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{{Character
{{Character
| image          = Thrommel.jpg
| image          = [[File:Thrommel (Dungeon 221).PNG|250px]]
| caption        = Thrommel
| caption        = Thrommel (from [[Dungeon]] #221)
| name          = Thrommel
| name          = Thrommel
| true name      =  
| true name      =  
| alt_spelling  =  
| alt_spelling  =  
| title        = Prince Thrommel IV, Grand Marshall of [[Furyondy]], Provost of [[Veluna]]
| title        = Prince Thrommel IV, Grand Marshall of [[Furyondy]], Provost of [[Veluna]], Knight of the Hart
| aliases        = Hero of Emridy Meadows
| aliases        = Hero of Emridy Meadows
| nickname      =  
| nickname      =  
Line 14: Line 14:
| occupation    = Prince
| occupation    = Prince
| age            =
| age            =
| patron deity  = Rao
| patron deity  = [[Rao]]
| languages      = Common
| languages      = Common
| reckoning      =  
| reckoning      =  
| dob            =  
| dob            =  
| dobnotes      =  
| dobnotes      =  
| turned        =  
| turned        = Became vampire sometime between [[579 CY|579]] and [[585 CY]]
| turnednotes    =  
| turnednotes    =  
| death          =  
| death          = Disappeared in [[573 CY]]; declared dead [[592 CY]].
| deathnotes    = Declared dead [[592 CY]] after disappeared in [[573 CY]]; killed and returned as undead sometime between 579 and 585 CY.
| deathnotes    =
| destroyed      =  
| destroyed      =  
| destroyednotes =  
| destroyednotes =  
| class          = By 573 CY: Paladin (L9+)<ref>''Temple of Elemental Evil'', 86, referred to as "Paladin Lord".  Paladins of lvl 9+ were titled "Lord", PHB, p.22.</ref>; 591 CY: Paladin(fallen) 3/Blackguard 9<ref>''Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil'', p.120</ref>
| class          = [[573 CY]]: Paladin 9+<br />[[591 CY]]: Pal12, then Pal3/Blackguard 9{{csb|RttToEE|120}}
| alignment      = Lawful Good
| alignment      = Lawful Good (while alive); Chaotic Evil (as vampire)
}}'''Thrommel IV''' was a notable and valorous paladin, a former Prince of Furyondy in the late 6th Century.
}}'''Prince Thrommel IV''' was a notable and valorous paladin, a former Prince of [[Furyondy]] in the late 6th Century, who was transformed into a vampire.


==Description==
==Description==
Thommel IV was a handsome mail-clad human man with golden hair. He wore a white surcoat, quartered by the arms of [[Furyondy]] and [[Veluna]] and the antlers of the [[Knights of the Hart]], in red. He wore a gold belt at his waist, with a dagger. About his neck he had a gold chain with an emblem of a crown and crescent moon; on his left hand was a gold ring with a similar device.<ref>''[[Temple of Elemental Evil]]'', p.86</ref>
Prince Thrommel was a handsome, mail-clad human man with golden hair.<ref>''[[Temple of Elemental Evil]]'', p.86</ref> He normally had a stoic facade.{{cite dungeon|221|64|The Battle of Emridy Meadows|note= by Jon Leitheusser & Christopher Perkins}}


==Personality==
==Personality==
Thrommel represented all that was good and noble in humanity. A true and faithful paladin of his god, [[Rao]], he pledged to wipe out the [[Temple of Elemental Evil]] in [[569 CY]].
Thrommel represented all that was good and noble in humanity. He was a true and faithful paladin of his god, [[Rao]].{{cite dungeon|221||The Battle of Emridy Meadows|note= by Jon Leitheusser & Christopher Perkins}}


He believed his [[Righteous Host]] could defeat the forces of the temple, but he tempered his convictions with the dire reality of the situation. He knew his army lacked numbers and experience, and he had a challenging time keeping the egos of his commanders in check. He believed that a few victories —no matter how small— would unite the Righteous Host, strengthening the resolve of his troops in time to meet the greater threat. This has led him to seek unconventional methods for weakening the temple’s forces.  It was his assertion a few key strikes where the enemy was most vulnerable would bolster morale.
==Abilities==
By the time of being abducted in [[573 CY]] (and his subsequent discovery in the Temple of Elemental Evil), he had the title "Paladin Lord".{{csb|ToEE|86}}. In that edition, being Lawful Good was required to be a paladin.
 
