The Silver Key

The Silver Key is a 36-page adventure module for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition released in January 1996. It is for two to six characters of 2nd to 8th level, or a total of 12 levels.

Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers for an adventure module.

Official synopsis[]

Between the settled human lands and the orc-filled mountains rests the barony of Honshar. The residents have grown used to occasional orc raids, but now they find themselves facing a full-scale war. As if that wasn't bad enough, the orcs have kidnapped an important political figure from Honshar, along with a crucial magical item—the Silver Key. Unless the key is recovered, it could be Honshar's undoing. Both the key and the hostage are being held in the orc city of Krimba-Hai, so getting them back will be tricky. However, there is a plan. . . .

Content[]

Backstory and plot[]

The Ca'ega or Silver Key is a centuries-old magical artifact which empowers casters of teleportation magic. Little known is that it has the power to activate a gate used long ago to teleport armies. Now it has fallen into the hands of mountain-dwelling orcs, who seek to learn it use.

Now, the party must go undercover as orcs to recover the key.

Development and release[]

Development[]

The book was written by Ted James Thomas Zuvich. Art was provided by Stephen A. Daniele, Don Danowski, Paul Hanchette, Jennell Jaquays, Arnie Swekel and Steve Winter.

Release[]

The Silver Key was released by TSR in January 1996 for $7.95 US, $10.00 Canadian, or £4.99 UK.

On April 18, 2017, it was re-released in digital format. It is currently available on DriveThruRPG and Dungeon Masters Guild for $4.99.

Reception and influence[]

Critical reception[]

As of 2023, The Silver Key reached the rank of Electrum seller on DriveThruRPG.

Influence on other works[]

External links[]

References[]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition
Core rules
Player's Handbook • Dungeon Master Guide Monstrous Compendium Volume One • Monstrous Compendium Volume Two • Monstrous Manual First Quest • Introduction to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Game • The Complete Starter Set • Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game
Optional core rules
Player's Option: Combat & Tactics • Player's Option: Skills & Powers • Player's Option: Spells & Magic Dungeon Master Option: High-Level Campaigns • Campaign Option: Council of Wyrms
Supplement lines
Player's Handbook Rules Supplement • Dungeon Master's Guide Rules Supplement Monstrous Compendium Appendix • Monstrous Compendium Annual Encyclopedia Magica • Historical Reference • The Magic Encyclopedia • Monstrous Arcana • Priest's Spell Compendium • Wizard's Spell Compendium
Other supplements
Bastion of Faith • Book of Artifacts • Castle Sites • Chronomancer • City Sites • College of Wizardry • Country Sites • Den of Thieves • Dungeon Builder's Guidebook • Guide to Hell • Legends & Lore • Rogues' Gallery • Shaman • Tome of Magic • The Vortex of Madness and Other Planar Perils • Warriors of Heaven • World Builder's Guidebook
Adventures
The Apocalypse Stone • Axe of the Dwarvish Lords • Cleric's Challenge (II) • The Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga • Destiny of Kings • Die Vecna Die! • Dragon Mountain • Dungeons of Despair • Fighter's Challenge (II) • The Gates of Firestorm Peak • A Hero's Tale • Labyrinth of Madness • The Lost Shrine of Bundushatur • Moonlight Madness • The Murky Deep • Night Below: An Underdark Campaign • A Paladin in Hell • Return to the Tomb of Horrors • Reverse Dungeon • Road to Danger • The Rod of Seven Parts • The Shattered Circle • The Silver Key • Swamplight • Tale of the Comet • Tales of Enchantment • Temple, Tower, & Tomb • Thief's Challenge (II) • TSR Jam 1999 • Wizard's Challenge (II)