Battle of Emridy Meadows

The Battle of Emridy Meadows was a critical military event in 569 CY in which the allied forces of good sacked the Temple of Elemental Evil and dispersed hordes of its cultists. Emridy Meadows itself is a series of grassy clearings south of the Velverdyva.

Description

Men-at-arms from Furyondy and Veluna united with dwarves from the Lortmils, gnomes from the Kron Hills, and an army of elven archers to face the threat of the Horde of Elemental Evil, comprised largely of savage humanoids such as orcs, ogres, and gnolls. The arrival of the elves from the shadows of the Gnarley Forest turned the tide of battle, trapping the savage humanoids against a bend in the Velverdyva where they were routed and slaughtered.

After dispersing the Horde of Elemental Evil, the allied forces laid siege to the Temple of Elemental Evil itself, defeating it within a fortnight. Spellcasters loyal to the goodly army cooperated on a spell of sealing that bound the demoness Zuggtmoy (a major instigator in the Horde of Elemental Evil) to some of the deepest chambers in the castle's dungeons.

At some point in this battle, Serten, cleric of Saint Cuthbert and member of the Citadel of Eight, was slain. The Citadel was notable for its absence (save Serten) at this pivotal moment in the history of the Flanaess, and their failure to take part in the Battle of Emridy Meadows contributed to the group's decline and eventual disbandment.

In Legends of Greyhawk

The Battle of Emridy Meadows is portrayed in the preview events for the Legends of Greyhawk campaign sponsored by WotC. The adventure was previewed for the first time at MagicCon: Chicago (21-23 February, 2025). It was a "Special Event" which was used to allow players to choose the first villain of the campaign, which became the Elder Elemental Eye—Tharizdun.

The Battle of Emridy Meadows occurs seven years "before" the campaign is set (in 576 CY). The details leading up to the battle are essentially the same, with the host gathering to put down the growing cult at the Temple of Elemental Evil.

"As the battle dragged on, evil awakened the land itself as moving houses rose to fight our players! Fireballs erupted on all sides, and dragons even fell from the heights onto the battlefield, crashing into the forces below. Waves of creatures washed over our heroes and yet they held the line, allowing Prince Thrommel himself to fell a cyclops in a gory but satisfying encounter, and helping the army succeed in their endeavors....

The forces of Elemental Evil at Emridy Meadows were defeated on that monumental day at the hands of the Righteous Host, cementing the memory of all who fought in the pages of history. Yet the cost was high. The lands around the Temple of Elemental Evil were rent and poisoned, whole towns would need to be reconstructed, and the people of the Central Flanaess would need to nurse their wounded back to health. Over the next seven years, the influence of Elemental Evil was nowhere to be seen in the surrounding settlements. But those who remember that some of Tharizdun’s followers lived watch vigilantly for signs of their return."
—Baldman Games, Storyline update (Mar 2025)

In other media

The battle itself is portrayed as the introductory cut-scene in The Temple of Elemental Evil, an Atari computer game from 2003. In this version, the cleric Hrudek of Hommlet, along with other members of the good allies, did not complete the cleansing of the lower chambers of the Temple. As a result, years later the Temple would rise again driven by the clerics Lareth of Lolth and Lord Hedrack of Zuggtmoy.

External links

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.

• Bridges, Mike. The Battle of Emridy Meadows on Canonifre!. (2008)—a fan-created look at the battle, including both official material and speculation.

References

Bibliography

• Gygax, Gary. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
• Mona, Erik, and Gary Holian. "Wheels Within Wheels: Greyhawk's Circle of Eight." Living Greyhawk Journal #0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. Available online: [1]
• Leitheusser, Jon, and Perkins, Christopher. "The Battle of Emridy Meadows". Dungeon #221. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2013.

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
Battle of Emridy Meadows	Adventure		Reference	SEE Emridy Meadows, Battle of
Battle of Emridy meadows adventure	Adventure	Located in: Verbobonc,	Dungeon magazine #221
Emridy Meadows	Place		Dragon magazine #268	71
Emridy Meadows	Place		Living Greyhawk Gazetteer	15, 41, 130
Emridy Meadows	Place		Living Greyhawk Journal #0	5
Emridy Meadows	Place		Living Greyhawk Journal #2	8
Emridy Meadows, Battle of	Adventure		Against The Giants: The Liberation of Geoff	80
Emridy Meadows, Battle of	Adventure		Dragon magazine #268	71
Emridy Meadows, Battle of	Adventure		Living Greyhawk Gazetteer	15, 132
Emridy Meadows, Battle of	Adventure		Living Greyhawk Journal #0	5
Emridy Meadows, Battle of	Adventure		Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e	5, 7, 13, 120
Emridy Meadows, Battle of	Adventure		The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio)	5, 6
Emridy Meadows, Battle of	Adventure		World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983)	9, 11