DA3: Rogues, Regents, and Rascals

DA3 "City of the Gods" includes lengthy descriptions of several NPCs (most of whom were previously described in DA1 "Adventures in Blackmoor"):

Captain Bork Reisling

Captain Bork Reisling (F10, Neutral)

captain of the Federation Survey Ship Beagle

Umra Dir (C10, Chaotic)

appears in DA4 "The Duchy of Ten"

The remaining entries cover NPCs previously described in DA1 (some edited more than others):

Bosero the Drunkard (M14, Lawful; John Snider)

Brother Richard, the Flying Monk (C11, Lawful; Richard Snider)

Fletcher William, the Fetch (F14, Lawful; Ken Fletcher)

Jallapierie (M17, Lawful)

Marfeldt the Barbarian (F16, Chaotic; Marshall Hoegfeldt)

The Peshwan Na Shepro, Baron of Dragonia (F13, Lawful; Ken Shepro)

Robert the Bald (M19, Lawful; Bob Meyer)

DA3: Alien Devices

DA3 "City of the Gods" describes a number of alien devices.

These can’t usually be harmed by non-magical weapons or tools.  Most are powered by 1" x 2" x 1/2" rechargeable power packs.  Voice commands use Galactica (the language of the Galactic Federation).

Illustration from "Star Empires" (1977)

Battle Armor ("Godsuit")

This item looks like a smooth, wondrously light and thin stocking-but one that has been knit with arms and legs to cover the entire body. Woven into thc stocking’s neck is a small oblong box.

Communicator ("Talk Box")

This item is a gray egg-shaped device that fits in the palm of the hand. A retractable metal clip extrudes from one end.

Glow Wand ("Magic Torch")

This item is a six-inch long, one-inch diameter gray metal tube with a translucent cap of some smooth, dense material at one end. The tube has parallel ridges running along its length.

Grenade ("Death Egg")

This item is a smooth, heavy, egg-shaped ball, no more than an inch thick at its widest end. There is a small seam in the middle of the ball. The ball comes in six colors: red, yellow, black, blue, green, and gray.

Grenade Launcher ("Wand of Death Eggs")

This dark gray, foot-long, inch thick tube is open at one end and closed at the other. There is a red bump on one side.

Hand Blaster ("Wand of Sun Flame")

This dark gray, L-shaped device is made from some smooth, dense substance and is molded to fit a human hand. The part that fits most comfortably in the palm is studded with tiny buttons and protrusions. The other part ends in a thin tube.

Heavy Blaster ("Staff of Sun Flame")

This device actually looks more like an unwieldy club than a staff. The smooth, dense, dark gray substance from which it is manufactured is studded with arcane bumps and bulges and it is broader and heavier at one end, tapering to a thin tube at the other.

Implant ("Talk Spell")

This item consists of a small metal and ceramic button in the back of the skull, just under the ear. This button is normally hidden under the skin, but may he revealed by a wound.

Light Saber ("Sword of Light")

This item is a six-inch long, one-inch diameter gray metal tube with a red lens of some sort at one end. The tube is banded with ridges of metal and contains a small plate near the lens. The plate is inset with a variety of studs and small flashing lights.

Medkit ("Cube of Healing")

This item is a smooth, white 4-inch white cube. One side of the cube is covered with flashing lights and strange symbols. There is a small stud in one corner. The opposite side has dozens of shallow indentations. The remaining four sides are blank.

Needler ("Wand of Poisoned Dreams")

This dark gray, L-shaped device is made from some smooth, dense substance and is molded to fit a human hand. The part that fits most comfortably in the palm has a stud and several tiny protrusions. The other part ends in a thin tube.

Pressure Suit ("Suit of Lights")

When inactive, this item looks like battle armor with a hood and a slightly larger box woven into the neck. When it is active, it gives the wearer a multi-colored aura.

Riot Stick ("Wand of Pain")

This item is a 24-inch long, one-inch diameter, smooth white stick with a grip at one end. The butt of the grip can be twisted.  Attached to the center of the butt end by a strap is a pair of odd, shiny black gauntlets.

Snoopers ("Far Seers")

This item consists of a pair of short tubes joined along their sides by some rigid material. The tubes are filled with layers of some clear substance and can be seen through. Connected to the tubes is a strap of some flexible stretchy substance.

Translator Badge ("Medallion of Speaking")

This item is a one-inch diameter button fixed to a pin, so that it can be attached to clothing. The button has two parts, a stationary center and an outer circle. The circle contains runes and revolves when turned.  The center of the button contains two glowing runes one of which matches runes on the outer circle. Depressing the center causes the runes to change or disappear.

DA3: The Galactic Federation

DA3 "City of the Gods" describes the existence of a Galactic Federation:

Far from the sun that gives light and life to Blackmoor, almost a third of a galaxy away, is the seat of the so-called Galactic Federation, a loose confederation of planets and peoples dedicated to the preservation of internal order and peace.

