Dungeons & Dragons was the original
version of
E. Gary Gygax's
role-playing game. Based on
fantasy novels, it allowed the player to define their character along several
attributes, and pick a
race,
profession, and
alignment. D&D is a pretty
basic and
simplified version of the rules; it is intended to
introduce the player to the game (and then they can get into
AD&D).
To play the game, you need: someone willing to be the Dungeon Master, who runs the game; some other people who want to play; paper; pencils; dice; and a rulebook (I own a booklet with the D&D rules from 1979.). Little miniature figures are nice, but not necessary.
cardinal has a friend with an original, mimeographed copy of the rules, with a cover letter from "Gary" asking him to play test his new game.
See also: D&D, D&D races, D&D abilities, D&D alignments, D&D classes, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, AD&D
Information taken from "Dungeons & Dragons," 1979, published by TSR Hobbies, Inc..