In Pursuit of the Slayer

"In Pursuit of the Slayer" is a 12-page BECMI adventure for character levels 6-9 by Carl Sargent, published in Dungeon #15 (January/February, 1989).

"In Pursuit of the Slayer" in Dungeon #15 (Jan/Feb 1989).  Illustration by Bob Giadrosich.

The PCs are in a race against time to track down and identify a mysterious killer, before an army of undead warriors can be raised.

The scenario is playable in a single session.

About the Author:

Carl Sargent has just finished a third fantasy gamebook, for 1989 publication.  He has also published a book on the tarot and is currently working on a 160-page fantasy RPG scenario book, other game products and articles, and one or two other writing projects.  Carl reports he has to repaint the letters E, R, I, O, and H on his word processor keyboard as they have disappeared with use.

Dungeon #15 (Jan/Feb 1989)

Sargent's first published D&D adventure was "A Matter of Pride" in White Dwarf #91 (July, 1987), designed for character levels 3-5.

He also wrote B11 "King's Festival" (Jun 1989) and B12 "Queen's Harvest" (Nov 1989), as well as DDA3 "Eye of Traldar" (1991) set within the Grand Duchy of Karameikos.

Other contributions to the BECMI/Known World line included PC2 "Top Ballista" (Nov 1989) and GAZ13 "The Shadow Elves" (1990; with Gary Thomas).

Sargent is perhaps best known for "From the Ashes" (1992) and "Night Below: An Underdark Campaign" (1995) for AD&D 2e.

*          *          *

Sargent vanished from the RPG industry in 1995 (see "The Mysterious Disappearance of Carl Sargent").  He passed away in 2018.*

*see "A Personal Tribute to Carl Sargent" by Rik Rose

Location:

The adventure takes place during summer in a "temperate area of farms, plains, and light forests",

A specific location within the Lands and Environs of the D&D Wilderness is not given.

New Monsters:

Grey Philosopher.  Illustration by Bob Giadrosich.

4 monsters from AC9: Creature Catalogue are used:

Gakarak (previously appearing in DA3; DA4); Grey Philosopher; Possession; Sacrol (from M2 "Maze of the Riddling Minotaur"; previously appearing in X9)*

*note the Sacrol is indicated with an asterisk in M2, indicating that silver, magic, or special weapons are needed to fight the creature (Cook/Marsh pg. X27).  It's stated in X9 on pg. 22 that "When in combat with the sacrol, a magic weapon is needed to hit." although this is not explicitly stated in the creature description in AC9

Staff of Shrivening:

A highly evil staff +2 which strikes victims for 2-12 +2 hp damage (2-12 +4 hp damage against a Lawful opponent).  On any hit, the victim must Save vs. Spells or be affected by one of the following effects (roll 1d6): paralysis for one turn (1-3), mummy rot (4-5), energy drain (6).  If a natural 20 is rolled, the victim is drained of two experience levels (as if hit by a spectre).

The staff also has powers of summoning and controlling undead, but these are determined in part by how, where, and by whom it is used.

Interview with Grant Boucher

In researching yesterday's post on "The Wererats of Relfren" I reached out to Grant Boucher, who co-wrote the adventure with William Kurt Wenz.

Boucher has had an amazing career in writing and in the visual effects industry.  He very kindly agreed to answer some questions about his early days as an RPG designer.

"The Wererats of Relfren" in Dungeon #14 (Nov/Dec 1988).  Illustration by Jennell Jaquays.

Q. Are there any anecdotes you can share behind the writing or conception of "The Wererats of Relfren"?

The design intent with Relfren was to create a simple but challenging D&D (rather than AD&D) adventure that took advantage of rarely used creatures so that even seasoned players would be unsuspecting of these unusual villains. As such, players should not be told the name of the adventure or shown the cover art until the big reveal.

Speaking of the cover, Paul (now Jennell) Jaquays really hit it out of the park on this one. The interior illustrations are among the finest examples and really delivered on the setting, action, characters, lighting, emotion, and humor. For example, the “police lineup” of Human, Rat, Giant Rat, Wererat, and Greater Wererat always brings a smile to my face while also being useful to DM and players alike. They remain among my favorites.

