I first became aware of Timothy Truman when I picked up N1 Against the Cult of the Reptile God. By far one of the most fun I've ever had running an adventure.
Picture this: a sleepy village called Orlane, nestled in the World of Greyhawk, where the vibe shifts from quaint to downright creepy. Released in 1982 by Douglas Niles, N1 Against the Cult of the Reptile God is the ultimate low-level D&D adventure that hooks you with a mystery and doesn’t let go. Designed for 4-7 characters (levels 1-3), it’s hailed as a “novice” module, but don’t be fooled—this ain’t a walk in the park.
The setup? Orlane’s gone weird. Villagers are vanishing, doors are locked tight, and the townsfolk are split: some are suspiciously friendly, others are giving major side-eye. Your party rolls in to figure out what’s up, only to uncover a sinister cult brainwashing people with charm spells, all under the command of a freaky spirit naga named Explictica Defilus—aka the “Reptile God.” Think Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets medieval fantasy.
The adventure’s a rollercoaster: you’re sleuthing in town, dodging cultists, trekking through a swamp, and diving into a muddy dungeon packed with troglodytes, wights, and a fireball-slinging naga who could TPK your squad if you’re not careful. It’s gritty, it’s tense, and it’s got that old-school D&D charm—complete with a village map that feels alive and a final showdown that might need a little NPC backup to survive.
This module pioneered the investigation vibe in D&D, blending roleplay, exploration, and combat into a tight 32-page package. Ranked #19 on Dungeon magazine’s top 30 adventures, it’s a cult classic (pun intended) that still holds up today.
I had the good fortune to pick up this original art he did, I think it was for his Grimjack comic.
The time has come for me to let it go to a new home, The inking work on it is fantastic.
