Jack Vance, Dying Earth, and the Primer of Practical Magic

[Drifter Bob]

Primer avaialbility

Thanks Drifter Bob,

great insights! I have a much better idea what the book is about now.

Do the publishers ahve a proper distribution deal, or is mail order the way to go?

Simon Rogers of Pelgrane sent me a list of like 20 distributors in the US, so I assume they do have a proper distribution deal. (Marketing is another matter ) I'd say check your local store, if it's not there you should throw an hysterical tantrum and demand that they stock it! Just kidding. If it's not there you can always order direct from Pelgrane, or from amazon.com or any number of online mail order outfits.

JR

 

[Drifter Bob]

Well, since you asked, I would be thrilled to see a "campaign book" of some kind for Lyonesse (perhaps something for both d20 and the DERPG).

Yes, that would be lovely. Lyonesse had such a languid feel to it. Mr Vance definately captured something subtle there. Those are familiar aspects of the Vance landscape, even in his science fiction books, there are these archetypal features, the gloomy forboding forests, the wild ancient glades, the ferocious barbarian cultures with their incomprehensible motivations...

Who knows though, there may yet be a market for some of this kind of stuff. There are an increasing number of us DnD players from the old old days who every so often get a hankering for something a little more sophisticated or nuanced than say, the rpg equivalent of Xena (not that Xena can't be fun)

That is certainly what Pelgrane is counting on. There has been the revival of Call of Cthulhu in d20 (somewhat controversial I know), and I noticed that this new Conan game has come out as well, and seems to have been well recieved. In fact maybe it's just my own tastes changing but there do seem to be a few new things like this on the horison. If the Primer is successful Pelgrane could and probably will do campaign books for D20 on any number of Dying Earth themes, and perhaps Lyonesse could be the next logical step. I would personally also love to see something done with Clarke Ashton Smiths Zothique, as well as Vance imitator Michael Shea, and maybe even Gene Wolfe, as well as more historical period based stuff in the manner of some of the better efforts of Avalanche Press, like their superb Celtic World suppliment.

Ah we can dream. Then one also has to wonder if Mr Vance has anything else yet to write. He is still alive, though getting on in years and having trouble with his vision. I hope I haven't seen the last of what he has to offer....

J

 

[Gez]

He's writing a scifi cycle now.

 

[Drifter Bob]

I ordered a copy from FRPGames & will let you know what I think once it gets here.

Hopefully it lives up to it's potential.

Have you gotten your copy yet? I'm very interested to hear your reaction.

DB

 

[Krieg]

Have you gotten your copy yet? I'm very interested to hear your reaction.

DB

Not yet. I had it sent to work rather than the house...so of course when I checked the tracking number it was delivered today (Sat)! lol

I will have it in my hands on Monday.

FWIW while I do like the Dying Earth books, I don't love them (if you know what I mean). I'm not really looking for something to re-create the adventures of Cugel in D20, rather I am more interested in a product that tries to return to the 1E "mysterious" feel of magic. So while I am biased, my bias isn't going to be exactly the same as a Cugel fan boys'.

 

[Drifter Bob]

Hello all,

I'm currently reading the Primer of Practical Magic and hope to post a review this weekend here or on RPG.net. I don't know Vance so I can't judge it from that aspect. I will be reviewing it from how I and my players use and are, hopefully, inspired by the ideas within.

Eddy

Thanks Eddy, I can't wait to read the review. Please remember to post a link on this forum if you do it on RPG.net.

DB

 

[redkobold]

The magic system in the novels, if I remember correctly, is quite similar to the one found in the Dying Earth books (sandestin magic, etc.). But there are some interesting magic items that could be translated into game terms.

QUOTE]

Does the Primer cover Sandestin Magic in detail? That is what I always loved in the Lyonesse novels.

 

[Drifter Bob]

Sandestin Magic

Does the Primer cover Sandestin Magic in detail? That is what I always loved in the Lyonesse novels.

Yes it does, though I have already recieved complaints from friends of mine who are hard core DnD rules lawyer / min maxer types who have read the Primer. Having never read the Dying Earth or Lyonaise novels, they demanded more details about the Sandestins (such as what they look like, which I mistakenly assumed was obviously variable by their ability to shape change at will and other various inherent illusory abilities) and the quest Arch Mages have to go on to get one (which is abstracted into an experience point cost and time out of the game).

There are however detailed rules on what the Sandestins can and will do, how to (attempt to) convince them to do it, how indenture points work, and etc. Sandestins are only available to the Arch Mage prestige class.

We are probably going to do a web page with additional information for those who demand more. A lot of D20 people don't get the way Jack Vance insinuates so much and leaves so much to the imagination, and they want to know every detail of everything that is hinted at. I'm apparently going to be forced to go into a huge flavor piece about the 19th Aeon, for example. Lol

DB

 

[Olive]

A lot of D20 people don't get the way Jack Vance insinuates so much and leaves so much to the imagination, and they want to know every detail of everything that is hinted at.

There is a difference between don't get and don't like.

 

[Drifter Bob]

There is a difference between don't get and don't like.

I have found that it starts out a mix, and ends up more and more of the former. At first, when you read the Dying Earth, you feel a bit cheated. What exactly IS a deodand? Why is the sun blinking out? Who was the great Phandaal? What did he mean by that cynical sounding reference to the "laws of equivalency" when they were making that deal? After a while though, it grows on you. I rmember explaining scenes in Jack Vance to people at great length, and realising when I went to look it up to refresh my memory, that I had filled in all kinds of detail tha wasn't there. That, I finally realised, is what makes Vance so unique as an author (and so eminently suited for RPG's, IMHO) he stimulates your imagination in such a wonderful way, with all those new ways of using words, and all those made up terms and / or obscure ones you have to crack the dictionary to understand.... you bring an enormous amount into it. That is what I hope the Primer will do as well (though it does have plenty of crunchy detail!!!)

J