The key is to place one’s tongue firmly in cheek during this adventure. My gaming buddy Kurt and I have a twisted (and somewhat corny) sense of humor that worked well for this project. Game designers rarely get the opportunity to do comedy (beyond a slice-of-life moment here or there). In fact, I enjoyed this so much that I went on to write and design the humorous “The Queen of the Honeybee Hive” (from the award-winning Castle Greyhawk compilation), Gamma-Lot (for Paranoia), and Pumpkin Patch Panic (for Ghostbusters).

The “English-major in me” inspirations for this adventure came from Beauty and the Beast by Marie LePrince de Beaumont (see editor Barbara Young’s issue opening quote) and Edgar Allen Poe’s masterpiece, “The Masque of the Red Death” – specifically, the terrifying climactic reveal of the host’s true nature before the horrified party goers. Poe has remained a touchstone of mine throughout my writing career.

Q. I was impressed that the editors at Dungeon seemed to favour your adventures for the cover illustration.

The Editors of DUNGEON, Roger Moore (see below) and then Barbara Young, were always very gracious with the cover assignment for each issue. It was never something my creative partners and I ever expected. But, after the first couple, we tried to make sure everything we designed and submitted rose to that level. Roger called it an “ability to capture the moment” – by which I believe he meant staging the scene as dramatically as possible from the audience’s (aka the players’) perspective. This creative focus and discipline would eventually serve me well in Hollywood.

"Into the Fire" by Keith Parkinson

Speaking of DUNGEON covers – “Into the Fire” (DUNGEON#1) was originally a side quest in what was eventually published as “The Plight of Cirria” (DUNGEON#9). When the full adventure was submitted to DRAGON magazine (who used to publish user-submitted adventures in the olden days), Editor Roger E. Moore liked it (but knew it was way too long) and asked if the dragon side-quest could be pulled out into a standalone. The result was chosen to be the anchor adventure in the premier issue of a new magazine of just adventures to be called DUNGEON. As if that wasn’t wonderful enough, my favorite fantasy illustrator, the late great Keith Parkinson, was commissioned to do a painting of the dragon Flame surrounded by all of the unique treasures found in his hoard. When I saw the final result, I was over the moon, of course. Here was one of the finest artists working today transforming my creations into reality! Roger’s guidance and inspiration to a fledging writer (who initially needed a lot of help editing his own work, mind you) has had a profound impact on me and my life until this day.

Some thirty years later, that exact same Keith Parkinson masterwork would feature on the boy’s bedroom door throughout the entire climactic third act of the movie READY PLAYER ONE.

Q. I saw that you were also involved in the D&D movie, and got a chance to get to know Dave Arneson.

Dave was a wonderful gentleman, and it was my privilege to be able to call him my very dear old friend. Dave and I met at a GenCon and while he was teaching game design in Florida. We hit it off instantly. And when the original D&D movie crossed my visual effects front door, director Corey Solomon was ecstatic about the idea of having him come on set. So, Dave and I flew out to Prague during the shoot and got dressed up in proper wizard robes. We got to lurk in the background of a number of shots with a bunch of other mages during a dragon attack, but none of those escaped the cutting room floor. Fortunately, the actual footage of the two of us is found on the old DVD version as a deleted scene/outtake.

Grant Boucher with Dave Arneson (left) on the set of the Dungeons & Dragons (2000) movie

We were talking a lot about trying to bring his Blackmoor game world to life as a television series when he passed on. I was honored to be invited to his funeral where I met so many of his personal friends, family, and fellow gaming luminaries. Like all who had the pleasure to know him well, I miss him often.

The Wererats of Relfren

"The Wererats of Relfren" is a 16-page BECMI adventure for character levels 3-6 by Grant Boucher and William Kurt Wenz, published in Dungeon #14 (November/December, 1988).

Cover illustration by Jennell Jaquays used for Dungeon #14 (Nov/Dec 1988), depicting a scene from "The Wererats of Relfren".

The PCs arrive at a small town early one morning as they are traversing a remote mountain pass.  They must uncover a lycanthrope plot.

The scenario is event-driven and takes place over three days, culminating during the town's Founder's Day masquerade festivities.

It should be possible to complete the adventure in a single session.

About the Authors:

Grant Boucher resides in Rockledge, Florida, and is finally making a living as a free-lance writer after graduating from the University of Florida last December.  He is working extensively with West End Games' STAR WARS: the Roleplaying Game.  This is his fourth appearance in DUNGEON Adventures, with "Ancient Blood" and "Out of the Ashes" accepted for publication.

