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'''''Against the Giants''''' (module code G1-2-3) is an adventure for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' roleplaying game, published by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] in 1981.  It combines the contents of three earlier modules: ''G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief'', ''G2 Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl'', ''G3 Hall of the Fire Giant King''.  The "G" in the module code represents the first letter in the word "giant."
'''''Against the Giants''''' (adventure code G1-2-3) is an adventure for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' roleplaying game, published by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] in 1981.  It combines the contents of three earlier adventures: ''G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief'', ''G2 Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl'', ''G3 Hall of the Fire Giant King''.  The "G" in the adventure code represents the first letter in the word "giant."


The 1981 version was produced for use with the first edition ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' rules.  To recognize the 25th anniversary of TSR, an updated version, '''''Against the Giants: The Liberation of Geoff''''', was released in 1999.  Also in 1999, [[Wizards of the Coast]] published '''''Against the Giants''''', a novelization of the adventure by Ru Emerson.
The 1981 version was produced for use with the first edition ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' rules.  To recognize the 25th anniversary of TSR, an updated version, '''''Against the Giants: The Liberation of Geoff''''', was released in 1999.  Also in 1999, [[Wizards of the Coast]] published '''''Against the Giants''''', a novelization of the adventure by Ru Emerson.


The original three modules play as a classic dungeon crawl against giants under an external influence. The focus is on hill giants, frost giants and fire giants, three of the original evil giant types used in the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' roleplaying game. In the famous wizard [[Bigby]]'s own words: "On the world I call home, three linked mountain ranges, the [[Crystalmist Mountains]], the [[Jotens]] and the [[Hellfurnaces]], are inhabited by fierce giants who launch all-too-frequent raids into the nearby lands of the [[Yeomanry]], [[Sterich]], and [[Geoff]]."{{csb|GotG |55}}
The original three adventures play as a classic dungeon crawl against giants under an external influence. The focus is on hill giants, frost giants and fire giants, three of the original evil giant types used in the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' roleplaying game. In the famous wizard [[Bigby]]'s own words: "On the world I call home, three linked mountain ranges, the [[Crystalmist Mountains]], the [[Jotens]] and the [[Hellfurnaces]], are inhabited by fierce giants who launch all-too-frequent raids into the nearby lands of the [[Yeomanry]], [[Sterich]], and [[Geoff]]."{{csb|GotG |55}}


The original "G" series modules formed the lead-in to an overall campaign set in the [[World of Greyhawk]] that then continued on an odyssey into the [[Underdark]].  These adventures included the "[[Drow]]" series of modules, D1 - ''[[Descent into the Depths of the Earth]]'', D2 - ''[[Shrine of the Kuo-Toa]]'', and D3 - ''[[Vault of the Drow (adventure)|Vault of the Drow]]''.  (D1 and D2 were later compiled into a single adventure, D1-2 - ''Descent into the Depths of the Earth'').  The campaign finally culminated with module Q1 - ''[[Queen of the Demonweb Pits]]''.
The original "G" series adventures formed the lead-in to an overall campaign set in the [[World of Greyhawk]] that then continued on an odyssey into the [[Underdark]].  These adventures included the "[[Drow]]" series of adventures, D1 - ''[[Descent into the Depths of the Earth]]'', D2 - ''[[Shrine of the Kuo-Toa]]'', and D3 - ''[[Vault of the Drow (adventure)|Vault of the Drow]]''.  (D1 and D2 were later compiled into a single adventure, D1-2 - ''Descent into the Depths of the Earth'').  The campaign finally culminated with adventure Q1 - ''[[Queen of the Demonweb Pits]]''.


