D1-2: Descent Into the Depths of the Earth is a compilation module of the first two modules in the D (Drow) series: D1 of same name and D2: Shrine of the Kuo-toa. For sake of simplicity, this article covers D1-2 and it's component modules together. Within D1-2, D1 takes place pages 2-11, D2 pages 12-21
The module is designed for characters of about 10th level, with a party size of 7 to 9.
Blurb[]
D1: Descent into the Depths of the Earth and D2: Shrine of the Kuo-toa had the same blurb-
"This module contains background information, a large-scale referee's map with a matching partial map for players, referee's notes, special exploration and encounter pieces, a large map detailing a cavern area, encounter and map matrix keys, and an additional section pertaining to a unique new creature for use with this module and the game as a whole. A complete setting for play of ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS is contained herein. This module can be played alone, as the first part of a series of three modules (with [Other Module Name, D1/D2] and VAULT OF THE DROW, D3). or as the fourth part of a continuing series of modules which form a special progressive campaign scenario (DUNGEON MODULES G1, G2, G3, D1, D2, D3, and Q1, (QUEEN OF THE DEMONWEB PITS, soon to be released)."
D1-2: Descent into the Depths of the Earth-
"This material was originally published as two separate modules, D1 (DESCENT INTO THE DEPTHS OF THE EARTH) and D2 (SHRINE OF THE KUO-TOA). Contained herein are referee notes, background information, maps, and exploration keys intended for use with the ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONSTM rules. The module can be used alone or as part of an extended adventure that begins with Dungeon Module G-1-2-3 (AGAINST THE GIANTS) and continues with modules D3 (THE VAULT OF THE DROW) and Ql (QUEEN OF THE DEMONWEB PITS)."
Index[]
Art[]
Names of images in italics are ones that did not make it into the D1-2 Compilation.
D1:
- David C. Sutherland III:Crossing the Lava River(p.2), Giant Slug(p.3), Drow Ambush(p.4), Pack Lizard(p.5), Drow Brooches(p.6), Lich(p.9). Troll Ambush(p.11), Jermlaine(p.12)
- David A. Trampier: Gargoyles(p.8), Mindflayer(p.7), Bugbears(p.10)
D2:
- David C. Sutherland III: Kuo-toa vs elf(p.2), Roper(p.4), Deep Gnomes(p.7), Va-Guulgh(p.9), Kuo-toa(p.13), Kuo-toa vs Deep Gnomes(p.15), Svirfneblin(p.16), Rust Monster (Backcover)
- David A. Trampier: Kuo-toa(?) vs adventurers(p.3), Kuo-toa(p.6), Fingerling Pool (p.10-11), Adventurers resting(p.13)
D1-2:
- Jeff Dee: Kou-toa(p,13), Adventurers with drow captive(p.21)
- David S. La Force: Female Drow Fighter(p.6)
- Erol Otus: The Underworld(p.2), Wyverns(p.11), Adventurers(p.12)
- David C. Sutherland III: Giant Slug(p.3), Lich(p.9), Deep Gnomes(p.15), Va-Guulgh(p.17), Jermaline(p.24), Drow with Atlatl(p.24)(Reused from Hall of the Fire Giant King), Kuo-toa(p.25), Kuo-toa vs Deep Gnomes(p.27), Svirfneblin(p.28)
- David A. Trampier: Gargoyles(p.8), Kuo-toa(p.14), Mindflayer(p.7), Bugbears(p.10), Fingerling Pool(p.19)
- Bill Willingham: 'Four Drow'(p.1), Troll(p.12), Mind Flayer(Backcover)
Characters[]
- Asburdies, a lich(p.9)
- Derinnil, female noble of House Noquar and Kuo-toan prisoner.(p.20)
- Grubblik, Chief of a bugbear clan, and his son Bruzblid and subchief Ruddug.
- Quolp-Ool, Kuo-toan chief whip (religious enforcers)(p.20)
- Snurre(p.1, mentioned only)
- Thoopshib, Kuo-toan bargeman. He's larger than most and speak undercommon (p.14)
- Trosli Garnetgetter, a deep gnome of a respectable family and skill.(p.15)
- Va-Ghuul, Kuo-toan Prince-Priest of Blipdoolpoolp(p.17-18)
- Vlondril, Drow priestess of house Despana, waiting at an outpost (p.7)
- Unnamed Human Paladin of 7th level(p.18)
Pregenerated Characters(p.22):
- Fonkin Hoddypeak, CG High Elf, Fighter/M.U 5/8.
- Beek Gwenders of Croodle, CG, Half-elf Ranger 9.
- Fnast Dringle, Wood Elf Fighter/Magic User 4/8.
- Keak Breedbate, N Gnome Fighter/Thief 5/10.
- Darg Blonke, CG, Gray Elf Fighter 7.
- Ycore Rixle, LG Gray Elf Fighter/M.U 7/11.
- Shab Heanling Half-elf N thief 12.
- Fage the Kexy, LG Grey Elf Cleric 7.
- Philotomy Jurament, LG Human Paladin 10.
