NPC - June Bertau -Hommlet 576cy

NPC - June Bertau -Hommlet 576cy

June Bertau's family are recent arrivals in Hommlet having only lived and farmed in the village for thirty years aftr leaving Furyondy under mysterious circumstances. Added to that the family are staunch Cuthberites keeps them a little apart from the bulk of the families who have lived here since Vecna was in knee-pants. Of course June was born and raised in the village and seemed destined to live her life as a villager.

When the Temple of Elemental Evil began to rise in power again several bands of adventurers made there way through the village and June fell in love. Whether Leandro of Perrinland, an adventurer, ever meant to return and marry June as he'd promised proved a moot point as he was lost during the breaking of the Temple, his body never recovered.

June could not accept this, though her parents were secretly glad, at first. Their daughter, never religeous before, prayed to the Saint constantly, and then to her parents dismay, joined the Order of Saint Cuthbert.

Now, in 579cy, she is a young, but fiery cleric of the Saint. She seeks out evil to destroy and hates anything to do with Elemental Evil or the old temple with a passion. 

NPC - Renalto the Fabulous - Minstrel (Inn of the Welcome Wench)

NPC - Renalto the Fabulous - Minstrel (Inn of the Welcome Wench)


Renalto the Fabulous of Hardby on his way to Verbobonc from parts south. The stop-over in Hommlet proved to be longer than anticipated as he missed the stage while releaving himself in an alley between out buildings at the Inn of the Welcome Wench.

The minstrel is truly a bard and one of great skill as well as being an agent of the Gynarch. His favorite persona is that of the arrogant though talented Renalto. He has recently come from both Celene of the Gnome elders of the Kron Hills on a delicate diplomatic mission regarding the missing daughter of the Gynarch. He is pursuing inquiries in Hommlet where she was last seen and has purposefully missed his stage to Verbobonc.

Three other patrons of the Welcome Wench, a small band of adventurers as the appear, are also agents of the Gynarch and the group are preparing a journey to Nulb where the trail now leads.

NPC - Alfreda outside the Inn of the Welcome Wench - Hommlet

NPC - Alfreda outside the Inn of the Welcome Wench - Hommlet

Alfreda is one of the new serving girls at the Inn of the Welcome Wench. After the coming of the adventurers in 576 who reclaimed the old moat house and saved Prince Thrommel from his imprisonment in the Temple of Elemental Evil the fortunes of Hommlet have been on the upswing and so have the fortunes of the Inn.

Alfreda is a woman of the Old Faith and Jaroo believes she has a calling as a druidess but for the nonce she helps support her parents and family by working at the Inn. Soon she needs to make her decision on whether to dedicate herself to the Old Faith or lead a more simple village life as a follower.

Her family are fairly devout and are hoping she chooses the druidic path though they fret over the seperation and danger it will mean for their daughter.

NPC - Jaroo's Mother

NPC - Jaroo's Mother

 North-east of the village of Hommlet is a small wood covering several hills and valleys. Towards it center, on the crest of a hill, a small cabin is home to the druidess Dien mother to Jaroo Ashstaff and once a leader of the Old Faith in Verbobonc. She dwells in the cabin with her animal companions Owl and Fox and protects the wild creatures of the wood, no longer concerning herself with the viscounty at large.

It is said her strength and knowledge of the Old Faith remains unmatched and in her youth she spent much time out among the people of Verbobonc. For a time she was much honored at the castle in the city and there are tales that Wilifrick needs look no further for an heir of his blood than Jaroo.

NPC - Mother Screng of Nulb

Painting - Hommlet Church of Saint Cuthbert visible in distance

Painting - Inn of the Welcome Wench - Hommlet

While travellers use he main entrance and large common room the Hommlet locals use a side entrance to a smaller room. During the summer tables and benches outside this side door are favored. By sunset the farmers and locals have normally returned home for their supper and dark sees them sleeping early since their day begins before the crack of dawn.

Painting - A Street in Hommlet

Module T1 has always been one of my favorites and the starting point for at least two campaigns set in Greyhawk each of which lasted more than 5 years. This painting captures the feeling that the old blue and white map always inspired me to picture in my mind's eye.

Minstrel Tales - The Bold Hommlet Farmer (repost)

Minstrel Tales - The Bold Hommlet Farmer

The Bold Hommlet Farmer

Here is a ditty that is about a small village on the road north to Verbobonc. In the inns and taverns of the area a quick gulp of ale is normally taken at the end of each chorus.

One evening of late into Hommlet I strayed
and bound for Verbobonc I was making me way
At the Welcome Wench some time I delayed
For to wet me auld whistle with Keoish

To Hommlet, To Hommlet,
To Hommlet I strayed
To Hommlet, To Hommlet
To Hommlet I strayed
The road to Verbobonc was dry as a bone
The road to Verbobonc
Was dry as a bone

I scarcely had travelled a mile of the road
When I heard a dispute in a farmer's abode
There stood a bandit, an ill looking toad
And the wife of a bold Hommlet farmer

Chorus

"You're a robber" the bold farmer's wife she replied
"You're as bad as a goblin with whom you abide
But the men of Burne's Badgers will put down your pride
They'll be here like lightning in front of a storm

Chorus

I spaded me fist and I picked up me stick
and behind that foul bandit like a mouse I did trip
Then with all my strength I gave him a lick
and the bold farmer's wife was adoring
(Loosely adapted from 'The Bold Tenant Farmer')