Tuesday, March 23, 2010

ADnD Dungeon Masters Screen: Original DnD Lizardman


I no longer own one of these screens, but someone was kind enough to supply a picture on the interwebs.

This, of course, is an illustration from the "original" Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Dungeon Masters Screen. Remind me, this was a Trampier illustration, yes? If so, more evidence of Tramp's genius.

If you squint really hard, you will see the darkened image of a lizardman, holding a polearm, standing in the foreground, as the dragon breathes fire just behind him.

12 comments:

Narmer said...

I had this and remember it fondly. Oh, the good old days.

trev said...

I've still got one of those in my loft somewhere I think. I'd forgotten about the lizard-men, they were cool. You've got to have lizard-men as monsters somewhere. Preferably in half-sunken ruins.

Gothridge Manor said...

Still have mine and its in pretty good condition. It was the only one I used that wasn't homemade. It was just cool to look at.

Jeffrey Runokivi said...

Pretty sure that this is Trampier.

The Frothy Friar said...

I have a scan of my old one if you're interested. Not quite the same as having a real one, but nice for the nostalgia value.

Email me at Brian_lujan@comcast.net if you'd like me to send it to you

BigFella said...

It's absolutely Trampier, or at least someone working on top of a Trampier drawing. Tramp had a distinctive way of drawing faces that tips me off right away. The way the dragon's head is drawn is another tipoff.

Fenway5 said...

Maybe it was just my games, but Lizardmen as foes were pretty rare compares to: kobolds, goblins, orcs, hobgoblins and even Ogres and trolls.

Strange that, I had not really though about it until your post. Is that true for anyone else?

Stefan Poag said...

It is indeed Trampier. Rob Kuntz told me that the fellow in the lower RH corner bears a striking resemblance to the artist and was intended as a self portrait (and, if I recall correctly, the 'DAT' signature is on his ring).
I had one of these years ago and when I dug out my D&D stuff a few years back I was disappointed to find it missing so I hopped onto Ebay and got another. I then discovered the original stashed away in an old box of books --- what of the illustrations that made me really want to play D&D just by looking at it.
I also like that the horned pot-belly demon idol is included.

GrayPumpkin said...

I love the art on that screen, no longer have mine either. Just looking at it puts me the mood to start gaming.

Akrasia said...

"the fellow in the lower RH corner bears a striking resemblance to the artist and was intended as a self portrait"

I've heard this as well. Having seen a photo of David Trampier, the warrior certainly does look like him.

Aaron E. Steele said...

@Brian: I really appreciate the offer. I am keeping an eye on some ebay auctions, and will probably pick a copy up that way.

@Everyone: Tramp is da bomb. This is by far my favorite DM Screen, though I also like the 3e one with the giant spider. I love giant insects.

Rose Bailey said...

I haven't seen that in years. Amazing piece.