Apocalyptic Fantasy

[Krazz the Wanderer]

Are there any books that have a post/apocalyptic fantasy feel? If you know of some, what do you think of them?

I'm thinking about using this idea as the theme for my next campaign and was hoping there is something out there to help me with the flavor.

[Grey Lensman]

Game books or novels?

Game-wise, all I know of is the old Dark Sun line for fantasy stuff. You can also draw some stuff from Palladium's Rifts line, especially Wormwood. just don't forget to modify the tech stuff.

Novel-wise? I don't know of much that is fantasy based, but if you are mainly looking to capture a "feel" you don't need to limit yourself to a genre.

Now what is the cause of your apocalypse?

War?

Famine and Disease?

World-wide Natural Disaster?

[joela]

Krazz the Wanderer wrote:

Are there any books that have a post/apocalyptic fantasy feel?

Desolation

[Paul McCarthy]

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. Although set in relatively modern day, this is one of the greatest apocalyptic fantasy books ever written. Spawned the whole zombie/vampire disease phenomenon.

[Velcro Zipper]

Damnation Alley

One of my favorite Roger Zelazny stories. I don't know if it really qualifies as fantasy per se, but it does mention giant lizards, snakes and insects roaming the post-apocalyptic wasteland.

[Fake Healer]

I like the Battle Circle series by Piers Anthony.
It was a good read.

[Krazz the Wanderer]

I was mainly looking for novels. It looks like of the suggested novels so far, the only one still in print is "I am Legend".

I realize its not a very popular genre, so I suppose I'll read anything apocalyptic (not just fantasy) that you guys think would be beneficial to a game.

[Enevhar Aldarion]

Try looking here.

[Shifty]

I like Fantasy, I like Post-Apocalypse... Never occured to me to combine them!

[Knoq Nixoy]

Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson

[Balodek]

Dies the Fire by S. M. Stirling and the sequel books might be pretty close. They're set in the modern age but the fantasy elements start creeping in over the course of the novels.

[Krazz the Wanderer]

Well the Dark Sun books are back in print. Not exactly the flavor I was going for, but I think I'll check 'em out to get some ideas.

Also, I think I'm gonna look for Robert McCammon's "Swang Song"

[Shifty]

Well as for post Apoc movies, I would recommend the Mad Max series.
Oddly enough, you could convert these to a fantasy setting easily - ESPECIALLY #3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4TdPxOXuYw&feature=related
Now swap those cars for chariots chasing a large covered wagon across the desert with the PC's fending off the marauders etc... makes for a refreshingly different game!

Just make sure any copies you watch are the original AUSTRALIAN accents, the redubbed American stuff is rubbish.

[Velcro Zipper]

These aren't books, but Thundarr the Barbarian and The Visionaries were both cartoons based in worlds where magic had reasserted itself over technology on planets where some cataclysm had destroyed civilization. You might be able to some clips or episodes online for inspiration.

I think Damnation Alley is still available through Amazon if you're looking for a copy.

[Werthead]

A lot of epic fantasies have some sort of magical or technological apocalypse in the past. Robert Jordan's THE WHEEL OF TIME is a classic example, whilst Terry Brooks' SHANNARA series is another.

Brandon Sanderson's recent and very fine MISTBORN TRILOGY does a good job of showing the world still suffering the after-effects of such an apocalypse.

[bigfoot]

Krazz the Wanderer wrote:

Are there any books that have a post/apocalyptic fantasy feel? If you know of some, what do you think of them?

I'm thinking about using this idea as the theme for my next campaign and was hoping there is something out there to help me with the flavor.

Krazz, in response to your question about books a a post-apocalyptic "feel", yes I know of one in particular. A new novel, 2034, by author Robert Renfield is definitely post-apocalyptic. It doesn't have dragons or monsters but it does have Bigfoot, who plays a surprising role in the story, especially at the climactic end. It's got a lot of boys' adventure, action, and some intrigue (a hidden villain causing trouble). Also, considerable spiritual insights of an Easter flavor. It's available at the usual online booksellers, and more details can be found at the author's blog: http://robertrenfield.blogspot.com.

Just thought you might be interested, and possibly what you're looking for. Best wishes, Bigfoot

[Yucale]

The last Elric stories are definitely apocolyptic. They also tie with Children of Hurin for the most depressing books I've ever read. Good tone, though, for inspiration.

[Kruelaid]

Enevhar Aldarion wrote:

Try looking here.

Well, that ruins a few suggestions for me.

How about Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse

[Repairman Jack]

You might try William Hope Hodgeson's The Night Land. Its pre-cthulhu and the language is a little heavy, but it was written at the turn of the last century.

[Xpltvdeleted]

I liked King's "The Stand." Not fantasy in the traditional sense, but it does have supernatural elements to it and a definite good vs. evil feel.

[mearrin69]

There are a ton of good P-A books. One of my favorites, which might have some bearing on fantasy P-A is A Canticle for Leibowitz. I actually just did a map inspired by the book link.
M

[JoelF847]

I strongly recommend the David Gemmell Jerusalem Man books, which are actually books 3-5 of the Stones of Power series (the first 2 books are set pre-apocolapse and are more standard fanatsy and feature different characters for the most part). I think the UK version of the series is called the Sipstrassi series.

The individual books are:

Wolf in Shadow
The Last Guardian
Bloodstone

[Eric The Pipe]

I love E.E.Knight's Vampire Earth Series. It's got psionic powers, genetic manipulation and vampire like creatures, oh and squid aliens.