Morgan Ironwolf was one of the first example characters ever to appear in a D&D playbook. She and her erstwhile companions illustrated the basic concepts of D&D in the first, red Basic book way back in 1981. Her illustration on the right has always been well known in old time D&D circles.

I’ve always loved the name, and have stolen other names from her companions for other purposes as well (hello, Black Dougal). But what I’ve always liked about her gang is that they very much have the feel of newly minted adventurers fresh out on their first expedition. Most of my other parties are veterans, and sometimes don’t fit in well with the early parts of CRPGs. Particularly in games like Baldur’s Gate – where you are canonically a wet-behind-the-ears rookie. Its *really* hard for me to imagine Grimslade or Roland in that scenario. But Morgan and Company – they’re perfect.

Or a game like Solasta: Crown of the Magister – with its cheesy dialog and bad jokes that sound like they came straight out of a tabletop session. No way would Grim ever sound like that. But Morgan and her crew? Dead to rights.

Few of them received more than cursory illustrations in the original books. And the picture in my head of Morgan herself has always been a bit more tom-boyish.

My conception of them has always been similar to that described at the Vaults of Pandius

So we have the following merry band of misfits:

Morgan Ironwolf – young female human fighter looking to strike out after stints as a caravan guard.

Sister Rebecca Hardby – childhood friend of Morgan and newly ordained and freshly devout cleric.

“Black” Dougal Campbell – childhood friend of Morgan and all-around mischief-maker. The epitomy of the OD&D thief.

Frederik Dworkin – hill dwarf raised by humans trying to figure out who and what he wants to be.

Silverleaf – the elven fighter/mage exploring the world outside his homeland for the first time.