Against The Giants (G1-2-3). Join Rediscovered Realms as we take a brisk foray into this 1981 AD&D module and gaze upon its admirably fantastic fantasy illustrations.
G2 was the second module I ever bought after Tomb of Horrors. I ran it a bunch of times in 6th grade with our ever-evolving understanding of the rules as we picked up more TSR products (first Holmes blue box, then Greyhawk supplement, then the AD&D books).
That cover of G1 was just madness. You have a young mother carrying a baby, just to remind us how much it would suck to live in dnd world. And the giant holding up the fallen guard by his helmet somehow. A guard who went into battle without trousers for some reason.
We played the first module, “Steading of the Hill Giant Chief” which, again, I only remembered when I seen the artwork, particularly the kitchen scene with the female giants
Looking at the hit points of the giants, I’m sure we probably found it quite tricky as there was a lot of them but I can’t recall any specifically traumatic character deaths. So, not the horror show of Temple of Elemental Evil!
haha Dan! I played Temple back in the day so I know what you're talking about. The intro to Against The Giants has the following warning:
"CAUTION: Only strong and experienced characters should adventure into these areas if the party is but 3 or 4 characters strong. The optimum mix for a group is 9 characters of various classes, with an average experience level of at least 9th, and armed with 2 or 3 magical items each . . ."
Love the art of these old school modules. Thanks for sharing them with the world. I think anytime your running between a giants legs, you gotta keep your eyes on the horizon.
Loved all that imagery as a flashback to my D&D early days. Many underestimated that art for its simplicity as they’d overlook little things like halfling feet disappearing down the monster’s gullet of monsters until a closer look at its maw…
Right on - glad you enjoyed it Thog! Let me just leave you with these words: "Turn around, look at what you see. In her face, the mirror of your dreams ..." 🎶
G2 was the second module I ever bought after Tomb of Horrors. I ran it a bunch of times in 6th grade with our ever-evolving understanding of the rules as we picked up more TSR products (first Holmes blue box, then Greyhawk supplement, then the AD&D books).
Right on, Matt! Sounds like you and your party were pretty familiar with those rascally Giants!
The old school art had real character.
That cover of G1 was just madness. You have a young mother carrying a baby, just to remind us how much it would suck to live in dnd world. And the giant holding up the fallen guard by his helmet somehow. A guard who went into battle without trousers for some reason.
Yes, the situation was very helter-skelter indeed! ⚔
Always love this old art - so cool!
Thanks Dan! BTW: I love the newsletter you did about Zork. Fun stuff!
The art in these old modules just hits home. To this day it's still what I see in my head when I play.
Like seeing an old friend after a long time away. Instant reconnection and warm, fun memories.
Definitely how D&D still looks in my mind when I play it.
Nice! I feel so fortunate to have been exposed to this stuff as a kid.
Another brilliant reminder, J.Q. 😁
We played the first module, “Steading of the Hill Giant Chief” which, again, I only remembered when I seen the artwork, particularly the kitchen scene with the female giants
Looking at the hit points of the giants, I’m sure we probably found it quite tricky as there was a lot of them but I can’t recall any specifically traumatic character deaths. So, not the horror show of Temple of Elemental Evil!
haha Dan! I played Temple back in the day so I know what you're talking about. The intro to Against The Giants has the following warning:
"CAUTION: Only strong and experienced characters should adventure into these areas if the party is but 3 or 4 characters strong. The optimum mix for a group is 9 characters of various classes, with an average experience level of at least 9th, and armed with 2 or 3 magical items each . . ."
Can't beat old school art. Take me back to better times please! 🙌
My bags are packed and I'm ready for the trip, Pierre. I'll pick you up as soon as the time machine is ready. 🎛⚙🔬⚗📡⏳
Hell yeah! 🧳 Make it a DeLorean 😎
LMAO - good call! 🎸
My group must have played these through dozens of times as very young role players. Fabulous artistic artifacts.
Wow! You guys must've really loved these adventures. I bet you have some fun stories to tell, Malcolm!
Great look back at the old artwork. As a kid the art work was always the first thing to draw me in and still does to this day.
I'm with you, Eric! The art was definitely the gateway to fantasy for me as well.
Love the art of these old school modules. Thanks for sharing them with the world. I think anytime your running between a giants legs, you gotta keep your eyes on the horizon.
😂 Truer words have nary been spoken, my friend!
Great old stuff, simple but so evocative. I threw a fireball and took out the whole steaming, no experience points.
Steading.
Loved all that imagery as a flashback to my D&D early days. Many underestimated that art for its simplicity as they’d overlook little things like halfling feet disappearing down the monster’s gullet of monsters until a closer look at its maw…
Right on - glad you enjoyed it Thog! Let me just leave you with these words: "Turn around, look at what you see. In her face, the mirror of your dreams ..." 🎶