Let's imagine that Gygax and Co. were heavily inspired by someone other than Vance for the creation of the D&D magic system. Who might it have been? And what would that have looked like in OD&D and how might it have evolved all the way to 5E?
If they had stuck with Howard's weird hyborean age sorcerers, I think there would have been a lot more alchemy, rituals and summoning. I think it would have been dangerous and costly and essentially evil, mostly a tool of the enemy. Over time, of course, the worst parts would have been decreased or eliminated and magic would become more and more a PC thing.
Without Vancian spells as a foundation, I think different magic using classes would have been more thematic and unique: actual prayers and blessings for clerics, for example.
What do you think?
If they had stuck with Howard's weird hyborean age sorcerers, I think there would have been a lot more alchemy, rituals and summoning. I think it would have been dangerous and costly and essentially evil, mostly a tool of the enemy. Over time, of course, the worst parts would have been decreased or eliminated and magic would become more and more a PC thing.
Without Vancian spells as a foundation, I think different magic using classes would have been more thematic and unique: actual prayers and blessings for clerics, for example.
What do you think?