Back to the Borderlands...

 Return to the Borderlands: A Nostalgic Romp Through a D&D Time Capsule (and Some Questionable Design Choices)

Ah, the year is 1993. Bill Clinton is in the White House, the internet is still a novelty for most, and TSR, the original publisher of Dungeons & Dragons, decides to take us on a nostalgic trip back to the "good old days" with the release of N1: Against the Cult of the Reptile God and its accompanying boxed set, Return to the Borderlands.

Now, before we delve into this blast from the past, let's set the stage. This is 2nd edition AD&D, a time when THAC0 reigned supreme, character classes were rigidly defined, and critical hits meant rolling all the damage dice again (oh, the sweet, sweet carnage). Return to the Borderlands was a re-imagining of the classic B-series modules, originally published in the late 1970s. It was a chance for TSR to capitalize on nostalgia, lure back old-school gamers, and introduce a new generation to the "Keep on the Borderlands."

But did it live up to the hype? Well, let's just say it's a mixed bag. Return to the Borderlands is a fascinating time capsule, a glimpse into the design sensibilities and gaming culture of the early 1990s. It's also a bit of a mess, with some questionable design choices and a healthy dose of "old-school" weirdness.

So, what's in the box?

• N1: Against the Cult of the Reptile God: The main adventure module, a classic dungeon crawl through the Caves of Chaos, where players face off against a nefarious cult and their reptilian overlords.
• The Keep on the Borderlands: A detailed sourcebook on the eponymous keep, its inhabitants, and the surrounding wilderness. It's basically a mini-campaign setting in its own right.
• B1: In Search of the Unknown: A reprint of the original module, included for nostalgia's sake and as a potential starting point for new players.
• B2: The Keep on the Borderlands: Another reprint, this time of the classic "starter dungeon," offering a more traditional dungeon-crawling experience.
• A double-sided map: One side featuring the Caves of Chaos, the other showcasing the Keep and its environs.
• A bunch of cardboard standees: Because who needs miniatures when you have flat, lifeless representations of your characters?

What's good about it?

• Nostalgia Overload: If you're an old-school gamer who cut their teeth on the B-series modules, Return to the Borderlands is a delightful trip down memory lane. It's a chance to revisit familiar locations, encounter classic monsters, and relive those formative gaming experiences.
• The Keep on the Borderlands sourcebook: This is arguably the gem of the boxed set. It's packed with information on the Keep, its inhabitants, and the surrounding region, providing plenty of hooks for further adventures.
• B1 and B2 reprints: These classic modules are a great introduction to old-school D&D, and they offer a simpler, more straightforward dungeon-crawling experience compared to the main adventure.

What's not so good?

• N1: Against the Cult of the Reptile God: The main adventure is a bit of a mixed bag. While it has some interesting encounters and a decent plot, it also suffers from some awkward pacing, railroading, and a few truly bizarre design choices.
• The Caves of Chaos: The dungeon itself is sprawling and complex, but it can also feel a bit disjointed and repetitive. Prepare for a lot of wandering through seemingly endless tunnels and fighting hordes of low-level monsters.
• The cardboard standees: Seriously, TSR? In 1993? We had miniatures by then!

A Typical (and potentially hilarious) Encounter:

Imagine this: your party, fresh-faced and eager for adventure, has just entered the Caves of Chaos. You're cautiously exploring a dimly lit tunnel when you stumble upon a group of kobolds huddled around a campfire. They're roasting what appears to be a human leg over the flames.

Now, a sensible party might try to sneak past, or perhaps engage in some diplomacy (assuming anyone in the party speaks Kobold). But this is 2nd edition, and sensible decisions are often overshadowed by a burning desire to roll for initiative.

Your party's elven ranger, let's call her "Lelandra," decides that these kobolds are clearly evil and must be punished for their cannibalistic tendencies. She nocks an arrow, draws her bow, and lets loose a perfectly aimed shot… that sails harmlessly over the kobolds' heads and strikes a stalactite hanging from the ceiling.

The stalactite, weakened by the impact, breaks free and plummets towards the kobolds. Chaos ensues as the kobolds scatter, screaming in terror. The stalactite crashes to the ground, narrowly missing the campfire but creating a cloud of dust and debris. When the dust settles, the kobolds are nowhere to be seen.

Lelandra, dusting herself off, declares, "Victory is ours!" The rest of the party exchanges bewildered glances. Did they just win a fight by accidentally causing a cave-in? Did they even fight at all? And what about that human leg?

Why you should play it (or at least subject your players to it):

Even if you're not a fan of 2nd edition's quirks and complexities, Return to the Borderlands is worth checking out for its historical significance and its sheer, unadulterated nostalgia. It's a reminder of a time when D&D was less about storytelling and more about rolling dice and killing monsters, when character classes were rigidly defined, and when a well-placed arrow could trigger a hilarious chain of events.

Of course, you could always adapt it to a more modern edition. Just be prepared to deal with some of the module's inherent flaws and questionable design choices. And maybe consider replacing those cardboard standees with some actual miniatures.

In Conclusion:

Return to the Borderlands is a fascinating relic of a bygone era of D&D. It's a flawed but enjoyable adventure that offers a glimpse into the gaming culture of the early 1990s. So gather your party, dust off those 2nd edition rulebooks, and prepare to return to the Borderlands. Just try not to hit any stalactites.

P.S. If you do encounter the Cult of the Reptile God, be sure to ask them about their skincare routine. Those scales look fantastic