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.

 

[diaglo]

Ah...

I see. That's a skill deeloped perforce from dealing with so many players and fans over the years. Those devils are always trying to get the best of me

Heh,
Gary

give in to your doubt...


diaglo "really a good little devil" Ooi

 

[BOZ]

No, you go and read the OAD&D DMG

ooh, burn!

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Actually, you're more the Kenobi in the scenario, Gary, and the young padawans on the sidelines are marvelling at your and the '74 veteran's fencing skills...

OK, enough of the messy metaphor.

How could a man who wrote the PC eating wonder that is The Tomb Of Horrors ever be equated with Obi-Wan? Vader all the way!

 

[Henry]

How could a many who wrote the PC eating wonder that is The Tomb Of Horrors ever be equated with Obi-Wan? Vader all the way!

OK, then, Emperor Gary and Darth Diaglo.

 

[Col_Pladoh]

give in to your doubt...


diaglo "really a good little devil" Ooi

Oh-oh!

He really is Darth Vader!

Cheers,
Gary

 

[Col_Pladoh]

ooh, burn!

More like a burn on me, as I meant the PHB, not the DMG :\

That'll teach me to answer posts here when I am otherwise working on developmental editing

Cheers,
Gary

 

[Col_Pladoh]

OK, then, Emperor Gary and Darth Diaglo.

This is getting worse and worse...


Gary

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

I'm scared...

 

[Col_Pladoh]

I'm scared...

As well we all should be. After all, the game is dangerous, mind altering, isn't it?


Gary

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Walks in with his 2nd level spell, Gemidan's Paralytic Missile, from the Waterdeep City of Splendors Boxed Set.
Locks. Loads. FIRES!

A bolt of greenish energy fires from Edena's fingertips, and unerringly (just like Magic Missile) strikes the target.
Only one missile is generated, and it inflicts no damage; instead, it paralyzes the target.
The target is entitled to a saving throw versus spell, for HALF DURATION.

Since Edena is at least 3rd level wizard (or maybe higher!), the paralysis will last for at least 1 round ... 1 minute, in this case, even if the saving throw is successful.
Helpless targets may be slain at the rate of one per slayer per round (quoting from the 1st edition DMG.)

So, Edena now walks up to the target, and ... being a Good character ... merely takes away the opponent's weapons, spell components, and anything else of interest. He then lectures him for the next 5 hours on the beauty, wonder, and joy of being Good aligned (poor fellow ...)

(Yes, Gemidon's Paralytic Missile actually did exactly what I described.)

With the power of Gemidon's Paralytic Missile (better than Power Word Stun, no? ) Edena the Wizard Jedi ends this destructive conflict, and brings order to the Galaxy!