==Publication history==
==Publication history==
The three original modules were written by [[Gary Gygax]] and were the first modules printed by TSR in 1978. Gary Gygax wrote them to take a break from writing rules in between writing the original ''[[Monster Manual]]'' and ''Player's Handbook''. At 8 pages, G1 & G2 were also the shortest.  The original G3 was 16 pages in length.  The combined module G1-2-3 (1981) at 32 pages (with a double cardboard cover) is equivalent in size with many of the other modules published in the early 1980s.  The module G1-2-3 was revised and reprinted in the 128 page supermodule GDQ1-7 ''[[Queen of the Spiders]]'' in 1986 along with the D and Q series modules.  In 1999, the three modules were reprinted by [[Wizards of the Coast]] in honor of D&D's 25th anniversary.
The three original adventures were written by [[Gary Gygax]] and were the first adventures printed by TSR in 1978. Gary Gygax wrote them to take a break from writing rules in between writing the original ''[[Monster Manual]]'' and ''Player's Handbook''. At 8 pages, G1 & G2 were also the shortest.  The original G3 was 16 pages in length.  The combined adventure G1-2-3 (1981) at 32 pages (with a double cardboard cover) is equivalent in size with many of the other adventures published in the early 1980s.  The adventure G1-2-3 was revised and reprinted in the 128 page superadventure GDQ1-7 ''[[Queen of the Spiders]]'' in 1986 along with the D and Q series adventures.  In 1999, the three adventures were reprinted by [[Wizards of the Coast]] in honor of D&D's 25th anniversary.


G3 ''Hall of the Fire Giant King'' was updated to fourth edition in ''[[dragmag|Dragon]]' #200, by [[Chris Perkins]].
G3 ''Hall of the Fire Giant King'' was updated to fourth edition in ''[[dragmag|Dragon]]' #200, by [[Chris Perkins]].


In 2017 the original G1-3 Against the Giants modules were re-released, updated to Fifth Edition rules, as part of the [[Tales of the Yawning Portal]] by Wizards of the Coast, along with a number of other "classic" modules including from Greyhawk.
In 2017 the original G1-3 Against the Giants adventures were re-released, updated to Fifth Edition rules, as part of the [[Tales of the Yawning Portal]] by Wizards of the Coast, along with a number of other "classic" adventures including from Greyhawk.


==Adventures==
==Adventures==
===G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief===
===G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief===
'''''Steading of the Hill Giant Chief''''' ([[ISBN]] 0-935696-08-3) is the first in the G series of modules.  It was published by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] in 1978 and written by Gary Gygax.  Its cover features a drawing of a [[Giant|Hill Giant]] fighting a party of adventurers by [[David C. Sutherland III]], who also provided the interior art.
'''''Steading of the Hill Giant Chief''''' ([[ISBN]] 0-935696-08-3) is the first in the G series of adventures.  It was published by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] in 1978 and written by Gary Gygax.  Its cover features a drawing of a [[Giant|Hill Giant]] fighting a party of adventurers by [[David C. Sutherland III]], who also provided the interior art.


;Synopsis
;Synopsis
The module begins by explaining the back story to the players: giants of different types have been raiding the lands of the humans.  This has angered the human rulers, causing them to hire a group of adventurers (the PCs) to "punish the miscreant giants."  The player's party must defeat the giants, or have their own heads placed on the chopping block.  The human nobles equip the party with weapons and horses, along with a guide and map of the exact location of the hill giants.  The players are informed that the hill giants are led by [[Nosnra]], a hill giant chieftan who is sly and loves to ambush.  Also, that there is an unknown force behind the banding together of the different giant groups.  They are to keep any spoils that they find, but return at once if they determine what "sinister hand" is behind the alliance.
The adventure begins by explaining the back story to the players: giants of different types have been raiding the lands of the humans.  This has angered the human rulers, causing them to hire a group of adventurers (the PCs) to "punish the miscreant giants."  The player's party must defeat the giants, or have their own heads placed on the chopping block.  The human nobles equip the party with weapons and horses, along with a guide and map of the exact location of the hill giants.  The players are informed that the hill giants are led by [[Nosnra]], a hill giant chieftan who is sly and loves to ambush.  Also, that there is an unknown force behind the banding together of the different giant groups.  They are to keep any spoils that they find, but return at once if they determine what "sinister hand" is behind the alliance.


The bulk of the module consists of two parts: the upper level of the hill giants lair, and a dungeon level beneath it.  In the upper level there are halls, barracks, and common rooms.  These rooms house Chief Nosnra and other hill giants, ogres, and servants.
The bulk of the adventure consists of two parts: the upper level of the hill giants lair, and a dungeon level beneath it.  In the upper level there are halls, barracks, and common rooms.  These rooms house Chief Nosnra and other hill giants, ogres, and servants.


