Art - covers of Dragon mag in 1990s mostly

Supergood, but what IS that thing https://www.completecompendium.com/catalog/dr/Dragon172/

Dozen more https://www.completecompendium.com/catalog/dr/

Foreshortening dragon face is great https://www.completecompendium.com/catalog/dr/Dragon238/

I did have a dream not all that long ago, where an alligator in water nearby turned into a dragon (green, not purple) but this reminds me of it a tiny tiny tiny bit:

Raistlin new book mentioned... good ole Raist:

Scifi trivia and Golden Age reads

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GhNtYhvDsvo&t=856s

Time 14:20 shows that yeah, Ridley Scott probably stole this old idea of planting eggs in spaceship crewmen feom this story “Discord in scarlett” by A. E. Van Vogt. 

Or did that author van Vogt steal from John Campbell’s creatures in “Who goes there”?

Youtuber J. Scott Phillips. 

Throne of the gods, adnd item, fun ideas; free 1e modules

 Page121 says https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkhGHabBa1E&t=301s

 https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Throne_of_the_Gods_(Magic_Throne)

https://tenfootpole.org/ironspike/?p=5574

https://1d6chan.miraheze.org/wiki/Throne_of_the_Gods

Free 1e stuff here - https://www.dragonsfoot.org/

For Gold and Glory is a 2e OSR game

Mr. Rourke says it is good and streamlined.  

Btw, the Brit adnd, becmi, etc. guy youtuber - 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6FNbPlG0nM&t=304s

Stygia art on the 1e adnd site is good

 https://1eonline.info/11mp/stygia.htm

They also have a lot of card art from like 2e days(?). 

Dire corby arr good mage https://1eonline.info/5ff/direcorby.htm

Dark Sun 2nd ed. yt many to go

 Brit narrator DM. Here is episode one, they say … dozens of episodes, maybe 2 years worth  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXZwLI9XaCg&t=223s&pp=0gcJCQ0LAYcqIYzv

2e Orc/Goblin Art, inspired by LoTR/Hobbit cartoons.

 Let's discuss some 2e Orc/Goblin Art, inspired by Lord of the Rings/ Hobbit cartoons. 

These orcs or goblins are much like the style from the cartoons of old. The large almost toad-like mouths, the tiny noses, etc. 

G3, Wererat tendencies, Titan tendencies

 The titan found 

• can do cleric spells up to level 6. 
• ***no need to add stone to flesh (our Druid can do it, rest to prepare or no rest?)
• all titans are almost godlike and have a tendency to think they are above others (not including storm giants), but mostly think of them as bombastic Greek Gods like in the Clash of the Titans movie. 
• CG. Will help a party that rescues them. Might just leave abruptly though if inconvenienced/bored and figured they did enough, I say. 

Wererats

• see the adnd 2e wererats entry on fandom: https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Wererat
• rats and mice 1d4 or 1d6, eh?, follow them often
• they'd rather be with other wererats, only Alone when pretending to be human and setting up a trap/ambush/mischief. 
• "Wererats prefer to attack from ambush. A favorite tactic is to assume human shape and lure unsuspecting victims into a trap. This is the only time wererats are voluntarily alone. Victims are then robbed, held for ransom, or eaten."
• turn into Ratmen, 2 foot long giant rats, human shape. 
• "In their ratman and giant rat forms, wererats can be hurt only by silver or magical weapons." 
• meaning human form takes normal dmg from anything
• "Each wererat is able to summon and control 2-12 giant rats."
• "Anyone who is injured by a true wererat has a 1% chance per point of damage of becoming a wererat. "

G3 thoughts on Giants... 5e comparing to 2e statblock

UPDATE, read this  (referencing 3e HP increase) and this, by Superdan.  

Well I knew giants had crazy high HP in 5e, but I just got around to comparing damage... and well, giants hit like 3 or 4 times as hard (including frequency) in 5e, while characters may or may not have 3 or 4times the HP. Damn the changes through versions. 

