February 3 - A petition from the worshippers of St. Cuthbert in the small community of Hommlet (in the nation of Sembia) is received at the Palace of the Archcleric in Arabel.  The petition requests that the Archcleric send an expedition to investigate reports of activity near the Temple of Elemental Evil (destroyed 70 years ago in the crusade against Iuz), to the north of Hommlet.   Normally, the petition would have filed away for future review by the appropriate clerical officials, but a zealous young cleric named Kunan reads it and vows to proceed on his own.

February 11 - Kasimir Kugelrohr becomes of age (14) and is ordained as Bishop of Espar by his uncle, the Archcleric Vidicor.

March 13 - Kunan assembles a group of his friends (all first level) to travel to Hommlet.  The group consists of Kunan (cleric), Sir Leuhr (paladin), Maldred (magic user), Hudjen (dwarven fighter), Dolinkas (magic user), and Eugene (cleric).

March 22 - The party arrives in Hommlet.  There they augment their party by the addition of two travellers (Glimmerwood (elven fighter/illusionist), and Iona (bard)), the apprentice to the Druid of the Grove (Hollen), and a young cleric from the local temple of St. Cuthbert (Titus).

March 23 - The party learns that a partially destroyed moathouse, once a fortified outpost of the Temple of Elemental Evil lies a few hours march north of Hommlet.  The party travels to the Moathouse and discovers that it is still inhabited.  They battle giant frogs, spiders, and brigands, and discover a secret stairway leading to a subterranean level.  The group decides to rest and explore the Moathouse dungeons the next day.

March 24 - Descending into the dungeons below the Moathouse, the party battles ogres, zombies, and other undead.  Tragically, Sir Leuhr and Kunen are paralyzed and slain by ghouls.  Pressing onward, the group battles bugbears, gnolls, and a giant crayfish.  They discover that part of the dungeon is inhabited by an evil cleric of Iuz (Lareth the Beautiful) and his followers.  In a pitched battle, Lareth uses Hold Person to deadly effect against the party, killing Titus and capturing Eugene, Hollen, and Hudjen.  The party retreats to Hommlet.  The bodies of the slain party members are taken to the Temple of Cuthbert.

March 26 - While recovering from their ordeal at the Inn of the Welcome Wench, the party receives a message from Lareth.  Unless the party meets him at midnight at the Moathouse, the captured party members will be slain.  The party (now led by Dolinkas) agrees. Several men-at-arms are hired, and the party returns to the Moathouse that evening.

Arriving at the Moathouse, the party is met by tall, hooded figures who escort them to a ruined abbey nearby. There they find Lareth, who has bound the captives to altars and is about to sacrifice them to Iuz in a torchlit ceremony. To save the lives of the captives, the party must answer three questions correctly. Each question answered correctly results in freedom for one captured party member.  Each question answered incorrectly results in the death of one captive and the change in alignment for the respondent to Chaotic Evil (thus binding them to Iuz).  Glimmerwood, Iona, and Maldred volunteer to match wits against Lareth.  Fortunately, all three are successful and the three captives are freed.  Enraged, Lareth orders the hooded figures (skeletons) to attack the party.  In the ensuing battle, the party prevails, although Eugene and one of the men-at-arms are slain and Lareth escapes.

March 27 - The party returns to Hommlet and decides to suspend the quest, given the loss of so many characters.  Pooling their funds, the survivors have enough gold to pay for the resurrection of one of their fallen companions. They choose to resurrect the paladin, Leuhr.  The others - Kunan, Titus, and Eugene - are buried in the churchyard of St. Cuthbert at Hommlet.

April 5 - The survivors - Sir Leuhr, Maldred, Glimmerwood, Dolinkas, Hudjen, and Iona - return to Arabel.
 

July 27 - Master Jagger (a jongleur) and Hershorn (a female dwarven wayfinder) arrive in Arabel.

August 1 – Krier (half-elven ranger), Selene (his sister, also a half-elven ranger), and Kearine (elven magic-user) arrive in Arabel in search of their friend Kirchen.  They were separated from her when their group was
attacked by giants.

August 6 - Teal, Hallie, Imelda, and the other heroes who fought the Demon of Fire begin having a recurring nightmare, with visions of Claud, Kirchen, Hawk, and Primax.  The dream shows Claud imprisoned in a gloomy cavern, Kirchen standing on a cold and windy precipice, Primax surrounded by flames, and Hawk standing on a rocky beach as the tide comes in.  The dream always ends with an invitation from a menacing, shadowy figure: "Come to the Temple of Elemental Evil and save your friends, if you dare!"

August 12 - Prompted by the vision of their missing companions, a conference is held in Arabel attended by all those still in the city who fought the Demon of Fire.  Research into archives of the Archclericy reveals that a temple dedicated to the power of Elemental Evil once stood near the Sembian village of Nulb.  The Temple of Elemental Evil was thought to have been destroyed over seventy years ago, when the Archclericy mounted a crusade against the forces of Iuz, who used the Temple as the base for their activities against the followers of St. Cuthbert.  Sir Leuhr tells the group about his experiences earlier in the year, when his party explored a Moathouse near the site of the Temple of Elemental Evil and found it inhabited by evil creatures and undead.

It is decided to send an expeditionary party to Nulb to find out if the Temple has been rebuilt and if the missing companions can be rescued.  The party consists of Teal (fighter), Imelda (mage), Hallie (druid of Eldath), Icasus (cleric of St. Cuthbert), Sir Leuhr (paladin of St. Cuthbert), Maldred (mage), Master Jagger (jongleur), Alenzur (thief), Glimmerwood (elven fighter/mage), Hershorn (dwarven wayfinder), Selene (half-elven ranger), Krier (half-elven ranger), and Kearine (elven mage, sister of Kirchen).  Archcleric Vidicor insists that his young nephew Kasimir Kugelrohr (Bishop of Espar) accompany the party to gain experience.

August 14 - News reaches Arabel that goblin tribes in the Stonelands are massing for an asssault against the Keep on the Borderlands. Talvela and Dimas return to the Keep.

August 17 - The party leaves Arabel.  Because of Imelda's lameness, she rides in a small wagon, along with Bishop Kasimir.

August 20 - The party arrives in Immersea. Jagger entertains at The Five Fine Fish Inn to mixed reviews.

August 21 - After lengthy debate, the group decides to travel overland to Wheloon rather than take the boat across the Wyvern Water.

August 22 - The party arrives in Hilp.

August 23 - After leaving Hilp, the party is attacked by half-orc brigands.  Imelda Spooks one of the brigands, while Hallie uses Entangle to capture the rest of the brigands.

August 25 - The party arrives in Wheloon and hands over the brigands to the authorities.  Sir Leuhr and Icasus visit the temple of St. Cuthbert and inquire about the Temple of Elemental Evil.  The attending priest (Father Gerard) tells them that it is rumored that the Temple is active once again and that evil forces control Nulb.  Father Gerard advises the group to travel to the village of Hommlet, as it is still under the sway of St. Cuthbert.  Hommlet is less than two days journey from Nulb and would make a good base for exploring the region.

That night, unknown forces enter Wheloon and attack the Temple of Cuthbert.  All of the acolytes are slain, and Father Gerard is missing.  None of the raiders are killed or captured.

August 26 - Maldred finds evidence that someone is recruiting mercenaries in Wheloon for employment in Nulb (those of Good alignment need not apply!).  Although the ferry was destroyed by raiders, the group eventually crosses the river later that day.

August 28 - The party arrives in Hommlet and takes rooms at the Inn of the Welcome Wench.

