Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Random Tolkien Thought

I am reading a history of the Northern Crusades against the Baltic pagan tribes in the 12th through 15th centuries and I was interested to discover that the Wends, a Slavic tribe that lived in what is now eastern Germany, worshiped a forest god named Radigost.

Now considering J.R.R. Tolkien had more than a passing interest in the Baltic region, especially the Finns and Finnish language and literature, I wonder if Radigost is the source for the wizard Radagast the Brown?  After all Tolkien was not above stealing names wholesale from medieval literature.  Gandalf and all the dwarves' names from The Hobbit can be found in the Icelandic Prose Edda.  And  Radigost was a forest god it makes and Radagast was a wizard who lived in Mirkwood, so there is that similarity.

I can't prove any of it, but it makes sense to me.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Gaming Quotes IV

Last night my gaming group started a new campaign.  This time we are playing Pathfinder.  Here are a few choice quotes from the evening.

Val (introducing her half-orc barbarian character): "Don't make me angry.  You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
Me: "She turns into a scientist."

Eric: "It may only be an inch long but it's as thick as a tuna can."

Val: "We should go find the man with no arms and no legs."
Me: "His name is Matt."

Candice (The GM, as an NPC looking down at the severely hungover player characters): "I see you have been enjoying the local moonshine.
Ashley: "The Old Chaotic Neutral!"