Role-playing games have a long and tangled ancestry. These essays explore the literary roots, folklore, mechanics, and possible influences behind tabletop and computer RPGs—from Appendix N and Vancian magic to The Witcher and Ogre Battle. Some trace direct connections; others explore parallels and shared traditions.
Start here
Clark Ashton Smith and D&D: It’s a Trap! — a focused look at a fantasy author’s place in the game’s literary lineage.
The Cost of Magic — literary magic, spell slots, and why games need explicit rules.