Hommlet
South of the large and well-established city of Verbobonc, within the Kron Hills and just west of the Gnarley Forest, nestles a small settlement with a long and dark history. This unremarkable village, called Hommlet, witnessed the growth of one of the greatest centers of corruption the world would ever know; the Temple of Elemental Evil.
Hommlet is a small town with a population of just under one thousand. Only twelve years ago, it was a hamlet of around one hundred people, although even then most folk referred to it as a village. Since that time, the town has enjoyed unprecedented peace and prosperity.
The town is not ruled by a mayor or a town council as many others are. Instead, two ex-adventures called Rufus and Burne have been granted control of Hommlet and its lands by the viscount of Verbobonc. Not many people in the town look at it as that way, however. Most folks simply see the two men as the town "elders", giving them the respect that they have earned. Few grumble when it comes time to pay their taxes to the two lords. Most everyone appreciates the protection Rufus and Burne's soldiers provide, as well as the role the two played in the downfall of the original Temple of Elemental Evil (and the threats they have overcome to protect the town since then.)
In such a small town, nothing that costs more than 800 gp commonly can be found for purchase. Exceptions exist, of course - the Church of St. Cuthbert might have an extra suit of full plate to sell brave heroes who obviously fight against evil, for example. Such exceptions are rare though.
Above all, Hommlet is a peaceful, contented place. Its people are well fed, safe, and happy with their lot. However, they are wary, for their happiness has been threatened more than once in the past. The people, particularly those who have lived in the town a long time, watch with interest with comings and goings of suspicious strangers, and they keep an eye on the old moathouse and temple that were sites of not one but two malevolent insurgencies over the years.
Demographics
Government
Agents of the Viscount of Verbobonc (Rufus the Fighter & Burne the Wizard)
History
Hommlet initially 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 rest-house became a thriving inn (the Inn of the Welcome Wench), and a wheel and wainwright settled in the thorp. More farmers and herdsmen followed, for grain was needed for the passing animals, and the meat was in demand for the inn-folk. Hommlet prospered, as the lord of the district was mild and taxes were light. Trade was good, and the area was untroubled by war, outlaws, or ravaging beasts. The area was free, beautiful, and bountiful. From about 4000 SE, the area around Hommlet began suffering from a few thieves and the 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 checked but did not stop, the spread of outlawry. The out of the way location of Nulb, about 6 miles to the northeast of Hommlet on a tributary of the Velverdyva River (Imeryds Run) developed and became a base for the bandits. An evil cleric established a chapel nearby to the south of Nulb, which was to become the Temple of Elemental Evil. Within 3 years, a grim and forbidding fortress surrounded the Temple, The servants of the Temple pillaged and robbed the lands for leagues around including Hommlet. Commerce ceased but also crops withered and pestilence was abroad due to the effects of the Temple.
The forces of the Temple comprised humans, gnolls, bugbears, ogres, trolls, and giants. From this Temple, they unleashed earthquakes, storms, fires, and floods upon the countryside. Monsters were drawn to the area.
Prince Thrommel IV rallied forces of Verbobonc and Daggerford, including gnomes and dwarves of the Kron Hills, and elves from the Gnarley Forest and Cormanthyr, to form the Righteous Host to destroy the Temple. It met the Horde of Elemental Evil in the Battle of Emridy Meadows, then laid siege to the Temple for two weeks. The temple compound and dungeons were greatly damaged. The demonic force behind the Temple was too powerful to overcome and sealed in the dungeons by mages and priests of the Host.
After the end of the Battle, the Righteous Host turned its attention to a moathouse built by Temple forces in marshlands about 10 miles to the east of Hommlet. A detachment of horse and foot with a mall siege train sallied to lay the castle low. The common folk from miles around including Hommlet came to help, and the moathouse was surrounded and reduced to a ruin.
Nine years later in 4100 SE, bandits began troubling the area around Hommlet. Evil humanoids and strangely garbed priests were seen on the road. By 4111 SE, it became clear that the Temple was rising again. This time, the folk of Hommlet and the surrounding area coordinated and fostered attacks by bands of adventurers against the ruined but still occupied temple. Eventually, the Temple’s dangerous lower levels were destroyed but the demonic force was revealed to be Zuggotmy and released by accident by an unknown paladin who had come to help deal with the Temple.
Since 4112 SE, the area prospered in the peace that followed, and the village grew by 4125 SE tenfold to be a town.
Natural Resources
The town supports various farmers and herders in the town and surrounding countryside, supplying food for the town and traveling trade.
In 4100 SE the village featured a smithy, miller, trading post/general store, leather worker, new village hall, weaver, tailor, carter, money changer, cabinet maker, potter, brewer, carpenter, stonemason and wainwright.
By 4120 SE it had expanded even further.
Maps
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Hommlet
Founding Date
circa 4091
Alternative Name(s)
Hommlet
Type
Town
Population
1000
Location under
Included Locations
- A Pretty Weave
- Clay Hann's Pottery
- First Church of St. Cuthbert in Hommlet
- Goldwing's Wheels
- Hommlet Brewery
- Hommlet Grove
- Hommlet Keep
- Hommlet Mill
- Hommlet Smithy
- Hommlet Stables
- Inn of the Welcome Wench
- Karlun's House
- Marbled Clay
- Milk Market
- Old Town Hall
- Old Trading Post
- Papa's Bakery
- Renne's Potions and Elixirs
- Sew Nice
- Suave Suede
- Tarim's Woodcutting
- Teamsters House
- Telna's Kitchen
- Temple to Ehlonna in Hommlet
- Temple to Pelor
- Terrigan's Taproom
- The Natural Rock
- Todariche's House
- Zerosh's Scrolls
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Related Reports (Primary)
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Comments