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{{Greyhawk source|fgcolor=#fff|
:''This article is about the Temple of Elemental Evil proper (the physical temple building). For other uses, see [[Temple of Elemental Evil (disambiguation)]].
image=|
{{Building
caption=|
| image        = [[File:Temple of Elemental Evil01.jpg|250px]]
bgcolor=#000|
| caption       = The Temple of Elemental Evil, as depicted on the cover of ''[[The Temple of Elemental Evil]]'' (1985). Art by Keith Parkinson.
fgcolor=#fff|
| name          =
name=''Temple of Elemental Evil''|
| aliases      =
type=Adventure module|
| type         = Temple
code=T1-4|
| architecture  = Elaborate gothic styling with gargoyles and grotesques covering the exterior sculptures.
edition=1st Ed ''AD&D''|
| floors        =  
author=[[Gary Gygax]] with [[Frank Mentzer]]|
| location      = Near [[Nulb]], [[Verbobonc]]
first published=1985|
| built        = [[566 CY]]
series=
| destroyed    = [[591 CY]]
| owner        =
| staff        =
| occupants    = Cultists of the [[Elder Elemental Eye]]
| services      =
| worship      = [[Tharizdun]], Evil Elemental cults, [[Zuggtmoy]]
| organizations =
| items        =  
}}
}}


The '''Temple of Elemental Evil''' is an unholy structure located in the central [[Flanaess]] not far from the city-state of [[Verbobonc]].


'''''The Temple of Elemental Evil''''' is an adventure module for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' game's [[World of Greyhawk]] campaign setting.  The module was published by [[TSR, Inc.]] in 1985 for the first edition ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' rules.  It was written by [[Gary Gygax]] and [[Frank Mentzer]], and is an expansion of an earlier Gygax module, '''''The Village of Hommlet''''' (TSR, 1979).  ''The Temple of Elemental Evil'' is also the title of a related 2001 Thomas M. Reid novel, and the term is used by fans of the setting to refer to the Temple itself.
== Description ==
=== Interior ===
=== Atmosphere ===


''The Temple of Elemental Evil'' was ranked the 4th greatest Dungeons & Dragons adventure of all time by ''[[Dungeon (magazine)|Dungeon]]'' magazine in 2004, on the 30th anniversary of the Dungeons & Dragons game.
== Activities ==


== The T1-4 modules ==
== History ==
These classic, early D&D adventures helped first popularize the World of Greyhawk campaign setting.  The T1 ''Village of Hommlet'' module begins in the eponymous village, situated near the site of a past battle against evil forces operating from the Temple (see "History of the Temple" below).   Adventurers traveling through Hommlet are drawn into a web of conspiracy and deception in the T1 adventure.
In [[566 CY]], forces of evil from [[Dyvers]] or the [[Wild Coast]] constructed a small chapel outside the nearby village of [[Nulb]]. The chapel was quickly built into a stone temple from which bandits and evil humanoids began to operate with increasing frequency.


''The Temple of Elemental Evil'' was originally intended to bear the module code T2 and serve as a true sequel to T1 - ''The Village of Hommlet''.  Gygax began writing T2 soon after the publication of T1, but often stopped to work on other products, such as [[Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth|''The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth'']] (Gygax 1981).  The T2 version was never completed, and no module bearing the codes T3 or T4 was ever independently published.  Instead, the material for the sequel was combined in 1985 with the original T1 storyline and published as an integrated adventure bearing the module code T1-4.
In [[569 CY]], a combined force was sent to destroy the Temple and put an end to the marauding. The army included regular forces from the human kingdoms of [[Furyondy]] and [[Veluna]], dwarves from the [[Lortmil Mountains]], gnomes from the [[Kron Hills]], and elven archers and spearmen.


