They say no one survives the Tomb of Horrors, but we’re not here to survive. We’re here to just have a look around.
This week, Rediscovered Realms descends into the infamous Dungeons & Dragons deathtrap known as S1: Tomb of Horrors, spotlighting the old school fantasy artwork while touching on some of the legendary legacy behind the module that has caused players for decades to consider it the toughest dungeon crawl ever. Grab your 10-foot pole and pray to whomever you pray to, because this one’s only for the brave . . . or foolhardy.
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In honor of the choices laid before you in the actual Tomb of Horrors, I give you 3 different song choices to explore . . . You decide which version is the best!
(Ambient Celtic version)
1×
0:00
-3:31
(Heavy Rock version)
1×
0:00
-3:34
(Orchestral Rap version)
1×
0:00
-2:04
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S1 - Tomb of Horrors
Cover art by Jeff Dee
Taking place in the world of Greyhawk, characters have to use their wits (and lots o’ luck) to get past some of the most devious & deadly traps in the known D&D universe.
But why?
To get to the crypt of the wizard of course.
A wizard by the name of . . .
Acererak.
A lich of powerful renown, indeed.
“In the far reaches of the world, under a lost and lonely hill, lies the sinister TOMB OF HORRORS. This labyrinthine crypt is filled with terrible traps, strange and ferocious monsters, rich and magical treasures, and somewhere within rests the evil Demi-Lich.” - from the front cover
☠️ It All Began with a Challenge
Gary Gygax created Tomb of Horrors in 1975 specifically to challenge high-level players who had become overconfident in AD&D. He needed a dungeon that couldn't be solved by brute force—and thus was born the most lethal module in D&D history!
Cover art by David C. Sutherland III
"There were several very expert players in my campaign, and this was meant as yet another challenge to their skill—and the persistence of their theretofore-invincible characters. Specifically, I had in mind foiling Rob Kuntz's PC [player character], Robilar, and Ernie Gygax's PC, Tenser." - Gary Gygax
📅 First Played at Origins 1975
This brutal dungeon debuted at the inaugural Origins convention (yes - the very 1st one!), where eight groups of 15 pre-generated characters raced through it in just two-hour windows
Lore Sjöberg of Wired famously likened Tomb of Horrors to a medical exam: “This is a D&D adventure created in 1978 for the purposes of testing the wit and fortitude of adventuring parties at game tournaments. “Testing” is used here in the same sense as the sentence “We’ll be testing the dog for rabies.” Let’s just say the subject is not expected to survive the procedure.”
“Unsolvable ‘F*ck You’s”
Matthew Coleville noted: “It's mostly a bunch of unsolvable "f*ck yous" each of which is designed to kill your character without a roll.
If you're having the problem Gary had, then it sort of makes sense. Though I suspect there's about a million better ways to deal with that. Otherwise, pass.”
A Legendary One-Shot
DM Ed of Drunkards and Dragons praised the module's enduring horror:
“WOW. With those three words [Tomb of Horrors], has there ever been an adventure that has spawned more horror, discussion and/or awe?”
From Wikipedia:
Here’s an example of Acererak being, um, well, Acererak! (SPOILER ALERT!)
Tomb of Horrors was ranked the 3rd greatest Dungeons & Dragons adventure of all time by Dungeon magazine in 2004
🧩 “It tests creativity… not characters”
“The original Tomb of Horrors is one of the greatest player challenges ever devised. It tests creativity, game knowledge, patience and teamwork.” From r/DnDBehindTheScreen:
🧠 “A DM power‑trip playground”
“Not gonna tell you how to live your life, but Tomb of Horrors is kind of a joke dungeon… it was made to be unfair, frustrating, and above all else, it was made to kill characters.” reddit.com+1reddit.com+1
The published 1978 and 1980 TSR versions featured unforgettable illustrations by Dave Trampier and David Sutherland. Their black-and-white art gave physical form to the dungeon’s most dreaded features, from the Great Green Devil face to the torch-lit hallways that burned forever into players’ memories.
The Great Green Devil:
SPOILER alert:
You still willing to reach into that mouth to see what treasures you can find? Check out this past Rediscovered Realms edition: Acererak’s D&D Treasure Pack Dice Sets
🎯 “It’s a thinking person’s dungeon”
“Players feel satisfaction for considering the trap, and finding the solution themselves… It’s a thinking persons dungeon, as Gygax said. Not for hack and slash.” From r/dndmemes
Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.