Conclusion, yeah, I probably need to sometimes tone down the number of giants from 1e and get closer to how many they suggest in 5e I guess. Even though the party is over-leveled a bit, still, gotta watch out. 

https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Hill_Giant

also comparing to a green dragon, and the dragon does WAY more melee damage than a hill giant in 2e. Which I tend to agree with, so what the heck is going on in 5e? I swear, they just buffed everything that looked like a human regardless of size:

https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Green_Dragon_(Creature)

SO the 2e hill giant is doing 

• 1-6 or by weapon (2-12+7), I think that means 2-12+7 with a typical weapon. ~13 dmg avg maybe, But only one attack. 
• Hurling rocks for 2-16 (2d8)  for ranged. ~avg 9 dmg i think. 

5e hill giant gets two melee attacks so

• 3d8+5 times 2 ~~~18 dmg on avg times TWO though. And you hit WAY more frequently in 5e. 
• 3d10+5 for one ranged attack, avg 21 dmg. 

AD&D Cube of Force, Vale of the Mage

 Reading up on that 1989 AD&D 2e module for Greyhawk.  I like the set up.  

The art on the front is weird, I kind of like it though. 1989. The drow lady is ... kind of witch-like with the frizzy hair and that expression, not very friendly looking. I'm used to seeing the drow being made overly-model like, I think, so this one kind of threw me off. And you have to remember, they are super evil of course. Greyhawk, that old original world... I don't know a ton about it per se, but it is interesting. 

Main BBEG -

• The Exalted One, Jason Krimeah, The Black One
• 19th lvl human mage
• Potions longevity, rly 80, looks 40. 
• More neutral than evil now apparently, he has mellowed, but still can turn truly evil when "needed". The people of the vale see him as not evil I guess. 
• Secretly wants to turn into a Shade before death
• Rt hand person is a drow chick, see below
• Weirdly the elves, gnomes, humans in Vale like him.  He protects them. 

Other Badguys -

• The First Protector, Tysilin San the Drow lady (front cover art). 
• I read more on her... she's a strangely sentimental sort of drow is what I gather. Her family was killed (probably) and she was taken in by a mage (fell in love with him I think), who eventually died. She then more recently fell in love with the Dark One and is his right hand person. She sort of "likes" the other races in the vale or something, and they accept her despite her race. Not at all like Salvatore's super mega evil Drow. I wonder if this was TSR trying to buy into the Drizzt craze (wait was it a thing in 1989?) and this lady could have more accuratgely been a regular elf that happened to be evil or something. Updated 11-18-2025.
• Necromancers x 3 (but 6 friends total, … 3 are non necros, but ppl dont know that). They are against The Exalted One. Something like, they are super greedy for power... and Jason K. is just good with staying in the Vale forever. The story around this seems to makes sense, too, I like the write up. 

Magic Items - Made by the Black One

• Potion of Intensity - max casting for 3 rounds, then can't cast for 3 rounds. Like max dice roll on heals. Max dice roll on fireballs, etc. 
• Gem of Musing - get back a single level 4 and lower spell, can use 3 x per day. Takes one hour to get back a spell.

Magic Items, not made by him, wow, they (it) exist in 5e too: 

• Cube of Force - wow. Look up the 2e version, incredible. 
• https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Cube_of_Force_(Magic_Cube)
• 
  
  

• Cool image is a die (dice) on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/1875762828/cube-of-force-rotating-dice-unique-dnd, by these guys https://www.etsy.com/shop/DDdices

Magic Spells (New, by The Back One, The Exalted One) - 

• Unmask - 3rd level - reveals true, through polymorph, etc. 
• Reflection - 5th lvl - reflects harmful spells from level 1 - level 3 back (in 5e terms, I'd say cantrips too). Also reflects magic and non-magic missiles. 
• The Exalted Eye - 7th lvl - like a super Wizard Eye. For spying mostly. 

