Dungeon Masters Companion: Monster List (Other Planes)

The monster list for Other Planes in the Companion Set rules mainly involves elemental creatures, including those from the Basic and Expert Sets with elemental origins,* and others which are new

*as described in Eldritch Wizardry 

In addition to the elementals themselves (which range up to 32 Hit Dice), there are 'good guy' and 'bad guy' races on each plane.  Some of these life forms are very strange, but all are playable and interesting.

Frank Mentzer, Imagine #18 (September, 1984)

Elementals take double, normal, or no/minimal damage from attacks according to the principles of dominance and opposition, as explained in the section on Elemental Magic in Part 3: The Multiverse

The elemental principles of dominance and opposition.

Other Planes:

Aerial Servant ("Haoou") - from AD&D 1e Monster Manual

Basilisk - from D&D Expert Set

Cockatrice - from D&D Expert Set

Djinni (Lesser, Greater "Pasha") - Lesser version from D&D Expert Set

Efreeti (Lesser, Greater "Amir") - Lesser version from D&D Expert Set

Elemental - from D&D Expert Set

Gorgon - from D&D Expert Set

Helion - distant relatives of the Sun Brothers ("Sollux") from X2

Horde - life forms comprised of hundreds of insect-like bodies, enemies of kryst and undines

Hydrax - crab-like creatures made of ice, enemies of undines and kryst

Invisible Stalker ("Sshai") - from the D&D Expert Set

Kryst - urchin-like beings comprised of golden crystal spikes, enemies of hordes and hydrax

Medusa - from the D&D Basic Set

Plasm (Normal, Giant) - skeletal creatures comprised of elemental material and ectoplasm

Salamander (Flame, Frost) - from D&D Expert Set

Undine - featureless, snake-like beings made of water, enemies of hydrax and hordes

Dungeon Masters Companion: Monster List (Prime Plane)

The Monster List in the Companion Set rules was divided into two parts: the Prime Plane (Apparition to Will o' Wisp*) and Other Planes (Aerial Servant to Undine).

*the Will o' Wisp was famously left on the cutting room floor, although not removed from the header for the section

It's been a challenge to design creatures for character levels 15-25.  Some avenues were easily explored; for example, the dragons in the BASIC Set are the small ones.  The 'large' and 'huge' versions are simply 1 1/2 and 2 times their size, with some extra attacks (claw/ claw/bite AND wing/kick/tail...) that a lot of gamers requested (you see, we DO listen to you!).  Gargantuan monsters are just the usual ones (like carrion crawler and troll) but bigger, and have been very popular in the playtesting.  In examining the Undead, I found several mythological niches that hadn't been explored, which gave rise to the Haunts (Banshee, Ghost, and Poltergeist), Phantoms(Apparition, Shade, and Vision), and Spirits (Druj, Odic, and Revenant).  Beware — they're very, very nasty.

Frank Mentzer, Imagine #18 (September, 1984)

The creatures include Beholders and Blast Spores, larger versions of Dragons, a couple of brand new monsters (Drolem, Gargantua), nine powerful new Undead, several new monsters from previous modules (X2, X4, X5, X7, M1, M2) including a full description of the manscorpion appearing in X4, and a few from Cook/Marsh that didn't make it into Mentzer Expert.

Illustration by Jeff Easley

Prime Plane:

Apparition - a form of Undead (see Phantom)

Banshee - a form of Undead (see Haunt); the earlier version from B4 was designated as a "Lesser" Banshee in AC9

Beholder (from Greyhawk)

Blast Spore (from AD&D 1e Monster Manual)

Dolphin (from Blackmoor; X7)

Dragon - Large and Huge versions of those in the D&D Basic Set

Dragon Turtle - from OD&D vol. 3/AD&D 1e Monster Manual; Cook/Marsh

Drolem - a dragon-golem

Druj - a form of Undead (see Spirit)

Gargantua (Carrion Crawler, Gargoyle, Troll) - huge versions of smaller monsters, the products of research of the mad wizard Gargantua (from CM1)

Ghost - a form of Undead (see Haunt)

Golem, Mud (from X2)

Golem, Obsidian (from M2)

Grab Grass (from X2)

Gremlin (from X2)

Haunt (Banshee, Ghost, Poltergeist); the earlier version from B7 was designated as a "Lesser" Haunt in AC9

Malfera (from X5)

Manscorpion (based on appearance in X4)

Manta Ray (Normal, Giant) - from Blackmoor; X7

Mujina (from X5)

Odic - a form of Undead (see Spirit)

Phantom (Apparition, Shade, Vision)

Poltergeist - a form of Undead (see Haunt)

Revenant - a form of Undead (see Spirit)

Rock or Cave Toad (from M1)

Shade - a form of Undead (see Phantom)

Shark (Bull, Mako, Great White) - from Cook/Marsh; similar to Sharks in the AD&D 1e Monster Manual; Wereshark (from Holmes)

Snow Ape (from M1)

Spectral Hound (from X5)

Spirit (Druj, Odic, Revenant)

Vision - a form of Undead (see Phantom)

Weasel, Giant - from Greyhawk/AD&D 1e Monster Manual; Cook/Marsh

Whales (Killer, Narwhal, Sperm) - from Cook/Marsh; - similar to Whales in the AD&D 1e Monster Manual

Dungeon Masters Companion: The Multiverse

The Dungeon Masters Companion included a section on interplanar adventures, focusing on the inner planes* (the Ethereal and four Elemental Planes).

