Falrinth

“They fight over fire and stone while I hold the key to gods. Fools, every one of them.”

Role in the Temple of Elemental Evil

Falrinth lives in isolation on the third level of the Temple, his lair guarded by traps, illusions, and his quasit familiar Kriitch. He holds no official title, yet his knowledge of the Temple's deepest secrets—especially the Elemental Nodes—makes him one of its most dangerous figures.

• Holds the Orb of Golden Death, kept secret from all but Lolth and Lareth
• Guides Smigmal Redhand from the shadows as her “arcane benefactor”
• Exploits Commander Feldrin’s bandit network for secret rituals and rare components
• Co-leads Lolth’s infiltration efforts with Lareth the Beautiful, undermining both Iuz and Zuggtmoy

"They say the Elder Elemental God whispers in the dark. I’ve heard those whispers... and one day, I will whisper back."

"Every move I make is a step closer to freedom—from the Temple, from the Eye, from all of it. I’ll see them all burn before I’m bound again."

• Experiment on the Elemental Nodes
• Disrupt the magical seals imprisoning Zuggtmoy
• Scry, ward, and manipulate Temple rituals without detection

Only Lolth, Lareth, and Kriitch are aware of his possession of the Orb.

"The Orb holds secrets even the gods fear to reveal. And now those secrets are mine to command—or destroy." - Falrinth

"Hedrack and his ilk think themselves untouchable, yet they dance like puppets on strings they cannot see. Strings I can cut." - Falrinth

Relationship Chart: Falrinth (579 CY)

Current Objectives (579 CY)

1. Fully unlock Zuggtmoy’s prison using the Orb and two metallic pages of ancient script
2. Usurp Senshock and become the Temple’s supreme arcane authority
3. Secure control of the Elemental Nodes and repurpose them into Lolth’s domain
4. Collapse alliances within the Temple, triggering civil war he can exploit
5. Escape to the Underdark if compromised, bringing the Orb with him

Adventure Hooks

• "Falrinth Gets a Drink" – PCs encounter Falrinth at the Boatman’s Tavern in Nulb. He listens more than he speaks—but he’s hunting intelligence.
• "The Orb and the Rogue" – Falrinth is revealed as the possessor of the Orb. PCs must choose whether to confront, spy on, or manipulate him.
• "Falrinth’s Journal" – A tome recovered from his lair reveals his plans to use Mysterious Remnants and metallic pages to breach Zuggtmoy’s prison.
• "Escape Through the Nodes" – If pursued, Falrinth flees into the Elemental Nodes, forcing a deadly chase through collapsing realities.

Consequences If Not Stopped

• Zuggtmoy is freed with the Orb’s power
• Lolth’s cult establishes a foothold within the Temple
• Senshock is discredited, causing arcane chaos
• The Elemental Nodes destabilize, unleashing planar horrors across the Flanaess

“When the gods blink, I’ll be the only one watching.”

"It was no simple task, but I have breached the threshold of the Nodes. The Air Caverns were first—howling winds and screaming spirits, but the gem eluded me. My minions scoured the Burrows, yet the Earth Gem alone will not suffice. I must press deeper. The Fire Pits and Water Maze remain unexplored. Somewhere within these wretched realms, the remaining gems wait for me."

Key Clues:

• Falrinth has entered the Elemental Nodes using the power of the Orb.
• He has searched the Air and Earth Nodes but has not yet found all four gems.
• He is preparing to explore the Fire Pits and Water Maze next.

Entry 4: The Final Key

"Fools! They do not understand the forces at work here! The final ward is bound to Zuggtmoy herself—only she may remove it. But I have found the means to hasten her return! I have traveled deep into the Nodes and given her the last gem. The Orb is whole again! Soon, she will open the final door with her own hand, and the world will tremble at her rebirth!"

Key Clues:

• Zuggtmoy must open the final ward herself—Falrinth cannot do it alone.
• Falrinth has delivered the last Elemental Power Gem to Zuggtmoy inside the Elemental Nodes.
• Time is critical—her release is imminent!

Primary Goals

• Recover the Orb of Golden Death: The adventurers must retrieve the Orb from Falrinth before he fully restores it.
• Stop the Final Ward from Being Broken: Zuggtmoy now has the final gem—the party must prevent her from using it to unlock her prison.
• Prevent Falrinth’s Escape: If he escapes, he will continue his mission elsewhere, possibly seeking allies among Iuz’s forces.

Secondary Goals

• Destroy the Orb of Golden Death: If all four gems are recovered, the party can attempt the ritual to destroy the Orb, though it requires extreme effort and knowledge.
• Disrupt Falrinth’s Rituals: By damaging the Elemental Nodes and disrupting their balance, the party can weaken the Orb’s power, buying time.
• Learn the Truth About the Elemental Nodes: Investigate their origins and how they are tied to Zuggtmoy’s influence.

