sign in sign up
<<
Home , Conan the Destroyer, Fritz Leiber, Genre, Gor, Heroic fantasy, High fantasy

Cyclopaedia 13 – By T.R. Knight (InnRoads Ministries * Article Series)

Overview with its mix of the into the stories. The term "Sword and Sorcery" was coined by author in a letter to the You can think of J.R.R. Tolkien defining one fanzine Amra. He wanted a name for the side of heroic () and unique fantasy stories written by Robert E. Robert E. Howard defining the other (sword Howard, specifically his and Kull and sorcery). Where high fantasy is uplifting series. Moorcock and author got with reluctant heroes seeking truth, fighting into a bit of a debate on the topic leading to for right, and working alongside others in this comment by Fritz Leiber which sets the their , sword and sorcery focuses on a term solidly for years to come and is still single of action, self-motivated, defining looked at as a founding statement. their own morality, fighting against all odds in a world of gods, horrors, and the supernatural. “I feel more certain than ever that this field should be called the sword-and-sorcery story. Elements that Define This accurately describes the points of culture-level and supernatural element and Sword and Sorcery? also immediately distinguishes it from the cloak-and-sword (historical adventure) With sword and sorcery a sub- of story—and (quite incidentally) from the , how does it stand out? What cloak-and-dagger (international espionage) elements are core to a sword & sorcery story too!” (Source: Amra, July 1961) story?

Sword and Sorcery emerged and gained its  Destiny popularity in the pulp fantasy magazines of  Gods Are Real the 1930s. Specifically, published  Horror Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Cimmerian  Riddles and Kull of Atlantis stories which strongly  Romance defined and embodies the genre to this day.  Solo Hero Soon to follow were the famous Fafhrd and  Sorcery the Gray Mouser from Fritz Leiber and the  Swords first notable sword and sorcery heroine, Jirel  Stalwart Warrior from C.L. Moore.  Supernatural Evil

So what makes the sword and sorcery genre Following are sources of information unique? Up until the 1930s when Howard pertaining to Sword and Sorcery to assist started writing his stories, most heroic prospective game masters, game designers, fantasy was mythology, writers, and storytellers in knowing where swashbuckling, or tales. Sword and to start their research. sorcery was influenced by those as well as Middle Eastern tales such as Arabian Nights

Cyclopaedia 13 – Sword and Sorcery Page 1 of 4

Articles The Coming of Conan By Howard, Robert E. and de Camp, L. The Demarcation of Sword and Sorcery Sprague By McCullough V, Joseph Source: https://www.blackgate.com/the- Complete of Swords demarcation-of-sword-and-sorcery/ By Saberhagen, Fred

The Irish-American Identities of Robert E. Conan Howard and By Howard, Robert E., de Camp, L. Sprague, By Dowd, Christopher and Carter, Lin Source: New Hibernia Review, v20 n2 (2016): 15-34 Conan - comic series By Thomas, Roy and Smith, Barry A sheep in wolf's clothing? The problematic representation of women and the female Darkness Weaves body in 1980s sword and sorcery cinema By Wagner, Karl Edward By Wright, Andrea Source: Journal of Studies, v21 n4 Dark Valley destiny: The life of Robert E. (2012 12 01): 401-411 Howard By de Camp, L. Sprague

Books The Lord By Drake, David

Black God’s Kiss The Dreaming City by Moore, C.L. By Moorcock, Michael

The Blade Itself The Dying By Abercrombie, Joe By Vance, Jack

Blood and Thunder: The Life and Art of The Empire of the Necromancers Robert E. Howard By Smith, Clark Ashton By Finn, Mark Foundation Camber of Culdi By Lackey, Mercedes By Kurtz, Katherine Gods in the Darkness The Chronicles of Amber By Wagner, Karl Edward By Zelazny, Roger Imaro Chronicles of the Black Company By Saunders, Charles By Cook, Glen

Cyclopaedia 13 – Sword and Sorcery Page 2 of 4

Jared of Joiry The Tale of Satampra Zeiros By Moore, C.L. By Smith, Clark Ashton

Kill: Exile of Atlantis Tarnsman of By Howard, Robert E. By Norman, John

Knights of Dark Renown Thieves’ World By Gemmell, David By Asprin, Robert Lynn

Legend The Traveler in Black By Gemmell, David By Brunner, John

Literary Swordsmen and Sorcerers: The Two Sought Adventure Makers of Heroic Fantasy By Leiber, Fritz By de Camp, L. Sprague The Worm Ouroboros - comic series By Eddison, E.R. By Thomas, Roy

Return of Nevèrÿon Games By Delany, Samuel R. : Unchained - Computer Game The of Astounding Swordsmen & Sorcerers of By Howard, Robert E. - RPG Barbarians of Lemuria – RPG Stormbringer - Computer Game By Moorcock, Michael Conan: Hyborian Quests - Tabletop Game Conan: The Roleplaying Game - RPG The Storm Lord Dark - Computer Game By Lee, Tanith Diablo - Computer Game Elder Scrolls - Computer Game Sword and Sorceress - Computer Game By Bradley, Marion Zimmer Heavenly Sword - Computer Game Kingdom : Death - Tabletop Game Sword and Sorcery : City of Thieves - RPG By de Camp, L. Sprague Mistborn: Birthright - Computer Game Robert E. Howard’s Conan - RPG The Sword Edged Blonde Stormbringer - RPG By Bledsoe, Alex Sword & Sorcery - Tabletop Game The Savage World of Solomon Kane - RPG The Swords of Lankhmar Warriors & Warlocks - RPG By Leiber, Fritz The Witcher - Computer Game

Cyclopaedia 13 – Sword and Sorcery Page 3 of 4

Cinema Locations

Ator, the Fighting Eagle Barbarian Festival The Barbarians http://barbarianfestival.net/ The Beastmaster BeastMaster - TV Frazetta Art Museum - http://www.frazettaartmuseum.com/ The Black Cauldron Clash of the Titans Robert E. Howard Home Claymore - Anime http://crossplainstx.com/howard/museum. Conan the Adventurer - Cartoon htm Conan the Barbarian Robert E. Howard Days Conquest https://www.facebook.com/RobertEHoward Deathstalker Days/ Dragonheart The Dungeonmaster http://www.worldfantasy.org/index.php/pa Excalibur st-conventions/list-of-conventions/ Fire and Ice The Golden Voyage of Sinbad People Gor

Hawk the Slayer Robert Lynn Asprin He-Man and the - Cartoon Hercules - The Legendary Journeys – TV Historic World of Arslan - Anime Conan Kriemhild's Revenge L. Sprague de Camp Krull Elric of Melniboné Kull the Conqueror Ladyhawke Robert E. Howard Fritz Leiber Red Sonja Michael Moorcock Solomon Kane C.L. Moore The Sword and the Sorcerer Sword of the Valiant Thunder the Barbarian - Cartoon Wizards and Warriors - TV Xena - Warrior Princes - TV Yor, the Hunter from the Future

Cyclopaedia 13 – Sword and Sorcery Page 4 of 4