Distribution of Treasure

[James Maliszewski]

In Volume 3, step 2 of the Distribution of Monsters and Treasure (pages 6-7) indicates that a roll of 1-3 indicates that any room or space with monsters in them has some form of treasure, while rooms without monsters have treasure on a roll of 1. So far so good.

Step 3 then says, "To determine the kind of treasure use the following table." Is this table supposed to be used only for unoccupied rooms? I'm assuming so, because, if not, then I'm not sure when the various treasure types for monsters are supposed to be used.

Am I correct in this interpretation?

[foster1941]

The table in Step 3 is supposed to be used for both occupied and unoccupied rooms. The treasure types for monsters are used for monster Lairs (i.e. in the wilderness).

[James Maliszewski]

foster1941 said:

The table in Step 3 is supposed to be used for both occupied and unoccupied rooms. The treasure types for monsters are used for monster Lairs (i.e. in the wilderness).

That's intriguing. Is this stated anywhere in the text? I never noticed any reference to it, but I could well have overlooked it.

[foster1941]

I inferred it based on the following:

1) The footnote to the Treasure Types table (Vol. II p. 23) that says "NOTE: All Treasure is found only in those cases where the encounter takes place in the "Lair".

2) The fact, as you already noted, that the dungeon-stocking instructions in Vol. III don't mention that that table should only be used for unguarded treasures (which at least implies it should be used for both guarded & unguarded treasures)

3) The Monster & Treasure Assortments, in which the treasures are arranged by dungeon level (and generally consistent with the results of the Vol. III table) rather than monster type

4) The AD&D Monster Manual description of Treasure Type (p. 5) which notes that "the use of treasure type to determine the treasure guarded by a creature in a dungeon is not generally recommended" -- I know AD&D references aren't considered "canon" when discussing OD&D, but it is unambiguous, fits with the other points, and informed my perspective (because I came to OD&D through AD&D and already had this rule in mind)

As a contrary piece of evidence, however, the Solo Dungeon Adventures rules in TSR#1 instruct that treasure for monsters in the dungeon be rolled using the treasure types in Vol. II but pro-rated by the number appearing, so I suppose it's possible to find textual support whichever way you decide to go...

[James Maliszewski]

foster1941 said:

so I suppose it's possible to find textual support whichever way you decide to go...

This is true!

I asked mostly because I'm still trying to come to grips with the intentions of the authors where those intentions are clear. I feel I need a solid baseline before I can start to deviate from it Since my mind has turned back lately to the construction of dungeons the OD&D way, I want to be sure I understand what the rules say -- and don't say -- about the topic.