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.

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Thanks for the reply regarding creature inspirations. Apparently, kobolds are goblin-like, and it was the illustration that lead to their current "reptilian" nature. Facinating stuff!
I actually like hyenas, so gnolls are one of my favorite humanoids. Sometimes I just wish they weren't quite so tough
I agree with the "true" troll being more exiting than the Scandinavian one. As per Chainmail, one could simply use ogre stats for those.
I have to say I've never heard of gorgons being described as bull-like, but like you say, I'm not into the medieval bestiary so much as ancient Greek mythology. The oldest description I know of is "dragon-like, with faces like hideous boars and snakes for hair". As for the hydra, I wasn't referring to the illustration, but rather it's description in Monsters & Treasure.
I've always loved those oozes, slimes and jellies. Great creepy fun!

Hope you had an wonderful Father's Day!

Thanks Oldschooler

Right about the kobolds. they are Germanic forest and mine "spirits," that is goblinesque creatures.

I expect that the first description of the three medusa sisters is rather more flattering than the one you cite Anyway medieval bestiaries seemed as anxious to have a broad repetorie of monsters as I was when creating the Monster Manual for AD&D.

As for the hydra, to be more useful in general play, the artist depicted it more like a crocodile or sauracian, and so I went along figuring there were plenty of snake-bodied critters.

Cheers,
Gary

 

[francisca]

All of the dice rolling for random results has a probability that a good player knows and takes into account. Luck is by no means half of the reason for successful FRPG adventuring in general, although in any given case it might be a key component, or might not be involved at all. the same is true of real life successes and failures, of course. Random events and luck are actualities.

Well, sure, and I guess I went a bit overboard. 50% random luck works well when you are an author spinning a tale. But it's too much randomness and less desirable for a gaming system.

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Well, sure, and I guess I went a bit overboard. 50% random luck works well when you are an author spinning a tale. But it's too much randomness and less desirable for a gaming system.

Yes indeed

Some people discount random events in a game as if there was no uncertainty in actuality... That is, of course, a gross error.

Cheers,
Gary

 

[Frank Mentzer]

Mini-giants

This has certainly been asked before, but...

In AD&D, why are kobolds "giant class"?

F

 

[Col_Pladoh]

This has certainly been asked before, but...

In AD&D, why are kobolds "giant class"?

F

How amusing....

All giants are humanoids, and as such they are kin to the smallest of the specias, the kobolds, goblins, hobgoblins, gnolls, bugbears, ogres, and so on up the line

Later mate!
Gary

 

[dcollins]

Hey, speaking of Frank Mentzer...

Gary, I was looking at the "Temple of Elemental Evil" recently and noticed how many discrepancies there were in the 1987 material (esp. the outdoor wilderness map), as compared to the original T1 "Village of Hommlet" adventure. For example, distances between Hommlet/Nulb/Verbobonc about doubled. The "Low Road" which supposedly runs by the river from Verbobonc to Greyhawk appears much further south, with this primary artery running directly through Nulb.

I'm wondering, were there alterations to the geography of T1-4 that you were unhappy with? Was the main road from Verbobonc to Greyhawk really running right past the Temple through Nulb?

 

[Palaner]

Aha, I return with a host of questions (probably already asked, too). My friends wish to know:

"What was with all the slimes and molds? Were you cleaning the refrigerator when writing the Monster Manual?"

"What's next?" Let's assume he means after Castle Zagyg.

"Did you freak out when they started blaming D&D for witchcraft and suicides?"

"What do you do when your DM sucks ass? For that matter, what do you do as a DM when your players want to be the DM?"

"If, instead of writing the "Player's Handbook," you had written "The Battle of Evermore," would you have gotten laid more or less often in the 70s?" - A humorous jest.

"Why did you give the hydra 6d8 hitpoints? This seems really out of balance with other mythical creatures, in particular the wyvern, several of the dragons and the gorgon."

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I didn't want to do this, but its sooooo simple and yet sooooo argued about:

In this thread, we've been discussing using Magic Missile against opponents using Mirror Image. I'm sure this issue has come up in countless other threads and campaigns as well.

Magic Missile Vs Mirror Image

Technically, Magic Missile (targets creatures) should not be able to target Mirror Images (because they are figments). Yet many of us have played that they do, and have so for many years- unaware of the technicality.

When it came up in your games, how was that conflict adjudicated? Do you allow spells that "target creatures" to target illusions of creatures? What about things the caster erroneouslybelieves to be creatures?

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Hey, speaking of Frank Mentzer...

Gary, I was looking at the "Temple of Elemental Evil" recently and noticed how many discrepancies there were in the 1987 material (esp. the outdoor wilderness map), as compared to the original T1 "Village of Hommlet" adventure. For example, distances between Hommlet/Nulb/Verbobonc about doubled. The "Low Road" which supposedly runs by the river from Verbobonc to Greyhawk appears much further south, with this primary artery running directly through Nulb.

I'm wondering, were there alterations to the geography of T1-4 that you were unhappy with? Was the main road from Verbobonc to Greyhawk really running right past the Temple through Nulb?

Water long passed over the dam. No point in commenting on it now, although I will say that the high road from Greyhawk to Verbobonc does not go past the temple and through Nulb.

Cheers,
Gary

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Aha, I return with a host of questions (probably already asked, too). My friends wish to know:

Speaking of a waste of my time...

"What was with all the slimes and molds? Were you cleaning the refrigerator when writing the Monster Manual?"

Actually, I was reading silly questions when the idea came to me.

"What's next?" Let's assume he means after Castle Zagyg.

Logging off and having lunch most probably. As for creative projects, I have mentioned often that I am not doing much new work, but that I have many mss. yet to be edited and published. Also, I have various editing projects and some other business to keep me busier than I'd like to be in the summer months.

"Did you freak out when they started blaming D&D for witchcraft and suicides?"

Baseless assertions from hysterical and ignorant people dd not phase me. The death threats were something of a bother, though, although I didn't stay locked ayay, lose any sleep.

"What do you do when your DM sucks ass? For that matter, what do you do as a DM when your players want to be the DM?"

This is a simple matter--don't play or don't run the game session. Then find a new GM or become the GM in the former case; in the latter replace the obstreperous player or players with those who know how to behave when engaged in an RPG.

"If, instead of writing the "Player's Handbook," you had written "The Battle of Evermore," would you have gotten laid more or less often in the 70s?" - A humorous jest.

I don't recall running into many gamers when I was living out ibn Beverly hills, hitting the night spots there...

"Why did you give the hydra 6d8 hitpoints? This seems really out of balance with other mythical creatures, in particular the wyvern, several of the dragons and the gorgon."

Because I felt like it. Why do you question my jhudgement?

Actually, the hydra has 5-12 HD in the OAD&D game system, so I really don't know what this is all about

Heh,
Gary