History - Tell me about the GDQ series (Giants, Drow, Queen?)

[grodog]

There are some good histories of the modules on the Acaeum site at http://www.acaeum.com/DDIndexes/ModPages/G.html and http://www.acaeum.com/DDIndexes/ModPages/D.html and http://www.acaeum.com/DDIndexes/ModPages/Q.html

Of those modules, the G and D series adventures were published, and run as tournaments using the published modules. The pregen characters from D1-2 and G1-3 were the tourney pregen PCs, but the tourneys themselves were run from the adventures. Q1 was not a tourney adventure, it was just written for publication.

There's a good article in Dragon 20 or so about the tourney results of playing and judging the G3 tourney; it's worth reading if you have the Dragon Archive or the original issue.

 

[Numenorean]

The supermodules were linked T1-4, A1-4, GDQ1-7.

That link was flawed.

Because by the time you left the Temple of elemental evil most of the A series content was too easy. Most parties that left the Temple were at least 6th, most 7th or even 8th.

The idea that you went T1-4 then the Slavers, THEN GDQ always bugged me, because T1-4 overlapped A1-4 to a large degree.

Warning- the A series was designed for tournament play. So be warned, when you run those modules they can have a real clunky feel- complete one encounter and move to the next feel. I am one old school D&D'er who does not care for the A series. They are overrated IMO.

 

[TimSmith]

Elder elemental Eye/Tharizdun

Don't forget that in the super-module version (IIRC not in the separate modules) the plot was reworked to include the Cult of the Elder Elemental Eye (which was reworked again in 3rd edition as a front for...eeek..Tharizdun. This was used to explain the true origins of the Temple of Elemental Evil and the presence of a Lloth worshipping priest named Lareth in T1)

Basically one of the Drow houses was fomenting all this trouble on the surface (giant raids etc) in order to extend its power. It was actually in opposition to Lloth's own faction and worshipped the Elder Elemental Eye. Our intrepid heroes get alerted to the threat by the surface raiding and end up sorting out both factions, as Lloth's crowd are trying to get the capital city of Sterich pulled into the Demonweb pits for Lloth's greater glory. The Elemental Eye cult are careless enough to allow the heroes to track them down via all the giant lairs and into the Vault of the Drow-evil providing the means to beat other evil.

This plot reworking is important because it provides for some 3rd edition nostalgia opportunities in Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil and the excellent Dungeon magazine mini campaign "Shadows of the Abyss."

And if you should ever play in these adventures, beware of those with a "Z" in their name. My group has discovered a disturbing correllation here, what with Zuggtmoy, Iuz and ...eek...Tharizdun

 

[grodog]

For Tharizdun fans, check out Rob Kuntz's additional info on the Dark God god in a Canonfire! download at http://www.canonfire.com/htmlnew/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=6

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

This was the first time the drow really made an appearance, right? What was the reaction to them?

Yes, it was and "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?"

After cutting a bloody swath through giants of multiple sorts, ogres, white and red dragons, assorted humanoids, running into the drow at the end of G3 was like having the floor drop out from beneath you. It was a great, great moment, probably never to be truly repeated again. And heck, Gygax had given us foreshadowing in the 1E MM of all places, and everyone was pretty much still surprised.

 

[mythusmage]

The Flavor of the Giant/Drow Series

Penelope Pittstop with cutlery.

 

[JediSoth]

I was just a young whippersnapper when these came out but I do remember this: whenever I ran Q1: Queen of the Demonweb Pits, there was one encounter that TPK'd every group I ever took through it. Old timer will know what I'm talking about: the three pyramid room with the death-lance armed drow.

One of these days, I'm going to run a campaign based on A1-4, G1-3, D1-3 and Q1. So much D&D to play...so little time.

JediSoth

 

[diaglo]

What was the plot? Who were the major characters? What was memorable? What particular experiences did you have while playing them that made them stand out?

kill things and take their stuff.
the PCs were the main characters.
choosing between carrying a 1000gp ivory tusk or taking another magic weapon
total TPK potential

This was the first time the drow really made an appearance, right? What was the reaction to them?

yes. D&D has racism: black skinned guys must be evil, so kill them.

 

[qstor]

GDQ1-7 also had a slight difference. The PC's were working for Archmage Lashton of Keoland and the 'fane of Lloth" fell over Sterich.


Mike

 

[kobold]

The way the module opened, which was awesome I thought back in 1980ish. Which was that the lords of Keoland would have the players executed if they failed in destroying the giants.