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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
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!
__________________ grodog
----
Allan Grohe
Editor and Project Manager Black Blade Publishing
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.
...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.
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
"Not everybody likes the same sort of games.
Everybody ought to play the sort of games they like.
It's not a stupid idea to sometimes try something you're not sure if you like or not.
Just because somebody likes or dislikes something you feel differently about doesn't make them (or you) stupid or a jerk.
Except Julie Andrews. If you dislike Julie Andrews, you're a jerk. And Golden Retriever puppies." --Barsoomcore
"There is a handsome and mysterious stranger in your future. He will try to kill you and take your stuff." --Sejs
C'mon, 5E!
Last edited by The_Gneech; 27th October 2004 at 01:33 PM..
Reason: Eh, it was a dumb question.
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,
__________________ "AD&D is designed to be an amusing and diverting pastime, something which can fill a few hours or consume endless days, as the participants desire, but in no case something to be taken too seriously." - Gary Gygax (DMG, 1979)
"There are people who regard the RPG as something more than an amusing game, more than a most entertaining hobby. They really do need to get a life" - Gary Gygax (EN World, 2004)
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!
__________________ grodog
----
Allan Grohe
Editor and Project Manager Black Blade Publishing
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?
__________________ "Some live for silver and gold while others just need someone to owe."
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.
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?
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,
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.
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