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 Post subject: [OD&D] Balrog
PostPosted: Dec 13, 2014 8:38 am 
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 Post subject: Re: [OD&D] Balrog
PostPosted: Dec 13, 2014 8:55 am 
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Many references indeed, but nevertheless this is the first time that I see the full game description with stats.
Where does it come from, exactly (i.e. what is the "original source" mentioned)?

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 Post subject: Re: [OD&D] Balrog
PostPosted: Dec 13, 2014 9:28 am 
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 Post subject: Re: [OD&D] Balrog
PostPosted: Dec 13, 2014 3:42 pm 
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Never had the pleasure to hold it in my hands... thanks for reporting this bit!

PS I expected the Balrogs to be more powerful than 10 HD...

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 Post subject: Re: [OD&D] Balrog
PostPosted: Dec 14, 2014 7:25 am 
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Well, in '74 power bloat hadn't hit yet so 10HD was probably up there with the big guys. Not in the same league as purple worms, but the same as mid-range giants or dragons.

I always did wonder why purple worms were so formidable. I assume Dune had something to do with it. I remember reading something about the topic on the OD&D Discussion boards, I think.


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 Post subject: Re: [OD&D] Balrog
PostPosted: Dec 14, 2014 7:59 am 
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 Post subject: Re: [OD&D] Balrog
PostPosted: Dec 14, 2014 10:21 am 
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 Post subject: Re: [OD&D] Balrog
PostPosted: Dec 17, 2014 11:41 am 
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I believe there was a distinct point between Chainmail and OD&D when the dragon also known as a purple or mottled worm ceased being draconic and became nematode. In fact they predate Chainmail:

http://odd74.proboards.com/thread/8122/ ... nmail-1969

But by Monsters & Treasure they were big worms, and didn't the mottled version resurface in similarly slimy form as the mottled worm in Blackmoor at some point?

Sorry, getting off the balrog topic a bit now! But it seems interesting to me that the purple worm became so much more powerful than anything else, at least in terms of hit dice. I stick by my Dune theory!


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 Post subject: Re: [OD&D] Balrog
PostPosted: Dec 18, 2014 11:12 am 
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That is a great link Vile, thanks!

The Dune Series is not a bad theory. I have previously argued that Dave could also have been inspired by Frank Herbert. Ofcourse there is also the obscure reference to Were-wûrms in the Hobbit, which Tolkien based on the Mongolian Death Worm, but I am not sure Gary would have caught that one.

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 Post subject: Re: [OD&D] Balrog
PostPosted: Dec 18, 2014 7:34 pm 
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