In [[591 CY]] he was a fallen paladin 3/blackguard 9, having been a 12th level paladin who had exchanged 9 paladin levels for blackguard levels after becoming a vampire (in ''[[Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil]]'').{{csb|RttToEE|120}}{{csb|RttToEE|183}}


==Possessions==
==Possessions==
Thrommel typically wielded a shield and a broadsword. The broadsword was a magical and intelligent weapon, [[Fragarach]].
Thrommel typically wielded a shield and a broadsword. The broadsword was a magical and intelligent weapon, [[Fragarach]].{{csb|T1-4|86}}{{csb|T1-4|127}}


The sword has a hilt of silver and gold wire, most cunningly wrought. Its guard and pommel are set with 9 different gems: Emerald, Jet, Amethyst, Tourmaline, Topaz, Peridot, Aquamarine, Garnet and Spinel. Its scabbard is likewise trimmed with precious metal and decorated with many gems of green and golden hue.
In [[573 CY]] when abducted he wore a white surcoat, quartered by the arms of [[Furyondy]] and [[Veluna]] and the antlers of the [[Knights of the Hart]], in red. He wore a gold belt at his waist, with a dagger (dagger (+2/+3 vs. large opponents). About his neck he had a gold chain with an emblem of a crown and crescent moon; on his left hand was a gold ring with a similar device.{{csb|T1-4|86}}


Despite Thrommel being Lawful Good, and Fragarach being Chaotic Good in alignment and supposedly being unable to be picked up or used by Lawful or Neutral creatures, Thrommel apparently had no such issue. Given the sword was intelligent, presumably Thrommel had come to some arrangement with the sword or it had consented to being used by him for some reason.
In [[591 CY]] as a vampire he carried a +1 unholy greatsword (“Dirge”), and wore a +1 breastplate, boots of striding and springing, a ring of counter-spells (loaded with fireball), a ring of protection +1, and an obex holy symbol.{{csb|RttToEE|183}}


==Relationships==
==Relationships==
Thrommel was pledged to, or intended to pledge himself to marry, her Noble Ladyship [[Jolene]] of [[Veluna]].<ref>[[Temple of Elemental Evil]], p.86</ref>
Thrommel was the son and sole heir of King [[Belvor IV]] of Furyondy.
Beyond Thrommel's role in defeating the [[Horde of Elemental Evil]] at the [[Battle of Emridy Meadows]] in [[569 CY]], the strengthening of the alliance between Furyondy and Veluna that this marriage would have given rise to was presumably part of the reason for abducting Thrommel in 573 CY. As well as removing the sole heir to the throne of Furyondy.
 
Thrommel was pledged to, or intended to pledge himself to marry, her Noble Ladyship [[Jolene]] of [[Veluna]].{{csb|RttToEE|120}}{csb|{T1-4|86}}
 
Beyond Thrommel's role in defeating the [[Horde of Elemental Evil]] at the [[Battle of Emridy Meadows]] in [[569 CY]], the strengthening of the alliance between Furyondy and Veluna that this marriage would have given rise to was presumably{{cn}} part of the reason for abducting Thrommel in 573 CY. As well as removing the sole heir to the throne of Furyondy.


==History==
==History==
He was King [[Belvor IV]]'s only son and heir. Prince Thrommel's lineage could be traced directly to the mythical King Roland of [[Ferrond]] and Feruin.


Prince Thrommel's lineage could be traced directly to the mythical King Roland of [[Ferrond]] and Feruin.
In 569 CY the raise of the [[Temple of Elemental Evil]] drew the attention of [[Furyondy]] and [[Veluna]]. Thrommel as the Marshall of Furyondy assembled an army which became known as the [[Righteous Host]], and marched southeast from [[Verbobonc]] to confront the Temple. Along the way, Thrommel made alliances with dwarves and gnomes who added forces to the Host. When arriving a day from the Temple, the Host found out it was outnumbered 3 to 1. However, Thrommel believed he could exploit the enemy’s fractious nature and lack of discipline to win.{{cite dungeon|221|45|The Battle of Emridy Meadows|note= by Jon Leitheusser & Christopher Perkins}}


