Chainmail in Tunnels?

[James Richardson]

A few days ago a Google search turned up the thread Q & A with Tim Kask at Dragonsfoot. In it, Tim Kask (editor of Supplement II: Blackmoor) gives a colourful account of the early days of D&D.

Anyway, one of the things he says is:

In sharing this wondrous set of rules and guidelines, [Gygax] made mention of several different things that people using the guidelines might do beyond the battling of ignorance and evil under the light of day, one of which was battling the minions of wickedness in tunnels under the earth.

Now, I've got the PDF of the 3rd edition (printed 1979), and I can find no mention of tunnels. But, I wonder whether a pre-D&D 1st or 2nd edition might mention something about this?

So, does anyone here have a copy of 1st or 2nd edition Chainmail, and is able to confirm? Or does anyone know where Gygax actually suggested players could take Chainmail into tunnels, and what words he uses exactly?

Thanks!

[Finarvyn]

I don't have a copy of the 1E or 2E Chainmail (the goldenrod covers) but my understanding is that the text is essentially unchanged (except for the additon of more spells as later editions were made).

However, I seem to remember some rules about sieges where siege tunnels can be built to try to move units under the castle walls of a defender. Perhaps that's the reference you mean? (I don't have my copy of Chainmail at work or I'd try to be more specific and list page numbers...)

[James Richardson]

There are indeed rules about siege tunnels on page 23, but I'd be surprised if this was what Tim Kask was alluding to, but, maybe you're right, maybe that was all it was.

[aldarron]

There are balrogs in CHAINMAIL. I think Gygax was merely making a reference to the possibility of a Mines of Moria type battle as LOTR was clearly a big influence on the Fantasy supplement. That reference you mentioned from Kask is probably the only one.