Dwarves, a magic mouth, and a winding stairway

[Vicar In A Tutu]

Hi, I'm looking for a specific picture, probably from 1st edition (or maybe OD&D) which depicts a group of dwarves making their way into a dungeon (descending a winding stairway?) and encountering the appariton of a magic mouth on a dungeon wall. I also seem to remember the light of two beast-like eyes in the distance of the corridor. The painting captures what (for me) is the definition of dungeon dwelling: the sense of the unexplored - secrets, amazement and hidden danger.

Without making the thread another battlefield of editions, I must admit that hardly any D&D 3rd edition art has given me the same feeling of wonder. Nostalgia holds no ground in me. I'm 23 years old and started playing D&D with the arrival of 3rd edition in 2000. Yet, after three years of Dungeon Mastering, I began to explore the previous incarnations of D&D, searching for a different atmosphere (or in gygaxian: a different meilieu), as well as less overbearing rules. So I ordered the AD&D 1st edition Monster Manual, Fiend Folio, PHB, DMG, Forgotten Realms boxed set (the original) as well as the Rules Cyclopedia. I also bought a great deal of 2nd edition material from friends and associates: Undermountain boxed set, Myth Drannor boxed set, myriad Greyhawk books, Darksun, Planescape, Ravenloft, Birthright. I especially fell in love with Darksun (the second edition less so), but its alien atmosphere didn't lend well to my prefered style of dungeon mastering (even though it kindled countless images).

Yet it was AD&D 1st edition that struck the chord for the campaign I wanted to run. Not so much when it came to rules, Castles and Crusades filled that void perfectly, but the game's attitude (harlets and poisons, demons and thieves) coupled with the strange and often intriguing art won me over. Although the art of 3rd edition is much more polished than that of 1st edition, it also strikes me as less (for the lack of a better word) unheimlich. AD&D 1st edition takes me to a different and bizarre place whereas 3rd edition takes me to a familiar world of mainstream fantasy. The appearence of the word "unheimlich" and subsequently of the word "mainstream" should not lead anyone to think that my move from 3rd edition to 1st edition was motivated by the desire to be either cool or elitist. AD&D 1st edition simply made me want to play dungeons and dragons again. Besides, who can resist AD&D 1st edition's weird, slightly bohemian and possibly drug-induced haze of beholders, owlbears and ochre jellies?

PS: Just a reminder, can anyone direct me a place on the web where the picture in question might be found? Thanks.

PPS: As you may well have noticed, English is not my native language. Please be gentle.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

That picture is on pg 108 of the AD&D (1E) Players Handbook. You can find it (and some other cool art) here.

Regarding editions: I've played all of them, from OD&D to 3.5. My favorite, rules-wise is B/X or BECMI. My favorite, flavor-wise is OAD&D (i.e. 1E). Most of the crowd, here, favors 3E, although it seems like I've been seeing more-and-more love for the older editions, lately.

Have you found some of the sites that focus on "old school" D&D? (e.g. Dragonsfoot, K&K Alehouse, et cetera)

 

[Vicar In A Tutu]

That picture is on pg 108 of the AD&D (1E) Players Handbook. You can find it (and some other cool art) here.

Thanks, an excellent link. I suspected the picture was in the PHB, but a friend of mine decided to borrow it and move to a distant city. Figures.

Regarding editions: I've played all of them, from OD&D to 3.5. My favorite, rules-wise is B/X or BECMI. My favorite, flavor-wise is OAD&D (i.e. 1E). Most of the crowd, here, favors 3E, although it seems like I've been seeing more-and-more love for the older editions, lately.

I've noticed the new-found love as well, with OSRIC, C&C and all the threads comparing the current edition to the previous ones.

Have you found some of the sites that focus on "old school" D&D? (e.g. Dragonsfoot, K&K Alehouse, et cetera)

I have. I lurk in all of them.

 

[kaomera]

Yet, after three years of Dungeon Mastering, I began to explore the previous incarnations of D&D, searching for a different atmosphere (or in gygaxian: a different meilieu), as well as less overbearing rules.

Overbearing rules would be found on p73 of the 1st ed DMG.

Personally I've been off and on longing for that "old-school feel" for a while now, and unfortunately the various rule sets that attempt to bring it back (or even just pulling out the old books) don't really seem to do much for me any more. IMHO it's at least as much about the players and their attitude as it is the rules, and as such it's really tricky to take 3.x players and get them to play with anything but a 3.x mentality. I've noticed that my own gaming habits have been greatly affected by the passage of years, often for the better; but this also makes it hard to really get that particular vibe going...

 

[Wik]

Criminy, the similarities between the Original Poster and myself are staggering:

Age? check.

Thinks that old-school art captured the game in a way that new art doesn't? Check.

Loves Dark Sun? check.

Made a post early on in his EN World career on D&D art? check.

Howdy,Vicar, and allow me to be your Vicar. For a small, one-time monetary payment, of course....

 

[Vicar In A Tutu]

Howdy,Vicar, and allow me to be your Vicar. For a small, one-time monetary payment, of course....

Is this some sort of euphemism?