The T1 standalone module, and thus also the first part of T1-4, culminates at a ruined moathouse where agents secretly plan to re-enter the Temple and free the demon [[Zuggtmoy]], who is imprisoned therein. In the next section of T1-4, the adventurers move on to the nearby village of Nulb to confront several nefarious opponents, including agents from the Temple.  Based on the outcome of these encounters, the player characters can then enter the Temple itself to interact with its many denziens and test their mettle against Zuggtmoy herself.
This allied army clashed with a horde of evil men and humanoids, including [[orc]]s, [[ogre]]s and [[gnoll]]s, at the [[Battle of Emridy Meadows]]. The forces of good were victorious and the [[Horde of Elemental Evil]] was scattered. The Temple was then besieged and fell within two weeks, although a few of its leaders managed to escape.


The original printings of T1 featured monochrome cover art by [[David A. Trampier]], who also contributed interior art along with [[David C. Sutherland III]].  The 1981 and subsequent printings of T1 featured a new color cover painting by [[Jeff Dee]] surrounded by a lime green border. The expanded T1-4 book from 1985 features cover art by [[Keith Parkinson]] and interior art by Jeff Butler, [[Clyde Caldwell]], [[Jeff Easley]], [[Larry Elmore]], Parkinson, and Trampier.
The site itself remained, however, and over the following decade rumors of evil presence there persisted. The Viscount of [[Verbobonc]] and the Archcleric of [[Veluna]] became increasingly concerned, and cooperated to build a small castle outside the Village of [[Hommlet]] to guard against the possibility of the Temple rising again.  


== Related publications ==
For the next five years, Hommlet gained in wealth thanks to adventurers who came to the area seeking out remnants of evil to slay. Things quieted down for another four years as the area returned to peace and normalcy, but in [[578 CY]] evil began to stir again, with groups of bandits riding the roads. In [[579 CY]], the events in the [[The Temple of Elemental Evil|T1-4 adventure]] occur.
Although initially written as a stand-alone series, T1-4 was made to dovetail into A1-4 ''[[Scourge of the Slave Lords]]'' when these two campaigns were revised in 1986 as supermodules.  The combined campaign then culminates with the GDQ series, incorporating modules G1-G3 ''[[Against the Giants]]''; D1-D3, which introduced D&D fans to [[Drow]] elves for the first time; and finally Q-1, ''[[Queen of the Demonweb Pits]]'', in which the heroes fight against the spider demon [[Lolth]] herself.  These last adventures were also combined and republished as a supermodule bearing the code GDQ1-7, ''[[Queen of the Spiders]]''.


In 2001, [[Wizards of the Coast]] published a novel by Thomas M. Reid also bearing the title ''The Temple of Elemental Evil''.  This book was a novelization of the original T1-4 adventure, and featured characters based on those that Reid and his friends had developed while playing the module as part of a Greyhawk campaign in college.  
''[[Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil]]'' is set fifteen years later, in [[591 CY]].


The novel received both positive and negative reviews.  One common criticism was that the pacing felt rushed and that entire sections of the original module were not present in the novelization.  For example, the characters in the novel do not spend time in the village of Nulb, and the elemental "nodes" from the module's climax are entirely missing from the novel.  Reid has subsequently stated that these issues were caused by the 90,000 word limitation Wizards of the Coast enforced for the book, leading him to cut out significant sections of his initial draft.
== Geography ==


Wizards of the Coast also published a sequel to the T1-4 adventure in 2001, the 3rd Edition module ''[[Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil]]''.
== People==


== History of the Temple ==
== Resources ==
The temple referenced in the module's title is located in the central [[Flanaess]] not far from the city-state of [[Verbobonc]].  In 566 [[Common Year (Greyhawk)|CY]], forces of evil constructed a small chapel outside the nearby village of [[Nulb]].  The chapel was quickly built into a stone temple from which bandits and evil humanoids began to operate with increasing frequency.


