Publication:Dungeoneer's Survival Guide (1e)

Dungeoneer's Survival Guide (1e)

	System: Dungeons and Dragons 1e  Abbreviation: DSG  Author: Douglas Niles  Publisher: TSR  Item Code: 2019  Publication Date: 1986  Format: Hardcover  Page Count: 123  ISBN-10: 0-88038-272-4
Product Blurb For beginners, advanced players, and DMs, this book opens up grand new vistas in the realms of the underdar, that little-known region of dungeons and caverns far beneath the sunlit world of everyday existence. The worlds of subterranean adventure await! This text is quoted from promotion material. Text and images are copyrighted by the original publisher.

Table of Contents

Player's Section

Section	Page
DUNGEONEER'S SURVIVAL GUIDE: WHAT IS IT?	6
The Mystery of the Underdark	6
New Rules for Underground Play	6
The denizens of the Underdark	6
The Underground Campaign	6
Using this Information	6
OVERVIEW OF THE UNDERDARK	7
Natural Underground Locales	7
Unnatural Underground Locales	9
Hazards of the Underearth	11
MOVEMENT RULES FOR UNDERGROUND PLAY	12
Ability Checks	12
Proficiency Checks	12
Swimming	12
Holding One's Breath	12
Moving in Water	13
Effects of Moving Water	14
Climbing	14
Climbing Surfaces	14
Encumbrance	15
Climbing Success Rates for Non-Thieves	15
Climbing Modifiers	16
Climbing Tools	16
Rappelling	16
Jumping for Non-Acrobats	17
Jumping Modifiers	17
Using Rope	17
Crossing a Chasm on a Rope	17
Swinging Across	18
Belays	18
Roping Together	19
Bridges	19
Permanent Bridges	19
Impromptu Bridges	19
Falling (Expanded Rules)	19
Stopping a Fall	20
Landing	20
Sliding Down Slopes	20
Spelunking	20
The Tight Squeeze	20
Excavation	21
Rubble	21
Solid Barriers	21
Fatigue and Exhaustion	21
Effects of Fatigue	21
Effects of Exhaustion	22
Movement Effects of Darkness	22
Movement on Slippery Horizontal Surfaces	22
PROFICIENCIES	23
Nonweapon Proficiencies	23
Success and Failure	23
Construction Time	23
Artisans, Craftsmen, and Other NPCs	24
Optional Bonuses	24
Craftsman Proficiencies	25
Adventuring Proficiencies	26
Experience Points for Proficiencies	29
COMBAT RULES FOR UNDERGROUND PLAY	30
Fighting on Walls and Other Sheer Surfaces	30
Fighting on Bridges and Ledges	30
Grabbing an Enemy	30
Fighting in Water	32
Fighting in Narrow Passages	32
Fighting in Darkness	32
Spellcasting in Darkness	32
Rules for Mounted Combat	32
BATTLESYSTEM™ Game Options Underground	34
Extremely Narrow Frontages	34
Combat Modifiers	34
Formation Modifiers	34
Morale Effects	34
Ventilation Effects	35
Flying Effects	35
Line-of-Sight Effects	35
Cave-ins on a Battlefield	35
THE UNDERGROUND ENVIRONMENT	36
Air Supply	36
Duration	36
Fire	36
Smoke	36
Poisonous and Noxious Gasses	37
Ventilation	37
Odor Detection	37
Cave-ins	38
Causes of Cave-ins	38
Random Occurrences of Cave-ins	39
Cave-in Chain Reactions	40
Effects of Cave-ins	40
Defensive Point Values of Underground Formations	40
Hypothermia (Optional Rule)	42
Magnetic Effects of Lodestone	42
NPC Reactions to Long Underground Adventures	42
Structural Decay	43
Underground Waterways	43
Standing Water	43
Flowing Water	44
Water Temperature	45
Access to Underground Waterways	45
Underground Water Travel	46
Mining	48
Where to Mine	48
Types of Mines	49
Excavating a Mine Tunnel	49
Shoring a Tunnel	50
Products of a Mine	50
Quality of Mine Products	51
Calculating the Value of a Placer Mine	53
Smelting Ore	53
53
Duration of a Mining Site	53
Inherent Hazards of Mining	53
The Claim	53
Hireling Loyalty	54
Natural Hazards	55
Unnatural Hazards	55
NEW EQUIPMENT	56
Costs and Weights	56
New Equipment Descriptions	56
Transportation Equipment	57
Equipment for Proficiencies	57
IMPROVING PLAY	59
Expedition Planning	59
Using Beasts of Burden	59
Using Watercraft	60
Fighting Effectively	60
Creating Diversions	60
Speeding Play	61
Creative Underground Spell Use	61
Languages of the Underdark	62
Mapping Techniques	62