August 29 - The party explores Hommlet.  Hershorn and Alenzur visit the trading post and purchase equipment.  Master Jagger entertains at the Inn.  Hallie meets the Druid of the Grove, Jaroo, who warns her that the balance between Good and Evil has been jeopardized by the perversion of the basic neutrality of the four elements (Earth, Air, Fire, and Water) by the Temple of Elemental Evil.  Imelda, Maldred, and Glimmerwood visit His Most Worshipful Mage of Hommlet, Byrne, but receive no magical assistance.  Teal Sonya, Krier and Selene visit the Lord Protector of Hommlet, Rufus, at his Keep.  They are offered men-at-arms if they can prove that the Temple indeed exists.  Bishop Kasimir, Icasus and Sir Leuhr consult with Canon Terjon at the Temple of St. Cuthbert.

Canon Terjon invites the party to dinner, at which time they explain their plan to investigate the Temple of Elemental Evil.  Terjon does not believe that the Temple of Elemental Evil is still in existence, and he offers the group little except trite homilies and admonitions. However, a young acolyte named Calmert decides to join the party.

August 30 - On the advice of Sir Leuhr, the party travels to the Moathouse.  While crossing the moat they are attacked by giant frogs.  After the battle, Alenzur finds a gem in the belly of one of the frogs.  Inside the shattered walls of the Moathouse, the party fights a tribe of bullywugs.  Master Jagger fells the bullywug shaman with his Club of Return, while Kearine uses Color Spray to incapacitate most of the Bullywug warriors.  That evening, Grymaldus arrives by Broom!  He informs the group that while studying in the Anubi archives he discovered a scroll which may be of help to them. The scroll  relates a cryptic poem that purports to relate to the Temple of Elemental Evil:
 

"The Two united in the past,
a place to build, and spells to cast.
Their power grew, and took the land
and people round, as they had planned.

A key without a lock they made
of gold and gems, and overlaid
with spells, a tool for men to wield
to force the powers of Good to yield.

But armies came, their weapons bared,
while evil was yet unprepared.
The Hart was followed by the Crowns
and Moon, and people of the towns.

The two were split; one got away
but She, when came the judgment day,
did break the key, and sent the rocks
to boxes four, with magic locks.

In doing so, She fell behind
as He escaped. She was confined
among Her own; her very lair
became her prison and despair.

The Place was ruined, torn apart
and left with chains around the heart
of evil power - but the key
was never found in the debris.

He knows not where She dwells today,
She set the minions' path, the way
To lift Her Temple high again
With tools of flesh, with mortal men

Many now have gone to die
in water, flame, in earth, or sky.
They did not bear the key of old
that must be found - the orb of gold.

Beware, my friend, for you shall fall
unless you have the wherewithal
to find and search the boxes four
and then escape forevermore.

But with the key, you might succeed
in throwing down Her power and greed.
Destroy the key when you are done
and then rejoice, the battle won."

August 31 - Grymaldus leaves the next morning, returning to the Anubi city of Dandaran to continue his studies.  The group enters the dungeons beneath the moathouse, where they battle zombies, ghouls, a troll, and kobolds.  Calmert finds a Holy Symbol of St. Cuthbert in a chest guarded by the troll.  They spend the night camped above ground, in the ruins of the Moathouse.

September 1 – The group decides to have Hershorn and Alenzur scout ahead of them. Hershorn enters a room with a growth of Obliviax on one wall and loses all memory of the last 24 hours.  She suspects Alenzur of having lured her away from the group for evil purposes and threatens him.  Alenzur manages to calm her and they return to the rest of the group.

After further exploration, they find what appears to be the brigands’ hideout on the lower level.  In preparation for battle, Maldred uses a scroll to summon an Earth elemental.  After a difficult struggle, the group defeats the bugbear brigands, their human commanders, and a pale, female Invoker, but their leader, Lareth the Beautiful (cleric of Iuz), escapes through a secret door.  Bored by the melee, Kasimir bashes down a random door and rescues Father Gerard.  Icasus and Glimmerwood battle kobolds trying to ambush the party.

Inside Lareth’s luxurious room (thick rugs, tapestries, soft chairs and cushions, dishes of sweetmeats, decanters of liqueurs, a burning brazier of fragrant incense), the party finds a number of interesting documents:
 

a.  Letter of credit (1000 gp) signed by the trading post merchant, Rannos Davl of Hommlet(dated May 10)

b. orders to recruit a force of bugbears (dated February 24)

c. reaffirmation of General Order 14: "No raids are to occur within 20 miles of Hommlet. In no way is attention to be drawn to this location." (undated)

d. receipt for 14 horses, stabled at the Waterside Tavern in Nulb (dated August 29)

e. map of Wheloon, with Temple of Cuthbert circled

f. safe conduct pass, signed by Bishop of Wheloon

g. General Order 6 (Revision C): Disposition of Prisoners (dated August 2)
 

i. all clerics of the infamous Cuthbert are to sent to the Temple of Elemental Air for sacrifice during the upcoming Festival of the Blood Moon.

ii. all paladins are to sent to High Priest Hedrack for display in his trophy room.

iii. all other prisoners suspected of Good alignment are to be handed over to forces under your command for torture and execution.

iv. Neutral or Evil prisoners who seem amenable to recruitment are to be sent to the Greater Temple for further questioning. Others are to be processed as per iii.


h. General Order 57 (New): Any prisoners belonging to the so-called Order of Lance and Staff are to be sent to The Greater Temple intact and unharmed. His Most Dread and August Lord of Pain has taken a special interest in these miscreants. This supersedes any previous orders.
(signed) Hedrack, Supreme Commander of the Temple and Special Emissary of Iuz
 

September 2 – The group returns to Hommlet. Terjon leads a Thanksgiving service at the Temple of St. Cuthbert and praises Calmert (now promoted from acolyte to priest).  Jagger entertains the crowd afterwards. The group purchases spells from Byrne with treasure from the Moathouse.  Father Gerard remains in Hommlet to rest.  Icasus convinces Bishop Kasimir to send a message to the Archcleric using the Staff of St. Cuthbert that the Bishop of Wheloon may be involved in seditious activities.

September 3 – The group travels through wilderness on the way to Nulb. Hallie discovers that group is being followed.

September 4 - At a river crossing, Hallie uses Entangle to capture a pursuer. He is Elmo, a Ranger from Hommlet who is in contact with a resistance group in Nulb.  He travels with the party to Nulb and introduces them to the resistance leaders:  his brother Otis (Ranger-Knight, disguised as a blacksmith), Canoness Y’dey (Calmert’s superior at the Temple of St. Cuthbert, on ‘sabbatical’, disguised as an apothecary named Mother Screng), and Murfles (elven rogue, disguised as an assistant apothecary named Hruda).

September 5 – The group discovers that Nulb is a base for brigands and evil-doers.  Humanoid mercenaries are being recruited for service at the Temple.  Selene and Krier meet with “Mother Screng” and “Hruda” at the apothecary shop.  They obtain advice about the Temple of Elemental Evil as well as several tubes of Keoghtom’s Ointment.

September 6 - The group travels to the Temple of Elemental Evil, now in ruins. The entrance is barred by a pair of huge bronze doors, held fast by iron chains, with all cracks sealed by soft iron.  Graven upon the doors are magical runes that glow in a silvery radiance.  Maldred uses the Wand of Opening to open the doors. Inside the deserted, trashed-out nave they find a main stairway leading down to the lower levels of the Temple. It is also barred by bronze doors secured with iron chains.  Maldred is unable to open them using the Wand, so the group explores the nave further and finds a narrow stairway in the west vestry. The group descends to the 1st level, battling ghouls, ghasts, and gnolls.  The group rescues many captives, including: Terelin (elven fighter/mage), Gundar (fighter with a pikeaxe), Max (elven thief), and Artemis (elven thief/mage). Hershorn nearly runs into a gelatinous cube.

