The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror

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The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror
Type: Adventure module
Code/Abbreviation: EX2
Edition: AD&D first edition
Author(s): Gary Gygax
Cover Artist(s): Jim Holloway
Interior Artist(s): Jim Holloway, Larry Elmore
Cartography:
Eric N. Shook*
Series: EX1 EX2
Publisher: TSR
First Published: 1983
Pages: 32
ISBN: O 88038-025-X
Class: Officially published content
This article is about the module. For the demiplane of the same name, see Land Beyond the Magic Mirror.

The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror (EX2) is a Dungeons & Dragons module written for use with the First Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game and set in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting.

This module, like its companion Dungeonland, is actually a close adaptation of a work of fiction by Lewis Carroll, in this case Through the Looking Glass. D&D creator Gary Gygax adapted the module from his own D&D campaign.

To keep the surprise in the game, the module advises dungeon masters to keep the players in the dark about what is happening as long as possible, although well-read players will eventually recognize the monsters and situations.

In keeping with its sense of oddness and surprise, the cover of this module depicts a scene that appears in its companion adventure EX1 Dungeonland (a battle with a hangman tree). In the same way the cover image of Dungeonland shows an encounter that takes place in this module (the attack of the roc raven).

Reception

Receiving 9 out of 10, The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror was positively reviewed in issue 48 of White Dwarf magazine. Reviewer Jim Bambra enjoyed its sense of humor and exciting role-play, but criticized that the module needn't have been written for such high level characters (a common problem in early modules), and could have been modified for lower level ones.

EX2: The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror is an adventure series for a group of player characters between level 9 to 12.

This module was also given the code GC2 (Greyhawk Castle), as it was originally conceived to be an adventure taking place in Greyhawk Castle. In the Greyhawk setting this adventure is accessed in Hex D4-86, near or in Greyhawk City or Greyhawk Castle[1](p.30). It takes place on the 'Partial Plane' of which multiple variations exist(p.2).

It follows on from EX1: Dungeonland, and is likewise set in the same strange demiplane based on Lewis Carrol's Wonderland. EX1 is based on Alice in Wonderland, while EX2 is based on Through the Looking Glass.

Like EX1, EX2 has no credits beside Gary Gygax. Eric N. Shook. The cover and interior art is widely believed to be by James Holloway[2]. The frontpiece is signed by Larry Elmore. The Chessboard Fields map is credited to Eric N. Shook.

Blurb

Front: "The Companion module to E. Gary Gygax's Dungeonland, The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror continues your adventures in a land of wonder and danger!"

Back: "Your adventures have taken you to strange places before, but in the eyes of your experienced party, few of these places are as unusual as the bizarre Land Beyond the Magic Mirror. Here the delightful and the light-hearted often hide great challenges and dangers; here you will journey through a landscape unique among fantasy role-playing scenarios.

This module was first conceived by E. Gary Gygax as part of the Greyhawk Castle dungeon complex and has been the source of challenge and fun for many skilled players of the ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS(R) game. It is finally available to all players and can be added to your existing campaign with ease.

The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror is designed so that it may be used with its companion scenario, Dungeon Module EX1, Dungeonland. Still, The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror may easily be played on its own, and should offer hours of excitement in its strange landscape!"

Index

Art

  • Larry Elmore: Frontpiece 'Underwater'(p.1)
  • Jim Holloway*: Going through the Mirror(p.3), Collection Room(p.5), The Attic(p.8), Garden of Collosal Flowers(p.9), Carpenter and Walrus(p.13), Humpty Dumpty (p.20-21), Mad Feast Hall(p.24), Lavae(p.25), Giant Bee and Dragonfly(p.27), Eblis (p.28), Oliphant(p.30)
  • Unconfirmed: Collection of images from monster manual(p.26), lightning elemental(p.29)

Characters

  • Murlynd, "DR. D.R. MURLYND, F.K.O., M.L.G.T.S.A" has a house in the Partial Plane. It has victorian style furniture and technology (Such as VHS players and lightbulbs) beyond Greyhawk's level.(p.4-8)
    • Heward, Zagyg, 'Denkainen' (Mordenkainen?), Keoghtom, Fharlanghan and a 'Grampa C' are also mentioned.(p.6)
  • T.Diumm and T.Deeous- Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Two Lawful Neutral humanoids that like to playfight(p.12)
  • The Walrus and The Carpenter- named after the same characters from the books, these two attempt to con the party(p.12-13).
  • The Jub-jub Bird- a giant intelligent bird that looks like a macaw, but with the tail of a parrot, razor sharp talons and a deadly beak(p.14)
  • The Jabberwocky- a tyrannosaurus Rex like creature with a large, single horn.(p.14)
  • The Bandersnatch- a 12 legged insectoid with a simian like head(p.14-19)
  • Humpty-Dumpty- an unpleasant egg shaped being that harasses the player characters(p.18-19)
  • The King of Whitfield(p.21)
  • The Red and White Queens(p.22-23)

Creatures

Creatures in bold either first appeared n this module or are unique to this module.

