Or maybe forward to a remote future? Whichever, it's a time where prehistoric humans do battle with monsters--both known to history and unknown--and with incursion of aliens or ultraterrestrials, part Kirby and part von Däniken. The actions of the aliens create sores in the skin of reality where the normal laws are warped and disrupted.
Some humans have benefited (or so they believe) from alien technology and even interbreeding. They view themselves as superior to the others and hunt them for slaves--or worse. But humans have allies, too: the gregarious Small-Folk (Halflings, pakuni, homo florensis), the hardy and aloof Stone Folk (dwarves, T'lan Imass, Neanderthals). And then there are the spirits, made stronger since the aliens rent holes in reality, with whom the shamans intercede through the use of sacred, hallucinogenic technologies--their "passkeys" into the operating system of the universe.
Inspirations:
Comics: Devil Dinosaur, Tor, Tragg and the Sky-Gods, Henga (Yor), Turok, anything New Gods by Kirby or Morrison (for the "magic as technology" aspect).
Fiction: Karl Edward Wagner's Kane stories (mainly the implied pseudo-scientific background), Manly Wade Wellman's Hok, Roadside Picnic (the portrayal of zones and alien artifacts)
"Nonfiction": alien abduction stuff and forteana, "forbidden history" stuff, Chariots of the Gods.
Really like where you're going with this idea!
ReplyDeleteThis very much should happen!
ReplyDeleteI second that - definitely should happen!
ReplyDeletePlease explain how Wagner's Kane fits into this Stone Age setting? I understand the "mainly the implied pseudo-scientific background," but don't see it otherwise. Night Winds slightly fits, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteFun Bonus Fact: Only one Kane story ever was done as an audiobook: Night Winds.
Fun Bonus Fact Two: That audio book's reader? Roger Zelazny.
Fun Bonus Fact Three: You can get that audio book through Inter-Library Loan in the USA.
@Jay and Chris - Well, there will at least be some more posts in the future.
ReplyDelete@Jay - It isn't Stone Age, no. It does have have an antediluvian parade of alien species and an alien god that "creates" mankind. These aliens use technology that blurs the line between technology and magic. Human civilization rises (at least in Carsultyal) on the backs of alien knowledge (like the humans who "have benefited..." I mentioned above). The stories and novels that touch most on this background are Bloodstone, "The Gothic Touch," "In the Wake of Night," and a bit of "Two Suns Setting."
Three stories from the collection Night Winds were adapted to audio, yes: "Undertow," "Two Suns Setting," and "Sing of Last Song of Valdese." There is supposedly an audio adaptation of "Raven Eyrie" but I don't own that one.
I'd add Jack Katz' First Kingdom to that list, as well as Marvel's 2001 adaptation done by Kirby. Could be a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you for explaining the influence of KEW's Kane on this new setting. Your comment now makes sense of the post.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right: Raven's Eyrie is available as an audiobook (see the WorldCat entry here). You can get that through Inter-Library Loan in USA, and you might even get Sticks the same way.
ReplyDeleteCool, thanks--and thanks for the question. Always glad to elucidate.
ReplyDelete