Hommlet

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Greyhawk Settlement
Hommlet
HommletCoatofArms.png
The Hommlet coat of arms.
Realm: Verbobonc
Size: Town
Government: Agents of Viscount of Verbobonc (Rufus & Burne)
Alignment: NG
Population: 950 (591 CY)
Races: Human 79%, Halfling 7%, Elf 5%, Gnome 4%, Dwarf 3%, Half-elf 1%, Half-orc 1%
Languages: Common
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]

The town is located in the south eastern part of the Viscounty of Verbobonc, ten leagues south-east of the city of Verbobonc, within the Kron Hills that lie east of the Lortmil Mountains and just west of the Gnarley Forest[1][2]. The town is built on a crossroads between Verbobonc and the Wild Coast, and also Dyvers, Greyhawk, and Celene.

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]

History[edit]

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), and 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.[3]

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 north east of Hommlet on an 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.[4]

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.[5]

Prince Thrommel IV rallied 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 met 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 end of 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.[6]

Nine years later in 578 CY, bandits began troubling the area around Hommlet. Evil humanoids and strangely garbed priests were seen on the road. By 569 CY year, it became clear that the Temple was rising again. This time, the folk of Hommlet and the surrounding area coordinated and fostered attacks by bands of adventurers against the ruined but still occupied temple. Eventually, the Temple’s dangerous lower levels were destroyed but the demonic force was revealed to be Zuggtmoy and released by accident by Lord Robilar who had come to help deal with the Temple.[7]

Since 579 CY, the area prospered in the peace that followed, and the village grew by 591 CY tenfold to be a town. In that year adventurers again used the town as a base to destroy forces that had again infiltrated 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]

The population is mixed being roughly (in 591 CY) human 79%, halfling 7%, elf 5%, gnome 4%, dwarf 3%, half-elf 1%, half-orc 1%[8].

Population[edit]

In 579 CY the population was approximately 100[2] By 591 CY it was had grown to 950.[8]

Notable Persons[edit]

Notable persons present in 591 CY include[9]:

  • Rufus (male human warrior), one of two agents appointed by the Viscount to administer the town.
  • Burne (male human wizard), the other of two agents appointed by the Viscount to administer the town.
  • Canoness Y'Dey (female cleric) is the head of the church of St. Cuthbert, and was present in 579 CY when she assisted in dealing with the resurgence then.
  • Jennithar Rhengold (female half elf cleric) is head of the temple of Ehlonna.
  • Yether the Keen (male cleric) is the head of the temple to Pelor.
  • Jaroo Ashstaff (male druid) is the head of the grove, 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.
  • Elmo (Ranger L6), brother of Otis a former member of the Citadel of Eight lives here and is head of the militia. In 579 CY his parents lived in Hommlet[10]. He can usually be found at the Inn of the Welcome Wench. Otis died in 579 CY when fighting the second rise of the Temple of Elemental Evil.[11]

Religion[edit]

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.[12]

By 591 CY (by the time of Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil) with the growth of Hommlet, more places of worship had been built comprising temples to Ehlonna and Pelor.[13]

Languages[edit]

Common, Halfling, Elvish, Gnome, Dwarvish, and Orcish given the local population.

Government[edit]

In 579 CY the then village was administered by a village council made up of:

  • The unnamed village elder, who resided in the manor house
  • Jaroo Ashstaff, the druid of the Grove
  • Terjon, chief cleric of the church of St Cuthbert
  • Elmo's father, the captain of the militia
  • Ostler Gundigoot, the Innkeeper
  • Mytch, the Miller
  • Burne, wizard
  • Rufus, warrior in charge of the men at arms stationed in the village (Burne's Badgers)

The latter two at the time were recent arrivals as agents of the Viscount of Verbobonc, also supervising the construction of the castle funded by the Viscount and Archcleric of Veluna. The elder was also the local Justice of the Peace. Once each new moon, he held a village meeting to hear ideas and complaints.[14]

By 591 CY Rufus and Burne had apparently essentially become the local agents administering the town on behalf of the Viscount, including collecting taxes, although they were viewed by most inhabitants as the town "elders".[15]

Realm[edit]

The town is in the Viscounty of Verbobonc.

Heraldry[edit]

A green field with two acorns above a sheaf of grain.[16]

Economy[edit]

Resources[edit]

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 featured 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.[17]

By 591 CY it had expanded even further.

Currency[edit]

The currency of Verbobonc is in use here, but its location on main trade routes means a variety of neighboring currencies (Domain of Greyhawk, Dyvers, Celene, Wild Coast, Veluna, Furyondy) are likely to be used.

Transportation[edit]

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.

Trade[edit]

The town services the trade passing through the area, on the roads that run to the north west (to Verbobonc), east (to Dyvers and Greyhawk), and south (to the Kron Hills, Celene and Wild Coast in turn).

Military[edit]

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.[8]

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).[11]

Gallery[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Maps[edit]

External links[edit]

Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Index is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, and his work as continued and updated by Eric Johnson, Richard DiIoia, Jason "PupickDad" Jacobson, a French fan group, and numerous other fans over the years. The wiki page for the EGI has a list of sources, full 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 Adventure - Located in: Verbobonc, Dragon magazine #037 11
T1 The Village of Hommlet Adventure Adventure - Located in: Verbobonc, Dragon magazine #067 26
T1 The Village of Hommlet Adventure Adventure - Located in: Verbobonc, Into The Unknown: The Dungeon Survival Handbook, D&D 4e 111
T1 The Village of Hommlet Adventure Adventure - Located in: Verbobonc, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 73
T1 The Village of Hommlet Adventure Adventure - Located in: Verbobonc, WG8 Fate of Istus 93
T1 The Village of Hommlet Adventure 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