Ruins of Adventure is a Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...

 module that served as the basis for the popular "Gold Box

Gold Box

Gold Box is the name for a series of computer role-playing games produced by SSI. The company won a license to produce games based on the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game from TSR, Inc...

" computer role-playing game Pool of Radiance

Pool of Radiance

Pool of Radiance is a computer role-playing game developed and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc in 1988. It was the first adaptation of TSR's Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game for home computers. It is the first in a four-part series of D&D computer adventure games...

, published in 1988 by Strategic Simulations, Inc.

Strategic Simulations, Inc.

Strategic Simulations, Inc. was a video game developer and publisher with over 100 titles to its credit since its founding in 1979. It was especially noted for its numerous wargames, its official computer game adaptations of Dungeons & Dragons, and for the groundbreaking Panzer General...

 (SSI). According to the editors of Dragon magazine, Pool of Radiance was based on Ruins of Adventure, and not vice versa. The plot loosely tracks that of the computer game. It is now out of print.

Plot summary

Ruins of Adventure contains four linked Forgotten Realms

Forgotten Realms

The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...

 miniscenarios set in the ruined town of Phlan

Phlan

Phlan is a fictional city in the Forgotten Realms fantasy world campaign setting for the game roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons. The city was first described in adventure module Ruins of Adventure and the Pool of Radiance computer game...

. The scenarios form the core of the Pool of Radiance

Pool of Radiance

Pool of Radiance is a computer role-playing game developed and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc in 1988. It was the first adaptation of TSR's Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game for home computers. It is the first in a four-part series of D&D computer adventure games...

computer game, and include clues to that game's solution.

The adventurers are hired to remove evil forces from Phlan, presumably by killing them. They hear rumor of a Boss controlling them and seek him out. This Boss proves to be a worthy adversary, but in the end the adventurers defeat him.

Locations

There are various locations in the fictional city of Phlan. Each of these locations comes with a map and detailed area description. These locations include:

• Kovel Mansion
• The Slum District
• The Temple of Bane
• Kuto's Well
• Mantor's Library
• Stojanow Gate
• Podol Plaza
• The Cadorna Textile House
• Valhingen Graveyard
• Valjevo Castle
• Sorcerer's Island
• Zhentil Keep Outpost

Pre-generated characters

There are numerous pre-generated characters in this book. Monsters each have their own stats prepared and there are quite a few non-player characters.

Publication history

Ruins of Adventure was written by James Ward

Jim Ward (game designer)

James M. Ward , is an American game designer and fantasy author. He is most famous for his game development and writing work for TSR, Inc., where he worked for more than 20 years. In 1989 he was inducted into the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design Hall of Fame...

, David "Zeb" Cook

David Cook (game designer)

David "Zeb" Cook is an American game designer best known for his work at TSR, Inc., where he was employed for over fifteen years.-Early life:...

, Steve Winter

Steve Winter

Steve Winter is a game designer who has worked on numerous products for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game from TSR and later Wizards of the Coast.-Early life:Steve Winter was born in Dubuque, Iowa on December 8, 1957...

, and Mike Breault, with a cover by Clyde Caldwell

Clyde Caldwell

Clyde Caldwell is an American artist. Self described as a fantasy illustrator, he is best known for his portrayals of strong, sexy female characters.-Early life:...

, and was published by TSR in 1988 as a 96-page book.