Written by Jim Ziegler

The Temple of Elemental Evil was originally a small, stone temple occupied by bandits and evil humanoids from which they raided nearby villages. As the bandits grew more bold an army was sent to destroy the temple, but found the forces defending it to be far more powerful than they anticipated.

 

Eventually the temple was destroyed, leaving a labyrinth beneath which attracted adventurers looking to loot the ruins. Three separate times cultists tried to use the temple and artifacts therein to release the god of death, Tharizdun, from imprisonment, but each time they were thwarted by adventuring parties.

 

You would think that after the third time, someone would think to destroy the remains of the temple. But here we are, revisiting it once again in 5th edition. 

 

Destroying an underground labyrinth may be more difficult that you think. You could flood it, or cart gravel and boulders in to fill it, but even then the structure would remain in place. Filling it with cement may work, but they don’t exactly have trucks full of the stuff in Greyhawk. What you really need may be a volcano.

 

There is a spell to create volcanos in Dungeons & Dragons, but you can’t use it. Mavin’s Create Volcano is a tenth-level spell, but magic only goes up to level nine. Long ago, mages could cast tenth, and even eleventh-level spells, using powerful magic to create floating cities from the inverted peaks of mountains. These powerful mages could have created a volcano on the site of the Temple of Elemental Evil, collapsing the ruins as they filled with lava until the volcano went extinct a year later.

 

Mortal access to such power was lost when a great archmage, Karsus, crafted a twelfth-level spell designed to steal the power of a god. Karsus used the spell to try and become the god of magic, killing Mystryl in the process and causing The Weave to collapse, resulting in the spell’s sudden failure. The floating cities fell to the ground as magic left the world until Mystryl was reincarnated as Mystra, who blocked mortals from ever being able to use any spell close to the same level of power.

 

Lacking the means to destroy the temple, the ruins beneath it remain intact, ready for the next generation of cultists and adventurers to battle for the fate of the world.

 

MINI GAMERS SWAP MEET

Saturday, 1:00 PM

Gam3Escape is excited to host a very special event for our community. It’s a great way to get holiday gifts for gamers in your life! Various vendors including TCG, Anime, stuffed animals, snacks, cookies, jeweled stainless steel water bottles, toys, collectibles, hand made items, original art, Warhammer models, and other items. There will be Pokemon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh!, including slabs!

There will also be face painting and balloon animals for the kids.

 

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS D&D 50th Anniversary Play Series—2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide

Sunday, 1:00 PM 

Beneath the Temple of Elemental Evil lies a labyrinth of tombs and ritual chambers. For years, these dungeons have lain in ruin. Now forsaken souls return, raising an army of evil to destroy the world. Pre-made 4th level characters are provided, featuring the 2024 Player’s Handbook rules. Entry: $10 ($5 for monthly members or with purchase of the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide)

 

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON

Pokémon Standard Constructed Tournament

Sunday, 3:00pm

Show everyone that you’re the best! Like no one ever was! Join the battle at the weekly Standard Constructed Tournament! Regulation F, no deck list required. Entry fee: $7.

 

Pokémon League Casual Play

Monday and Saturday at 6:30 PM, Sunday at noon

Receive a pack of your choice from any in the store, as well as a promo pack. Participants are entered into the end-of-season prize pool. Entry fee: $10

 

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet VGC Casual League

Thursday, 6:00 PM

Explore the Paldea region in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Meet new Pokémon, and battle it out with other Trainers at Gam3Escape’s VGC Casual League. Entry fee: $5

 

Pokémon GO Scavenger Hunt

Grab an achievement sheet in-store and GO out to collect them! Complete the scavenger sheet to earn a booster pack and a promo pack, and to be entered into a drawing for an Elite Trainer Box and other prizes. Entry fee: $10 

 

GATHER FOR MAGIC

Foundations Jumpstart Tournament

Friday, 6:00 PM 

Shuffle two Jumpstart boosters together and you’ve got a deck, ready to go! Entry: $20

 

Commander-Ish League

Thursday, 6:00 PM

Build a commander deck using only commons & uncommons in the 99. Build from in-store bulk, or bring your deck, and compete against others with similar decks. Each week you’ll earn a pack and a pull to add to the deck. Ban list applies, proxies not permitted (but c’mon, they’re commons), and deck list required. Entry fee: $10

 

Casual Commander

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 6:00 PM.

The most popular format in Magic, Commander, is back on the table. Bring your favorite deck, or playtest a new one against other magicians. No entry fee: These battles are for honor, not prizes!

 

TIME TO DUEL! Yu-Gi-Oh!

Advanced Constructed Tournament

Wednesday, Friday, 7:00 PM

Duel for supremacy in the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game. Earn booster packs and OTS Tournament Packs while demonstrating your skills as a duelist. Entry fee: $10

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Azurite Sea Lorcana League

Monday, & Saturday, 6:30 PM

The adventures in the Inklands continue with Locana League. Bring your sealed deck, or join the fun! The initial entry fee includes a starter deck of your choice, a booster pack, and a 200-card deck box to keep your sealed cards from getting mixed up with your collection. Entry fee: $25 (one-time charge)

STAR WARS: UNLIMITED

Casual Play League

Tuesdays, 6:00 PM, Saturdays, 1:00 PM, Sundays 5:00 PM

Whether you’re an aspiring Jedi, a sinister Sith, or a bounty hunter looking for your next score, Star Wars: Unlimited has all the excitement of your favorite space opera in cardboard form. 

THIS MEANS WAR(HAMMER)!

Casual Warhammer

Friday & Sunday, 5:00 PM

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. At Gam3Escape, there is only Warhammer! Whether it’s a Tyranid terror or a Blood Angel battalion, stage your army and prepare for battle at the weekly Casual Warhammer event. 

CARDFIGHT! VANGUARD!

Divinez Constructed Tournament

Monday, 5:30 PM

Bring your cards and get ready to fight! Cardfight! Vanguard is back with weekly tournaments, every Monday night. Entry fee: $6

Check out Jim's articles at The Gamer:  https://www.thegamer.com/author/james-ziegler/ and like, follow, and subscribe to his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Alolan_Professor