Player's Guide to Hommlet and the Surrounding Region
For use when creating backgrounds for your characters. Note that the greater region is left vague on purpose - if you want to be from somewhere outside Hommlet, let me know and we'll work something out.
Hommlet is one of many relatively insignificant villages in the southwest region of the Great Kingdom. Situated at the crossroads of two minor trade routes, Hommlet was more prosperous than most, but still not very memorable in the grand scheme of things.
Until ten years ago. A great evil gathered to the north, the Temple of Elemental Evil. Humanoid armies gathered under the Temple's banner and a great battle was fought at Emridy Meadows, a clearing north of Hommlet. On the side of good, forces gathered from around the Kingdom. Most went home after the Temple's forces were routed and the Temple itself magically sealed. Some stayed in the region to chase down the stragglers from the humanoid army.
Many also settled in Hommlet, increasing the village's population and putting it on the map, so to speak. Two of the heroes of Emridy Meadows, Burne and Rufus, stayed in Hommlet and began building a castle, which drew more outsiders to Hommlet as part of the construction crews.
Prior to the Battle of Emridy Meadows, most folks in Hommlet were followers of the Old Faith, as administered by Jaroo, the local druid. With the influx of new people, a cathedral of the Healing Light was built in the village and there has been conflict between followers of the two faiths, though Jaroo and Canon Terjon both preach tolerance and cooperation.
Backgrounds
Acolyte - You are a member of the Church of Saint Cuthbert, the Cudgel of the Healing Light. The cathedral dedicated to Saint Cuthbert was completed a few years ago. You are either a native of Hommlet and a recent convert, or one of several acolytes who accompanied the Canoness Ydey from elsewhere in the Great Kingdom. Ydey recently left Hommlet on urgent business leaving Terjon to serve as Canon in her place. Terjon is much more uptight and somewhat resentful of his recent "promotion" as he'd rather be out in the world destroying evil personally. Alternately, you could be dedicated to one of the other Saints of the Healing Light, such as Saint Pelor or Saint Heironeous.
Charlatan - The locals of Hommlet are considered somewhat backward and gullible by the folks who have arrived since the Battle of Emridy Meadows. As such, a variety of con-artists make frequent stops in Hommlet with the trade caravans. There are also a number of folks on the castle work crews who are in Hommlet under false identities, on the run from their pasts and looking for a fresh start.
Criminal - About six miles northeast of Hommlet is another community called Nulb. Nulb isn't so much a village as an encampment in the swamp for river pirates, bandits, and former minions of the Temple of Elemental Evil. Wherever you were from, Nulb is your home now, at least at the moment. Hommlet has an active garrison of guards called Burne's Badgers, former bandits themselves who are paid well by Burne to keep the peace. As such, they are surprisingly loyal and good at their jobs. You could be from Nulb, one of Burne's Badgers, or someone in Hommlet who has managed to not get caught, yet.
Entertainer - The Inn of the Welcome Wench is the only inn and tavern in Hommlet and, as such, is busy most nights and quite prosperous as a result. Traveling entertainers can make good coin performing at the Welcome Wench, as long as they don't stray too far from the conservative sensibilities of the owner, Ostler Gundigoot, and his wife. The workers' camp near the castle construction site also welcomes entertainers, though often of a more raucous or bawdy nature.
Folk Hero - There are local heroes aplenty in Hommlet as many members of the local militia can boast of being at the Battle of Emridy Meadows.
Guild Artisan - The construction of Burne and Rufus' castle has brought in a variety of craftspeople and artisans. Most locally crafted goods are sold at the trade house in the center of the village, as well as items brought to town by traveling merchants.
Hermit - After the Battle of Emridy Meadows, the slaughter and destruction was too much for some folks, especially those belonging to the Old Faith. Some decided to seclude themselves in the wilds around Hommlet.
Noble - The closest thing Hommlet has to nobility are Burne and Rufus, who hope to earn titles after finishing their castle. Many nobles of the Great Kingdom fought in the Battle of Emridy Meadows, however. Some were lost, including Prince Thrommel, second in line to the throne (after his older brother). Over the past ten years, several nobles have come to the region, searching for Thrommel and others lost in the Battle.
Outlander - Also drawn to the Battle were members of the plains barbarians who dwell to the far north of the Great Kingdom, seeking glory and honor. A few stayed, eager to test their meddle against the stragglers of the evil forces gathered that day, as well as tribal mystics who found commonalities between their beliefs and the Old Faith.
Sage - Burne is an established Wizard of the Order of High Wizardry in the City of Light, former apprentice to Bigby of the Circle of Eight. As such, he has begun to instruct local potential wizards and scholars in his spare time, though he has not yet established formal apprenticeships. Also, the legends and lore surrounding the Temple of Elemental Evil have attracted knowledge seekers eager to unearth the Temple's secrets.
Sailor - A river runs through Hommlet, wending its way south through the Lower Hills before finding its way to the sea. Lumber and other goods too heavy to transport on land are ferried down river on a regular basis, requiring trained river sailors to guide the boats and deal with the river pirates that plague travel around the bandit haven of Nulb.
Soldier - Many former soldiers who fought at Emridy Meadows have settled in Hommlet since the battle. Some are members of the local militia while others are from elsewhere in the Great Kingdom and chose to settle down for whatever reason.
Urchin - Another consequence of the war with the Temple of Elemental Evil were orphans, children of those who fell in the Battle of Emridy Meadows. While most are cared for by the Widow Rosalind and her family, a fair number were left to fend for themselves as best they could.
If you need more details, just ask.
Otherwise, Moradin will do fine.
