So what's in Appendix N anyway?

[screenmonkey]

Lots of talk about it, but does anyone have a list? I'd like to catch up on my reading

[finarvyn]

For those not "in the know," Appendix N comes from Gary Gygax through the AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide. In it, Gary made a list of the most inspirational reading that inspired the development of D&D.

The mission behind Goodman Games' DCC RPG is to create a RPG which is more faithful to the Appendix N vision.

Here is the list of books:

The following authors were of particular inspiration to me. In some cases I cite specific works, in others, I simply recommend all of their fantasy writing to you. From such sources, as well as any other imaginative writing or screenplay, you will be able to pluck kernels from which will grow the fruits of exciting campaigns. Good reading!

Anderson, Poul: THREE HEARTS AND THREE LIONS; THE HIGH CRUSADE; THE BROKEN SWORD
Bellairs, John: THE FACE IN THE FROST
Brackett, Leigh
Brown, Frederic
Burroughs, Edgar Rice: "Pellucidar" series; Mars series; Venus series
Carter, Lin: "World's End" series
de Camp, L. Sprague: LEST DARKNESS FALL; THE FALLIBLE FIEND; et al
de Camp & Pratt: "Harold Shea" series; THE CARNELIAN CUBE
Derleth, August
Dunsany, Lord
Farmer, P. J.: "The World of the Tiers" series; et al
Fox, Gardner: "Kothar" series; "Kyrik" series; et al
Howard, R. E.: "Conan" series
Lanier, Sterling: HIERO'S JOURNEY
Leiber, Fritz: "Fafhrd & Gray Mouser" series; et al
Lovecraft, H. P.
Merritt, A.: CREEP, SHADOW, CREEP; MOON POOL; DWELLERS IN THE MIRAGE; et al
Moorcock, Michael: STORMBRINGER; STEALER OF SOULS; "Hawkmoon" series (esp. the first three books)
Norton, Andre
Offutt, Andrew J.: editor of SWORDS AGAINST DARKNESS III
Pratt, Fletcher: BLUE STAR; et al
Saberhagen, Fred: CHANGELING EARTH; et al
St. Clair, Margaret: THE SHADOW PEOPLE; SIGN OF THE LABRYS
Tolkien, J. R. R.: THE HOBBIT; "Ring trilogy"
Vance, Jack: THE EYES OF THE OVERWORLD; THE DYING EARTH; et al
Weinbaum, Stanley
Wellman, Manley Wade
Williamson, Jack
Zelazny, Roger: JACK OF SHADOWS; "Amber" series; et al

The most immediate influences upon AD&D were probably de Camp & Pratt, R. E. Howard, Fritz Leiber, Jack Vance, H. P. Lovecraft, and A. A. Merritt; but all of the above authors, as well as many not listed, certainly helped to shape the form of the game. For this reason, and for the hours of reading enjoyment, I heartily recommend the works of these fine authors to you.

This isn't the first time Appendix N has been discussed here. There is a thread about movies with a similar feel, at least one thread trying to come up with post-1970's books that have a similar feel, and more. Here are two of interest:

1. Joseph kept ongoing updates of his journey through Appendix N here:
http://www.goodman-games.com/forums/vie ... =60&t=7007

2. Another good thread discussing a "short list" of Appendix N books is here
http://www.goodman-games.com/forums/vie ... =60&t=7138

Hope this helps!

[screenmonkey]

Sweet! Thanks, I can't remember the last time I had access to the DMG, so to have the list here is awesome!

[finarvyn]

And don't forget the links to the other threads on Appendix N. Both are pretty neat to read, especially if you are thinking about jumping into some of the literature for inspiration. AppN is a lenghty list, but the threads can help limit it a little.

[bat]

And many of those authors have their work free on the internet due to the copyright expiring and/or agreements with the author or his/her estate. The Eldritch Dark is an amazing repository for the work of Clark Ashton Smith (a favorite of mine) and includes a professional audio version of Master of the Crabs. Audiovox has several REH and Lord Dunsany (a huge inspiration for me, alongside CAS) stories, as does Project Gutenberg.