Kurt Wenz also resides in Rockledge and attends Brevard Community College.  He is an active member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (Timeris chapter) and dabbles in philosophy and poetry.  Kurt is preparing to move to California in the spring.  this is his first appearance in DUNGEON Adventures.

Dungeon #14 (Nov/Dec 1988)

Location:

The town of Relfren is a small hamlet similar to those found in the Swiss Alps.  It's famous for its Emerald Moon cheese factory, which produces a green cheese with holes in it.

The town is situated within a relatively untraveled mountain pass between two kingdoms.  The pass is one of only two across the range, although is the more difficult one.

A specific location within the Lands and Environs of the D&D Wilderness is not given.

New Monsters:

Size comparison of rats and men.

Greater Wererat

Greater wererats have the game statistics of normal wererats, except that the original hit points and mentality of the affected characters are retained in lycanthrope form.

AC9: Creature Catalogue

AC9 "Creature Catalogue" (1986) was compiled by Graeme Morris, Phil Gallagher and Jim Bambra of the TSR UK design team, and contains "over 200 creatures or all kinds; 80 or more entirely new creatures, plus those which first appeared in the pages of official D&D game modules".

AC9 "Creature Catalogue" (1986) compiled by Graeme Morris, Phil Gallagher and Jim Bambra.  Cover illustration by Keith Parkinson.

The introduction includes sections on changing and balancing monsters.  Entries include average Intelligence scores for creatures.  Illustrations are by Jeff Anderson, Helen Bedford, Gary Harrod, Tim Sell, Brian Williams, Geoff Wingate and Pete Young,

Creature "type" (including monsters from the BECM rulebooks) and habitat indices (aquatic, cold/arctic, human environments, lost worlds, mountainous, open, other planes, tropical, underground/ruins, wooded) are included in the back.

Back in 2011, I started a thread over at the Piazza discussing the origins of the various creatures (see Origins of Monsters in AC9 Creature Catalogue).  In reviewing the accessory, I've updated and expanded upon the various entries in each section, below:

Animals:

Cat, Great: Bekkah, Cheetah (AD&D Monster Manual II), Jaguar (AD&D Monster Manual), Lynx (AD&D Monster Manual), Spotted Lion (AD&D Monster Manual), Wildcat (AD&D Monster Manual II)

Dinosaur: Allosaurus (X1), Ankylosaurus (X1), Brontosaurus (X1), Titanothere (Expert rules, 1981), Tylosaurus (a type of Mosasaur, a larger version of the Mososaurus appearing in OD&D supplement II: Blackmoor and AD&D Monster Manual)

Dog: Normal (X9), War (AD&D Monster Manual; O2)

Eagle: Normal (AD&D Monster Manual II), Great (AD&D Monster Manual)

Eel: Electric (X7), Giant (X7), Weed (OD&D supplement II: Blackmoor)

Elk, Giant (X1)

Fish, Giant: Giant Catfish, Giant Piranha (Expert rules, 1981; subsequently appearing in X6)

Frog, Giant Poisonous (AD&D Monster Manual)

Gargantua (X7), similar to the Giant Gar (AD&D Monster Manual)

Hawk: Normal, Giant (Expert rules, 1981)

Lizard, Giant: Giant Foot-Pad Lizard (B10)

Magpie: Normal (a "friendly talking magpie" is mentioned in B2), Giant

Megatherium (X1)

Octopus, Giant (Expert rules, 1981; subsequently appearing in X7)

Owl, Giant (AD&D Monster Manual)

Oyster, Giant (X1, 1983)

Piranha (Cold-Water) (B10)

Porcupine, Giant (AD&D Monster Manual)

Raven & Crow: Normal, Large (AD&D Monster Manual II)

Rhinoceros: Normal, Wooly (Expert rules, 1981)

Shark: Vamora Shark

Skunk: Normal, Giant (AD&D Monster Manual)

Snake; Rock Rattler: Normal (B10), Giant

Squid, Giant (Expert rules, 1981; subsequently appearing in X7)

Conjurations:

Desert Ghost: Immature, Mature (similar to the Stormbiter from White Dwarf #19)

Faedorne (O2)

Fundamental: Air, Earth, Fire, Water (X8)

Gargoyle, Iron

Golem: Rock Golem, Silver Golem (similar to the AD&D Stone and Iron Golems)

Guardian Warrior & Horse: Warrior, Horse (likely based on the Terracotta Guardian from GameMaster Publications #1)