The dungeon level consists of slave quarters, torture chambers, and caverns.  These house troglodytes, bugbears, and carrion crawlers.  The bulk of the treasure is to be found by completely searching the dungeons.  The Chief's treasure room contains a map of the glacial rift from the ''Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl'', and a magic chain that can automatically transport the party there.
The dungeon level consists of slave quarters, torture chambers, and caverns.  These house troglodytes, bugbears, and carrion crawlers.  The bulk of the treasure is to be found by completely searching the dungeons.  The Chief's treasure room contains a map of the glacial rift from the ''Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl'', and a magic chain that can automatically transport the party there.


===G2 Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl===
===G2 Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl===
'''''Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl''''' is the second in the G series of modules.  It was published by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] in 1978 and written by Gary Gygax.  Its cover features a drawing of two [[Giant|frost giants]] fighting a party of adventurers by [[David A. Trampier]], who also provided the interior art together with David C. Sutherland III.
'''''Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl''''' is the second in the G series of adventures.  It was published by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] in 1978 and written by Gary Gygax.  Its cover features a drawing of two [[Giant|frost giants]] fighting a party of adventurers by [[David A. Trampier]], who also provided the interior art together with David C. Sutherland III.


The "Night Below" ''[[Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Game|Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures]]'' set, due for release in July 2007, will feature a large rare Frost Giant Jarl miniature inspired by this module.
The "Night Below" ''[[Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Game|Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures]]'' set, released in July 2007,<ref name=minisgallery>{{cite web |title=D&D Miniatures: Night Below |url=https://www.minisgallery.com/dnd/ddm/ddm13.htm |format= |work=MinisGallery.com |publisher= |accessdate=8 March 2024 }}</ref> features a large rare "Frost Giant Jarl" miniature<ref name=minisgallery /> inspired by this adventure.{{cn}}


;Synopsis
;Synopsis
This module starts in one of two ways.  If the players are continuing on after finishing ''Steading of the Hill Giant Chief'', they were transported there by the magic chain.  They will know that they are searching for some force behind the giant alliance.  If the players are starting with ''Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl'', then they have been hired by nobles to destroy the frost giants.  Either way, a safe, hidden cave is easily found for a base of operations.
This adventure starts in one of two ways.  If the players are continuing on after finishing ''Steading of the Hill Giant Chief'', they were transported there by the magic chain.  They will know that they are searching for some force behind the giant alliance.  If the players are starting with ''Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl'', then they have been hired by nobles to destroy the frost giants.  Either way, a safe, hidden cave is easily found for a base of operations.


Again, the bulk of this module consists of two areas.  An upper area consisting of caves and rift floor, and a lower area consisting of naturally formed caverns.  In the upper area there are ice caves, barracks, and a dome of ice.  These are inhabited by yeti, frost giants, ogres, and winter wolves.  The dome of ice houses a remorhaz.   
Again, the bulk of this adventure consists of two areas.  An upper area consisting of caves and rift floor, and a lower area consisting of naturally formed caverns.  In the upper area there are ice caves, barracks, and a dome of ice.  These are inhabited by yeti, frost giants, ogres, and winter wolves.  The dome of ice houses a remorhaz.   


In the lower area there are caverns that house the servants, serve as a prison, and contain the [[Earl|Jarl]] and emissaries who have come to meet with him.  The main inhabitants are frost giants and ogres.  The prison contains an attractive storm giantess.  There are also polar bears; pets of the Jarl.  After defeating the Jarl, the adventurers have a chance to pull an iron lever which will transport them near to [[Snurre]]'s hall from ''Hall of the Fire Giant King''.
In the lower area there are caverns that house the servants, serve as a prison, and contain the [[Earl|Jarl]] and emissaries who have come to meet with him.  The main inhabitants are frost giants and ogres.  The prison contains an attractive storm giantess.  There are also polar bears; pets of the Jarl.  After defeating the Jarl, the adventurers have a chance to pull an iron lever which will transport them near to [[Snurre]]'s hall from ''Hall of the Fire Giant King''.


