Gary Gygax Q&A: part VII

[grodog]

Continued from Gary Gygax Q&A: part VI (which should be added to the Archive if one of the moderators would be so kind).

PirateCat gave approval after checking with EGG awhile ago to reopen these threads and discussions, so I'm doing so since I have a new Q that only Gary can answer

Hi Gary---

In a discussion at http://www.acaeum.com/phpBB2/viewtop...t=806&start=40 Paul Stormberg mentions that Dave Sutherland was asked by you to paint specific heraldry for the fighter on the cover of the 1e DMG. For anyone who doesn't recall the fighter's shield devices off the top of their head, go to http://www.acaeum.com/DDIndexes/SetP...Scans/DMG.html

I thought that image looked very familiar, and it is very similar to the image of the heraldry for the City of Fax in the Wild Coast, per the World of Greyhawk folio---basically it's the same, except that the DMG shield features the blue line between the red diamonds. To see the Greyhawk Fax crest, go to http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare.../heraldry.html

Relatedly, I've wondered if the other coats of arms displayed on the 1983 Greyhawk box set and the one knight's pennant are also suppposed to represent specific crests/characters/etc.? For an image, see http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/gh/gh-wogbox.htm

Thanks!

[Col_Pladoh]

Howdy Grodog and All!

The armorial bearings displayed on the fighter's shield shown on the original DMG book are those of a Gygax who fought in French service sometime in the 15th century. As I devized all of the armorial bearings for the states of the World of Greyhawk, it is likely that when I did that for Fax I unconsciously borrowed from memory.

BTW, the actual Gygax Family arms are a white goose passant on a green field with a gold star (mullet) in the dexter canton and a bison horn in base, IIRR. The goose, "ganse" in Switzer Deutsche, sounds a bit like the ending of the family name, and it is also alert to danger. The star was supposedly awarded for the bravery of some ancestor, and the bison horn likewise, for calling attention to some enemy threat.

Cheers,
Gary

[mythusmage]

Originally Posted by Col_Pladoh

...As I devized all of the armorial bearings for the states of the World of Greyhawk, it is likely that when I did that for Fax I unconsciously borrowed from memory.

Most authors merely write themselves into a story, but our Gary has to include the family.

[BOZ]

hey, nothing wrong with that, i base fictional family trees off of genealogical research i have done on my own family.

[Jupp]

hehe cool, now that you say this, there is an age old childrens song here in Switzerland called "Gi-ga-gax" that is about a goose mother walking along the road with its little children.
Too bad I never examined the whole thing more when I was in Seeberg, Switzerland where I had military service not too long ago. I am sure I would have seen at least one of those family crests with a goose on it. There are dozens of Gygax in that village

[The_Gneech]

Greetings, Col.! I hope your health is holding up!

Nevertheless, I retract my question.

-The Gneech

[T. Foster]

Hi Gary,

I've been reading the reports of your 'new' OD&D Castle Greyhawk adventures, and notice that you started the players out as 3rd level characters on the 1st dungeon level. Was this because of the toughness of the particular dungeon (i.e. level 1 of Greyhawk Castle is equivalent difficulty to level 3 elsewhere -- perhaps because the inhabitants have increased toughness/experience due to all the adventurers they've slain over the years)? Or is it a more general decision that 1st level OD&D characters are too fragile and that 'modern' players need more of an initial boost (noting that in most modern games, even something as ostensibly 'old school' as C&C, that starting characters have significantly more power than 1st level OD&D characters -- more hp, better attack rolls, WAY more spells -- typically 4 0-level and 3 1st level spells vs. 1 1st level spell for magic-users and no spells at all for clerics)? Or am I reading too much into this and the real explanation was something else entirely?

Regards,

[grodog]

Gary---

How about a general update on your current writing projects, and what books you have in the pipeline, with release dates? Christmas is coming, and I'd like some new Gygax and Kuntz under the tree!

[Andrew D. Gable]

You may have addressed this question before, Gary, but there is a discussion going on about where exactly the lich originated. I'm inclined to say the lich/phylactery was based on Sauron/Ring and others have guessed it was based on the Russian Koschei. Where did you come up with these guys? One of these sources, or somewhere else?

