D&D General Reassesing Robert E Howards influence on D&D +

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I don't think Gygax was trying to do Tolkien style world building at all. I do think others who followed and put out stuff for D&D were leaning heavily into Tolkien but a lot of Gygaxian D&D to me really fits those Conan stories. One key difference is Gygax seems to be aiming more for a medieval vibe than Conan (and Conan was more pre-historical Ancient World kitchen sink).

It's not Lord of the Rings or Conan.

OD&D is Lankhmar. It is shocking the first time you read the early Lankhmar books -- they could be official TSR D&D novels.

 

[cbwjm]

It's not Lord of the Rings or Conan.

OD&D is Lankhmar. It is shocking the first time you read the early Lankhmar books -- they could be official TSR D&D novels.

I think I've read one, but from the plot synopsis and the descriptions and such I've read online, they do sound very dnd-like.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I think I've read one, but from the plot synopsis and the descriptions and such I've read online, they do sound very dnd-like.

More than just the plot. The setting, the characters, the motivations, even some of the dialogue sound ripped from early D&D. Of course, the answer is it's the other way around.

 

[cbwjm]

More than just the plot. The setting, the characters, the motivations, even some of the dialogue sound ripped from early D&D. Of course, the answer is it's the other way around.

Sounds like it was a heavy influence on early dnd. I've been meaning to read them, maybe I should try to find them.

 

[QuentinGeorge]

Lankhmar also influenced the Discworld novels. The Ankh-Morpork first described in Colour of Magic is very Lankhmar, and even has a cameo from "Bravd and the Weasel".

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Lankhmar also influenced the Discworld novels. The Ankh-Morpork first described in Colour of Magic is very Lankhmar, and even has a cameo from "Bravd and the Weasel".

True (I mean the name is a giveaway). But Discworld was also influenced by Howard, to bring the thread round to it's original topic. Cohen the Barbarian also first appears in TCoM.

 

[QuentinGeorge]

True (I mean the name is a giveaway). But Discworld was also influenced by Howard, to bring the thread round to it's original topic. Cohen the Barbarian also first appears in TCoM.

I think technically Cohen doesn't appear until The Light Fantastic. The original novel has Hrun the Barbarian, who is an even more obvious pastiche of Conan.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I think technically Cohen doesn't appear until The Light Fantastic. The original novel has Hrun the Barbarian, who is an even more obvious pastiche of Conan.

I seem to recall Pratchett mentioning Conan as the inspiration for Guards! Guards! as well. He wanted to know more about the characters who seemed to only exist for Conan to fight.

 

[Garthanos]

D&D magic is definitely not the magic of Conan's world.

 

[Kurotowa]

D&D magic is definitely not the magic of Conan's world.

Well, no. D&D Wizard spells came directly from Jack Vance's Dying Earth series. I thought everyone knew that.