Test of the Warlords is a 1984 adventure module for the 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...

roleplaying game. Its associated code is CM1 and is TSR's product number 9117. The adventure takes place in Norworld, which is located in the north east corner of the Known World on Mystara

Mystara

Mystara is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role playing game. Although it has officially been dropped from production by its creators, many fans continue to develop and evolve this fantasy setting jointly, continuing its original theme of group development.-Development:It...

. This campaign contains elements of hack-and-slash adventure, political intrigue

Politics

Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...

 and full-scale war

War

War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...

.

Plot summary

Test of the Warlords is a campaign setting and scenario concerning the establishment of dominions in the land of Norwold. The module includes a description of Norwold, including its land and rulers, dungeon and wilderness encounters, and guidelines on how to handle large battles.

The fame of the players' heroes have earned them the right and title to run a realm of their own, under the supervision of the king of Norworld, a newly colonized region to the north of Mystara

Mystara

Mystara is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role playing game. Although it has officially been dropped from production by its creators, many fans continue to develop and evolve this fantasy setting jointly, continuing its original theme of group development.-Development:It...

. But even from the start, with all the troubles of establishing your own pockets of civilization in as yet untamed wilderness, Norworld has become the center of attention in the struggle between two old enemies: The sorcerous empire of Alphatia and the war-mongering realm of Thyatis.

Publication history

CM1 Test of the Warlords was written by Douglas Niles

Douglas Niles

Douglas Niles is a fantasy author and game designer. Niles was one of the creators of the Dragonlance world and the author of the first three Forgotten Realms novels, and the Top Secret S/I espionage role-playing game.-Early life:Niles was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, and...

, with a cover by Clyde Caldwell

Clyde Caldwell

Clyde Caldwell is an American artist. Self described as a fantasy illustrator, he is best known for his portrayals of strong, sexy female characters.-Early life:...

, and interior illustrations by Jeff Easley

Jeff Easley

Jeff Easley is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork in the tradition of Frank Frazetta.-Early life:...

, and was published by TSR in 1984 as a 32-page booklet with an outer folder.

Table of Contents

Chapter	Page
Prologue: how to run this adventure	2
The setting: outlining Norworld and the Empires	4
Nonplayer Characters: Introducing Kings and Lords	9
Landgrab: Beginning the Adventure	12
Major Events: Bringing Dominions Together	14
Norworld Encounters: Expanding the Campaign	18
War of the Crowns: Running Campaign battles	28
Epilogue: Continuing the Campaign	30

Credits

• Douglas Niles
  Douglas Niles
  Douglas Niles is a fantasy author and game designer. Niles was one of the creators of the Dragonlance world and the author of the first three Forgotten Realms novels, and the Top Secret S/I espionage role-playing game.-Early life:Niles was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, and...
  
  : Design
• Tim Kilpin: Editing
• Clyde Caldwell
  Clyde Caldwell
  Clyde Caldwell is an American artist. Self described as a fantasy illustrator, he is best known for his portrayals of strong, sexy female characters.-Early life:...
  
  : Cover art
• Jeff Easley
  Jeff Easley
  Jeff Easley is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork in the tradition of Frank Frazetta.-Early life:...
  
  : Interior art
• Ruth Hoyer: Graphic design
• Diesel
  David S. LaForce
  David S. LaForce is an artist, noted for his artwork in fantasy role-playing games.-Career:Along with Jeff Dee, Erol Otus, Jim Roslof, David C. Sutherland III and David A...
  
  : Maps

Notable nonplayer characters

• King Ericall of Norworld: lawful 28th level fighter
• Lernal the Swill: neutral 6th level fighter
• King Yarrvik the Just: lawful 9th level fighter (Oceansend)
• Tarn Oakleaf: neutral 24th level druid
• Madiera the Counselor: lawful 21st level magic user
• Christina Marie Alanira: Neutral 25th level magic-user
• Alak Dool: chaotic 19th level magic user
• Sir Ernest Day: lawful 16th level fighter
• Rutger Dag: neutral 15th level fighter
• Sandralane of Glantri: lawful 16th level cleric
• Max the First: chaotic 15th level fighter
• Alissa Patrician: lawful 15th level fighter
• Longtooth: chaotic 20th level thief
• Mequisa, the Lawful:
• Bethidia, the Neutral:
• Chasandri, the Chaotic:

External links

• Test of the Warlords entry from Pen-paper.net
• The "CM" modules from The Acaeum