What’s That on the Door? A Guide to The Temple of Elemental Evil’s Strange Door Markings

The meaning behind those strange glyphs.

By R. Nelson Bailey

The classic First Edition module The Temple of Elemental Evil was one of the earliest mega-dungeon adventures published by TSR. In this sprawling mini-campaign, the adventurers encounter a mysterious pair of doors sealed with chains. As the text describes:

“Each pair of doors is held fast by huge iron chains, and all cracks are sealed with soft iron. Graven upon each portal are magical runes which glow in a silvery radiance. These portals are the binding forces which even now confine the demoness Zuggtmoy to the dungeon.”

Perhaps you have wondered what each magical rune etched into the two valves signifies. Fortunately, a key is provided in TSR’s Greyhawk Gazetteer folio. According to the Greyhawk glossary of portentous runes and glyphs, the runes have the following meanings. Many of these markings are based on actual or modified runes or alchemical symbols. Each number corresponds to a symbol found on the module’s illustration shown here.

1. Regeneration

2. Holiness

3. Warning, danger

4. Good

5. Private

6. Poison antidote

7. Fire

8. Sulphur, infernal

9. Key

10. Death

11. Opposition

12. Demonic power

13. Evil

14. Possession

15. Danger

16. Darkness

17. Insanity

18. Earth

19. Ankh