AD&D 2e Hyenas had more HP than Gnolls, 5e is the opposite

So in 2e, Hyenas had 3 HitDice (3d6HP ~= 10.5HP), and Gnolls had 2 HitDice (2d6 HP~=7HP). Orcs had 1 HD (1d6~=3.5HP). Hyenas did the same dmg as ~orcs and gnolls, too. 

There were even Hyenodonts which were like giant hyenas with 5 HitDice (5d6) and 50% more dmg. 

5e DnD is the complete opposite, with gnolls averaging 22 HP and hyenas avg.ing 5 HP. 

What does this mean? Well, hyenas were tougher, I imagine them darting in and out and not such an easy target. Now in 5e, it's like the humanoid style monsters are just automatically the important guys and are better than regular animals. Also means fireball doesn't kill squat in 5e compared to 2e, but we already knew that. Even high level spells often aren't guaranteed to kill basic 1/2 challenge rating things like gnolls. It does grate. 

Line art in 2e AD&D - A Paladin in Hell (spoilers)

 I love me some line art... and AD&D second edition just has spectacular art [mostly] all around. Take this for instance, out of the "A Paladin in Hell":

That bone devil's skull-face is mostly white, but it works. All those detailed lines in other areas are tremendous. I'm not sure what the fuzzy white squares are... maybe some issue with a scan. 

These two are, I think, Pit Fiends. Probably the best versions of them I've run into. 

BTW, this is one hard module. https://www.sfsite.com/10b/pal43.htm

And https://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/classic/rev_1254.phtml

"At first it may seem like a 100% hack-fest, but that's a trick. Tactics and smart thinking are the only way for a player to win this adventure. This adventure is great for a gaming group who have characters that they have worked up to level 20 or so and find that there seems to be no more challenges. Well this module is a challenge and if completed it will give the players something the talk about for years."

D&D ideas around custom magic loot (weapons or armor mostly); dungeon room ideas

 So let's make them more tactical:

1. The Ghast(?) Bow. A bow that shoots through the first enemy and hits another (the kid made this).
2. Something that lets you levitate 3 times a day? How useful?
3. Bonus dmg against... something. We did undead, we did giants. What about chaotic vs. law vs. ?
4. A sword that magically gives 10 foot reach(?) against certain enemies or one fight a day or.... Maybe magic light or something extends out from it for another 5 feet. 
5. Mace -> Bash it against the ground, once per day, summons 3 skeletons to fight for you. 
6. The D&D Cartoon Energy Bow = WotC made this, and it is great. Make a ladder, came in super handy. Tie up bad guy, super handy. Bring friend to you (treat as teleport), super duper handy. 
1. It does almost solve too many things, but man it is fun. 
7. Sneak Attack Dagger - no rogues around our game right now, but like Elden Ring or something, just make it do even more dmg. 
8. Dagger of flame eating - whatever we called it, the one that absorbs some heat dmg. 
9. Speed item - armor or weapon... gives you 30 extra movement for 2 rounds once per day. 
10. Jump high and long - maybe it's similar to boots of striding and springing and striding but... how about just jump over obstacles a couple times a day? 
11. Amulet of Hacking - makes the Barbarian do a ton of dmg once a day. You get once a day, an Advantage attack, plus add half your level to dmg. 
12. Axe of Swapping - swap places with enemy (activate) twice a day. To reposition. 
13. Ring/Wand/Staff of Eldrich-MagicMissile (notEldrich Blast) + Moving - Once a day, Does a 5 shot MagicMissile (1d6 + 1 Dmg per missile), plus Move enemy 50 feet (each missile moves 10 ft), if would fall of ledge, give enemy reflex save??? Compare this to what Eldrich Blast does, so it has to be similar but better or it'd never get used. Ring not wand b/c, holding too many things. 
14. Boots of the Earth Maw - get the 2e Earth Maw spell going. Twice a day (once per boot), stamp down hard with one boot, ... shockwave like Thunderwave(?) and also creates an EarthMaw to attack and try to swallow. 
15. Another DCC spell scroll? How does it work with no spellburn and stuff tho, need to think on it. Maybe it just comes as a level Whatever version from DCC. 
16. Robe of Snakeheads/Snakebites - for magic user types and warlocks. Wear the robe, and if someone attacks you with melee, some magical semi-snakeheads/semi-cloth-adornments bites the attacker for 1d6+2 acid or piercing or electric(think shocking grasp) type dmg, your choice. 
1. 
   
