# Original Dungeons and Dragons **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 6, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885 "2005-08-06T16:37:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/21 "2005-08-06T22:14:13Z")
Someone needs to introduce you folks to [Runequest](http://www.pensee.com/dunham/rq.html). And, like **Johnny L.A.** , I lament that no one either has time or interest in pencil and paper games these days. It’s all computer-based “RPGs” (with little actual roleplaying) and first person shooters now. I really liked _Fallout_ and _Fallout II_, but could care less about FPS and miss the social aspect of tabletop games. I always had loads of fun with _Paranoia_ and _Call of Cthuhlu_, even though everybody pretty much got killed or driven into the depths of irredeamable insanity every session. And no “save and redo” either. ::sigh:: Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/22 "2005-08-06T23:17:21Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Do your booklets match up to my descriptions earlier in the thread? > I’d love to see how accurate my memory is! (For example, I think the dungeon you mention was called ‘City State of the Invincible OverLord’…) Malacandra got it right re: your description. I went and pulled my stuff out of it’s storage box, and yes, you have the title right: City-State of the Invincible Overlord from Judge’s Guild. It seems that White Wolf has purchased all the Judge’s Guild stuff (of course they have; who else?) and has [re-issued it](http://secure1.white-wolf.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=531). ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/23 "2005-08-07T00:48:51Z")
Thanks to all for this thread - it’s brought back good memories! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/24 "2005-08-07T04:06:56Z")
Buncha newbies … 😉 I bought my white box in summer '76, along with the first issue of \*The Dragon \* magazine. It took me almost a year to find someone to play with. I’m glad it’s been established that elf, dwarf and halfling weren’t character classes. I was afraid I was going to have to drive over to the ministorage place and dig out my boxes of old gaming stuff for confirmation. Here’s some other stuff you guys may remember: [Dungeon Geomorphs](http://www.acaeum.com/DDIndexes/MiscPages/Dungeon.html) Fun with Phil & Dixie Metamorphosis Alpha Monty Haul and his Friends at Play Ral Parth The Lankhmar Board Game Snit Smashing ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/25 "2005-08-07T04:22:02Z")
> [@Pochacco](#): > > [Dungeon Geomorphs](http://www.acaeum.com/DDIndexes/MiscPages/Dungeon.html) > Fun with Phil & Dixie > Metamorphosis Alpha > Monty Haul and his Friends at Play > Ral Parth > The Lankhmar Board Game > Snit Smashing Wormy Fineous Fingers The Awful Green Things from Outer Space The original Trampier illustrations for the very first AD&D Monster Manual ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/26 "2005-08-07T04:24:22Z")
> [@Pochacco](#): > > Buncha newbies … 😉 > > I bought my white box in summer '76, along with the first issue of \*The Dragon \* magazine. It took me almost a year to find someone to play with. > > I’m glad it’s been established that elf, dwarf and halfling weren’t character classes. I was afraid I was going to have to drive over to the ministorage place and dig out my boxes of old gaming stuff for confirmation. > > Here’s some other stuff you guys may remember: > > [Dungeon Geomorphs](http://www.acaeum.com/DDIndexes/MiscPages/Dungeon.html) > Fun with Phil & Dixie > Metamorphosis Alpha > Monty Haul and his Friends at Play > Ral Parth > The Lankhmar Board Game > Snit Smashing Dixie was hot, sigh. 😃 Geomorphs, were they really worth it? Monty Haul, and behind door number three is an Ancient Huge dragon in a 10x10 room with max treasure. I still have somewhere the original Ral Parth Lord of the Ring Figures. Entire Fellowship, Sauroman, 9 Ringwraiths and many orcs. I could afford Smaug he was $28. What was Snit Smashing? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/27 "2005-08-07T04:26:51Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > What was Snit Smashing? Snit Smashing was the first Tom Wham game in _The Dragon_. It was followed by Snit’s Revenge (which was also a much better game) and then The Awful Green Things From Outer Space. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/28 "2005-08-07T04:27:57Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > Dixie was hot, sigh. I still fondly remember her modelling the typical female adventurer’s outfit … . ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/29 "2005-08-07T04:36:02Z")
> [@Pochacco](#): > > I still fondly remember her modelling the typical female adventurer’s outfit … . In more recent _Dragons_, after they brought Foglio back onboard (i.e. after WOTC bought the Lake Geneva crew out), Dixie turned evil and wore even less even more often… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/30 "2005-08-07T04:36:45Z")
