Applied Mythology

Myth III: The Wolf Age makes use of both the epics and Tolkien. The designers give a direct nod to the epics by naming the creator of the world Wyrd. The main character, Connacht the Wolf, is Beowulf-like. Terse and cryptic of speech but bloody of deed, he begins with a motley crew of barbarians battling the Orc-like, night-stalking Myrkridians. Archers, knights and guardsmen of the city of Llancarfan resemble the troops of Charlemagne while the inhabitants of Gower could have made up the local levy from any medieval town. Weaponry and clothes for human troops seem lifted straight from the epics.

However, most of the story line is Tolkinesque. The evil that threatens the world begins the struggle that continues two ages later. The dire situation depicted sets the stage for the hard-won victories of the Forces of Light, chronicled in Myth: Fallen Lords and Myth II: Soulblighter. Connacht is more than he seems as he aligns his rag-tag outfit with the better-equipped human troops and the demolition-dealing dwarves. His gathering of allies is reminiscent of Gandalf's alliances.

Enemies are cut from the same cloth as Sauron. The Evil One has been beaten before but is never down for the count. A host of inhuman foes include Ohgres, Wights and Lyches. The tactics used combine the woodland skirmishes of Aragorn and set-piece battles like Helm's Deep. Magic items can be found and used.

Myth III's story is original in most senses and plagiarizes nothing in its play and story. After all, the game is a series of tactical exercises linked by the storyline. However, modern games may seem richer if we recognize and acknowledge their literary forebears. With such knowledge, we can then improve the genre.

Sources

Medieval Epics, William Alfred, et. al. Eds, The Modern Library, 1963

Tolkien, J.R.R., The Lord of the Rings, Houghton Mifflin, 1994

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