First Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) is a wondrous game that has left an indelible mark on those who’ve played it — this author included. Yet its quirky, idiosyncratic rulebooks can be difficult to navigate, even for veteran players. Editing issues run throughout, leaving readers unsure of what the rules actually mean. Common problems include vague wording,

The inspiration for the module DUNGEON DELVE #2: Dungeons of the Dread Wyrm was simple: I wanted to craft a dragon adversary that was both challenging and unforgettable. In earlier editions of the game, this was no easy feat. Dragons were, frankly, underwhelming — especially when facing high-level adventurers. A typical encounter rarely lasted beyond a few rounds.

People play Dungeons & Dragons and other RPGs to have fun, but sometimes — usually in stressful situations — emotions can run high. Players may say and do things around the gaming table that are not in the spirit of camaraderie. This can quickly shift the tone of the game from “fun” to “not fun.”

In 1983, TSR updated its Advanced Dungeons & Dragons hardcover books with new cover art and the iconic orange-spine design. However, they did so for only four of the five books available at the time: Monster Manual, Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Deities & Demigods (the latter of which was retitled Legends & Lore).