Interesting post over at Grognardia today regarding Gail Gygax

[eyebeams]

I had never considered this, but I really find the idea appealing.

This would assume the notes are comprehensible to anyone or clearly marked for their purpose, and even then, if they end up composing a significant product.

It's certainly a myth that he only wrote for himself; he said in discussions here that there were serious differences between what he created and what he made for himself.

I think a detailed Castle Greyhawk/Zagyg that's sitting around, waiting to be published is probably a myth. What seems more plausible to me is some reconstructed version of it, whose value as an insight into what it really was will largely depend on the process by which it was created.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I guess there are two schools of thought and one of us will have to be disappointed.

I assure you, it ain't gonna be me. I have no dog in this. Bought C&C, read it, played it, put it back on the shelf. Bought the original hardcover to use in 3.5, read it, hopped back in my time machine and came back to the 2000's. It was a nice trip back to Hamlet style adventuring but it wasn't for me at the time.

Now if the new books aren't for some obscure game system I've never played and never intend to purchase, I'll take another look but the hardcover purchase put me off of buying the boxed set regardless of 'limited edition' value.

I'm just noting an observation based on many 'fans' reaction to it not being done by Troll Lords, not being done by the people who've worked on it, and not being done in a timely fashion since it's going to take MORE time to get it to another system and let's face it, every day from now to when it comes out is just that, more time.

Define you're "timeliness" and we'll see if it's you that's disappointed.

 

[JohnRTroy]

By "writing for himself", I did not mean he was only writing stuff for his own campaign or didn't change things in products from his own campaign he made public, but rather he followed his own muse regardless of what the "vox populii" wanted him to do.

In other words, why he would listen to fans, he did what he wanted to do, not necessarily what they wanted him to do.

 

[grodog]

This would assume the notes are comprehensible to anyone or clearly marked for their purpose, and even then, if they end up composing a significant product.

Based on the original levels that I've seen from Gary and Rob, they were certainly comprehensible. In a few places there were issues with deciphering handwriting or cryptic symbols, etc., but by-and-large the level maps and keys were clear. The level of detail present in a published module wasn't there---for example the Old Guard Kobolds weren't even labelled as such (in the version I'd seen)---just as kobolds. So, any additional "old guard kobolds" flavor would be lacking from such a reproduction without having Gary or someone else who knew the material to expand upon it, even if only minimally.

I think a detailed Castle Greyhawk/Zagyg that's sitting around, waiting to be published is probably a myth. What seems more plausible to me is some reconstructed version of it, whose value as an insight into what it really was will largely depend on the process by which it was created.

I've argued this before (and will point to references if need be): the real Castle and it's dungeons exist---many people have seen the levels.

John: thanks for your information. Do you know when Gail will be able to communicate in more detail than has been released thus far about the plans for continuing CZ/etc.? Even a date for a date would help to keep the peace (so to speak)

 

[Mark]

(. . .) we'll see if it's you that's disappointed.

I suspect most fans would like the materials to see the light of day no matter the system so that they can then make of them what they want. Very little has seen the light of day at all in the last decade, from TL or otherwise. Anything coming out posthumously is a bonus that most fans would be happy to know is even possible.

 

[JohnRTroy]

Grogdog that's up to Gail. My statement here is not me speaking for her in any official capacity for Trigee. I have no idea what will happen to Castle Zagyg.

I do suspect a lot of these things might take time to sort out, perhaps measured in months instead of weeks, so I think the fans of CZ will need to be patient.

 

[Carnivorous_Bean]

Some of the reactions to this over there sound a bit like they're discussing the future of world peace, and not the publication of an RPG product. A few random thoughts on the subject:

1. Gail Gygax owns the material now, and can basically do whatever she wants with it, with or without fan approval.

2. As for the move being a "money grab" -- what's she supposed to do, starve for the sake of her 'art'? She needs to eat, pay her mortgage, and keep up with her heating bills like the rest of us. If this new plan for publishing the stuff is profitable, and the original one wasn't, what the heck do people expect her to do? Sell her house to fund a losing plan just because it had the Holy Gary Gygax Seal of Approval?

Gary, I'm afraid, was only human, and didn't have perfect foresight. Circumstances can change, and Gail's decision may well be an intelligent choice now where it might not have been a year ago.

3. In any case, this whole thing has a smell of "mountains out of molehills" about it. I think even the most rabid fan should sit back and wait to see what happens.

 

[grodog]

Grogdog that's up to Gail. My statement here is not me speaking for her in any official capacity for Trigee. I have no idea what will happen to Castle Zagyg.

Completely understood.

I do suspect a lot of these things might take time to sort out, perhaps measured in months instead of weeks, so I think the fans of CZ will need to be patient.

True, but at least having a date for a date would help with knowing how long folks will need to be patient---it can only help, if providing such a thing is do-able at all at this point.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I suspect most fans would like the materials to see the light of day no matter the system so that they can then make of them what they want. Very little has seen the light of day at all in the last decade, from TL or otherwise. Anything coming out posthumously is a bonus that most fans would be happy to know is even possible.

Quite a different statement thought then,

"Unless there is an IP ownership dispute, people should leave her to do as she will. (I totally agree with this part.)

"It certainly appears that she is doing what most fans would want anyway, which is getting things on track to be released in a proper and timely manner.

Possibilities versus proper and timely manner and all that.

 

[med stud]

I think the article would be just in a bothersome tone otherwise, but in the context of a man recently passed away, I think it is self-entitled and rude crap.

The fans of the work of Gary Gygax doesn't have a right to experience his (now her) property, it's a pure privilige. Yet, this article and many posters on forums, behave as if they have a right to learn the Truth about what is going on with Castle Zygag. They are starting borderline insulting conspiracy theories of what is happening with the module, saying that "they will need proof before they believe that Gary had a plan" and stuff like that.

Gail Gygax doesn't have to give any proof of anything. No lights need to be shed on any of this. People should be grateful if someone goes out with information and no nerd rage is excused over this. The man is barely cold in his grave before the "fans" start acting up, second guessing his intentions and discrediting his widow.

Jesus Christ.