September 7 – The group battles gnolls, ogres, and harpies. Kearine finds the Wand of Earth and Stone. Kasimir successfully uses Command to force Artemis to   kiss him, while Artemis unsuccessfully attempts to use Shocking Grasp on Kasimir.  The young Bishop’s behaviour scandalizes the other clerics.  Kearine attempts to use the Wand of Earth and Stone in a melee against ogres but finds that it has been stolen by Alenzur!  She forces the thief to return it.

September 8 – A message arrives from Arabel via the Staff of St. Cuthbert (carried by Bishop Kasimir).  Archcleric Vidicor is gravely ill, and the high-ranking churchmen must return to Arabel for a conclave. Bishop Kasimir and Deacon Icasus, accompanied by Sir Leuhr, Maldred, Alenzur, Krier, and Glimmerwood, depart the Temple and return to Nulb.  Calmert remains behind, as he is not of sufficient rank in the church hierarchy to attend.  Maldred gives the Wand of Opening to Imelda.  Meanwhile, Hallie casts Locate Object on Claud's tankard to determine the direction of travel that will lead to his location.  Along the way, the group battles ogres and gnolls.

September 9 - Hallie again casts Locate Object on Claud’s tankard.  The group reaches the outer chambers of the Earth temple.  There they fight their way through guards and Earth acolytes and enter the main sanctuary.  The floors are packed dirt, and a pyramid of earth is in the center of the room.  Kearine uses the Wand of Earth and Stone to barricade the doors.  While resting, the group is ambushed by Romag (high priest of Elemental Earth) using Passwall, along with his Commander, Prior, Adept, guards, acolytes, and 2 Earth elementals.  Teal and Kearine are turned to stone by Romag’s Talisman of Elemental Earth Power.  Romag is finally killed after a desperate fight.  Hallie uses the Talisman to revivify Teal and Kearine but does not take it with her. Calmert takes the Mace of Elemental Earth, formerly wielded by Romag.

The group explores Romag's chambers (tastefully decorated in earth-tones) and finds a Gate.  Among the other treasure (Manual of Bodily Health, Dust of Dryness, temple documents) Imelda finds a magical Robe and puts it on.  Unfortunately it is a Robe of Powerlessness and she is reduced to a weak, feeble-minded, and apathetic condition.  Meanwhile, a surviving acolyte of Elemental Earth returns to the battle scene and takes the Talisman.   Calmert and Terelin step through the Gate and are transported to the Node of Elemental Earth but cannot return without the Talisman.  Sensing danger, the rest of the party does not follow them.  They are captured by Earth elementals and imprisoned with Claud.

September 10 – The group now has only one cleric (Hallie).  Returning to the main sanctuary of the Earth temple, they battle more Earth elementals and deplete the Wand of Earth and Stone. In a nearby corridor, they meet a Loremaster, Ashlar, deciphering inscriptions and oblivious to any danger.  They battle zombies lurking in prison cells and liberate a number of captives, including a gnome fighter/illusionist named Zazel.  He gives Teal an Amulet of Gnome Friendship.   The group battle more brigands.  Max (scouting alone) is mugged by a fleeing brigand.

September 11 - The group returns to Nulb.  There they learn that Archcleric Vidicor has died, and Canon Icasus, Sir Leuhr, and Bishop Kasimir have returned to Arabel via a spell of Word of Recall sent through the Staff of St. Cuthbert.  To get Imelda returned to normal requires a Heal and Remove Curse. So, Master Jagger, Alenzur, and Selene escort Imelda back to Hommlet, where they will use the group's cash to purchase the requisite spells from Terjon (Zazel tags along).   She and the others will not accompany the party on their next expedition to the Temple.

By order of the Anubi Pharaoh, Grymaldus returns from Dandaran and joins the quest – Primax must be rescued!  The party is thus augmented by Grymaldus (back from Dandaran), Maldred, Krier, Glimmerwood, Gorenwyl (battle-priest of Tempus), Teresa (priest of Leira), Iyix (halfling priest of Tymora), Nemesis (amazon fighter), and Charon (fighter). Conferring with “Mother Screng” (Canoness Y'Dey), the group learns that the new high priest of Elemental Earth plans a special sacrifice (Calmert)!

September 12 – The group returns to the Temple. They discover that the perimeter is now guarded by brigands (humans and orcs).  Artemis casts Friends to attempt to get information but gets too friendly with one guard. She is rescued (belatedly) by Gundar.  Hallie casts Entangle on the guards, and the party slaughters them.

Re-entering the building, the group descends to the Earth Temple. Loremaster Ashlar deciphers the inscriptions and learns that opening the magically sealed doors in the Temple may release a powerful, extra-planar evil creature named Zuggtmoy.  Despite the possibility of being trapped on another plane, Calmert and Claud must be rescued!  Kearine, Charon, and Hershorn agree to remain behind, in case yet another rescue party needs to be formed.

Stepping through the Gate into the dark caverns of the Earth Node, they are immediately attacked by the new high priest of Elemental Earth (former acolyte) and 2 Earth elementals.  Gorenwyl berserks, while Grymaldus casts Fireballs with reckless disregard for collateral damage. After a difficult struggle, the group prevails.  Terelin, Calmert and Claud are rescued.  Claud joins the party. Unfortunately, the Amulet of Earth has been destroyed and the group cannot return through the Gate.

A Gnomish jailor named Nigel shows where the storeroom is located, along with a chest.  Max fails to check for traps.  Opening the chest triggers a trapdoor, and Max, Artemis, Calmert, and Gorenwyl plunge into pit occupied by a Black Pudding. Max and Artemis climb out of the pit.  The Black Pudding dissolves Gorenwyl’s plate armor.  Calmert casts Sanctuary to protect them until Krier can get them out. Inside the chest, the group finds a map of the nearby regions of the Earth Node, a Compass of the Elements, a Rod of Many weapons, four Stone to Flesh scrolls, and two small boxes. Max again fails to check for traps on the first small box. An exploding glyph knocks Max out, injures Artemis, shatters Krier's healing potions, and kills the gnomish jailor. Max is partially healed by Claud.  The small box contains cash and jewelry.  Max then opens the second small box, which contains a single item.  Max grabs the glowing red gem and disappears. Artemis vows to kill Max. Gundar scatters flour around room to see if Max has become invisible but to no avail.

Meanwhile, back in the Earth Temple, Kearine, Charon, and Hershorn battle wandering bugbears.   Kearine takes one bugbear prisoner and casts Charm.  When the others fail to return after several hours, they eventually go through the Gate (including the bugbear) and rejoin the party.

September 13 – Calmert, Iyix, and Gorenwyl consult their deities to learn which Elemental Node is best to tackle next.  Two out of three deities prefer Fire. Ashlar uses the map found in the chest to guide party to the Gate of Fire.  Along the way they fight basilisks.  They find two statues (the basilisk’s previous victims).  Grymaldus uses two Stone to Flesh scrolls to revive Raven (elven ranger) and Flint (dwarves fighter).

Terelin bribes a Maedar (denizen of the Earth node) for information about the Elemental Gems.  He learns that a gem exists for each element – garnet for Fire, carnelian for Earth, smoky quartz for Air, and aquamarine for Water – that acts as a Gate key, if touched.  If the gems are set into an artifact (The Orb of Golden Death), the wearer gains god-like powers.

