The Temple of Elemental Evil game thread

Your escorts lead you up a long corridor. It quickly becomes evident that this place is bustling with guards. The first you meet are garbed all in black with gold eyes of fire embroidered upon tunic and cloak. They look sharp, loyal and alert. One at each end of the corridor, one in the middle and three in a small cavern at the end.

You approach a larger cavern, surrounded by the noise of moving armour and highly disciplined communication. There are evidently more guards around the corner, but they only speak when necessary. You spot two individuals who appear to be of greater rank. The room appears to be a barracks full of food and supplies.

One individual approaches you, clad in imposing, decorated armour. His stature and voice hold great authority.

"HALT. What intrusion is this?"

Aithne: "Lieutenant, we bring willing recruits as instructed. May we see Lareth?"

"Fool. Lareth is engaged. Your entourage is too big. Your instructions specified two recruits at most. WHO is your commander?"

Knees begin to shake!

Aithne: "Two each, sir. Two...each..."

Realising her mistake, she bows, careful not to turn her body away.

"Orders directly from Lareth, Lieutenant!"

Elda smiles at Grumble, barely making a turn so as not to anger her superior. She wants to speak but cannot.

The lieutenant's eyes blaze and you can see his large, armoured hand clutch tightly, like he was crushing a person's skull.

"Silence! Do you know who you are speaking to? I will consult with Lord Lareth and arrange for your recruitment, TWO at a time.

Commander Adar, station four men here to watch this rabble. Kill any that move!!

"Yes...yes, Lieutenant Vahni!"

The lieutenant leaves through a corridor to the right and enters a door at the end. The other soldiers give a fluid salute with their hands, a flame-like gesture.

"You may relax. I am commander Adan. I will answer any questions you may have, before you speak to Lord Lareth. After that we shall see to your accommodations and a bounteous meal."

"Lord Lareth, Lareth the Beautiful, is our great leader, a shining hope illuminating the path before us.

Our local division is small but bolstered with great fighters and even powerful mages. Our barracks here can accommodate two-dozen comfortably. Do not fear, there is space for all.

Our mission and purpose is complex, and you will learn more in time. I am sure that Elda has explained at least our basic aims to you. We will bring down the oppressors, those who presumptuously install themselves above us like masters to cattle. A new age of spirit and freedom is coming, and those like you who find The Way will lay claim to everything that a person could hope for. Your obedience will secure you power and wealth, you can be certain of that."

There is still no sign of the Lieutenant or Lareth, and it's hard to hear if anything is going on in the next room because of the number of bodies moving and working in this well-outfitted cavern.

"You do not have to travel far to find the folly of man. The City of Greyhawk, harbouring criminals and building power structures to oppress those not born into power. Even dividing their cities to section off those whom they consider the lesser kind!

Then there is Verbobonc, and Veluna...championing themselves as beacons of civilisation but destroying the indigenous races that the gods meant to live in harmony with the land.

Even the ancient Kingdom of Keoland continues it's oppressive heirarchy, denying nature it's role to evolve and grow.

But Celene, oh knight...I have some respect. Their Kingdom no longer thinks itself so great to meddle in the foolish wars of the old kingdoms.

A new order will arise...one that will have the elements as its foundations, and the gods themselves will walk among us once again. Who doesn't want to see the world's glory made anew and the nations reborn in the power that the gods granted? Lareth will explain how this will be done, and how you can become a beacon of the new order of the world.

Your commitment to this cause is no less a burden than any other. With power, you will gain greater freedoms for yourself and all others!"

Elmo's knuckles crack as he pulls his hand tight at the mention of Verbobonc and Veluna. He eyes the group to catch their reactions, and you hear the jostle of armour in the room next to you.

Grumble thinks that Adar is referring to the Hateful Wars, which he has heard a little of from other travellers. About 70 years ago, the dwarves and gnomes of the Lortmils joined up with their elven and human allies to drive out their humanoid enemies from their underground tunnels, causing hordes of orcs and goblinoids to flee to Pomarj, the orcish kingdom. This has resulted in strife and slavery ever since, but peace for the more well-aligned races in the Lortmils. It was some time ago now, and very few of the human and elvish civilisations would consider this a bad thing, but many sympathisers considered it cruel or hateful...and it does seem strange that these people are marked with flame and fear-enforced discipline. It seems kind of...drow-like.

"I have served Lareth for...some time. Since he was a youth. His talent is astounding. That is all you need to know, little knight."

He laughingly sneers a little seeing now that the particularly short Gallant is actually a halfling. An unusual calling indeed for such a...homely race.

With his words, a wooden door swings open somewhere ahead of you, and slow footsteps start to clang metallically on the stone-plated floor.