It is the year 579 in the Common Calendar.

The Village of Hommlet is situated in the central part of the Flanaess, that portion of eastern Oerik Continent which is known and “civilized." The village (actually hamlet-sized, though local parlance distinguishes it with the term “village”) is located some 10 or so leagues southeast of the town of Verbobonc, on the fringe of the territory controlled by its noble Lord, the Viscount of Verbobonc. It is at a crossroads. To the north is the mighty Velverdyva River, along whose south bank runs the Lowroad. Many days’ travel to the east, on the shores of the Lake of Unknown Depths (Nyr Dyv) is the great walled city of Dyvers, the village of Sobanwych about halfway along the route. Below that to the southeast and east are miles and miles of forest, the Gnarley, beyond which is the Wild Coast, Woolly Bay, and the Sea of Gearnat. The road south forks a league or so beyond the little community, one meandering off towards the Wild Coast, the other rolling through the lower Kron Hills to the village of Ostverk and then eventually turning southwards again into the elven Kingdom of Celene. The western route leads into the very heart of the gnomish highlands, passing through Greenway Valley about a day‘s travel distant and going onwards to the Lortmil Mountains far beyond.

It was near Hommlet that the Temple of Elemental Evil started its rise to power and threatened the region with an increasing pall of darkness. The forces of weal and goodness united and defeated the temple some ten years ago. However, bandits have begun to ride the roads again—not frequently, but to some effect. This seems all too familiar somehow to the good folk of Hommlet, so they sent word to the Viscount that wicked forces might still lurk there abouts. This information has been spread throughout the countryside, and the news has attracted outsiders to the village once again. Who and what these men are, no one can be quite sure, although all claim to be bent on slaying monsters and bringing peace and security to Hommlet, for deeds speak more loudly than words, and lies cloak true purposes of the malevolent.