Literary Inspirations

My view of magic is shaped primarily by all of these sources in some fashion:

(1) Tolkein and his heirs, and the gaming phenomenon that is so based on that. The Gandalf/Sauron/Rings thing was extremely influential. This can- much to my embarrassment can be seen by the derivative nature of the major plot in my world - the Lich. Fire Mountain=Mt. Doom, Lich=Sauron, the Nazgul, etc., etc. I was young as a GM. But hey, it is a classic theme!

(2) Riddle-Master of Hed series

(3) The White Gold Wielder series and _The Mirror of her Dreams_ series by Donaldson. This was a very strong influence.

(4) The Sword of Truth series (Confessors, Rules of Wizardry, Dream Walking)

(5) _Amber_ by Zelazny

(6) _The EarthSea_ books by LeGuin - delicious!

(7) The Lost Prince and _King Chondos' Ride_ a Gathering of Heroes by Paul Edwin Zimmer

(8) _Song of Ice and Fire_ series by Martin

(9) Anne Rice's Vampire novels and their description of the supernatural

(10) The Jhereg books by Steven Brust and their descriptions of sorcery, witchcraft, and items...

(11) Morcock's Eternal Champion series- though primitive- cannot be forgotten as a source for so much of our thinking.

(12) Let us not forget the stunning books by Katherine Kurtz set in the Deryni universe

(13) Fred Saberhagen's Swords of Power series.

(14) Charles de Lint's books on other places always intrigued and riveted me with his beautiful writing.

(15) Dune- though not fantasy- influenced some of the magic, prophecy, abilities, and cultures of my world.

(16) _Stranger in a Strange Land_ by Heinlein actually shaped me in the same way.

(17) A set of novels about Demons called "The Horse Clans " or something- that I got from JIM???

(18) Heidegger, Hegel, Nietzsche Ken Wilbur, and Camus all influenced...

(19) And, of course, The Wheel of Time series by Jordan. One of Tolkein's best copiers!!!!! Brilliant BRILLIANT magic system! BRILLIANT MAGIC ARTIFACTS, CULTURES MYTHOS MONSTERS EVERYTHING!! So influential!