D&D General Source Material: "The Knight of the Swords" by Michael Moorcock

[bpauls]

For a long time, I've wanted to read through the works and authors on Moldvay's "Inspirational Source Material" list in the 1981 Basic rules, and Gygax's "Appendix N" list in the original DMG.

I'm starting with Michael Moorcock's "The Knight of the Swords," identifying details from D&D rules and settings that seem to have been inspired by the book, as well as elements that could still be adapted.

Source Material: "The Knight of the Swords" by Michael Moorcock

Book 1 of "The Swords Trilogy"

bxbandits.substack.com

 

[Lyxen]

Honestly, from what I remember about the Moorcock books (in general, not that one in particular), there is little linked to the rules, combat in particular is not really detailed. However, I'm pretty sure that the Law vs. Chaos theme is what started the alignment chart of early D&D, and was kept on in AD&D.

 

[John R Davis]

Can't quite remember but what effect does " too much Law" do to the world? I guess it stifles thought and creation??

 

[Lyxen]

Can't quite remember but what effect does " too much Law" do to the world? I guess it stifles thought and creation??

I can't remember if it's in these books, I think it might be, but an incarnation of the Eternal Champion visits a plane where Law has won, and it's a totally flat barren plane where nothing happens. So it's even worse than stifling creativity. And that's one point I like about Moorcock's visions, it's extreme and epic.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Can't quite remember but what effect does " too much Law" do to the world? I guess it stifles thought and creation??

Moorcock identifies Law with fascism and Chaos with libertarianism. Both are bad, Balance is the ideal.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Honestly, from what I remember about the Moorcock books (in general, not that one in particular), there is little linked to the rules, combat in particular is not really detailed. However, I'm pretty sure that the Law vs. Chaos theme is what started the alignment chart of early D&D, and was kept on in AD&D.

The multiverse, separate planes of existence, planer travel are big themes in Moorcock. Tanelorn is prototype Sigil. Also elves are decadent and arrogant (and not at all nice) and evil sentient magic swords.

 

[Lyxen]

Moorcock identifies Law with fascism and Chaos with libertarianism. Both are bad, Balance is the ideal.

I read those a long time ago, and I don't know much about Moorcock himself, but not only have I not heard about these before, but I really hate that, again imposing real-world equivalent onto Fantasy when not needed. It also reduces an epic cosmic conflict to pitiful ideologic ideas.

Moreover, I don't think that's true. In general, Law is extremely fair and good in all the books. In particular when all the lords of law are slaughtered as well as those of Chaos, Corum cries out that they were friends, good and helpful. I really don't think that Moorcock would have associated goodness and kindness with fascism.

Edit: and the same to a lesser extent with Chaos which is extremely evil and sly, that would be way too much for libertarianism.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I read those a long time ago, and I don't know much about Moorcock himself, but not only have I not heard about these before, but I really hate that, again imposing real-world equivalent onto Fantasy when not needed. It also reduces an epic cosmic conflict to pitiful ideologic ideas.

Moreover, I don't think that's true. In general, Law is extremely fair and good in all the books. In particular when all the lords of law are slaughtered as well as those of Chaos, Corum cries out that they were friends, good and helpful. I really don't think that Moorcock would have associated goodness and kindness with fascism.

Goodness and kindness have nothing to do with either Law or Chaos. That's where the D&D idea of LG, LN, LE come from.

Moorcock was a Communist - still is AFAIK.

In a couple of Moorcock's books the forces of Law are actual real world Nazis.

 

[Lyxen]

Goodness and kindness have nothing to do with either Law or Chaos. That's where the D&D idea of LG, LN, LE come from.

In all books that I can remember clearly, Elric, Corum, Erekose in particular, very clearly, Law is depicted as good and fair, whereas Chaos is depicted as evil and sly.

After that, I agree that D&D made it more into a matrix, but if you look at early D&D alignment, Lawful people are quite good and all villains are chaotic.

Moorcock was a Communist - still is AFAIK.

That's what I thought, which is why the above is bizarre to me.

In a couple of Moorcock's books the forces of Law are actual real world Nazis.

Which one where these, I don't think I've read them?

 

[Paul Farquhar]

In all books that I can remember clearly, Elric, Corum, Erekose in particular, very clearly, Law is depicted as good and fair, whereas Chaos is depicted as evil and sly.

I think you may have read/remembered the ones that don't contradict your own values. The later Corum stories go into the downsides of Law. Also note that you can be evil and fair, or good and sly.

After that, I agree that D&D made it more into a matrix, but if you look at early D&D alignment, Lawful people are quite good and all villains are chaotic.



That's what I thought, which is why the above is bizarre to me.



Which one where these, I don't think I've read them?

The Dreamthief's Daughter, some of the Jerry Cornelius stories.