In Search of the Unknown

In Search of the Unknown

The cover of the 1981 reprint of In Search of the Unknown, with art by Darlene Pekul. The artwork depicts a group of adventurers in an environment filled with fungus and mushrooms.
Code	B1
TSR Product Code	9023
Rules required	D&D Basic Set
Character levels	1-3
Campaign setting	Generic D&D
Authors	Mike Carr
First published	1979
Linked modules
B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B1-9, B10, B11, B12, BSOLO

For the book of the same name, see Robert W. Chambers

In Search of the Unknown is a module for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, designed for use with the Basic Set of rules. It was written by game designer Mike Carr and was first published in 1979 by TSR, Inc. The module details a hidden complex known as the Caverns of Quasqueton. Reviewers considered it a good quality introduction to the game that was written in the so-called dungeon crawl style, where the primary goal of the players is the exploration of a dangerous labyrinth to battle monsters and obtain treasure.

The module was included with the 1st edition of the D&D Basic Set. The module was written by Mike Carr, and printed as a thirty-two page booklet with an outer folder and a two-color cover; the original version also included a section on page six for "Using this Module with AD&D". The AD&D section was deleted in the 1981 printing. The adventure ran through six different printings in addition to a pre-production version that appeared in promotional artwork. The first printing was in 1978, although an incorrect copyright lists it as 1979.

In Search of the Unknown was an introductory scenario intended to teach Dungeon Masters (DMs) how to create dungeons. Mike Carr intended it for use as an instructional adventure for new players. The module is a beginner's scenario, which allows the DM to add their own choice of monsters and treasure. The module is coded B1 because it was created as the first adventure for the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set, though it is possible to convert it to Advanced Dungons & Dragons. The adventure is designed for characters of first to third level, and was written for DMs and players with little or no gaming experience. Interior art was by David C. Sutherland III, while Sutherland and David A. Trampier did the cover of the original monochrome edition. The updated 1981 edition featured front and back cover art by Darlene Pekul.