Introduction to the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576cy

Your Gateway to Epic Adventure

Step into the world of Greyhawk in the year 576 CY, and immerse yourself in the epic "Verbobonc Campaign Guide." Designed to enrich your Dungeons & Dragons experience, this guide is a treasure trove for Dungeon Masters and players alike, offering an open sandbox campaign setting that breathes new life into the legendary T1-T4 Temple of Elemental Evil module by Gary Gygax.  

The Temple of Elemental Evil

Celebrating 30 years since its original release, the Temple of Elemental Evil stands as one of the most elaborate and sophisticated campaigns in the World of Greyhawk. Revered as one of the most popular D&D adventure modules of all time, it now forms the centerpiece of this richly detailed campaign guide. As heroes in this saga, your characters will confront an evil force threatening to plunge the civilized lands of Greyhawk into chaos.  

Design Note: Changes to Lady Elinor and Lord Milinous

These characters were reimagined and rewritten for the Verbobonc Campaign Guide – T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil (576–579 CY) project in order to better fit the early-canon tone and narrative scope of the original Greyhawk setting, particularly before the onset of the Greyhawk Wars.   While the Living Greyhawk (LG) campaign from 2000–2009 added rich and expansive lore, it often lacked editorial consistency and operated under different design assumptions than Gygax’s original materials. As such, this project draws selectively from LG content—retaining what is useful, but adapting or discarding elements that conflict with the 576 CY setting or with the storytelling goals of this campaign.   Lady Elinor and Lord Milinous were altered for the following reasons:   Era Accuracy: The campaign is firmly rooted in 576–579 CY, prior to any canonical Greyhawk Wars events or developments. Their new portrayals reflect pre-war political tensions and social structures appropriate to that period.   Narrative Clarity: Living Greyhawk’s lore was broad and often contradictory due to a lack of centralized editing. Reworking these characters helps streamline their roles and align them with the broader arc of the Temple of Elemental Evil storyline.   Creative Integration: While LG material—including references placed by respected cartographer Anna Meyer—was invaluable for building out Verbobonc’s geography and culture, the actual character arcs of Elinor and Milinous have been redefined to serve this campaign's unique political and factional dynamics.   DM Flexibility: This reimagining supports Dungeon Masters who prefer to run the original T1-4 campaign without later-era canon baggage. It provides a sandbox-friendly foundation that is easier to adapt and expand upon, as Gygax originally intended.   These changes are part of the broader mission of the 3orcs project: to offer a respectful, expanded interpretation of Greyhawk's classic era, balancing canonical fidelity with creative freedom and community collaboration.   — 3orcs Mission Statement

 

Living Greyhawk Reimagined

Drawing inspiration from the Living Greyhawk (LG) adventure modules (2000-2008), this guide expands and updates the lore to encompass the Viscounty of Verbobonc, the Gnarley Forest, and the Kron Hills. The City of Verbobonc is brought to life with intricate details on its politics, shops, churches, taverns, inns, NPCs, organizations, and more.   The Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576 CY is a culmination of inspiration and homage to the groundbreaking work of numerous authors and contributors who have shaped the world of Greyhawk. This guide stands as a testament to their creativity and enduring legacy in the realm of fantasy role-playing.

Living Greyhawk Gazetteer

A key reference for this campaign guide is the "Living Greyhawk Gazetteer," authored by Gary Holian, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Published on November 1, 2000, this comprehensive resource provides an extensive overview of the Greyhawk world, offering invaluable context and background for the Verbobonc Campaign.   Key references and inspirations from the "Jounral of the Wanderer, The Wayfayer's Guide to Verbobonc" VERSION 1.0, DECEMBER 20, 2003. Prepared by the Verbobonc Triad, with assistance from the Verbobonc Council.

Foundational Work

At the core of this guide's inspiration is the original "World of Greyhawk," a creation of the legendary Gary Gygax. With its copyright date in 1980, Gygax's pioneering work laid the foundation for the rich and intricate world in which the Verbobonc Campaign is set.

Living Greyhawk Authors

The Verbobonc Campaign Guide also draws upon the works of the talented authors of the Living Greyhawk series. These individuals have greatly contributed to the depth and richness of the Greyhawk universe. Their stories, modules, and lore have been instrumental in shaping the narrative and setting of this guide. Among these esteemed authors are:

Rick Bruner, John Brudenell, Michael J. Breslin, Sr.
Eric Geiger, Mark Geiger, Terry Doner, Ron Lundeen,
Mike Maenza, Besheer Mohomad, Vernon L. Vincent,
Lon Lademann, Sean Esterline, Scott Furlong

Detailed Political Landscape

At the heart of this campaign is the Viscount and his family, along with a council of lords and the noble houses that govern the land. This guide carefully navigates the political intricacies of Verbobonc, providing Dungeon Masters with a rich backdrop to craft compelling narratives.

Tailored for Today's Adventure

While staying true to the essence of the Living Greyhawk adventures, this guide has been updated to reflect the year 579 CY. Noble NPCs' ages and the Barony borders have been adjusted to align with the current timeline, allowing Dungeon Masters the flexibility to mold the campaign to their vision.

Why Choose This Guide?

The Verbobonc Campaign Guide is my version of the definitive resource for running an epic campaign centered around the Temple of Elemental Evil. Its comprehensive coverage of the Viscounty of Verbobonc and its surroundings makes it an indispensable tool for creating immersive and engaging adventures. Whether you're a seasoned Dungeon Master or a new player, this guide offers everything you need to embark on a journey filled with intrigue, danger, and heroism in the lands of Verbobonc.

Conclusion

Embrace the legacy of one of Dungeons & Dragons' most iconic campaigns with the Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576 CY. Here, adventure awaits at every turn, and epic tales are yours to create. Prepare to lead your party into a world where history, politics, and fantasy intertwine, offering an experience you will find nowhere else.   3orcs 2024 Designed for use with the World of Greyhawk Campaign. Unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast. Some materials adapted and/or derived from other online fan-created materials and is used per ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. fan-created content policy.