D&D (2024) No Appendix N Equivalent?

[Yaarel]

They don't. It's not the "official statement from a corporation" that matters. It's having it in a central, accessible place that every new DM should possess.

Is the idea that the Greyhawk setting has its own list of favorite books. Then Forgotten Realms has its own list of favorite books. Then Strixhaven has its own list of favorite books. And Eberron has its own list of favorite books. Ravenloft has its own list of favorite books. Ravnica has its own list of favorite books. Spelljammer has its own list of favorite books. And Planescape has its own list of favorite books. And so on?

I am not really understanding the benefit or the appeal.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

They don't. It's not the "official statement from a corporation" that matters. It's having it in a central, accessible place that every new DM should possess

Go to Amazon. Select Books: Fantasy.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

Is the idea that the Greyhawk setting has its own list of favorite books. Then Forgotten Realms has its own list of favorite books. Then Strixhaven has its own list of favorite books. And Eberron has its own list of favorite books. Ravenloft has its own list of favorite books. Ravnica has its own list of favorite books. Spelljammer has its own list of favorite books. And Planescape has its own list of favorite books. And so on?

I am not really understanding the benefit or the appeal.

No.

The idea is that you could have, for example, a "Classic D&D" discussion, and a "Bright Fantasy" discussion, and a "Noir" discussion, and a "Cosmic Horror" discussion, and a "Post-Apocalyptic" discussion, and (say) an "Age of Sail" discussion or "Arabian Nights" or the like. Use these as examples for how someone can go about collecting resources that will help them pick, establish, and maintain the tone and style of their campaign world. If an existing setting fits (e.g. Athas is clearly a post-apocalyptic setting with elements of Sword & Sandal), mention it, ideally with a sentence or two about why it's relevant, though that could be left out if space is an issue.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

Go to Amazon. Select Books: Fantasy.

That's about as useful as sending someone into the Fantasy section and saying "go wild." Analysis paralysis, the absolute deluge of completely unrelated options, and the inability of a single person to tackle even a sizable slice in a reasonable time frame, let alone the whole thing, nixes this right from the jump.

Seriously folks. Is it really such a horrible thing to spend a few DMG pages talking about the ways one can draw on great literature, TV, and film to help construct, communicate, and maintain a theme? You act like everyone just instantly KNOWS how to tell a sword & sandal story and can instantly filter through the mountains of fantasy literature to find not just on-topic works, but good and helpful on-topic works.

 

[Yaarel]

No.

The idea is that you could have, for example, a "Classic D&D" discussion, and a "Bright Fantasy" discussion, and a "Noir" discussion, and a "Cosmic Horror" discussion, and a "Post-Apocalyptic" discussion, and (say) an "Age of Sail" discussion or "Arabian Nights" or the like. Use these as examples for how someone can go about collecting resources that will help them pick, establish, and maintain the tone and style of their campaign world. If an existing setting fits (e.g. Athas is clearly a post-apocalyptic setting with elements of Sword & Sandal), mention it, ideally with a sentence or two about why it's relevant, though that could be left out if space is an issue.

Any "Classic D&D" favorite books, kinda does sound like a small group of old school grognards trying to pressure WotC to confirm and commit to their old school playstyle.

By contrast, I really dont want to see a list of Conan books or Lovecraft. It would be zero benefit for the playstyles that I find interesting.

Even for the playstyles that do interest me, I dont understand the benefit of a list of favorite books, movies, and tv shows.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

That's about as useful as sending someone into the Fantasy section and saying "go wild

Which is absolutely correct. The answer to “what is D&D?” Is “all of these.” (Plus the science fiction and horror sections). Trying to officially “narrow it down.” Is really about having novels you don’t like declared “badwrongfun”.

 

[Immeril]

Today an "Appendix N" is impossible. It would need to mention almost every scifi (including fantasy) novel that people read today, and even more importantly every movie and tv series.

I try to find scifi tv shows, and the list from inspirational tv alone would be over 200, nevermind movies and books.

I think you're misunderstanding the meaning/goal of the Appendix. Appendix E in 5e PHB literally states that it is Gygax's original list, amended with 'works that have inspired the game’s designers'.
It's not a comprehensive list of EVERY scifi/fantasy novel in existence.

 

[Yaarel]

I think you're misunderstanding the meaning/goal of the Appendix. Appendix E in 5e PHB literally states that it is Gygax's original list, amended with 'works that have inspired the game’s designers'.
It's not a comprehensive list of EVERY scifi/fantasy novel in existence.

Say I purchase the setting that Gygax built, namely Greyhawk.

Explain to me why I should care what inspired him?

Do I need to go out and buy these books? Is it an advertisement promotional?

What is the idea here, in terms of playing the D&D game?

 

[Parmandur]

My PHB and DMG came today. Am I right that there is no section of inspirational material? (If not, apologies if I missed the discussion of it. If so, where is it hiding?)

Which other editions didn't have one?

Is it a loss?

3E and 4E didn't have one that I recall.

It was nice, but necessarily limited in use: today it is easy to find book and media recs online. I cannot think of anything I would like to see cut to add it.

 

[Immeril]

Say I purchase the setting that Gygax built, namely Greyhawk.

Explain to me why I should care what inspired him?

Do I need to go out and buy these books? Is it an advertisement promotional?

What is the idea here, in terms of playing the D&D game?

You shouldn't care if it doesn't interest you.
It's just included in the book for those readers who are interested in knowing the creative team's inspiration.
That's why it is included as an appendix, it's not vital to the PHB itself.
A fitting comparison are the appendices from the Lord of the Rings (coincidentally a book from Appendix N).