Disdain for new fantasy

[Clavis]

On that note, an observation.


D&D is far closer to being "Call of Cthulhu" than "Big Eyes Small Mouth."

The Lovecraft influence is very strong, especially as far as monsters, whereas I dont see much direct anime influence at all.

That's a fact that is often ignored.

The funny thing is, D&D often has more in common with what Lovecraft actually wrote than the Call of Cthulu game often does. CoC promulgates the idea that all Lovecraft stories ended in utter madness with almost everybody dead, but that's distortion of the actual works. Much of Lovecraft's work is actually fantastical dark fantasy, and a man like Randolph Carter can face down eldritch horrors again and again. If you want to see a great example of a story that reads like a D&D adventure, read "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath". Carter wanders through subterranean vaults, battles on the moon, allies with an army of ghouls, and faces Nyarlothotep himself at the end!

 

[Nifft]

"The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath". Carter wanders through subterranean vaults, battles on the moon, allies with an army of ghouls, and faces Nyarlothotep himself at the end!

Make a module of this NOW!

Thanks, -- N

 

[w_earle_wheeler]

If you want to see a great example of a story that reads like a D&D adventure, read "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath". Carter wanders through subterranean vaults, battles on the moon, allies with an army of ghouls, and faces Nyarlothotep himself at the end!

So very true!

Also, the "Carter" of Kadath could easily be switched out with Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter of Mars, another huge influence on D&D.

 

[Merlion]

That's a fact that is often ignored.

The funny thing is, D&D often has more in common with what Lovecraft actually wrote than the Call of Cthulu game often does. CoC promulgates the idea that all Lovecraft stories ended in utter madness with almost everybody dead, but that's distortion of the actual works. Much of Lovecraft's work is actually fantastical dark fantasy, and a man like Randolph Carter can face down eldritch horrors again and again. If you want to see a great example of a story that reads like a D&D adventure, read "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath". Carter wanders through subterranean vaults, battles on the moon, allies with an army of ghouls, and faces Nyarlothotep himself at the end!

I've read Dream-Quest, and though I never thought about it much that way, I can certainly see what you mean.


I think the big difference is that in D&D characters can face Lovecraftian beings on somewhat more even terms, and defeat them through direct might.

 

[Clavis]

I've read Dream-Quest, and though I never thought about it much that way, I can certainly see what you mean.


I think the big difference is that in D&D characters can face Lovecraftian beings on somewhat more even terms, and defeat them through direct might.

True. Carter did need space-faring housecats to help him against the lunar squid-things.

Yes, for the benefit of those who have never read Lovecraft, or who only know him as the creator of dread Cthulu, he also wrote about space-faring housecats. Not cat-like humanoids. Housecats. And you thought the Giant Space Hamsters were silly....

 

[TwinBahamut]

On that note, an observation.


D&D is far closer to being "Call of Cthulhu" than "Big Eyes Small Mouth."

The Lovecraft influence is very strong, especially as far as monsters, whereas I dont see much direct anime influence at all.

Amusingly enough, I really dislike Lovecraftian elements, and avoid them as much as possible in D&D. I don't even like Mind Flayers at all, and never use the Far Realms or ancient horrors. I probably dislike Lovecraftian stuff as much as some people hate anime. I would rather play anime/videogame-style D&D than Lovecraft-style D&D by a considerable degree. Of course, the thing I really like about D&D is that it is flexible enough to do both.

As an aside, I dislike Big Eyes, Small Mouth, but that is for different reasons, more related to implementation than source material.

 

[Nifft]

he also wrote about space-faring housecats. Not cat-like humanoids. Housecats. And you thought the Giant Space Hamsters were silly....

Be careful, Commoner. Housecats are deadly.

"Not a cat penguin", -- N

 

[SavageRobby]

Personal preference style: And not, this doesn't make it wrong, just a preference.

For example: I hate the anime that have characters weilding swords with the itty bitty thin handles and the bigger-than-life-taller-than-the-character blades. I just don't like it. It bends realism in a way that I don't appreciate it being bent. Bad for me, but not wrong.

For another example: I also don't want Matrix or Crouch Tiger Hidden Dragon stlye cinematics (which are also typical of some anime) as a part of my game. I love them as a part of the movies, and the Matrix trilogy is one of my favorites. But I don't want them in my game. Again, bad for me, but not wrong.

None of this makes me a grognard. It does make me have a personal style for enjoyment.

Exactly. Only, I am a grognard. But otherwise, spot on.

 

[w_earle_wheeler]

True. Carter did need space-faring housecats to help him against the lunar squid-things.

Yes, for the benefit of those who have never read Lovecraft, or who only know him as the creator of dread Cthulu, he also wrote about space-faring housecats. Not cat-like humanoids. Housecats. And you thought the Giant Space Hamsters were silly....

Also, the Ghouls in Kadath made a cute "meeping" noise. That was really weird.

On a side-side note, I recently finished Swords of Lankhmar by Leiber which also featured alternative ghouls and heroic house cats.

We can forgive Carter seeking the assistance of other beings, as he was obviously on a solo quest.

 

[Clavis]

We can forgive Carter seeking the assistance of other beings, as he was obviously on a solo quest.

And without his Silver Key no less...
What a cruel DM to make him adventure without his kewlest magic item.