First 3 panel/3 map cover (although the Australian version doesn’t have a 3rd panel)
First to have a new monster description at the end of the module
Drow!
Mind flayers!!
Art
Back to DCS III for the cover. I like how the armour of the middle fire giant (I assume King Snurre) puts me in mind of a fire salamander
The backs of G1 and G2 showed aerial shots of the top levels of their maps. That’s not really possible with this one because the dungeon is in a hill. So instead we get a picture of the front doors. Though the proportions don’t really make sense because the two dudes are, I suppose, meant to represent your party (arriving on hippogriffs from G2) and the doors are human size instead of giant size. Anyway, cool picture by Trampier.
Otherwise, there seems to be less art in this, but I think that’s because it’s 16 pages, many of which are just walls of text. There are some nicely appropriate ones, like the hell hounds and the evil priest. I count 7 art pieces, about half by DCS III and half by Tramp.
General
The Notes for the DM are a bit more extensive this time. There’s even a nice bit where Gygax describes some of what happened to the play-testing group and how he handled it
Note: spoilers from here
It’s interesting that the titular Fire Giant King Snurre is basically in the first room – area 3. So what’s in the rest of the module?!?
An interesting note for the headsman in the torture chamber – if he hits with a natural 20, he may sever an arm, leg or head – this goes against the general idea that hit points in D&D are an abstract thing. It makes sense, seeing as he’s a headsman but still, it’s a bit tricky to then have to play a character with only one leg or one arm!
What’s in the rest of the module? Wait a second – what the heck is this way-creepy temple on level 2? Don’t go touching that altar boys and girls! And who are these weird drow?
If you thought the treasure was good in G2, wait till you find the red dragon here and behold its treasure hoard – it’s immense!
Level 3 – lots of drow
Mind flayers!
Like G2, again, it’s very hacky slashy – there’s very little description about what any of the drow are doing – it’s a case of: here’s a room – it’s filled with x number of drow with these stats and equipment – and that’s it. Occasionally you get a name and a little bit of motive.
The monster description of the Drow is interesting – giving history and hints at more discoveries to come
Image Information
From left to right in all pictures, US 4th print, UK print, Australian print.