The group finds the Gate to the Fire Node guarded by a gorgon. Kearine, Hershorn, Gundar, Terelin, Iyix, Teresa, and Gorenwyl are turned to stone. Using the last Stone to Flesh scrolls, Grymaldus revivifies Iyix and Gorenwyl.  The unfortunate others must be left behind until a later date.

September 14 – After resting, the group prepares to leave the Earth Node through the Gate.  Unfortunately the “Charmed” bugbear treacherously jumps through first!  Surprise lost, the group travels through Gate anyway and is welcomed to the Node of Fire by Fire Giants and Grues.  Gorenwyl, Teal, and Flint berserk, while Maldred casts Snilloc's snowball swarm.  In the melee, the treacherous bugbear is killed.  After the battle, the still-berserk Gorenwyl and Teal fight with fists, while Flint and Nemesis fight for real, until the berserk state wears off.

The party finds that they are in a network of stone corridors within the Plane of Fire, constructed by the Fire Priests to facilitate movement.  Despite the stone shielding, the walls and floor are hot to the touch, and the clerics must repeatedly cast Protection from Fire and Elemental Protection spells.
In a corridor adjacent to the arrival area, they find Max's charred body still clutching the glowing garnet. Teal cuts off Max's hand and puts it in box, avoiding any contact with the gem.

Hallie casts Locate Object using Primax's robe.  After further exploration they find Primax, guarded by 4 fire elementals. Maldred casts Snilloc's snowball swarm into the melee, damaging the fire elementals but unfortunately knocking out Glimmerwood as well.  During the battle the clerics use Protection from Fire to shield the fighters from severe fire damage. Primax is rescued. Krier delves into a fire pit and recovers a chest containing the Hourglass of Fire and Ice, a map of the Fire Node, a smoky quartz (Gem of Air), and Primax's spell books. Despite an augury from Tempus, Gorenwyl puts on an unknown Helm (of Opposite Alignment) and) becomes Lawful Good!

Exhausted by the melee, the group rests. Sometime after midnight, they are attacked by a fire elemental. Fearing that more may arrive soon, the group decides to move. While on the move they encounter a swarm of Fire Toads, with Charon attacked by three at once.

September 15 – Using the map found in the chest, Ashlar guides the group through the corridors to a Gate room.  There they defeat a Fire Giant guarding a Gate back to the Temple.  Krier leads the attack, as Giants are his species enemy.  Primax polymorphs into a Fire Giant and steps through, along with Raven and Gorenwyl.  Primax orders the Fire Giant on the other side to step back through the Gate, where Krier kills him.  The group then passes through the Gate into the Temple of Fire. They touch nothing here, ignoring the altar, gold skulls, braziers, tapestries, cressets, fire pit, etc. The group leaves the Fire Temple and enters the Corridor of the Elements (separating Fire from Air and Water).  Everyone takes massive damage from heat, asphyxiation, and cold.  Krier uses a windlass to raise a solid bronze portcullis, allowing the others to exit the Corridor.  He then staggers into the next room and collapses.  Ashlar uses a scroll of Heal to bring Krier from unconsciousness to full strength (44 hp).  The party then finds a wide, processional ramp leading back to the 1st level and escape from the Temple.

September 16 – The group arrives back in Hommlet.  The cursed item worn by Imelda has been removed, and she and Alenzur, Selene, and Master Jagger are re-united with the others.  A feast is held that evening at the Inn of the Welcome Wench, both celebratory (Claud and Primax have been rescued) and somber (several party members were petrified and had to be left behind on the Node of Earth).  Everyone senses that this will be the last time this group will be gathered together.

September 17 - The next day, the group disperses.  Many party members have pressing business elsewhere.

Grymaldus, Primax – by order of the Anubi Pharaoh, they must return to Dandaran
Claud, Hallie, Maldred, Glimmerwood, Nemesis, Alenzur  - return to Arabel
Artemis – continue travelling to develop her abilities as a Wild Mage
Jagger - remains in Hommlet as an entertainer
Iyix - remains in Hommlet to construct a temple to Tymora
Gorenwyl - now that he is Lawful Good, he renounces the chaos of Tempus and embraces the Law of Cuthbert, becoming a 1st level priest at the temple in Hommlet.

The party now consists of Teal, Calmert, Imelda, Selene, Krier, Charon, Raven, Ashlar, and Flint.

September 18-21 - Group rests in Hommlet. A halfling rogue, Zeph, is recruited to replace the late, unlamented Max. A Herald passing through town informs the group that the Archcleric of Arabel has died and a conclave of Bishops will meet to elect a successor.

September 22 - On the morning of the group's departure, a priest of Tempus (Gordon) arrives and announces that he has been sent from Westgate to replace the faithless Gorenwyl. The group travels to Nulb, spending the night on the road.

September 23 - The group reaches Nulb. At the Waterside Tavern, Flint and Zeph kill an orcish ostler who makes insulting comments about elves and dwarves.  While Krier and Selene attempt to gather information about the Temple, Zeph is caught picking pockets.  Most of his possessions are confiscated to pay the “fine”.  The group decides to camp outside of town to avoid any further trouble. That night, Zeph sneaks back into town and recovers some of his property.

September 24 – The group travels toward Temple of Elemental Evil.  They are attacked by a force of mounted Iuzguard led by Lareth (the former New Master at the Moathouse).  Gordon berserks and charges, followed by Flint.  Teal stands her ground against the mounted foe, using the Silver Lance.  Lareth is slain and the Iuzguard destroyed, but berserk characters continue fighting. Charon defends the group against a berserk Flint wielding a battleaxe, while a berserk Gordon and Teal trade punches. After the battle, Calmert casts Nap on the group to regain spells and heal.

While sleeping, Charon is inspired by a vision from the god Torm that urges her to take up the mission of Protecting Others.  Upon awakening she announces that she has chosen to become a priest of Torm.  She will temporarily renounce her expert use of the crossbow until she has advanced sufficiently in the ways of Protection and of Torm.  Skeptical party members are convinced when she Heals Flint.

The group reaches the Temple but finds it defended by brigands.  Flint, Raven, and Gordon rush ahead of the others charge Temple and attack!  The others eventually catch up.  After a short fight, the brigands are defeated.  Their treasure includes a Wand of Magic Missiles, a Ring, and an Amulet. Imelda takes the Wand, Ashlar takes the Amulet, and Krier takes the Ring.  They also find a map showing a hidden shrine of St. Cuthbert on the 2nd level of the Temple. A cryptic message refers to someone named Talice.

Since the previously-explored routes into the lower levels either terminate in magically-barred bronze doors or require travel through the Corridor of the elements, the group decides to explore the deep shaft in the center of the nave.  Imelda casts Levitate on Zeph and he slowly descends 85 feet to the bottom.  He finds that the shaft opens into large, octagonal room.  Avoiding landing atop an altar, he signals to the others to descend a narrow (1 ft wide) stairway that winds down the interior of the shaft.  In case someone falls, Ashlar uses Levitate to hover in shaft, ready to cast Feather Fall.

After everyone has arrived at the bottom of the shaft, Imelda finds herself compelled to use the Wand to open a sealed bronze door, revealing an ascending stairway. She realizes that she was possessed by some external force and abandons the Wand.

Using the map, the group then heads for hidden shrine of Cuthbert. There they find two angelic creatures who Bless them and instruct them to leave all magic weapons and items in the shrine so they can be enhanced.  The group does so (but retains the Silver Lance and +3 sword). After counting to 77 as instructed, they return and find all the items gone. They are then attacked by two lycanthropes.  The party prevails but Raven is wounded by a lycanthrope.    During the battle Krier's Ring proves to be a Missile Attractor. Ashlar is convinced that the Amulet must be cursed as well (Amulet of Location?), so the items are dropped.  All the items left to be “Blessed are found in the lycanthropes’ lair.