Thrommel was the Hero of Emridy Meadows in the battle against the Horde of Elemental Evil. He was head of the war council and leader of the forces that make up the [[Righteous Host]]. Through sheer force of will, Thrommel pulled together a worthy army and marched south to confront the darkness.
Thrommel was the Hero of Emridy Meadows in the battle against the [[Horde of Elemental Evil]]. He pledged to wipe out the [[Temple of Elemental Evil]] in [[569 CY]] He was head of the war council and leader of the forces that make up the [[Righteous Host]]. Through sheer force of will, Thrommel pulled together a worthy army and marched south to confront the darkness. He believed his Righteous Host could defeat the forces of the Temple, but he tempered his convictions with the dire reality of the situation. He knew his army lacked numbers and experience, and he had a challenging time keeping the egos of his commanders in check. He believed that a few victories —no matter how small— would unite the Righteous Host, strengthening the resolve of his troops in time to meet the greater threat. This has led him to seek unconventional methods for weakening the temple’s forces.  It was his assertion a few key strikes where the enemy was most vulnerable would bolster morale.{{cite dungeon|221||The Battle of Emridy Meadows|note= by Jon Leitheusser & Christopher Perkins}}


The Prince disappeared near the northern border of his realm [[573 CY]]<ref>[[World of Greyhawk]] folio, p 5</ref> and was declared dead in [[592 CY]]. He was King [[Belvor IV]]'s only son and heir.
The Prince disappeared near the northern border of his realm [[573 CY]].{{csb|Folio|5}}{{csb|WoG|9}}  The kidnapping was done by the [[Scarlet Brotherhood]]{{csb|The Marklands|9}}, and according to [[Gary Gygax|Gygax]], it was at the behest of [[Nyrond]].<ref>[[Gygax, Gary|Gary Gygax]].  "Thus Spake Gary Gygax: Ye Secrets of Oerth Revealed".  interviewed by Paul Stormberg. ''Oerth Journal'' #12 (2001), p8.</ref>


By [[585 CY]] magical divination had indicated to Belvor that Thrommel was no longer alive.<ref>[[The Marklands]], p.9</ref>
By [[585 CY]] magical divination "suggested to Belvor" that Thrommel was dead.{{csb|The Marklands|9}}


===Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil===
===Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil===
For many years after the "disappearance" of Prince Thrommel was originally published, fans had great curiosity about what the fate of Thrommel had been.  In 2001, in [[Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil]], the history of Thrommel was expanded. The adventure made a somewhat ironic or poetic truth of the fact that Thrommel had been in the original Temple disguised by illusion to appear as a vampire.  In this version, Thrommel had been abducted and through slavers and smugglers, he came into the possession of the cultists at the [[Temple of All Consumption]].  He had died or was killed and had been turned into a vampire.
For many years after the "disappearance" of Prince Thrommel was originally published, fans had great curiosity about what the fate of Thrommel had been.  In 2001, in [[Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil]], the history of Thrommel was expanded. The adventure made a somewhat ironic or poetic truth of the fact Thrommel was in the original Temple disguised by illusion to appear as a vampire.  Thrommel was abducted and through slavers and smugglers came into the possession of the cultists at the [[Temple of All Consumption]], where he was "infected with vampirism".{{csb|RttToEE|120}}


However, there are notable details in this version of Thrommel's story, which differ from earlier accounts.  <br />
However, the original date given in the [[World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting|WoG folio]] for his disappearance was [[573 CY]].  But, in this version, his capture was described as occurring at the [[Battle of Emridy Meadows]] in [[569 CY]].{{csb|RttToEE|120}}
The original date given in the [[World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting|WoG folio]] for his disappearance was [[573 CY]].  But, in this version, the was described as occurring at the [[Battle of Emridy Meadows]] in [[569 CY]]. He also wore an amulet of [[Pelor]] suggesting he was a paladin that deity, not [[Rao]].<ref name=RToEE>[[Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil]], p120.</ref> 


==Thrommel in the Living Greyhawk campaign==
== In ''Living Greyhawk'' ==
{{LGsection}}
Thrommel was a major antagonist in the [[Furyondy]] (FUR) region for the ''[[Living Greyhawk]]'' campaign.


