The "I Didn't Comment in Another Thread" Thread

[Scribe]

The possibility of, and the extent of, Tolkien's influence on D&D is an evergreen topic on these forums. I've never been able to figure out why, though. It seems like such a weird thing to fixate on.

Why is this one man's catalog of work held so highly (or lowly) beyond all others? Judging by the way some people react to him, you'd think he wrote the Bible (or Nickelback's "How You Remind Me"). He was neither. He was just this one guy, inspired by mythology to write some stories.

People love their mythology/ideology/history. Once they have decided something is part of who they are or what they enjoy, its not a simple thing for them to let go.

On the flip side, when something is seen as a detriment to what they enjoy, it must be attacked and dismissed relentlessly, because its 2023 and we cannot let people enjoy different things, let alone the same thing, in a different way.

Really its just the ever increasing divisiveness of the 2020's, as applied to all things, at all times.

 

[Ryujin]

Gygax didn't write D&D as a wise man
Just read some Tolkien and he was stealing
Tired of livin' like a poor man
Wanted to make a game that was appealing
And this is how you remind me....

This is how you remind me of Tolkien's influence
This is how you remind me of Tolkien's influence

It's not like Gygax to say sorry
Kept claimin' he read a different story
From the Hobbit he was takin'
The estate filed suit and Gygax was quakin'
Gygax has been wrong, Gygax has been down
Credit for Arneson he did throttle
These five words in my head
Scream, "Are we playin' D&D yet?"

All that's currently going through my head is "Little Hobbits must of damned near killed you."

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

All that's currently going through my head is "Little Hobbits must of damned near killed you."

I was just pleased that @CleverNickName managed to remember this post ....

https://www.enworld.org/threads/the-i-didnt-comment-in-another-thread-thread.672602/page-339#post-8684149

 

[darjr]

David Megary, who created the Dungeon! boardgame to give Dave Arneson a break from being the forever DM, said something along the lines of the game giving him that feeling of exploring Moria.

David Megary started on Dungeon! before D&D existed when the only DM in the world was Dave Arneson.

So yea I’d say Tolkien has had a big influence on D&D.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

In time for the summer ....

Snarf's Perfect Aperol Spritz

2 oz. Aperol
3 oz. Prosecco
1 oz. Soda
Plenty of Ice
Orange Slice

Start by preparing the glass. You'll want a large glass that can hold all the ice along with 6 ounces of liquid. Think of ... the type of wine glass for a Soccer Mom's party. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. Fill the glass with ice.

Open the Prosecco bottle. It's going to shoot off, so be sure to aim it at someone who deserves it. Probably Derek. Screw that guy, he doesn't need both of his eyes. Take a long pull off the Prosecco bottle "to make sure the foam doesn't go everywhere."

Open the Aperol. That stuff is red, isn't it? And sickly sweet. Take another swig of the Prosecco. Hand the Aperol bottle to Derek and tell him it's cough syrup. He'll drink anything.

Did you finish the Prosecco yet? No? Take another pull. Good, all gone. Suck on the orange slice. Empty the glass. Fill it with something good, like bourbon. Hurl the excess ice at people because it's funny.

Repeat until the end of summer.

 

[Gradine]

In time for the summer ....

Snarf's Perfect Aperol Spritz

2 oz. Aperol
3 oz. Prosecco
1 oz. Soda
Plenty of Ice
Orange Slice

Start by preparing the glass. You'll want a large glass that can hold all the ice along with 6 ounces of liquid. Think of ... the type of wine glass for a Soccer Mom's party. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about.

Are we talking Weeds or Cougar Town here?

 

[overgeeked]

David Megary, who created the Dungeon! boardgame to give Dave Arneson a break from being the forever DM, said something along the lines of the game giving him that feeling of exploring Moria.

David Megary started on Dungeon! before D&D existed when the only DM in the world was Dave Arneson.

So yea I’d say Tolkien has had a big influence on D&D.

Tolkien heavily influenced D&D right up until the Tolkien estate sued TSR...then all of a sudden, nope...Tolkien didn't influence D&D.

 

[CleverNickName]

I should clarify. I'm not saying J.R.R. Tolkien wasn't a big deal, both for the fantasy genre in general and D&D in particular.

I'm just saying that maybe that influence doesn't matter. At least, not nearly as much as some of the uh, more enthusiastic commentators seem to think. (And comparing him to Shakespeare is...certainly a choice.) The thing is: not everyone enjoys Tolkien's books. And that's fine! To argue that someone is wrong about that opinion, and to insist that they do, actually, enjoy Tolkien because they enjoy other derivative works (including D&D)...is just weird.

Guy: Meh, I don't really care for JRR Tolkien. He's too wordy and boring.
Other Guy: You play D&D, right? So you obviously like Tolkien, you just don't know it yet!
Me: Whut?

TL;DR: You can fully enjoy D&D and Terry Brooks and "A Game of Thrones" and etc., all without ever reading "The Hobbit."

 

[Parmandur]

Tolkien heavily influenced D&D right up until the Tolkien estate sued TSR...then all of a sudden, nope...Tolkien didn't influence D&D.

I'm given to understand that TSR was also always at war with Oceania.

 

[payn]

So, miracle whip or mayonnaise?