Dungeon Master's Section

Section	Page
THE UNDERGROUND ENVIRONMENT	65
Features of the Underground Game	65
Nature of the Underground Environment and its Denizens	66
A Brief History of Underground Cultures	68
UNDERGROUND GEOGRAPHY:	69
Domains in Three Dimensions	69
Surface Terrain	69
Temperature	70
Humidity	70
Size	70
Origin	70
Access and Egress	70
Theories on the Nature of the Underground	70
The Hollow Earth Theory	71
The Swiss Cheese Theory	71
The Isolated Pockets Theory	71
The Partial Connection Theory	71
THE CULTURES OF THE UNDERDARK	73
Values and Objectives	73
Drow	73
Kuo-Toa	73
Duergar	73
Mind Flayers	74
Aboleth	74
Derro	74
Cloakers	74
LANDS OF DEEPEARTH	75
Connecting Passages of Deepearth	75
Area Details	75
Map of Deepearth	76-77
Individual Area Key	78
1. The Great Lake	78
2. Surface Lands	78
3. Upper Caverns	79
4. Cathedral Caverns	79
5. Enclosed Caverns	80
6. Caverns of the Ancients	80
7. Grand Canyon of Deepearth	81
8. Fungus Forest	81
9. Caverns of Doom	83
10. Sunken Swamp	83
11. Outpost of the Illithids	84
12. Combat Zone	85
13. Empty Caverns	86
14. Reclaimed Caverns	86
15. Upper Lake of Deepearth	87
16. Mid-Level Caverns	87
17. Lower Lake of Deepearth	88
18. Steam-Heated Caverns	90
19. Chambers of Fire	90
20. Lava Caves	91
21. Elemental Vortex of Fire	92
22. Lands of the Deep Gnomes	92
23. Lower Grand Canyon of Deepearth	93
24. Domain of the Duergar	94
25. Windpipe	94
26. Hallowed Grounds	95
27. The Melting Pot	95
28. Realm of the Drow	95
29. The Dark Realms	97
30. Interplanar Whirlpool	97
31. Darkness	98
UNDERGROUND ADVENTURES: CAMPAIGN CONSIDERATIONS	99
Challenges for the DM	100
The Fine Art of Juggling	100
Designing the Adventure and the World	100
Worlds of Adventure: The Importance of Setting	100
Basic Characteristics	100
Plot and Counterplot: The Importance of the Story	103
The Story Structure	103
Multiple Story Lines	105
Story Elements	106
Techniques of Story and Campaign Design	109
The Linear Adventure	109
The Open Campaign	110
The Matrix Campaign	110
Running the Game	111
Preparing for Play	111
The Dungeon Master as Master Storyteller	112
Help from the Players	113
Rolling Up Player Characters	113
Providing Ideas for Adventures	113
Character Class Responsibilities	113
Controlling Henchmen, Hirelings, and Other NPCs	113
MAPPING YOUR SETTINGS	114
Basic Mapping Considerations	114
Perspective Mapping	114
Selecting a Grid	114
Selecting a Starting Point	115
Drawing the Map	115
Mapping Symbols	115
Horizon Lines	117
Geomorphic Mapping	117
Using Geomorphs	117
COMPILED TABLES	121
PERSPECTIVE MAPS	124
INDEX	128

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