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On the Anvil (Patreon)

Published:
2023-09-29 13:00:07
Imported:
2026-06

Content

I thought you all would appreciate a sneaky peaky into what I'm working on, now that I have a little breathing room when it comes to published for sale modules.

As you might have guessed from yesterday's blog post, I'm working on something that connects to Temple of Elemental Evil. I've never really liked the idea of segueing from T1-4 into the Slave Lords series, and I think something more in line with the themes of ToEE would be more appropriate if you're looking for a long-term campaign.

So my idea is to do a trilogy of adventures that deal with Iuz trying to salvage the remnants of the Elemental Evil cult for his own use. His motive for originally involving himself with the Temple project was to create a distraction on the southern border of Furyondy/Veluna, so he could have a freer hand in the north. My concept is that his faction of supporters from the now-destroyed Elemental Evil cult would take over the remnants, and use them to wreak havoc and distract the hated Good forces.

I'm calling this the RI series (for "Rise of Iuz"). Because we only have 3 years between the PCs destroy the Temple in 579, and the time when Iuz assumes the persona of Vatun and tricks the Suel barbarians for a time, I think it makes sense to tie things in to his preparations for war.

RI1 takes place in Sobanwych, which is riddled with former agents of the Temple, and there is fighting between them. The PCs travel there to root out the infestation, and get wind of larger plots afoot.

RI2 takes the PCs to Verbobonc, where we know many agents of the Temple were stationed. This is an urban adventure that lets the PCs go through the layers of the onion, encountering the factions of the Temple, and figuring out what (one of) Iuz's plot is. 

RI3 focuses on the remnants of the Iuzian organization in Vebobonc and surrounding territory fleeing northward. The PCs have to infiltrate and eliminate the "rat's lines" that are ferrying wanted Iuzian leaders back home. One of these will lead them to the Iuzian attempt to acquire the secrets of his mother in the Caverns of Tsojcanth, making this series a bridge between T1-4 and S4.

I'm still outlining, but that's the basics of it right now. Comments are welcome!

Comments

Anonymous

Which version of Verbobonc will you be using—the Kuntz WG8 one, the Cook WGA4 one, the Living Greyhawk melange of the two, or some other?

Earl Rumburg

I am very excited for this. I always wanted a Tsojcanth tie-in and a larger role for Iuz in the aftermath of the Temple. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Anonymous

I love this idea, Joe! I remember you mentioning (a long time ago) that, after players finish T1-4, the best place to take them next would be S4. About six years ago, I DM’d T1 for my son and his friends (in 5e), and because of your suggestion, I was intending to eventually coax them towards S4, . . . but the campaign got set aside. However, I hope to one day resume that campaign for them, . . . so your proposed adventures of RI1, RI2, and RI3 would be a boon!!! Woohoo!!! Years back, when I thought briefly about how to get them from T1-4 to S4, I knew that the players are supposed to “sponsored by the Margrave of the March of Bissel” (per page 2 of S4). So I just figured that the story of the heroes’ victory over the Temple of Elemental Evil would reach the Margrave of Bissel, and that he would then reach out to them to see if they were interested in this new mission he was proposing to the Lost Caverns. I know. Not very inspired! ;) So with your ideas about chasing these leftover agents of Iuz, were you thinking that RI1-3 would still eventually intersect with the launch point of S4 — as far as the party being sponsored by the Margrave of Bissel (which sponsorship is explained in more detail on page 3 of S4)? Or would RI1-3 just be an alternate launch point to the Lost Caverns?

Greyhawk_Grognard
>>119004225

I envision it as a natural segue into S4, keeping most of the background, but adding the motive of getting there before Iuz. Nothing really would change, but the PCs, under the auspices of the Margrave, would have a reason to go there other than "we think there's loot". Now it would be "we think there's something Iuz could use to increase his power", which I think is a much more satisfying motive for the quest.

HBI

Some of us are playing well-worn T1-4 campaigns with significant alterations to the Temple area...Nulb for instance has been completely redone by my characters over time and resembles the original not at all. Hommlet less so, but there are impacts. Anywho, a segue in that would permit this would be handy. I know you are always concerned about page count in print editions, but indexes would be handy. The Adventures Dark and Deep books really could use them, for instance. Learning how Gygax organized things was a half a lifetime endeavor, and he actually stuck indexes in his (poorly organized, imho) source books.

Anonymous

Just getting caught up on past posts, so I'm late to the party, I know.. but this is great news and a great idea.. and like others, I am totally in support of and looking forward to this! It sounds like it will greatly benefit my current campaign as well!