These characters were added in D1-2 and were not listed in either D1 or D2. Fonkin Hoddypeak and Beek Gwenders are from the G Series pregenerated characters and show up in G1: Steading of the Hill Giant Chief. Surprisingly, they have not increased in levels over this journey.
Creatures[]
- Ant, Giant (p.4,13)
- Bat, Cave (p.2)
- Beetle, Fire (p.2,4,13)
- Beholder (p.4- First Appearance in a module)
- Black Pudding (p.4,13)
- Bugbear (p.3-5,8,10,13,18)
- Bullete (p.4,13)
- Drow (p.2-9,13,15,18,21,23-24)
- Dwarf (p.5,13,18)
- Elemental, Earth (p.15)
- Elf (p.5,13,18)
- Gas Spore (p.4,13)
- Gar, Giant (p.14)
- Gargoyle (p.4,8-9,13)
- Ghast (p.4-5,9,13)
- Ghoul (p.4-5,9,13)
- Gnoll (p.5,13,18)
- Goblin (p.5,13)
- Gray Ooze (p.4,13)
- Green Slime (p.4,13)
- Half-elf (p.5,13)
- Half-orc (p.5,13,18)
- Hieracosphinx(p.9)
- Hobgoblin (p.5,13,18)
- Human (p.5,13,18)
- Jermlaine (p.3-4,24-25. First Appearance: D1)
- Kuo-toa (p.12-21,25-27. First Appearance: D2)
- Lich (p.4,9,13)
- Lizard, Subterranean (p.4,13)
- Lizard, Pack (p.8)
- Lizardfolk (p.13,18)
- Lycanthrope, Wererat (p.4,7)
- Lurker (p.4,13)
- Mind Flayer/ Illithid (p.3-4,7)
- Mold, Yellow (p.4,13)
- Mold, Brown (p.4,13)
- Ochre Jelly (p.4,13)
- Orc (p.5,13,18)
- Piercer (p.4,13)
- Purple Worm (p.4,13)
- Roper (p.4,13)
- Rust Monster (p.4,13)
- Shadow (p.4,13)
- Shambling Mound (p.4,13)
- Shrieker (p.4, 10,13)
- Slithering Tracker (p.4,13)
- Slug, Giant (p.4,9,13)
- Snake, Giant Constrictor (p.13)
- Snake, Giant Spitting (p.13)
- Spider, Giant (p.4,13 )
- Spider, Huge (p.13)
- Spider, Phase(p.4)
- Spider, Poisonous (p.10)
- Svifneblin (p.12,13-15,18,28. First Appearance: D2)
- Trapper (p.4,8,13)
- Troglodyte (p.3-5,8,10-12,13,18)
- Troll (p.3-5,8,10-11,13,18)
- Umber hulk (p.4,13)
- Vampire (p.4,13)
- Violet Fungi (p.4,101,13)
- Wyvern (p.11)
- Xorn (p.4,13,15)
There are also more mundane creatures such as: Bats, Insects, Leeches(p.16), Mules(p.2)
Events[]
Locations[]
- Underworld (Not yet called the underdark)
- Svartjet River(p.14)
Organisations[]
- Followers of Blipdoolpoolp.
Appendix[]
The art piece depicting four drow by Bill Willingham on page 1 of the D1-2 module has many Marvel Comic easter eggs, including Captain America's Shield, Iron Man's Helmet, and Spider-man's Mask. It also includes a tablet that has norse runes engraved on them, although they do not appear to make any sense reading:
ᛉ ᛟᚠ ᛈ.ᛗ --- ᚺ.ᚱ ᚾᛟ ᚹ ᚾᛟ ᛊ ᚾᛟᚱ ᛞ ᚦ
Drow by Bill Willingham, 1981
If the non bold runes are taken to represent letters, and the bold runes represent meanings then the middle 'ᚾᛟ ᚹ / ᚾᛟ ᛊ / ᚾᛟᚱ ᛞ', lines could be taken to mean 'no joy, no sun, nor day' which would be fitting for the drow. However this would make the first section (ᛉ / ᛟᚠ /ᛈ.ᛗ ) would mean shield/protection of 'Peorð* Man' or 'P.M' if initials (* ᛈ or Peorð has no clear meaning but could be pear tree). ᚺ.ᚱ would be 'Hail Ride/Journey' or H.R, and ᚦ would be 'Thor/Giant' or 'Th (θ)'.
[]
All the command words to the Drow's magic items are the names of their houses, albeit occasionally spelt differently (Everhaite(p.18)
White Dwarf #015, 1979, had an article by Don Turnbull giving advice on how to run the series, such as advice on how to handle psionics in the module, a warning on difficulty, how to handle large area fights and general tips on preparation.
Articles: DriveThruRPG (D1-2), RPG.Net (D1, D2), RPGGeek (D1, D2, D1-2) Acaeum (D Series), Pen & Paper Data Base on the WayBack machine: D1, D2, D1-2
Reviews: Grognardia (D1, D2), Merric's Musings (D1, D2)
References[]
- CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0
Descent Into the Depths of the Earth. Great Library of Greyhawk, GreyhawkOnline.com. (view authors)