Appendix N - Checkpoint and Thoughts

I've mentioned the inspirational reading section of the 1st edition Dungeon Masters Guide a few times in this blog. It seems worth it to show it in its entirety and discuss it a little bit. In the list following the authors in bold represent those of which I have done at least some of the relevant reading.


APPENDIX N:INSPIRATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL READING
Inspiration for all of the fantasy work I have done stems directly from the love my father showed when I was a lad, for he spent many hours telling me stories he made up as he went along, tales of cloaked old men who could grant wishes, of magic rings and enchanted swords, or wicked sorcerors and dauntless swordsmen. Then too, countless hundreds of comic books went down, and the long-gone EC ones certainly had their effect. Science fiction, fantasy, and horror movies were a big influence. In fact, all of us tend to get ample helpings of fantasy when we are very young, from fairy tales such as those written by the Brothers Grimm and Andrew Long. This often leads to reading books of mythology, paging through bestiaries, and consultation of compilations of the myths of various lands and peoples. Upon such a base I built my interest in fantasy, being an avid reader of all science fiction and fantasy literature since 1950. The following authors were of particular inspiration to me. In some cases I cite specific works, in others, I simply recommend all their fantasy writing to you. From such sources, as well as just about any other imaginative writing or screenplay you will be able to pluck kernels from which grow the fruits of exciting campaigns. Good reading!

Inspirational Reading:
  • Anderson, Poul. THREE HEARTS AND THREE LIONS; THE HIGH CRUSADE; THE BROKEN SWORD
  • Bellairs, John. THE FACE IN THE FROST
  • Brackett, Leigh.
  • Brown, Fredric.
  • Burroughs, Edgar Rice. "Pellucidar" Series; Mars Series; Venus Series
  • Carter, Lin. "World's End'' Series
  • de Camp, L. Sprague. LEST DARKNESS FALL; FALLIBLE FIEND; etal.
  • de Camp & Pratt. "Harold Shea" Series; CARNELIAN CUBE
  • Derleth, August.
  • Dunsany, Lord.
  • Farmer, P. J. "The World of the Tiers" Series; et alal
  • Fox, Gardner. "Kothar" Series; "Kyrik" Series; et of.
  • Howard, R. E. "Conan" Series
  • Lanier, Sterling. HIEROS JOURNEY
  • Leiber, Fritz. "Fafhrd & Gray Mouser" Series; et ofal
  • Lovecraft, H. P.
  • Merritt, A. CREEP, SHADOW, CREEP; MOON POOL; DWELLERS IN THE MIRAGE; et al.
  • Moorcock, Michael. STORMBRINGER; STEALER OF SOULS; "Hawkmoon" Series (esp. the first three books)
  • Norton, Andre.
  • Offutt, Andrew J., editor SWORDS AGAINST DARKNESS Ill.
  • Pratt, Fletcher, BLUE STAR; etaf.
  • Saberhagen, Fred. CHANGELING EARTH; etal.
  • St. Clair, Margaret. THE SHADOW PEOPLE; SIGN OF THE LABRYS
  • Tolkien, J. R. R. THE HOBBIT; "Ring Trilogy"
  • Vance, Jack. THE EYES OF THE OVERWORLD; THE DYING EARTH; et al.
  • Weinbaum, Stanley.
  • Wellman, Manly Wade.
  • Williamson, Jack.
  • Zelazny, Roger. JACK OF SHADOWS; "Amber" Series; et al.

The most immediate influences upon AD&D were probably de Camp & Pratt, REH, Fritz Leiber, Jack Vance, HPL, and A. Merritt; but all of the above authors, as well as many not listed, certainly helped to shape the form of the game. For this reason, and for the hours of reading enjoyment, I heartily recommend the works of these fine authors to you.

As can be seen my familiarity with the inspirational reading of Appendix N is moderate at the time of this writing. Over the next several months I endeavor to expand my exposure to these works.

As I go through some of these works for the first time (for example, the works of Norton and de Camp & Pratt) I have been amazed to see just how strong an inspiration they were. Upon reflection, that should not have been that surprising considered the clear inspirations from the works I have already cited - for example the thieves of Lankhmar, the magic of Dying Earth, the halflings of Tolkien, etc.

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