BOZ (Message Wall | contribs) (add review) |
BOZ (Message Wall | contribs) (→Contents: more) |
||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
==Contents== |
==Contents== |
||
The work provides information on the pantheons and constructs of the [[Egyptian mythology|Egyptian]], [[Hindu mythology|Hindu]], [[Greek mythology|Greek]], [[Celtic mythology|Celtic]], [[Norse mythology|Norse]], [[Finnish mythology|Finnish]], [[Aztec mythology|Aztec]], [[Maya mythology|Maya]], [[Chinese mythology|Chinese]], and [[Japanese mythology|Japanese]] [[mythology|mythologies]], as well as [[Robert E. Howard]]'s [[Hyborian Age|Hyborea]] and the [[Deities in the Elric series|Melnibonéan]] Mythos from [[Michael Moorcock]]'s [[Elric]] novels.<ref name="HW"/> The book was intended to adapt the various constructs for ''D&D'' gameplay, and is therefore not a general reference source regarding the underlying mythos.<ref name=acaeum>{{cite web| url = http://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/setpages/supplements.html | title = Original D&D Supplements | accessdate = 2009-01-17| publisher = The Acaeum}}</ref> |
The work provides information on the pantheons and constructs of the [[Egyptian mythology|Egyptian]], [[Hindu mythology|Hindu]], [[Greek mythology|Greek]], [[Celtic mythology|Celtic]], [[Norse mythology|Norse]], [[Finnish mythology|Finnish]], [[Aztec mythology|Aztec]], [[Maya mythology|Maya]], [[Chinese mythology|Chinese]], and [[Japanese mythology|Japanese]] [[mythology|mythologies]], as well as [[Robert E. Howard]]'s [[Hyborian Age|Hyborea]] and the [[Deities in the Elric series|Melnibonéan]] Mythos from [[Michael Moorcock]]'s [[Elric]] novels.<ref name="HW"/> The book was intended to adapt the various constructs for ''D&D'' gameplay, and is therefore not a general reference source regarding the underlying mythos.<ref name=acaeum>{{cite web| url = http://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/setpages/supplements.html | title = Original D&D Supplements | accessdate = 2009-01-17| publisher = The Acaeum}}</ref> |
||
| + | |||
| + | The supplement intends to set guidelines to enable DMs to incorporate mythologies into their own campaigns. The supplement presents the deities of various cultures of Earth and elsewhere in a form which can be easily assimilated into the existing D&D game structure.<ref name="SG"/> |
||
==Publication history== |
==Publication history== |
||
Revision as of 16:04, 12 August 2017
Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes is a supplementary rulebook for the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) fantasy role-playing game. Its product designation is TSR 2006.
Contents
The work provides information on the pantheons and constructs of the Egyptian, Hindu, Greek, Celtic, Norse, Finnish, Aztec, Maya, Chinese, and Japanese mythologies, as well as Robert E. Howard's Hyborea and the Melnibonéan Mythos from Michael Moorcock's Elric novels.[1] The book was intended to adapt the various constructs for D&D gameplay, and is therefore not a general reference source regarding the underlying mythos.[2]
The supplement intends to set guidelines to enable DMs to incorporate mythologies into their own campaigns. The supplement presents the deities of various cultures of Earth and elsewhere in a form which can be easily assimilated into the existing D&D game structure.[3]
Publication history
Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes was written by Robert Kuntz and James Ward, and published by TSR in 1976 as a seventy two page digest sized book; it was the fourth supplement to the original D&D rules.[1] The booklet was edited by Tim Kask,[4] and published by TSR, Inc. in 1976 for the original edition of D&D, and bears the designation "Supplement IV", following the first three supplements, Greyhawk, Blackmoor, and Eldritch Wizardry.[5] In later editions of the game, the Deities & Demigods sourcebook superseded this volume, building upon the gameplay structures first introduced in Gods, Demi-gods, and Heroes.
The Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes supplement was reproduced as a premium reprint on November 19, 2013, as part of a deluxe, premium reprint of the original "White Box" which features new packaging in an oaken box. Each booklet features new cover art but is otherwise a faithful reproduction of the original, including original interior art.[6]
Reception
Glen Taylor reviewed Gods, Demi-Gods and Heroes in The Space Gamer No. 9.[3]
In his 1991 book Heroic Worlds, Lawrence Schick calls this book "the least important supplement to Original D&D".[1]
David M. Ewalt, in his book Of Dice and Men, commented that "Even though Swords and Spells is numbered 'Supplement V' on its cover, it's really supplement IV that puts the final touches on Dungeons & Dragons. Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes (co-authored by TSR's Rob Kuntz and James M. Ward, a gamer and junior high teacher from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin) introduces mythology to the game and describes deities in the same manner earlier supplements described men and monsters."[7] Ewalt continues: "At its heart, Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes represents another attempt to exert control over D&D players. Kask's foreword drips with disdain for Dungeon Masters who allow their players to advance to high levels and explains that the supplement aims to correct their misguided actions".[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lawrence Schick (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games: 143. Prometheus Books. ISBN 0-87975-653-5
- ↑ "Original D&D Supplements". The Acaeum. Retrieved on 2009-01-17
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Glen Taylor (December 1976-January 1977). "Reviews". The Space Gamer (9): 26-27. Metagaming
- ↑ "Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes (1976)". Pen & Paper RPG Database. Retrieved on 2009-01-17
- ↑ "The History of TSR". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2008-10-04. Retrieved on 2005-08-20
- ↑ "Original Dungeons & Dragons RPG". Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on June 24, 2013
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 David M. Ewalt (2013). Of Dice and Men: The Story of Dungeons & Dragons and the People Who Play It: 109-110. Scribner. ISBN 978-1-4516-4052-6
External links
- Gods, Demi-gods & Heroes at the Pen & Paper RPG Database
- Original D&D Supplements at the Acaeum.com
Template:D&D topics Template:D&D books
Template:D&D-stub