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Whispers Beneath Hommlet – Classic Evil Rises

Whispers Beneath Hommlet – Classic Evil Rises

The Temple of Elemental Evil was sealed in blood and fire—but evil never dies, it only sleeps. Now it stirs, hungry, and only you stand in its way.

TYPE

Campaign

LANGUAGE

English

EXPERIENCE

Intermediate

AGE

18+
FULL
$20.00

/ Session

Details

2 players following this game

Weekly / Monday - 10:00 PM UTC

Oct 26 / Session 77

Session Duration / 3 hours

5 / 5 Seats Filled

Top Game Master

One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.

Magic Gemstone

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Schedule

Mon, Oct 26 | 10:00 PM – Session 77

Mon, Nov 02 | 11:00 PM – Session 78

Mon, Nov 09 | 11:00 PM – Session 79

Meet your party members

5/5

About the adventure

The Temple Stirs Once More… The battle was won, the evil sealed away—or so the legends say. But now, something dark stirs beneath the surface. Whispers echo through the wilds near Hommlet. Roads once safe are now haunted. Traders disappear. Farmers speak of strange lights in the trees. The Temple of Elemental Evil, once thought buried and broken, may be rising again. This is a gritty, high-stakes campaign rooted in classic dungeon crawling, cult infiltration, and escalating threats. Set in a world where evil simmers just beneath the surface, you’ll begin in a small frontier village and work your way toward a vast and terrifying conspiracy. The deeper you go, the more dangerous and bizarre things become—twisted monsters, cursed relics, and the maddening power of the four elemental cults. This game is ideal for players who enjoy a mix of tense tactical combat, meaningful choices, and immersive storytelling. Whether you’re negotiating with suspicious townsfolk, navigating deadly dungeons, or making impossible moral decisions, your character will be tested. Exploration, mystery, and a creeping sense of dread are central to the experience. This campaign begins at Level 3 to get you into the action fast. It's best suited for players with some D&D experience who enjoy tactical combat, character-driven choices, and dark, evolving storylines. While not overly complex, the tone is serious and the challenges are real. Evil is rising. The Temple is stirring. And the world will burn if no one stops it.

Game style

Combat Heavy

Dungeon Crawl

Tactical / Crunchy

Meet the Game Master

5.0

(24)

TOP GM
Military Veteran

3 years on StartPlaying

186 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Storytelling

Average response time: 2 hours

Response rate: 100%

About me

Embark on a journey into the heart of imagination with me on StartPlaying. My love for tabletop RPGs started as a kid, watching my dad and his friends dive into 2nd Edition D&D. That early fascination turned into a lifelong passion, and now I'm excited to share that with you as I host games on StartPlaying Games. I live in Maine with my wife Kailey and our 1-year-old daughter, Aeva. I run weekly games both online and in-person, creating immersive, engaging adventures for players of all experience levels. I believe in collaborative storytelling, where your decisions shape the world and every game unfolds into the unknown. My goal is to blend the rich lore of D&D with dynamic gameplay and innovative narratives, making each adventure uniquely memorable. Whether you're casting your first spell or you're an experienced adventurer seeking new challenges, I invite you to join me. Together, we'll explore mystical lands, craft unforgettable stories, and build friendships that extend beyond the game table. Your legend starts now, and I'm thrilled to see where our tales will lead.

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Character creation

Creating your character

Let's dive into creating your character for our grand adventure! Here's a friendly guide to get you started: Join Our Discord Community: After signing up, you'll get a link to our Discord server. It's where all the magic happens—chatting, planning, and sharing ideas. Plus, you'll find all the resources you need for crafting your character. Let's Chat About Your Character: Got an idea or just a spark of inspiration? Share it on Discord! I'm here to help develop your concept into a full-fledged character, no matter where you're starting from. Figuring Out Your Stats: We'll use a simple and fair point buy system to decide your character's strengths and abilities. Starting Strong: Everyone begins at Level 3, ready to dive into danger with a few hard-earned skills and spells. This gives players a solid foundation for combat, exploration, and roleplay without skipping the early-game tension. Building Your Character on D&D Beyond: I'll send an invite to our D&D Beyond campaign, making character creation and management a breeze. If you're new to D&D Beyond or need a hand, I'm here to guide you through it. And if you'd rather jump straight into the action, I've got a selection of pre-made characters ready to go. Freedom of Choice: Feel free to explore any content from the core books to the latest expansions for your character. Just give me a heads-up so we can make sure it fits perfectly with our campaign's world and story. I'm excited to support you through this creative process. If you have any questions or just want to brainstorm, I'm all ears.