===G3 Hall of the Fire Giant King===
===G3 Hall of the Fire Giant King===
'''''Hall of the Fire Giant King''''' is the third in the G series of modules.  It was published by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] in 1978 and written by Gary Gygax.  Its cover features a drawing of two [[Giant|fire giants]] and an ettin fighting a party of adventurers by David C. Sutherland III.  Interior art was provided by [[David A. Trampier]].  ''Hall of the Fire Giant King'' marked the first time that [[drow]] made a statistical appearance in a D&D accessory, although the 1977 edition of the ''[[Monster Manual]]'' mentioned them by name.
'''''Hall of the Fire Giant King''''' is the third in the G series of adventures.  It was published by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] in 1978 and written by Gary Gygax.  Its cover features a drawing of two [[Giant|fire giants]] and an ettin fighting a party of adventurers by David C. Sutherland III.  Interior art was provided by [[David A. Trampier]].  ''Hall of the Fire Giant King'' marked the first time that [[drow]] made a statistical appearance in a D&D accessory, although the 1977 edition of the ''[[Monster Manual]]'' mentioned them by name.


;Synopsis
;Synopsis
If it is played as a continuation of the first two modules, the players know that they searching for the force behind the giant's alliance, or else they have been hired by nobles to destroy the fire giants.  This module is twice as long as the previous two: sixteen pages instead of eight.  Instead of two levels, this module contains three.   
If it is played as a continuation of the first two adventures, the players know that they searching for the force behind the giant's alliance, or else they have been hired by nobles to destroy the fire giants.  This adventure is twice as long as the previous two: sixteen pages instead of eight.  Instead of two levels, this adventure contains three.   


The giants live in a hot, smoky barrens made of rock; again, the party is able to find a safe location for forays against the giants.  The three levels of King [[Snurre Ironbelly]]'s hall are made of obsidian rocks and natural caverns.  The first (top) level includes the queen's rooms, barracks, and kennels.  Creatures encountered here include fire giants, [[gnoll]]s, and in the kennels, hell hounds.
The giants live in a hot, smoky barrens made of rock; again, the party is able to find a safe location for forays against the giants.  The three levels of King [[Snurre Ironbelly]]'s hall are made of obsidian rocks and natural caverns.  The first (top) level includes the queen's rooms, barracks, and kennels.  Creatures encountered here include fire giants, [[gnoll]]s, and in the kennels, hell hounds.
Line 69: Line 69:


===G1-2-3 Against the Giants===
===G1-2-3 Against the Giants===
'''''Against the Giants''''' combines the three modules ''G1'', ''G2'' and ''G3'' into one book.  It was published by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] in 1981 and written by Gary Gygax.  Its cover features a painting of three [[giant]]s: a fire giant, a hill giant, and a frost giant, along with a dire wolf attacking a village (see above).
'''''Against the Giants''''' combines the three adventures ''G1'', ''G2'' and ''G3'' into one book.  It was published by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] in 1981 and written by Gary Gygax.  Its cover features a painting of three [[giant]]s: a fire giant, a hill giant, and a frost giant, along with a dire wolf attacking a village (see above).


===Against the Giants: The Liberation of Geoff===
===Against the Giants: The Liberation of Geoff===
Released in 1999 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of TSR, '''''Against the Giants: The Liberation of Geoff''''' provided a set of adventuring materials that expanded on the original three modules.  The full text of G1, G2, and G3, were included, along with details of eighteen new adventure sites in [[Geoff]], linked together as an integrated campaign.  The new material in the 96-page book was written by [[Sean K. Reynolds]].
Released in 1999 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of TSR, '''''Against the Giants: The Liberation of Geoff''''' provided a set of adventuring materials that expanded on the original three adventures.  The full text of G1, G2, and G3, were included, along with details of eighteen new adventure sites in [[Geoff]], linked together as an integrated campaign.  The new material in the 96-page book was written by [[Sean K. Reynolds]].


This new campaign takes place in 591 CY and includes some of the pregenerated tournament characters from ''Steading of the Hill Giant Chief'' as NPCs. In this adventure, giants have invaded again, this time thanks primarily to a cabal of cloud giants called the [[Sakhut]], and leads to an ultimate confrontation with the Sakhut rather than with the drow or Lolth. The adventure includes three more "modules" given numbers in the "G" series, including ''G4: Mount Rungnirheim, G5: Castle Thrasmotnir'', and ''G6: Cloud Islands of the Sakhut.''
This new campaign takes place in 591 CY and includes some of the pregenerated tournament characters from ''Steading of the Hill Giant Chief'' as NPCs. In this adventure, giants have invaded again, this time thanks primarily to a cabal of cloud giants called the [[Sakhut]], and leads to an ultimate confrontation with the Sakhut rather than with the drow or Lolth. The adventure includes three more "modules" given numbers in the "G" series, including ''G4: Mount Rungnirheim, G5: Castle Thrasmotnir'', and ''G6: Cloud Islands of the Sakhut.''


