World of Greyhawk Series (WG4 - 12)                    Home Up

The first series of modules set in the World of Greyhawk campaign, for AD&D (along with the companion WGA and WGR series).  Modules WG4 - WG7 are for 1st Edition rules; WG8 - WG12 are for 2nd Edition.

WG4 Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun by Gary Gygax
WG5 Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure by Robert Kuntz and Gary Gygax
WG6 Isle of the Ape by Gary Gygax
WG7 Castle Greyhawk by various (see below)
WG8 Fate of Istus by Nigel Findley, Dan Salas, Stephen Inniss, and Robert Kuntz
WG9 Gargoyle by Dave Collins with Skip Williams
WG10 Child's Play by Jean Rabe and Skip Williams
WG11 Puppets by Vince Garcia and Bruce Rabe
WG12 Vale of the Mage by Jean Rabe

No modules were ever assigned codes WG1 - WG3WG1 and WG2 were apparently earmarked for T1 Village of Hommlet and its planned sequel, Temple of Elemental Evil (thanks to Ian Malcomson for this info).  WG3 was originally to be assigned to Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, but that module ended up with code S4WG4 Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun is the sequel (loosely tied) to that module.

WG4 Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun comes with a double cover (module booklet nested inside two covers of maps).  The working title for it was "Forgotten Temple of Therizdum".  Thanks to Eric Pass and Adam Shultz for this info.

WG5 Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure has a glaring spelling error on the cover of the module booklet: "Fantasy Word Adventure" in large letters.  Additionally, there's an apparent error in the text, stating on the introductory page that the module is for "four characters, levels 8-14".  However, the back-cover text, and the included pre-generated characters, indicate that the module is for character levels 9-12.  Thanks to John Hall and Colin Steward for help with this info.

WG7 Castle Greyhawk is a compilation of humorous dungeon levels; the same castle was treated more seriously in WGR1 Greyhawk Ruins.  Twelve levels are presented, each written by a different author(s): Steve Gilbert, Rick Swan, Guy LiMore, Greg Poehlein, David Tepool, Paul Jaquays, John Terra, Greg Gorden, Grant Boucher, Kurt Wenz, John Nephew, Scott Bennie, Rick Reid, Ray Winninger, and Steve Perrin.

WG6 Isle of the Ape pre-production cover scan is here.  Thanks to Alban Jalabert for the scan.

The WG7 code was originally earmarked for a module entitled Shadowlords.  From the Summer 1986 Mail Order Hobby Shop catalog:  "A high-level module set in the World of Greyhawk.  Journey to the perilous Plane of Shadow to rescue Princess Esterilla and confront the master of the plane... where you find yourself an unexpected guest at a wedding where the guests include a lizardman, a catlord, and a mistress of illusion!".  Assigned TSR stock # 9184.  Gary Gygax and Skip Williams were collaborating on the project, but it was shelved due to Gygax's lawsuit with TSR.  Gygax has since stated that while Wizards of the Coast has given permission to have the module published, the fact that it will be produced "on spec" (no contract nor advance payment), makes it unlikely that he or Skip will be undertaking the project anytime soon.  The original mention of it is in Dragon Magazine #37, page 10, where it's called "Shadowland".

From contributor Michael Falconer:  "While WG8 Fate of Istus is copyright 1989 and bears the AD&D 2nd Edition logo and 'Compatible with the AD&D and the 2nd Edition AD&D Game Systems' starburst, the module in fact seems to be written for 1st Edition.  Monks and Assassins are prominent, and page references are given to the 1st Edition core rulebook manuals.  Statistic blocks for NPCs are typical of late 1st Edition products -- for example, ability scores are given in order of Str / Int / Wis / Dex / Con / Cha.  Comeliness is absent, however, and certain core 2nd Edition concepts like Ability Checks and THAC0 are given special explanations in the Introduction.  Clearly, WG8 was written using the 1st Edition books as a reference but with some very limited understanding of what was to come in 2nd Edition."  Further clarification provided by Alex Twiston-Davies: "It was designed to bridge the gap between 1st and 2nd edition AD&D.  The plot is based around the idea that the Goddess Istus has decided to re-evaluate the inhabitants of Oerth and make changes accordingly.  Thus begins a series of adventures, one for each character class; at the end of each adventure Istus modifies the abilities of every member of that class (DM and player notes are provided) and surprise, surprise, by the end of the campaign everyone is 2nd Edition!"


Printing Information Logos

There are no distinguishable printings between modules, other than the cardboard hanger for WG4.

WG4 Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun

  • First:  No cardboard hanger.

  • Second:  Identical to the First print, but has an orange cardboard header stapled to the top backside of the shrinkwrap, with the D&D logo and some other advertising.  This print was distributed to large retailers (such as Toys 'R' Us) and was designed to be hung on a rack.  This print is significantly rarer than the First print.  The module (separated from the cardboard hanger) is otherwise indistinguishable from the First print.  Further info on header modules is here.

Thanks to Jeff Philbrick for the scan of the Second print of WG4, and to Adrian Newman for the scans of WG6, WG10, and WG11.
Forgotten Temple of
Tharizdun (1st)
Forgotten Temple of
Tharizdun (2nd
Mordenkainen's Fantastic
Adventure
Isle of the Ape
 
Castle Greyhawk
 
         
Fate of Istus
 
Gargoyle
 
Child's Play
 
Puppets
 
Vale of the Mage
 


Auction Commentary

Values for the Second print of WG4 Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun assume the cardboard header is present and intact.  Since the cardboard is attached to the shrinkwrap, only the SW value here is relevant.

WG7 Castle Greyhawk and WG12 Vale of the Mage sell for absurdly high prices (comparatively).  No particular reason, that we can see.


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