I think I have finally "put my finger on it"

[SteveC]

Just so you know, the Conan comics from Dark Horse is doing quite well. Definitely a sales item in my store, and something that I personally collect. There is an upcomming Kull and Solomon Kane series as well.

Everyone has their own opinions, but it should be noted that the sample of adventure play in the 1e DMG assumes players familiar with Shakespeare (The Tempest, to be precise). While Howard's writing is rough, it is vibrant, and there are quite a few things that he wrote that I would contend are good (although not deep). While I also enjoy the ERB material, it is clear when reading ERB and Howard that ERB was far more of a "formula" writer, whereas Howard's work contains far more meat.
[Snip]
Even those these books might not be "great literature", they are worth reading. Anyone who can read Conan, Solomon Kane, Tarzan, or John Carter stories without recognizing the origins of certain D&D tropes -- and gaining ideas for how to use those tropes effectively in within the game -- isn't trying very hard! OTOH, if your game can convey half the energy of Howard's writing (or Burroughs at his best), it will be a fine game indeed.

RC

The reason it pains me to disagree with you and Vigilance on this is that I pretty much agree with what you've written here 100%. I like the books in question, but I think that they're meant more for fun, and less as "serious" literature.

I am currently helping someone do some research on Tennyson, and so I am reading some of his works, but what kept me up last night was not that, but the latest Dresden Files book. So I can certainly appreciate adventure fiction.

My ultimate point is that if you're looking to pick authors to steal from these days, I'd say less Howard et. al, and more Martin and Jordan.

--Steve

 

[Scribble]

My only comment so far is that, while we have gotten a lot of talk about "party roles" they also have been quick to point out that you don't "need" people from any role (as the others can fill that role, just not as well...)

I don't know if I see this as really a fault of the game, but more a social commentary of people in general... That perhaps we're becoming less interested in what we can do as a team, as opposed to what we can do as individuals... Whether that's good or bad, I don't know... Or rather, I don't think EN world is the place for the commentary.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

In my opinion, although I don't like Wound/Vitality systems or anything like that, D&D seriously needs a new damage type-- perhaps environmental damage-- that has a much lower Massive Damage Threshold.

Falling off cliffs, standing in lava, and falling prey to the infamous "10x10x10 falling ceiling block" should KILL. (In fact, most traps should be dealing this special kind of damage.)

Not because I want to kill the players (not that I don't...), but because I am tired of breaking verisimilitude and having to explain exactly how you managed to fall, get crushed, or incinerated and survive.

 

[Scribble]

In my opinion, although I don't like Wound/Vitality systems or anything like that, D&D seriously needs a new damage type-- perhaps environmental damage-- that has a much lower Massive Damage Threshold.

Falling off cliffs, standing in lava, and falling prey to the infamous "10x10x10 falling ceiling block" should KILL. (In fact, most traps should be dealing this special kind of damage.)

Not because I want to kill the players (not that I don't...), but because I am tired of breaking verisimilitude and having to explain exactly how you managed to fall, get crushed, or incinerated and survive.

I kind of agree with you there...

I mean when it's possible for characters to get shot with an arrow, then fall from space, and into a poll of lava, but walk away with HP remaining... you have an issue...

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

The reason it pains me to disagree with you and Vigilance on this is that I pretty much agree with what you've written here 100%. I like the books in question, but I think that they're meant more for fun, and less as "serious" literature.

As opposed to Shakespeare, remember, which of course was written as "serious" literature, and not to entertain the vulgar masses. No sir!

 

[Raven Crowking]

More to the point, Howard isn't someone that very many high school and college aged nerds are reading these days.

More than you might think, at least in "translation". I again point out the popularity of the Dark Horse Conan book, and the fact that it is being followed up by both Kull and Solomon Kane.

Having read both, I seriously question whether Malory is any better of a writer than Howard.

 

[Rechan]

As I've posted elsewhere, imagine Tolkien's Middle earth. Now throw in a ton of tieflings flinging warlock invocations right and left.

It has a differnt feel than the D&D I grew up with. And there are other games that already do that...

Are we playing different games?

Because in my experience, every combat the Wizard or Sorcerer or Cleric is casting Spells. They're throwing Magic Missiles, flaming spheres, sound bursts, they're buffing and summoning monsters. Not to mention the Druid changing shape or casting Entangle and other such spells.

That, uh... never happened in Middle Earth.

So really, "Imagine Tolkien's Middle Earth. Now throw in a ton of wizards casting Fly and flinging magic missiles left and right".

 

[AffableVagrant]

no big deal

For every grognard we lose to 4e, we'll pick up at least 1 newb. Sounds fine to me.

Most of the people who are presently boycotting 4e will eventually cave, despite what they say now, for the simple fact that they don't want to be left behind. In a couple years, the jokes and discussions on these forums, trips to conventions, etc. will have moved on without them.

That's how it's always been and always will be.

 

[Scribble]

In a couple years, the jokes and discussions on these forums, trips to conventions, etc. will have moved on without them.

That's how it's always been and always will be.

Poor grognards... Sitting in the taverns drinking their ale, and wondering how these new adventurers have any fun...

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Having read both, I seriously question whether Malory is any better of a writer than Howard.

Don't even get me started on Chaucer.