Gefreid Patris

Gefreid Patris is the grim steward of the Temple of Elemental Evil’s most vital artery—the hidden supply tunnel connecting the outside world to the Greater Temple. Installed by Commander Feldrin as his trusted enforcer in the field, Gefreid is more than a bandit captain—he is the logistical gatekeeper for all Temple-bound movement of slaves, loot, and weapons. From his command post at the secluded Hunting Cottage, he oversees shipments from Lareth’s brigands, Nulb’s pirate-supplied slavers, and covert deliveries arranged by Lucius Graeme and Madame Selentis.

He is feared, not for his brutality—though brutal he is—but for his cold efficiency and unbreakable control over the secret tunnel. Nothing reaches the Temple depths without passing through Gefreid.

"The Temple doesn’t need heroes. It needs cogs in the wheel. Step out of line, and you’re ground to dust."

Role and Command Structure

• Commander Feldrin – Gefreid reports directly to Feldrin, who trusts no other field agent with this level of autonomy. He serves as the Temple's gatekeeper, ensuring nothing enters or leaves the Temple without authorization.
• Lucius Graeme – The Temple courier visits regularly, inspecting operations and delivering Feldrin's orders. Lucius relies on Gefreid for discretion and silence.
• Madame Selentis – Her agents deliver high-value prisoners and critical goods to the cottage. Gefreid distrusts her ambitions, but respects the discipline of her bandits.
• Smigmal Redhand – Smigmal’s bandits, especially those loyal to Selentis, occasionally transport shipments directly to the cottage, bypassing Nulb entirely.
• Lareth the Beautiful – Lareth's lieutenant, Gattas Void, delivers cargo and slaves to Gefreid from the High Road. Their relationship is formal and transactional.

“Every wagon that passes through here brings more strength to the Temple. You’re not stopping it—so why try?”

"I don’t like to kill for fun. But if you force my hand, I won’t lose sleep over it."

Background and Role in the Temple Operations

Originally a member of a mercenary company, Gefreid was cast out for his excessive brutality. Recruited into the Temple of Elemental Evil by Feldrin, he found his calling overseeing the Hunting Cabin's operations. His primary responsibilities include:

• Assignment: Stationed at the Hunting Cabin, Gefreid views his role as both a privilege and an opportunity to profit from the Temple’s supply chain.
• Managing Supply Chains: Receiving shipments of prisoners, supplies, and loot from bandits and pirates.
• Enforcing Order: Keeping the Greater Temple bandit mercenaries disciplined and focused.
• Maintaining Secrecy: Ensuring no outsiders discover the covert operations leading to the Greater Temple.
• Slavery Logistics: Gefreid coordinates closely with Captain Vesrek, the Crimson Trader, who provides slaves from distant shores. Surplus slaves, or those deemed unfit, are sent to Lorveth "The Broker" Thrask, who operates the Brothel in Nulb.

"The Iron Lash always needs fresh blood—if they can’t fight, they can serve another purpose."

Role in the Temple Operations

• Oversees the supply chain from Lareth’s bandits and the River Pirates to the Greater Temple.
• Acts as the local enforcer, keeping order among his men ensuring wagons move smoothly through the hidden tunnel to the Temple.
• Works closely with the Temple Guards, led by Feldrin, to maintain the secrecy of the operation.

"Every wagon that passes through here brings more strength to the Temple. You're not stopping it, so why try?"

Motivation

• Maintain the Supply Chain: Protect the Tunnel at All Costs. Ensure a steady flow of loot, prisoners, and supplies to the Greater Temple.
• Serve the Temple: Gain favor with the Temple hierarchy, especially Feldrin and Barkinar, by demonstrating his efficiency and loyalty.
• Avoid Direct Conflict: Avoid Temple Politics (despite being neck-deep in them). Gefreid values survival above all and will retreat or negotiate if the odds are not in his favor.

"The Temple doesn’t need heroes. It needs cogs in the wheel. Step out of line, and you’re ground to dust."

Relationships

Commander Feldrin

Gefreid is one of Commander Feldrin’s most trusted field officers. Unlike other bandit leaders who squabble for power or steal from shipments, Gefreid delivers accurate tallies and enforces strict discipline. Feldrin respects him for his results, though he keeps him isolated to avoid personal ambition taking root.

Lucius Graeme

Lucius arrives without warning, delivering coded messages, rerouting shipments, and occasionally inspecting the tunnel himself. Gefreid finds Lucius insufferable but recognizes his authority as Hedrack’s personal agent. Their working relationship is professional—cold and blunt, but efficient.

Madame Selentis (Nysera Krivaltis)

Madame Selentis manages the first stage of Temple logistics in Nulb—smuggling, blackmail, and prisoner acquisition. Her bandits—originally assigned by Smigmal Redhand —deliver cargo to Gefreid’s men in small, frequent shipments. While Gefreid resents her noble airs and political maneuvering, he respects her efficiency and willingness to get her hands dirty. The two never meet in person; their cooperation flows through trusted lieutenants, encoded tokens, and the mutual understanding that Hedrack’s patience is limited.

