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Which parts of D&D came from Tolkien?
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<blockquote data-quote="Shadowdweller00" data-source="post: 7265023" data-attributes="member: 6778479"><p>Almost certainly not, considering that descriptions of elven or elfin beauty most definitely predate Tolkien; not to mention that Galadriel is never described as having violet eyes.</p><p></p><p>The green skin / pig-face / tusks image of orcs is distinctly non-Tolkien. Tolkien consistently describes his orcs as slant-eyed, flat-nosed, dark-skinned, and frequently stooped.</p><p></p><p>Not remotely - present in mythology, assorted pulp fiction in decades preceding Tolkien, and occasionally Cthulhu mythos. <a href="http://lovecraft.wikia.com/wiki/Atlach-Nacha" target="_blank">One</a> example. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuchigumo" target="_blank">Another</a>.</p><p>Giant and occasionally intelligent birds or bird-like creatures have a widespread mythological basis. In addition to the Roc, there's the Simurg, Aquila - Zeus' servitor (which specifically is an eagle), Odin's ravens, amongst many others. Almost certainly present in lost-world pulp serials as well.</p><p></p><p>Ever hear of Fenrir? Wargs are taken directly from norse mythology.</p><p></p><p>Laughable if you know anything about mythology and folklore.</p><p>This one probably is Tolkien, although the word is not. The life-draining is pure D&D, however.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Wrong. Plenty of mythological basis. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvain,_the_Knight_of_the_Lion" target="_blank">Here</a>'s one example.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_ball" target="_blank">Nope</a>. Long-term presence of crystal balls in folklore; and they made their way into Victorian spiritualism.</p><p>I don't explicitly have a reference, but I doubt it. Pre-Tolkien elves were frequently associated with magical items in fairy tales and other stories. And magical cloaks or boots are hardly uncommon.</p><p></p><p>Doubtful considering how widespread magic weapons were in mythology and pulp sword-and-sorcery tales. The concept of supernatural creatures that can only be defeated by or are vulnerable to special weapons predates Tolkien by many centuries.</p><p></p><p>Dates back at least to the Egyptians.</p><p> </p><p>Nope</p><p></p><p>I'm going to guess you haven't read much (or any) Conan?</p><p></p><p>Nothing personal, guy. These misconceptions and delusions are pretty widespread.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Shadowdweller00, post: 7265023, member: 6778479"] Almost certainly not, considering that descriptions of elven or elfin beauty most definitely predate Tolkien; not to mention that Galadriel is never described as having violet eyes. The green skin / pig-face / tusks image of orcs is distinctly non-Tolkien. Tolkien consistently describes his orcs as slant-eyed, flat-nosed, dark-skinned, and frequently stooped. Not remotely - present in mythology, assorted pulp fiction in decades preceding Tolkien, and occasionally Cthulhu mythos. [URL="http://lovecraft.wikia.com/wiki/Atlach-Nacha"]One[/URL] example. [URL="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuchigumo"]Another[/URL]. Giant and occasionally intelligent birds or bird-like creatures have a widespread mythological basis. In addition to the Roc, there's the Simurg, Aquila - Zeus' servitor (which specifically is an eagle), Odin's ravens, amongst many others. Almost certainly present in lost-world pulp serials as well. Ever hear of Fenrir? Wargs are taken directly from norse mythology. Laughable if you know anything about mythology and folklore. This one probably is Tolkien, although the word is not. The life-draining is pure D&D, however. Wrong. Plenty of mythological basis. [URL="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvain,_the_Knight_of_the_Lion"]Here[/URL]'s one example. [URL="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_ball"]Nope[/URL]. Long-term presence of crystal balls in folklore; and they made their way into Victorian spiritualism. I don't explicitly have a reference, but I doubt it. Pre-Tolkien elves were frequently associated with magical items in fairy tales and other stories. And magical cloaks or boots are hardly uncommon. Doubtful considering how widespread magic weapons were in mythology and pulp sword-and-sorcery tales. The concept of supernatural creatures that can only be defeated by or are vulnerable to special weapons predates Tolkien by many centuries. Dates back at least to the Egyptians. Nope I'm going to guess you haven't read much (or any) Conan? Nothing personal, guy. These misconceptions and delusions are pretty widespread. [/QUOTE]
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