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vorpalanvil
Seeker
USA
90 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
 Posted - 30 May 2013 : 19:06:10
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| I read his Dying Earth books for the first time a year or two ago -- my interest was due, in no small part, to wanting to see for myself what the Vancian magical system was. |
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2013 : 19:48:14
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| Jack Vance was one of the greats. I especially recommend THE DYING EARTH (for fantasy) and the DEMON PRINCES series (for SF.) But you're unlikely to go wrong reading any of his books. |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3286 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2013 : 01:31:19
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| RIP |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2013 : 09:17:37
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Vance is my favorite writer in fantasy, or at least top 3. I also recommend what Richard Lee Byers said, tough if you're a fan of the Realms, Lyonesse is the most similar setting.
We also have demodands, grues, Vecna, and Ioun stones from Vance. |
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Xar Zarath
Senior Scribe
Malaysia
552 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2013 : 05:53:56
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I have not read the Dying Earth series *yet* but I plan on starting if only to get a feel of what the actual Vancian system of magic really is.
IIRC, the Vancian system in his Dying Earth series is markedly different from DND in terms of number of spells and the whole 8 hour rest period. Apparently the wizards of Dying Earth can simply rememorize the same spell over and over without needing to rest. |
Everything ends where it begins. Period.
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vorpalanvil
Seeker
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2013 : 06:57:23
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| The whole 8 hour thing came along in 3rd ed. 2ed requires a set amount of minutes per spell level if you use some of the later optional books like the Player's Option series or Pages from the Mages. Also the ability to cast a large number of spells is limited in Cudgel's world to nearly immortal and invincible ancient wizards, but rarely do novels exactly reflect what happens in a game. |
"I'm a busy man! I got places to go, monsters to kill!" attributed to 1st level bard |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2013 : 12:51:08
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Vance’s style is lyrical, and he describes his world like only a pro can, but . . . Well, let me stick to ellipsis this time. It’s bad manners to say something not so good about the work of someone who’s just passed away . . .
May he rest in peace. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Jack Vance
