Hommlet
| Hommlet | |
|---|---|
 The Hommlet coat of arms. | |
| General information | |
| Realm: | Verbobonc |
| Size: | Town |
| Government | |
| Government: | Agents of Viscount of Verbobonc (Rufus & Burne) |
| Alignment: | NG |
| Demographics | |
| Population: | 950 (591 CY) |
| Races: | Human 79%, Halfling 7%, Elf 5%, Gnome 4%, Dwarf 3%, Half-elf 1%, Half-orc 1% |
| Languages: | Common |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Obad-Hai, Saint Cuthbert, Ehlonna, Pelor |
| Enemies: | Temple of Elemental Evil |
Hommlet is a small town, noted for the role it has played in adventurers fighting the Temple of Elemental Evil since about 566 CY.
Geography
[edit | edit source]The town is located in the southeastern part of the Viscounty of Verbobonc, ten leagues south-east of the city of Verbobonc, within the Kron Hills which lie east of the Lortmil Mountains and just west of the Gnarley Forest.[1][2] The town is built at a crossroads between Verbobonc and the Wild Coast, and also Dyvers, Greyhawk, and Celene.
History
[edit | edit source]Hommlet initially grew from a farm or two, a rest house, and a smithy (presumably sometime in the early- to mid-fifth century CY). The roads brought a sufficient number of travelers and merchant wagons to attract tradesmen and artisans to serve those passing through. The rest-house became a thriving inn (the Inn of the Welcome Wench (but see also Inn of the Paladin Prince below). A wheel- and wainwright settled in the thorp. More farmers and herdsmen followed, for grain was needed for the passing animals, and meat was in demand for the inn-folk. Hommlet prospered, as the lord of the district was mild and taxes were light. Trade was good, and the area untroubled by war, outlaws, or ravaging beasts. The area was free, beautiful, and bountiful.[1]
From about 566 CY, the area around Hommlet began suffering from a few thieves and 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 checked, but did not stop, the spread of outlawry. The out of the way location of Nulb, about 6 miles to the northeast of Hommlet on a tributary of the Velverdyva River (Imeryds Run) developed and became a base for the bandits. An evil cleric established a chapel nearby to the south of Nulb, which was to become the Temple of Elemental Evil. Within 3 years, a grim and forbidding fortress surrounded the Temple, the servants of the temple pillaged and robbed the lands for leagues around including Hommlet. Commerce ceased, but also crops withered and pestilence was abroad due to the effects of the temple.[3]
The forces of the temple comprised humans, gnolls, bugbears, ogres, trolls, and giants. From this temple, they unleashed earthquakes, storms, fires, and floods upon the countryside. Monsters were drawn to the area.[2]
Prince Thrommel IV rallies forces of Furyondy and Veluna, including gnomes of the Kron Hills, dwarves of the Lortmils, and elves from the Gnarley Forest and Celene, to form the Righteous Host to destroy the Temple. It meets the Horde of Elemental Evil in the Battle of Emridy Meadows, then laid siege to the temple for two weeks. The temple compound and dungeons were greatly damaged. The demonic force behind the temple was too powerful to overcome and sealed in the dungeons by mages and priests of the Host.
After the battle, the Righteous Host turned its attention to a moathouse built by temple forces in marshlands about 10 miles to the east of Hommlet. A detachment of horse and foot with a mall siege train sallied to lay the castle low. The common folk from miles around including Hommlet came to help, and the moathouse was surrounded and reduced to a ruin.[4]
Nine years later in 578 CY, bandits begin troubling the area around Hommlet. Evil humanoids and strangely garbed priests are seen on the road. By 579 CY, it becomes clear that the temple is rising again. This time, the folk of Hommlet and the surrounding area coordinate and foster attacks by bands of adventurers against the ruined, but still occupied, temple. Eventually, the temple’s dangerous lower levels are destroyed but the demonic force is revealed to be Zuggtmoy who is accidentally released by Lord Robilar who had come to help deal with the temple.[5]
After 579 CY, the area prospers in the peace which follows, and the village grows tenfold to be a town by 591 CY.That year, adventurers once again use the town as a base to destroy forces which again infiltrate the town, the nearby moat house ruins built by the temple previously, the temple ruins, and the nearby Temple of All Consumption near the hamlet of Rastor in the western end of the Kron Hills (the events of the Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil).