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Tomb of Horrors ORIGINAL 1975 Tournament Module
Original tournament edition of Tomb of Horrors included with the Special edition of Art & Arcana (Cover art by Tracy Lesch)
🏛️ Ra-Hotep Before Acererak
The original tomb (recently published for the first time as a standalone booklet in the Special edition of Art & Arcana) featured a different lich entirely - “Ra-Hotep”. It leaned more heavily on Egyptian themes. This early version was submitted to Gygax by Alan Lucien, and it inspired the final version players know today.
Introduction from Tomb of Horrors ORIGINAL 1975 Tournament Module
🎨 Death Has a Visual Language
To ensure consistency and mystery during the first Origins tournament in 1975, Gygax had 14-year-old Tracy Lesch create over two dozen visual panels (later re-created by Tramp and Sutherland). These became the core reference for DMs running the event, standardizing what players saw as they triggered deadly traps and illusions.
One of the 2 dozen illustrations by 14-year-old Tracy Lesch from the Tomb of Horrors ORIGINAL 1975 Tournament Module
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⚠️ “Not for your precious characters”
“If you lovingly crafted a character… and paid someone to do a portrait of him, I’d be pretty pissed… If you slap names on prefab characters… it’s great.” From r/dndnext
Charred Remains (SPOILER ALERT!)
If You Survive Long Enough to Meet Acererak … (SPOILER ALERT!):
🎭 TL;DR (If you dare to play this module)
Clever over Crunch: It forces player ingenuity, not character optimization.
Designed to Kill: Built with the express intent to crush cocky players.
Iconic Moments: Accidental glory and comedic TPK moments are part of its legacy.
Mindset Matters: Prefab PCs and warned players enjoy it; those with deep backstories meet everlasting heartbreak.
Few modules have shaped the mythos of fantasy roleplaying like Tomb of Horrors. From its brutal traps to its stark, haunting illustrations, it redefined what a dungeon could be . . . less a gauntlet of monsters, and more a puzzle box of dread.
So if you choose to enter, take a deep breath. For beyond the creaking crypt door a grinning skull awaits.
You are not only brave, but a Generous Adventurer whose love of Discovery, Imagination & Fun transcends our mere mortal coils . . .
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Wow! That was a lot of giveaways.
And that’s another week!
Some dungeons are designed for glory. Others, for gold. But the Tomb of Horrors? It was built to bury heroes or etch their names into legend.
From its infamous traps to its stark, sinister art, this module still whispers a challenge across the decades. And whether you dare to enter or simply admire from afar, one truth remains: the tomb doesn’t care who you are. Only whether you’re clever enough to survive.
So tread lightly, Keen-Witted Adventurer. The doors are open . . . and the crypt awaits.
Have you ever played Tomb of Horrors or an equally brutal scenario? I would love to hear about it in the comments!
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Tomb of Horrors [Verse] Under shadow's cloak, where the silence spills, Lost and lonely hill hides ancient chills. Labyrinth winds with a venomous grin, Demi-Lich whispers, let the nightmare begin. [Chorus] Tomb of Horrors, where the brave hearts shatter, Traps snap quick, bones break and scatter. Gold and magic, but the cost is steep, Enter the crypt where the darkness creeps. [Verse 2] Floorboards groan, secrets carved in stone, Skulls in the walls, you're never alone. Monsters stir, breath hot as fire, Hopes burn fast, consumed in the pyre. [Bridge] Echoes haunt, every step a test, Will you falter, or face the unrest? Wisdom's the key, greed’s the snare, In the tomb's grasp, few can fare. [Chorus] Tomb of Horrors, where the brave hearts shatter, Traps snap quick, bones break and scatter. Gold and magic, but the cost is steep, Enter the crypt where the darkness creeps. [Verse 3] Gems in the dark, they gleam and glisten, But the price they hide, you better listen. Acererak waits, his hunger vast, Time runs thin, your breath won’t last.
This is a great write-up! Those illustrations are fabulously weird and evocative! I have never run or played in Tomb of Horrors but have always wanted to. As you mentioned, making sure everyone is on board with the gotcha elements and knows ahead of time that a TPK is possible/likely, it sounds like a great one-shot to play with friends.
OMG... love the old school D&D art... so folksy, so cool, so perfect for the time.
This is a great write-up! Those illustrations are fabulously weird and evocative! I have never run or played in Tomb of Horrors but have always wanted to. As you mentioned, making sure everyone is on board with the gotcha elements and knows ahead of time that a TPK is possible/likely, it sounds like a great one-shot to play with friends.