==Reception==
==Reception==
''Against the Giants'' is one of the most famous ''Dungeons & Dragons'' modules. The writer of "Lunchtime Campaign Against the Giants" (WotC) considers it a "classic." John Semlak of canonfire.com believes the GDQ1-7 supermodule that contains ''Against the Giants'' is a "must-have", but also criticized the giants section as being "hack-and-slash" where role playing is not always necessary.
''Against the Giants'' is one of the most famous ''Dungeons & Dragons'' adventures. The writer of "Lunchtime Campaign Against the Giants" (WotC) considers it a "classic." John Semlak of canonfire.com believes the GDQ1-7 superadventure that contains ''Against the Giants'' is a "must-have", but also criticized the giants section as being "hack-and-slash" where role playing is not always necessary.


''Against the Giants'' was parodied by cartoonist [[Aaron Williams]] in ''Dragon'' #262.
''Against the Giants'' was parodied by cartoonist [[Aaron Williams]] in ''Dragon'' #262.
Line 85: Line 85:


==Novelization==
==Novelization==
''Against the Giants '' was made into novel of the same name by Ru Emerson for the [[Greyhawk#Classics Series|Greyhawk Classics series]].
''Against the Giants '' was made into novel of the same name by Ru Emerson for the [[Greyhawk#Classics series|Greyhawk Classics series]].


== External links ==
== External links ==
Line 125: Line 125:
{{index}}
{{index}}


[[Category:Adventures]]
[[Category:Canonical sources]]
[[Category:Canonical sources]]

Latest revision as of 10:23, 18 December 2024

Greyhawk Source
Against the Giants
Type: Adventure
Code/Abbreviation: G1-2-3
Edition: AD&D 1e
Author(s): Gary Gygax
Series: G1 G2 G3 D1 D2 D3 Q1
First Published: 1981
Class: Officially published content

Against the Giants (adventure code G1-2-3) is an adventure for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, published by TSR in 1981. It combines the contents of three earlier adventures: G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief, G2 Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl, G3 Hall of the Fire Giant King. The "G" in the adventure code represents the first letter in the word "giant."

The 1981 version was produced for use with the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules. To recognize the 25th anniversary of TSR, an updated version, Against the Giants: The Liberation of Geoff, was released in 1999. Also in 1999, Wizards of the Coast published Against the Giants, a novelization of the adventure by Ru Emerson.

The original three adventures play as a classic dungeon crawl against giants under an external influence. The focus is on hill giants, frost giants and fire giants, three of the original evil giant types used in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. In the famous wizard Bigby's own words: "On the world I call home, three linked mountain ranges, the Crystalmist Mountains, the Jotens and the Hellfurnaces, are inhabited by fierce giants who launch all-too-frequent raids into the nearby lands of the Yeomanry, Sterich, and Geoff."[1]

The original "G" series adventures formed the lead-in to an overall campaign set in the World of Greyhawk that then continued on an odyssey into the Underdark. These adventures included the "Drow" series of adventures, D1 - Descent into the Depths of the Earth, D2 - Shrine of the Kuo-Toa, and D3 - Vault of the Drow. (D1 and D2 were later compiled into a single adventure, D1-2 - Descent into the Depths of the Earth). The campaign finally culminated with adventure Q1 - Queen of the Demonweb Pits.

Publication history

The three original adventures were written by Gary Gygax and were the first adventures printed by TSR in 1978. Gary Gygax wrote them to take a break from writing rules in between writing the original Monster Manual and Player's Handbook. At 8 pages, G1 & G2 were also the shortest. The original G3 was 16 pages in length. The combined adventure G1-2-3 (1981) at 32 pages (with a double cardboard cover) is equivalent in size with many of the other adventures published in the early 1980s. The adventure G1-2-3 was revised and reprinted in the 128 page superadventure GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders in 1986 along with the D and Q series adventures. In 1999, the three adventures were reprinted by Wizards of the Coast in honor of D&D's 25th anniversary.

