Did you get into fantasy via folklore, novels, role-playing games, another source, or some combination thereof? I would say my inspiration for fantasy was multi-fold, namely Dungeons and Dragons, J.R.R. Tolkien's works, and the sword-and-sorcery/fantasy movies of the 1980s (especially Conan the Barbarian, The Neverending Story, Legend, The Princess Bride, Excalibur, Clash of the Titans, Willow, and others). I became an avid reader of Medieval folklore and history, and an avid player of Medieval fantasy RPGs. My tastes have expanded beyond the Medieval, but my draw to fantasy has never changed.

I've loved spooky stories since I was a kid. My early memory is a bit hazy, but as a very young tot, I loved David the Gnome, Herself the Elf, Moondreamers, etc. That grew into a love of most fantasy. When I learned to read, I tore through RL Stine, Alvin Schwartz, and various fantasy writers. I didn't play D&D until my 30s, but now I occasionally run games and make battlemaps for a podcast and local brewpub!

Posted by NehimaI've loved spooky stories since I was a kid. My early memory is a bit hazy, but as a very young tot, I loved David the Gnome, Herself the Elf, Moondreamers, etc. That grew into a love of most fantasy. When I learned to read, I tore through RL Stine, Alvin Schwartz, and various fantasy writers.I didn't play D&D until my 30s, but now I occasionally run games and make battlemaps for a podcast and local brewpub!

Nice! I was into make-believe as a kid, but I don't think my imagination really exploded until my early teens, when I was introduced to Lord of the Rings and D&D. I did read some fantasy novels, but I was always rather picky for some reason. I enjoyed the epics that explored whole cultures and nations over fairy stories. I think that's why I've always gravitated towards world-building. Do you make battle maps for D&D in particular, or is it just a general hobby? I've always enjoyed that aspect of role-playing, too, especially those that introduce terrain for strategy.

I've more or less always loved fantasy stuff, medieval stories, vikings, dragons, lore, knights and wizards etc. Me and my older brother got into Dungeons & Dragons (or the local Swedish version) when I was seven and was sucked in for life after that 😄

Posted by ElrondI've more or less always loved fantasy stuff, medieval stories, vikings, dragons, lore, knights and wizards etc. Me and my older brother got into Dungeons & Dragons (or the local Swedish version) when I was seven and was sucked in for life after that 😄

I definitely know about being sucked into the RPG world! I was 14 and I was in school lunch and some friends started playing RPGs like Marvel Super Heroes, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles RPG, and then someone broke out AD&D (this was back with FIRST edition) and I was completely hooked after that. I played many systems after that (RIFTS, Warhammer Fantasy, Call of Cthulhu, Morrow Project, etc.), but I haven't been in a large group in about 12 years, though I have recently played some hexcrawls with one of my old RPG friends and my sister also joined in. Despite the many genres I've played, I've always had a soft spot for fantasy. I must admit, though, I'm VERY picky with the literature I read. haha

My late father got me into fantasy when I was a young girl.