The Underworld & Wilderness Adventures - Volume 3 - Rules for Fantastic Medieval Wargames Campaigns

Oct 6, 2026

Rules for Fantastic Medieval Wargames Campaigns in the underworld maze dungeon setting, focused on how a referee should design, structure, and run adventures using paper-and-pencil and miniature figures. Provides guidance for constructing multiple dungeon levels on graph paper, planning connections like stairs, trap doors, and teleportation terminals, and ensuring players remain engaged. Includes sample dungeon cross-sections and example room-mapping elements to illustrate traps, monster-and-treasure placements, slanting corridors, and transporters.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryComic

FormatPDF

Pages38

Reading Time14 min

AccessFree to download

The Underworld

Sample Cross Section of Levels

Sample Map of Underworld Level

DUNGEONSDRAG0K8 # Rules for Fantastic Medieval WargamesCampaigns Playable with Paper and Penciland Miniature Figures GYGAX &ARNESON THE UNDERWORLD&WILDERNESS ADVENTURESVOLUME 3 OF THREE BOOKLETSPUBLISHED BYTACTICAL STUDIES RULES D0.GEOMS &DRAG0AS ## VOLUME 3THE UNDERWORLD&WILDERNESS ADVENTURES BYGARY GYGAX&DAVE ARNESON INDEX The Underworld………………………………………………………………………………………………3 Distribution of Monsters and Treasure………………………………………………6 The Move Turn in the Underworld………………………………………………………8 Underworld Monsters……………………………………………………………………………………9 Monster Determination and Level of Monster Matrix……………………………………………………………………………………………10 Avoiding Monsters………………………………………………………………………………………12 The Wilderness…………………………………………………………………………………………………14 Castles…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………15 Movement………………………………………………………………………………………………………16 Wilderness Monsters…………………………………………………………………………………………17 Wilderness Wandering Monsters…………………………………………………………18 Evading in the Wilderness………………………………………………………………………19 Construction of Castles and Strongholds ……………………………………20 Specialists………………………………………………………………………………………………………22 Men-at-Arms…………………………………………………………………………………………………23 Rumors, Information, and Legends…………………………………………………23 Player/Character Support and Upkeep…………………………………………24 Baronies …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………24 Land Combat………………………………………………………………………………………………25 Aerial Combat …………………………………………………………………………………………………25 Naval Combat………………………………………………………………………………………………………28 Special Suggestions for Monsters in Naval Adventure……………………………………………………………………………………34 Healing Wounds …………………………………………………………………………………………35 Time…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………35 Afterward ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………36 THE UNDERWORLD Before it is possible to conduct a campaign of adventures in the mazey dungeons,it is necessary for the referee to sit down with pencil in hand and draw theselabyrinths on graph paper.Unquestionably this will require a great deal of timeand effort and imagination.The dungeons should look something like the ex-ample given below,with numerous levels which sprawl in all directions,not neces-sarily stack neatly above each other in a straight line. ## SAMPLE CROSS SECTION OF LEVELS: In beginning a dungeon it is advisable to construct at least three levels at once,noting where stairs,trap doors(and chimneys)and slanting passages come outon lower levels,as well as the mouths of chutes and teleportation terminals.Indoing the lowest level of such a set it is also necessary to leave space for the vari-ous methods of egress to still lower levels.A good dungeon will have no less thana dozen evels down,with offshoot levels in addition,and new levels under con-struction so that players will never grow tired of it.There is no real limit to thenumber of levels,nor is there any restriction on their size (other than the size ofgraph paper available)."Greyhawk Castle",for example,has over a dozen levelsin succession downwards,more than that number branching from these,and notless than two new levels under construction at any given time.These levels con-tain such things as a museum from another age,an underground lake,a series ofcaverns illed with giant fungi,a bowling alley for 20'high Giants,an arena ofevil,crypts,and so on. A sample level is shown below in order to aid the prospective referee in designinghis own game: SAMPLE MAP OF UNDERWORLD LEVEL: 1.Note stairs down lead through blind passages and return to circular room withwedge-shaped divisions.Unless secret door is located this area will lead no-where. 2.This is a simple room-labyrinth,generally leading nowhere,but"A"would bea room containing a monster and treasure,i.e.let us say "4 ogres with 2000 G.P.and 1 magic potion." 3.This area simply illustrates the use of slanting passages to help prevent playersfrom accurately mapping a level(exact deviation from cardinal points is quitedifficul

FAQs

Why does the referee need to draw the dungeon before running a campaign?

A campaign in maze-like dungeons requires the referee to sit down with pencil and graph paper to plan the labyrinth structure, including levels and connections.

What is recommended when beginning a dungeon?

Construct at least three levels at once, and note where stairs, trap doors, chimneys, and slanting passages connect, as well as where chutes and teleportation terminals lead.

What types of features are used to make mapping difficult for players?

Slanting passages, room-labyrinth layouts that generally lead nowhere, and transporters arranged so players cannot accurately trace paths are used to frustrate mapping attempts.

Oct 6, 2026

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