Oh … here’s one more thing I just remembered: Did anyone else besides me go out and buy **Outdoor Survival** after reading how useful in would be in _Men & Magic_? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/31 "2005-08-07T04:44:36Z")
> [@Pochacco](#): > > Oh … here’s one more thing I just remembered: > > Did anyone else besides me go out and buy **Outdoor Survival** after reading how useful in would be in _Men & Magic_? I bought it cheap off a friend who stopped playing. Whenever someone stopped playing and wanted to sell books, I always bought. This was frequent in my navy years. A lot of people played while bored at sea and then when getting out of Navy and returning to real world decided they probably wouldn’t play anymore. I never found it or “Oriental Adventures” much fun. I gave my “Dragons” away at one point but probably have most of the modules produces up until 1989. Weird part is, I rarely used them. I just read through for ideas and always bought used or clearance. I do have a fond spot for the Steading of the Hill Giant Chief. Very Fun and well put together. BTW I think I have 3 copies of original MM with Original art. Oldest is 3rd printing 1978. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/32 "2005-08-07T05:08:06Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > I gave my “Dragons” away at one point but probably have most of the modules produces up until 1989. Weird part is, I rarely used them. I just read through for ideas and always bought used or clearance. I do have a fond spot for the Steading of the Hill Giant Chief. Very Fun and well put together. > BTW I think I have 3 copies of original MM with Original art. Oldest is 3rd printing 1978. I gave most of my _TD_’s away as well, although I still have issues 1-3. I never liked modules very much either – I don’t think I owned any of the TSR ones, although I did have some Judge’s Guild or FASA stuff. I much preferred to roll my own. I may very well have a first printing MM. I can remember how my gaming group jumped on it when it first came out. I think I bought it in spring of '78. ---
**Author:** ![Hallowmass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Hallowmass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hallowmass)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/33 "2005-08-07T05:19:13Z")
Hey! I remember Dixie modeling the cheesecake gear, too! 😃 Lordy, I haven’t thought of all that in years. Which comic strip characters got lost in the pages of _The Dragon_ for their final installment? I seem to recall a robot named A-Vee-Ar? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/34 "2005-08-07T05:35:27Z")
> [@Hallowmass](#): > > Hey! I remember Dixie modeling the cheesecake gear, too! 😃 Lordy, I haven’t thought of all that in years. > > Which comic strip characters got lost in the pages of _The Dragon_ for their final installment? I seem to recall a robot named A-Vee-Ar? SNARFQUEST! I loved that li’l zeetvah… ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/35 "2005-08-07T08:52:18Z")
> [@Snowboarder Bo](#): > > Malacandra got it right re: your description. > > I went and pulled my stuff out of it’s storage box, and yes, you have the title right: City-State of the Invincible Overlord from Judge’s Guild. It seems that White Wolf has purchased all the Judge’s Guild stuff (of course they have; who else?) and has [re-issued it](http://secure1.white-wolf.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=531). Hang onto that, dude. It should be worth some serious potatoes by now. > [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > Someone needs to introduce you folks to Runequest. Know it and love it, though I haven’t played it nearly as much as AD&D. The last campaign I ever played in featured a baboon (me), a water-nymph and a duck as player characters. It was a barrel o’ laughs and I still have the adventure logs. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/36 "2005-08-07T14:29:07Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > And, like **Johnny L.A.** , I lament that no one either has time or interest in pencil and paper games these days. Hey, it ain’t everyone else, it’s you :). Dungeons and Dragons has more players than ever before: the transition to 3rd edition brought in a tremendous amount of new blood into the game. Have you checked messageboards, game stores, and the like for players? I bet you anything there are groups playing in Pasadena, and I’d be pretty amazed if there aren’t groups of cool, well-adjusted adults looking for new players in Pasadena. