01-17-2011, 04:11 PM
Okay, so I wrote a lengthy answer, and then accidentally deleted it; GAAAAAAAAH.
Basically, I think most sources that we traditionally name can be debated.
Of course, there is always a difference between what Mr Arneson himself used for inspiration,
what his players preferred, and what other, later authors did with his material.
For me, the goals are many:
First, I would like to explore the depths of 60s and 70s fantasy literature a bit;
this Robert Adams, for example,
it seems he had a great career apart from the Horseclan stuff.
Second, I'd like to differentiate a bit this reigning opinion that everything is either Leiber, Tolkien, or Forbidden Planet.
Third, it would be an idea to make a list for the fans that is a bit more than just numbering the already well-known classic authors.
Like, for example, which of the Moorcock books was the one most influential on Blackmoor?
Can one pinpoint that, in the same fashion that "Tower of Glass" seems to be an influence?
Or, for that matter, Temple of the Frog: Cthulhu, or frogmen from 1930s vintage fantasy books? (I think Edgar Rice Burroughs did them already.)
Or, Philip José Farmer, certainly one of the most prolific writers of his era, how nobody talks about him when it comes to fantasy gaming?
... And so on.
More tomorrow. Now that I have time, beware of my ramblings.
Basically, I think most sources that we traditionally name can be debated.
Of course, there is always a difference between what Mr Arneson himself used for inspiration,
what his players preferred, and what other, later authors did with his material.
For me, the goals are many:
First, I would like to explore the depths of 60s and 70s fantasy literature a bit;
this Robert Adams, for example,
it seems he had a great career apart from the Horseclan stuff.
Second, I'd like to differentiate a bit this reigning opinion that everything is either Leiber, Tolkien, or Forbidden Planet.
Third, it would be an idea to make a list for the fans that is a bit more than just numbering the already well-known classic authors.
Like, for example, which of the Moorcock books was the one most influential on Blackmoor?
Can one pinpoint that, in the same fashion that "Tower of Glass" seems to be an influence?
Or, for that matter, Temple of the Frog: Cthulhu, or frogmen from 1930s vintage fantasy books? (I think Edgar Rice Burroughs did them already.)
Or, Philip José Farmer, certainly one of the most prolific writers of his era, how nobody talks about him when it comes to fantasy gaming?
... And so on.
More tomorrow. Now that I have time, beware of my ramblings.