Crack open this classic TSR supplement from 1980, and you’ll find more than just monsters and loot — you’ll uncover a trove of old-school D&D artwork! With pieces from David C. Sutherland III, David A. Trampier, Bill Willingham, Tom Wham, and Jeff Dee, Monster & Treasure Assortment is a visual time capsule of early TSR fantasy. Join Rediscovered Realms and take a closer look at the illustrations lurking within!
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This Week’s Rediscovered Realms Theme Song:
Through dark dungeons in shadowed ruins, the echoes of the past call your name. Monsters' Call is an anthem of courage, camaraderie, and the thrill of adventure—where danger lurks, but heroes rise. Will you answer the call? 🎶⚔️🔥
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Monster & Treasure Assortment – A Trove of Classic D&D Goodness
Published just a few years back in 1977 (🫥), TSR’s Monster & Treasure Assortment was a must-have for dungeon-delving Dungeon Masters looking to quickly populate their adventures with all manner of monstrous foes and glittering loot. With 100 pre-generated monster encounters and treasure hoards per dungeon level, this supplement made stocking dungeons a breeze.
And TSR didn’t stop there—two more volumes followed, expanding the fun all the way to dungeon level 9.
A Cover That Oozes (Or Slithers) Old-School Cool
David C. Sutherland III’s cover alone is a masterpiece of vintage dungeon-delving vibes, and if that wasn’t enough, he’s got a couple more welcome illustrations scattered throughout the book.
But he’s not alone—Monster & Treasure Assortment also features artwork from TSR legends like David A. Trampier (“Tramp”), Bill Willingham, Tom Wham, and Jeff Dee. (My version is the 1980 reprint that has some art not found in the original.)
Unfortunately, not all the art is labeled, so you’ll just have to summon your inner sage (or take a wild guess) as to who illustrated which piece. If you’ve got the keen eyes of a seasoned adventurer and recognize any, drop a comment and let me know!
Straight From the Front Cover:
Are you running out of ideas for ways to stock your dungeon full of treasure? Do you need a quick and easy way to fill your castle of 1,000 times with monsters? The Monsters & Treasure Assortment has 900 Monsters, 900 Treasures, a host of treasure containers/protection devices/concealment, and complete instructions for using the assortment to fill in partially stocked or newly encountered dungeon levels.
Designing and stocking any number of dungeon levels becomes a snap when Monster and Treasure Assortment is used in conjunction with Dungeon Geomorphs. TSR’s geomorphs allow an almost endless variety of rooms to be laid out in virtually no time at all.
Just one more useful playing aid from the Game Wizards at TSR.
Other RPG Treasures can be found in the Rediscovered Realms’ vault:
There’s something irresistible about this era of D&D art. It doesn’t just illustrate — it invites you in, firing up the imagination and making you want to grab a pencil and sketch out your own dungeon denizens.
What about you?
Does this classic style still inspire you to create? Or maybe it just makes you want to roll some dice and get adventuring?
Let me know in the comments!
You are not only brave, but a Generous Adventurer whose love of Discovery, Imagination & Fun transcends our mere mortal coils . . .
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For the 1st time ever . . . a book compiling some of the best work of fantasy artist legend . . . Jeff Easley!!! (You’re going to want to pick this up while you can on Kickstarter.)
“My name is Jeff Easley, and I'm a painter. Even if you don't know my name, if you are a fan of Dungeons & Dragons, you're probably familiar with my artwork. For over two decades, I was an artist for TSR and Wizards of the Coast, and my art has been seen on the covers of many of their most iconic products of the 1980s and 90s.
Now, at long last, I am compiling many of my favorite pieces into the first career retrospective of my work.
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And there you have it, Treasure-filled Adventurer — another dive into the wild, weird, and wonderful world of old-school D&D art! As Ossie Davis once said:
“Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change - it can not only move us, it makes us move.”- Ossie Davis
So whether you’re sketching your own monsters, stocking dungeons, or just admiring these classic illustrations, let the adventure—and the inspiration—never end!
Keep the Adventure Going Strong! 🎨⚔️
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Monsters’ Call [Verse 1] Stone walls close in tight Can't turn back now I feel the weight above But we made a vow My torch burns low In this ancient hall I hear them calling From far below [Pre-chorus] My hands are shaking, but my spirit's strong These halls were waiting for us all along [Chorus] I hear them calling from below Through chambers deep where few dare go Standing with my friends, we face the night Together we will make it through alright [Verse 2] Footsteps echo far In darkened rooms Ancient writings warn Of coming doom But we press on Through the cold and fear Something precious waits We're getting near [Pre-chorus] The air gets colder as we venture deep But ancient powers are ours to keep [Chorus] I hear them calling from below Through chambers deep where few dare go Standing with my friends, we face the night Together we will make it through alright [Rap] Heart racing fast as we navigate the paths Dodging traps while the ceiling starts to crash Shield up front while arrows fly behind Split-second choices, no time to rewind Years of training led us to this day Each of us brings skills to find the way Metal rings as danger comes alive But we've got what it takes to survive Formation tight as we clear the room Ancient guardians emerge from the gloom Quick reactions, trust in every move Got each other's backs, we've got something to prove Feel the rush as victory comes near Every challenge faced dissolves our fear This is what we came here searching for Glory waits behind the final door [Bridge] (We stand as one) When hope seems gone (We rise again) Until the dawn [Final Chorus] I hear them calling from below Through chambers deep where few dare go Standing with my friends, we face the night Together we will make it through alright
What a *wonderful* wander down memory lane. A thing I really admire about the foundations TSR laid was a consistency of art style (which D&D still adheres to - open your 4e books and you'll find them different to 3e through tonal shift). I fell down a well when my copy of the OG rules arrived (courtesy of DriveThruRPG) and there are still these wonderful old pieces of art.
There's a level of creativity on display, or perhaps rawness of essence? It was all black and white / two-tone, and they needed to get across the essence of, say, a mimic without being able to use a different colour for the tongue 🤣
There's always something classic about the DnD artwork and it's interesting to see how the appearance of different creatures or environments have changed over the years. Also meant to say earlier thanks for the awesome music it was my playlist while I finished up an entry for a miniatures painting competition.
What a *wonderful* wander down memory lane. A thing I really admire about the foundations TSR laid was a consistency of art style (which D&D still adheres to - open your 4e books and you'll find them different to 3e through tonal shift). I fell down a well when my copy of the OG rules arrived (courtesy of DriveThruRPG) and there are still these wonderful old pieces of art.
There's a level of creativity on display, or perhaps rawness of essence? It was all black and white / two-tone, and they needed to get across the essence of, say, a mimic without being able to use a different colour for the tongue 🤣
There's always something classic about the DnD artwork and it's interesting to see how the appearance of different creatures or environments have changed over the years. Also meant to say earlier thanks for the awesome music it was my playlist while I finished up an entry for a miniatures painting competition.