An excellent development of the Dying Earth Roleplaying Game, replacing the farce of Cugel-level play with a uniqueangle on more familiar fantasy adventure.
Post originally by Lodger at 2004-03-01 14:05:34
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Primus: My compliments on a well-written, amusing review that answered many of the questions I had about Turjan's Tome of Beauty and Horror. For certain, once I get around to running a Turjan-level game, I'll be purchasing said tome.
Secondus: It's nice to see RPGnet *finally* get the review up.
Tertius: I'm in complete agreement with you on the way that the book spends too much time belaboring what Clark Ashton Smith is not, instead of celebrating what he is, which would be complete and utter genius.
(Looking back at your review, I realise that the above is rather a complete swipe of your own phrasing. Think of it as a very sincere form of theft. Or is that flattery? Regardless...)
(Also the astute reader of this will note that I've admitted to not having Turjan's Tome yet, and might be wondering how I'm qualified to comment upon the handling of Klarkash-Ton. I'll only remind those pedantic individuals that the chapter that the recommendation takes place in is available as a free download on the official Dying Earth website.)
But I digress away from specifics about Mr. Smith and his writings. As you've pointed out, his influence is still very strong -- fans of China Mieville in particular would do themselves a favor to check out Smith's Zothique tales -- and I have to take rather severe exception with however writing in Turjan's Tome describes Clark Ashton's as "readable". Such a description is akin to suggesting that John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" is merely "listenable". Smith's writing is a wonder and should be regarded as such.
But enough carping on that. I'll just third the suggestion that folks looking for additional inspiration for their Turjan-level games would do well to find copies of Clark Ashton's 'Zothique' stories. (My personal suggestion is to search out and fork over the money for the absolutely gorgeous and absolutely out-of-pring Ballantine Adult Fantasy paperback from the 70s, but then I'm likely pressing my obsessions upon others in that case. Those people either unwilling or unable to find an actual physical book of Clark Ashton's writings should look at: http://www.eldritchdark.com/)
Quartus: Those looking for additional inspiration for their Cugel- (and perhaps Rhialto-) level games would do well to follow up on another of Mr. Hudson's mentions and check out Jeff Vandmeer's "City of Saints & Madmen" book that collects his various writings on his imaginary city of Ambergris. I fully plan to somehow incorporate the rantings of a squid-obsessed madman in my Dying Earth game, at least!
Once again, very nice review. Glad to see it up finally.
Post originally by Shannon Appelcline at 2004-03-01 17:26:56
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There's a more recent printing of Smith's Zothique writing than the old BAF edition. It's _Tales of Zothique_, which was printed by Necronomicon Press in 1995. ISBN 094088471-2. It's out of print too, but might be easier to find.
Also of interest is _The Last Continent: New Tales of Zothique_ , edited by Joh Pelan and published by Shadowlands Press. This one is still in print ( http://www.bereshith.com/lastcontinent.htm ), though the cost is an astronomical $60 (admittedly, signed by 12 authors). I honestly don't know if this is any good; I picked it up in 1999, afraid it'd go out of print, and haven't read is since.
Post originally by Sasha Bilton at 2004-03-02 05:01:28
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While I'm very pleased the reviewer approves of the use free or out of copyright art, we can't claim uniqueness. I first saw it's use in MERP and something may pre-date that.
Post originally by Patrick at 2004-03-02 07:20:38
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Thanks Lodger, I'm pleased it was helpful to you.
Shannon, I own Necronomicon Press's The Book of Hyperboria, whic is very good. I used to own part one of the Ballantyne Zothique book in a UK edition (panther) but sold it before leaving New Zealand - doh! I've since found Out of Space & Time vol 1 (also Panther).
Is The Emperor of Dreams available in the US? This is the best general intro to CAS I know of currently in print.
Post originally by Lodger at 2004-03-02 11:38:00
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"The Emperor of Dreams" is part of the Fantasy Masterworks that Orion/Millenium puts out, correct?
If so, then, no, "The Emperor of Dreams" isn't available in the U.S. Which is a shame not just for that book in question, but for several others that are no longer readily available in the U.S. such as M. John Harrison's "Viriconium" sequence.
Post originally by KC at 2004-03-02 14:37:55
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It's worth getting the book from Amazon.co.uk for a measly £6.39 (pounds). I got Conan Chronicles Vol 2 for the same price and paid a total of £19.71 including shipping and never regretted it for a second.
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