TOEE - Recruitment
The Temple of Elemental Evil is more than just a bastion of darkness—it is a growing army, meticulously built through recruitment efforts that span the region. From river pirates and mercenaries to monstrous warbands, the Temple ensures a steady influx of warriors, spellcasters, and creatures to bolster its ranks. Each elemental faction—Earth, Fire, Water, and Air—has distinct recruitment strategies, ensuring the Temple remains a constant threat to the forces of good.
Recruitment Operations
Recruitment by Faction
Each elemental faction within the Temple maintains its own recruitment network, leveraging unique strategies:
- Earth Temple (Romag ): Uses blackmail, intimidation, and coercion to recruit bandits, pirates, and mercenaries from Nulb and Dyvers, Free Lands of . Works closely with Gorvash the Cruel of the Iron Claw Clan (Bugbears) and King Korvash Bonegnaw of the Jagged Fang Tribe (Gnolls)—alliances originally secured by Lareth the Beautiful.
- Fire Temple (Alrrem ): Attracts fanatics, pyromaniacs, and warlike humanoids, drawing in werewolves, bugbears, and trolls from the wildlands and elemental cults.
- Water Temple (Belsornig ): Uses bribery and deception to recruit river pirates, smugglers, and mercenaries. Works with Captain Tolub , a smuggler of the Cult of the Crushing Wave, who supplies the Temple with slaves, stolen goods, and cultists.
- Air Temple (Kelno ): Appeals to assassins, spies, and shadow operatives, attracting those who value stealth and subterfuge. This faction specializes in tracking, sabotage, and high-risk missions.
Key Recruiting Agents
Many of the Temple's leaders play an active role in recruitment, ensuring its constant expansion:
Commanders of Large-Scale Recruitment
- Commander Feldrin : Oversees recruitment of bandits, mercenaries, and supply convoys to maintain the Temple’s forces.
- Commander Barkinar : Expands Temple forces through organized raids and manages the Iron Claw Clan and Jagged Fang Tribe.
- Commander Deggum : Oversees ogres and Temple guards, ensuring defensive readiness and recruiting the Blackthorn Tribe (Ogres, Bugbears, and Hobgoblins).
Elite Recruiters & Strategic Planners
- Dick Rentsch (Nulb): Owner of the Waterside Hostel, hiring cutthroats and bandits.
- Lareth the Beautiful: Recruits brigands, outlaws, and mercenaries at the Moathouse, securing warriors for both the Temple and his own agenda.
- Lucius Graeme : Travels between Nulb, Hommlet, and Verbobonc, recruiting informants, spies, and allies.
- Smigmal Redhand : Leads surface defenses and raiding parties, allowing only the most ruthless warriors entry into the Temple.
- Captain Marad Vesrek : Commands the slaver ship The The Crimson Trader , supplying the Temple with slaves and resources.
Monstrous Recruitment: Who Recruited Whom?
The Temple relies on key leaders to forge alliances with monstrous humanoid warbands:
- Deggum → Blackthorn Tribe (Eastern Gnarley Forest - Ogres & Monstrous Humanoids)
- Feldrin → Iron Claw Bugbears (Southern Gnarley Forest - Mercenary Warbands)
- Lareth the Beautiful → Jagged Fang Gnolls (Lortmil Mountains - Savage Warbands)
Given the political structure, leadership roles, and objectives of the Temple of Elemental Evil, here’s my analysis of who would have been responsible for recruiting each of these monstrous humanoid tribes:
1. Blackthorn Tribe (Eastern Gnarley Forest) – Recruited by Deggum
Best Choice: Deggum , Security Commander
Why?
- Deggum is in charge of maintaining security and defense within the Temple, including recruitment of monstrous allies.
- His established ties to ogres and humanoid mercenaries suggest he has the authority and capability to negotiate with the Blackthorn Tribe, which consists of monstrous humanoids like ogres, orcs, and goblinoids.
- His military-focused role means he would actively seek strong foot soldiers for the Temple’s forces, especially ones that thrive in woodland skirmishes.
Verdict: Deggum most likely recruited the Blackthorn Tribe to bolster the Temple’s standing army and reinforce security against external threats.
2. Iron Claw Bugbear Clan (Southern Gnarley Forest) – Recruited by Feldrin
Best Choice: Feldrin , Commander of the Temple Guard
Why?
- Feldrin is responsible for the Temple’s bandits, raiders, and mercenary forces, making him the perfect liaison for the Iron Claw Clan, which consists of ruthless bugbear warbands known for their guerrilla tactics and raiding expertise.
- Bugbears respect discipline and organization, and Feldrin’s structured command style would appeal to their desire for raids and plunder.
- The Iron Claw Clan operates within the Southern Gnarley Forest, a region Feldrin already oversees as part of his military raiding campaigns.