Thrommel was a major antagonist in the Furyondy (FUR) region for the ''[[Living Greyhawk]]'' campaign.
In late [[591 CY]] or early [[592 CY]] Thrommel’s body was supposedly found, and laid to rest in a closed casket funeral in [[Chendl]].<ref>''A Common Defense'' (RPGA, 2002), p.4</ref> However, [[Belvor IV|Belvor]] and his closest advisers had become aware Thrommel was a [[vampire]]. The laws of Furyondy provide that, once dead, a noble loses all their lands, titles, and rights (including inheritance rights)—they are reduced to commoners. For this reason, they declared Thrommel dead to bar any claim to the throne.<ref>''Shadow of the Sun'' (RPGA 2004), p.12</ref>


In late [[591 CY]] or early [[592 CY]] Thrommel’s body was supposedly found, and laid to rest in a closed casket funeral in [[Chendl]].<ref> FUR2-01 ''A Common Defense'', p.4</ref> However, Belvor and his closest advisers had become aware Thrommel was a vampire. The laws of Furyondy provided that, once dead, a noble lost all their lands, titles and rights including to inherit - they were reduced to commoners. For this reason they declared Thrommel dead to bar any claim to the throne.<ref> FUR4-06 ''Shadow of the Sun'', p.12</ref>
Thrommel’s funeral so soon after the events of ''[[Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil]]'' in [[591 CY]] suggests the adventurers who invaded the Temple presumably found Thrommel, or evidence of his undead status, and sent back news to Belvor.


Thrommel’s funeral so soon after the events of [[Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil]] in [[591 CY]] suggests the adventurers that invaded the Temple presumably found Thrommel, or evidence of his undead status, and sent back news to Belvor.
Thrommel was not to resurface for years. It eventually proved to be that he had traveled to Furyondy to gather support for a claim to the throne, despite his death, including of disaffected nobles. He appeared unrcognized at various times as “The Black Knight”<ref>''A Common Defense'' (RPGA 2002);</ref><ref>''Eclipse'' (RPGA 2003).</ref><ref>''Death of a Knight'' (RPGA 2004)</ref> Thrommel’s role in the sabotage of the magical shield created over Chendl, and support for that scheme from [[Iuz]],<ref name=lgplot group=note>Those events made up the ''Defense of Chendl'' series which culminated in ''Eclipse'' (2003)</ref> suggest Iuz may have played a role in this plotting by Thrommel.


Thrommel was not to resurface for years. It eventually proved to be that he had traveled to Furyondy to gather support for a claim to the throne, despite his death, including of disaffected nobles. He appeared at various times as “The Black Knight”<ref> FUR2-01 ''A Common Defense''; FUR3-06 ''Eclipse''; FUR4-02 ''Death of a Knight''</ref>, unrecognised. Thrommel’s role in the sabotage of the magical shield created over Chendl, and support for that scheme from [[Iuz]],<ref>Which made up the ''Defence of Chendl'' series that culminated in FUR3-06 ''Eclipse''</ref> suggest Iuz may have played a role in this plotting by Thrommel.  
By [[594 CY]] it was clear Thrommel had returned to Furyondy and was working to claim the throne, including creating a vampire nest to terrorise Chendl exploiting the darkness of the sabotaged magical shield.ref>''Shadow of the Sun'' (2004)</ref> It remained in place for a number of years.  


By [[594 CY]] it was clear Thrommel had returned to Furyondy and was working to claim the throne, including creating a vampire nest to terrorise Chendl exploiting the darkness of the sabotaged magical shield.<ref> FUR4-06 ''Shadow of the Sun''</ref> It remained in place for a number of years.
In [[595 CY]] adventurers dealt with a group of Thrommel’s supporters in the Barony of [[Willip]] (including vampires), who had been “authorised” to collect taxes for the “true heir”.<ref>''Ties of Loyalty'' (2005)</ref>


In [[595 CY]] adventurers dealt with a group of Thrommel’s supporters in the Barony of [[Willip]] (including vampires), who had been “authorised” to collect taxes for the “true heir”.<ref> VEL5-01 ''Ties of Loyalty''</ref>
Thrommel continued to gather disaffected nobles and supporters to his claim as the “true heir”, and by [[597 CY]] was looking to find ways to repeal or avoid the law.<ref>''Keep Your Friends Close'' (2007)</ref>