People
[edit | edit source]The population is mixed (in 591 CY) being roughly—human 79%, halfling 7%, elf 5%, gnome 4%, dwarf 3%, half-elf 1%, half-orc 1%[6].
Population
[edit | edit source]In 579 CY the population is approximately 100.[2] By 591 CY, it grows to 950.[7]
Notable individuals
[edit | edit source]Notable individuals include:
- Rufus and Burne, are two former adventurers who, after the Battle of Emridy Meadows, are tasked to keep an eye on the area by the viscount of Verbobonc. In 579 CY they have a tower on a hill just outside the village and are supervising further garrisoning of soldiers. In 591 CY they are administering the town.[8]
- Rufus (male human Ftr6) (Ftr8, 591 CY)[7]—in 579 CY,[9] in charge of the band of men-at-arms called Burne's Badgers.
- Burne (male human magic-user 8) (Wiz10, 591 CY)[7]—in 579 CY, bearing the honorific "his most worshipful mage of Hommlet",[9] putting him in a social position in line with a mayor.[10]
- Elmo (male human Rng4) (579 CY)[11] (Rng6, 591 CY) is Captain of the militia.[12], a position he took over from his father after 579 CY.[12] He can usually be found at the Inn of the Welcome Wench. Brother of Otis a former member of the Citadel of Eight, Otis dies in 579 CY when fighting the second rise of the Temple of Elemental Evil.[13]
- Jaroo Ashstaff (male Drd7)[7] is the head of the grove,[14] having been sent there by the druids of the Gnarley Forest shortly before 579 CY to assist in dealing with the apparent resurgence of the Temple.
- Canoness Y'Dey (female human Clr10)[7] is the head of the church of St. Cuthbert, and is present in 579 CY when she assists in dealing with the resurgence.
- Jennithar Rhengold (female half-elf Clr4) is head of the temple of Ehlonna (591 CY).>[8]
- Yether the Keen (male human Clr5) is the head of the temple to Pelor (591 CY).[8]
- Ostler Gundigoot (male human Ftr2)[15] (Com6, 591 CY)[7] owner of the Inn of the Welcome Wench with his wife, Goodwife Gundigoot, having opened the Inn shortly after the Battle of the Emridy Meadows in 569 CY. His daughter, Vesta Gundigoot, runs the Inn on a day-to-day basis in 591 CY. "Ostler" and "Goodwife" are historical titles of courtesy or polite form of address. "Ostler" in this context means "innkeeper", from Latin via Anglo-Fr., hostilarius > hostiler. [16]
Religion
[edit | edit source]In 579 CY Hommlet featured a druid grove for the worship of the Old Faith or Obad-hai, and a church to Saint Cuthbert built following the Battle of Emridy Meadows in 569 CY.[17] The druid grove contains a small offering shrine marked by stones, tended by Jaroo Ashstaff.[14]The church is built by Verbobonc as a tribute to the help Veluna provded during the battle of Emridy Meadows, canoness is Y'dey and canon Terjon[14]
In the 2009 fourth edition version of The Village of Hommlet, the temple of Saint Cuthbert is a temple of Pelor instead.
By 591 CY (by the time of Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil) the temple is once again presented as dedicated to St. Cuthbert. But with the growth of Hommlet, more places of worship are present, including temples to Ehlonna and Pelor.[18]
Languages
[edit | edit source]Common, Halfling, Elvish, Gnome, Dwarvish, and Orcish given the local population.