The current party

We’ve only just scratched the surface of the story, and there’s still plenty of adventure ahead! I’d love to welcome 1–2 more players to the table. If you’re interested or have any questions, feel free to send me a PM! Emvore Veil is a High Elf Bard (Soldier) from Hommlet—a disciplined performer and former town guard who brings tactical insight, local knowledge, and musical inspiration. Driven by the search for her missing brother, she walks a fine line between duty and desperation. Baraxle “Barry” Vardor is a Drow Warlock (Acolyte) from Nehatri in the Underdark, now residing in Brightmere. Exiled and blessed with strange radiant powers, he serves a higher light—possibly Pelor himself. Sharp-witted, secretive, and armed with devastating eldritch power. Zim Everdank is a Forest Gnome Beastmaster Ranger (Sage) from The Hollow in Gnarledwood. Sent by his people to uncover the corruption spreading from the Temple, Zim is a keen-eyed tracker and master of his loyal lynx companion, Lilly. Small but fearless, Zim’s curiosity often leads him to unexpected truths. Lilly is Zim’s stealthy, loyal, and fiercely protective lynx companion—his eyes and claws in battle. Zaldrak is a Halfling Paladin (Oath of Devotion), a holy warrior with an iron will and a tendency to overexert himself. Though small, Zaldrak’s faith is massive. Last seen experiencing the lingering effects of “Moat Throat.” Lunarinth, currently on hiatus, is a Drow Cleric (Acolyte) and the last survivor of House Nasadra. Driven by faith and vengeance, she is quietly intense and fiercely loyal, seeking her half-sister Elayne and hoping to one day restore her fallen house. Group dynamics include a heavy emphasis on teamwork, support, and cinematic combat; roleplay-focused storytelling with time for character moments; dungeon exploration and investigation as central elements; and a strong blend of magic, martial prowess, and problem-solving.

What to expect

Preparing for the session

Here's a checklist of everything you may need to join: Discord Account: We'll use Discord for all our communications, character discussions, and session planning. It's free to create an account if you don't already have one. D&D Beyond Account: Characters will be created and managed on D&D Beyond. Make sure to set up a free account here as well. I'll send an invite link to our campaign for easy access. Roll20 Account: Our sessions will be hosted on Roll20, which will serve as our virtual tabletop. Like the others, Roll20 accounts are free to create. Mic and Webcam: Voice and video chat will be essential for our sessions, so please have a working mic and webcam. This helps in creating a more immersive and interactive experience for everyone. Basic Rules: I'll provide a link to the D&D 5e Basic Rules via Discord. Please take some time to read through them before we start. If you have any questions or need clarifications, don't hesitate to ask in our Discord server.

What Sterling D. brings to the table

Immersive VTT on Roll20: Dynamic lighting, clean layout, and intuitive interface for streamlined gameplay. Custom Maps & Tokens: Handpicked and modified visuals to match the tone and theme of the adventure. Full Access to D&D Beyond: Shared content for all core rulebooks, supplements, and character options. Atmospheric Ambience: Background music and soundscapes enhance tension, drama, and mood. Voice-Acted NPCs: Distinct character voices and personalities to enrich roleplay and bring the world to life. Tactical Combat: Thoughtful encounters that reward teamwork, creativity, and good positioning. Story-Driven Focus: Your choices carry weight, shaping not just the plot, but the world itself. Balance of Structure and Freedom: I respect the rules but embrace creative problem-solving and heroic moments when it serves the story. Safety and Respect: Session zero, lines and veils, and safety tools ensure a welcoming table for all players. Expect a game that is dramatic, cinematic, and deeply collaborative—where tension is earned, victories matter, and your character’s journey leaves a mark.

Equipment needed to play

Computer

Headphones

Internet

Microphone

Webcam

Safety

How Sterling D. creates a safe table

Safety Tools and Gameplay Details: In our upcoming sessions, we prioritize creating a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone. Here's a brief overview of the safety tools and gameplay details we'll use: Session 0: We'll set expectations, discuss character concepts, and establish boundaries to ensure everyone's comfort with the game's themes and content. Lines and Veils: You'll have the opportunity to anonymously indicate any topics you prefer to avoid or handle with care. X, N, O Cards via Roll20 Token Drop: Digital tokens will allow you to non-verbally communicate your comfort level during gameplay, ensuring we maintain a respectful and enjoyable experience for all. Breaks and Debriefing: Scheduled and unscheduled breaks are part of our sessions, along with post-session debriefings to reflect on the gameplay and address any concerns. Stars and Wishes: This feedback mechanism lets you highlight what you enjoyed and what you're looking forward to in future sessions. Aftercare: Following intense sessions, I'll check in with players to ensure everyone is feeling okay. More detailed information on these safety tools and additional gameplay details will be provided along with other preparation materials once your booking is complete. Further Gameplay Details: For those new to D&D or our chosen platform, I offer comprehensive character creation assistance, providing the necessary guidance and resources to help you craft and manage your characters effectively. My approach to storytelling is inclusive, aiming to weave diverse narratives and characters into our adventures, creating a rich and inclusive world that mirrors the varied backgrounds of our players. I maintain an open line of communication, encouraging you to reach out with any game-related concerns, ideas, or feedback at any time. These efforts are part of my commitment to fostering a supportive, engaging, and respectful gaming environment where every player feels valued and heard, ensuring our sessions are enjoyable and inclusive for everyone.

Content warnings

Cults
Devils / Demons / Fiends
Blood
Death
Kidnapping
Language/Cursing
Body Horror
Torture

Safety tools used

Frequently asked questions