Appendix M

Inspirational Media

In 1979 the last of the "Core 3" Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st Edition books was released. Desperately cobbled together by Mike Carr, from the mad scribblings of Gary Gygax, the book is a collection of advice to the Game Master on how to run a game up to Gary's high standards. There are many interesting pieces of information within the pages, some arcane and novel while others are actually useful. In the latter case, one particular section stands out, and has been evoked by designers down through the long history of RPGs; Appendix N: Inspirational Reading. This was a list of authors and books that Gygax found particularly appropriate in sparking the imagination of a GM. He encouraged GMs to read these books for inspiration in writing their *milieu* (Gygax’s preferred term for campaign setting). 

In the modern sense. When one thinks of ‘generic’ fantasy, it likely comes from either Appendix N, or works drawn from that well of fiction. 

But this page isn’t Appendix N, this is Appendix M as in Mine…or…Mash. 

As of writing, 43 years have passed since Appendix N first started guiding readers to the library and used book stores to find these oft forgotten narratives. Since that time, those readers have grown up and produced their own fictive material. Expanding beyond books; Movies, Games, TV shows all inspire modern generations of role-players. Many such works have fallen by the wayside as monolithic blockbuster franchises have come to dominate. So, while it is easy to point to the obvious inspirational material surrounding us, I would like to take the opportunity to list works and creators that have inspired me, can inspire you, or are of historical relevance to the development of popular culture. As this list progresses, I will also write articles delving into each to provide additional information, explain why I consider them worthwhile, and how you can consume this media, and where to begin your journey.

I will be avoiding listing Appendix N material here, but there are some great resources out there to learn more. I recommend the podcast, Appendix N Book Club which goes in depth on each of the books from Gygax's original list. Goodman Games also has writeups on each author and even a section devoted to the artists that illuminated the books and short stories.

Some quick notes about formatting. If media have multiple titles, I'll be listing the original title first, followed by the official English title. Japanese names will be in proper family name first format, rather than westernized. If a form of media existed in one format first, I will likely list it there rather than in another, such as a book adapted to a movie, unless the second diverges enough to be different or distinctly better. Additionally, each of these selections may provide narrative, artistic, or even design inspiration. Ways to improve your game beyond simply the milieu. When I expound on this in articles, the relevant media will be linked to those posts.

Books, Comics, and Graphic Novels

• George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire Series
• Neil Gaiman's American Gods, Anansi Boys, and The Sandman
• Miura Kentarou's Berserk
• Kui Ryoko's Dungeon Meshi (Delicious in Dungeon)
• Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo
• Togashi Yoshihiro's Hunter x Hunter
• Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
• Brian Jacques' Redwall Series
• Sakurazaka Hiroshi's All You Need is Kill
• Peter S Beagle's The Last Unicorn
• Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five
• Ursula K Le Guin's Earthsea Series

Movies and Series

• Babylon 5
• Lodoss-to Senki (Record of Lodoss War)
• Tenku no Escaflowne (Vision of Escaflowne)
• Over the Garden Wall
• The Thing (1982)
• The Filmography of Ray Harryhausen
• Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
• The Mummy (1999)
• Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
• Mad Max: Fury Road
• Brazil

Video Games

• Final Fantasy Series
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Series
• Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
• Busin ~Wizardry Alternative~ (Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land)
• Dragon Quest Series
• Monster Hunter Series
• Shadow of the Colossus
• Bloodborne, Elden Ring, and Dark Souls Series
• Eye of the Beholder Series
• Thief: The Dark Project
• Metroid Prime Series