Thrommel continued to gather disaffected nobles and supporters to his claim as the “true heir”, and by [[597 CY]] was looking to find ways to repeal or avoid the law.<ref> FUR7-02 ''Keep Your Friends Close''</ref>
In [[598 CY]] Thrommel discovered two illegitimate descendants to Belvor, resulting in him trying to kill these potential challengers to his claim. It was revealed that when Thrommel “disappeared” in [[573 CY]] he was headed to [[Verbobonc]] and the Temple. During his travel south in [[The Reach]] he met and spent time with a commoner, Brixsta, who later bore him a son, Throniir. who was 24 years old in [[598 CY]]. In [[581 CY]], Valana, a druid of [[Merikka]] and close friend to Belvor, gave birth to their daughter, Bethserai. Initially she kept this secret from Belvor, but he learned of the child. In 591 CY, Brixsta and Throniir coincidentally settled in a town near Bethserai. In 598 CY adventurers were tasked with rescuing them for Belvor from Thrommel’s unwitting pawn, Sir Caius D’Andrell, but the existence of the heirs was not public.<ref>''Blood on the Trail'' (RPGA 2008), p.2</ref>


In [[598 CY]] Thrommel discovered through sources two illegitimate descendants to Belvor, resulting in trying to kill these potential challengers to his claim. It was revealed that when Thrommel “disappeared” in [[573 CY]] he was headed to [[Verbobonc]] and the Temple. During his travel south in [[The Reach]] he met and spent time with a commoner, Brixsta, who later bore him a son. Throniir by 598 CY was 24 years old. In [[581 CY]] Valana, a druid of [[Merikka]] and close friend to Belvor, gave birth to their daughter, Bethserai. Initially she kept this secret from Belvor, but he learned of the child. In 591 CY, Brixsta and Throniir coincidentally settled in a town near Bethserai. In 598 CY adventurers were tasked for Belvor with rescuing them from Thrommel’s minions, but their existence was not public.<ref>FUR8-04 ''Blood on the Trail'', p.2</ref>
In late 598 CY Belvor remarried to produce an heir, in part to deal with the threat from Thrommel. Nobles were attacked by demons on the way to the wedding. At the wedding itself, Thrommel, newly resurrected (requiring a powerful priest, apparently implicating Iuz<ref name=DuBois>Interview with John du Bois (former Furyondy LG Triad member) in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zshop6u2V8 ''Legends & Lore 38: Living Greyhawk, Another Look''] presented by Jay “Lord Gosumba” Scott originally on Twitch.TV, 12 February 2020. (Archived on YouTube)</ref>) attempted to assassinate the king and new queen. Queen [[Jelleneth Kalinstren]] was slain, disintegrated by an adventurer who was later exonerated when they were shown to have been possessed by a demon at the time. A week later, another wedding was held to wed Belvor and Lady [[Elena Mori]] of [[Veluna]].


In late 598 CY Belvor remarried to produce an heir, in part to deal with the threat from Thrommel. Nobles were attacked by demons on the way to the wedding. At the wedding itself, Thrommel, newly resurrected (requiring a powerful priest, apparently implicating Iuz<ref>Interview with John du Bois (former Furyondy LG Triad member) in ''Legends & Lore 38: Living Greyhawk, Another Look'' presented by Jay “Lord Gosumba” Scott via Twitch. 14 February 2020.</ref>) attempted to assassinate the king and new queen. Queen [[Jelleneth Kalinstren]] was slain, disintegrated by an adventurer later exonerated when shown to have been possessed by a demon at the time. A week later, another wedding was held – to wed Lady [[Elena Mori]] of Veluna. Furyondy then looked to deal with its latest threat – a growing army of demons to the north.<ref>FUR8-06 ''An Uncommon Defence'', pp.18-19</ref>
The involvement of demons at the wedding<ref>''An Uncommon Defense'' (RPGA 2008), pp.18-19</ref> again suggested the involvement of Iuz. Iuz’s role in creating the original Temple, which captured and infected Thrommel with vampirism, also pointed to this.


The involvement of demons at the wedding<ref>FUR8-06 ''An Uncommon Defence'', pp.18-19</ref> again suggested the involvement of Iuz. Iuz’s role in creating the original Temple, which captured and infected Thrommel with vampirism, also pointed to this.
While Thrommel’s attack on the wedding was “staved off”<ref>''An Uncommon Defense'' (RPGA 2008)</ref>, his fate was not clear. At the Furyondy Living Greyhawk Interactive for the wedding Thrommel was killed.<ref name=DuBois /> Thrommel’s fate was thus left open.
 