Verdict: Feldrin most likely recruited the Iron Claw Bugbears, using promises of plunder, leadership opportunities, and secure strongholds within the Temple’s sphere of influence.
3. Jagged Fang Gnoll Tribe (Lortmil Mountains, SW of Moathouse) – Recruited by Lareth the Beautiful
Best Choice: Lareth the Beautiful, Prophet of Elemental Evil at the Moathouse
Why?
- Lareth is a charismatic and cunning recruiter who excels in persuading warlike and chaotic creatures, making him the best fit to recruit gnolls—a race notorious for their bloodthirsty, brutal, and savage tendencies.
- The Jagged Fang Gnoll Tribe operates in the Lortmil Mountains, which are directly southwest of the Moathouse, where Lareth was based before his defeat.
- Lareth’s devotion to the Elder Elemental God and Zuggtmoy’s influence aligns well with the gnoll’s taste for slaughter and chaos, making them eager allies for his cause.
- Of all the Temple leaders, Lareth would have the best chance of converting the gnolls to his cause through a mix of promises of divine favor, destruction, and battle spoils.
Verdict: Lareth most likely recruited the Jagged Fang Gnolls, using his charisma, religious zeal, and ability to appeal to their savage instincts.
Final Recruitment Breakdown
| Tribe / Clan | Region | Best Recruiter | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackthorn Tribe | Eastern Gnarley Forest | Deggum | Ogre commander, strong military recruiter |
| Iron Claw Bugbears | Southern Gnarley Forest | Feldrin | Mercenary leader, best for organized warbands |
| Jagged Fang Gnolls | Lortmil Mountains (SW) | Lareth the Beautiful | Charismatic preacher, ideal for gnoll savagery |
Conclusion: Who Recruited Which Tribe?
- Deggum handled the Blackthorn Tribe (Ogres & Monstrous Humanoids) because of his military recruitment role.
- Feldrin secured the Iron Claw Bugbears because of his command of bandits and raiding forces.
- Lareth personally converted the Jagged Fang Gnolls, as his charisma and religious zeal made him the ideal figure to inspire them.
This division ensures that each recruiter’s personality and role align with the tribes they would realistically bring into the Temple’s fold.
Recruitment Sources
The Temple actively seeks new followers from multiple backgrounds:
- Bandits & Brigands: The Crimson Reapers and other gangs provide a constant influx of raiders.
- Mercenaries & Cutthroats: Recruited from Dyvers, Narwell, and the Wild Coast, drawn by gold and power.
- Humanoids: Gnolls, bugbears, goblins, and ogres join for gold, plunder, or religious fervor.
- Monsters: Werewolves, trolls, and elementals are brought into the fold through dark rituals and demonic pacts.
Daily Recruitment Rates
- Low-level humanoids (1 HD or less): 1 per day per faction (7 total daily).
- Higher-level humanoids (3 HD+): 1 per faction every three days.
- Monsters: 1 per faction every week.
Monthly Totals
- 196 low-level humanoids
- 70 high-level humanoids
- 28 monsters
This allows the Temple to replace losses from battles and raids, keeping its forces replenished.
Recruitment Chart by Faction
| Faction | Primary Recruiters | Recruited Forces | Recruitment Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Temple | Barkinar, Feldrin | Slaves, bandits | Slaver ships, merchants |
| Earth | Romag, Dick Rentsch | Bandits, pirates | Nulb, Dyvers, Iron Claw Clan |
| Fire | Alrrem, Varek Redflame | Werewolves, trolls | Savage humanoid bands |
| Water | Belsornig, Captain Tolub | Ogres, pirates | Smugglers, wildlands |
| Air | Kelno, Falcon Scouts | Assassins, gnolls | Nulb, shadow operatives |
| External | Marad Vesrek, Tolub | Slaves, contraband | The Crimson Reaver |
The Temple’s Strategic Recruitment in Nulb
Nulb serves as a crucial hub for covert recruitment and logistics:
- Covert Recruitment: Pirates, outlaws, and cutthroats are drawn in through coin, weapons, and protection.
- Resource Smuggling: The Nulb docks act as a major transfer point for weapons, supplies, and slaves.
- Boatman’s Tavern & Nulb Market: A center for black-market trade and recruitment.
- Captain Tolub & Captain Marad Vesrek: Facilitate the transportation of goods and personnel.
- Ruined Tower (Smigmal Redhand): The Temple’s surface fortress, ensuring only the most elite recruits gain access.
The Temple’s Growing Threat
If left unchecked, the Temple of Elemental Evil will continue its unchecked expansion, bolstered by its relentless recruitment machine. Raids, assassinations, and growing alliances with monstrous factions will threaten Hommlet, Verbobonc, and beyond.
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