Saturday, June 5, 2021

Krakeland Marsh

Scum Swamp (formerly "Krakeland Marsh") is a mini-wilderness setting for OD&D, created by Jennell Jaquays back in 1977.  It includes a dungeon as well as suggested locations for four mini-dungeons, published previously in her fanzine "The Dungeoneer".

Like the "Dungeon Master's Kits" released by Wee Warriors and material by Judges Guild, the mini-dungeons appearing in "The Dungeoneer" predate the earliest modules released by TSR, and are filled with untamed possibilities of the original game.


Map of Castle Krake and Slime Swamp, originally published in "The Dungeoneer" #6 (October, 1977)


F'Chelrak's Tomb:

"F'Cherlak's Tomb" (location P) is a mini-dungeon by Jennell Jaquays, originally published in "The Dungeoneer" #1 (June, 1976).  It's intended for intermediate to high level characters.


The adventure uses new monsters (gremlins) described in the same issue, as well as monsters from "Blackmoor" (kopoacinth), and a relic (as per "Eldritch Wizardry").


Merlin's Garden:

"The Fabled Garden of Merlin" (location N) is a mini-dungeon by Merle Davenport, originally published in "The Dungeoneer" #2 (September, 1976).

While not as lethal as "F'Cherlak's Tomb", the scenario still represents a challenge for intermediate level characters.

The adventure uses new monsters (wax golems) described in the previous issue, as well as monsters from The Strategic Review #3 (ghost) and "Eldritch Wizardry" (demon).


Borshak's Lair:

"Borshak's Lair" (location R) is a mini-dungeon by Jennell Jaquays and Mark Hendricks, with Randy Cox, originally published in "The Dungeoneer" #3 (December, 1976).

*for discussion regarding the upcoming 5e conversion of "Borshak's Lair", see this interview (at 34:00) on Wandering DMs (April 10, 2021)

Jaquays designed this mini-dungeon specifically for low level characters, in response to feedback concerning the previous two adventures.

The adventure makes reference to material from "Greyhawk", "Blackmoor", The Strategic Review #3, and "Alcohol in D&D" from "The Dungeoneer" #2.


Pharoah's Tomb:

"The Pharoah's Tomb" (location Q) is a mini-dungeon by Jim Ward, originally published in "The Dungeoneer" #4 (March, 1977), and intended for intermediate to high level characters.

The premise seems potentially inspired by The Tomb of Ra-Hotep, and references "Gods, Demigods & Heroes" (co-authored by Ward).

Night of the Walking Wet:

"Night of the Walking Wet" is a two-part adventure by Jennell Jaquays, Randy Cox, and Tamara Wieland, originally published in The Dungeoneer #5 (June, 1977) and #6 (October, 1977).  

The adventure was re-issued as part of "The Dungeoneer Revisited Reflections by Jennell Jaquays & Night of the Walking Wet (Original and Reloaded)" by NTRPG in 2017.

The scenario is intended for intermediate to high level characters, and uses material from "Blackmoor", "Eldritch Wizardry", The Strategic Review #3, and "The Dungeoneer" #2.


JG 73 "The Adventuresome Compendium" reprinting the contents of "The Dungeoneer" #1-6


The Dungeoneer:

The Dungeoneer #1-6 was published quarterly from June, 1976 to October, 1977.  Jaquays sold the fanzine to Chuck Anshell, who produced issues #7 (March/April, 1978) and #8 (May/June, 1978), before it was purchased by Judges Guild.*

*see History of the Dungeoneer Fanzine from the Acaeum

Judges Guild published a compendium of issues #1-6 (JG 73) followed by The Dungeoneer #9 (JG 81) in January/February, 1979 and The Dungeoneer #10 (JG 84) in March/April, 1979, also re-issuing The Dungeoneer #7 (JG 85) and The Dungeoneer #8 (JG 86).

The Dungeoneer #9-18 was published bimonthly by Judges Guild from January/February, 1979 to July/August, 1980, after which it merged with Judges Guild Journal, starting with The Dungeoneer #19/Judges Guild Journal #22 (August/September, 1980).

The newly branded "Dungeoneer Journal" #23-25 was published bimonthly from October/November, 1980 to February/March, 1981; making way for Judges Guild's "Pegasus" #1-12, published bimonthly from April/May, 1981 to February/March, 1983.

2 comments:

  1. Night of the Walking Wet is one of my favorite dungeons. I've run it twice. It's a lot of fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never yet run it, but would love to do so.

      Delete

This Month's Most Popular Posts