One of the most popular series of modules for Advanced D&D,
based in the world of the Dark Elves. The second trilogy in the GDQ
series (comprised of the Giants, Drow, and
Queen subseries).
D1 Descent Into the Depths of the Earth by Gary Gygax
D1-2 Descent into the Depths of the Earth by Gary Gygax
D2 Shrine of the Kuo-Toa by Gary Gygax
D3 Vault of the Drow by Gary Gygax
These modules were created as part of the over-arching story begun in
G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief and concluded
in Q1 Queen of the Demonweb Pits. The
entire series was finally compiled into supermodule
GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders.
Originally produced as three separate monochrome modules, D1 and
D2 were eventually combined into the color-covered D1-2 Descent
into the Depths of the Earth. The monochrome D3 was transferred
directly into the color D3 Vault of the Drow.
D1-2 Descent into the Depths of the Earth comes with a double
cover (module booklet nested inside two covers of maps). Thanks to
Eric Pass
for this info.
Interesting piece of trivia: on the cover page of the D1-2 module
booklet, the Willingham ink sketch (of four drow) shows a small chest, and
within that chest appears to be Captain America's shield and Iron Man's
helmet! The chest itself even shows Spider Man's mask. According
to contributor Pat Wilshire, such "Easter eggs" are often found in TSR art,
and the influence of comic books on fantasy illustrators was often significant.
The artwork is not found in either of the D1 or D2 separate
modules. Thanks to Robert Jay for first noticing this, and to James
Maliszewski for assistance.
D1 Descent Into the Depths of the Earth
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First (1978): Monochrome. Wizard logo, centered
on bottom. No ISBN, no indication of printing #, no starburst
on front cover bottom right. (Thanks to Scott Cordiner for the
scan).
Second (Dec 1978): Monochrome. Wizard logo is
offset from a starburst stating "Official D&D Tournament Module used
at GenCon XI". No ISBN. Bottom of front cover states "2nd
Printing, December 1978". Some illustration that were present
in the First print are now missing: the giant slug on pg 3, the pack
lizard and drow on pg 5, the mind flayer on pg 7, the bugbears on pg
10, and the jermlaine on pg 12! (Thanks to Michael Deaton for
this info). Strangely, we've heard of at least two Second print
copies that do not have these missing illustrations, indicating
that this error was caught and corrected copies were issued (thanks
to Mike Badolato for this info).
Third (Dec 1979): Monochrome. Wizard logo with
starburst. No ISBN. Bottom of front cover states "3rd Printing,
December 1979". The missing illustrations from the Second print
have now been re-included.
Fourth (1980): Monochrome. Wizard logo with starburst.
ISBN is on back cover bottom left. No printing notice. (Thanks
to Michael Deaton, John Kozol, and
Adrian Newman
for this info).
Fifth: Monochrome. Wizard logo with starburst.
ISBN is on front cover bottom left and back cover bottom right.
No printing notice.
D1-2 Descent Into the Depths
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First (1981): Color cover. TSR Face logo.
ISBN on back cover bottom right. (Thanks to Michael Deaton for
the scan).
Second: Color cover. TSR Face logo. ISBN
on back cover bottom right, Piece Code (116-F-9059) on back cover bottom
left.
Third: Color cover. TSR Face logo. ISBN
and Product Number on back cover bottom right, no Piece Code.
Fourth: Color cover. TSR Face logo. ISBN
and Product Number on back cover bottom right, Piece code back cover
bottom left.
Fifth: Color cover. TSR Face logo. Has
an orange cardboard header glued to the top backside of the shrinkwrap,
with the D&D logo and some other advertising. This print was distributed
to large retailers (such as Toys 'R' Us) and was designed to be hung
on a rack. This print is significantly rarer than earlier prints;
we suspect the module itself, separate from the header, is actually
a Fourth print, but confirmation on this is needed. Further
info on header modules is here.
D2 Shrine of the Kuo-Toa
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First (1978): Monochrome. Wizard logo, centered
on bottom. No ISBN. No indication of printing #. (Thanks
to Scott Cordiner for the scan).
Second (Dec 1978): Monochrome. Wizard logo is
offset from a starburst stating "Official D&D Tournament Module used
at GenCon XI". No ISBN. Bottom of front cover states "2nd
Printing, December 1978".
Third (Dec 1979): Monochrome. Wizard logo with
starburst. ISBN on the front cover, bottom left. Bottom
of front cover states "3rd Printing, December 1979". (Thanks to
Alain Bennett and Michael Deaton for help with this info).
Fourth (1980): Monochrome. Wizard logo with starburst.
ISBN is on back cover bottom right (although some copies have been reported
with the ISBN on the front cover bottom left instead; we don't know
which version came first). No printing notice. (Thanks to
John Kozol and
Eric Pass
for this info).
Fifth: Monochrome. Wizard logo with starburst.
ISBN is on front cover bottom left and back cover bottom right.
No printing notice.
D3 Vault of the Drow |
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First (1978): Monochrome. Wizard logo, centered
on bottom. No ISBN. No indication of printing # (thanks
to David Leverich for the scan).
Second (Dec 1978): Monochrome. Wizard logo is
offset from a starburst stating "Official D&D Tournament Module used
at GenCon XI". No ISBN. Bottom of front cover states "2nd
Printing, December 1978".
Third (Dec 1979): Monochrome. Wizard logo with
starburst. ISBN on the front cover, bottom left. Bottom
of front cover states "3rd Printing, December 1979". (Thanks to
Josh Berling and Michael Deaton for help with this info).
Fourth (1980): Monochrome. Wizard logo with starburst.
ISBN on back cover bottom right (although some copies have been reported
with the ISBN on the back cover bottom left instead; we don't know which
version came first). No printing notice. (Thanks to John
Kozol and Chris Hoffner for this info).
Fifth: Monochrome. Wizard logo with starburst.
ISBN on front cover bottom left and back cover bottom right. No
printing notice.
Sixth: Color cover. TSR Face logo. ISBN
on back cover bottom left. Some minor layout changes and additions
to this print: a small web illustration on page 2 has been added (replacing
a paragraph referencing modules G3 and D2 for background on Svirfneblin),
the mountain/passage illustration on page 10 was previously divided
over two pages in the monochrome version, a full-page illustration of
Lolth on page 20 was inserted, and an illustration and description of
Svirfneblin was added to the end. Thanks to Rene Hurka for this
info.
Seventh: Color cover. TSR Face logo. ISBN
and Product Number on back cover bottom left.
The D-series modules have remained one of the most popular series TSR
produced. Values somewhat reflect the demand, rather than the
abundant supply.
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 Descent Into the Depths
(1st print)
 Descent Into the Depths
(2nd print)
 Descent Into the Depths
(color version)
 Descent Into the Depths
(header version)

Shrine of the Kuo-Toa
(1st print)
 Shrine of the Kuo-Toa
(5th print)
 Vault of the Drow
(1st print)

Vault of the Drow
(2nd print)

Vault of the Drow
(4th print)

Vault of the Drow
(6th/7th print)
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