*see also OD&D Cosmology: The Inner Planes of Existence

Interior of a Wormhole.  Illustration by Jeff Easley

The Ethereal Plane:

A short description of the Ethereal Plane is given, also covering movement.*

An aspect of travel to the Ethereal Plane that is often glossed over, is that travel to the plane is by transformation of the body (and possessions) of the traveler to an ethereal state.  It's the process of becoming ethereal that transports the individual to the Ethereal Plane.

Everything on the Ethereal Plane, including travelers from the Prime Plane, is composed of ether of varying densities:

...the gray fog of the Ether may be dense or thin, varying by what is nearby on the Prime Plane. Nearby water appears as dark Ether, and rock, earth and wood as even thicker Ether. Dense rock and heavy metals (lead, gold, etc.), appear as solid Ether (ectoplasm). Fire on the nearby Prime Plane appears as bright Ether.

Dungeon Masters Companion, pg. 18

Earlier, it's stated that "All light sources function normally (a torch or lantern shining light to 30’ range, magical light to greater ranges, etc.), but they only light the Ether, not reaching into wormholes or into the Prime Plane." - but how does an ethereal torch or lantern work?

Gravity does not exist on the Ethereal Plane, but the direction of gravity on the Prime Plane can be sensed.  A fly spell enables movement, according to the density of ether (it's possible to move through solid ether, but not ether corresponding to metal or lead on the Prime Plane).

*see also Notes on the Ethereal Plane

Elemental Planes:

The Elemental Planes are described as parallel universes, although with matter composed of a single element.

When a planet exists on an Elemental Plane in roughly the same “position” as a planet on the Prime Plane, natural vortexes and wormholes appear, connecting the planets on each Plane. Thus, for the “normal” D&D world, there are four other planets in similar positions, one on each of the Elemental Planes.

Dungeon Masters Companion, pg. 19

Travel to the Elemental Planes is via wormholes.   "Air exists, and the flow through the wormhole provides a gravity of sorts."  However, "Creatures and things in a wormhole are magically changed into the “proper” element when they reach the Elemental Plane..."

Also, "The network of permanent wormholes between the Prime and Elemental planes looks similar to the roots of a plant; each small wormhole joins a larger one, until all the smaller wormholes connect to one huge wormhole connected to the Elemental Plane itself."

The Ethereal Plane is the "glue" that binds together the Prime and Elemental Planes.

Dungeon Masters Companion: The War Machine

The Dungeon Masters Companion contains a 6-page section describing the War Machine rules, a versatile system to quickly resolve mass combat scenarios.

Illustration by Larry Elmore

Frank Mentzer credited Garry Spiegle, Doug Niles, Mark Acres, and Carl Smith for the development of the War Machine rules:

They merged years of experience in wargames with the current range of fantasy role playing styles.  The resulting system can handle the clash of armies without miniatures or boardgames—and thus, the very roots of the D&D game surface once again.

Frank Mentzer, Preface to the Companion Set rules

The War Machine:

Each body of troops is given a rating for their quality.  When combat occurs, this “Battle Rating” is modified for battle conditions (terrain, number of opponents, morale, etc.) and each player rolls d%, and adds the modified Battle Rating of the troops.  The high roll wins the battle.

A mini-adventure in the Dungeon Masters Companion "The Fall of the Black Eagle" showcases the new rules.  The setting is the Grand Duchy of Karameikos, and involves the defeat and destruction of the infamous Black Eagle Barony.

The rules also featured in X10 "Red Arrow, Black Shield", CM1 "Test of the Warlords", CM2 "Death's Ride", CM4 "Earthshaker!", "Sinvel's Peril" (a D&D mini-module for a group of 4-7 characters of 12th-15th level, published in Imagine #19), CM6 "Where Chaos Reigns", and CM7 "The Tree of Life".

Additional Reading:

Spiegle revisited the War Machine rules in Dragon #109 (May, 1986) in which he covered naval, scouting, and artillery rules, in addition to some refinements to prevent distortions during special cases.

*see also "Assembling Armies in the D&D Known World" by Bruce Heard, in Dragon #191 (March, 1993)

Dungeon Masters Companion: Tournaments

The section on Dominions in the Dungeon Masters Companion includes rules for Tournaments, or Tourneys, including field lists (involving hand-to-hand combat, archery, or wrestling competitions) and jousts.