[Erik Mona]

Originally Posted by Col_Pladoh

Howdy Grodog and All!
BTW, the actual Gygax Family arms are a white goose passant on a green field with a gold star (mullet) in the dexter canton and a bison horn in base, IIRR.

Compare that to the device of the County of Urnst.

--Erik Mona
Editor-in-Chief
Dragon & Dungeon

[dead]

Hi Gazza,

After you left TSR, the company released some atrocious Greyhawk material (for example, WG7 Castle Greyhak). Was this a coincidence or a retalitory attack against you?

Also, after you left TSR, you finished the Gord the Rogue books. At the end of the cycle, Oerth bites the bullet. Was this your way of saying that Greyhawk is dead and that fans should turn away from TSR's version with disdain?

So . . . in other words, did TSR release the Invoked Devestation (WG7 and others) and you respond in kind with the Rain of Colorless Fire (the final Gord book).

Besides that, what long-term campaigns are you running at the moment? How many? What systems are you using? Do you have a D&D 3E campaign on the go?

Thanks.

[shock the monkey]

Colonel_Pladoh,

I'm glad to hear you are recovering and writing. I've always felt there is no better incentive for one's health than to have a purpose to keep you going.

If you don't mind, I have a few questions, ones that I'm sure have been asked before, but since I can't find any record of them, I'll let fly with them here:

1) How much of Castle Zagyg has been completed? Are you in the editing phase and, if so, how many parts of the adventure can we expect to see in the coming year?

2) I know this is a touchy subject for you, so forgive me for asking, but how difficult would it be to convert the series to Greyhawk? Like many of your fans, I would like to experience your masterpiece in its original context. Would I be better off placing the castle near Greyhawk city, or using the city that accompanies the module?

3) Have you expanded upon ideas originally present in Zagyg's Castle or have you remained true to the original design?

4) I know that Zagyg's Castle has been designed for the Troll Lord's system, but if you could choose an alternate set of rules, which of the following would you recommend for your masterpiece: OD&D, Basic D&D, AD&D, or another more recent version of D&D? Again, forgive the sacrilige of my questions.

5) Now that you're knee deep into the adventure (perhaps nearing, or having reached the end), have you gained a new perspective over the module? Can you point to some elements of the adventure which made it so unique as to be honored in gaming legend?

Thanks in advance for any response. Here's hoping your health improves,

Shock the Monkey

[Erik Mona]

Originally Posted by Col_Pladoh

Howdy Grodog and All!
BTW, the actual Gygax Family arms are a white goose passant on a green field with a gold star (mullet) in the dexter canton and a bison horn in base, IIRR.

Compare that to the device of the County of Urnst.

--Erik Mona
Editor-in-Chief
Dragon & Dungeon

[BOZ]

nice delayed double post!

[Krieg]

Originally Posted by dead

After you left TSR, the company released some atrocious Greyhawk material (for example, WG7 Castle Greyhak).

*shudder* I'm still pissed off about that one.

[grodog]

While you're updating us, Gary, do you have any news to share on the Gord story reissues?

Also, do you any plans to update Role-Playing Mastery and Master of the Game? The industry has changed a lot since the late 80s, along with the types of online rpg available (PC rpgs through EverQuest through MUDs/MOOs/MUSHes/MMORPGs).

[fairylover]

Col. PD,

Could you give some insight into the character Bucknard? I suspect (and fear) that he may have been a more or less "random" name assigned to a magic item (the ever-so-handy everfull pouch) to give it color. Did you ever think about Bucknard's background, life or exploits?

FL

[BOZ]

well, his purse was never empty...

[Col_Pladoh]

Originally Posted by mythusmage

Most authors merely write themselves into a story, but our Gary has to include the family.

Alan, that is true in spades!

The map of the Flanaess is loaded with family and friends names in one or another form

Cheers,
Gary

[Col_Pladoh]

Originally Posted by Jupp

hehe cool, now that you say this, there is an age old childrens song here in Switzerland called "Gi-ga-gax" that is about a goose mother walking along the road with its little children.
Too bad I never examined the whole thing more when I was in Seeberg, Switzerland where I had military service not too long ago. I am sure I would have seen at least one of those family crests with a goose on it. There are dozens of Gygax in that village

Heh...

likely so, and as i said, that is where my father was born back sometime before 1900.

cheers,
Gary