While Thrommel’s attack on the wedding was“staved off”<ref>FUR8-06 ''An Uncommon Defence''</ref>, his fate was not clear. At the Furyondy LIving Greyhawk Interactive for the wedding Thrommel was apparently killed.<ref>Interview with John du Bois (former Furyondy LG Triad member) in ''Legends & Lore 38: Living Greyhawk, Another Look'' presented by Jay “Lord Gosumba” Scott via Twitch. 14 February 2020.</ref> Thrommel’s fate was thus left open.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Vampire Thrommel (RtToEE).PNG|Throommel depicted in ''[[Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil]]'', art by David Roach.
</gallery>


==References==
== References ==
=====Citations=====
=== Notes ===
<references group="note" />
=== Citations ===
<references />
<references />
=====Bibliography=====
=== Bibliography ===
{{index|title=Thrommel%' AND Topic LIKE '%Prince}}
* [[Gygax, Gary]]. ''The World of Greyhawk''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980 (ISBN 0-935696-23-7).
:———. ''World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983 (ISBN 0-88038-344-5).
* [[Gygax, E. Gary]], and [[Frank Mentzer]]. ''[[The Temple of Elemental Evil]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985.
* [[Carl Sargent|Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[The Marklands]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
* [[Cook, Monte]]. ''[[Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
* Jon Leitheusser and [[Christopher Perkins]]. ''The Battle of Emridy Meadows''. [[Dungeon]] #221. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast. December 2013


*[[Gygax, Gary]]. ''The World of Greyhawk''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980 (ISBN 0-935696-23-7).
*-----. ''World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983 (ISBN 0-88038-344-5).
*[[Gygax, E. Gary]], and [[Frank Mentzer]]. ''[[The Temple of Elemental Evil]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985.
*[[Carl Sargent|Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[The Marklands]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
*[[Cook, Monte]]. ''[[Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.


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Latest revision as of 08:45, 5 August 2024

Greyhawk Character
Thrommel
Thrommel (from Dungeon #221)
Names and titles
Title(s):Prince Thrommel IV, Grand Marshall of Furyondy, Provost of Veluna, Knight of the Hart
General info
Occupation:Prince
Home:Furyondy
Alignment:Lawful Good (while alive); Chaotic Evil (as vampire)
Gender:Male
Species:Human, later Vampire
Class:573 CY: Paladin 9+
591 CY: Pal12, then Pal3/Blackguard 9[1]
Patron deity:Rao
Languages:Common
Dates
Death:Disappeared in 573 CY; declared dead 592 CY.
Turned:Became vampire sometime between 579 and 585 CY

Prince Thrommel IV was a notable and valorous paladin, a former Prince of Furyondy in the late 6th Century, who was transformed into a vampire.

Description

Prince Thrommel was a handsome, mail-clad human man with golden hair.[2] He normally had a stoic facade.[3]

Personality

Thrommel represented all that was good and noble in humanity. He was a true and faithful paladin of his god, Rao.[4]

Abilities

By the time of being abducted in 573 CY (and his subsequent discovery in the Temple of Elemental Evil), he had the title "Paladin Lord".[5]. In that edition, being Lawful Good was required to be a paladin.

In 591 CY he was a fallen paladin 3/blackguard 9, having been a 12th level paladin who had exchanged 9 paladin levels for blackguard levels after becoming a vampire (in Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil).[1][6]

Possessions

Thrommel typically wielded a shield and a broadsword. The broadsword was a magical and intelligent weapon, Fragarach.[7][8]

In 573 CY when abducted he wore a white surcoat, quartered by the arms of Furyondy and Veluna and the antlers of the Knights of the Hart, in red. He wore a gold belt at his waist, with a dagger (dagger (+2/+3 vs. large opponents). About his neck he had a gold chain with an emblem of a crown and crescent moon; on his left hand was a gold ring with a similar device.[7]

In 591 CY as a vampire he carried a +1 unholy greatsword (“Dirge”), and wore a +1 breastplate, boots of striding and springing, a ring of counter-spells (loaded with fireball), a ring of protection +1, and an obex holy symbol.[6]

Relationships

Thrommel was the son and sole heir of King Belvor IV of Furyondy.

Thrommel was pledged to, or intended to pledge himself to marry, her Noble Ladyship Jolene of Veluna.[1]{csb|{T1-4|86}}

Beyond Thrommel's role in defeating the Horde of Elemental Evil at the Battle of Emridy Meadows in 569 CY, the strengthening of the alliance between Furyondy and Veluna that this marriage would have given rise to was presumably[citation needed] part of the reason for abducting Thrommel in 573 CY. As well as removing the sole heir to the throne of Furyondy.