Government
[edit | edit source]In 579 CY the village is administered by a village council led by the village elder made up of prominent locals including, the druid Jaroo Ashstaff, the canoness Y'Dey, the militia captain Lar, Ostler Gundigoot, Mytch (the miller), Rufus and Burne. The elder was also the local Justice of the Peace, once each new moon, he held a village meeting to hear ideas and complaints.[9]
Burne and Rufues are recent arrivals (in 579 CY) as agents of the Viscount of Verbobonc, also supervising the construction of the castle funded by the Viscount and Archcleric of Veluna.[19] By 591 CY Rufus and Burne essentially become the local agents administering the town on behalf of the Viscount, including collecting taxes, although they are viewed by most inhabitants as the town "elders".[2]
Realm
[edit | edit source]The town is in the Viscounty of Verbobonc.
Heraldry
[edit | edit source]A green field with two acorns above a sheaf of grain.[7]
Economy
[edit | edit source]Resources
[edit | edit source]The town supports various farmers and herders in the town and surrounding countryside, supplying food for the town and traveling trade.
In 579 CY the village features a smithy, miller, trading post/general store, leather worker, new village hall, weaver, tailor, carter, money changer, cabinet maker, potter, brewer, carpenter, stonemason and wainwright.
By 591 CY it has expanded even further.
Currency
[edit | edit source]The currency of Verbobonc is in use here, but its location on main trade routes means a variety of neighboring currencies (Greyhawk, Dyvers, Celene, Wild Coast, Veluna, Furyondy) are likely to be used.
Transportation
[edit | edit source]Travel into and out of the town is by foot, horse, or cart/wagon, etc. on one of the three roads out. The town has extensive services to support the merchant wagons and carts traveling through the town.
To the north is the Velverdyva River, along whose south bank runs the Low Road (also sometimes referred to as the New Road). Many days' travel to the east, on the shores of the Lake of Unknown Depths (Nyr Dyv), is the 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), beyond which is the Wild Coast, Woolly 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 lower Kron Hills to the village of Ostverk and then eventually turning southwards again into the elven kingdom of Celene. The western route leads into the very heart of the gnomish highlands, passing through Greenway Valley about a day's travel distant and going onwards to the Lortmil Mountains far beyond.[1]
Trade
[edit | edit source]The town services the trade passing through the area, on the roads that run to the northwest (to Verbobonc), east (to Dyvers and Greyhawk), and south (to the Kron Hills, Celene and Wild Coast in turn).
Military
[edit | edit source]The Viscount's local agents, Rufus (male human warrior) and Burne (male human wizard), command a force of men at arms (18 plus 2 officers) based at the castle—Burne's Badgers.[7]
The town also features a number of adventurers or ex-adventurers and therefore can muster a worthwhile militia of 30-40 mainly warriors of mostly 1st level, led by Elmo (see above).Template:CsbRttToEE
The town elder family manor is walled and can be used as a refuge for the villagers in case of war.[9] After the Battle of Emridy Meadows, Verbobonc and Veluna built a watch tower on a hill close to the village,[9] in 579 CY it is under control of Rufus and Burne, while a castle was being built.[9]
In Legends of Greyhawk
[edit | edit source] | This section contains content from the "Legends of Greyhawk" organized-play campaign. While it is officially published, and is approved by WotC, this content is based on the DMG 2024, and may differ from earlier publications. |
In the Legends of Greyhawk campaign, Hommlet and the "historical" events surrounding it were used in the LoG preview adventures prior to GenCon 2025 (July 31—August 3, 2025).
The victory of the Righteous Host over the Horde of Elemental Evil at the Battle of Emridy Meadows in 569 CY, led to the fall of the Temple of Elemental Evil east of Hommlet. The final clash between Prince Thrommel and Zuggtmoy unleashed a wave of energies that influenced the lands around, including Hommlet.[20]
In 576 CY there is an increase of bandit activity, disturbing the trade to Verbobonc. From the city, Artunok Swooren (male elf) acts on behalf of the Viscountess of Verbobonc, Wilfrick Rejjin, and sends help to the local representatives Rufus and Burne, to do what they can to find out what lies behind and root out the problem.
