Daniel (@Dungeondive) continues his exploration of Michael Moorcock’s Elric Saga, covering The Weird of the White Wolf and The Vanishing Tower. These books, packed with shorter episodic stories, detail Elric’s dark journey across the Young Kingdoms with his companion, Moonglum, as he delves further into doom and chaos.
Daniel highlights the rough tonal shifts in The Weird of the White Wolf, noting the episodic nature that results from Moorcock’s early and evolving style. Notable stories include “The Dreaming City,” where Elric’s tragic return to his homeland leads to devastating consequences, and “While the Gods Laugh,” a fan-favorite adventure that combines existential dread with high fantasy adventure. Elric’s quest to uncover divine purpose or cosmic order ultimately ends in failure, adding layers to his character’s struggle.
The Vanishing Tower showcases Moorcock’s growth as a writer, presenting darker tales with titles as evocative as “A Pale Prince on a Moonlit Shore.” Daniel admires Moorcock’s ability to convey atmosphere over detailed world-building, painting a vivid, surreal setting with hints of cosmic horror. This volume explores Elric’s encounters with bizarre magic, like the grotesque “noose of flesh,” and a cursed city of beggars, which resonates with fans of dark, atmospheric games like Dark Souls.
Through these books, Elric’s existential battles, encounters with incarnations of the Eternal Champion, and brief refuge in Tanelorn enrich the saga’s overarching themes of fate, agency, and chaos. The video sets the stage for the final installments, as Daniel appreciates Moorcock’s unconventional approach to fantasy and how it influenced adventure RPG storytelling.
The Sword and Sorcery Saga: The Elric Saga, by Michael Moorcock - Part 1