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/37 "2005-08-07T15:20:47Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > **Johnny** , if you’re really interested in playing, you may want to check out [EN World](http://www.enworld.org/forums.php), the biggest unofficial D&D website out there (disclaimer: I’m a moderator over there, but I’d recommend it anyway). There’s a [Gamers seeking Gamers](http://www.enworld.org/forumdisplay.php?f=49) forum that’s decently active; I found one of my best players by posting a game listing there. ‘Best player’ I’m not. It’s been so long since I’ve played that I’ve forgotten most of it. I’d be nothing but a newbie. > [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Also, if you’re really in LA, there’s Gencon West that happens every year out in California; it’s a humongous gaming convention. I’ve only been to Gencon East (in Indianapolis), but that con was a total and complete blast. Lots of great geekery. No longer in L.A., but am planning to return. When I go back, _I’ll_ be one of those who doesn’t have time! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/38 "2005-08-07T15:32:23Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > ‘Best player’ I’m not. It’s been so long since I’ve played that I’ve forgotten most of it. I’d be nothing but a newbie. > > No longer in L.A., but am planning to return. When I go back, _I’ll_ be one of those who doesn’t have time! ☹ I would be happy to invite you to my game but I live in NJ. But it may be tough. After 4 years of playing characters are around 12th. We have been playing only 12 times a year but for 6 hours at a time. Mapping is on screen via a PC to TV connection. Rules are primarily 1st Edition. Newbie but smart and creative is far better than “I know all rules” and I argue every one despite GM being final arbitrator or I play stiff as cardboard and probably should have just stayed online. Other problem some have had in my games, I don’t allow evil characters or interparty attacks. It is heroic adventure not wandering around to find monsters to kill and Gold to grab. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/39 "2005-08-07T15:46:32Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > ‘Best player’ I’m not. It’s been so long since I’ve played that I’ve forgotten most of it. I’d be nothing but a newbie. We take in new players in my game pretty often: usually an experienced player works alongside them to keep them up-to-date on the rules. The newbie says, “I’ll attack the goblin that’s wearing the crown,” and the experienced player says, “You want to shoot him with your bow, or move over and attack him with your sword?” The newbie says, “My sword,” and the experienced player says, “Okay, you can drop your bow, move over to him, draw your sword, and attack him. You’ll get a +2 on your attack, in addition to the +6 (+1 for level, +1 for weapon focus, +4 for strength). Roll this D20 and add +8 total to it.” The newbie rolls, and the game goes on. I think lots of groups work this way. Seriously, if you want to play, you should look around for a group. It’s tons of fun, and you can probably find a group willing to work with a newbie. One caveat, though: while folks who play old-school D&D certainly exist, the overwhelming majority of the D&D community has switched to version 3.5, in which the rules are far more consistent and comprehensive (whether this comprehensive quality is a benefit or a drawback is incessantly debated). If you’re willing to try 3.5, you’ll have a much easier time finding a group–especially if you’re feeling inexperienced. A lot of the folks who stick with old-school D&D are kind of curmudgeonly folks who pride themselves on knowing the old rules backward and forward. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885/40 "2005-08-07T15:54:23Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > One caveat, though: while folks who play old-school D&D certainly exist, the overwhelming majority of the D&D community has switched to version 3.5, in which the rules are far more consistent and comprehensive (whether this comprehensive quality is a benefit or a drawback is incessantly debated). If you’re willing to try 3.5, you’ll have a much easier time finding a group–especially if you’re feeling inexperienced. A lot of the folks who stick with old-school D&D are kind of curmudgeonly folks who pride themselves on knowing the old rules backward and forward. > > Daniel Damn, nailed it to the T. 😉 Actually I don’t know any other groups that use 1st Ed. We do it because we’re comfortable with it. Don’t play very often and the rules are less important then actually game play. We only seem to argue over spell effects. Everything else is straight forward enough. 2 of the players also play 3.5 and really enjoy the new rules. They play my game as its confortable at this point and storyline driven. BTW I used to know the old rules backward and forward. But I have forgotten to many. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-dungeons-and-dragons/315885.md?page=3)