Homunculus: Ulzaq, Gretch, Fylgar (alignment-based, BECMI versions of the creature originally described in OD&D supplement I: Greyhawk)

Huptzeen (likely based on the Gem Hylem from TSR UK's Imagine Magazine #19)

Juggernaut: Stone, Wood (X4; subsequently appearing in X10; a special, small version appears in X8)

Kal-Muru (Ship Bane) (X8)

Living Statue: Silver, Rock/Ooze, Jade, Steel (B10)

Magen: Hypnos, Demos, Caldron, Galvan (X2; subsequently appearing in B12)

Nightmare (AD&D Monster Manual)

Reflecter

Silver Warrior (O2)

Soul Eater (X4; subsequently appearing in DA4)

Winged Warrior (B8)

Humanoids:

Bhut (X4) from "bhoot" a type of undead creature in Hindu mythology

Cay-Man (B6; subsequently appearing in X9)

Chameleon Man (B8) see also "The Land of Wallara" in Dragon #186

Crone of Chaos (B8)

Cryion (likely inspired by creatures named the Tran in Alan Dean Foster's 1974 novel "Icerigger".  Details for the Tran were published in "GURPS Humanx: Roleplaying in Alan Dean Foster's "Humanx Commonwealth" by Steve Jackson Games in 1987.)

Dark Wing (similar to the Deep Glaurant from GAZ 8 "The Five Shires")

Elf, Aquatic (from OD&D supplement II: Blackmoor; subsequently appearing in PC3)

Flitterling (O2)

Garl (CM6; subsequently appearing in DA3)

Gator man (subsequently appearing in DA4)

Hephaeston (CM6)

Hutaakan: Priest, Warrior, Other (B10)

Kara-Kara (X8)

Kna (based on the Locathah from OD&D supplement II: Blackmoor)

Lupin (X2; subsequently appearing in X9) see also the "Kingdom of Renardy" in Dragon #179

Man, Isolated: Cynidiceans (B4), Quariks, Traldar: Warrior, Vocal, Other (B10)

Man, Primitive: Native (X1), "Wild Men" (including Pagans, originally described in X2), Barbarian

Oard (CM6)

Pachydermion (see "The Tower of the Elephant" by REH)

Phanaton (X1)

Rakasta (X1; subsequently appearing in X2) see also "The Kingdom of Bellayne" in Dragon #181

Rock Man (B8)

Shark-Kin (based on the Sahuagin from OD&D supplement II: Blackmoor; subsequently appearing in PC3)

Shargugh (O2)

Sis'thik (Desert Scourge) ride Xytars; similar to Sand Folk, subsequently appearing in DA3

Snapper (X9)

Sollux (X2) originally appeared as "Saraphs" (for AD&D) in an article by Tom Moldvay "Demons, Devils and Spirits" in Dragon #42; subsequently appearing in DA4

Stalwart

Tortle (X9)

Triton (from OD&D supplement I: Greyhawk; subsequently appearing in X7)

Wood Imp (subsequently appearing in PC1)

Lowlife:

Amber Lotus Flower (X2; subsequently appearing in X9)

Amoeba, Giant (X2; subsequently appearing in X9)

Archer Bush (B3)

Fyrsnaca (XS2)

Herex: Larva, Adult (subsequently appearing in DA3)

Jellyfish, Giant: Marauder, Man-O-War (X7)

Killer Tree (X2; subsequently appearing in X6) from Schick and Moldvay's "Original Known World" campaign (see this post); similar to the Hangman Tree in the AD&D Monster Manual II

Leviathan: Desert (similar to the Spice Worm from White Dwarf #17 (Feb/March 1980), Marine (similar to the Afanc in the AD&D Monster Manual II)

Masher (OD&D supplement II: Blackmoor)

Red Worm (XS2; subsequently appearing in B11)

Scorpion (Expert rules, 1981)

Serpentweed, Giant (X9)

Sirenflower (B6)

Slime Worm (X2)

Spider, Giant: Giant Hunting Spider (M2 "Maze of the Riddling Minotaur"; subsequently appearing in X6; B11), Giant Sand Spider (B8), Giant Shroud Spider (B10), Huge Wood Spider

Steam Weevil (B5) the stats for Steam Weevils and Piranha Birds were switched in the New Monsters section of B5, and the error was replicated for this entry but not Piranha Birds in AC9