G3 Hall of the Fire Giant King was updated to fourth edition in Dragon' #200, by Chris Perkins.

In 2017 the original G1-3 Against the Giants adventures were re-released, updated to Fifth Edition rules, as part of the Tales of the Yawning Portal by Wizards of the Coast, along with a number of other "classic" adventures including from Greyhawk.

Adventures

G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief

Steading of the Hill Giant Chief (ISBN 0-935696-08-3) is the first in the G series of adventures. It was published by TSR in 1978 and written by Gary Gygax. Its cover features a drawing of a Hill Giant fighting a party of adventurers by David C. Sutherland III, who also provided the interior art.

Synopsis

The adventure begins by explaining the back story to the players: giants of different types have been raiding the lands of the humans. This has angered the human rulers, causing them to hire a group of adventurers (the PCs) to "punish the miscreant giants." The player's party must defeat the giants, or have their own heads placed on the chopping block. The human nobles equip the party with weapons and horses, along with a guide and map of the exact location of the hill giants. The players are informed that the hill giants are led by Nosnra, a hill giant chieftan who is sly and loves to ambush. Also, that there is an unknown force behind the banding together of the different giant groups. They are to keep any spoils that they find, but return at once if they determine what "sinister hand" is behind the alliance.

The bulk of the adventure consists of two parts: the upper level of the hill giants lair, and a dungeon level beneath it. In the upper level there are halls, barracks, and common rooms. These rooms house Chief Nosnra and other hill giants, ogres, and servants.

The dungeon level consists of slave quarters, torture chambers, and caverns. These house troglodytes, bugbears, and carrion crawlers. The bulk of the treasure is to be found by completely searching the dungeons. The Chief's treasure room contains a map of the glacial rift from the Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl, and a magic chain that can automatically transport the party there.

G2 Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl

Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl is the second in the G series of adventures. It was published by TSR in 1978 and written by Gary Gygax. Its cover features a drawing of two frost giants fighting a party of adventurers by David A. Trampier, who also provided the interior art together with David C. Sutherland III.

The "Night Below" Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures set, released in July 2007,[2] features a large rare "Frost Giant Jarl" miniature[2] inspired by this adventure.[citation needed]

Synopsis

This adventure starts in one of two ways. If the players are continuing on after finishing Steading of the Hill Giant Chief, they were transported there by the magic chain. They will know that they are searching for some force behind the giant alliance. If the players are starting with Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl, then they have been hired by nobles to destroy the frost giants. Either way, a safe, hidden cave is easily found for a base of operations.

Again, the bulk of this adventure consists of two areas. An upper area consisting of caves and rift floor, and a lower area consisting of naturally formed caverns. In the upper area there are ice caves, barracks, and a dome of ice. These are inhabited by yeti, frost giants, ogres, and winter wolves. The dome of ice houses a remorhaz.

In the lower area there are caverns that house the servants, serve as a prison, and contain the Jarl and emissaries who have come to meet with him. The main inhabitants are frost giants and ogres. The prison contains an attractive storm giantess. There are also polar bears; pets of the Jarl. After defeating the Jarl, the adventurers have a chance to pull an iron lever which will transport them near to Snurre's hall from Hall of the Fire Giant King.

G3 Hall of the Fire Giant King

Hall of the Fire Giant King is the third in the G series of adventures. It was published by TSR in 1978 and written by Gary Gygax. Its cover features a drawing of two fire giants and an ettin fighting a party of adventurers by David C. Sutherland III. Interior art was provided by David A. Trampier. Hall of the Fire Giant King marked the first time that drow made a statistical appearance in a D&D accessory, although the 1977 edition of the Monster Manual mentioned them by name.

Synopsis

If it is played as a continuation of the first two adventures, the players know that they searching for the force behind the giant's alliance, or else they have been hired by nobles to destroy the fire giants. This adventure is twice as long as the previous two: sixteen pages instead of eight. Instead of two levels, this adventure contains three.

