From the map of the “land” of the “Great Kingdom” and environs — the territory of the C & C Society — Dave located a nice bog wherein to nest the weird enclave of “Blackmoor”, a spot between the “Giant Kingdom” and the fearsome “Egg of Coot”.

—Gary Gygax, from the FOREWORD FROM THE ORIGINAL EDITION, Basic D&D, 1977.

The Giant Kingdom

The words conjure a rugged land. Humans traverse with difficulty. Its inhabitants live in clan groups, each giant kind—stone, frost, storm, etc.—in its proper niche. Clans are led by chieftains. Several clans are ruled by jarls, whose power may reach far along mountain ranges. From floating castles high above, cloud and storm giants vie for the Giant Crown.

Another Holmes Uniquity

Compare the original “Forward” to D&D in Men & Magic (below) to the FOREWORD FROM THE ORIGINAL EDITION in Holmes Basic D&D (above). In the original, the Great Kingdom serves as the territory of the C&C Society as well as a border of Blackmoor, opposite the Egg of Coot. In Holmes, it is the Giant Kingdom that borders Blackmoor.