Blackmoor (supplement)
Author | Dave Arneson |
---|---|
Genre | Role-playing game |
Publisher | TSR, Inc. |
Publication date | 1975 |
Pages | 60 |
Blackmoor is a supplementary rulebook (product designation TSR 2004) of the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game written by Dave Arneson (with a foreword by Gary Gygax).
Contents
Blackmoor, the second supplement to the original Dungeons & Dragons rules, is known for its introduction of rules for underwater adventures and hit location, and the addition of the
Dave Arneson named the booklet after his original role-playing campaign world, Blackmoor.[3] It has additional rules, monsters, treasures, and the first role-playing game adventure ever published, The Temple of the Frog.[1][4] Despite the name, the supplement includes almost no information on Arneson's version of the world.[5]: 100
Blackmoor added two new character classes to the game:[6] the assassin, a sub-class of the thief; and the monk, a "monastic martial arts" sub-class of the cleric, intended to be a hybrid of the fighter and thief classes. The Sage character was also introduced, but changed to a Non-Player Character type and moved to the back of the booklet by the editor.[7]
The book also introduced a section on diseases and a hit location system,
The supplement introduced rules for underwater adventures, such as rules and guidelines for swimming, equipment weight restrictions when fighting underwater, and the effects of underwater combat on weapons and spells. Blackmoor also includes numerous new water-dwelling monsters and equipment useful for underwater adventures. A number of these underwater monsters and magic items were the creations of Steve Marsh, added to the supplement in order to compensate for material by Arneson left out of the final edit.[8][9]
Publication history
Following the release of the original
The book features illustrations by David C. Sutherland III, Mike Bell, and Tracy Lesch. The supplement was edited by Tim Kask,[12] who also did development on it.[13]
The Temple of the Frog was revised and expanded years later, and published as DA2 Temple of the Frog.[1]
The Blackmoor supplement was reproduced as a premium reprint on November 19, 2013, as part of a deluxe reprint of the original "White Box" which features new packaging in an oaken box. The reprint includes: Volume 1: Men & Magic, Volume 2: Monsters & Treasure, and Volume 3: Underworld & Wilderness Adventures plus four supplements: Supplement I: Greyhawk, Supplement II: Blackmoor, Supplement III: Eldritch Wizardry, and Supplement IV: Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes. Each booklet comes with new cover art but otherwise reproduces the original content faithfully, including original interior art.[14]
Reviews
References
- ^ ISBN 0-87975-653-5.
- ISBN 978-0786458950
- ^ Thumbnail Analysis - Blackmoor, Don Lowry, Panzerfaust and Campaign #72 (Panzerfaust Publications, 1976)
- ^ Review of Dungeons & Dragons Supplement II: Blackmoor, Scott Casper (2006), retrieved March 2008
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4516-4052-6.
- ^ a b "Original D&D Supplements". The Acaeum. Retrieved 2009-01-17.
- ^ "Sorting Supplement II". ODD74. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
- ^ "Interview with Steve Marsh". Grognardia. 23 August 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
- ^ "Q&A with Tim Kask". Dragonsfoote. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
- ISBN 978-0-7864-5895-0
- ^ "The History of TSR". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2008-09-24. Retrieved 2005-08-20.
- ^ "Blackmoor (1975)". Pen & Paper RPG Database. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2009-01-17.
- ^ Sacco, Ciro Alessandro. "The Ultimate Interview with Gary Gygax". thekyngdoms.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
- ^ "Original Dungeons & Dragons RPG". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ^ "The Playboy winner's guide to board games". 1979.
External links
- http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/11/11381.phtml
- "Review of Dungeons & Dragons Supplement II: Blackmoor". Skotos Tech, Inc. Retrieved 6 March 2016.