Like The Shadow over August, this series will consist of daily discussions of the life, legacy, and influence of the Bard of Auburn over subsequent fantasy, science fiction, and horror, with special attention paid to what roleplaying games owe to him and his works. Naturally, there'll be Pulp Fantasy Library posts featuring Smith stories I've not yet covered on Grognardia, but I also plan posts on many other topics, with at least some of them consisting of original CAS-inspired game content.
Also like The Shadow over August, my plans for The Ensorcellment of January are not intended to be exhaustive, much less scholarly. They will follow my own interests and whims, shaped now and then by reader feedback. My aim is simple: to help the least well known of the Big Three of Weird Tales claim a larger share of the attention he justly deserves. I hope you’ll join me in January as we journey beneath Zothique’s dying sun, wander the haunted ruins of Averoigne, and trek across sorcerer-haunted realm of Hyperborea – all in celebration of Clark Ashton Smith and the strange, decadent brilliance of his imagination.
Sounds like January will be a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteI think Gygax, who despite the observations of some, clearly enjoyed CAS, left him off Appendix N for the same semi-mysterious reasons he left off E.R. Eddison: a lot of people say it is because neither author had much influence on D&D (to which I respond - Geas (CAS) and alignment-based fantasy factions (Eddison)) but I argue that it is because the books and stories are just a little to thinky for an action-based fantasy game recommended reading list for teenagers.
ReplyDeleteBoo! I voted REH, and by way of protest I plan to wait an extra 0.1 seconds before reading each of the CAS posts. If I have enough spell slots to cast "Remember Faux Protest", that is!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to learning much more about him!
My friends, my fellow grognards,
ReplyDeleteToday, I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and humility. While the results of this election have not gone in my favor, I accept them with respect for the democratic process that we all hold so dear.
Now, it’s time for us to unite. Appendix N can be divisive, and emotions can run high during an internet vote. But at the end of the day, we are all in this together. Now is the time for healing, for understanding, and for collaboration.
To those who voted for CAS, I extend my congratulations. I offer my support and my willingness to work together. This blog’s future is too important to be shaped by division. Let us find common ground, let us bridge the gaps that have separated us, and let us move forward with respect, with unity, and with hope.
Thank you.
As always, my independent protest vote opposing binary candidate choices has resulted in loss.
ReplyDeleteDo we think for one second Conan cares about Democracy? If he wants to be in a January blog posts he will get in either by stealth or strength of arms.
ReplyDeleteI think it would have been interesting if Klarkash-Ton had tried his hand at a Conan (or, even more so, Kull) story.
ReplyDelete