Author Topic: Authors to recommend or avoid? (Read 6439 times)

Jack · « **Reply #15 on:** December 21, 2013, 05:35:12 pm »

Quote from: Materialist;133248

I have stopped reading books on neo-paganism entirely, and do my own research, though I have looked at Mr. Kaldera and Ms. Krasskova, just to see what they're like. The former's Rokkatru, and all the descriptions of the wights, came across to me as a Forgotten Realms rip off, very fantasy novel stuff. The latter, as others have mentioned, is a real fundamentalist type, got a "one true way" attitude going.

I'm curious which of Kaldera's descriptions came off as Forgotten Realms to you? I mean, it's been ages and I was always more of a Dragonlance guy but nothing jumped out at me.

Riothamus12 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 21, 2013, 07:21:23 pm »

Quote from: Materialist;133248

Anything with the word "celtic" in the title

I would not say avoid, but rather, be really freaking careful. There are some some good authors out there, but they are not immune to mistakes either. Just avoid Iolo Morganwg.

Materialist · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2013, 09:03:31 pm »

Quote from: Jack;133302

I'm curious which of Kaldera's descriptions came off as Forgotten Realms to you? I mean, it's been ages and I was always more of a Dragonlance guy but nothing jumped out at me.

It's from the "Alfar: Dancing Light and Singing Dark" page on the Northern Shamanism website. Ancient dispute over what constitutes appropriate magic led to dark elf race forming recalls the Ilithiiri and Drow, the former particularly known for engaging in nasty stuff. Then there was the mention about elves being inherently magical, which also applies to Forgotten Realms. And later on talk about people of elven descent, which also happens in the novels.

Jack · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2013, 04:28:15 am »

Quote from: Materialist;133340

It's from the "Alfar: Dancing Light and Singing Dark" page on the Northern Shamanism website. Ancient dispute over what constitutes appropriate magic led to dark elf race forming recalls the Ilithiiri and Drow, the former particularly known for engaging in nasty stuff. Then there was the mention about elves being inherently magical, which also applies to Forgotten Realms. And later on talk about people of elven descent, which also happens in the novels.

Elves being magical strikes me as about as controversial as saying that fae are magical, especially as they are sometimes associated? And there are plenty of people IRL who talk about having fae or elf blood in their lineage, so I don't think either of those are particularly Forgotten Realm-specific. In fact, Kaldera says as much in the article.

As for the reason they're split, I don't think there's much said about that in the lore. I think it's a fairly common theme in myth and history, but I can't point to any basis for assuming the case for alfar and dokkalfar.

Materialist · « **Reply #19 on:** December 23, 2013, 12:39:22 pm »

Quote from: Jack;133539

And there are plenty of people IRL who talk about having fae or elf blood in their lineage, so I don't think either of those are particularly Forgotten Realm-specific.

Which begs the question, what came first? Forgotten Realms or people who believe they're of elven descent? It started somewhere.

Jack · « **Reply #20 on:** December 23, 2013, 01:37:58 pm »

Quote from: Materialist;133741

Which begs the question, what came first? Forgotten Realms or people who believe they're of elven descent? It started somewhere.

Welp, Þorsteins saga refers to the royal line of Alfheimr (an actual place) as telling people they are descended from elves so... gonna have to go with "people who believe they're of elven descent".