Dungeons & Dragons: Expert Rules (1983) Quiz

Answer: False

Most character classes can only build a stronghold when they reach a certain level. For example, clerics can only build a castle at Name level, whereas a magic-user may build a tower at 11th level. Fighters, however, have no such restrictions and may build a stronghold in the form of a castle at any level, provided they have enough money.

At name level, fighters do become eligible to obtain a noble title (Baron or Baroness), although this will not be granted automatically.

Answer: There are no restrictions on who may use a war horse.

The Player's Information section of the Expert Rulebook explains that regular riding horses provide faster transportation but cannot be used in combat. War horses on the other hand are larger and tougher and can be directed by their rider to attack an enemy with their front hooves.

When not being ridden they will defend themselves as necessary without needing guidance from their rider. Although some character classes, particularly magic-users, have notable restrictions on their ability to use weapons and armor, war horses can be used by characters of any class.

Answer: Threshold

The Expert rules set includes detailed maps of what was originally called the Known World setting, which was later incorporated into a fictional world known as Mystara. There is a particularly detailed description of the realm known as the Grand Duchy of Karameikos that would reappear in many published campaign settings. Threshold is a small rural town in a remote region of the Grand Duchy that faces onto a large unexplored wilderness area.

The Dungeon Master's section of the Rulebook suggests that player characters might begin their adventures there, although this is entirely optional. Suggestions are provided for adventures they might have in the town and nearby wilderness, along with information about the local politics, and how they can travel to other locations in the realm to have adventures elsewhere. Specularum is the capital city of the Grand Duchy and a major port.

As such, it may serve as a point of departure for adventures involving sea travel. Darokin is the name of both a republic neighboring the Grand Duchy and its capital city, while Thyatis is the name of both the powerful empire of which the Grand Duchy is a part, and its capital city.

Answer: 12 days

The raise dead spell would obviously come in handy in dangerous adventures where the risk of death is high - which is pretty much any adventure in this rather brutal version of the game! The time limit for how raising a dead person increase by four days by each level a cleric reaches beyond 10th.

When a character is raised, they are initially weak and incapacitated and need two weeks of complete rest before they can engage in strenuous activities like combat. Could be comforting to know that death might only slow you down if you're lucky enough to have a high-level cleric on hand.

Answer: Vampire

Spectres and vampires are highly dangerous undead creatures that have the ability to drain life energy from characters with a touch, causing them to lose two levels of experience at a time - a catastrophic loss, as experience levels take a long time to obtain! The Expert rules booklet describes both creatures, although the vampire is the more powerful of the two as it has greater hit dice and additional special abilities, such as shapeshifting and the ability to change into a gaseous form when it loses all its hit points.

Although the lich and undead beholder are each more powerful than vampires, these are not introduced until the Master set.

Answer: Attempt to read any normal writing or language

A fourth level thief has an 80% chance of being able to read any piece of normal (but not magical) writing in any language, which includes simple codes, dead languages, and maps. They gain the ability to attempt to cast magic-user spells from magic scrolls at 10th level, although there is a 10% chance the spell will backfire in some way because of thieves' imperfect understanding of magical writings.

They are able to construct a hideout at Name (9th) level. Thieves never gain the ability to Turn Undead, as this ability is restricted to clerics.

Answer: Goblins

Characters, particularly if they own strongholds, may hire soldiers to perform various military duties. Surprisingly, the list of mercenaries that can be hired includes goblins, who may be hired as archers, light footmen, and wolf riders (the only race listed that can do this last job). Even orcs may be hired for certain military duties.

This is even though goblins and orcs are usually regarded as evil creatures! Seems that they have their uses all the same. There are no rules for hiring other kinds of chaotic humanoids such as kobolds and gnolls though - perhaps these are just too far beyond the pale.

Answer: The victim may be turned to stone.

If a Lawful character is struck by a Chaotic sword, they must attempt a saving throw. If successful, they are unharmed, but if failed, they are petrified! On the other hand, if a Chaotic character is struck by a Lawful sword, they must attempt a saving throw against paralysis. If they fail, they are immobilized. Lawful weapons and characters tend to be less cruel than their Chaotic counterparts in this version of the game, in which Lawful alignment is generally considered "good" while Chaotic alignment is generally considered "evil." There is a kind of magic sword that can drain a victim of an energy level, although it is not listed as a "special" sword.

The Expert Set Rulebook does not describe any magic weapons that do double damage.

Answer: In a forest

Elves in Dungeons & Dragons are described as sylvan creatures, so they build their strongholds deep in the forest, preferably in a site of great natural beauty. The Rulebooks suggests that suitable locations may include at the top of a great tree, the edge of a quiet vale, or behind a rushing waterfall. Dwarves are described as being miners, so they build their strongholds in underground caverns within mountains or hills. Halflings prefer pleasant areas of the countryside near rolling hills and streams. None of the races want to live on icy glaciers! Dwarves and Elves need to be of Name (9th) level to build a stronghold, whereas halflings, like fighters, may build one at any level if they have sufficient resources to do so. Elves, dwarves, and halflings live in clan-based societies, so once a stronghold is built, the builder's clan will usually come to live there. Additionally, clans will typically help finance the construction if the character does not have enough money of their own.

Answer: The Isle of Dread

"The Isle of Dread" by Dave Cook and Tom Moldvay was originally published in 1981 and was specially reprinted in 1983 with a new cover for inclusion in the Expert Set. The adventure is designed for a party of 6-10 characters from levels 3-7 and requires them to travel over the sea from the civilized mainland of the Known World setting to the titular Isle of Dread, a wild and unexplored land full of mystery and danger where dinosaurs and other fantastic creatures roam. The island and its inhabitants, including new nonhuman races, are described in rich detail and there is scope for the characters to embark on many different kinds of quests.

"The Savage Coast," published in 1985, is another wilderness adventure that was designed to be compatible with the Expert Set. "The Keep on the Borderlands," published in 1979, was designed as an introductory adventure suitable for people new to the game and was compatible with the Basic rules. "Temple of the Frog," published in 1986, is a revised version of an adventure that appeared in 1975 in the supplement "Blackmoor," an accessory to the original version of the Dungeons & Dragons rules. The Blackmoor version is notable, not only for being the first ever published Dungeons & Dragons adventure, but for combining fantasy with elements of science fiction.