Strangle Vine (X9) similar to the Choke Creeper in the AD&D Monster Manual II

Strangleweed (OD&D supplement II: Blackmoor)

Vampire Rose (B3; subsequently appearing in X2)

Whipweed (originally appearing in White Dwarf #9 (Oct/Nov 1978) as the Whipper; subsequently appearing as the Whipweed in the AD&D Fiend Folio)

Monsters:

Aranea (X1; subsequently appearing in X2) see also the "Magocracy of Herath" in Dragon #183

Ash Crawler (CM5)

Baldandar - see The Baldanders in Jorge Luis Borges' "Book of Imaginary Beings" 

Banshee, Lesser (B4)

Bargda (seemingly inspired by the Broo from Runequest/Glorantha)

Beetle, Earthquake (M2)

Beholder, Aquatic (similar to the Eye of the Deep from the AD&D Monster Manual)

Brain Collector (X2)

Chevall (B10)

Death Demon (X2) from Schick and Moldvay's "Original Known World" campaign (see this post)

Decapus: Land (B3) and Marine (X9)

Dragon, Sea (Expert Rules, 1981)

Dragonfly: White, Black, Green, Blue, Red (XL1)

Dragonne (AD&D Monster Manual; XL1; subsequently appearing in X9)

Dusanu (X5)

Fungoid (AC8)

Gakarak (subsequently appearing in DA3; DA4; "In Pursuit of the Slayer" from Dungeon #15 (Jan/Feb 1989)

Geonid (X5; subsequently appearing in DA3) seemingly inspired by the Garthim from "The Dark Crystal" (1982)

Ghostly Horde (B8)

Grangeri (X1)

Gyerian (CM5)

The Hivebrood: Broodling, Hivebrood, Hiveleader, Broodmother, Hivemind (originally appearing in TSR UK's GameMaster Publications #1; subsequently appearing in "Of Nests and Nations" from Dungeon #13 (Sept/Oct 1988)

Hook Beast: Hook Horror (White Dwarf #12 (Apr/May 1979); AD&D Fiend Folio), Hulker (a weaker version of the Umber Hulk from OD&D supplement I: Greyhawk, without ability to confuse; XL1; subsequently appearing in DA3)

Hypnosnake (X3)

Ice Wolf (B10) similar to the Hound of Kerenos from White Dwarf #18 (Apr/May 1980); a slightly weaker, earlier version of the Quarg appearing in DA3)

Kopru (X1)

Kraken (AD&D Monster Manual II)

Lamara (characteristics of the Lamia from the AD&D Monster Manual, with the appearance of the Lamia Noble from the AD&D Fiend Folio)

Lava Lizard (B5; subsequently appearing in DA4)

Leveller (Bodendruker) see The Leveler in Jorge Luis Borges' "Book of Imaginary Beings"

Nagpa (X4) likely inspired by the Skeksis from "The Dark Crystal" (1982)

Pegataur (M2)

Phantom, Lesser (X2)

Phororhacos (X1)

Piranha Bird: Lesser (B5; subsequently appearing in X6), Greater

Pocket Dragon (M2 "Maze of the Riddling Minotaur"; subsequently appearing in X6)

Polymar (B4)

Randara (based on the Rakshasa from The Strategic Review #5; AD&D Monster Manual)

Roper (XL1; subsequently appearing in DA4)

Sabreclaw (CM3)

Scamille (similar to the Goom from White Dwarf #17)

Sea Horse (X7)

Sea Serpent: Lesser, Greater (X7)

Surtaki (could this creature be based on the Minotaur Lizard from OD&D supplement II: Blackmoor?)

Tabi (X4; subsequently appearing in X10)

Thunderhead

Water Weird (B7; subsequently appearing in B8)

White-Fang (similar to the Snow Serpent from Deities & Demigods)

Wychglow (similar to the Will o' Wisp from OD&D supplement I: Greyhawk)

Xytar (a slightly weaker, earlier version of the Camarilla appearing in DA3)

Yowler (similar to the Yeth Hound from the AD&D Monster Manual II)

Undead:

Agarat (X8)

Dark-Hood (Rorphyr)

Death Leech (CM2)

Dragon, Undead (similar to the Dracolich from "The Cult of the Dragon" in Dragon #110 (June 1986) although less powerful)

Elder Ghoul (mechanically similar to the AD&D ghast)

Grey Philosopher: Philosopher, Malice (subsequently appearing in "In Pursuit of the Slayer" from Dungeon #15 (Jan/Feb 1989)