From DA3 "City of the Gods"

The Galactic Federation sounds similar to Star Trek's "United Federation of Planets" and is likewise involved with exploration of the galaxy:

Within the vast bureaucracy that governs this federation is a small bureau that is a tiny part of a big department that is but a fraction of a huge secretariat.  This microscopic organization, the Galactic Survey Bureau (GSB), is charged with the long-term mission of exploring and mapping the galaxy, obtaining specimens of its flora and fauna, and maintaining a comprehensive directory of known planets.  One of the ways the bureau accomplishes its mission is by sending forth hundreds of Federation Survey Ships to visit and catalog the stars and their planets.

From DA3 "City of the Gods"

Star Map from "Star Probe" (1975) by John Snider

The GSB's objectives are similar to those in the game "Star Probe" (1975) by John Snider, one of the original players in Dave Arneson's Blackmoor campaign.

STAR PROBE is basically a parallel contest, where the participants, representing separate empires, seek to explore and exploit new star systems for the glory of their governments and the enrichment of their bank accounts -- interstellar colonialism indeed!

Gary Gygax, from the Forward to "Star Probe" (Sept 1, 1974)

"Star Probe" was followed by "Star Empires" (1977) with comprehensive rules for space combat:

"Star Empires" (1977) by John Snider

Snider's third game in the series was the "Star Master" RPG which was never published, but likely served as the basis for the "Star Frontiers" RPG.

(Snider also developed a game called "Mutant" which might have served as inspiration for the "Metamorphosis Alpha" and "Gamma World" RPGs.)*

*DA3 "City of the Gods" mentions a tough material named "duralloy" ("durable alloy"?) which originally appeared in these two other games

DA3: Geography of the South

The City of the Gods is located in the Valley of the Ancients, in the Lands South of Blackmoor.

The Lands South of Blackmoor (scale 12 miles per hex) from DA3 "City of the Gods".  Cartography by Dennis Kauth.

I've previously discussed the Lands South of Blackmoor in relation to the map of the Outdoor Survival board:

Southern part of the map of the Outdoor Survival board (top, label for the Valley of the Ancients is my own) in comparison to the Lands South of Blackmoor (bottom).

Note the similarities between the two maps, including the orientation of the mountain ranges to the south of the desert region, and the location of the northern forested areas.

(The name for the Valley of the Ancients likely originated from the name for area 3 "Valley of the Ancients" in the Wilderlands of High Fantasy setting, as discussed, here).

Geography of the South:

In DA3 "City of the Gods", the Fetch provides characters with a direct means of teleportation to Benbow's Hectare, south of Dragonia, and east of the Valley of the Ancients.

From there, the PCs can travel across the Eastern Hak to the Valley of the Ancients.  The module provides descriptions for each of the following regions:

The Eastern Hak*

The Valley of the Ancients

The High Hak*

*see also the "Riders of Hak" (2007) sourcebook, part of the Zeitgeist Games d20 series of Blackmoor supplements

The Thonian Rand**

**see also CBI 2 "The Thonian Rand: Edge of the Empire" (2019)

Detailed encounter tables are provided for each of the following areas:

Steppe (for the High Hak, the Eastern Hak, the Coombe, or the Hills of Clwydd)

Forest (for any forested area north of the Taff River)

• including the Blasted Woods, the Ringwood, the Mumblewood, Buster's Wood/Botha's Wood and the Lynton Wood/the Bracken

Dragon Hills (for the Dragon Hills, the South Dragons, or the Spine of the Dragon)

Badlands (for the Badlands, the Ash Hills, or the Blue Hills)

Kerman Peaks

Valley (for the Valley of the Ancients)

The Valley of the Ancients:

"City of the Gods" (2007) by Harley Stroh contains multiple well-conceived and challenging encounters for the Valley of the Ancients.

"City of the Gods" (2007) by Harley Stroh.  Cover artwork by John Donahue.

Stroh states that his version "both contradicts and supports" module DA3.

The section detailing the Valley of the Ancients is 32 pages, representing a module in its own right, and is very much worth a look.

DA3: Previous Expeditions

There have been two prior documented expeditions to The City of the Gods.

The City of the Gods.  Illustration by Jim Holloway.

The first mention appears in JG37 "The First Fantasy Campaign" (1977):

An expedition to the City of the Gods (located in the Desert south of Monson's old place) which cost several players' lives (Nelson and Gaylord) plus their holdings going evil.

Dave Arneson

Daniel Boggs interviewed Chuck Monson, and inquired about "Monson's old place", back in 2017 (see "Monson on Playing and Wargaming").

Dale Nelson's character was known as the Sirk Am Peshwah, (the Hand of the People), leader of the Peshwah* (his character, or possibly his successor, is detailed in "Rogues, Regents & Rascals" in DA1 "Adventures in Blackmoor").

*Nelson's character was also referred to as "the Chief of the Nomads", or simply "The Nomad" in "Blackmoor's More Infamous Characters" in JG37.

Pete Gaylord's character was the famous (or infamous) "Wizard of the Wood" (see "The World's First Wizard").  A character with the same title, named Sildonis, is also described in "Rogues, Regents & Rascals" in DA1.