The giants live in a hot, smoky barrens made of rock; again, the party is able to find a safe location for forays against the giants. The three levels of King Snurre Ironbelly's hall are made of obsidian rocks and natural caverns. The first (top) level includes the queen's rooms, barracks, and kennels. Creatures encountered here include fire giants, gnolls, and in the kennels, hell hounds.

The second level is also made of obsidian rocks and natural caverns. It houses chambers of spiritual interest to the fire giants. There is a hall that houses the dead fire giant kings, and rooms for worship. There are also rooms that contain drow clerics. This is where the party learns that the drow are behind the giant alliance, led by Eclavdra, a high level drow fighter/cleric.

The third level consists of natural caverns and contains a great treasure guarded by a red dragon. There are also more fire giants and drow. If the DM wishes, there is a tunnel that leads deep into the earth; to the home of the drow. This allows the adventure to be continued in D1 Descent into the Depths of the Earth.

G1-2-3 Against the Giants

Against the Giants combines the three adventures G1, G2 and G3 into one book. It was published by TSR in 1981 and written by Gary Gygax. Its cover features a painting of three giants: a fire giant, a hill giant, and a frost giant, along with a dire wolf attacking a village (see above).

Against the Giants: The Liberation of Geoff

Released in 1999 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of TSR, Against the Giants: The Liberation of Geoff provided a set of adventuring materials that expanded on the original three adventures. The full text of G1, G2, and G3, were included, along with details of eighteen new adventure sites in Geoff, linked together as an integrated campaign. The new material in the 96-page book was written by Sean K. Reynolds.

This new campaign takes place in 591 CY and includes some of the pregenerated tournament characters from Steading of the Hill Giant Chief as NPCs. In this adventure, giants have invaded again, this time thanks primarily to a cabal of cloud giants called the Sakhut, and leads to an ultimate confrontation with the Sakhut rather than with the drow or Lolth. The adventure includes three more "modules" given numbers in the "G" series, including G4: Mount Rungnirheim, G5: Castle Thrasmotnir, and G6: Cloud Islands of the Sakhut.

Reception

Against the Giants is one of the most famous Dungeons & Dragons adventures. The writer of "Lunchtime Campaign Against the Giants" (WotC) considers it a "classic." John Semlak of canonfire.com believes the GDQ1-7 superadventure that contains Against the Giants is a "must-have", but also criticized the giants section as being "hack-and-slash" where role playing is not always necessary.

Against the Giants was parodied by cartoonist Aaron Williams in Dragon #262.

Pre-generated characters

Steading of the Hill Giant Chief includes the following pre-generated player characters: Beek Gwenders of Croodle, Cloyer Bulse the Magsman, Faffle Dwe'o-mercraeft, Flerd Trantle, Fonkin Hoddypeak, Frush O'Suggill, Gleep Wurp the Eyebiter, Redmod Dumple, and Roaky Swerked. Some of these characters later appeared as non-player characters in other adventures.

Novelization

Against the Giants was made into novel of the same name by Ru Emerson for the Greyhawk Classics series.

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  • Several of Wizards of the Coast's Map-a-Week series have featured Against the Giants maps:

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ↑ Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants (2023), p.55.
  2. ↑ a b D&D Miniatures: Night Below. MinisGallery.com. Retrieved on 8 March 2024.

Bibliography

  • Emerson, Ru. Against the Giants. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.
  • Gygax, Gary. Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1978.
———. Hall of the Fire Giant King. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1978.
———. Steading of the Hill Giant Chief. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1978.

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Against the Giants Adventure Reference SEE G1-2-3 Against the Giants
G1-2-3 Against the Giants Adventure Located in: Geoff, D1-2 Descent into the Depths of the Earth 1, 2
G1-2-3 Against the Giants Adventure Located in: Geoff, G123 Against the Giants All
G1-2-3 Against the Giants Adventure Located in: Geoff, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 28
G1-2-3 Against the Giants Adventure Located in: Geoff, Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e 5
G1-2-3 Against the Giants Adventure Located in: Geoff, Tales from the Yawning Portal, D&D 5e 164-209
G1-2-3 Against the Giants Adventure Located in: Geoff, Tales from the Yawning Portal, D&D 5e 5, 166
G1-2-3 Against the Giants Adventure Located in: Geoff, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 30
Against the Giants (novel) Publication Novel, To be determined
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