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D&D: There’s Still Time To Pre-Order The Temple Of Elemental Evil For 5th Edition

4 Minute Read
May 10 2021
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There’s still time to pre-order one of the most iconic D&D adventures reincarnated for 5th Edition. Get ready to for the Temple of Elemental Evil this summer.

The Temple of Elemental Evil is about as D&D as D&D gets. From a start in a humble village where marauders from a nearby fort menace the townsfolk, adventurers set out on a journey that culminates in an immense dungeon complex and a battle against the demon queen Zuggtmoy. Humble origins? Check. Fight against a being of deific power? Check. Lots of dungeon to explore?

There’s a reason the Temple of Elemental Evil routinely finishes in the top five on lists of the greatest D&D adventures of all times. This is one of the original epic, sprawling dungeons. And for that reason, it has captivated the hearts of many a gamer across generations. And it’s coming to 5th Edition.

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If you’ll recall back in April, Goodman Games announced that the legendary Temple of Elemental Evil was going to be reborn in all its glory for 5th Edition. Now, nine months later, this baby is kicking–but looking bigger than ever. According to a recent update from Goodman Games, the book is a “massive undertaking” that has turned out to be much bigger than they had anticipated. Let’s take a look at the 5th Edition Temple of Elemental Evil, slated for release in August 2021.

via Goodman Games

The biggest news here is that the adventure is going to span two books:

Now that all of the writing, editing, and art is done, we’re in the layout stage of this massive undertaking, which upon release will take up an estimated 700-800 pages. That will be two hardback volumes in a custom slipcase priced at $99.99.

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These volumes reprint the original material from the published module T1-4: The Temple of Elemental Evil, as well as the original version of T1: The Village of Hommlet. Created by Gary Gygax and Frank Mentzer, The Temple of Elemental Evil has long been regarded as one of the greatest adventures in TSR’s publishing history. And we are proud to bring this module to a new audience.

With the inclusion of the Village of Hommlet, gamers will have a chance to experience the whole module as it was originally written. And in the Original Adventures Reincarnated line, you’re not just getting the 5th Edition version–for those of you who never stopped playing the original edition, you’ll find all the original material has been scanned in, cleaned up, and is presented as it originally appeared.

And for those of you wondering how this old school feel fits with 5th edition, new material is being designed to accomodate it. That’s a balancing act that Goodman Games has managed quite well over the last few years. They’ve brought classics like the Isle of Dread and Keep on the Borderlands back to life with a full suite of 5th Edition stats and mechanics, and though there are parts of the adventure that might feel a little different than the typical 5E fare, it plays just as smoothly as you’d hope.

The book should be available for pre-order sometime in the next few weeks, but for now, let us leave you with a storm brewing over an ancient temple, long abandoned…

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The Village of Hommlet thrives again. Years ago, this quaint village nearly fell prey to a great, neighboring evil. The nearby Temple of Elemental Evil, a grand edifice of wickedness, was defeated after a great battle and thrown into ruin forever … or was it? Bandits have started to ride the roads again, and there are other ominous signs afoot. It is whispered that the demonic evil at the heart of the Temple was not truly conquered but merely imprisoned. Even now, agents of evil, malevolent beasts, and far worse creatures are conspiring to return the Temple to power and enslave the surrounding lands. Hommlet and the neighboring ruins may hold clues, but not everyone is to be trusted. Surely danger lies hidden in this idyllic region.

Sharpen your swords and axes. Purchase your iron rations and tinderboxes. And don’t forget at least one 10-foot pole. Great adventure awaits those that dare confront the Temple of Elemental Evil!

Happy Adventuring!

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Author: J.R. Zambrano
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