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.

 

[Krieg]

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]

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]

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]

well, his purse was never empty...

 

[Col_Pladoh]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

Cheers,
Gary

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Hi Gazza,

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?

All I can do is speculate, but knowing Lorrane williams, I would tend to go with the spate of wretched WoG material being done as retalitory

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?

More my way of saying that since T$R had killed the setting with trash releases, it was time to wipe out the shame by obliterating the setting. Of course, I left a means of restoring it hidden within in the Gord story saga...

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).

Not an inappropriate analogy.

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?

Thanks.

Basically, I have a Lejendary Adventure campaign that has been running for about 10 years now. We break from that to play other systems. We did some C&C game play earlier in the year, and now the lads are playing slightly modified OD&D rules exploring the five original dungeon levels of Castle Greyhawk.

No 3E play here as I personally very much dislike the system.

cheers,
Gary

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Colonel_Pladoh,

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?

Hi Shock',

The actual castle and its levels are just now being drafted. you can look for the material in about a year from now, most likely. After that part there will be a series of collected dungeon levels, each batch covering deeper delvings.

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?

Take a close look at the material in Yggsburgh, then decide for yourself. With Rob's Dark chateau module added, there should be at least a year's adventuring therein without the castle-dungeons material.

3) Have you expanded upon ideas originally present in Zagyg's Castle or have you remained true to the original design?

Rather think of the new version is more developed and refined for use by all GMs...

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.

My choice would be original AD&D

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?

Heh, and you have attributed far more progress that we have made in the development of the castle-dungeons area. there remains about two man-years of design and writing yet to be done.

Thanks in advance for any response. Here's hoping your health improves,

Shock the Monkey

Thank you, amigo, and I'll settle for my health not deteriorating further

cheers,
Gary

 

[Col_Pladoh]

While you're updating us, Gary, do you have any news to share on the Gord story reissues?

The problems in the comic book field have pretty well put the damper on the Gord the Rogue illustrated novels. I have not heard anything positive from the prospective publisher since last spring When the new year rolls around i hope to get a final decision. If the project is dead, then I will begin shopping for a publisher to re-issue the seven books.

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).

No, that would require a publisher asking for such revision...and a publishing contract. One thing, though. PC games are NOT really RPGs at all, To whom does one role-play? They are nothing but seek and destroy missions with a little problem solving tossed in. not to say that isn't a lot of fun!

Cheers,
Gary

 

[Henry]

...there remains about two man-years of design and writing yet to be done.... Thank you, amigo, and I'll settle for my health not deteriorating further

cheers,
Gary

...And as I said about this time last year, I've got the Scroll of Resurrection prepped and ready. We've waited this long, and you're not backing out now.

Seriously, Gary, keep good care of yourself. As good as living the good life is, it's not the same without papa G.

-Henry

 

[Col_Pladoh]

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

Bucknard was an NPC I created out of whole cloth. He was based on a neighbor of mine when I was a lad, a Mr. Bucknall. He had a great garden, an apple tree with five different kinds of apples, and he knew astronomy well, assisted me with my 100 power telescope. He did use a small change purse, and from it he would extract a small coin to give to me now and again

Cheers,
Gary

 

[Col_Pladoh]

...And as I said about this time last year, I've got the Scroll of Resurrection prepped and ready. We've waited this long, and you're not backing out now.

Seriously, Gary, keep good care of yourself. As good as living the good life is, it's not the same without papa G.

-Henry

Thanks Kindly, Henry

Just as a general FYI, I was not ignoring this thread. My ISP had some problems back in late October, and a lor of my email was lost. Evidentally a tickler prompting me to respond to a post on this thread was amongst them. Grodog emailed me to pay attention, so here I am!

Now I need to hurry up and clear off a couple of email messages, then go to lunch with my wife. Gail is taking me to a good Chinese restaurant, Moy's, in nearby Elkhorn Wisconsin. The hot and sour soup there is killer!

Ciao,
Gary

 

[Piratecat]

Gary, it's wonderful to see you back. I'm going to give you Community Supporter status here - that'll give you a custom title (customizeable through "my account"), let you search (more useful in 2 months when the new server is up and running), and a few other things. Please consider it a small thank you from all of us for your kindness in answering a slew of questions.

 

[BradfordFerguson]

Questions for you...

Gary,

1) If you could REMOVE one thing about the 3rd Edition D&D rules, what would you strip out and why?

2) Eventually, down the road we will see a 4th Edition of D&D, if you could recommend one thing to WotC, what would you recommend and why?

3) How did Castles and Crusades work out when your group played it.

 

[warlord]

Gary, all I want to say is thank you for giving the world D&D and RPGs in general.

Thank you,

Nick Tschida, D&D gamer for life, age:16

 

[Col_Pladoh]

...And as I said about this time last year, I've got the Scroll of Resurrection prepped and ready. We've waited this long, and you're not backing out now.

Seriously, Gary, keep good care of yourself. As good as living the good life is, it's not the same without papa G.

-Henry

Thanks, Henry,

Wish I could use that scroll for my oldest friend, David W. Dimery who passed away last Monday. Dave was head of advertising for TSR for a number of years, and the animated spokesman "Morley the Wizard" was his creation.

Naturally, I haven't been doing much in the way of game work since...

Christmas best,
Gary