Isle of the Ape
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
World of Greyhawk campaign setting
, the Isle of the Ape is a magical demiplane created by the mad archmage
Zagyg Yragerne
.
s travel to a prehistoric island where they encounter a gargantuan ape.
The module includes two new spells, and uses rules from Unearthed Arcana
.
as a module
for the 1st Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
. It was published by TSR, Inc.
in 1985 as a 48-page booklet with a two-color map and an outer folder. Because it is one of the WG modules, it is a module intended for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting. Its product code was TSR 9153. It is a challenging adventure intended for 18+ level
characters
and requires Unearthed Arcana for play. The adventure is loosely based on Skull Island
in the story of King Kong
. The module is used as an example of how to switch between vastly different magic levels within a campaign
.
The Crook of Rao
, a significant artifact found on the isle, is rediscovered in From the Ashes
written by Carl Sargent
and published by Wizards of the Coast
in 1992. In addition, stock characters from the module reappear in Return of the Eight
written by Roger E. Moore
and published by Wizards of the Coast
in 1998.
Further history of the Isle of the Ape was revealed in Dungeon Issue #143, where the origins of the tribe residing on the isle are determined to originate from the Isle of Dread
. A portal to the Isle of the Ape was added to Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk
, written by Jason Bulmahn, James Jacobs, and Erik Mona
and published by Wizards of the Coast
in 2007.
regarding the Dangerous Journeys
role-playing game and various rulebooks/sourcebooks designed for that game. Once section of this lawsuit argued that "The Multiverse adventure concept in Mythus
... and Mythus Magick
... is derived from the Multiverse system found in the AD&D 1st ed. Dungeon Master's Guide
(pages 40, ...) ... the AD&D Isle of the Ape game module (throughout, but particularly, pages 2-3, 6 and 8); ..."
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
World of Greyhawk campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
, the Isle of the Ape is a magical demiplane created by the mad archmage
Archmage
Archmage, archmagi, or archmagus is a title used to identify an especially powerful wizard, usually within the context of fantasy fiction...
Zagyg Yragerne
Zagyg
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Zagyg is the god of Humor, Eccentricity, Occult Lore, and Unpredictability...
.
Plot overview
In this scenario, the player characterPlayer character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
s travel to a prehistoric island where they encounter a gargantuan ape.
The module includes two new spells, and uses rules from Unearthed Arcana
Unearthed Arcana
Unearthed Arcana is the title shared by two hardback books published for different editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
.
Publication history
Isle of the Ape, also referred to by its module code WG6, was written by Gary GygaxGary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
as a module
Adventure (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, an adventure or module is a pre-packaged book or box set that helps the Dungeon Master manage the plot or story of a game...
for the 1st Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. It was published by TSR, Inc.
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
in 1985 as a 48-page booklet with a two-color map and an outer folder. Because it is one of the WG modules, it is a module intended for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting. Its product code was TSR 9153. It is a challenging adventure intended for 18+ level
Level Up
Level Up was a UK children's TV programme that was broadcast on CBBC. It was launched on the 3rd April 2006, replacing Xchange. The show was an hour long and during the school year broadcasting from 7:30am until 8:30am...
characters
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
and requires Unearthed Arcana for play. The adventure is loosely based on Skull Island
Skull Island
Skull Island is a fictional island first appearing in the 1933 film King Kong and later appearing in its sequels and in the two remakes. It is the home of the eponymous King Kong and several other species of creatures, mostly prehistoric and in some cases species that should have been extinct long...
in the story of King Kong
King Kong
King Kong is a fictional character, a giant movie monster resembling a gorilla, that has appeared in several movies since 1933. These include the groundbreaking 1933 movie, the film remakes of 1976 and 2005, as well as various sequels of the first two films...
. The module is used as an example of how to switch between vastly different magic levels within a campaign
Campaign (role-playing games)
In role-playing games, a campaign is a continuing storyline or set of adventures, typically involving the same characters. The purpose of the continuing storyline is to introduce a further aspect into the game: that of development, improvement, and growth of the characters. In a campaign, a...