September 25 – The group returns to the octagonal room and continues exploring.  Behind a secret door, they find a dusty corridor leading to the chamber of the High Priest of Elemental Air.  He escapes and bars the door. The group returns to the octagonal room and finds a Gate behind a secret door.  They step through to the Node of Air and find themselves in a large room, where Kirchen and another prisoner (Lucinda) are guarded by 4 Air Elementals.

After defeating the Air Elementals, the party splits up: Teal, Raven, Flint, and Krier explore the drafty, cold adjacent caverns while Charon, Zeph, Calmert, Ashlar, Imelda, Gordon, and Selene search the room.  An invisible creature enters through the Gate but is heard by Zeph.  Imelda casts Glitterdust to reveal the presence of the High Priest of Air (Kelno). He uses his Talisman of Elemental Air to cast a Lightning Bolt at the party, killing Charon and wounding many others.

To make matters worse, Talice (a female Drow fighter) enters through the Gate and attacks party.  Talice quickly kills Gordon and the party flees!  Imelda casts Flight and then Fabricate to drop a boulder on the High Priest. Severely injured, he retreats through the Gate. The party reunites and returns to battle Talice.  She downs Raven but is killed by Teal using the Silver Lance.  Calmert stabilizes Raven, while Ashlar uses the party’s Raise Dead scroll to revive Gordon. The group retreats from the Gate room to a (presumably) safer place, with Flint carrying Charon's body.  Calmert casts a Nap spell so the party can heal and regain spells.  While standing watch, Raven and Imelda notice a white dragon flying in the vast cavern that forms the center of the Air Node.  Imelda vows to return someday and explore the Air Node.

September 26 – The group returns to the Gate room and sends a scouting party through a trapdoor in the ceiling.  They find a room resembling an observatory, with a large Telescope of Scrying.  Teal, Calmert, and Raven battle gargoyles.  Ashlar determines that the Telescope is set to monitor the wearer of the Amulet he discarded two days ago.  A book with many cryptic entries indicates that the Telescope can be set for many different targets.  Much treasure is found, including Slippers of Stealth, magic candles, spell books and a smoky bottle.  Raven opens the bottle and a genie appears, granting three wishes. Raven wishes for
 

a.  the party to be healed,
b.  the party to be transported to the location of the Gem of Water,
c.  the party to be transported back to Hommlet.

After healing the party (but not Raising Charon), the genii transports them to the gate room. Zeph then reveals that he found some gems earlier and one of them (an aquamarine) is the Gem of Water!  The genie then returns the group (including Kirchen and Lucinda) to Hommlet, landing them on stage during one of Master Jagger's juggling shows!

September 27 – The group rests.  Imelda and Ashlar visit Byrne.  They sell all the high-level spell books to him for 20 000 gp, which they use to get Charon revived at Temple of Cuthbert.  Charon tells them that because she died while protecting the party, Torm has granted her the right to use her crossbow expertise.

Terjon informs Calmert that a conclave of bishops met in Arabel to elect a new Archcleric.  There were two candidates: the Bishop of Espar (Kasimir Kugelrohr, nephew of Vidicar), and the Bishop of the Moonsea (Theca, one of the liberators of Phlan).  Kasimir attempted to bribe the Bishops but was foiled when Dimas suggested that both candidates demonstrate their spell-casting abilities.  Thecla Communes with St. Cuthbert while Kasimir heals a nosebleed.  Thecla was elected, to the apparent displeasure of Terjon.  Kasimir refuses to accept the result and goes into exile in Royal Cormyr.

September 28 – During the night, Lucinda (a high-level Assassin) sneaks into the Temple of Cuthbert where Teal is staying and attacks her in her sleep!  Teal is poisoned by an envenomed Shortsword of Backstabbing, and Lucinda takes the box containing the Gems of Water, Fire, and Air and teleports away.  Calmert quickly arrives and saves Teal’s life.  Everyone feels foolish for having failed to interrogate Lucinda.  The work of many weeks has been undone, although many captives have been freed.

Sept 29-Oct 7 – Now realizing that the Temple is aware of their activities, the group prepares to take on powerful foes.  Regular watches are kept, and Raven, Krier, and Selene patrol the surrounding area.  Imelda, Ashlar, Jagger, and Kirchen learn new spells. They discover that the ink in the low-level spellbook is gradually fading after being on Prime Material Plane.  Byrne notices too and accuses the group of swindling him.  He will only pay 5000 gp rather than 20 000 gp. Teal promises to donate the Silver Lance to the Church in exchange for debt forgiveness.

October 8 – The group returns to the outskirts of the Temple, avoiding Nulb.

October 9 – Imelda and Ashlar cast Invisibility on each party member so the group can enter the Temple undetected.  As the party descends a staircase, people stumble into each other, with Selene trampling Krier.  Once down on the 1st level, the Invisibility is dispelled.  A giant slug spits acid at Imelda.
After descending the long processional ramp to the second level, the group again passes through the Corridor of the Elements.  Magical protection minimizes the damage, and the group enters the Water temple.  It is a large hall with malachite walls streaked with azurite.  A soft cloudy green luminosity emanating from the walls and floor conveys the impression of being underwater.  Two large, tiered fountains decorated with sea shells, marine life, and garlands of seaweed emit steady streams of water.

Attacking with surprise, they defeat the High Priest (Belsornig) and capture him.  They avoid touching any items in the Water Temple but instead loot Belsornig’s chambers.  They find a Cloak of the Manta Ray, a magical trident, scrolls, and books describing the Rituals of Elemental Water. Zeph is poisoned by a needle trap but Calmert casts Neutralize Poison.

October 10 – After resting in Belsornig’s chambers, the group returns to the main Water Temple.  In an adjacent room they find a mosaic depicting a huge, tentacled octopoid monster devouring victims.  The room is lit by a pale greenish light emanating from a large, oval pool.  Zeph is compelled by a sinister attraction to dive into the pool, which turns out to be filled with acid. Imelda casts Levitate to extricate him before he is too badly scarred.

Returning to the main Water Temple, they are attacked by bugbears looking for Belsornig.  During the melee a statue of serpentine stone (sculpted to depict a writhing, amorphous agglomeration of fish, eels, and squid) in the center of the main fountain comes to life and attacks.  Gargoyle statues also animate and swoop down from columns.  This battle depletes most of the group’s spells and they decide to rest.

October 11 – Searching for the Water Gate, the group explores the corridors beyond the Water Temple.  They encounter and slay several trolls.  Raven is pleased, as trolls are his special foe.

The group returns to the main Water Temple and battle ogres that have wandered by.  Since the Water Temple appears to be a heavily-trafficked location, they decide to ascend one level in the Temple and find a quiet place to rest in the abandoned section far from the Earth Temple.  During the night, a gelatinous cube traps them inside a room.  Imelda attacks it with a Lightning Bolt, to the dismay of party.

October 12 – Calmert casts Sanctuary to enable the group to escape the gelatinous cube.  Returning to the Water Temple, they interrogate Belsornig using ESP and discover that the Water Gate is at the bottom of the pool of acid.  They use his Talisman of Elemental Water to safely travel through it and arrive in a shallow lagoon.  They rest and heal on a nearby island.  Ashlar casts Levitation to make a crude map of the Water Node, which is a network of small islands in a shallow sea.

