D&D General D&D Archetypes that spread out to other settings and media

[Not a Decepticon]

Or, you know, every crusader.

The notion that sword and shield as a combo somehow originated as a D&Dism is simply laughable.

I mean, maybe it's too much Darkest Dungeon, but in my head image of Crusader is an armored guy with a two-handed sword, so this is soemthing that didn't even occured tome.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

One example in history of literal sword and board fighting as standard (as opposed to the sword being a secondary weapon for a mounted knight) were the highlanders of the Jacobite rebellion (1745). So that would be my ancestors! Basket hilted highland broadsword and targe to be specific.

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

One example in history of literal sword and board fighting as standard (as opposed to the sword being a secondary weapon for a mounted knight) were the highlanders of the Jacobite rebellion (1745). So that would be my ancestors! Basket hilted highland broadsword and targe to be specific.
View attachment 429189

There's also the famed "Rodeleros" or "Sword and Buckler Men" who were the famed footsoldiers of the conquistadores.

Rodeleros - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Not a Decepticon]

I do have question about all these examples of historical "sword & board" - can you honestly say they're the main source of inspiration for this archetype in modern gaming or media? Because I often would not give benefit of doubt that people who use this archetype know of such historical examples like Rodeleros

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

I do have question about all these examples of historical "sword & board" - can you honestly say they're the main source of inspiration for this archetype in modern gaming or media? Because I often would not give benefit of doubt that people who use this archetype know of such historical examples like Rodeleros

Remember that D&D was made by wargame nerds.

 

[Not a Decepticon]

Remember that D&D was made by wargame nerds.

Okay, but do we have proof it is not similiar case as with the Lich - D&D taking multiple sources of inspirations and codifying them into one image of "sword & board fighter" that then spread to other media? Especially since this archetype doesn't seem to be directly any way more Beowulf or Roland or Crusader or Rodelero or a Highlander than any other of these inspriations.

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

Okay, but do we have proof it is not similiar case as with the Lich - D&D taking multiple sources of inspirations and codifying them into one image of "sword & board fighter" that then spread to other media? Especially since this archetype doesn't seem to be directly any way more Beowulf or Roland or Crusader or Rodelero or a Highlander than any other of these inspriations.

I think far more people have seen Sleeping Beauty than have played D&D, which is why I provided an example of that earlier. My point being that the "sword and board" image is both tied to fantasy fiction outside of D&D and has plenty of historical precedence.