Chronicles of Prydain - Has anyone ever based a campaign on it?

[Kalendraf]

One of my favorite fantasy series are a set of 5 books I read when I was young: The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. For those who are not familiar with these books, I highly recommend tracking them down and giving them a read. They are written for younger readers, and you should be able to read them pretty quickly.

The characters and imagery could very well have been inspired or even based on D&D, yet this series predates the game, having been written in the mid-1960's. I've re-read the series 3 times now, and each time I've toyed with the idea of actually basing a campaign in this world. But thus far, it's merely inspired a few adventures and characters for me along the way.

Nowadays, I don't hear much about Prydain, though I sometimes find others who have read it and have their own fond memories of it. Perhaps someone out there has been inspired enough to take the plunge and run a Prydain campaign? If so, let's hear about it.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

No, but I love that series. Taran could kick Harry Potter's butt.


There was an adventure based very, very, very loosely on it in an old issue of Dragon (this would have been around issue #90 to #110). It had Huntsmen and the Black Cauldron, but there the similarities ended. The Huntsmen weren't that great either, basically just evil rangers.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Never based a game or setting on it, but I've thought about doing so.

It's funny, all these licenses going around--Black Company, Conan, this and that--Prydain is one of the few I'd jump on and grab with both hands if the opportunity to work on it came up.

 

[Kalendraf]

I was going to mention that currently it seems the Harry Potter books have conquered the young adult fantasy genre, both in mindshare and obviously marketshare. While I do enjoy Rowling's books, they certainly won't replace the Prydain series as my favorite. I've enjoyed the HP movies, as well as the LotR ones. I'd be tickled silly if someone would give this series a cinematic effort worthy of those.

I've considered introducing something like the Huntsmen into past campaigns. Meanwhile, the Black Cauldron and Sword of Dyrnwyn would make interesting artifacts.

 

[Tonguez]

Yeah I had Undead Rangers (Huntsmen) in a whole lot of my games during my teens inspired of course by adventures of Taran et al. But never actually based a game in Prydain. My Campaign world does have a Welsh inspired region (called Cymru) however also probably subconcious reflections of Prydain.
I had actually forgotten the books until I came to Enworld just having a vague recollection of something I read a long time ago (I think I was about 8 or 9) - my first REAL fantasy novel...

 

[VirgilCaine]

I'd take Narnia over Prydain.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I'd be tickled silly if someone would give this series a cinematic effort worthy of those.

Dude!

Heh.

-Hyp.

 

[Maerdwyn]

Never based a campaign on the series per se, but I have done one based on Welsh myth, and so much of that (wonderful) series is inspired by/based on the same material. It was easily my most successful campaign since leaving high school

If you need resource material, let me know and I'll point you towards a few good sources.

 

[Taneel BrightBlade]

yeah

 

[Krieg]

Dude!

Heh.

-Hyp.

The original request stands.