October 13 - Imelda casts Fly on herself and tows Calmert (Levitating and using Locate Object) around the archipelago, searching for the place where Hawk is imprisoned. Through triangulation they determine that Hawk must be held in a cave on a barren island.

October 14 - Imelda and Ashlar cast Fly and Levitate to ferry the first wave of the party (Raven, Krier, Teal, Selene, Zeph, Gordon, Flint) to the island.  They are menaced by giant dragonflies, but Zeph uses a Candle of Sanctuary to avoid aerial melee. After Imelda and Ashlar fly back to the first island to Nap and regain spells, scrags attack from the sea.  The Nap is interrupted, and the mages and clerics must fight for their lives.

Ashlar and Imelda ferry the second group (Calmert, Charon, Belsornig) but are attacked by two giant dragonflies. The Candle of Sanctuary is effective
against one dragonfly, but the other one attacks.  Imelda blasts the giant dragonfly with a Lightning Bolt, forcing it to break off the attack.

 Re-united on the prison island, the group finds the entry to a sea cave.  Zeph scouts ahead, invisible. He finds Hawk sitting in a cave, unguarded. Hawk persuades him to become visible, then turns into true form (a Sea Hag) and paralyzes him.  The Sea Hag then tosses Zeph into a nearby pool to drown.

Worried that Zeph has not returned, the group enters the cave and encounters the pseudo-Hawk.  The Sea Hag paralyzes Raven, then attacks with four water elementals and six giant frogs.  Flint retrieves Raven's sword and gives to Selene. Flint and Selene attack the Sea Hag.   Selene is paralyzed by the Hag. Ashlar blasts the Hag with Magic Missile.  Calmert uses the Mace of Elemental Earth to destroy one Water Elemental.  Ashlar casts Part Water from a scroll to destroy another.  Imelda casts Slow on the remaining foes. The Hag is slain and the elementals destroyed. Calmert then casts Remove Paralysis on Selene and Raven. Zeph swims to the surface of nearby pool after the paralysis wears off – fortunately he was wearing a Necklace of Adaptation.  They loot the cave and find a carnelian (the Gem of Earth), along with several suits of leather armor.

Sensing that his usefulness is about to end, Belsornig offers a deal: he will tell them about the magic items and hazards ahead in return for his personal treasure and freedom.  Gordon insists on fighting him one-on-one and loses. The others agree to the deal, with two provisos: the group will return everything except the Talisman (it has been used an as instrument of Evil), and that Belsornig abandon the evil aspect of Elemental Water.  He agrees and identifies the treasure: three suits of Leather Armor of Buoyancy, a Cloak of the Manta Ray, a Lt. Crossbow of Underwater Accuracy, clerical scrolls, and spellbooks.  He also tells them that Hawk can be found by traveling through an underwater tunnel.

Raven, Imelda, Krier, and Selene use Water Breathing and the two Cloaks of the Manta Ray to travel underwater and avoid the electric eel sentries.  On the other side they find a tunnel guarded by a Sphinx.  Raven passes the riddle test, but the others fail and forfeit magic items. Raven continues onward and finds the cell containing Hawk, Iyix (recently kidnapped from Hommlet), and Brumbar (a priest of Elemental Earth who has been converted to Neutrality by Hawk).  The group leaves.  Iyix uses a scroll to cast Hovering Road that enables them to walk back to the entry island.

October 15 – The group returns to the Temple and exits. As agreed, Calmert returns Belsornig’s suit of plate mail, ring of Free Action, rod of Smiting, gold belt set with lapis and malachite, magic trident, and gold ring.  Belsornig and Brumbar depart for Waterdeep to found Elemental temples dedicated to neutrality.

October 16 – The group returns to Hommlet.  That night, a special Thanksgiving service is held at the Temple of St. Cuthbert.

October 17 – The group hold a meeting at the Inn of the Welcome Wench to plan their next activities.  Now that all four captives have been freed, the next task is the destruction of the Temple itself.  This will require possession of all four Gems and the Orb of Golden Death.

Selene, Krier, Gordon, and Zeph will travel to Urmlaspyr to sell the jewelry and un-wanted magic items. Imelda and Ashlar will study spells from books taken from the Plane of Elemental Water.  Hawk will spend time in the grove studying with Jaroo.  Raven will patrol the area around Hommlet.  Calmert will attend to his duties at the Temple of St. Cuthbert.  Iyix will continue raising funds for his temple to Tymora.

On the road to Urmlaspyr, Gordon, Selene, Krier, and Zeph are ambushed by brigand archers.  Gordon uses the Talisman of Elemental Water to create an Ice Storm and destroy them.  Selene notices that Gordon seems to revel in the destruction – could the Talisman be affecting him?

Back in Hommlet, a masked stranger arrives.  He walks into the Inn and announces he is seeking the Temple of Elemental Evil so that he can receive training!  He is challenged by Flint and soundly thrashed.  The stranger is then arrested for brawling. At Calmert’s request, Lord Rufus sets an indefinite
trial date and incarcerates the stranger in the Keep.

October  18 - Krier, Gordon, Selene, and Zeph arrive in Urmlaspyr. Flint decides that it is time to retire and departs Hommlet with his share of treasure.  Another stranger arrives in Hommlet, claiming to be a researcher for a travel guide.

October 19 - Zeph, Selene, Krier, and Gordon shop in Urmlaspyr.

October 20 - Ashlar finishes learning Steam Blast.

October 21 - Gordon takes the boat to Westgate to report to his superiors at the Temple of Tempus and obtain a replacement consecrated weapon.

October 22 - Ashlar finishes learning Liquid Orb. Gordon reports to the High Battlelord in Westgate.  Zeph picks pockets in Urmlaspyr and is not caught.

October 23 - Imelda finishes learning Insatiable Thirst. Gordon meditates and prays.

October 24 - Gordon meditates and prays. Calmert confers with Terjon.  He is informed that Royal Cormyr has declared war on the Archclericy.  A message from Archcleric Thecla asks for money and troops to be sent to Arabel.  Terjon intends to remain neutral, as he expects Cormyr to win.

October 25 - Gordon receives a new consecrated weapon of Tempus.  The High Battlelord orders him to bring the backslider Gorenwyl back to Westgate.

October 26 - Ashlar finishes learning Ice Lance.  Gordon returns to Urmlaspyr and meets Krier, Selene, and Zeph.

October 27 - Byrne finishes analyzing all the unknown magic items, charging an exorbitant fee.

October 28 - Krier, Selene, Gordon, and Zeph return to Hommlet.  Gordon goes to the Temple of St. Cuthbert, where he finds Gorenwyl working in a vegetable garden.  He challenges Gorenwyl to single-combat.  Gorenwyl refuses, and Gordon attacks anyway.  Calmert casts Hold Person on Gordon and stops the fight.  Gordon is arrested and taken to Lord Rufus for judgment.  Rufus decrees that Gordon is to be banished from Hommlet for six months (judgment to be suspended while Gordon is supporting activities against the Temple of Elemental Evil).  Rufus also banishes the Masked Stranger.

That night, Raven, Ashlar, Selene, and Krier receive a summons to a secret    late night meeting with Harper representative.   They are given the name of a Harper contact in Nulb and asked to coordinate their actions.  They are also informed of potential involvement of the Cult of Dragon and its Dracolich masters.

Meanwhile, Gordon sneaks back into town and breaks into the Temple of Cuthbert in search of Gorenwyl. He meets Teal and she defends Gorenwyl.  Gordon returns to the Inn.

