Castle Amber--TWO sequels?

[Darth Krzysztof]

In Dungeon #116's 30 Greatest Adventure list, John Rateliff mentions that X2 Castle Amber has spawned "not one, but two sequels."

I know about Mark of Amber. What's the other one?

Yours,
Darth Krzysztof
"Anyway, there's no point in reading comics. They're stupid. They treat the kid as if they were--well, you know--kids." -Rik, The Young Ones

[Greg A. Vaughan]

THANK YOU!!! Being one of my all time favorite adventures, I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what the other sequel was. Best I could come up with was the Glantri boxed set since the d'Ambrevilles figured so heavily into that country's background. (A d'Ambreville is also featured in Return to the Keep on the Border Lands, but that could hardly be considered a sequel to X2.) It never occurred to me to just post the question here on the boards. Thank you, sith lord, for imparting your wisdom to we humble paduwans.

So what do you say Mr. Rateliff (or Mr. Mona or Mr. Jacobs if John Rateliff doesn't peruse these boards), what is this elusive second sequel to Castle Amber that you speak of?

[Matthew Morris]

Maybe they mean Night Howlers?

[Greg A. Vaughan]

Matthew Morris wrote:

Maybe they mean Night Howlers?

I am unfamiliar with that title. Can you elucidate?

Thanks. :-)

[Erik Mona]

I believe Rateliff is referring to "The Gates of Firestorm Peak," since that adventure draws from the creatures in Castle Amber to create the "Far Realm" that has been a thread through most of Bruce R. Cordell's design work since joining TSR.

I think this is more of a "thematic" sequel, but that's my best guess. The truth is that I didn't have time to confirm with the good Dr. Rateliff, who most certainly knows his D&D history.

I'll see if I can get confirmation of that. It seemed so natural and correct when I was editing it, but now that you bring it up, I'm curious to know for sure.

--Erik

[Greg A. Vaughan]

Ah, at last, there you are. Now that you mention it I do recall seeing the neh-thalggu (aka brain collector) in Firestorm Peak; one of my favorite monsters from X2 (along with the Colossus and the death demon). Of course, I seem recall there being magen in Return to the Tomb of Horrors - another masterpiece by Mr. Cordell.

If you do talk to Dr. Rateliff, let us know what he says. I love the d'Ambreville stuff.

Could it be Night Howlers as mentioned by Mr. Morris above? That's a title I don't own and don't recall having seen. It sounds like a lycanthropic theme which definitley ran through the later references to the family in Glantri, etc.

[Matthew Morris]

Sorry I was away, 'tis the season to be busy.

Anyway, Night Howlers was part of the monsters as races series from OD&D. There is a section of Glantri detailed in it where the Werewolf from Sylair is detailed along with a couple of d'Ambervilles.

Amusing aside: I ran a modified Castle Amber for a party, when they got to Sylair, they met the werewolf and he came up with an elaborate 'I'm the wronged party' argument that the party fell for.

Serious Aside. Does anyone know if the CAS stories have fallen into public domain?

[derek_cleric]

Matthew Morris wrote:

Serious Aside. Does anyone know if the CAS stories have fallen into public domain?

That depends on the publication date. If it is 1921 or before then it is.

--Ray.

[Andrew]

All of Clark Ashton Smith's short stories are public domain and can be found at:

http://www.eldritchdark.com/wri/short/

--Andrew

[Dagobert]

*bump*

I've been watching this thread, hoping for confirmation. So far we have "Mark of Amber" and "The Gates of Firestorm Peak" as candidates for the two sequels to X2 Castle Amber.

A +20 circumstance bonus on your next skill check for positive confirmation and a thank you from me.

Dagobert

[Stebehil]

I don´t know what else could count as a sequel, but products elaborating the background include "The Principalities of Glantri" gazetteer and "Glantri - Kingdom of Magic" box .
The "Night Howlers" elaborate on the werewolves based in Glantri as well.
I don´t know anything about The Gates of Firestorm Peak , I have to admit. I don´t recall having seen it at all. And I missed the reference to X 2 having two sequels completely... (shame on me).

Stefan

[Snorter]

Andrew wrote:

All of Clark Ashton Smith's short stories are public domain and can be found at:

http://www.eldritchdark.com/wri/short/

--Andrew

WWWOOOOOHHHH-----HOOOOOOHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clark Ashton Smith knocks HPL for six!

I ran Castle Amber 25 years ago, as a nipper, not realising the source material, but picked up a copy of Lost Worlds Vol 1, at the same time, and having the weird sensation of reading "The Beast of Averoigne" with creepy deja vu.

The Averoigne/Zothique/Atlantis/Hyperborea/Xiccarph stories had a mood that I desperately wanted to evoke, but probably failed to do.

I'm not sure if the Freeport writers are fans of CAS, considering the number of serpent-men we tripped over...

[grodog]

FWIW, the legal status of CAS' writings is relatively complex: they're not necessarily public domain.

X2 remains another of my favorite adventures, so I'm definitely interested in what the other sequel was, too.