Dungeon Modules G1-G3

These three Gary Gygax-designed Dungeons & Dragons scenarios may be used independently of one another, or as a campaign to root out the overwhelming evil wrought by a well-organized group of giants, controlled by some "sinister hand." Having unrestrained guidelines which allow for a personalized touch during play, the modules provide a wealth of adventure. Gygax uses vivid description to set the scene, and the individual DM may use that as a stepping-off point to paint a portrait of despair for the adventurers before they undertake the dual goals of their quest: 1) to rid the countryside of the renegade giants and 2) to determine what nefarious forces govern the giants' movements in the area.

The author suggests the use of high level characters for best results, emphasizing that an average experience of 9th level would be best for promoting fair play, and each character should have two or three magical items. I didn't tell anyone about this, for I had a bit of revenge on my mind. There are many of us who become upset at the abuse of earning experience and magical items - in some areas, it is not uncommon for characters to move up four or five levels in a single adventure. As a further example, a friend of mine acquired a holy sword for his paladin on a third level dungeon, after defeating nothing. So I sprung Gygax's first scenario on the unsuspecting, hoping to totally devastate characters who have benefited from a bit of fabrication. Sweet success!

The first two modules are each enclosed in a heavy cardstock folder similar to an SPI folio game. The DM's maps of the playing area are printed inside the covers so that the folio doubles as a stand-up shield. There is also a total of eight pages of programming, background information, and tips to the DM in a polished, attractively illustrated presentation. The third module, about twice the size of either of the first two in terms of content, is by far the most devastating of the three. Players may select any one of the three scenarios for an adventure, or they may undertake the entire campaign, pursuing the modules in order until the prime directives are met.

Module G1, "Steading of the Hill Giant Chief," offers a two-level adventure. The first level is an above-ground stockade of typical giant size, having twenty-five programmed areas and making up the major living arrangements for the creatures lurking within. The second level, or dungeon, mixes rooms, caverns, and waterways with a curious conglomerate of creatures who combine to present a rather chaotic mesh of monsters designed to keep the explorers caught between bad and worse for as long as they survive within the confines of the steading.

Module G2, "The Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl," plunges the expedition into an eroded hunk of glacial ice, fraught with caves, caverns, and foul weather. Again, two levels are presented in fine fashion and populated with exotics and treasures a bit more horrendous than in the first module.

Module G3, "Hall of the Fire Giant King," becomes more treacherous still. There are three levels to this one, featuring various treasure rooms, jail cells with interesting prisoners, crypts, caverns, and caves. G3 also features a new monster type, the Drow, who will remain mysterious until you encounter him, since he is designed to facilitate true spontaneity in the dungeon - I won't ruin Gygax's surprise.

Overall, the series of three is elaborately accomplished. Special wandering monster tables are listed for each module, tips are given for repeated ventures over time, and rules are provided for the monsters moving defensively into the stronger modules as they are beaten back from the initial ones. Bringing to mind the extravagant machinations of the Judges Guild, Advanced D&D modules G1-3 constitute beneficent additions to role play. All are available from TSR Hobbies, POB 756, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, or from Lowry Enterprises. The first two modules sell for $4.49, the third for $4.98.