Appendix O

The 28 writers listed in Appendix N: Inspirational and Educational Reading (AD&D 1e Dungeon Masters Guide, 1979) may seem a bit daunting to tackle, so I set out to compile a "core" list (with a little help from my friends, over at OD&D Discussion).

The following 13 writers are specifically mentioned, either in Chainmail, the Original D&D rulebooks, or in the article “Fantasy Wargaming and the Influence of J.R.R. Tolkien” by Gary Gygax (1974), in the quarterly wargames magazine La Vivandière

Anderson, Poul
THREE HEARTS AND THREE LIONS (1953 novella, 1961 novel)
THE BROKEN SWORD (1954)

Burroughs, Edgar Rice
Mars Series (11 volumes):
A PRINCESS OF MARS (1912) et al
Robert Abbett covers (Ballantine Books, 1963-65)
Gino D'Achille covers (Ballantine Books, 1973)

de Camp, L. Sprague & Pratt, Fletcher
"Harold Shea" Series: the original stories (1940-54)
THE CARNELIAN CUBE (Lancer Books, 1967)

Dunsany, Lord
"The Book of Wonder" (1912)
"The King of Elfland's Daughter" (1924, re-issued 1969)

Howard, Robert E.
"Conan" Series (Lancer Books, 1967-71)

Leiber, Fritz
"Fafhrd & Gray Mouser" series

Lovecraft, H.P.

Merritt, A.
THE MOON POOL (fix-up, 1919)
THE FACE IN THE ABYSS (fix-up, 1931)
DWELLERS IN THE MIRAGE (1932)
CREEP, SHADOW! (1935)

Moorcock, Michael
"Elric of Melnibone" Series
STORMBRINGER; STEALER OF SOULS

Tolkien, J.R.R.
THE HOBBIT; "Ring Trilogy"

Vance, J.
THE DYING EARTH (1950)
THE EYES OF THE OVERWORLD (1966)

Zelazny, R.
NINE PRINCES IN AMBER (1970), THE GUNS OF AVALON (1972)
JACK OF SHADOWS (1971)

Those interested in delving into the full scope and depth of Appendix N are encouraged to browse the highly engaging Appendix N Book Club podcast.


Since the above might be regarded as a predominantly Gygaxian list, it should be noted that additional sources of inspiration in Dave Arneson's Blackmoor campaign would include:

Norman, John
"Gor" Series (first 7 novels, 1966-72):
TARNSMAN OF GOR (1966)

Horror Incorporated (1969-late 70s):

Saturday, February 20, 1971:

Werewolf of London (1935) / The Black Room (1935)

see this post at Hidden in Shadows

Television Series:
Dark Shadows (1965-71)
Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-69)

Finally, Gary acknowledges the influence of both movies and comic books, in this post.  A list of the more notable films and comic books might include:

Movies:
The Wolf Man (1941)
Dracula (1958)
The Blob (1958)
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)
The Mummy (1959)
Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
It! (1967)
The Green Slime (1968)

Television Movies:
Gargoyles (1972)

Television Series:
Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974-75)
Kung Fu (1972-75)

Comic Books:
Conan the Barbarian
Doctor Strange
Eerie
The Heap (inspiration for the Shambling Mound)
Plastic Man (inspiration for the Mimic)
Sword of Sorcery