Encounters and Challenges

1. The Hunt for the Elemental Gems

• The adventurers must delve into the Elemental Nodes to retrieve the missing Power Gems before Falrinth can claim them.
• Each Elemental Node is filled with dangers, including elemental guardians, traps, and ancient cultists still loyal to the Temple.

2. Confronting Falrinth

• Falrinth’s lair is a labyrinthine maze filled with magical traps and his quasit familiar, Kriitch.
• He will use the Orb’s powers to manipulate the environment and summon elemental creatures to hinder the party.
• If overwhelmed, he will retreat deeper into the Nodes.

3. Zuggtmoy’s Imminent Return

• If all four gems are restored, Zuggtmoy will begin breaking the final ward.
• The adventurers must destroy the last gem before she completes the ritual.
• If she succeeds, she will manifest in her weakened form, forcing the party into a desperate battle.

Rewards

• Magical artifacts and wealth recovered from Falrinth’s lair.
• Vital intelligence about the Temple of Elemental Evil and its ongoing schemes.
• Experience and renown for preventing Zuggtmoy’s return.

Consequences of Failure

• If Falrinth restores the Orb, Zuggtmoy will break free, unleashing chaos and destruction.
• If Falrinth escapes, he may seek allies in Iuz’s court to continue his work.
• If the adventurers use the Orb carelessly, they may fall under Zuggtmoy’s influence.

Summary

This revised quest now fully aligns with the canonical lore of the Orb of Golden Death. Instead of the “Mysterious Remnants”, the adventurers are hunting the Elemental Power Gems, which are key to unlocking Zuggtmoy’s prison. The stakes are higher than ever, as Falrinth is dangerously close to completing his goal.

Integrating Lolth, Lareth, and Falrinth into the Temple of Elemental Evil's Structure

Lolth’s Influence on the Temple of Elemental Evil

Lolth, the Demon Queen of Spiders, has a vested interest in ensuring that the Temple of Elemental Evil never rises to its full potential. Her motivation is rooted in past betrayals by House Eilservs of the Dark Elves Drow, who abandoned her worship in favor of the Elder Elemental God. While she opposes the Temple's leadership, she is careful to work from the shadows, using spies and agents to manipulate events in her favor.

• Key Motivation: Ensuring that the Temple remains divided and never achieves its true potential.
• Methodology: Infiltration, subterfuge, and the use of key operatives such as Lareth the Beautiful and Falrinth.
• Artifact of Power: Lolth possesses the key to the Elder Elemental God's prison, making her one of the few beings capable of deciding the fate of this mysterious entity.

Zuggtmoy’s Secret Control Over the Temple’s Clerics

The clerics and priests of the Temple believe they are praying to the Elder Elemental God, but in truth, their divine powers and spells are granted by Zuggtmoy, the Demon Queen of Fungi. The Abyss itself acts as a conduit for chaotic power, allowing Zuggtmoy to masquerade as the Elder Elemental God without the priests realizing the deception.

• Key Deception: The Temple’s priests believe they serve the Elder Elemental God, but their power actually comes from Zuggtmoy.
• Reason: Zuggtmoy is imprisoned within the Temple and needs the cult to continue worshiping her to gain strength.
• Implication: If the truth were revealed, it could lead to massive schisms within the Temple's leadership.

Lareth the Beautiful – Lolth’s Hidden Pawn

Lareth the Beautiful is one of Lolth’s most promising agents. He controls the Moathouse, a stronghold designed to recruit new members to the Temple. However, his ultimate goal is to rise within the Temple’s ranks and convert it into a force that serves Lolth rather than Zuggtmoy.

• Role: Lolth’s primary infiltrator within the Temple's ranks.
• Long-Term Goal: To seize control of the Temple and redirect it toward the worship of Lolth.
• Secret Powerbase: The Moathouse, where he gathers forces loyal to him while feeding selective information back to Hedrack.

Falrinth – The Sorcerer in Service to Lolth

Falrinth is an 8th-level magic-user with a quasit familiar named Kriitch, which allows him to function as a 9th-level caster when nearby. As a secretive and ambitious figure, he serves Lolth but is ultimately self-interested, willing to betray her if it serves his purposes.

• Role: A powerful sorcerer acting as a spy and potential saboteur within the Temple.
• True Allegiance: Lolth, though he harbors personal ambitions that may lead to betrayal.
• Key Objective: Investigating the elemental nodes of the Temple on behalf of Lolth, while keeping much of his research hidden from both the Temple’s leadership and his own goddess.

Final Implications

Potential Conflict: If Lolth’s agents gain too much power, the Temple may split into warring factions—those still loyal to Zuggtmoy and those who turn toward Lolth.

Adventurer Hooks

• Discovering Falrinth’s hidden research on the elemental nodes.
• Exposing Lareth’s double-dealings and secret connections to the drow.
• Preventing or enabling Lolth’s ultimate plan to co-opt the Temple.