Chapter 2 / Episode 42: Shadows of the Temple – Secrets from Lareth

Players:

• Dog the Ranger of the Gnarley (Forest)
• Irving the Reluctant (Paladin of St. Cuthbert)
• TerryOr the Cleric of St. Cuthbert
• Dixon the Dwarven fighter
• Oleg the half elf magic-user / thief
• Slash the Bard

NPCs:

• Zert the Hero
• Spugnior the Theurgist

Coldeven 4, 576 CY – Evening

Battered but triumphant, the group arrived in Hommlet with their captives in tow. Lareth the Beautiful, bound hand and foot and securely gagged, was turned over to the Church of St. Cuthbert along with his lieutenant for questioning. Canon Terjon, visibly relieved to see the adventurers alive, pledged the church’s resources for healing and interrogation.

The heroes dispersed to their lodgings—the Inn of the Welcome Wench for some and the church quarters for others—seeking rest after their perilous journey.

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The Week in Hommlet

Over the following days, the adventurers tended to personal matters, prepared for their next journey, and unraveled the secrets gleaned from Lareth’s interrogation.

Irving the Reluctant

Confined to bed for seven days, Irving remained under the care of Canon Terjon and TerryOr, recovering from the critical injuries sustained during the confrontation with Lareth and his guards.

TerryOr, Cleric of St. Cuthbert

TerryOr participated directly in the interrogations, ensuring that Lareth revealed as much as possible under divine scrutiny. Between sessions, he stockpiled potions from the church’s stores, determined to ensure the party was better prepared for their next mission.

Slash the Bard

Slash sought out Jaroo Ashstaff, the Druid of the Grove, for guidance and inspiration. Spending his days at the grove, he learned new druidic spells and gathered healing berries and leaves for the journey ahead.

Dog the Ranger of the Gnarley

Dog hired Hommlet’s armorer to craft a set of Norker Leather Armor using materials scavenged from the party’s encounters with the humanoid creatures. The work was slow and meticulous but promised to be worth the wait.

Dixon the Dwarf

Dixon received a surprise visit from his father, who traveled from the Kron Hills with an heirloom to bestow upon him: a masterwork dwarven hammer. The elder dwarf reminded Dixon of the responsibility that came with wielding such a weapon, offering words of wisdom before departing.

Oleg Greenleaf

Oleg secured access to Burne’s well-stocked laboratory and meticulously copied spells into his spellbook, ensuring he was equipped with additional arcane firepower.

Spugnior the Theurgist

Spugnior also spent his time in Burne’s laboratory, engrossed in spell research and study. Despite his occasional aloofness, he shared camaraderie with Oleg as they worked side by side.

Zert the Fighter

Zert made the most of Hommlet’s hospitality, spending most of his days and nights drinking at the Inn of the Welcome Wench. While his skills were undeniable, his aloof behavior raised quiet questions among the party.

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The Interrogation of Lareth

Canon Terjon and TerryOr oversaw the interrogation, with magical means ensuring the veracity of Lareth’s words. The prisoner revealed grim truths:

• The Temple of Elemental Evil was indeed stirring again, receiving both slaves and recruits from the surrounding region.
• A significant artifact, another piece of the Rod of Six Parts, was said to be hidden within the temple. Lareth taunted the group, suggesting they lacked the strength to claim it.

The revelations painted a dire picture of the cult's growing power and solidified the group’s resolve to confront this emerging threat.

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Coldeven 11, 576 CY – Morning

Description: Freezing
Temperature: 17.2°F to 36.3°F
Wind: Moderate breeze (SW)(13-18 MPH | 11-16 KN)
Precipitation: None
Clouds: Mostly cloudy

With Irving finally recovered and preparations complete, the party reconvened. Supplies were purchased, plans were made, and farewells were exchanged.

Under a gray, overcast sky and a biting southwest breeze, the group set out on the road to Nulb, the pirate-infested town north of Hommlet. Their path lay ever closer to the heart of the growing darkness, and to the ominous shadow of the Temple of Elemental Evil itself.