   
   
   
2. 1. The Warlock from Firetop Mountain is my inspiration (I don't know if those are snakes on his robes, but that gave me the idea b/c it looks like some can bite). 

   
   
17. Boots of MuleKicking - bonus action attack, kick with boots (twice per day as in once per boot) kick an enemy 10 feet away from you, no enemy save (think eldrich blast). 1d6 dmg. 
18. Robes of the Lizard/Blending - you sort of like an anole lizard/chameleon, blend into certain types of backgrounds. Gives you advantage on hide checks or something. 
19. Something Lichy - inspiration from this old 2e lich drawing in a dnd art book:
1. Bat vest. Or bird/dragonish foot on right knee/leg. Or Rod of Birdleg/dragonishLeg with eyeball. 
2. 
   
   
   
   
20. Any non-wizard putting on the amulet will be feeble-minded (no saving throw). If a wizard puts on the amulet, it begins to glow with a soft blue-black light. The amulet confers the following powers to its wearer: 
1. detect magic (at will), 
2. read magic (at will),
3. fireball (12 HD, once per day), 
4. teleport without error (once per week), 
5. and magic resistance (50%).
6. Once the A m u l e t of Power has been safely obtained, a beautiful female voice will say ”Well done, beloved. Thydeeds find favor in My sight. Go now and spread my in-fluence on the world, that thou mayst grow to be worthy of My full favor.” The glow that fills the room slowly fades, and the character finds himself or herself backwith the rest of the party in the corridor
7. (((comes from 2e module, Dungeon Crawl - The Lost Shrine of Bundushatus)))
21. xxxxx

DUNGEON ROOM IDEAS (Many from The Lost Shrine of Bundushatus ... this at a glance feels VERY DCC-ish, with Lords of Chaos and stuff making you turn Chaotic-Neutral)

• Also from AD&D 2e module, Dungeon Crawl - The Lost Shrine of Bundushatus, lotsa cool rooms. 
• Pg 25, The Rotating Rm.
• has a Chaos Key (that appeard in someone's pocket earlier)
• has tentacles of Chaos
• I would make turning the key less random to orient the room i think
• Illusion rm from same 'Bundushatus
• Looks like you can walk, 2 ft. narrow, super illusion tho. U will fall to 3d10 dmg. 
• 
  
  
  
  
• 
  

2e AD&D Interesting Monsters - The List Will Grow

 

BTW, lotsa cool artists from 2e. Listed here: https://regalgoblins.fandom.com/wiki/2nd_Edition_Monstrous_Manual_Art

I like the thinner hafts on these polearm type weapons... a hair too thin, but better than the giant bulky cartoonish things too many people stick in there. And I do like the grit on these 3 monsters. 

Lizardman, interesting art when compared to older ones... love 'em all. 

Sahuagin the fishy type. 

Ze gnoll, ov cahhss (of course.. yeah going for a French accent for some reason). 

And examples of Jeff Butler's art here: https://jeff-butler.com/line-art-fantasy/

NOW BACK TO THE MONSTER LIST, Of Interesting Ones from 2e

• Drow ride on Foulwings https://www.completecompendium.com/appendix/foulwing/
• A big 30' tall demon of a few shapes, Dlance - https://www.completecompendium.com/appendix/fireshad/
• Weird reptile half dragon sand related, Dlance - https://www.completecompendium.com/appendix/tylor/
• Vampire moss, in swamps https://www.completecompendium.com/appendix/planvamo/
• Woooahhh, is this what inspired the tree monsters in Elden Ring or what: https://www.completecompendium.com/appendix/draglcot/
• 
  
  
  
  
• Two arms. Kinda like a tree dragon. So similar. 
• Ulcerated Tree Spirit in Elden Ring:
• 

  
  

  
  

• https://www.completecompendium.com/appendix/darkwing/
• https://www.completecompendium.com/appendix/thunchil/
• 
  

Gerald Brom’s art is great

 He did a bunch or all of Dark Sun. Has magic the Gathering stuff like that crow lady w red head. The “undead druid” one i used. Need to see more. 

