D&D General No One Reads Conan Now -- So What Are They Reading?

[RhaezDaevan]

They are high on my list (I am reading comedy crime stuff right now). But I can recommend the LitRPG series, "He Who Fights with Monsters" by Shirtaloon. Warning: BIG books, and 12 of them so far, and he puts out a new book relatively often. I prefer them as audio books.

I was today years old when I learned LitRPG was even a thing that existed. How do they work? Do you have to do the game part?

 

[wizard71]

Look, Conan hasn't been relevant for over a decade at this pont and while certain trapping of Sword-n-sorcery still exists the genre as a whole is far from any influence these days.

So what are the genres and media that do have an influence these days?

Doesn't have to be actual literature ofc but basically what are the cultural touchpoints for what fantasy looks and 'feels' like for modern players in your experience? Bonus if it's from players who started with 5e.

Lord of the Ring is cheating.

Is it Sanderson's works? The romantasy 'Court of X and Y' style? Warcraft? How much anime(-adjacents)ness do you think the average DnD player considers now? Is Genshin impact the way younger player/DMs think of how fantasy 'should' be like even subconsciously? Or is it all a bit incestuous with Frieren, Dungeon Meshi and Critical Role being the touchstone of how things should be like?

I disagree. I love Conan and it still holds up well. Players I game with play more like Conan than any other archetype except for possibly Raistlin. Everyone is confident, tough as nails, pretty honorable but plain murderous when double crossed. Conan’s world was vibrant and much more enjoyable than Greyhawk or Forgotten Realms. The cultures feel real and unforced. It’s savage and dangerous and mysterious.

 

[Mistwell]

I was today years old when I learned LitRPG was even a thing that existed. How do they work? Do you have to do the game part?

No there is no game. The author is creating the system, as background, that governs certain aspects of the setting in the novels.

It's just a premise which uses the conventions of RPGs with science-fiction and fantasy novels.

In this case, the main character is transported to a world which has a lot of magic, and his personal system for organizing the magic he obtains functions similar to a role playing game. It informs him of him gaining experience points, levels, the function of his abilities like rules, the upgrades for such abilities, magic items, etc.. And as the characters grow in experience, and therefore levels and abilities, they seek out more challenging monsters to fight.

It's odd at first but once you get used to it, it's fun. Also the authors voice is somewhat silly, sarcastic, and lyrical.

Example:

"Jason squinted at the translucent interface hovering before him, his mind racing through the complex calculations. His 'Shadow Magic' skill was nearing level 10, granting him the ability to create a more substantial, shadowy doppelganger, but the mana cost was significant. He had to choose carefully; use it now to ambush the approaching pack of Dire Wolves, or save it for the inevitable boss fight lurking deeper within the dungeon."

From a review I read of the books, "HE WHO FIGHTS WITH MONSTERS by Shirtaloon is the archetypal LitRPG story. It is the story of a geeky young man being transported who dies in a sort of accident and gets deposited inside a fantasy world that operates on the rules of a tabletop RPG. From there, he begins an extended campaign to level up his abilities, accumulate treasure, and stick it to every authority figure while making pop culture references that his fantasy companions are deeply confused by. That description will more or less tell you if you are the target audience of HWFWM or not."

 

[DinoInDisguise]

If someone else does not find anything questionable, it can only mean they share those same values.

I think very highly of Enworld's community. And I think we owe each other the grace of an honest discussion. Even on challenging topics. I think we all benefit from such engagement over any presumption of thought.

In your hypothetical, I would love to hear the person's thoughts. Not because I agree, but because I don't. Maybe I learn something. Maybe they do. Either way, I feel like everyone benefits from the discussion that is had. If I presume their thoughts, that discussion never happens and that opportunity for personal growth passes.

I hope that in the future, you challenge me and never presume my thoughts. And I look forward to learning something when you do. And I would love it, if that was just the norm around here - especially on the challenging topics.

 

[Imaro]

I have yet to read the Imaro books. How do they avoid all problematic elements, in your opinion?

So it's been a minute since I read Imaro.... I'd say it avoids some problematic elements around race and pulp stereotypes of Africa/Africa-esque lands by showing differentiation in people's, biomes, etc. And staying confined to this land...

That said there is some misogyny in the book. The state of Imaro's birth and his mother being shamed because his father isn't from her people (but males are celebrated for having many women and from different peoples)... also his love interest and tthe circstances around their "romance" is kind of cringe. I recognize these are problematic and why i called it out as pulp sword ad sorcery. That said I don't think there is any evidence of Charles Saunders espousing misogynistic views himself so take that as you choose.

 

[Imaro]

I disagree. I love Conan and it still holds up well. Players I game with play more like Conan than any other archetype except for possibly Raistlin. Everyone is confident, tough as nails, pretty honorable but plain murderous when double crossed. Conan’s world was vibrant and much more enjoyable than Greyhawk or Forgotten Realms. The cultures feel real and unforced. It’s savage and dangerous and mysterious.

My players are way more like Fafhrd and Gray Mouser... than Conan.

Often too confident but mostly compotent scoundrels that always hatch plans that lead to over the top hijinks ensuing.

 

[cbwjm]

I'm still interested to hear about Dungeon Crawler Carl, if anyone can give their thoughts on it. Someone likened it to Discworld and that got me a little curious.

I have a friend who has recommended it to me before. Back in 2021 he had this to say in our chat. Might be a little bit spoilery as he talks about the beginning of the first book.

Spoiler: dungeon crawler carl

Side note. On Kindle I found a book series called Dungeon Crawler Carl. I found it hilarious and engaging
Opens with earth being squashed flat.
And only people who are outside survive
The survivors are offered a chance to win back earth. If they get to the bottom of an 18 level dungeon
And its all basically an aliens survivor game show

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I read Treasure Island for the first time, oh, I guess it's been about twenty years now, and I was struck by just how much Stevenson was able to fit into a relatively short story. He was originally writing in serial format for a magazine, but compared to the bloat I was used to reading it was a breath of fresh air.

I didn't read Treasure Island until my late 30s, and I really regret not doing so sooner.

Patricia McKiIllip’s The Riddle-Master of Hed

This and the Forgotten Beasts of Eld are phenomenal.

Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

I know I was just talking about how much I prefer shorter novels, but The Burning series is one of the exceptions. Reading Rage of Dragons and The Fires of Vengeance, I felt like I was holding my breath each time I settled down to read, the pages flying by in a breathless race. Here's hoping the Lord of Demons really is coming out this year.

 

[GnomeWorks]

No there is no game. The author is creating the system, as background, that governs certain aspects of the setting in the novels.

It's just a premise which uses the conventions of RPGs with science-fiction and fantasy novels.

It should also probably be mentioned that the quality within the LitRPG space varies dramatically, as well as the depth of the "system" in place and how much characters interact with it directly.

The Wandering Inn, for example, is technically a LitRPG, but it barely qualifies compared to something like Tower of Somnus.

 

[Mistwell]

It should also probably be mentioned that the quality within the LitRPG space varies dramatically, as well as the depth of the "system" in place and how much characters interact with it directly.

The Wandering Inn, for example, is technically a LitRPG, but it barely qualifies compared to something like Tower of Somnus.

Indeed. I've only read He Who Fights with Monsters, and only because it was highly recommended to me. And it's good. Worth reading. But I've heard some negative things about some other LitRPG books. So far I have not ventured beyond this series. But Dungeon Crawler Carl will probably be my next foray into the genre.