Inn of the Paladin Prince
[edit | edit source]When Prince Thrommel visited the small town, the proprietors of the local inn (Ostler and Greta Gundigoot) renamed it from Inn of The Welcome Wench to the Inn of the Paladin Prince in his honor. Prince Thrommel stayed at the inn and made his headquarters here for a time. The sign outside the inn has a mounted knight raising a shining sword. Inside, the common room is full of artifacts associated with Thrommel, including a shield with his coat of arms and a broken lance he used. A portrait of Thrommel is above the hearth which is painted in a way that suggests either he is an aasimar or the artist took a lot of artistic license.[21]
People
[edit | edit source]Notable individuals
[edit | edit source]The prominent individuals in the village who appear in the LoG preview adventures are similar to previous versions: The mage Burne acts as a quest giver[22][23][24][25] with the fighter Rufus[22][23][24][25] commanding Burne's Badgers; Elmo[22], the captain of the Hommlet Company militia; the innkeepers Ostler Gundigoot and Greta Gundigoot;[22]; the druid Jaroo Ashstaff[22] and the priest Terjon of St. Cuthbert[22]
Other notable individuals
[edit | edit source]The story of A village called Hommlet[22] is based on previous versions of the same story, many of the visitors to the inn are similar:
- Furnok of Ferd (male dwarf)—visiting treasure hunter from Grey College.[22]
- Spugnoir (male Suel human)—sage, researching the Battle of Emridy Meadows.[22]
- Turuko (male [human]]) mystic and Kobort.[22]
- Zert (male human)-visiting mercenary.[22]
but there are some new acquaintances:
- Chickory Meadowlark (female grey elf)—visiting playwright from Celene.[22]
- Quizlit Leitlink (female gnome)—returning visiting tinkerer from the Kron Hills. Makes prosthetics for the injured veterans of Emridy.[22]
A new appearance is a group of four children born a year after the fall of the Temple of Elemental Evil, they are born with abyssal and fungal influences.[20] They call themselves the Tea Flingers:
- Vesta Gundigoot (female tiefling) child—daughter of Ostler and Greta.[22]
- Zerah (female tiefling) child—daughter to Rufus and Burne.[22]
- Tybbon (male tiefling) child—stable hand.[22]
Gallery
[edit | edit source]Maps
[edit | edit source]![Hommlet in 579 CY Lowdown in Highport[26] art by Jared Blando.[27]](/greyhawkwiki/File:Hommlet_579CY_unofficial_map.jpg)
References
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]Citations
[edit | edit source]- ↑ a b c T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.4.
- ↑ a b c d Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (2001), p.8.
- ↑ T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.5.
- ↑ T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.21.
- ↑ Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (2001), p.4-5, 8-9.
- ↑ Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, p9
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (2001), p.9.
- ↑ a b c Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (2001), p.9-17.
- ↑ a b c d e f T1 The Village of Hommlet (1979), p.7.
- ↑ The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (1980), p.28.
- ↑ T1 The Village of Hommlet (1979), p.3.
- ↑ a b T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.7.
- ↑ Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (2001), p.10.
- ↑ a b c T1 The Village of Hommlet (1979), p.6.
- ↑ T1 The Village of Hommlet (1979), p.8-10.
- ↑ Hostler—Etymology (wiki). wikipedia.com. Retrieved on 5 January 2026.
- ↑ T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.11-12, 18-19.
- ↑ Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (2001), p.12.
- ↑ T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.12-13.
- ↑ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ LoG-Core-1-1 A Village Called Hommlet, "The Gundigoots changed that name five years ago to honor Prince Thrommel, who led the Righteous Host against the forces of the Temple of Elemental Evil.".
