Historical Retrospective | Deities and Demigods

A classic 1st Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons hardcover supplement, I take a look back at what made this book great and what caused a bit of controversy with its publication!

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[captcorajus]

Sadly, I just learned that Jim Ward passed away today. Said to be one of the nicest creators in gaming and just a well loved person by those who knew him, his passing weighs heavily on our community. Thank you Mr. Ward for the many hours/ years of joy your works have brought to me, and so many others. You are greatly missed. 😪

[meistergedanken]

Just like you, as a kid in the early 1980's I avidly pored over this tome [borrowed in my case] - especially lingering over the Arthurian section. It made some kind of deep imprint on me - it's ridiculous how much I have forgotten over the years (about D&D, as well as everything else in life), but for some reason I STILL remember that Gawain has a +2 sword! The strange and ironic part is that Deities & Demigods never actually was employed in any of the campaigns I ever played in - and I didn't know anyone else who ever directly used the book either, even though most serious players had their own copy. It was just lurking in the background, providing this additional layer of richness that underpinned the entire fantasy world, also furnishing ideas and inspiration and fodder for daydreams. It was also my first exposure to Cthulu, Melnibone and Nowhen. Though it would be a good 15 years later before I actually read Lovecraft - and a lamentable 35 years before I got around to reading the others, the book nonetheless planted a seed, that though long dormant, was ready to sprout under the proper conditions (like a conditioning trigger implanted by a Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother!). So for that, I am grateful.

[blackbarnz]

This was the casual reading book of 1e. It was the only 1e book that had information "useful" away from the gaming table. It was the "hook" book. Regular folks would flip through it, recognize the characters & start becoming interested in AD&D. I never had a copy of Deites & Demigods, only Legends & Lore but I still loved it. Those Easley covers still capture my imagination to this day.

[paulprecour]

This book renewed my interest in Mythology when I was 13. Not just the Greek and Egyptian Gods we already knew, but Finnish, Sumerian, Japanese, Arthurian knights finally given stats (no Slavic Deities unfortunately), Babylonian. Just wow! I had the original when it first came out and it was this edition that introduced me to the Stormbringer series and Michael Moorcock. The Cthulhu mythos was just weird and I didn't get into THAT book spiral until I was much older (and I had already given my original books away), but that's a different story for another time.

[marvinanderson]

Thank you for another trip down nostalgia lane!

[willmistretta]

Playing Metamorphosis Alpha with Jim Ward next Friday at Gary Con and hoping to come home with my early print copy signed by him and Erol Otus.

[WarhavenSC]

I picked up my copy, along with Wilderness Survival Guide and 1st Ed AD&D PHB, from a Games Workshop store at the mall. They were unloading all of their 1st edition books for cheap to make room for more 2nd edition content. Mine just happened to be the 2nd edition printing that still included the extra deities. I didn't even know there was a difference between that one and later printings until I borrowed a friend's Deities and Demigods to look up Cthulhu real quick, and his book didn't have it.

At the time, I was more interested in the 1E PHB because it had GP values and stats for a couple bits of weapons and armor not included in the 2E PHB, as well as the assassin and monk classes. But in hindsight, I'm glad I picked up the Deities and Demigods when I did. The "144-pg" edition goes for a pretty penny nowadays.

[ericjome]

The gods of the demi-humans was a great component.

[erikwillingham]

Great vid, Cap'n. About 20 years ago a good friend of mine showed me his copy of Deities & Demigods with the Cthulhu chapter & it blew my mind – up until then, I had NO idea such an edition existed.

[qsviewsrpgs]

I use this book still to this very day on a fairly regular basis, even with 4e and 5e, which lends itself beautifully as long as you portray the dieties as Avatars. Good Stuff!

[jamiemcdonough]

Thank you for this dive into Deities & Demi Gods, Captcorajus. It is the third YouTube video I have watched on this subject as far as I remember. At the risk of coming from a guy who is no expert in this subject I think you did a very good job.

[voodoocupcake]

I love all captcorajus videos, as a newer player and gm it’s fascinating learning the history of the game I love

[NemoOhd]

Thanks for the review. Always love your videos and perspective.

[SeenBeatleofDoom]

After Delicious in Dungeon. It’s no longer just if they give cthulhu stats, players will try to kill him. It’s now if we kill cthulhu could we eat him?

[jeffyork]

Love these old school reviews. Thanks captcorajus!

[jamesbreeden]

I have that wonderful book beside me right now. Great review. Blessings

[bobkarstenson]

Love all the captcorajus videos and listen to the D&D reviews all the time at for all you do

[neildavis]

In 1986 I was broke. Since my friends and I were playing Steve Jackson games and making our own rules and games at that point, we sold much of our TSR stuff at auction at a game fair. I remember that paperback Gods, Demigods, and Heroes fetching good money despite it's horrible condition! It's a bittersweet memory.

[danielrowan]

Captain- I’ve got a 3rd printing from the mid 80s in my collection. I do have a pdf if the original first release with the Cthulu and Melnibeonean mythos. I love them and reference them a good bit for my campaign.
I treat the stat blocks within as those for the avatar of the deity when on a plane other than their home plane. Gods are capable of going anywhere in the multiverse but are somewhat diminished and infrequently leave their home planes unless a truly dire circumstance requires it.

[kernowpolski]

I still have my original - much loved and great inspiration!