In 569 CY, a combined force was sent to destroy the Temple and put an end to the marauding.  The army included regular forces from the human kingdoms of [[Furyondy]] and [[Veluna]], dwarves from the [[Lortmil Mountains]], gnomes from the [[Kron Hills]], and elven archers and spearmen.
== Defenses ==


This allied army clashed with a horde of evil men and humanoids, including orcs, ogres and gnolls, at the [[Battle of Emridy Meadows]].  The forces of good were victorious and the Horde of Elemental Evil was scattered. The Temple was then besieged and fell within two weeks, although a few of its leaders managed to escape.
== Rumors & Legends==


The site itself remained, however, and over the following decade rumors of evil presence there persisted.  The Viscount of Verbobonc and the Archcleric of Veluna became increasingly concerned, and cooperated to build a small castle outside the Village of [[Hommlet]] to guard against the possibility of the Temple rising again.  It is at this point in Greyhawk's history that the events in the T1-4 module occur.
==See Also==


== Computer game ==
==Gallery==
In 2003 a computer game based on the original T1-4 module was released. It was developed by Troika Games and published by Atari.  It remains the only D&D related computer game set in the original Greyhawk setting. At the moment, this game is one of the few games to use the D&D 3.5 system (3rd edition revised). It also follows the pen & paper rules quite strictly, and yet it was a commercial failure, suffering from numerous bugs and relatively linear story.  However, it still has a sizable fan base and freely available modifications have been created by third parties.


== References ==
== External links ==
*[[Cook, Monte]]. ''Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil'' (Wizards of the Coast, 2001).
{{External link disclaimer}}
*[[Gygax, E. Gary]]. "More 'Meat' for Greyhawk." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #55 (TSR, [[1981]]).
*''[http://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/modpages/t.html T1 - The Village of Hommlet]'' at The Acaeum.
**[[Gygax, E. Gary]]. ''The Village of Hommlet'' (TSR, [[1979]]).
*''[http://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/modpages/super.html Superadventures]'' at The Acaeum (includes information on T1-4, A1-4, and GDQ1-7).
*[[Gygax, E. Gary]] and [[Frank Mentzer]]. ''The Temple of Elemental Evil'' (TSR, [[1985]]).
 
*[[Erik Mona]], [[James Jacobs]], et al. "The 30 Greatest D&D Adventures of All Time." ''[[Dungeon (magazine)|Dungeon]]'' #116 ([[Paizo Publishing]], [[2004]]).
*''[http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/dd1/t1-alt.htm The Village of Hommlet]'' at the TSR Archive.
*[[Reid, Thomas M.]] ''The Temple of Elemental Evil'' (Wizards of the Coast, 2001).
*''[http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/dd1/t1-4.htm The Temple of Elemental Evil]'' at the TSR Archive.
*''The Temple of Elemental Evil'' computer game ([[Atari]], [[2003]]).
 
*''[http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showbook&bookid=2760 The Village of Hommlet]'' at Pen & Paper.
*''[http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showbook&bookid=2050 The Temple of Elemental Evil]'' at Pen & Paper.
 
==References==
===Citations===
<references />
===Bibliography===
*Cain, Tim. ''[[The Temple of Elemental Evil (computer game)|The Temple of Elemental Evil]]''. New York: Atari, 2003.
*[[Cook, Monte]]. ''[[Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
*[[Gygax, E. Gary]]. "More 'Meat' for [[Greyhawk]]." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #55. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1981.
:———. ''[[The Village of Hommlet]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1979.
*[[Gygax, E. Gary]], and [[Frank Mentzer]]. ''[[The Temple of Elemental Evil]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985.
*[[Erik Mona]], [[James Jacobs]], et al. "The 30 Greatest D&D Adventures of All Time." ''[[Dungeon]]'' #116. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2004.
*[[Reid, Thomas M.]] ''[[The Temple of Elemental Evil (novel)|The Temple of Elemental Evil]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
{{index}}


== External links ==
* ''[http://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/modpages/t.html T1 - The Village of Hommlet]'' at The Acaeum
* ''[http://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/modpages/super.html Supermodules]'' at The Acaeum (includes information on T1-4, A1-4, and GDQ1-7)
* ''[http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/dd1/t1-alt.htm The Village of Hommlet]'' at the TSR Archive
* ''[http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/dd1/t1-4.htm The Temple of Elemental Evil]'' at the TSR Archive
* ''[http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showbook&bookid=2760 The Village of Hommlet]'' at Pen & Paper
* ''[http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showbook&bookid=2050 The Temple of Elemental Evil]'' at Pen & Paper


