TSR Q&A with Gary Gygax

Krieg · Nov 8, 2004

dead said:
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 · Nov 9, 2004

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 · Nov 18, 2004

The origin and exploits of the elusive Bucknard

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 · Nov 18, 2004

well, his purse was never empty...

Col_Pladoh · Nov 19, 2004

mythusmage said:
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 · Nov 19, 2004

Jupp said:
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

Col_Pladoh · Nov 19, 2004

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

Nevertheless, I retract my question.

-The Gneech

Thanks for the good wish--my health is solid, if not what it was last year at this time. Getting older and having medical problems tends to do that sort of thing

BTW, i really don't mind dumb questions, because a lot of the time they realy aren't that after all.

cheers,
Gary

Col_Pladoh · Nov 19, 2004

T. Foster said:
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,

My campaign group here is playing in a turncated version of the original dungeons that has indeed been "upgunned" because PCs have enabled the monsters inhabiting the levels to become better armed and most astute in their tactics. that said, I made the group begin 3rd level characters in hopes that they would feel more confident in exploring lower levels. THAT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO, AND NOW THEY HAVE ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF THE 1ST LEVEL MAPPED, AND ONLY A 3RD LEVEL M-U AND HIS GUARDS, A BAND OF GOBLIN SLAVERS, PLUS THE TWO COMPLEXES IN WHICH THE OLD GUARD KOBOLDS HOLD REMAIN AS ACTIVE ENCOUNTERS.

You are correct about the power of the PCs. I am using original D&D rules with only some few additions, so HPs and spells are limited drastically at 1st level. (At the time when those rules were written, it was assumed a typical adventuring party would have about 8 PCs plus as many hired men-at-arms

cheers,
Gary

Col_Pladoh · Nov 19, 2004

grodog said:
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!

Not much going on here, actually. I am very slowly developing the upper works of Castle Zagyg and standing by to prepare springboards for Alchemic Dream's Light & Dark MMP game. However...

A slug of product is in the pipeline from Troll lord Games, www.trolllord.com.
This includes the Lejendary Adventure Essentials set, Hall of Many Panes in dual D20/LA system, part one of Castle Zagyg (the campaign setting), and new Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds titles in progress of being written. As well as that I have a half-dozen mss. standing by awaiting the call for submission.

Anyway, the LA Essentials, HoMP, and Castle Zagyg, Yggsburg, Part One might make pre-Christmas release.

BTW, the Trolls will eventually be publishing my 3-5 player board/card game, King of England-King of France. No release date set yet, but i have turned over the complete game ms. to them

Cheers,
Gary

Col_Pladoh · Nov 19, 2004

Andrew D. Gable said:
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?

Howdy!

The AD&D lich was inspired by the stories of Robert E. Howard. There was no model for the monster to be found in the works of JRRT. I can't say what other sources I drew from when imagining and creating the lich, for I have read so much recalling odd bits that went into the creation is nigh unto impossible without spending a lot of time going back and checking on authored fiction and folklore sources I have--my collection of books in paperback and hardbound editions numbers many thousands and they are spread from basement to attic nowadays. As new books come in the older ones get moved to progressively less-accessable locations :uhoh:

Cheers,
Gary

TSR Q&A with Gary Gygax

Krieg

First Post

grodog

Hero

fairylover

First Post

BOZ

Creature Cataloguer

Col_Pladoh

Gary Gygax

Col_Pladoh

Gary Gygax

Col_Pladoh

Gary Gygax

Col_Pladoh

Gary Gygax

Col_Pladoh

Gary Gygax

Col_Pladoh

Gary Gygax

Similar Threads

Related Articles

Latest threads

AD6_gamerati_skyscraper

Recent & Upcoming Releases