  • Ant, Giant (p.9)
  • Bandersnatch (p.14)
  • Barbed Devil (p.24)
  • Beetle, Stag (p.26)
  • Black Pudding (p.25)
  • Bumble Bee (p.9,27)
  • Bullywug (p.23)
  • Carnivorous Ape (p.24)
  • Chess Piece, Bishop (Ogre Mage) (p.10)
  • Chess piece, King (shambling mound) (p.11)
  • Chess Piece, Knight (Centauroid) (p.10)
  • Chess Piece, Pawn (Fighter) (p.10)
  • Chess Piece, Queen (lamia) (p.11)
  • Chess Piece, Rook (Oliphant)(p.11)
    • Oliphant(p.30)
  • Clam, Giant (p.14)
  • Crab, Giant (p.19)
  • Crayfish, Giant (p.10)
  • Dragonfly, Giant(p.22,27, First Appearance)
  • Dragonne (p.26)
  • Eblis (p.23,28, First Appearance)
  • Giant, Frost (p.20)
  • Gnome (p.21)
  • Human (p.8,12,13,21)
  • Humpty-Dumpty (p.19)
  • Iron Golem (p.22)
  • Iron Steed (p.22)
  • The Jabberwocky (p.14)
  • Jub-jub Bird, (p.14)
  • Lamia Noble (p.19)
  • Larvae (p.24)
  • Lion (Huge) (p.21)
  • Lizard, Giant (p.26)
  • Lycanthrope, werekangaroo (wererats) (p.24)
  • Mimic (p.24)
  • Night Hag (p.22)
  • Oyster, Large (p.12)
  • Pike, Giant (p.10)
  • Quasi-elemental, Lightning (p.29)
  • Roc (p.12)
  • Snake, Giant Poisonous (p.26)
  • Spider, Phase Giant (p.26)
  • Turtle, Giant (p.10)
  • Unicorn (Gigantic) (p.21)
  •  Walrus (p.12)
  • Witch Ghost (p.8)
  • Wolverine, Giant (p.24)
  • Woolly Rhino (p.20)

The module also has Flora that was unique to the Greyhawk Setting, such as Usk and Ipt trees.

Items

  • Buckler Knife- a Knife with a handle shaped like a buckle. (p.32)
  • Buckler Wand- a wand that turns into a shield usable by magic users. Usable as a spellcasting focus depending on class. (p.32)
  • Egg of Desire- Comes in five types ( Crystal, Golden, Scarlet, Black, Bone). These eggs have detrimental enchantment effects, possibly causing viewers to give up some of their items or even watch the egg until they die. (p.32)
  • Laprov- an intelligent Vorpal blade. Belongs to T.Deeous and is uncooperative with player characters(The module notes that monks are allowed to use weapons in the Partial Plane, as many beings, including T.Deeous were statted as monks) (p.19)
  • Shoes of Fharlanghn- For Neutral or Neutral good beings, these shoes can help be more sure footed and avoid certain traps and terrain. If the wearer is a worshipper of Fharlanghn, they get increased speed, cannot be lost or ambushed, and has even better footing. (p.32)
  • Staff-Mace- A weapon that can become a magical quarterstaff, great mace or a mace. (p.32)
  • Murlynd’s Early Adventures & Subsequent Ventures- a book which gives experience points and acts as a stone of good luck once read fully which can take a total of 80 hours. (p.6)
  • Many anachronistic items, such as a VCR player, projector and so on, in Murlynd's house.

Spells

This module included new unique spellls the Playcer Character's could use:

  • Aid- gives the benefits of the bless spell as well as temporary hit points (p.30). This would become a core spell in later editions.
  • Murlynd's Ogre: Creates an illusionary Ogre.(p.31)
  • Murlynd's Void: Creates a small void that sucks in creatures, objects and effects.(p.31)
  • Phantom steed- creates a magic horse that can carry the spellcaster. It's abilities depend on the caster's level.(p.31) This would become a core spell in later editions.
  • Spook- creates a small threatening illusion.(p.31)
  • Whispering Wind- creates a breeze that carries a sound or message to a desired location or creature within range.(p.31)

Triva

The cover of the module appears to have nothing to do with its actual contents (there are no hangmen trees), and seems like it was intended for Dungeonland, which does have hangmen trees. Reversely, Dungeonland's cover displays a Roc, which does not appear in that module, but does in Land Beyond the Magic Mirror. It's possible the two covers were accidentally swapped or intentionally swapped to fit the whimsical nature of the modules.

Articles: RPGGeek, RPG.Net, Acaeum, Drivethrurpg

Video Review: DM it All : D&D Meets Alice in Wonderland¦ D&D Walkthrough

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ↑ World of Greyhawk Boxed Set: Glossography, Gary Gygax, 1983, 1e
  2. ↑ EX1-2. Dungeonland and The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror Introduction by John D. Rateliff (Archived by the Wayback Machine)

Bibliography

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

EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror Adventure Located in: Greyhawk (Castle Greyhawk), LT2 Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad 13
EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror Adventure Located in: Greyhawk (Castle Greyhawk), Dragon magazine #230 15
EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror Adventure Located in: Greyhawk (Castle Greyhawk), Dragon magazine #358 49
EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror Adventure Located in: Greyhawk (Castle Greyhawk), EX1 Dungeonland 2, 12, 24, 27
EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror Adventure Located in: Greyhawk (Castle Greyhawk), EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror All
EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror Adventure Located in: Greyhawk (Castle Greyhawk), From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 72
EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror Adventure Located in: Greyhawk (Castle Greyhawk), Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e 5
EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror Adventure Located in: Greyhawk (Castle Greyhawk), The Adventure Begins 77
EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror Adventure Located in: Greyhawk (Castle Greyhawk), World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 30
GC2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror Adventure Reference SEE EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror
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