History

He was King Belvor IV's only son and heir. Prince Thrommel's lineage could be traced directly to the mythical King Roland of Ferrond and Feruin.

In 569 CY the raise of the Temple of Elemental Evil drew the attention of Furyondy and Veluna. Thrommel as the Marshall of Furyondy assembled an army which became known as the Righteous Host, and marched southeast from Verbobonc to confront the Temple. Along the way, Thrommel made alliances with dwarves and gnomes who added forces to the Host. When arriving a day from the Temple, the Host found out it was outnumbered 3 to 1. However, Thrommel believed he could exploit the enemy’s fractious nature and lack of discipline to win.[9]

Thrommel was the Hero of Emridy Meadows in the battle against the Horde of Elemental Evil. He pledged to wipe out the Temple of Elemental Evil in 569 CY He was head of the war council and leader of the forces that make up the Righteous Host. Through sheer force of will, Thrommel pulled together a worthy army and marched south to confront the darkness. He believed his Righteous Host could defeat the forces of the Temple, but he tempered his convictions with the dire reality of the situation. He knew his army lacked numbers and experience, and he had a challenging time keeping the egos of his commanders in check. He believed that a few victories —no matter how small— would unite the Righteous Host, strengthening the resolve of his troops in time to meet the greater threat. This has led him to seek unconventional methods for weakening the temple’s forces. It was his assertion a few key strikes where the enemy was most vulnerable would bolster morale.[4]

The Prince disappeared near the northern border of his realm 573 CY.[10][11] The kidnapping was done by the Scarlet Brotherhood[12], and according to Gygax, it was at the behest of Nyrond.[13]

By 585 CY magical divination "suggested to Belvor" that Thrommel was dead.[12]

Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil

For many years after the "disappearance" of Prince Thrommel was originally published, fans had great curiosity about what the fate of Thrommel had been. In 2001, in Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, the history of Thrommel was expanded. The adventure made a somewhat ironic or poetic truth of the fact Thrommel was in the original Temple disguised by illusion to appear as a vampire. Thrommel was abducted and through slavers and smugglers came into the possession of the cultists at the Temple of All Consumption, where he was "infected with vampirism".[1]

However, the original date given in the WoG folio for his disappearance was 573 CY. But, in this version, his capture was described as occurring at the Battle of Emridy Meadows in 569 CY.[1]

In Living Greyhawk

Thrommel was a major antagonist in the Furyondy (FUR) region for the Living Greyhawk campaign.

In late 591 CY or early 592 CY Thrommel’s body was supposedly found, and laid to rest in a closed casket funeral in Chendl.[14] However, Belvor and his closest advisers had become aware Thrommel was a vampire. The laws of Furyondy provide that, once dead, a noble loses all their lands, titles, and rights (including inheritance rights)—they are reduced to commoners. For this reason, they declared Thrommel dead to bar any claim to the throne.[15]

Thrommel’s funeral so soon after the events of Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil in 591 CY suggests the adventurers who invaded the Temple presumably found Thrommel, or evidence of his undead status, and sent back news to Belvor.

Thrommel was not to resurface for years. It eventually proved to be that he had traveled to Furyondy to gather support for a claim to the throne, despite his death, including of disaffected nobles. He appeared unrcognized at various times as “The Black Knight”[16][17][18] Thrommel’s role in the sabotage of the magical shield created over Chendl, and support for that scheme from Iuz,[note 1] suggest Iuz may have played a role in this plotting by Thrommel.

By 594 CY it was clear Thrommel had returned to Furyondy and was working to claim the throne, including creating a vampire nest to terrorise Chendl exploiting the darkness of the sabotaged magical shield.ref>Shadow of the Sun (2004)</ref> It remained in place for a number of years.

In 595 CY adventurers dealt with a group of Thrommel’s supporters in the Barony of Willip (including vampires), who had been “authorised” to collect taxes for the “true heir”.[19]

Thrommel continued to gather disaffected nobles and supporters to his claim as the “true heir”, and by 597 CY was looking to find ways to repeal or avoid the law.[20]

In 598 CY Thrommel discovered two illegitimate descendants to Belvor, resulting in him trying to kill these potential challengers to his claim. It was revealed that when Thrommel “disappeared” in 573 CY he was headed to Verbobonc and the Temple. During his travel south in The Reach he met and spent time with a commoner, Brixsta, who later bore him a son, Throniir. who was 24 years old in 598 CY. In 581 CY, Valana, a druid of Merikka and close friend to Belvor, gave birth to their daughter, Bethserai. Initially she kept this secret from Belvor, but he learned of the child. In 591 CY, Brixsta and Throniir coincidentally settled in a town near Bethserai. In 598 CY adventurers were tasked with rescuing them for Belvor from Thrommel’s unwitting pawn, Sir Caius D’Andrell, but the existence of the heirs was not public.[21]

