We are getting to the point where I have covered just about all of first edition D&D. Which is crazy, really. This week, I’m polishing off a couple module series. First, the UK-series, starting with UK6: All that Glitters (1984). The set-up is pretty by the numbers — the players find a treasure map and, well, follow it. The interesting bit here is that doing so forces them to traverse a weird conduit called the Wind Walkers’ Passages. It’s sort of like a transit system but using wind instead of, say, a train; this allows traversal of the 80 miles of tunnels in about two hours. How it works is…well, there are earth elementals and magic circles and invisible stalkers and time distortion and…look, I don’t know, OK. This is one of those very clever 1980s D&D magical dohickeys that has a very particular way of working that is intentionally obscure so as to provide a mystery for the players to suss out while fighting the occasional demon. It’s fine. I’d probably simplify it a lot in play.

The other side of the tunnels is an ashland, full of giant striders (their lone appearance in a D&D scenario, possibly) and other critters primarily from the Fiend Folio (this being a UK-produced book, that’s not surprising). The scenario ends in a tomb and the titular treasure poses a fairly uncomplicated moral conundrum.

All of this would be fine if that cover art by Brian Williams wasn’t so damn good. This is a problem because I think it is meant to represent one of the demons in the tunnels, though it isn’t really a good match for any of them? It is also one of maybe three illustrations for D&D involving ioun stones. Except, there are no ioun stones in the scenario. Unless I am somehow missing them? Or, am I wrong, are these not ioun stones, but something else that I can’t see because I have so deeply convinced myself they are ioun stones? I dunno! I have stared at this module for what seems like hours looking for an answer and getting none.

The rest of the scenario’s looks are on par with other UK-produced D&D products. Tim Sell did the interiors. The graphic design and the maps all have some extra British sizzle. I like that.