Drmg032, Dragon
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December, 1979
appy holidays from THE DRAGON—but as this
month’s cover by
Phil Foglio
(two-time winner of the
Hugo award for best fan artist) illustrates, if you asked
Santa for those super life-like miniatures, you might be
advised to use a little caution when you open the box.
Phil, by the way, is one of the contributing artists for
Days of the
Dragon,
our just released 1980 fantasy calendar.
the use of poison in D&D campaigns is generally discouraged, this
article presents a guide for allowing the presence of poison while
restricting its use by players. Those of you who found last month’s piece
on Armor of the Far East by
Michael Kluever
to your liking will be
glad to see his follow-up of
Weapons of the Far East.
Last month we looked at an often neglected D&D environment, the
jungle. This month another neglected environment, the sea, is exam-
ined by
George Laking.
Mr. Laking and the Mid-Columbia Wargam-
ing Society present
megaflora aquans—
the giant water plant. And
those of you running campaigns with Druids will find
Bill Fawcett’s
article on Druids helpful. Bill details some of the history of Druidism and
some views on how to incorporate the Druid character into a game.
Applause, applause! This month we finally have the winner of the
International Dungeon Design Contest!
After repeated evalua-
tions of the many excellent finalists (including evaluations by the TSR
design department), a winner has been selected: The
Fell Pass
by
Karl Merris.
Page 22 lists 2nd and 3rd place winners and several
honorable mentions. It cannot be over-emphasized how many excel-
lent entries we had, and how difficult the final decision was. We extend
our congratulations to Karl and the other finalists, and our thanks to all
the entrants who made the contest such a success.
But, even though D&D is a great game, THE DRAGON is
not
just for
D&D players. For the micro-armor buff, we have a rather lengthy list of
WRG rules modifications
by
Michael Reese,
co-author of
Trac-
tics.
For the
Traveller
enthusiast,
Rich Stuart
details a variant to add
politics and intrigue to the game.
Brad McMillan
offers some new
spells for characters with high intelligences in
Wizard.
And this
month’s
Dragon’s Augury
contains reviews of
Samuri
and
Middle
Sea.
Also in the Augury are
Short Takes
on
Ironclad
and
Sandlot
Football.
This month we have several D&D related articles, on a variety of
subjects.
Charles Sagui gives us: Poison: from AA to XX.
Although
FEATURES
Sorcerer’s Scroll—
Gary Gygax
............................. 12
Sage Advice—
Questions &Answers on D&D
................ 14
Leomund’s Tiny Hut—
Len & Lakofka
...................... 6
The Druid in Fact and Fantasy—
William Fawcett
..............
21
The Fell Pass—
The winning IDDC entry
....................
M1
Fantasysmith’s Notebook—
Pity the Poor Hobgoblin
........... 29
Dragon’s Bestiary—
Crawling Claw
.........................
39
Think about your Friday night gaming get-togethers—then read
A
Typical Night in the Life of Nine Ordinary(?) People
by
Jeff
Swycaffer.
And while you’re in the
Dragon Mirth
section, check out
Inert Weapons
—the first of a series by
Patric Shaw.
As explained
last month,
Finieous Fingers
& crew are still in limbo—we hope to be
hearing more from J.D. soon.
Wormy,
on the other hand, forges
ahead, and will expand to two pages next month.
In our regular features this month,
Gary Gygax
discusses the develop-
ment of the “other” planes, i.e., those planes outside the prime mate-
rial plane, in The
Sorcerer’s Scroll. Len Lakofka
offers “The
Insectoids” in
Leomund’s Tiny Hut.
The fantasysmith asks us to pity
the poor hobgoblins as he discusses the use of miniatures in fantasy
gaming in his
Fantasysmith’s Notebook.
And Jean Wells answers
more questions concerning D&D in
Sage Advice.
Remember, ques-
tions should be addressed to Sage Advice, c/o THE DRAGON, P.O.
Box 110, Lake Geneva, WI 53147.
VARIANTS
Poisons from AA to XX—
Charles Sagui ......................
4
Aquatic Encounters with Megaflora—
George Laking
...........