.
The Crook of Rao
Crook of Rao
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Crook of Rao is an artifact, appearing as a shepherd's crook, which has been in the possession of Canon Hazen of Veluna since 585 CY, when he acquired it from Drax of Rel Astra...
, a significant artifact found on the isle, is rediscovered in From the Ashes
From the Ashes (Dungeons & Dragons)
From the Ashes is a supplement for Dungeons & Dragonss World of Greyhawk campaign setting. It was published in 1992 by TSR as a boxed set of materials...
written by Carl Sargent
Carl Sargent
Carl L. Sargent is a British author of several roleplaying game-based products and novels.-Early career:...
and published by Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
in 1992. In addition, stock characters from the module reappear in Return of the Eight
Return of the Eight
Return of the Eight is an adventure module for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, set in the game's World of Greyhawk campaign setting. The module was published by Wizards of the Coast in 1998 under its recently acquired "TSR" imprint for the second edition Advanced Dungeons &...
written by Roger E. Moore
Roger E. Moore
Roger E. Moore is a designer of role-playing games. He is best known for his long-running tenure as editor of Dragon magazine, and was the founding editor of Dungeon magazine.-Early life:...
and published by Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
in 1998.
Further history of the Isle of the Ape was revealed in Dungeon Issue #143, where the origins of the tribe residing on the isle are determined to originate from the Isle of Dread
Isle of Dread
The Isle of Dread is an adventure for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The adventure, module code X1, was originally published in 1981. Written by David "Zeb" Cook, and Tom Moldvay, it is among the most widely circulated of all Dungeons & Dragons adventures due to its inclusion as part of...
. A portal to the Isle of the Ape was added to Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk
Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk
Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk is an adventure book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The adventure is set in the game's World of Greyhawk campaign setting, specifically in and around Castle Greyhawk and its dungeons. As such, it is an update to the...
, written by Jason Bulmahn, James Jacobs, and Erik Mona
Erik Mona
-Career:Erik Mona served as the editor-in-chief of Dragon magazine since 2004 and Dungeon magazine from 2004 to 2006; at the time, both magazines were published by Paizo Publishing, until the license through Wizards of the Coast expired in September 2007...
and published by Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
in 2007.
Legal History
Isle of the Ape was one of many books named in a 1992 lawsuit between TSR and Game Designers' WorkshopGame Designers' Workshop
Game Designers' Workshop was a wargame and role-playing game publisher from 1973 to 1996. Many of their games are now carried by other publishers.-History:Game Designers' Workshop was originally established June 22, 1973...
regarding the Dangerous Journeys
Dangerous Journeys
Dangerous Journeys is a roleplaying game created by Gary Gygax, the co-creator of the original Dungeons & Dragons system. The game was originally announced as Dangerous Dimensions but was changed to Dangerous Journeys in response to a threat of a lawsuit from TSR, Inc., the publishers of Dungeons...
role-playing game and various rulebooks/sourcebooks designed for that game. Once section of this lawsuit argued that "The Multiverse adventure concept in Mythus
Dangerous Journeys
Dangerous Journeys is a roleplaying game created by Gary Gygax, the co-creator of the original Dungeons & Dragons system. The game was originally announced as Dangerous Dimensions but was changed to Dangerous Journeys in response to a threat of a lawsuit from TSR, Inc., the publishers of Dungeons...
... and Mythus Magick
Dangerous Journeys
Dangerous Journeys is a roleplaying game created by Gary Gygax, the co-creator of the original Dungeons & Dragons system. The game was originally announced as Dangerous Dimensions but was changed to Dangerous Journeys in response to a threat of a lawsuit from TSR, Inc., the publishers of Dungeons...
... is derived from the Multiverse system found in the AD&D 1st ed. Dungeon Master's Guide
Dungeon Master's Guide
The Dungeon Master's Guide is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
(pages 40, ...) ... the AD&D Isle of the Ape game module (throughout, but particularly, pages 2-3, 6 and 8); ..."