TSR Q&A with Gary Gygax

This is the multi-year Q&A sessions held by D&D co-creator Gary Gygax here at EN World, beginning in 2002 and running up until his sad pasing in 2008. Gary's username in the thread below is Col_Pladoh, and his first post in this long thread is Post #39.

 

[francisca]

Yuppers!

It is a sure bet that this thread has gone to pot. I'll wager that non-punnsters would rather see spots, or go blind than read more of these tricky metafours and fives.

Now I am really heading off to dress for the rip-roaring 50th annual class reunion

Cheerio,
Gary

Hope you have a great evening!

 

[NojBad]

Indeed...

I do like to crimp effort to take advantage of a system. One chap here was planning to create a "Barbarian Prince" Avatar wth Chivalry Abilty as hiis second one. I explained that barbarism and chivalry were quite opposites, and at best he could have it as a 5th, default at 10%--the foundling pronce raised by barbarians. He was not pleased...


Gary

Heh, I was more generous and allowed just such a "barbarian prince" unordered Avatar some years back in one of our early campaigns. His name was Clannarg Tyg and he packed a punch in combat with a combination of Savagery, Physique and Chivalry. IIRC his background set him up as the son of a hill chief who had been taken hostage by a Mirsylvanian noble. Taking a shine to the savage young warrior the noble taught him some of the knightly ways. Death comes even to combat monsters like Clannarg though and he was killed by spiders long ago.

Jon

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Hey Gary, I was flipping through an old issue of Dragon and came across the name Theron Kuntz on a wargamming article. Is that Rob's brother or somthing? Just curious.

 

[Gutboy Barrelhouse]

Hail, Good Colonel:
My question is about the provenance of IOUN stones. As far as I've seen, the earliest appearance of IOUN stones in Mr. Vance's work is in Rhialto the Marvellous, which bears a copyright date of 1984 - and IOUN stones predate this in D&D.
Did IOUN stones start in D&D and were later borrowed by Vance?
Or was Rhialto written before the copyright date I have?

Cheers,
GBBH

 

[mythusmage]

Hail, Good Colonel:
My question is about the provenance of IOUN stones. As far as I've seen, the earliest appearance of IOUN stones in Mr. Vance's work is in Rhialto the Marvellous, which bears a copyright date of 1984 - and IOUN stones predate this in D&D.
Did IOUN stones start in D&D and were later borrowed by Vance?
Or was Rhialto written before the copyright date I have?

Cheers,
GBBH

Dang it, I can't recall off-hand the story they first appeared in, but I do remember that ioun stones predate D&D. Rhialto the Marvelous was not the first story to feature them.

 

[mythusmage]

On the Pun Fest Just Past

It's good to see that nobody got surrey over the matter. Though much of the word play was hackneyed. Mayhaps certain parties could be further coached in the art?

Still it's nice to see that this stage has passed without unseemly incident, for I'd hate to see tongues a wagon on this.

Too bad punning is not a gig that pays well.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

Dang it, I can't recall off-hand the story they first appeared in, but I do remember that ioun stones predate D&D. Rhialto the Marvelous was not the first story to feature them.

"Morreion," circa 1973.

 

[Bregh]

Not to step on the good Colonel's toes, but IOUN stones in D&D first appeared in issue #4 of The Strategic Review, in an article bearing Mr Vance's stamp.

Just thought I'd share...

 

[mythusmage]

Not to step on the good Colonel's toes, but IOUN stones in D&D first appeared in issue #4 of The Strategic Review, in an article bearing Mr Vance's stamp.

Just thought I'd share...

Stated up for original original D&D.

Gary has long been an science fiction and fantasy fan, starting from his days as a boy. He was active in fandom at the time, and did correspond with a number of the leading lights of the day. I believe Fritz Leiber played in a few games, and Jack Vance showed an interest. As a matter of fact, Jack played an active role in the design and development of the Dying Earth RPG.

Jack and Gary get to talking about Gary's new game. The subject of magic items in D&D comes up, and Jack offers to allow the use of his ioun stones in D&D. They hash out the stats and Jack writes a few lines of text. Their efforts makes it into issue 4 of The Strategic Review under Jack's byline. Thus is a D&D staple born.

My point? The big names in science fiction and fantasy are approachable. It's a tradition that was established long ago, and largely arose out of the fact most science fiction and fantasy writers were once fans themselves. And a large number are still fans. Say hi, strike up a conversation, but refrain from gushing and acting like a fanboy. Who knows, you might get Fred Pohl involved in your Heechee RPG project.

 

[mythusmage]

"Morreion," circa 1973.

Thank you.