Quests from the Infinite Staircase: Six Remastered Adventures from D&D's First Edition

The door to infinite adventure swings open on July 16 with the release of Quests from the Infinite Staircase! This collection of six remastered quests will allow players to experience treasured adventures from D&D's first edition, updated for fifth edition.

Whether you're a seasoned player rediscovering iconic characters from years past or a newcomer traversing these eclectic locations for the first time, the adventures featured in this book are pieces of D&D history, lovingly refurbished to celebrate D&D's 50th anniversary.

Keep reading below for more information on this new collection of historic adventures!

Embark on Remastered Adventures with D&D Beyond Maps

The legendary locations and memorable monsters from Quests from the Infinite Staircase will all be available in D&D Beyond Maps when the book releases!

Maps is a VTT that equips Dungeon Masters who have a Master-tier subscription with everything they need to seamlessly prepare adventures and invite players to join their sessions. Maps even has tools like fog of war, drawing and measuring features, and integration with the Game Log to help make running your game easier!

What’s Inside Quests from the Infinite Staircase?

Artist: Hazem AmeenNafas the genie weaves a tale for a room full of listeners.

Available for preorder today, Quests from the Infinite Staircase remasters a selection of adventures that celebrate D&D’s storied past. If you want to dive into these timeless tales early, you can get access to the book on July 2 by preordering the Quests from the Infinite Staircase digital + physical bundle! You can also find the physical copy at select local game stores starting July 9,  a week ahead of its general release, thanks to the new Local Game Store Early Access program!

Standalone Adventures or Connected Campaign. The six adventures contained within the book can be run as standalone adventures worked into your world, or they can be strung together into a cohesive campaign that takes characters from 1st to 13th level. Each adventure takes twelve to sixteen hours to complete, which can easily be spread out over the course of three to four sessions. 

Hooks for Each Adventure. Each adventure contains ways for the Dungeon Master to hook the party into the storyline, whether they’re using the Infinite Staircase as a means to travel between quests or prefer to take a more traditional approach.

Memorable Monsters Reimagined. Encounter technologically advanced androids and discover the origins of everyone’s favorite frog Monstrosity. Over 30 monsters have been pulled from the annals of D&D history to make an appearance with remastered stat blocks and new lore!

Magic Items and More. Throughout their quests, players will stumble upon a trio of powerful magic items that are key to the adventures in which they appear. They may also happen upon a collection of priceless, technologically advanced gadgets in a certain crashed spaceship…

Which Adventures Have Been Remastered?

Artist: Kevin GlintAn eldritch horror with one red eye, sharp teeth, and a long horn emerges from a pit of acidic slime.

From a Shakespeare-inspired quest in a Feywild garden to a dangerous delve into the ruins of an advanced spacecraft, the adventures within Quests from the Infinite Staircase were selected for their iconic locations, monsters, and encounters:

The Lost City

1st- to 3rd-Level Characters

This introductory adventure was written with new Dungeon Masters in mind to accompany the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set. Tom Moldvay purposely designed the adventure so that only the upper floors of the Cynidicean ziggurat the party explores were fully detailed. The lower levels had sparse information and needed the DM’s creativity to flesh out the specifics.

When a Star Falls

4th- to 5th-Level Characters

Coming out of TSR UK in 1984, this adventure has been remembered for its intricate plot and inventive adventure hook. Graeme Morris, the author, crafted this adventure to revolve around the events of a fallen star and a faction that is attempting to recover it.

Beyond the Crystal Cave

6th-Level Characters

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this adventure was highly touted when it was published in 1983 for its emphasis on compassion and pacificism as the resolution to its conflict. It was the first in the series of adventures produced by TSR UK.

Pharaoh

7th- to 8th-Level Characters

This adventure was the first of the Desert of Desolation trilogy. Published in 1980 by Tracy and Laura Hickman’s company, DayStar West Media, it was sold to TSR, who reprinted it in 1982 and hired Tracy. It was praised for its masterful dungeon design that seamlessly blended a compelling narrative.

The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth

9th- to 10th-Level Characters

The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth was a tournament adventure created by Gary Gygax for Winter Con V in 1976. This adventure took players into the caverns beneath the Yatil Mountains, where they could explore the former lair of Iggwilv, the Witch Queen. While Iggwilv—also known as Tasha on some planes—had been absent for some time, players still had to contend with various dangers.

Get the One-Shot Version of The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth for Free on D&D Beyond!

On March 26, you can claim a copy of Descent into The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth and see if your party can survive the dangers of Iggwilv's lair! This streamlined version of the adventure is made for 9th-level parties and can be completed in a single three to four hour session.

Complete with optional tournament-scoring rules and a magical surprise for successful adventuring parties, this retro throwback to Gygax's original tournament adventure is sure to evoke the essence of an iconic D&D expedition!

Expedition to the Barrier Peaks

11th- to 13th-Level Characters

Designed by Gary Gygax in 1980, this adventure served as an introduction to the science fantasy genre for many a D&D fan. It contained futuristic tech, malfunctioning machines, and the first appearance of the froghemoth.

Open the Door to Adventure with the Infinite Staircase

Artist: John Patrick GañasNafas drifts along the Infinite Staircase, beckoning wayfarers toward endless doors to adventure.

Quests from the Infinite Staircase whisks players away to the eponymous Infinite Staircase, a mysterious realm that allows unfettered access to the multiverse.

This chaotic, sprawling expanse first appeared in Tales from the Infinite Staircase, a second edition collection of adventures written by Monte Cook. True to its name, the Infinite Staircase features staircases extending into infinity, leading up, down, sideways, and even upside down. Dotted across the staircase’s landings are doors beyond imagination.

These doors lead everywhere across the multiverse, from dreary destinations like a forgotten tomb in the Shadowfell to legendary locations like the bustling marketplaces of the City of Brass. While some are nondescript and half-forgotten, others are protected by powerful guardians who seek to keep the borders of their domain free from invaders, witting or otherwise.

A doorway to the lair of an archdevil of the Nine Hells may be guarded by an erinyes, whereas a doorway that leads into a chamber containing Candlekeep’s most prized books may have a sphinx protecting its threshold.

While doors leading to multiversal adventure may sound familiar to those who have ventured into Sigil, the City of Doors, the Infinite Staircase doesn’t restrict travel into or out of its gateways. You could encounter any kind of creature among the staircase’s steps, be it a commoner who stumbled into the expanse by accident or a god traveling the Outer Planes.

Nafas, the Noble Genie

Floating among the neverending steps of the Infinite Staircase resides Nafas, the noble genie. Unlike his counterparts from the Elemental Planes, Nafas only desires to help those whose wishes he hears echo across the Infinite Staircase.

To this end, Nafas seeks worthy adventurers from across the multiverse. He then tasks these heroes with quests that fulfill the wishes of those in need.

Preorder Your Copy and Roll for Nostalgia

The remastered adventures within Quests from the Infinite Staircase have been creating memorable moments for D&D parties for years. On July 16, you can experience their striking settings and lovable character remastered for fifth edition!

This collection of treasured tales is available for preorder today on D&D Beyond’s marketplace, and you can get access to the book two weeks early by preordering Quests from the Infinite Staircase digital + physical bundle! It will also be available at select local game stores on July 9, thanks to the Local Game Store Early Access program!

Where will your adventures into the Infinite Staircase lead you?

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Mike Bernier (@arcane_eye) is the founder of Arcane Eye, a site focused on providing useful tips and tricks to all those involved in the world of D&D. Outside of writing for Arcane Eye, Mike spends most of his time playing games, hiking with his girlfriend, and tending the veritable jungle of houseplants that have invaded his house.

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