Jabberwocky

[Maerdwyn]

Pretty sure "vorpal" is pure Carroll

D&D didn't invent vorpal swords.

Actually, I'm not 100% sure in my sources, but my copy of Jack the Giant Killer (which is either a different name for the same story as Jack and the Beanstalk, or is another story with the same character) refers to Jack possessing a vorpal sword. That story was written in 1820, I believe, whereas Alice in Wonderland etc. were written in 1872.

Banshee

Almost all the versions of "Jack the Giant Killer" I've read tell of Jack having four magic items: a "sword of sharpness" (not a vorpal sword), a "cap of wisdom", "shoes of swiftness", and an "invisible coat," and those phrases, or ones very close to them go back a long ways

"Jack the Giant Killer" goes back at least to around 1300CE (although texts aren't extant), and one branch of the stories became Jack and the Beanstalk around th 1600s

PS: Cornish folklore is cool

 

[Alzrius]

What I found interesting was that the Jabberwock in the Monstrous Compendium Annual Vol. III was a creature dedicated to preserving the sanctity of nature, attacking people who tried to harm forests and such.

However, the Jabberwock in the Planescape adventure in TSR Jam 1999 (I forget the adventure's name) was a creature from the lower planes that had somehow gotten into one of the upper planes, and the PCs had to go kill it. There was a Jubjub bird and a bandersnatch there too, among other Carrow-esque jokes, it was good.

 

[Banshee16]

Re: Pretty sure "vorpal" is pure Carroll

Almost all the versions of "Jack the Giant Killer" I've read tell of Jack having four magic items: a "sword of sharpness" (not a vorpal sword), a "cap of wisdom", "shoes of swiftness", and an "invisible coat," and those phrases, or ones very close to them go back a long ways

"Jack the Giant Killer" goes back at least to around 1300CE (although texts aren't extant), and one branch of the stories became Jack and the Beanstalk around th 1600s

PS: Cornish folklore is cool

I can't speak for all interpretations, but the one I've got in my bookshelf refers to Jack having a vorpal sword. Now, whether the wording changed, and was influenced by Lewis Carroll, or something, I don't know...

Banshee

 

[Kweezil]

The monster is also featured in the classic OAD&D module The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror as well.

There was also short RPGA Planescape adventure based on the poem, complete with frumious bandersnatch, jub-jub bird and an armanite called Toves. Very good, and a rather amusing ending
It was called The Manxome Foe and was published in the TSR Jam 1999.

 

[Mystic_23]

I think the most important thing is the fact that the Vorpal Blade went "Snicker Snack". I hope that whenever a DM gives out a Vorpal Sword, and the player rolls a cirt says something to the effect of "With a tremendous 'Snicker Snack' your Vorpal Blade lops the ogre's head off!"

 

[Maerdwyn]

Re: Re: Pretty sure "vorpal" is pure Carroll

I can't speak for all interpretations, but the one I've got in my bookshelf refers to Jack having a vorpal sword. Now, whether the wording changed, and was influenced by Lewis Carroll, or something, I don't know...

Banshee

Cool! Would you mind pointing me toward that book or giving me some details about it (author, title,publication date, etc)? As a fan (and big nerd about such things), I'd like to check it out further, especially if it's a pre-Carroll edition or reprint of one.

Thanks,
Ian