In "The Chance of a Lifetime" the Fetch relates:

About four years ago, we began to hear stories about a sky-sailing city that had come to earth in a desert called the Valley of the Ancients, south of Blackmoor.  At that time, we were looking for allies in our war against Thonia.  A party of us made a trip into the desert to find the city and try to form an alliance.  Less than a third of the expedition returned.

“What killed us?  Thirst, heat, trolls, sand folk, dragons - the usual.  But also other things.  We got to the city, you see - got inside and tried to contact the Gods.  But it was no good.  All we saw were monsters and metal warriors.  The metal warriors killed more of us than the dragons.  In the end, we ran from there like whipped dogs and were glad for the privilege of showing our heels. 

Fletcher William, from DA3 "City of the Gods"

If desired, the DM may link the deaths of a prior Sirk Am Peshwah and the Wizard of the Wood to this prior expedition.

*          *          *

The second account is captured in a lengthy narrative, published in "Tales from the Green Dragon Inn" in Oerth Journal #6 (November, 1997):

The adventure took place in 1976 at TSR's Dungeon Hobby Shop. Gary, myself and Dave Arneson were the only participants. Dave's campaign had been running for some time previous to this and many adventures into that fabled city had taken place before ours.

Rob Kuntz

For those interested in Robilar's account of the expedition, it may be downloaded at Robilar Remembers: Journey to the City of the Gods by Robert J. Kuntz.

(It might be interesting to include Mordenkainen and Robilar as NPCs encountered by the PCs during their own expedition to the City of the Gods!)

Note the entry for "Blackmoor" in the World of Greyhawk folio (1980) states "There is also purported to be a strange "City of the Gods'' somewhere within the Archbarony."

DA3: City of the Gods

DA3 "City of the Gods" (1987) by Dave Arneson and David Ritchie is a 48 page D&D adventure for character levels 10-14.

Module DA3 "City of the Gods" (1987) by Dave L. Arneson and David J. Ritchie.  Cover illustration by Doug Chaffee.

Creative Team:

Dave Arneson was the co-creator of D&D.  He returned a decade after leaving TSR to work on the DA series, based on his original Blackmoor campaign.

Arneson's co-author, David Ritchie, worked on several projects at TSR from 1982-83 (see this thread from Dragonsfoot in 2008).  He coauthored DA1-3 with Arneson, although garnered sole credit for DA4 "The Duchy of Ten" (1987).

Ritchie's wife, Deborah C. Ritchie, worked at TSR around the same time, serving as editor for B3 "Palace of the Silver Princess" (1981) and X3 "Curse of Xanathon" (1982).  She is credited as editor for the entire DA series, DA1-4.

Interior illustrations are by Jim Holloway (except for a full-page illustration by Jeff Easley on pg 46 from XSOLO "Lathan's Gold" (1984)

Special thanks to Mike Mornard and Mike Bakula.

Design Origins:

Surely it was a sight. All golds and silvers, with towers and buildings of the oddest shapes and hues and sizes. Many towers seemed proportioned the same; but this in no way indicated mundanity, for surely the towers gleamed in morning's sunlight. Metal towers, and hundreds of them!

from "Robilar Remembers" (Oerth Journal #6)

The City of the Gods has its origins in the earliest days of the D&D game, dating from Arneson's original Blackmoor campaign.

Module DA3 was largely written by Ritchie, according to Arneson, here.  The idea of turning the city into a crashed space ship may have been Ritchie's.

The Adventure:

The PCs are commissioned to explore the City of the Gods, somewhere deep within the Valley of the Ancients, in order to initiate contact with its inhabitants, while investigating the nature of its connection to the Order of the Frog.

Robot.  Illustration by Jim Holloway.

New Monsters:

Camarilla,* Cyborg, Gakarak,** Garl,*** Geonid,**** Grazer, Herex,** Hide Hunter (Human), Hook Beast (Hook Horror, Hulker),***** Robot (Dbot, Sbot, Ebot, Ubot), Quarg,****** Roper,***** Sand Folk*******

*a tougher version of the Xytar from AC9 "Creature Catalog"
**from AC9
***from CM6 "Where Chaos Reigns"; AC9
****from X5 "Temple of Death"; AC9
*****from XL-1 "Quest for the Heartstone"; AC9
******a tougher version of the Ice Wolf from B10 "Night's Dark Terror"; AC9
*******a tougher version of the Sis'thik (Desert Scourge) from AC9

Rogues, Regents, and Rascals:

A five-page section describes several notable NPCs (some previously described in DA1 "Adventures in Blackmoor")

Prerolled Characters:

The prerolled characters included in DA1 and DA2 are given more extensive bios:

Alphidia Alkot (M10), Axel Kars (F10), Bob Silverheels (H8, from the Five Shires), Gelon Melandil (E10, exiled from Alfheim), Gillam Khandum (D10, from the mountains of northern Glantri), Ismelian Sotadis (E10, from Alfheim), Jareel Takis (C11), Kokra the Touch (T11, from Ylaruam, a near relative of the Emir Hinbul II), Newton Depoe (M11), Purda Blue (F11), Sean Boldfinger (T10), Thern Mor (C10, rumored to be from Thyatis)