• Operational Link: Her manor serves as the holding and staging site for all Temple-bound material in Nulb.
• Mutual Dependency: She needs Gefreid to move her cargo into the Temple; he needs her to keep Nulb’s chaos controlled.
• Unspoken Rivalry: Should either of them fail in their duty, the other would be the first to deliver the bad news to Feldrin—or Hedrack.

Lareth’s Lieutenant – Gattas Void

Gefreid coordinates with Gattas Void, a cruel and efficient under-boss stationed at the Moathouse. Their relationship is direct and functional. Gefreid does not trust Void but considers him useful.

The Crimson Reapers

Smigmal’s bandits frequently use Gefreid’s drop site when working directly for Feldrin or Selentis. While loyal to Smigmal, they fear Gefreid's authority. He deals harshly with any that disrupt the schedule or steal from Temple shipments.

The Cabin's Operations

Supply Chain Management

• Bandit Deliveries: Gefreid coordinates with Gattas Void at the Moathouse, who sends wagons of loot and prisoners via the High Road. These goods are then sorted at the Hunting Cabin and sent through the tunnel to the Greater Temple.
• Pirate Support: Works with Captain Vesrek to receive smuggled goods and slaves, ensuring the Temple’s sacrificial needs are met.

Daily Duties

• Oversees 5 Greater Temple Bandits.
• Manages incoming shipments, inspecting and prioritizing for sacrifice or labor.
• Keeps the tunnel system operational and free of outside interference.
• Liaises with Nulb contacts to offload unneeded slaves or surplus goods.

"Every wagon that passes through here brings more strength to the Temple. You're not stopping it, so why try?"

The Hunting Cabin’s Defenses

Dire Hounds Guards

• Three Dire Hounds: answer to Gefreid’s commands

Traps

• Snares: Scattered around the cabin and its surroundings, creating a deadly perimeter.
• Hidden Tunnel Entrance: Camouflaged and guarded, this tunnel is the cabin’s most valuable secret.

Challenges and Threats

Despite his cunning, Gefreid faces several challenges:

• Temple Politics: Internal rivalries between the elemental factions could see him replaced or discarded.
• Adventurer Threats: Increasing interference from local do-gooders threatens his operations.
• Slave Shortages: If shipments from Captain Vesrek decrease, the Temple will demand alternatives—at great risk to Gefreid.

DM-Only Section

Secret Orders

Gefreid has been ordered by Feldrin to eliminate any bandits or pirates who threaten to expose the Temple’s operations, including Captain Vesrek if his dealings become too bold.

Adventure Hooks

• Infiltrate the Cabin: The adventurers must uncover the location of the hidden tunnel while evading traps and guards.
• Confront Gefreid: The party learns of Gefreid’s role in the Temple’s supply chain and seeks to capture or eliminate him.
• Free the Prisoners: Slaves held at the cabin offer a chance for the adventurers to rescue innocents and disrupt the Temple’s operations.

Hidden Treasure

Greater Temple supply staging

Expanded Greater Temple Supply Operations

Gefreid Patris plays a critical role in the Greater Temple’s logistical network, acting as the linchpin for the delivery and distribution of supplies, loot, and prisoners between the Moathouse, Nulb, and the Temple of Elemental Evil. His command of the Hunting Cabin positions him as a key cog in the Temple's sinister operations.

Coordination with Gattas Void at the Moathouse

• Gefreid is in regular contact with Lieutenant Gattas Void, Lareth’s second-in-command at the Moathouse High Road Bandit Camp. Gattas oversees raiding parties that target merchant caravans and farms across the Viscounty of Verbobonc.
• Looted supplies, stolen livestock, and abducted prisoners are sent in guarded wagons to Gefreid at the Hunting Cotage. Once they arrive, Gefreid inspects the cargo and prisoners, sorting them for either the Greater Temple or further distribution to Nulb.

Supply Tunnel Operations

• The hidden supply tunnel running from the cottage to the Greater Temple is an essential part of the Temple’s covert activities. Gefreid ensures that wagons are unloaded and repacked efficiently, keeping the supply chain running smoothly.
• Slaves too weak to travel or deemed unfit for ritual sacrifice are disposed of here. Some may be left to die in the surrounding forest.

Expanded Merchant and Pirate Deliveries

Lucius Graeme’s Visits

• Lucius Graeme, a trusted courier and priest of the Greater Temple, periodically visits the Hunting Cabin to deliver instructions and assess operations. He uses the supply tunnel to travel between the Temple and the cabin, avoiding detection on the surface.
• Adventurers may encounter Lucius at the cabin or intercept him along the tunnel, gaining valuable intelligence about the Temple’s leadership.

Internal Tensions and Exploitable Weaknesses

Vulnerability of the Tunnel

Though well-hidden, the supply tunnel is a single point of failure in the Greater Temple’s operations. Adventurers who discover and sabotage the tunnel could cut off the Temple’s lifeline, forcing it to rely on riskier and less efficient methods of resupply.

Hooks for the Party

• Intercepting a Supply Wagon: Adventurers could encounter a wagon guarded by bandits on its way to the Hunting Cottage, providing an opportunity to uncover the Temple’s operations.
• Disguises and Infiltration: The party might disguise themselves as bandits or traders to gain entry to the cabin, using the ledger or other evidence to expose the Temple’s activities.
• Assassination of Gefreid: Eliminating Gefreid would throw the cabin’s operations into chaos.