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.
I had this and remember it fondly. Oh, the good old days.
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteStill 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.
ReplyDeletePretty sure that this is Trampier.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteEmail me at Brian_lujan@comcast.net if you'd like me to send it to you
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.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it was just my games, but Lizardmen as foes were pretty rare compares to: kobolds, goblins, orcs, hobgoblins and even Ogres and trolls.
ReplyDeleteStrange that, I had not really though about it until your post. Is that true for anyone else?
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).
ReplyDeleteI 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.
I love the art on that screen, no longer have mine either. Just looking at it puts me the mood to start gaming.
ReplyDelete"the fellow in the lower RH corner bears a striking resemblance to the artist and was intended as a self portrait"
ReplyDeleteI've heard this as well. Having seen a photo of David Trampier, the warrior certainly does look like him.
@Brian: I really appreciate the offer. I am keeping an eye on some ebay auctions, and will probably pick a copy up that way.
ReplyDelete@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.
I haven't seen that in years. Amazing piece.
ReplyDelete