Quote from: DavetheLost;963570My players have never read a word of Moorcock. If they did most of them would want to play Melniboneans and set out to debauch their way across the Young Kingdoms. Tourture, murder, rape and depravity is not really a game I want to run.

As for D&D, I don't think it really suits Elric, in any of its 11 versions. The mechanical assumptions are just different to the mechanical assumptions of the Elric stories in too many ways.

The adult/counter-culture aspects of Moorecock's writings are apparent enough, but I don't really think that is the major drive of most Stormbringer games I've played. The main distinction I've found is tragedy, in the classic sense of the character's own flaws fating them to some sort of doom. So, they may act in a heroic fashion, but their interactions with the world tend to lead to decline and destruction.

With regards to D&D, we do actually have a Character Class that is basically inspired by Elric - The Warlock. And while the Class does improve in power levels as with any other, it also leaves scope for moral dilemma throughout the progression. This is how you can integrate Moorecockian ideas into the game already. With a setting overlay, it is possible to get it right.

Unfortunately, one point you raise does hit the nail on the head: Moorecock and Elric just isn't that well known these days anymore, unless you are at least 40+ years old. He doesn't seemed to be that interested in returning to fantasy writing any time soon either and there isn't much really in mainstream book stores to bring new markets in. If there ever gets a movie release for Elric in the future (which could be spectacular) then maybe something would click then.

The fault lies not in Mike's stories but in my players.

Warlock must be one of those new fangled D&D classes. I haven't read 5e.

Of course there is also the question of which Elric? The earlier stories are quite different to the later ones, and that is leaving aside the rest of the Eternal Champion cycle.

Quote from: TrippyHippy;963577Unfortunately, one point you raise does hit the nail on the head: Moorecock and Elric just isn't that well known these days anymore, unless you are at least 40+ years old. He doesn't seemed to be that interested in returning tom fantasy writing any time soon either and there isn't much really in mainstream book stores to bring new markets in. If there ever gets a movie release for Elric in the future (which could be spectacular) then maybe something would click then.

He's 77 and has had parts of his body amputated. Despite that he has had writing out in the last few years. I rather enjoyed the most recent trilogy (The Dreamthief's Daughter, The Skrayling Tree, and White Wolf's Son) and how it ties into the Third Ether Trilogy via the Graphic Novels/Comics he did with Walt Simonson. The incarnation of Ulrich von Bek was kind of neat as well, especially the explanation of the von Bek lineage with regards to the occurance of Silverskins. He never stopped writing fantasy. Even if he isn't a recognized figure for many people these days, his impact on the Sci/Fi Fantasy community is undeniable. He may not be the one who coined the term Multiverse, but he is the reason people even use that word. He weaves a tapestry with his works, each book connecting with others. The same character may appear in multiple incarnations because there's no guarantee you are in the same one. I don't imagine he'll be writing much, but he has provided more than enough content for several game universes.

@Pundit, regarding your OP. Yes, I think Elric should have a proper D&D/OSR Treatment. I'm a huge fanboy. I've had many conversation with The Man and have a copy of Mother London he sent me off his own bookshelf. I've known him for almost two decades. Back on the Miscellany he did lament giving the licence to Chaosium instead of D&D, but I won't get into that drama because it was long and tedious. Suffice it to say, at least Mongoose paid royalties. But yeah I would love to see a proper D&D/OSR thing for Elric. Just so you know, if this is something you are planning to attempt, I will throw money at it.

Dragon Lords of Melnibone was not good. It had it's uses but really it was not good. The Mythos section in Deities and Demigods is still my go to source for that. I liked the Mongoose games. For someone who doesn't play BRP, I sure have a lot of books for it. But I bought them for the fluff, including the Hawkmoon books.

As for a setting, that could be interesting. If you are just doing Elric, then it's probably best to stick to the first six books, as well as Fortress of the Pearl and Revenge of the Rose. Of course with the latter, you'd have to consider the content of the Michael Moorcock's Multiverse since that publication does have the resolution between Rose von Bek and Paul "Gaynor the Damned" von Minct, and a very satisfying one at that. That way you can more or less set things in The Young Kingdoms. The most recent trilogy takes place on Earth because that is the location Elric went during his 1000 year dream.