Rules for jousts appeared in Chainmail, and were revisited for OD&D in an article by Jon Pickens in The Dragon #17 (August, 1978).  The Companion Set rules present a simplified version, allowing for quicker resolution.

Illustration by Larry Elmore

A mini-adventure in the Dungeon Masters Companion "The Golden Dagger" showcases a tournament.  The setting is the County of Garette.*

*the DM is advised "You may place the County of Garette in any of your structured Dominions, changing any material as needed, or may change the name to match an existing NPC dominion."

Running "The Golden Dagger" in Norwold during CM1 "Test of the Warlords"** or in Vestland following X13 "Crown of Ancient Glory" are both good options.

**a tournament is also organized as part of the Spring Festival when the PCs arrive in Norwold in module CM1 "Test of the Warlords" (1984).

Dungeon Masters Companion: Dominions

According to the Companion Set rules, the D&D fantasy world is loosely based on medieval Europe, before the invention of the printing press (circa 1440), and without firearms.

However, the Lands and Environs of the D&D Wilderness, based on the map of the Continent in module X1 "Isle of Dread", also include regions inspired by various cultures in Central Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

This renders the dominion system, the development work for which is credited to Garry Spiegle in the Preface to the Companion Set, somewhat challenging to integrate.

"The Lands and Environs of the D&D Wilderness" are a culturally diverse region not particularly suited to the dominion system as described in the Companion Set rules

The pseudo-feudalism described in the Companion Set may apply to:

• the Grand Duchy of Karameikos (a grand duchy is technically a monarchy)*
• the Kingdom of Vestland (more so based on its description in module X3 "Curse of Xanathon", rather than as originally described in module X1 as a state composed of many petty "kingdoms" loosely united under one ruler, similar to Vikings)

*in module X12 "Skarda's Mirror" by Aaron Allston, a history for Karameikos is given wherein Duke Stefan progressed from Baron to Count to Duke (not Grand Duke), which differs from the history given in GAZ 1 "The Grand Duchy of Karameikos", also by Allston

The dominion rules do not seem appropriate for:

• the Principalities of Glantri (a magocracy, comprised of a number of independent principalities, wherein most decisions are left to the various local councils of elders and the princely stewards)
• the Ethengar Khanate (based on the clans of the central Asian steppes)
• the Heldann Freeholds
• the Soderford Jarldoms (ruled by “Jarls" - Earls, similar to independent counts)
• the Atruaghin Clans
• the Republic of Darokin (a plutocracy, that is, the government is run by the wealthiest merchant families)
• the Emirate of Ylaruam (ruled by an Emir, a King of tribes)
• the Kingdom of Ierendi (the king and queen are only figureheads, with actual rule being held by a few, co-equal, aristocratic families, making Ierendi an oligarchy)
• the Minrothad Guilds (a syndocracy, the government is run by the heads of the various trading guilds)
• the Empire of Thyatis (an autocracy resembling the medieval Byzantine empire, which never adopted true feudalism)

"Continental Overview of Wendar and Denagoth" in relation to the Northern Wildlands, Norwold, and the Lands and Environs of the D&D Wilderness

In X11 "Saga of the Shadow Lord" and X13 "Crown of Ancient Glory", both released after publication of the Companion Set, author Stephen Bourne incorporates land grants as rewards for the successful completion of each adventure:

Module X11:

A grateful Wizard-King will offer each member of the group the title of baron or baroness and a dominion covering 2-3 hexes each, in the plains and forests bordering the Northern Wildlands.

Module X13:

The PCs may be granted the Duchy of Estine, the Barony of Gallma, the Barony of Krenholme, the Viscounty of Finhagen, the County of Vander Plett, the Barony of Darnen, the Viscounty of Glenfork, or the Barony of Brinforth*

*other fiefdoms mentioned in X13 "Crown of Ancient Glory" include the Duchy of Rhoona, the Duchy of Estine, and the County of Darien.

The Kingdom of Norworld in CM1 "Test of the Warlords", a vast region north of the Lands and Environs of the D&D Wilderness, was conceived in order to showcase the Companion Set dominion system to its full advantage.

Dominion Administration:

The section on dominion administration in the Dungeon Masters Companion covers dominion income and expenses, tournaments, confidence levels, and titles.*

*a very handy Dominion Worksheet was included in AC6 "Player Character Record Sheets" (1985)

Dominion Income and XP:

Experience points gained through rulership, by collecting Resource and Tax Income, is described in the DMs Companion (pgs. 4-5).*

*clarification of these rules is provided in the Master DMs book (pgs. 6-7)

Additional Reading:

"Meanwhile, Back at the Fief..." by Thomas M. Kane, in Dragon #125 (September, 1987)

Bruce Heard elaborated upon dominion economics in Dragon #187 (November, 1992); population and food in Dragon #189 (January, 1993); and Economics III - working it out, in Dragon #190 (February, 1994) which covered population growth, new villages, and mining.*

*see also "How Many Peasants?" in About Bruce Heard and New Stories (October 21, 2017)