TSR Rob Kuntz Recounts The Origins Of D&D

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In this interesting article from Kotaku, Rob Kuntz relates a history of early TSR that differs somewhat from the narrative we usually hear. It delves into the relationship between Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (D&D's co-creators) and the actual development of the game, which dates back to Arneson in 1971.

Dungeons & Deceptions: The First D&D Players Push Back On The Legend Of Gary Gygax

Everybody calls Rob Kuntz last, he says. Those who want to know about the history of Dungeons & Dragons start with co-creator Gary Gygax’s kids, one of Gygax’s biographers, or D&D publisher Wizards of the Coast. As they’re wrapping things up, they might get around to dialing up Kuntz, a...

kotaku.com

 

[Sacrosanct]

You chaps have been very welcoming and I thank you for your engagement and friendliness. Perhaps Morrus might consider giving me a sub-forum here for Q&A's. I don't get many questions on my FB page (an interface that drives me crazy but is needed). Maybe you could suggest it to him and to get my e-mail from my account information to contact me. It wouldn't be like Master Gygax's bitd before his passing, but it would be something embracing it, all that was good and exciting from those days.

May you never get caught in a dead end by an iron golem!

RJK

For whoever is listening, I think an AMA similar to the sticky'd thread Gary has would be a great idea. Because I'd love to ask questions like, "If I'm remembering correctly, Robilar's soloing of ToEE is one of the greatest exploits by any of the "original old guard" PCs. Do you recall of any other similar accomplishments by other PCs of the original group?" By "original group", I know there was fluctuation of players, but I mean those who had directly been part of the development of the early years of D&D.

 

[lowkey13]

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[Sacrosanct]

Tomb of Horrors!

I'll be the first to admit my memory isn't what it used to be. Getting older sucks. But I'm pretty sure one of the great accomplishments of Robilar (and in D&D history in general) was soloing ToEE, not Tomb of Horrors.

 

[Morrus]

You chaps have been very welcoming and I thank you for your engagement and friendliness. Perhaps Morrus might consider giving me a sub-forum here for Q&A's. I don't get many questions on my FB page (an interface that drives me crazy but is needed). Maybe you could suggest it to him and to get my e-mail from my account information to contact me. It wouldn't be like Master Gygax's bitd before his passing, but it would be something embracing it, all that was good and exciting from those days.

May you never get caught in a dead end by an iron golem!

RJK

I’m thinking maybe a monthly column like Jim Ward, Ed Greenwood, and Jonathan Tweet have?

 

[lowkey13]

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[Morrus]

Fun fact- I once said Tomb of Horrors, and it was misheard as Tome of, um (Harlots), and, well, much hilarity did not ensue.

We British derive great amusement from the way Americans say “horror”. You say [harlots] every time.

You do the same with “mirror” but the resulting sound (meer) isn’t a different word like horror’s is.

“Duty” is funny, too. Doody!

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[Sacrosanct]

We British derive great amusement from the way Americans say “horror”. You say [harlots] every time.

You do the same with “mirror” but the resulting sound (meer) isn’t a different word like horror’s is.

“Duty” is funny, too. Doody!

Off topic, that reminds me of a view question that was sent to Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear years ago. The question? "I'm so and so from America. Why do you pronounce "jaguar" like that?"

Jeremy looked at the camera and deadpanned, "Because that's how it's spelled."

 

[lowkey13]

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[Morrus]

But that's just because the British add unnecessary "u"s to everything.

Colour
Honour
Favourite
Jaguar

All good 'Murikans know it's Jagar.

I’ve forgotten how you guys mispronounce it. Is it “jag-waa”?