Dragonlance...

[juldea]

I have such a freaking addictive personality. Now that I've restarted reading the Dragonlance books, I MUST READ THEM ALL. Even the 50 or so that have been published since I stopped collecting them. Faugh. At least I don't plan on buying all of those... just borrowing them from the library or something.

But why do I even have this urge? The series is total cheese! Most of the books are crap! I won't gain any respect for reading the entire series; I might even lose it from a few people!

I do this obsessive thing... Before the Dragonlance revival it was Wicked, and it's been Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Joss Whedon shows, Dashboard Confessional, A Song of Ice and Fire, Radiohead, MST3k - books, movies, TV, music, you name it. I get a glimmer of like for something and I dive head-first into the sea of fandom. I even collected the original Pokemon cartoon on tape for a while (I still have a few taking up space in boxes - should do something about them.)

It all started with the Babysitter's Club. I blame Ann Martin!!

Comments

[juldea.livejournal.com]

50 isn't an underestimate if you note that I said "50 or so since I last stopped collecting." The box under my bed isn't a small box, and it's ALL Dragonlance. :) I have many of those trilogies you mention...

And yes, from the perspective of me at 12 years old, they were great! But have you read them now? Most of the characters don't even have TWO dimensions, much less three. :)

[juldea.livejournal.com]

In regards to that last bit, because londo and I were discussing it the other day:

londo: Tanis is made up of angst and valor. That's it.
me: Just like Sturm!
londo: No, Sturm is just made up of angsty valor. Not quite the same thing.

I found it amusing. :)

[crimson5.livejournal.com]

When I graduated high school, or shortly after, I sold ALL of my Dlance books to a book buyer. Was kinda sad when I did it, but I needed the cash/space, dont remember which. I've tried the occasional book or two if they looked specifically interesting. The only 2 series I really bought were the War of the Graygem, and War of Souls trilogy. Without spoiling, those books kinda gave me complete closure on the entire series. Not saying I thought the endings were great and all that, just that they completely finished the stories, ended all remaining interesting threads etc etc. I just have no interest in even looking at the new books.

As for Tanis. He was definately courageous. However, Valor is the wrong description of his bravery. I can't think of a better way or word to describe it though. Then again, my definitons and concepts of valor have been permenantly defined/(scarred?) by the Ultima games. (Computer, Richard Garriot, RPG) As I write this, I'm thinking the closest Ultima virtue would be Honor. Although he frequently failed in it. But don't hold me to that, it's been YEARS since I read that trilogy.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Well, I have no clue what your Ultima definitions are, so I can't really help there. :)

[crimson5.livejournal.com]

You never played ULTIMA??????!!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?

You my lady, have been deprived of one of the BEST RPG series to ever hit the market. I think at least half of the Ultima's redifined RPG's in terms of gameplay, graphics and music when released. IF you somehow end up trying to play them, I would recommend 5,6,7. The first 3 are irrelevant to the overall storyline, 8 was ok, but not so great I would recommend it. 9 just finishes the series, if you can find the required patches. (God they messed that release up) In addition to just being one of the better rpg games out there, Garriot placed a morality engine into his games. Without religion. Instead of using a religion backbone for morals, he created a system based on virtues. In addition, he examines some of the basic concepts of morality thru this system. Some of the in-game puzzles require you to actually understand his philosopy, at least well enough to solve the puzzle. For instance, finding the most humble person, in a city devoted to humility. Enough rambling I guess, just consider them to be decent primers on what a moral system should be based on, even if you disagree with his particular creation.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Hon, don't you remember that I'm not much of a gamer? I haven't played a LOT of things...

Although I do remember watching my brother play some Ultima game that happened in an underground maze or something. Lots of stone and lava. Hmm.