October 29 - Gorenwyl’s chaotic tendencies re-assert themselves and he challenges Gordon to combat. Gorenwyl loses and agrees to return to Westgate (Terjon is secretly relieved to be losing such a chaotic acolyte).  Imelda, Kirchen, and Selene remain in Hommlet, while Hawk, Tormel, and Merkury (rogue) join party.  The group leaves Hommlet.

October 30 – The party reaches the vicinity of the Temple. Raven and Krier contact the Harper representative in Nulb.  Tormel attempts to betray the party to the Temple guards.  They realize that Tormel is actually the Masked Stranger!   Gordon attacks him and Tormel is left behind unconscious.
The group enters the Broken Tower and defeats many human guards. No prisoners taken!  The party travels through a subterranean tunnel and enters the Temple on the 3rd level, surviving a fiery trap (staffed by Unseen Servants) and an illusionary basilisk.  Upon entering a large room with several exits, they encounter a uniformed orc seated behind a desk.  The orc asks them numerous questions about their intentions, until Gordon gets frustrated and attacks.  The orc vanishes.

Continuing onwards, they find a brightly lit room with a large slab of rock in the center, upon which two humans are shackled.  A pack of jackals are swarming around the slab, attempting to clamber up and devour the victims.  Four harpies watch the spectacle from perches.  The group immediately attacks only to discover that the scene is an illusion.  The “humans” are actually jackalweres, allied with the jackals, and the “harpies” are gargoyles.
After defeating this strange alliance of monsters, they fight their way through a patrol of trolls.  Eventually they reach a prison block and kill the jailor, a three-headed ettin.  Several human prisoners are freed, including Nemesis, who rejoins the party.

October 31 – The group continues to explore the 3rd level of the Temple.  They explore the dust-shrouded Hall of Black Feasting, where Merkury takes a large, unwieldy gold candelabrum.  In the Scarlet and Black Halls they battle life-hungry shadows.  In the Hall of Armored Skeletons they find a magical shield emblazoned with the arms of a noble family of Arabel.   Further exploration takes them to a cluttered wizardly laboratory.  They are surprised by a Roper hiding beneath a workbench.  Using Augury, Calmert leads the group to what appears to be a Chapel of St. Cuthbert yet radiates evil. Upon the altar is a white cloth with red runes, stating,

“VENERATE THIS SHRINE OF GOOD, THEN HASTE AWAY, ALL YE OF TRUE AND GOOD FAITH”

Beneath the altar, Zeph finds a secret door leading to a dark crypt containing a black iron coffin.  Inside is the corpse of a vampire, with a stake driven into its heart.  Suspicious, Calmert casts True Seeing and sees a mail-clad human wearing a Holy symbol of St. Cuthbert and grasping a sword and a roll of cloth.  In a vision, the Lawful Good party members learn that the man was a paladin of St. Cuthbert, slain during the First Crusade against Iuz.  His body was hidden here by the forces of Iuz to prevent him being Raised.  Inspired, Teal offers to dedicate herself the Fight against Evil, and she becomes a Paladin!  Told to take the sword, she discovers that it is an intelligent Holy Sword named Fragarach.  Calmert takes the cloth, which is the Banner of St. Cuthbert.  Unfurled, it strikes fear in the hearts of evil creatures and bolsters the morale of those fighting for Good.

Heartened by these events, Calmert uses a scroll to create a Heroes Feast.  Retracing their steps to the prison, they continue seeking a stairway deeper into the Temple.  In an adjacent corridor they find an opulent bedchamber with a mummified elf lying on the floor.  Warned by Raven to cover their ears, they resist the wail of a banshee and flee the room.

 Continuing onward, they encounter a strange garden of luminescent fungi.  Krier and Hawk find a hidden path that lets them pass through in safety.  Midway through the garden, an armor-clad woman approaches Krier and warns him that the spores of the fungi cause Insanity.  She urges him to help her subdue the rest of the party, who have succumbed to the spores.  He agrees and begins trying to subdue the rest of the party.  (In reality the woman is a Lamia who cast Charm Person and Suggestion on Krier).  Eventually the others drive away the Lamia and Dispel the Charm on Krier.

Reaching a broad staircase, the group descends to the 4th level of the Temple.  There they are met by a Demon Guardian (a Babau) who attacks them.  He quickly summons an Ally Demon.  In an extended and bitter fight, the two Demons are vanquished, but at a high cost: Gordon, Nemesis, and Merkury are dead, and the Silver Lance of High Horn and other magical weapons corroded by contact with the demons.  Ashlar uses a Raise Dead scroll to revive Gordon, and a limited wish to revive Nemesis.  Merkury is dumped on a Tenser's Floating Disk cast by Imelda, his candelabra abandoned.  The party retreats to a wine cellar on the 3rd level to rest.

November 1 -  The party is discovered by ettin cooks and flees through the other door.  Returning to the 4th level, they encounter another Demon Guardian (fortunately only an illusion, disbelieved by Ashlar).

 The party walks down a broad avenue, lit by humanoid corpses stuck on wall hooks and enchanted with Corpselight.  Eventually they reach the vast hall of the Greater Temple, where they find the Temple hierarchy waiting for them: Grand High Priest Hedrack, Assistant High Priest Barkinar, 8 Iuzguard, 4 skeletons with jeweled eyes, 12 gargoyles, 3 priests of Iuz, 5 acolytes, and Tormel – now revealed as an anti-paladin of Mask.

 After a brief parlay, a titanic battle ensues.  Gordon uses the Water Talisman to cast Ice Storm, decimating the ranks of evil ones and killing all the acolytes.  The jeweled eyes of skeletons flash, blasting the party with magical rays of Slow , Burning, and Enfeeblement.  The surviving priests of Iuz cast Hold Person on the party, affecting Nemesis and Gordon.  A wizard concealed behind a monumental statue of Iuz casts Fireball on the party, killing Gordon.

While Krier, Calmert, Ashlar, Zeph, and Charon battle the Iuzguard, skeletons, priests, and gargoyles, Raven, Hawk, and Teal pass through a curtain of toxic purple fungus in pursuit of Hedrack and Tormel (who have feigned retreat to draw the others through the curtain).  The fungi curtain strikes at Teal, but fails to harm her due to her paladin immunity to disease.

Behind the curtain, Tormel uses his Boots of Levitation and Robe of Blending to hide, then attacks Raven in single combat. Eventually Raven slays Tormel and takes the Boots and Robe.

Once the Iuzguard have been defeated, Ashlar uses the Rod of Paralyzation to paralyze the fungus curtain, and the others charge ahead.  Teal (wielding Fragarach) and the others battle High Priest Hedrack, who casts Slay Living on Teal to reduce her to unconsciousness, but Ashlar uses the Rod to paralyze Hedrack.  The party immediately slays Hedrack.  Ashlar then uses the Raise Dead scroll to revive Gordon, while Charon and Calmert heal Teal.

Led by Teal and Raven, the group trashes the Temple – pouring Holy Water on the altar, ripping up the altar cloth, breaking glassware, overturning braziers and statues, etc. but inadvertently invoke the demi-god Iuz. Iuz appears in the form of a malevolent old man, who casts Slay Living on Calmert but he survives.  Nemesis attacks Iuz with her sword but the sword disintegrates.  In desperation, Calmert invokes St. Cuthbert, who appears!

Since it is now a standoff, St. Cuthbert Heals and Raises the fallen party members, while Iuz Raises Tormel, Hedrack, and Barkinar and departs with them.
Mercury is Raised by someone (Iuz or St. Cuthbert?) and falls off the Tenser's Floating Disk.  The party rests.