In late 598 CY Belvor remarried to produce an heir, in part to deal with the threat from Thrommel. Nobles were attacked by demons on the way to the wedding. At the wedding itself, Thrommel, newly resurrected (requiring a powerful priest, apparently implicating Iuz[22]) attempted to assassinate the king and new queen. Queen Jelleneth Kalinstren was slain, disintegrated by an adventurer who was later exonerated when they were shown to have been possessed by a demon at the time. A week later, another wedding was held to wed Belvor and Lady Elena Mori of Veluna.

The involvement of demons at the wedding[23] again suggested the involvement of Iuz. Iuz’s role in creating the original Temple, which captured and infected Thrommel with vampirism, also pointed to this.

While Thrommel’s attack on the wedding was “staved off”[24], his fate was not clear. At the Furyondy Living Greyhawk Interactive for the wedding Thrommel was killed.[22] Thrommel’s fate was thus left open.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Those events made up the Defense of Chendl series which culminated in Eclipse (2003)

Citations

  1. ↑ a b c d e Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (2001), p.120.
  2. ↑ Temple of Elemental Evil, p.86
  3. ↑ "The Battle of Emridy Meadows". Dungeon #221 (Dec 2013), p.64 , by Jon Leitheusser & Christopher Perkins
  4. ↑ a b "The Battle of Emridy Meadows". Dungeon #221 (Dec 2013) , by Jon Leitheusser & Christopher Perkins
  5. ↑ T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.86.
  6. ↑ a b Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (2001), p.183.
  7. ↑ a b T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.86.
  8. ↑ T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.127.
  9. ↑ "The Battle of Emridy Meadows". Dungeon #221 (Dec 2013), p.45 , by Jon Leitheusser & Christopher Perkins
  10. ↑ The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (1980), p.5.
  11. ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.9.
  12. ↑ a b WGR4 The Marklands (1993), p.9.
  13. ↑ Gary Gygax. "Thus Spake Gary Gygax: Ye Secrets of Oerth Revealed". interviewed by Paul Stormberg. Oerth Journal #12 (2001), p8.
  14. ↑ A Common Defense (RPGA, 2002), p.4
  15. ↑ Shadow of the Sun (RPGA 2004), p.12
  16. ↑ A Common Defense (RPGA 2002);
  17. ↑ Eclipse (RPGA 2003).
  18. ↑ Death of a Knight (RPGA 2004)
  19. ↑ Ties of Loyalty (2005)
  20. ↑ Keep Your Friends Close (2007)
  21. ↑ Blood on the Trail (RPGA 2008), p.2
  22. ↑ a b Interview with John du Bois (former Furyondy LG Triad member) in Legends & Lore 38: Living Greyhawk, Another Look presented by Jay “Lord Gosumba” Scott originally on Twitch.TV, 12 February 2020. (Archived on YouTube)
  23. ↑ An Uncommon Defense (RPGA 2008), pp.18-19
  24. ↑ An Uncommon Defense (RPGA 2008)

Bibliography

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

Thrommel (Prince) Non-player character Male, Human, [3e Pal3/Blk9], Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 15, 96
Thrommel (Prince) Non-player character Male, Human, [3e Pal3/Blk9], Living Greyhawk Journal #0 5
Thrommel (Prince) Non-player character Male, Human, [3e Pal3/Blk9], Living Greyhawk Journal #4 31
Thrommel (Prince) Non-player character Male, Human, [3e Pal3/Blk9], Return of the Eight 43
Thrommel (Prince) Non-player character Male, Human, [3e Pal3/Blk9], Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e 4, 116, 120, 182, 183
Thrommel (Prince) Non-player character Male, Human, [3e Pal3/Blk9], T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil 86
Thrommel (Prince) Non-player character Male, Human, [3e Pal3/Blk9], The Scarlet Brotherhood 5
Thrommel IV (Prince) Non-player character Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 130, 131
  • Gygax, Gary. The World of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980 (ISBN 0-935696-23-7).
———. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983 (ISBN 0-88038-344-5).
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