In tribute to Gary Gygax

[Mouseferatu]

This coming Thursday marks the second anniversary of Gary's passing. Earlier this weekend, I posted a brief tribute of my own as one of my semi-weekly Suvudu columns (it's here if you're at all interested: The Father of Gaming, the Uncle of Fantasy - Suvudu - Science Fiction and Fantasy Books, Movies, and Games) but it got me thinking that there should be something on EN World as well.

So consider this thread, if you would, to be the place to share your thoughts on this coming anniversary. If you have any stories about Gary, about D&D's impact on you, or just the urge to say "Thanks" one more time, I think we'd all appreciate seeing them.

 

[weem]

I did an interview with him a long while back (1999-2000 or so iirc) for an RPG site of mine (no longer around). During it, there was an upcoming Con (I still have never been to one to this day) and he told me I should go to it (was in LA i think) and I could get a game in with him at his table.

I said I would love to, but work was too crazy for me to get the time away...

Every time I think of him now, or see his name, I think of what an idiot I was for not just going - I would not have been fired.

Anyway, I never really shared that story anywhere, so i figured I might a well here, hehe.

Thanks Gary, for everything

 

[Crothian]

D&D for me has been amazing. It started out as something the older kids in the neighborhood played. I got the Red Box Basic set from Santa a few years later. It was never popular around here but I always found groups and friends who played. This summer marks my thirtieth Anniversary of playing D&D. The only things that have been in my life longer are my parents and older sister. My younger brother didn't show up till a year after I discovered D&D. Since then it has taken me to places I never would have gotten to without it.

 

[JeffB]

I miss him so much

Not only do I have him to thank for a alot of fun gaming, I have him to thank for educating me: expanding my meager kid vocabulary, instilling in me the desire to write, and opening my eyes to a whole world of fantastic literature I was totally unaware of.

Thanks Gary

 

[I'm A Banana]

I'm going to take "Precious," my +1 Mace, to the hills of Lake Geneva and watch the sun set while using esoteric vocabulary words in his honor.

He is missed.

 

[interwyrm]

I miss him so much

Not only do I have him to thank for a alot of fun gaming, I have him to thank for educating me: expanding my meager kid vocabulary, instilling in me the desire to write, and opening my eyes to a whole world of fantastic literature I was totally unaware of.

Thanks Gary

Seconding this sentiment. I never got to meet Gary, but I did have a brief interaction with him on these boards. The specific words I remember learning from the old 1e books were "scrupulous" and either "ascetic" or "aesthetic" (memory is fuzzy on that one). It was from the NPC personality creation tables IIRC. I learned these words when I was like... 6 years old.

Aside from that little boost to my vocabulary, I've gotten a lot of enjoyment out of Gary's work and its derivatives. So... even though I'm sure he can't hear me... thanks again Gary.

 

[DaveMage]

I miss him so much

Not only do I have him to thank for a alot of fun gaming, I have him to thank for educating me: expanding my meager kid vocabulary, instilling in me the desire to write, and opening my eyes to a whole world of fantastic literature I was totally unaware of.

Thanks Gary

Sums up how I feel as well.

 

[renau1g]

I never met, nor even interacted with the man, but his (and Arnason's) game has made an indeliable impact on my life. It has certainly kept the creative part of my brain going while I labour away with my business side.

A little story, in Grade 10 English I had a teacher and she had always graded my work average (at best). I had the same teacher two years later (after playing/DM'ing for about 18-20 months of D&D) and she asked "what happened to you in the last 2 years? Your writing is much, much better." (paraphrased of course)

Anyways, with kids now, time's less available for the hobby, but I still enjoy it

 

[darjr]

I really do owe him so very much.

 

[Nathal]

Gary's name was larger than life when I was a ten year old. He was my childhood hero. When I got older I was lucky enough to interact with him, and ended up co-authoring a book (World Builder, published by Troll Lord Games), and helping out with all manner of other projects. I met him twice; even sat in on one of his games at Gen Con in 2000, and spent some time with his family at the Hilton. Those few days were one of the highlights of my life.

I found out he was nothing like the person I'd imagined, but far more interesting (truly a genuine soul, even when cantankerous!). I grew as a person in my interactions with him (and Chris Clark and Troll Lord), and through that association had my first meaningful creative successes.

I would not have published my own game if not for him, nor would I have grown up with such a love of fantasy. Heck, I would not have had the same set of friends. His impact in my life is immeasurable.

I miss him very much.