D&D Timeline

I started playing D&D sometime during 1981, but I've never been sure exactly when. I knew it was on or near my friend Kenny's birthday, because his mom gave him the Holmes Basic set (with B2) as a present.

I'm pretty sure it was the day of, because I was there when he opened it and we were both blown away to finally have our paws on the game we'd been hearing about. We spent that entire weekend sitting on his bedroom floor, diving into the rules and playing B2 like a violent version of Monopoly.

I lost contact with Kenny over the years but reconnected with him on social media. We don't live near each other and have unfortunately failed to catch up online. A few days ago, I happened to see that it was his birthday in my notifications and the light bulb went off. I now have an approximate date (mid-August) and perhaps even an exact date (August 18) for the start of my long journey into this hobby. Great memories!

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 20: Chieftain's Crypt

More than a dozen ancient skeletons grasping bronze khopeshes and outfitted in lamellar armor and wicker shields are laid out on straw mats lining the dusty floor. Against the north wall sits a carved stone throne, upon which slumps the mummified body of an obviously-important warrior wearing a bejeweled iron crown. In his gnarled right hand, he clutches an exquisite battleaxe which glows softly in the darkness of the crypt. 

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 19: Antechamber

 

A pair of 8-ft. high statues of coyote-headed men stand in alcoves on the east wall. Emplaced at chest-height on the west wall are four, 2-ft. sq. metal panels: one each of bronze, iron, silver, and gold (from north-to-south). Ancient bronze and copper excavation tools (picks, spades, augers, etc.) are stacked against the angled south walls, which show signs of long-halted digging work.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 18: Slaves' Crypt

 
Dozens of ancient skeletons are laid out on straw mats lining the dusty floor.

• Skeletons. These bodies (37 total) do not animate IN ANY WAY unless the tomb guardians in area 19 activate to repel intruders. Even if previously smashed, the bones will reform into brittle skeletons when that occurs.
  
  

<< Area 17: Slaves' Crypt

>> Area 18: Antechamber

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 17: Slaves' Crypt

The chamber is empty save for dozens of straw mats lining the dusty floor.

• The (30) brittle skeletons once interred here were released and destroyed by the tomb robbers (see area 1).
  
  

<< Area 16: False Secret Door

>> Area 18: Slaves' Crypt

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 16: False Secret Door

 

At the end of this seemingly dead-end passage is a deliberately-obvious “secret door” (anyone searching the west wall “discovers” a suspicious-looking panel automatically).

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 15: Champion's Crypt

 

Dozens of ancient skeletons are laid out on straw mats lining the floor of this crypt. A carved stone sarcophagus rests near the angled south walls. The stone lid is carved with ancient glyphs that tell the tale of Tiyamuzi—Champion of the Coyote Clan. Bloodoath-Keeper.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 14: Wise-woman's Crypt

 

Dozens of ancient skeletons are laid out on straw mats lining the floor of this dusty crypt. A profusion of jars rest on the floor against the east and west walls. A carved stone sarcophagus stands near the angled south walls. The lid is carved with ancient glyphs that name the interred as Ninu the Ageless—Wise-woman of the Coyote Clan. Outsider.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 13: Trapped Hall

 

The walls, floor, and ceiling of this hall are covered with finely-worked carvings that depict pastoral/quasi-ceremonial scenes of beasts and hill-men.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 12: Shrine

A terracotta statue of a matronly woman sits cross-legged upon a raised (1-ft. high) dais on the south wall, and cradles a stone urn in her lap. The dais surrounding her is covered with dozens of unlit candles, wooden bowls and straw baskets filled with desiccated offerings, and two sealed clay jars. The room is filled with a fecund, earthy aroma and hints of floral perfume.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 11: Processional Hall

 

The north wing of this chamber is lined with 5-ft. high arched alcoves (13 total). Seated cross-legged on the floor of each alcove is a robed and hooded figure, draped with dusty cobwebs. To the south is a wider antechamber with an elaborate arched exit, flanked by a pair of alcoves in which stand lamellar-armored skeletons holding bronze khopeshes and wicker shields. On the floor before the exit is a colorful mosaic which remains vivid even through the thick layer of dust.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 10: Altar Room

 

In the outer corridor (area 10a), a DC 18 (Perception) check spots the telltale seams of a secret panel on the south wall. The panel pushes inward, revealing a passage beyond. Dim light flickers from around the bend.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 9: Slaves' Crypt

Dozens of ancient skeletons are laid out on straw mats lining the dusty floor.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 8: Shaman's Crypt

 

The corridor from area 7 dead-ends in a crudely-rendered wall carving of a male figure with a coyote’s head addressing six coyotes. The figure wears a tight tunic and holds a staff capped with an orb of fire; with his other hand he points to the orb with his index finger hooked down.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 7: Antechamber

More than a dozen ancient skeletons are laid out on straw mats lining the dusty floor. A 2-ft. sq. niche is set at chest height in the north corner of the west wall.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 6: Huntress' Crypt

 

Dozens of ancient skeletons are laid out on straw mats lining the dusty floor. A crudely-carved stone sarcophagus rests before the angled north walls. The lid of the sarcophagus is sealed with lead and carved with ancient glyphs that tell the tale of Saba—Wife of Chief Mesharsu of the Coyote Clan; Huntress of the Great Plain.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 5: General's Crypt

 

Dozens of ancient skeletons are laid out on straw mats lining the dusty floor. A carved stone sarcophagus rests before the angled north walls. The lid of the sarcophagus is sealed with lead and carved with ancient glyphs that tell the tale of Ikakit—General of the Coyote Clan; Hero of the People.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 4: Attendant's Crypt

The chamber is lit by torches as (4) tomb robbers work to pry open the lid of a stone sarcophagus. A sealed clay jar and a bronze coffer stand against the north wall. The tomb robbers crack the seal open just as the party arrives, releasing stale vapors when the lid shunts slightly to the side.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 3: Antechamber

 

Many boot prints on the dusty floor lead into and out of this chamber from both the east and north exits (areas 1 and 4). Shattered bones litter the area around the east entrance. A dozen straw mats cover the floor, and a man’s corpse is laid out on one mat in the southwest corner, next to a pile of equipment. The muffled sounds of hammering and faint voices can be heard in the direction of area 4, and dim light flickers on the walls of the north passage.

The Dolmen Tomb – Area 2: Sacred Basin

Many boot prints on the dusty floor lead in and out of both entrances to this chamber, which is empty save for a stone basin carved into the east wall. The basin and the stone wall surrounding it are carved with crudely-rendered versions of local flora and fauna. The muffled sounds of hammering and faint voices can be heard in the direction of area 3.