And according to his page, he did work on Diablo 4 (the game) art. I see Tyrael, etc. 

https://www.bromart.com/page-2  and see a youtube analysis.

Knave 2 has great random tables (it hates powerful magic tho). AD&D 2e monsters

Knave 2, it really is great, and I need to buy it... oh and the pdf is onsale on drivethru, gah, can I resist: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/484910/knave-second-edition Might be buying it today... wish I had another bookshelf NOW. Maybe just the PDF. Looking at pictures/vids, the book is small and I'm afraid it'll be eyestrain territory (nay, I shall not buy glasses). Yeah, better stick to PDFs to be sure. Altho guy here talks about the fonts https://dmtales.com/2024/07/03/going-classless-with-knave-2e/    but just look online and zoom/in out for the actual size, which I estimate to be like 9 inches (confirmed it is 8.5 inches tall... it'll be too small in physical form). OK done, bought the PDF. I'm such a tightwad, haha... it was for my bday right? 

I kinda love this mouth-beholder thing. Their art in the book is fun. 

BTW, https://lowfantasygaming.com/freepdf/ and their free pdf. And Tales of Argosa is on sale on drive thru, might need it too. Hah! Read on Tales of Argosa before I buy... would i really play solo, this dude's summary is THE BEST SUMMARY: https://sablemage.blogspot.com/2025/05/review-tales-of-argosa.html. ((Maybe check this for actual solo play https://sandboxshaker.blogspot.com/2025/06/solo-tales-of-argosa-episode-6-dances.html))

His Pros: Many many, if you want low fantasy Swrd&Sorc. But he likes the dangerous magic (aka less magic) while I don't like it as much (DCC using that works OK and is fun tho).  PCs start with about 10 hit points and will struggle to get over 40 even at 9th level (the max level is 9). 

His Cons: "One thing I don't like is the need to buy separate custom dice and a custom card deck to use the group or solo oracles"

My questionables: Luck mechanic... makes you avoid resting. Starting to sound more and more like "closer to realism, almost no magic, humans only practically, everything is super deadly. You are either Conan or his sidekick non-magic guy." Eight (arguably nine) stats rather than six.

BTW, AD&D 2e creatures, huge list, including: https://www.completecompendium.com/appendix/haundar/

Anyway, here are a couple of random highlights I see online:

SIGNS ( via Knave, as in signs of an encounter or something special or a trail... think Ranger/Druid spotting:)

• Scorch marks
• Shed skin
• Eggs
• Eggshells
• Element Trail -> i guess like a fiery trail or ... something from an elemental? 
• Fallen trees
• Crushed grass
• (My own fav that I made up back in the 90s, don't see it here yet) spiderwebs in the grass/between trees with missing dew (in the morning) or apparently stepped on/knocked out of the way 
• Saliva
• Mucus/slime - think gibbering mouther or giant snail / slug. BTW, that list of AD&D 2e creatures had the ice slug, 30 ft. long and can bite or do acid. 
• https://www.completecompendium.com/appendix/haundar/
• Middens - what is that? Oh, a dung heap. Maybe for farmers, eh? I saw some in Jp. Oh wait, the definition seems to mean an old abandoned garbage pile, not manure for farmers. Archaeologists like 'em. 
• Ritual Remains - sounds like the ole gnolls are up to no good. 

WORDSTUFF again:

1. Fire vs. Fiery = is spelled funny.