AC10: Bestiary of Dragons and Giants

AC10 "Bestiary of Dragons and Giants" is a 64-page compilation of 14 mini-adventures, ranging from Basic to Master level, edited by Deborah Christian.

Advertisement for AC10, appearing in Dragon #125-6

Creative Team:

The introductory section and first two mini-adventures were written by Jim Ward, while the remaining scenarios were contributed by others.

The cover illustration is by Larry Elmore, from a D&D poster "Teamwork" sold exclusively at Sears, as advertised in Dragon #90 (October, 1984).

The inside of the gatefold cover depicts illustrations of the various types of giants and dragons, overlaid upon a 5' gird.*

*the artist for the inside of the gatefold cover isn't credited, although was probably Roger Raupp, who is mentioned in the review for AC10 in Dragon #148 (pg. 65)

Black and white interior illustrations are by Wanda Lybarger.  Cartography is by Dennis Kauth and Ron Kauth

A random spell generator for spell-casting dragons is also included, credited to Bruce Heard.

Mini-Adventures:

The Haunted Helm: James Ward

Monster: White Dragon

Party Level: 1-4

This adventure takes place a week's travel into the high mountains, and would be suitable for a low level party in Threshold.

The Questing Barbarian: James Ward

Monster: Young Mountain Giant

Party Level: 1-4

This adventure takes place a three week's trip into the high mountains to the north, and would likewise be suitable for a low level party in Threshold.

Ravellia and the Dragon Eggs: Warren and Caroline Spector

Monster: Black Dragon

Party Level: 5-7

This adventure takes place in a hilly region surrounded by marshes, and includes a brief section "On Black Dragons and Their Eggs".

Trouble in Tall Stone Pass: Steve Perrin

Monster: Stone Giant

Party Level: 5-7

This adventure starts in "the little town of Breaker’s Reach, part of a long section of land, the Reach, where a lot of horse training is done", and includes a brief section "On Stone Giant Creation and Origin".

The Wizard in the Woods: John Nephew

Monster: Green Dragon

Party Level: 8-11

This adventure takes place in an elven forest, and includes a brief section "On Subdual and Control of Dragons".

The Tip of the Iceberg: Thomas Kane

Monster: Frost Giant

Party Level: 8-11

This adventure takes place on an iceberg, and would be appropriate for the seas around the Northern Reaches.

Krasniy the Red: Gary Thomas

Monster: Red Dragon

Party Level: 12-15

This adventure takes place in the town of Saffir, nestled in a small valley with surrounding farms, and includes a brief section "On Aerial Combat".

The Feud of the Fire Giants: John Terra

Monster: Fire Giant

Party Level: 12-15

This adventure takes place in the foothills of the mountains, and includes a brief section "On Fire Giants".

The Deluded Dragon: Deborah Christian

Monster: Gold Dragon

Party Level: 16-20

This adventure begins in the seaport of Nandua, a town notorious for its population of smugglers and pirates (similar to Freiburg in the Heldann Freeholds, or Landfall in Norwold), and includes a brief section "On Gold Dragons".

Prince Reynard and the Silver Staircase: Ray Winninger

Monster: Cloud Giant

Party Level: 7-10

This adventure takes place in a cloud giant castle, and includes a brief section "On Cloud Giants and Their Castles".

Thyralax and the Ruby Amulet: Rick Swan

Monster: Ruby Dragon

Party Level: 21-25

This adventure takes place in "a barren wilderness, about 20 miles north of the nearest civilized area", and includes a brief section "On Gemstone Dragons".

Isle of the Storm Giant: Vince Garcia

Monster: Storm Giant

Party Level: 21-25

This adventure takes place on a desert island, a week's sail from "the port of Serendib, which may be placed in the DM’s campaign world or set in the eastern region of the D&D game world’s wilderness overseen by the Minrothad guilds" and includes a brief section "On Storm Giants".

Serendib was also mentioned in Garcia's solo adventure "The Djinni's Ring" published in Dungeon #9 (January/February 1988) and might represent the unnamed port on the easternmost island of the Minrothad Guilds appearing on the parchment map of the Sea of Dread in XSOLO "Lathan's Gold"

Fangs Alot: Bob Blake

Monster: Dragon Ruler

Party Level: 26 and up

This adventure involves Opal the Sun Dragon, Ruler of All Neutral Dragons, and takes place on Opal’s home plane.  It includes a brief section "On Dragon Parts".

The Pestiferous Castle of Bodor Sordstone: Scott Bennie

Monster: Mountain Giant

Party Level: 25 - 30

This adventure takes place "in the center of an extinct volcano on an island in a crater lake" and includes a brief section "On Mountain Giant Lore: From the Dwarvish Legends".