Player's Background
[Excerpt from the print version of the ToEE]
The Village of Hommlett—or merely "Hommlett," as it is commonly called—is situated
in the central part of the Flanaess, that portion of western Oerik Continent which is
known and 'civilized.' The hamlet-sized village (local parlance having distinguished it with the
greater term) is located some 30 leagues southeast of the town of Verbobonc, or thereabouts, on the fringe of the territory controlled by the noble Lord the Viscount of
Verbobonc. It is at a crossroads. To the north is the mighty Velverdyva River, along whose south bank runs the Lowroad. Many days' travel to the east, on the shores of the Lake of Unknown Depths (Nyr Dyv), is the great walled 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.
Hommlet grew from a farm or two, a rest house, and a smithy. The roads brought a
sufficient number of travelers and merchant wagons to attract tradesmen and artisans to
serve those passing through. The resthouse became a thriving inn, 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 innfolk.
Prosperity was great, for the lord of the district was mild and taxed but little. Trade
was good, and the land was untroubled by war, outlaws, or ravaging beasts. The area
was free, beautiful, and bountiful — too much so, in the eyes of some.
Whether the evil came west from Dyvers (as is claimed by one faction) or crept up out
of the forestlands bordering the Wild Coast (as others assert), come it did. At first it was
only a few thieves and an 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 apparently checked, but did not stop, the
spread of outlawry and evil.
A collection of hovels and their slovenly inhabitants formed the nucleus for the troubles
which were to increase. A wicked cleric established a small chapel at this point. The
folk of Hommlet tended to ignore this place, Nulb, even though it was but 6 miles distant.
But its out-of-the-way position was ideal for the fell purposes planned for this
settlement, as was its position on a small river flowing into the Velverdyva. The
thickets and marshes around Nulb became the lair and hiding place for bandits, brigands,
and all sorts of evil men and monsters alike. The chapel grew into a stone
temple as its faithful brought in their illgotten tithes. Good folk were robbed, pillaged,
enslaved, and worse.
In but three years, a grim and forbidding fortress surrounded the evil place, and swarms
of creatures worshipped and worked their wickedness therein. The servants of the Temple
of Elemental Evil made Hommlet and the lands for leagues around a mockery of freedom
and beauty. Commerce ceased, crops withered; pestilence was abroad.
But the leaders of this cancer were full of hubris and, in their overweaning pride, sought
to overthrow the good realms to the north, who were coming to the rescue of the land
being crushed under the tyranny wrought by the evil temple. A great battle was fought.
When the good people of Hommlet saw streams of ochre-robed men and humanoids
fleeing south and west through their community, there was great rejoicing, for they knew
that the murderous oppressors had been defeated and driven from the field in panic and
rout. So great was the slaughter, so complete the victory of good, that the walled stronghold of the Temple of Elemental Evil fell within a fortnight, despite the aid of a terrible demon.
The place was ruined and sealed against a further return of such abominations by powerful
blessings and magic. Life in Hommlet quickly returned to a semblance of its former self, before the rise of the temple. For five years afterward, the village and the surrounding countryside have become richer and more prosperous than ever before. A monstrous troll which plagued the place for a time was hunted down by a party of passing adventurers.
Carrying the ashes and a goodly fortune as well, the adventurers returned to the village.
Before going elsewhere to seek their fortunes, the adventurers also returned a
portion of the villagers' losses. Other adventurers, knowing of the evil that had once
resided in the area, came to seek out similar caches, and several did find remote lairs and
wealth—just as some never returned at all. After a time, adventurers stopped coming
to the area. It seemed that no monsters were left to slay, and no evil existed here to be
stamped out. The villagers heaved a collective sigh—some pained at the loss of income, but
others relieved by the return to the quiet, normal life—and Hommlet continued its quiet
existence for four years more.
But then, a year ago, the bandits began to ride the roads again—not frequently, but to
some effect. To the good folk of Hommlet, this seemed all too familiar, so they sent word to
the Viscount that wicked forces might still lurk thereabouts. This information has been
spread throughout the countryside, and the news has attracted outsiders to the village
once again. Who and what these men are, no one can be quite sure. All claim to be bent on
slaying monsters and bringing peace and security to Hommlet; but deeds speak more loudly
than words, and lies cloak the true purposes of the malevolent.