Quote from: Krimson;963600Even if he isn't a recognized figure for many people these days, his impact on the Sci/Fi Fantasy community is undeniable.

I'm not denying that, but it's hard to get a modern market to justify the expense of a licence is all. Apparently there was some talks going ahead between Chaosium and Moorecock last year, but I'm not sure what came of them. Moorecock was kinda the king of dark fantasy in the 70s. Nowadays, he's a guy known by those select few of good taste.

Quote from: TrippyHippy;963636I'm not denying that, but it's hard to get a modern market to justify the expense of a licence is all. Apparently there was some talks going ahead between Chaosium and Moorecock last year, but I'm not sure what came of them. Moorecock was kinda the king of dark fantasy in the 70s. Nowadays, he's a guy known by those select few of good taste.

Considering how many years Mike had to fight to get them to cease and desist using his IP, I couldn't see why he'd even want to deal with them ever again.

These days you're better off going for a Witcher adaptation, and then use the copy to backdoor an adaptation to the original Elric.

Quote from: Krimson;963665Considering how many years Mike had to fight to get them to cease and desist using his IP, I couldn't see why he'd even want to deal with them ever again.

There argument would be, presumably, that Chaosium is under new management.

Quote from: TrippyHippy;963577Unfortunately, one point you raise does hit the nail on the head: Moorecock and Elric just isn't that well known these days anymore, unless you are at least 40+ years old. He doesn't seemed to be that interested in returning to fantasy writing any time soon either and there isn't much really in mainstream book stores to bring new markets in. If there ever gets a movie release for Elric in the future (which could be spectacular) then maybe something would click then.

Sadly, this is mostly true for quite a few of my favorite authors, not just Moorcock. Few of the younger crowd nowadays have read Zelazny's Amber, Leiber's Lankhmar (although the new Savage Worlds RPG version may inspire some to try it), Howard's Conan (again, new board games and RPG may inspire a peek), Burroughs' Barsoom (ditto), and the list goes on. The classics from the genre which were commonplace in the 1970's have become obscure in the 2010's and instead have been replaced by Game of Thrones and Robert Jordan and other newer entries into the field. Heck, Terry Brooks has significantly more books on the shelf at B&N than any of the classic authors I listed earlier. I tried for years to get my son to try an Elric book, knowing that he would love it once he tried it, but he is 25 now and I'm doubting that it will ever happen.

And yet the Lankhmar KS was a success. That might be because not a few 40+ people have money to spare, but I doubt it's only that;).

Oh, and please send my congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Moorcock:D!

Quote from: TrippyHippy;962782There was the Dragon Lords of Melnibone made for D20 way back, by Chaosium. This was their attempt at doing Stormbringer for D&D.

It wasn't very good, so nobody remembers it.

Oh damn, you're right! I OWNED that book and I completely forgot about it! I might even still have it in my huge library somewhere. Crazy.

Quote from: RPGPundit;964199Oh damn, you're right! I OWNED that book and I completely forgot about it! I might even still have it in my huge library somewhere. Crazy.

I have two copies.

Anyone have a suggested reading list for those of us 40+ year-olds who never read any Elric stories?

Unless it's just more post-modernist navel-gazing, then I'll just re-read some more Howard/Burroughs. 😀

Quote from: AaronBrown99;964204Anyone have a suggested reading list for those of us 40+ year-olds who never read any Elric stories?

Unless it's just more post-modernist navel-gazing, then I'll just re-read some more Howard/Burroughs.

Read Elric of Melnibone and Stormbringer. Those two were written first and originally standalone.

What Krimson said.

His novel Glorianna is a great fantasy novel but not really adventure-based, probably of more interest to those into modern novels.

Quote from: Voros;964258What Krimson said.

His novel Glorianna is a great fantasy novel but not really adventure-based, probably of more interest to those into modern novels.

I will say it has great imagery for adventures though. Great characters. Duels. Spying. If I remember correctly one can travel the entire palace without being seen...All around great ideas for mining.

H:0)