[[Category:Greyhawk sources]]
[[Category:Locations]]
[[Category:Verbobonc]]
[[Category:Organizations]]

Latest revision as of 11:01, 18 December 2024

This article is about the Temple of Elemental Evil proper (the physical temple building). For other uses, see Temple of Elemental Evil (disambiguation).
Greyhawk Site
Temple of Elemental Evil
The Temple of Elemental Evil, as depicted on the cover of The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985). Art by Keith Parkinson.
General information
Type:Temple
Location:Near Nulb, Verbobonc
Architecture:Elaborate gothic styling with gargoyles and grotesques covering the exterior sculptures.
Built in:566 CY
Destroyed:591 CY
Demographics
Occupants:Cultists of the Elder Elemental Eye
Miscellaneous
Worship:Tharizdun, Evil Elemental cults, Zuggtmoy

The Temple of Elemental Evil is an unholy structure located in the central Flanaess not far from the city-state of Verbobonc.

Description

Interior

Atmosphere

Activities

History

In 566 CY, forces of evil from Dyvers or the Wild Coast constructed a small chapel outside the nearby village of Nulb. The chapel was quickly built into a stone temple from which bandits and evil humanoids began to operate with increasing frequency.

In 569 CY, a combined force was sent to destroy the Temple and put an end to the marauding. The army included regular forces from the human kingdoms of Furyondy and Veluna, dwarves from the Lortmil Mountains, gnomes from the Kron Hills, and elven archers and spearmen.

This allied army clashed with a horde of evil men and humanoids, including orcs, ogres and gnolls, at the Battle of Emridy Meadows. The forces of good were victorious and the Horde of Elemental Evil was scattered. The Temple was then besieged and fell within two weeks, although a few of its leaders managed to escape.

The site itself remained, however, and over the following decade rumors of evil presence there persisted. The Viscount of Verbobonc and the Archcleric of Veluna became increasingly concerned, and cooperated to build a small castle outside the Village of Hommlet to guard against the possibility of the Temple rising again.

For the next five years, Hommlet gained in wealth thanks to adventurers who came to the area seeking out remnants of evil to slay. Things quieted down for another four years as the area returned to peace and normalcy, but in 578 CY evil began to stir again, with groups of bandits riding the roads. In 579 CY, the events in the T1-4 adventure occur.

Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil is set fifteen years later, in 591 CY.

Geography

People

Resources

Defenses

Rumors & Legends

See Also

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

Citations

Bibliography

———. The Village of Hommlet. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1979.

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

Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Dragon magazine #292 95
Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Living Greyhawk Journal #4 2
Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (D&D 3.0e) Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Caves of Ancient Secrets: RttToEE Web Enhancement, D&D 3.0e 1, 11
Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (D&D 3.0e) Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Dragon magazine #347 34
Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (D&D 3.0e) Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Dragon magazine #356 18
Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (D&D 3.0e) Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Into The Unknown: The Dungeon Survival Handbook, D&D 4e 111
T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Dragon magazine #200 69-71
T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Dragon magazine #212 19, 20
T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Dragon magazine #347 34
T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Into The Unknown: The Dungeon Survival Handbook, D&D 4e 111
T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 73
T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders 3, 5
T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e 5
T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Manual of the Planes, AD&D 1e 3
T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Return of the Eight 56
T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e 3
T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, WG8 Fate of Istus 69, 93
T2 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Dragon magazine #037 11
T2 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Dragon magazine #055 17
T2 Temple of Elemental Evil Adventure Located in: Verbobonc, Dragon magazine #059 6
Temple of Elemental Evil Building Reference SEE Elemental Evil, Temple of
The Temple of Elemental Evil - Greyhawk Classics Book 4 Publication Novel, Into The Unknown: The Dungeon Survival Handbook, D&D 4e 111
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