10
Spells for the Very Smart Sorcerer—
Brad McMillan
............ 18
The Traveller Politician—
Rick Stuart
........................ 24
WRG Rules Modifications—
Michael Reese
................... 34
REVIEWS
Samurai—
Tony Watson
.................................. 37
Middle Sea—
James Ward
................................. 38
Short Takes & First Impressions—
T. J. Kask
.................. 38
Don’t forget, next month we’ll have the all-new, greatly expanded
Mapping’
the
Dungeons
DM listing. This new listing contains over
1,000 DMs’ names and addresses and should be a great boon to those
of you looking for new players and/or DMs.
“I SURRENDER” DEPARTMENT
HUMOR
A Typical Night. . . —
Jeff Swycaffer
......................... 40
Dragon Mirth—
Inert Weapons, No. 1
.......................
42
Wormy—
by Tramp
...................................... 43
This job is going to give me ulcers yet. Last month (TD #30) in
approximately this same spot in
Cover to Cover,
I was busy attempting
to be cute and list some article titles and author credits that were
somehow omitted when TD #29 was put together. To my professional
horror and personal embarassment, when TD #30 came back from the
printer, we found several paragraphs from
Cover to Cover
and
Dragon
Rumbles
showed up a
second
time on page 22 as continuations of
those columns. Nothing like having your explanation of a screw-up
being screwed-up too. Much teeth-gnashing and head-slapping later,
we have (hopefully) resolved some of the problems inherent in our
printing routine. If not, I guess we’ll start looking for no-fault publishing
insurance.
BACKGROUND
Weapons of the Far East—
Michael Kluever
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
NEWS/VIEWS
Dragon Rumbles
.........................................
2
Out on a Limb ...........................................
3
Convention Schedule .................................... 26
Vol. IV, No. 6
The Premier Magazine of Games and Gaming
This issue marks a couple of milestones
for TSR Periodicals. First, you might notice a
new name on the masthead, that of Corey
Koebernick. As we add personnel to the staff,
each job is altered somewhat, duties and
responsibilities shifted, and hopefully, we be-
come more efficient. In the past, all of us
(however many there were—first it was just
me, then the staff started to grow) were in-
volved in all of the aspects of making this
beast grow and function. That meant that we
all worked on mailing out subs, keeping sub
lists, processing wholesale orders, shipping,
layout, paste-up, design, editing, proofing,
etc.
Con. We have found it worthwhile to meet as
many of our readers, as well as detractors, as
possible. We would like to make it to Paci-
ficon, but the high cost of getting there makes
it somewhat prohibitive, particularly in view
of the fact that there is considerable con-
fusion and uncertainty regarding exclusivity
on sales. Perhaps one of us may get invited
to do a seminar or something, in which case
we might work out the logistical expense
problem.
This issue inaugurates a new pricing
policy. From now on, when we have a sub-
stantial inclusion in the issue, the cover price
will be raised somewhat to offset the greater
expense. All in all, 50¢ is pretty inexpensive
for a module, compared to the regular price
range. The same policy will pertain to games
that we insert, and other as yet unnamed
inclusions. We are fighting hard to hold off a
price increase, but we can’t for very much
longer. The inflation rate alone dictates that
we raise it 25¢, and costs keep rising.
This and the next issue will see us com-
pleting the bulk of our design and style
changes in the layout of the magazine. We
plan to keep on improving, but feel that with
the new format, modeled on THE BEST
OF. . . we will have reached an excellent
state of the art.
As some of you may know by now, we
have not limited our growth by concentrating
solely on
THE DRAGON.
TSR Periodicals is
sole North American agent for both of the
professional English gaming magazines:
THE
WARGAMER
and
WHITE DWARF. WHITE
DWARF
is very similar to what TD used to be
a year or so ago—a D&D oriented 'zine.
THE WARGAMER
is the English equivalent
of
S&T,
with a few major differences. For
one,
TW
contains articles dealing with ALL
types of wargames, not just those published
by the parent company. For another, their
game in each issue is generally better, in both
physical as well as design quality.
*****************
Vol. IV, No. 6
December, 1979
Publisher
E. Gary Gygax
Editor
T.J. Kask
The jobs have grown at a staggering rate
as we have grown in size and distribution.
Assembling and producing a 56 page maga-
zine is not just 66% harder than doing a 32
page 'zine—it is two or three times harder.
As we have added staff, different areas of
responsibility have been lumped together
and various staffers have begun to specialize
in certain areas. Corey has taken over all of
the aspects of sales and distribution, from
subscribers, to wholesale sales to distributors
and retailers, to back issue orders. As the
accounting needs multiplied, it became evi-
dent that we would be needing someone like
him soon, and we’re delighted to add him to
the staff.
