55. Hunting Cottage
To the south of and perhaps a thousand feet into the forest line is a depilated cottage and a barn. A steady stream of smoke plumes from the chimney. The cottage and barn sits by the ford of a winding stream at the base of a steep hill. The woods leading here are light and easy to navigate; in fact, a wide, often trafficked path (arguably a road given the well-worn wagon ruts) is cut through the forest here.
The Hunting cottage is a vital logistical node for the operations of the Temple of Elemental Evil. Located south of Nulb and near the Imeryd's Run, this unassuming log structure masks a sinister purpose: it serves as a supply depot, a slave-handling station, and a gateway into the Temple itself. Hidden deep within the Gnarley Forest, it is a place of grim purpose and dark machinations, overseen by loyal agents of the Greater Temple and guarded by Gefreid's bandit guards.
4. ESCAPE TUNNEL (T1-4 TOEE, page 38) Quote:
At its end is a 10' wide stone passage east, turning south in 30 feet; see the Dungeon Level map and key.) The narrow north passage leads north and gradually west, ascending slowly over. about 200 feet. It then turns due north again for another 100 feet, where the limestone gives way to clay walls shored up by timbers for 50 feet. The escape tunnel mouth is at the side of an abandoned dry well. A small heavy door there is set back from the side of the shaft and painted dull brown, barred from the inside. A short ladder can be set up inside the shaft, enabling the escaping party to gain a series of ascending ledges which lead to the top. The ladder is inside the tunnel. Near the tunnel exit are a deserted cottage and a ramshackle barn. This whole area is screened by surrounding trees. In the barn are six light horses, which belong to the brigand leaders. They are fed and exercised each night in most cases.
At its end is a 10' wide stone passage east, turning south in 30 feet; see the Dungeon Level map and key.) The narrow north passage leads north and gradually west, ascending slowly over. about 200 feet. It then turns due north again for another 100 feet, where the limestone gives way to clay walls shored up by timbers for 50 feet. The escape tunnel mouth is at the side of an abandoned dry well. A small heavy door there is set back from the side of the shaft and painted dull brown, barred from the inside. A short ladder can be set up inside the shaft, enabling the escaping party to gain a series of ascending ledges which lead to the top. The ladder is inside the tunnel. Near the tunnel exit are a deserted cottage and a ramshackle barn. This whole area is screened by surrounding trees. In the barn are six light horses, which belong to the brigand leaders. They are fed and exercised each night in most cases.
The Cottage
- Structure: A rustic cottage with a simple but sturdy construction, sitting near the ford of a meandering stream.
- Chimney: A constant plume of smoke rises from its stone chimney, a sign of activity within.
- Surroundings: Dense woods encircle the cottage, though a wide, well-worn path leads directly to it, bearing wagon ruts from regular supply deliveries.
- Defenses: The area around the cabin is trapped with magical snares, ensuring intruders pay a high price for their curiosity.
"Don’t mistake the smell of the hyenas for weakness. They’re hungrier than I am, and twice as mean."
Key Characters
Gefreid Patris
Overseer of the Hunting cottage and its operations.
- Personality: Gruff, efficient, and wholly devoted to the Temple.
- Motivations: Ensuring the steady flow of goods and prisoners to the Temple.
- Relationships:
- Reports to Feldrin, Commander of the Temple Guards.
- Coordinates with Lareth's lieutenant, Gattas Void, for deliveries from the Moathouse.
Temple Bandits (6)
On guard and if they detect intruders in the area, alerted either by the traps, they will engage before they intruders get within sight of what is behind the cottage and barn.
Defenses and Inhabitants
Guard Forces
- Temple Bandits (6): Work under Gefreid, keep the tunnel secure and hidden and assist with take the supplies into the temple.
Defenses
- Snares: Invisible and nearly undetectable, scattered around the cabin's perimeter.
- Tunnel Guards: Constantly watched by Gefreid's men to prevent unauthorized access.
"Think you’re clever, sneaking around my cabin? The snares will find you before I do."
Role in the Temple’s Operations
Supply Chain
- Primary Function: Serves as the primary transfer point for goods and slaves en route to the Greater Temple.
- Lareth's Bandits: Deliver goods and prisoners from the Moathouse to Trevil’s Fens Cottage.
- Temple Couriers: Pass orders and intelligence between the cabin and the Greater Temple.
Key Figures in the Chain
- Gattas Void: Lieutenant to Lareth, who sends wagons from the Moathouse to the cabin.
- Lucius Graeme: High Temple courier who visits periodically to pass on directives.
Life Around the Cabin
Daily Activities
- Sorting and repackaging supplies for shipment to the Greater Temple.
- Holding slaves in crude pens before they are marched through the tunnel.
- Regular inspections by Temple agents to ensure operations run smoothly.
Relationships
- Lady Nysera's Iron Talons: The Men of the Baroness: Some deliveries from her forces include bandit-captured loot and slaves.
- Commander Feldrin's Bandits: Receive supplies from the secret temple from within the Temple.
- The River Pirates: Occasionally utilize the cabin as a waypoint for smuggled goods.
DM-Only Secrets
Hidden Tunnel Operations
The tunnel connects directly to the Greater Temple's Broken Tower. Most of the traffic includes essential goods, weapons, and slaves, ensuring the Temple remains stocked without raising suspicion in Nulb.
Lucius Graeme’s Orders
Lucius Graeme uses this cabin as a staging point to meet with covert agents of the Temple.
Adventure Hooks
- Sabotage the Supply Line: The adventurers are tasked with disrupting the flow of goods and slaves to the Greater Temple, starting with the Hunting Cabin.
- Expose Grash: The players discover Grash's ambitions and must decide whether to exploit or eliminate him.
- Find the Tunnel: The party learns of the hidden tunnel and attempts to infiltrate the Temple via this route.
- Free the Slaves: A daring rescue mission to liberate the prisoners held at the cabin before they are sent to the Temple.
This location offers rich opportunities for infiltration, sabotage, and morally complex decisions in the unfolding campaign!
Relationship with the Temple of Elemental Evil
Gefreid Patris by 3orcs
Gefreid Patris (Bandit Leader)
Overseer of the Hunting Cabin and its operations.
Fighter level 6
- AC: 14 (studded leather) | HP: 35
- ATK: Woodsman Axe (+0, 1d8) , Throwing Axe, Longbow AL: CE
Guard Forces
"This cottage is just a hunting lodge, nothing more. You’d best turn back before you see something you shouldn’t."
Cave Bandit Camp by Mike Shea
Secret Bandit caves
Hunting Cabin by 3orcs
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