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p A Village Called Hommlet (BMG, 2025)
- ↑ a b Darkness in Nulb (BMG, 2025)
- ↑ a b Ruins of the Moathouse (BMG, 2025)
- ↑ a b Battle of Emridy Meadows (BMG, 2025)
- ↑ Dungeon #221 (Dec 2013), p.7.
- ↑ The Village of Hommlet (blog with image). Jared Blando Cartography & Illustration. Jared Blando. Archived from the original on 08 September 2025. Retrieved on 08 September 2025.
Bibliography
[edit | edit source]- Gygax, E. Gary, and Frank Mentzer. The Temple of Elemental Evil. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985.
- Cook, Monte. Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
- Menge, Eric. A Village Called Hommlet. Akron, OH. Baldman Games (licensed by WotC), 2025.
- Merwin, Shawn. Darkness in Nulb. Akron, OH. Baldman Games (licensed by WotC), 2025.
- Marks, Greg. Ruins of the Moathouse. Akron, OH. Baldman Games (licensed by WotC), 2025.
- Doyle, Will. Battle of Emridy Meadows. Akron, OH. Baldman Games (licensed by WotC), 2025.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ehlonna, Temple of (Hommlet) | Building | Temple, | Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e | 12 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | A1-4 Scourge of the Slave Lords | 3, 5, 6 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | Artifact of Evil | 115, 116, 126-128, 157, 160 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | Dragon magazine #037 | 10 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | Dragon magazine #278 | 78, 81 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | Dragon magazine #356 | 18 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 47, 73 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders | 5 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 132 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 2 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | Living Greyhawk Journal #4 | 16 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 29, 31, 32, 39, 45, 53, 64, 73, 118, 127, 137, 145, 147, 167, 189 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil | 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 34, 38, 44, 73, 98, 103 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | The Adventure Begins | 3 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | WG8 Fate of Istus | 93 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | WGA4 Vecna Lives! | 35 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | 6, 18 |
| Hommlet, Village of | Settlement | Verbobonc, Settlement, (576 pop: 950), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 11, 41 |
| Pelor, Temple of (Hommlet) | Building | Temple, | Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e | 9, 10, 12 |
| Saint Cuthbert, Church of (Hommlet) | Building | Temple, | Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e | 8, 12, 16 |
| Saint Cuthbert, Church of (Hommlet) | Building | Temple, | T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil | 2, 11, 14, 18, 44 |
| T1 The Village of Hommlet | Adventure | Located in: Verbobonc, | Dragon magazine #037 | 11 |
| T1 The Village of Hommlet | Adventure | Located in: Verbobonc, | Dragon magazine #067 | 26 |
| T1 The Village of Hommlet | Adventure | Located in: Verbobonc, | Into The Unknown: The Dungeon Survival Handbook, D&D 4e | 111 |
| T1 The Village of Hommlet | Adventure | Located in: Verbobonc, | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 73 |
| T1 The Village of Hommlet | Adventure | Located in: Verbobonc, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 93 |
| T1 The Village of Hommlet | Adventure | Located in: Verbobonc, | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 30 |
| Terrigan's (Hommlet) | Building | Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , | Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e | 14 |
| The vilage of Hommlet (4e) | Adventure | Adventure - | Dungeon magazine #212 | 40 |
| The Village of Hommlet (D&D 4e, DM Rewards) | Adventure | Into The Unknown: The Dungeon Survival Handbook, D&D 4e | 111 | |
| Welcome Wench, Inn of the (Hommlet) | Building | Inn, | Artifact of Evil | 116 |
| Welcome Wench, Inn of the (Hommlet) | Building | Inn, | Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e | 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16 |
| Welcome Wench, Inn of the (Hommlet) | Building | Inn, | T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil | 2, 7, 8, 14, 16, 32 |
| WG1 The Village of Hommlet | Adventure | Reference | SEE T1 The Village of Hommlet |