We find ourselves excited about the
prospects for the coming year. TSR
Periodicals has never been in better shape.
THE DRAGON is beginning to hit its stride,
and sales and response are encouraging
We expect great things from our first
calendar, already destined to become a
collector’s item. Next year, having profited
from this year’s learning process, our calen-
dar will be the graphic equal of any on the
market, and the special info that we add to it
should be even more entertaining and
complete.
We are going to market a couple of T-
shirts this summer at the cons, and feel that
all of the fans of Finieous and Wormy will
find the shirts appealing.
Encouraged by the reception and re-
sponse to Vol. I of THE BEST OF THE
DRAGON, we are contemplating putting to-
gether a second volume for sale in the late
summer or early fall. This would include
material from TD’s 15 thru 26, all of which
will be out of print before spring. We are
interested in your ideas concerning what
should be included.
We plan to exhibit at ORIGINS, Michi-
Con, WinterCon (again this year) and Gen-
Assistant Editor
Jake Jaquet
Editorial Staff
Kim Mohan
John Baillie
Art Staff
Dave Sutherland
Erol Otus
Greg Fleming
Darlene Pekul
Circulation & Sales
Corey Koebernick
THE DRAGON is published monthly by
TSR Periodicals, a division of TSR Hobbies.
Inc., P.O. Box 110, Lake Geneva.
Wisconsin 53147 Phone: 414-248-8044
THE DRAGON is available at better hobby
shops and bookstores, or by subscription.
Subscription rate within the U.S. and
Canada is $24.00 for 13 issues. Subscrip-
tion outside the U.S. and Canada are
$28.00 for 6 issues, and are air-mailed.
Single copy price, including back issues, is
$2.60 per copy. All payments must be
made in U.S. currency or by international
money order. Subscription expiration is
coded onto the mailing label. The number
to the right of the name, prefixed by “TD” is
the number of the last issue of the subscrip-
tion. Changes of address must be filed 30
days prior to the mailing date of the
magazine to be sent to the new address.
All material published in THE DRAGON
becomes the exclusive property of the
publisher unless special arrangements to
the contrary are made.
While THE DRAGON welcomes unsoli-
cited material, such cannot be returned un-
less accompanied by a stamped return en-
velope, and no responsibility for such
material can be assumed by the publisher in
any event. All rights on the contents of this
publication are reserved, and nothing may
be reprinted in whole or in part without
written permission of the publisher. Copy-
right 1979 by TSR Hobbies, Inc.
The staff of TSR Periodicals would like to
wish our readers a happy holiday season.
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanuk-
kah, Winter Solstice or whatever, may it be a
joyous and peaceful season for you and
yours, and hopefully, we’ll share the next
year together on these pages.
Second class postage paid at Lake Geneva.
Wisconsin 53147
Editor
2
December, 1979
‘ . . .
and I mean HIGH!”
the way) I found myself at odds with the world as a
40-year-old lady playing with 12-to-14 year-olds,
then with college dropouts.
Perseverance, however, won me some real-
life Experience Points. I formed my own group of
13-to-18 year-olds, together with another in-
terested 19-year old DM.
Believe me, our games are not unsophisti-
cated, especially as regards the elder gods and
magical systems.
I think in a good game there has got to be
something for everyone, and the younger players
are learning a lot from me; I believe I may be
learning more from them.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that kids are
people too and the more you expect from people,
the more you get.
Best regards, and keep up the good work.
Sonia Brock—Canada
have a fantasy calendar out that contains some of
the best art that TSRP has ever published. Look
for it where you buy TD.
I
think you didn’t read my editorial at all cor-
rectly. While we used to wish for the amount of
publicity that was engendered, we certainly
weren’t fond of the impetus that inaugurated
it.—ED.
Dear editor,
I am fairly new to D&D but I know a lie when I
hear one (or more like cheating). People are play-
ing high level characters and I mean HIGH!!!
Somebody was playing a 43rd level fighter! He
said he had
rolled
the character 3 years ago. This
means he had to get 7452.1 experience points per
day for 3 years Not only that, he said, “My
!!!
fighter has so many experience points, I can’t keep
track.” I’ve heard and seen so many of these that I
will go chaotic! Another example would be that
somebody asked me, “What is your highest level
character?”
“I have a 6th level Cleric,” I replied.
