Iorthbound is a blog focusing on the fantasy world of Iorth, a setting for fictional works and for role-playing games. This realm has had many names and incarnations over the years, but always at its heart is the wonder and adventure typical of the genre.

For those initiated in the tropes of much fantasy fiction and games, Iorth draws on a lot of sources, which are discussed in detail below. I intend for it to be a blend of high fantasy, sword & sorcery, and humor since it’s ultimately meant to engage and entertain. Information about the setting will be provided.

The world of Iorth is intended to be a homage and parody of the fantasy genre, especially those works of the genre which have inspired me greatly. The most influential of these works include:

• The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Chronicles of Prydain, by Lloyd Alexander
• The Myth Adventures series by Robert Asprin
• The Thieves’ World anthology series edited by Asprin and Lynn Abbey
• The Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser works by Fritz Leiber
• The Conan the Barbarian works by R.E. Howard
• The works of Shakespeare
• The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer
• Various world mythologies, notably Norse, Greek, Finnish, and Celtic
• The Masters of the Universe, Crystar, and Thundercats toy lines
• The Zork series of computer adventure games
• The Ultima series of CPRGs by Richard Garriott, as well as its spiritual successor, Shroud of the Avatar
• The early Might & Magic series CRPGs by Jon Van Caneghem
• The Record of Lodoss War anime
• And, of course, the Dungeons & Dragons RPG by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and its multiple iterations:
  • The game itself (especially the BECMI version)
  • The toy line & cartoon
  • The Gold Box CRPG games, especially Pool of Radiance
  • The Baldur’s Gate series of CRPGs
  • The Icewind Dale trilogy by R.A. Salvatore
  • The Dragonlance Chronicles and Legends trilogies by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
  • The Gord the Rogue books by E. Gary Gygax

As such, numerous little references are scattered throughout the work, which may or may not be immediately evident in some items or aspects of the setting and its material.

However, I do want to note that, for the purpose of clarity for the audience, there are a number of comparisons between fictional elements of the setting and real life elements of this existence. However, I would strongly urge you not to mistake comparison with equivalence. While the Common language used in Iorth can be likened to the English language, it is not the English language—the English used is just the translation from the Common language of Iorth, which I will not disclose here. And along those lines, though humans in Iorth from certain regions may appear like those of certain cultures found on Iorth, they are not just copies of those cultures—the reference is a quick-and-dirty mental analogue for audience comprehension rather than an accurate accord of the Iorthly culture.

In addition, some elements are not meant to be statements on Earth and Earth cultures and Earthly issues, but are meant to discuss tropes common to fantasy settings and games in particular. Though those games may comment on issues present in the real world, this one generally does not (for the most part, with a few convoluted exceptions).

To slightly modify the opening lyrics of Mystery Science Theater 3000:

If you're wondering how they eat and breathe
And other science facts,
Just repeat to yourself "It's just a game,
I should really just relax…"

So, seriously, just chill. It’s a bunch of made-up stuff and jokes thrown together and using a sort-of-game-like skeleton to barely prop it all up.

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