November 2 - Party continues to explore the Greater Temple, searching for the Orb of Golden Death.  Calmert uses Augury to find Hedrack’s museum and trophy room.  The walls are covered with shields and banners of vanquished foes.  Embalmed and stuffed figures of paladins, rangers, and clerics of Good deities stand in a line, opposite statues of a Beholder, Medusa, Mummy, Ogre Mage, and Rakshasa.  All of the figures are equipped with weaponry, armor, books and other equipment.  A display case contains numerous Holy Symbols.

 Carefully examining the exhibits, Hawk notices that one of the stuffed paladins is carrying a 3-inch diameter gold sphere, shaped to resemble a human skull missing its lower jaw.  Atop the skull is a raised diadem with four depressions.  Hawk takes the item and is immediately informed (by the Orb) that he now is the possessor of Orb of Golden Death.  The Orb cannot be used by anyone of Good alignment.

 Meanwhile, Merkury gathers loot from the other statues.  Putting on a cloak taken from the Medusa statue, he falls dead (Cloak of Poisonousness). Raven dumps his body back on the Tenser's Floating Disk.

After further exploration, the party finds the High Priest’s chambers.  The floor is covered by thick rugs, and the walls are covered by tapestries of ornate geometric designs, involving circles (Air), squares (Water), triangles (Earth), and an eight-pointed symbol (Fire).  A huge wooden bed, with carved gargoyle heads on all four posts and piled with silvery ermine furs, is occupied by his sleeping concubine Melissa.  After telling her to clear out, they search the room.
Inadvertently they trigger a trap and a Guardian Demon appears, but Hawk uses the Orb to order it away.  In an adjacent room they find a library with many books on Magic, the Elements, the Planes, Personal Improvement, Management Techniques, and other topics.  Inside a locked desk they find some interesting documents, including letters from Zhentil Keep, Suzail, the clerics of Moander, and the Bishop of Wheloon, offering support in exchange for treasure.  A ledger contains a list of humanoids sacrificed during past ten years, sorted by Fire, Earth, Air, Water, and the Greater Temple.  Someone notices a chess board with intricately-carved chess pieces – the white representing adventurers, the black representing monsters.  When a Mind Flayer bishop is picked up, it suddenly begins growing in size.  The party flees.

Directed by the Orb, Hawk finds a secret door leading to a room that appears to have been occupied by a Mage.  They find a Trimea’s Catalogue of Outer Planes Artifacts, a ring, and a box containing the missing Gems of Water, Fire, and Air.  Gordon inadvertently touches the garnet and vanishes!

 The group carefully places the remaining gems of Water and Air (Earth was left back at the Temple of Cuthbert for safekeeping) into the Orb.  Hawk then uses the Orb to teleport to the Air Node, then steps through the Gate to Fire.  He finds Gordon and places the Gem of Fire in the Orb (handling it on its own plane has no effect).  The two then teleport back to the others.

 While the party is resting they are attacked by an unseen wizard casting Otiluke’s Spheres of Fire and Ice.  Many magic items are ruined by the alternating bursts of heat and cold.  On his own initiative, Hawk teleports the group back to the Nave.  When Hawk sees the Throne, he immediately understands how to operate it and reach the lowest level of the Temple.  The others think that a better strategy would be to leave now and return some other time.

 After exiting the Temple, the group is attacked by a patrol of Hill giants.  Despite Krier’s desire to stay and fight, the group avoids combat by casting Fog, although Teal and Krier take damage from thrown boulders.  The group camps in the forest and rests.

November 3 – On the road back to Hommlet, the group encounters an old goatherd who turns out to be Iuz in disguise. He demands the Orb from Hawk, who refuses.  Iuz then vanishes and the goats turn into demonic skeletons.  Hawk uses the power of the Orb to Wind Walk the group back to town (except for Raven and Krier, who believe that using the Orb’s powers too often is a bad idea).  Raven and Krier attack the skeletons, which vanish.

On their return to Hommlet, they find it under military occupation by Cormyrean forces.  Calmert is immediately arrested as a priest of Cuthbert, and joins Terjon in captivity.  The rest of the group retreats to outskirts of town. Hawk changes to sparrow form and flies to Burne's tower.  He discovers that Lord Rufus is dead and Selene is now in command of the Keep, which is besieged by Cormyreans.  Imelda and Burne are also in the tower.  Iyix and the druid Jaroo are missing.  Nemesis decides to continue her travels.  Merkury is buried outside town.

November 4 - Krier and Raven arrive in Hommlet.  Krier and Zeph scout the town, believing Calmert to be imprisoned in the church. Krier manages to buy a sword illegally, as weapons are banned.  Hawk gives the Orb to Gordon for safekeeping. That night, Hawk, Ashlar, Raven, and Zeph go near the church.  Ashlar casts Invisibility on the others and waits nearby while the others storm the church.  They break in, defeat the Cormyrean guards, and rescue Calmert, Terjon, the Mayor, and the acolytes.  They retrieve their property but the Gem of Earth is missing – no doubt along with an overly-curious soldier!  The group quickly leaves town and heads back to the Temple.  The Mayor and Terjon depart for Urmlaspyr.  Jagger, Zazel, and Kirchen travel to Arabel.

November 5 - While camped, the group is attacked by a Black Dragon.  Gordon is splashed with acid and his weapons destroyed.  Using the Orb, Gordon transports the party to the Node of Fire, where they are met by Fire Giants.  Gordon is killed, and Ashlar nearly dies from hurled, red-hot boulders, before the giants are slain.  Zeph takes possession of the Orb, since none of the Good characters wish to touch it.

The group then steps through the Gate to the Earth Node and uses Locate Object to find the Gem of Earth.  They find it still clutched by a dead soldier, pulverized by Earth elementals.  Zeph uses the Orb to command the elementals to leave, and the Gem is recovered and set in the Orb.  They then search for the statues of Kearine, Gundar, Hershorn, Terelin, and Teresa, but they are gone!  Zeph then uses the Orb to transport party to the island on the Node of Water.

Charon attempts to Raise Gordon using a scroll but Tempus decrees that Gordon has earned a place in Valhalla and will not return.  Calmert conducts a funeral service, and Gordon is interred on the island.

November 6 – The party spends the day resting.  The Node of Water is a rather pleasant place.

November 7 – The morning is spent preparing for the final confrontation.  Incense of Meditation is burned, abilities are boosted, and a Hero's
Feast is consumed.  Zeph uses the Orb to transport the party to the Throne.   Before descending to the lowest level, Charon casts Augury and learns that the party is not strong enough to attack Zuggtmoy directly.  Instead, Torm tells Charon how to destroy the Orb.  The party leaves the Temple and is attacked by a Black dracolich in the forest outside Nulb.

November 8 - After lengthy preparations, successive application of the elemental forces of Air, Earth, Fire, and Water are applied to the Orb: a wind of 50 mph, the blow from a granite maul, a very hot flame, and immersion in very cold water.

The Orb shatters, the Temple of Elemental Evil collapses, Zuggtmoy is freed from imprisonment on the lowest level of the Temple but is reduced in power and cannot leave her Abyssal plane for 40 years, and Iuz is deprived of the ability to summon evil elementals.

November 10 – The party returns to outskirts of Hommlet.  Using Invisibility and  Flight, the Keep is evacuated after being sealed with magical wards.  Imelda, Burne, and Selene are freed.  Burne, Selene, Krier, Ashlar, Calmert, Teal, Imelda, Charon, Hawk, Zeph, and Raven depart Hommlet.

November 17 – The group arrives in Arabel via a lengthy detour (Hultail, Immersea) to avoid Cormyrean forces.