He said, “That’s nothing, I have a magic-user
above the 100th level.”
There are Gods in the game that aren’t as
good as these lies. Some say of unbelievable ar-
mor classes (like -20).
‘An excellent forum’
Dear Editor,
I, too, do not wish to see OUT ON A LIMB
cancelled due to lack of interest. In TD #29, in
response to Brian Wagner’s letter, you mention
that this column “. . . will survive yet a while
longer . . . ”, and while this does not inspire great
confidence in me, I am somewhat hopeful to its
continuing presence in TD. I would make a
suggestion in case letters start to lag again. Instead
of cancelling this page, run it only as often as
circumstances dictate. This is an excellent forum
for readers to express their views and all will be
somewhat poorer without it.
As ever, there are two sides, at least, to every
issue. Anybody else care to comment on this
topic?—ED.
Andy Laska—TX
Cheating, yes, but who?
If
you refuse to play
with these sorry individuals, they are only cheating
themselves of the feeling of accomplishment that
comes from having honestly earned a level ad-
vancement. To each his own . . .—ED.
‘Thanks!’
John Beck—CA
Dear Editor,
I just got the October issue of THE DRAGON
yesterday and I just have one thing to say about
it—Thanks! The article on GenCon by Kim
Mohan was really beautiful. Although I didn’t get
the opportunity to attend GenCon this year, that
article really made me feel as though I had. Mr.
Mohan’s ability to express what the con was like
was like nothing I have ever read before. I think he
will make a very valuable addition to your maga-
zine.
The part that I also liked was the Elrohir cover,
it was fantastic as usual. Have you ever thought of
releasing a book of his and other people’s art-
work? I think it would sell well.
I unfortunately had to come across a part that I
disagreed with—the editorial. Your general idea
seemed to be that the disappearance of James
Egbert from MSU’s Campus was good for the
Hobby. I have to disagree because the news
coverage has given me the unwanted name of
Genius and Cultie from fellow students at my
school. My grandmother actually thinks I’m in a
cult because I play “That Dragon Game.” I hope
you will do your best to clear these matters up in
the eyes of the general public.
‘Unfounded complaints’
‘Age/interest group’
Dear Editor,
. . . I’ll start with Marc Jacobs’ letter in the
August issue. The majority of his letter is com-
plaints about D&D, most of them unfounded. If he
doesn’t like the game, why doesn’t he write to the
Design Department so you can leave litter like that
out of Out on a Limb? He says he doesn’t like
random demons nor damage permanency. They
are VARIANTS. No one told him he had to use the
charts. And anyone who gives away a powerful
sword just because of a die roll shouldn’t talk
about DMs without imagination.
He also mentioned critical hits and fumbles
were needed. On one fumble chart there’s a
chance to hit yourself critically. That’s ridiculous.
Only a character with a dexterity of -6 is that
much of a klutz. And what about the monster that
needs a 20 to hit? Every hit will be critical (most
systems say a 20 is a critical hit). I haven’t seen a
good critical hit/fumbles system yet.
Eric Hoover—MI
Dear Editor,
Unfortunately, I share the same problem as
reader Gary Reilly expressed in TD #29—namely
finding opponents/players in my same age/
interest group. I’ve recently moved and the pros-
pects of trying to find a compatible group are very
intimidating. I was listed in the last International
DM roster and I’m afraid it really didn’t help. I’m
30 years old with a college education and I just
don’t have that much in common with the 14-16
year-olds who seemed to dominate the responses
to my listing. It’s probably too late for this DM
guide, but maybe in the future, if the DM specified
the age group he is interested in moderating for,
the situation might be improved. At any rate, if
there are any D&D’ers in the Houston area in the
20+ age group, I’d like to hear from them.
Dennis O’ Neill—TX
‘Kids are people too’
Sincerely,
Jeff Wagner—MI
‘The same article’
Dear Dragon:
I very much sympathize with the problems
expressed by Gary Reilly as regards finding suit-
able opponents to play with.
When I first started out in D & D (via T & T, by
Kim says “thanks” for the nice words. I feel he
has already proved to be a valuable part of the
funny farm we call
TD.
While we have no plans to sell a collection of
covers, we have anticipated you somewhat. We
Dear Editor,
Strange though they may be, I usually find
myself looking forward to the “Monty Haul”
stories by James Ward. However, I was greatly
(Turn to page 44)
3
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