Haunt, Lesser (B7)

Mesmer (similar to the Morkoth or Morlock from OD&D supplement II: Blackmoor)

Phygorax

Possession (subsequently appearing in "In Pursuit of the Slayer" from Dungeon #15 (Jan/Feb 1989)

Sacrol (M2 "Maze of the Riddling Minotaur"; subsequently appearing in X9; "In Pursuit of the Slayer" from Dungeon #15 (Jan/Feb 1989)*

*note the Sacrol is indicated with an asterisk in M2, indicating that silver, magic, or special weapons are needed to fight the creature (Cook/Marsh pg. X27).  It's stated in X9 on pg. 22 that "When in combat with the sacrol, a magic weapon is needed to hit." although this is not explicitly stated in the creature description in AC9

Topi (X8)

Vapour Ghoul (XS2)

Velya (X7)

Wyrd: Normal, Greater (B10)

AC3/5/8: The Revenge of Rusak

AC8 "The Revenge of Rusak" (1985) by David Cook is a 8-page wilderness adventure for character levels 7-9, designed to be used with "3-D Dragon Tiles".

AC8 "The Revenge of Rusak" (1985) by David Cook.  (Published as AC3, relabeled as AC5, technically AC8).

It was advertised as AC5 in the Coming Attractions section in Dragon #99 (July, 1985).  Later printings had a sticker "AC5 All New Dragon Tiles II" placed over the "AC3". 

It shared the AC5 code with "Player Character Record Sheets" (1984), but is commonly regarded as AC8.  I'm not sure how such an error could have possibly occurred.

Creative Team:

David Cook was the lead editor for the D&D Expert Set (1981) and authored or co-authored several B/X modules.  He became the lead designer for AD&D 2e.

3-D figures were designed by Dennis and Marsha Kauth.  Dennis also designed the 3-D figures for B6 "The Veiled Society" (1984) and AC3 "The Kidnapping of Princess Arelina".

The Adventure:

Many years have passed since the events in AC3 "The Kidnapping of Princess Arelina".  The princess is now the lone survivor of a coup d'etat, and is organizing a rebellion.

Rusak, the villainous magic-user from the previous adventure, has returned from the dead and desires nothing more than revenge against the PCs.

3-D figure for Rusak

I've only run this adventure once, without any of the 3-D figures or tiles.  It's quite fun, and easily playable in a single session.

I'd like to perhaps run it again some day, using the pregens and 3-D figures and tiles.

Location:

The adventure "has no particular background setting so it can be used any time the PCs are traveling to another place".

New Monster:

Fungoid

New Magical Items:

Staff of Recording; Amulet of Emotions; Medallion of the Mirror

Trivia:

Names of the 6 prerolled characters appear to be Malaysian in origin*

*see also here on the Vaults of Pandius

6/8 of the AD&D pregens from AC3 were increased in level and altered for use with the D&D Expert rules.

AC3: The Kidnapping of Princess Arelina

AC3 "The Kidnapping of Princess Arelina" (1984) by Garry Spiegle is a short, 8-page adventure for character levels 2-5, designed to be used with "3-D Dragon Tiles".

AC3 "The Kidnapping of Princess Arelina" (1984) by Garry Spiegle.

Creative Team:

Garry Spiegle* contributed a letter to "Out on a Limb" in The Dragon #3 (October, 1976).  He worked on the Companion Set rules and also wrote CM2 "Death's Ride" (1984).

*Spiegle passed away in 2018

3-D figures were designed by Dennis Kauth, who also designed the 3-D figures for B6 "The Veiled Society" (1984).  Illustrations were by Kauth and Jim Roslof.

The Adventure:

I posted a review of this adventure on Dragonsfoot, back in 2018.

The princess' abductor has taken refuge in a "house bounded by two dark towers" and must be rescued by the PCs.

The House of Towers

The House of Towers can easily be repurposed as a great little exploratory adventure for a group of low-level PCs.

Location:

"The Kidnapping of Princess Arelina" takes place in an unnamed kingdom.

There is no suggested placement within the Lands and Environs of the D&D Wilderness.

Trivia:

Names of the 8 prerolled characters appear to be Malaysian in origin*

*see also here on the Vaults of Pandius

The inclusion of a ranger is a clue to the fact that these are AD&D pregens, with AD&D spells (and spell progression), as well as some AD&D-specific equipment.