Background books for D&D

[ruleslawyer]

To comment on the list posted by arwink, I'd say that Moorcock also looms especially large in the game, particularly with regard to the importance of Law and Chaos, the planar mishmash that is the D&D cosmology, and some of the aspects of more powerful magic items.

 

[Stone Angel]

Don't forget that a lot of things were oratory and passed down from generation to generation such as Gillgamesh the Story of Seigfried. I am sure that these are on print by now. Epics such as Beowulf, Homers books the Illiad and the Oddessy. A lot of cultures hero's were inspirations Greek and Norse mythology with there hero's Persius, Hercules, Baldur Thor and many of the monsters there in. Don't forget the bible has some pretty cool battle scenes and monsters and such.


The Seraph of Earth and Stone

 

[Krieg]

While actually published after the birth of D&D the Thieves World books are another must read.

They are a series of short stories by well known fantasy authors in a shared world....more specifically a small backwater city in said world.

 

[Remathilis]

Don't forget the Song of Roland, Le Morte D' Arthur, and the Various Robin Hood stories for more...

 

[Doug McCrae]

I'd say that Moorcock also looms especially large in the game, particularly with regard to the importance of Law and Chaos, the planar mishmash that is the D&D cosmology, and some of the aspects of more powerful magic items.

Swords with a higher EGO than their wielders, huh? I used to think Law and Chaos must come from Moorcock but it's possible the earlier Three Hearts & Three Lions was the source. Certainly Moorcock himself cites Poul Anderson as a major inspiration.

 

[Doug McCrae]

Interesting list, arwink. I've only read a fraction of the authors cited. Nonetheless it's clear that some sources are far more important than others. The influence of Tolkien is massive, whereas HP Lovecraft for example only served to inspire the appearance of mind flayers, the shoggoth-type beasties in 3rd ed (gibbering mouther, chaos beast), alienists and the Far Realm. In fact HP had a stronger influence on post-Gygax material than he did on the 1st ed era.

 

[argo]

Jack Vance's Dying Earth books: the DnD magic system (aka: Vancian Magic) is basically cut whole cloth from these books. Likewise the "iconic" picture of a high-level archmage is taken from here as are many specific magic items (IOUN stones) and spells (Excellent Prismatic Spray).

Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion books (espically the Elric books): inspired the alignment system as a way of choosing sides in a cosmic war, inspired the cosmology of many planes (and the plane-hopping adventure) and the idea of very personal gods who reside there and make war on each other via their mortal servants/proxies. Also inspired some specific magic items espically inteligent magic items. Also I think you could say Elric inspired the entire line of summoning spells as I don't think any of the other literary sources focused on calling extra-planar allies so much.

REH's Conan: influenced the mechanics less than it did the general flavor of mercenary adventure; every time you break into a wizard's tower, raid the ancient tomb beneath a parymaid or end an adventure by declaring that you are blowing your share of the loot on "ale and whores" you are paying homage to Conan.

I am not so familiar with many of the other "inspirations" as I should be Time to start hitting up the old used book store again!


Oh, and to be perfectly honest. I personally do not believe that Tolkien is as much of an influence on DnD as many people like to believe he is. Looking at the foundations of DnD I see that the good Professor gave us: the racial archtypes (Dwarves, Elves, Hobbits, Orcs), the concept that the adventuring party should be a "felowship" of different races and professional skill-sets, the classical "fallen Dwarven kingdom under the mountain" adventure, the classical "raid the Dragon's horde under the mountain" adventure, a few specific magic items and a few specific monsters and character archtypes (wizards in pointy hats). Regardless of the fact that many specific individual DM's pattern their campaigins after the quest of the Ring I still say that if you simply read through the PHB and DMG that, even today, the influence of the other authors mentioned in this thread is much greater than that of JRRT.

Later.

 

[Doug McCrae]

Oh, and to be perfectly honest. I personally do not believe that Tolkien is as much of an influence on DnD as many people like to believe he is.

There's also half-elves and rangers. I'd say Tolkien is the primary influence on the elements that make up a DnD party, but you're right, the way they act is far more reminiscent of Howard or Leiber.

 

[Krieg]

Oh, and to be perfectly honest. I personally do not believe that Tolkien is as much of an influence on DnD as many people like to believe he is. Looking at the foundations of DnD I see that the good Professor gave us: the racial archtypes (Dwarves, Elves, Hobbits, Orcs), the concept that the adventuring party should be a "felowship" of different races and professional skill-sets, the classical "fallen Dwarven kingdom under the mountain" adventure, the classical "raid the Dragon's horde under the mountain" adventure, a few specific magic items and a few specific monsters and character archtypes (wizards in pointy hats). Regardless of the fact that many specific individual DM's pattern their campaigins after the quest of the Ring I still say that if you simply read through the PHB and DMG that, even today, the influence of the other authors mentioned in this thread is much greater than that of JRRT.

Later.

FWIW EGG has always claimed that Tolkien was far down on the list of direct influences.