Relatively unknown as 1e AD&D modules go, there are some real gems among the modules published by the RPGA for use in tournaments, this is a particularly interesting case among those. The last in the R series, it follows up directly from Egg of the Phoenix, now you have to carry the Egg to Doc’s Island, with Doc being this guy who can keep the egg safe.

When you get to his Island you discover that there is an intelligent Holy Avenger sword, Chrysomer, that the Paladin character in your party, Athelstan, really wants so off you go exploring three levels of a dungeon to eventually fight a hard as nails Rakshasa for the Holy Avenger. However, the more or less straightforward Dungeon is not the most interesting thing about this module.

What Mentzer does with this module that makes it so original is the sheer amount of fleshing out and backstory that he provides the whole tale. You get dynastic histories of the area you are exploring, a whole description of the countryside and ruins you might find, a good description of what is “supposed” to happen in the adventure to keep the DM focused, and real personalities to the NPCs found around the dungeon. Also he gives really funny names to the Fire Giants at the bottom level: Wally, George, Martha, Ethel, Henry and Grandpa, the Fire Giants. But then you also get a Titan named Sally…