop for your own safety."

The group will need to lay on some provisions to travel to Nulb, but you should be ready to travel by midday if you wish to leave tomorrow.

Podo will hole up in Nulb for another 7 days, to see if the party heads this way. If not he'll head back to Hommlet and await them. While Hommlet is nice, this Nulb reminds him more of home.

Gnobby buys provisions and gets them moving.

I'm starting a two week business trip Monday, and should be able to post most days, but feel free to DMPC my character as required.

Well provisioned for the trip, the companions head out towards Nulb. The trip takes most of a day, but the road is clear. The group passes a caravan going back the other way, but otherwise encounters nobody on the road.

As they approach the town, Salla and Tarmin split off to appear as if they are not tied to the rest of the group when they arrive.

The village of Nulb is filthy, ramshackle,and fairly active. The buildings are of turf, mud brick, crudely hewn logs, and old timbers from boats. One or two have stone foundations and proper boards, but even these are in need of repair. The inhabitants of the village are boatmen, fishers, herdsmen, farmers, and the like. It is apparent that no one manages to make much of a living in Nulb, and as it is such a poor place, it is generally ignored by lords and bandits alike.

A small amount of commerce moves along the Low Road, as well as into Nulb from the Velverdyva, as Imeryds Run is wide and deep enough for the small river vessels to use for offloading cargo and likewise embarking it from Nulb, north of the ford there.

One of the first buildings you find is the "Waterside Hostel." This place is one of the more substantial buildings in Nulb. It has a foundation of field stone and walls of sawn timber, but is nonetheless a scurvy place. Its main trade is in its tavern room, though occasional travelers stop to spend the night.

The hostler is a burly fellow with a scarred, pockmarked visage, one eye covered by a patch. The barkeep is lanky and of greasy appearance, but quite tall. Two slovenly wenches and two manservants of surly mein hover about the place. Prices are low, however, being only half those of the Inn of the Welcome Wench in Hommlet. As the groups enter, they notice a familiar face sitting alone at one of the tables - it would appear their scout is alive and well.

Tarmin and Salla enter the Inn, giving Podo an imperceptible nod. Sitting down at a separate table, she says "The road is long and dusty, barkeep, and ale for me and my colleague.". Then when the drinks are delivered. "Thank you, good sir, what news?"

Gnobby gets straight to the point: "How are your pies?"

As they approach the town, Salla and Tarmin split off to appear as if they are not tied to the rest of the group when they arrive.

Anselth knows Sallandrya well by now.

:)
HAPPY WE'RE BACK!

Tarmin and Salla enter the Inn, giving Podo an imperceptible nod. Sitting down at a separate table

Sallandrya will keep her hood on, disguising that she is an Elf and female.

She will be watchful and keep an eye out for those who may take notice and interest of her or Tarmin.

The serving girl who delivers the drinks to Tarmin and Sallandrya shrugs. "Same as always. Boats come in, boats go out. Surprised no body's turned up yet today."

The barkeeper grunts at Gnobby. "They's edible. Ta other little one that came in a few days ago seems ta like em well enough," he says, tossing his head in Podo's direction.

In all, the employees don't seem outright hostile, but it's not the welcome you felt back in Hommlett.

We should very quietly get separate rooms.

Gnobby looks at Sally.
These elves are naïve!

"Do you have a large suite for about six? I have a nasty mercenary company coming in, and I need to keep them close so I can watch them. Without supervision, they tend to get in trouble, and you and I would not want that!"

Sir Galavaine has purposefully dirtied his whitecloak. Entering the hostel at the rear with Andre, he covers his armour and remains behind the others to let Gnobby take the lead.

He stiffens at Sallandrya's words and then relaxes a little.

The Hostler shakes his head. "Yer folks can stay in the common room. I ain't got a room big enough fer six, unless they're really fond of eachother."

The other barman eyes Andre and Sir Galavaine briefly, then goes back to tending the bar. The room is fairly crowded, and more people trickle in regularly. The group is neither quiet nor well mannered, and Tarmin is the target of more than one leering face.

Gnobby shakes his head in negation quickly.
"Two rooms next to each other. I need ALL the keys and the ability to lock the boys in. Believe me, we don't need another INCIDENT!"
Gnobby displays some silver coins and deftly palms them.
"How much?"

Podo is almost beside himself with joy at the arrival of his friends. He can't wait to hear their tales but as they seem to be all secretive he'll wait and see what they're up to. He does give a great beaming smile to any that look his way however...he just can't help it he's so happy.

Previous to our arrival, Gnobby would have been briefed as our leader in Nulb. The holy knights should be taking a lower profile.

He moves over towards Podo and then nods upstairs. Once out of the way, he has a chat with the happy fellow.

The hostler grunts and hands four keys to Gnobby. "Whate'er. Yer responsible for them, tho. Top of the stairs, end of the hall on te right."

Gnobby gives Sally a meaningful glance and heads back to Podo. He quickly confers with Podo and gets the group outside. With two rooms next to each other at the end of a hall, he feels much safer.

"Guards in the front room with sleeping at the end. Three shifts, maximum alertness. This is Nulb!"

Where Galavaine heads upstairs to confer with Podo, Andre stays downstairs, finding a table by himself for the moment. "An ale to chase away the dust of the road," he says to a passing wench.

Tarmin's lips twitch as she refrains from smiling every time she sees the grin on his face.

She remains in the common room with her ale, silently observing the locals.

Pettry is the last to enter the common room, settling himself down at the bar, having noticed nobody is sitting together. The common room is beginning to get quite full and rowdy, though nothing terribly dangerous occurs.

Sir Galavaine and Podo get up the stairs, and are able to slip into the far room unnoticed, shutting the door quietly behind them.

"Good to see you Podo. You look fine. No problems here I'd guess. So what have you found out about Nulb and the Temple?" he clasps the little man's shoulder in greeting.

Sallandrya does not like sleeping in doors even in the best of circumstances.

This clearly is NOT the best of circumstances.

Whispering

'We need to set up a watch, two of us per shift, Podo and I can take the one of them.'