Lolth and the Temple of Elemental Evil (my players out!) [updated 11/29]

[Saracenus]

The info you are looking for can be found in rooms 336 - 338.

Juss sayin'

 

[jeffh]

I think Lolth was originally meant to have roughly the role Zugtmoy does in the adventure as released, the whole "elemental evil" thing being a front she's putting on and nothing to do with elementals, except incidentally to make the ruse more convincing, or the Elder Elemental Eye/God.

I interpret the "elemental" in "Elder Elemental God" to mean "fundamental", not "to do with the classical elements", whereas I interpret the same word in "Temple of Elemental Evil" as having the latter meaning. So the two need not and probably don't have anything to do with one another, even before we get into the erroneous identification of this entity with Tharizdun (which is apparently now canonical - well, so much the worse for canon then, I certainly won't be using it in my game).

Her motives in the adventure as originally intended by EGG are obscure to me, but in the sandbox game I want to run soon, which will potentially include a Zuggtmoy-less version of ToEE, these consist of destabilizing the region in preparation for the invasion that takes place in the G series.

 

[Halivar]

The info you are looking for can be found in rooms 336 - 338.

Juss sayin'

Thanks! I've been skimming the lower levels and missed that entirely.

 

[Saracenus]

Basically there are the following factions fighting for power within' the Temple of Elemental Evil:

1. Fire Temple
2. Water Temple
3. Air Temple
4. Earth Temple
5. Greater Temple (Zugtmoy & Iuz)
6. Lolth

Lolth was a demon lord when this was published and was just another demon trying to take advantage of the cult.


It has been my assumption that all the spies in hommlet and the moathouse are part of Lolth's faction. When you show up with Lareth's gear Rannos Davl and Gremag will contact Falrinth. He will have Smigmal Redhand dispatch an assassin to kill the PCs.


The only thing that doesn't ring true about this is the "small black scarab inscribed with the glyphs TZGY." I can justify it though, I am sure that Falrinth has access to such items and uses it to represent himself as a "true" agent of the temple. I would play it that Rannos Davl, Gremag, and Smigmal Redhand are unaware they are pawns of Lolth and only Farlrinth and Lareth are in the know.

 

[Halivar]

It has been my assumption that all the spies in hommlet and the moathouse are part of Lolth's faction. When you show up with Lareth's gear Rannos Davl and Gremag will contact Falrinth. He will have Smigmal Redhand dispatch an assassin to kill the PCs.

I didn't know about Falrinth, but when the PC's showed up in town with Lareth in tow, I had Rannos and Gremag high-tail it out. The master assassin came for Lareth, while his lackeys delayed the PC's. So far, I don't think I've directly contradicted the module, which makes me happy.

The only thing that doesn't ring true about this is the "small black scarab inscribed with the glyphs TZGY." I can justify it though, I am sure that Falrinth has access to such items and uses it to represent himself as a "true" agent of the temple. I would play it that Rannos Davl, Gremag, and Smigmal Redhand are unaware they are pawns of Lolth and only Farlrinth and Lareth are in the know.

That's a lot of great information. Let me ask you this: do Rannos and Gremag feature again in T2-T4, or am I safe to plonk them where I wish? The party is rather itching to get their hands on them...

 

[Saracenus]

If Rannos and Gremag have escaped, then you can have them show up where ever you want.

In the Temple of Elemental Evil computer game Rannos will ambush the PCs when they setup in Nulb (when the purchase a hovel as a base of operations), this is one idea.

I would definitely have Falrinth and Smigmal Redhand be forewarned by Rannos. Since this faction is not really working with the others it wouldn't mean the rest of the temple knows. I would however have those two probe the PCs for weakness and see if they can find away to use them to further their own schemes. Perhaps giving them intel on one of the temples so that they are weakened.

Edit, yes you did change Lareth's alignment.

Hope this helps.

 

[Halivar]

Thanks, [MENTION=47839]Saracenus[/MENTION], the wheels are turning. I will likely have Falrinth "aid" the party at the behest of his patron deity. However, in true CE fashion, he will seek at all time to supplant the party, and, most of all, get his hands on the ring.

The ring is Lolth's wedding band, after all. It's a powerful relic, and every drow within a certain distance of it will be aware of its whereabouts and power.

 

[Saracenus]

No problem [MENTION=9327]Halivar[/MENTION], glad to help. Just remember there are agents of at least two temples in Nulb (I believe they work for fire and earth). One option is to have Lolth's faction give one of those guys up so the PCs can either scam one of them or capture them for intel. Depends on how your players want to play it.

Nulb is hostile territory and the PCs should feel pressure while staying there.

 

[Halivar]

Just remember there are agents of at least two temples in Nulb (I believe they work for fire and earth).

Those agents (the hostler and busboy of the inn) were previous uncovered and killed in a very tense fight that brought out the town militia. It was during this fight that the inn and market were burned down, and the party is now persona non grata in Nulb.

 

[Saracenus]

[MENTION=9327]Halivar[/MENTION], your players don't do subtle do they <evil grin>. That is a great way to get killed in this adventure.