Thank you Gary for serving as an inspiration to my imagination. I hope that I may do as well for others as your works have done for me over the decades. Thank you.
I never met Gary Gygax, but he had a great influence on my life. His life's accomplishments will live on with celebration.
Thank you Dungeon Master!
Rest in Peace, Gary Gygax. Without you, I sincerely doubt I would have gotten married a few days ago. Thank you.
~grins~ another good post from somewhere else.
"EvilJames -
Tolkien and Jordon are waiting for their dungeon master. I hear that Shakespeare is thinking of rolling a bard.
kamikasei -
They're in for a shock when their character's three-hundred-page backstory with eight invented languages and civilizations goes down the tubes without a save halfway through the third room."
I was saddened when I heard. And I'm still sad.
I never got to meet him. Never got to shake his hand. Never got to thank him for the greatest gift...my favorite hobby.
I fondly remember the early days of D&D, the First Edition DMG, the Gord the Rogue novels.
It is funny, by chance, earlier today I discovered Troll Lord Games and it looked like there were some interesting projects over there under Gary's hand--Castle Zagyg and others. And then I heard the news. My brother called me to let me know. What a strange, sad coincidence.
I feel I owe him so much. I will repay him the only way I know--by trying to introduce others to the wonderful hobby he created.
*Raises a glass to E. Gary Gygax, a great man with a great legacy*
I'm stunned.
I know the game will go on, but a big piece has been broken off that can never be replaced.
Thank you for the wings that gave my imagination flight.
Gary Gygax entered my mental world in the 1970s, and he was someone that my friends and I talked about all the time. We marveled at his mind and loved his modules. I loved his Dungeon Masters Guide in particular. I read it over and over again. I remember the "sample adventure" section giving me so much inspiration, sparking my imaginiation over and over again. I loved the Dungeon adventure that expanded that map. It was a good adventure in and of itself, but I loved the nostalgia it kindled for me of the days I spent in my room reading Gary's great book.
Even before J.K. Rowling used it in the final Harry Potter book, I loved this quote from William Penn about passing on. This is what I feel about Gary Gygax though I never met him.
"Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which is omnipresent. In this divine glass, they see face to face; and their converse is free, as well as pure. This is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because immortal." William Penn, More Fruits of Solitude.
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~grins~ another good post from somewhere else.
"EvilJames -
Tolkien and Jordon are waiting for their dungeon master. I hear that Shakespeare is thinking of rolling a bard.kamikasei -
They're in for a shock when their character's three-hundred-page backstory with eight invented languages and civilizations goes down the tubes without a save halfway through the third room."
Good one. Keep them coming Sharoth
~grins~ Thanks damnitall22. I just read those over at the Order of the Stick website and I figured that everyone over here would enjoy them. ~sad sigh~ D & D was one of the things that helped shape who and what I am today. The other was the massive amount of books that I have read over the years. Thank you Gary for helping me see worlds unknown with my mind's eye.
Thanks, Gary, for the game that has, in part, defined me.
Thanks, Paizoians, for your tributes. I'll be carrying my dice in my pocket today.
-Casey
"You survived Orc and Pie? I survived Against the Giants. I liberated Geoff."
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For some reason in my minds eye I see the whole Greyhawk pantheon stooped over a casket with a velvet dice bag over the sealed lid. Mordenkainen is alone and silent in the corner with but one teardrop escaping his eye which he is hiding from the gathering.
But even the very gods cry as one of their own die;
and every one of us knows that Gary was simply that: Gary was one of us.
He was the first among equals at the gaming table, he was our old great grand game master.
And now his chair will be kept open, he will be missed.
May your road go ever on and on, Gary.
And if The Almighty keeps rolling 20's up there don't give him a saving throw.
Thanks for everything Gary, from inspiring me to write adventures to answering my silly questions about Tsojcanth on ENWorld.
R.I.P. Mr. Gygax. You brought countless memories, and moments of joy to my life. Thank you.
This game changed my life.
This man changed my life.
Thank you for everything, mister Gygax.
Rest In Peace, Gary.
RIP Gary.
Your game has given me countless hours of enjoyment and introduced me to many new people and ideas. Well wishes to you in the great dungeon crawl in the sky.
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I have just found out the news. . . and speechless
I have lost my Dad in January, my grandfather in February and Now my Role model to the D&D industry Gary Gygax in March.
This is a very bad year for me, to say the least.
I have never met Gary, but have been a fan of D&D since 1981, and have been playing and running the game ever since. I loved what he has done for the D&D world, his vision was fantastic. One of my favorite works that he did being the Tomb of Horrors and why he created that module in the first place. The world of Greyhawk, great stuff, along with the novels that he has done from the past and the game of Dragonchess, I even created the 3D game for actual play.
He has inspired me to keep my imagination going and molded me into something I am glad to have become to this day. I will never forget you Gary Gygax, my next session this sunday will be dedicated to you. I will toast my glass to you and forever rest in piece friend. This truly saddens me :(
Fred Victor
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Upon hearing this news, I reflected on the time in 1981 when I first opened my own copy of the AD&D PHB. I thought about D&D and what the game has brought to my life, its impact from 1981 to 2008. What I found were times filled with laughter, imagination, creativity, suspense, adventure, story telling, education, history and most importantly great friendships, these friendships span across Australia and the UK.
Thank you Gary for all the great times that your game has made possible.
DDM
Everyone please check out the latest Order of the Stick.
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I never met him. I wish I had. D&D wasn't my introduction to roleplaying. I came to D&D with third edition. But his legacy is many countless hours of enjoyment with what has often been my only real hobby. He has certainly left a fine legacy behind him. There are many relationships, technological advances, and pop culture things we enjoy that can be traced back to that original boxed set.
My mind is reeling right now, thinking about the sheer number of lives that were affected by Gary and his creation. How deeply and profoundly. Gary profoundly, permanently and indelibly left his mark on the history of the world in such a fundamental way that few people ever achieve. Heads of state, philosophers and televangelists all wish they affected the world as profoundly as Gary did.
My mind is reeling right now, thinking about the sheer number of lives that were affected by Gary and his creation. How deeply and profoundly. Gary profoundly, permanently and indelibly left his mark on the history of the world in such a fundamental way that few people ever achieve. Heads of state, philosophers and televangelists all wish they affected the world as profoundly as Gary did.
Amen! ~bows my head and remembers all the fun moments in my life that were due to Gary's wonderful idea~
Ive been thinking back all day, too. Thinking back to seeing that carrion crawler pic in the red Basic book and getting bitten by the bug immediately. Getting (well, cheating and stealing) the blaster rifle in the Barrier Peaks. Fighting 10000 giants and then nearly falling off the path in the Demonweb Pits. Oh yeah, and that blasted mirror! Scaring the crap out of the players by making the shadow demon stomp the PCs butts in the basement of Tharizduns Temple (the stooge-y version of the outsider on the cartoon was what my friends thought was waiting for them...HA!)
Sorry to see you go, Gary. Thank you for everything!
Could I possibly use the word "profoundly" any more in that post?
Sheeh.
Could I possibly use the word "profoundly" any more in that post?
Sheeh.
~laughter~ Yes! That is a profound yes!
http://www.greyhawkonline.com/wogcomic/title/wogstrip162a.htm
My special tribute comic for E.G.G.
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I'm reminded of a shirt I saw which was parodying AC/DC.
"Those who are about to roll, we salute you."
Quips like that - in-jokes and geek comedy that has become so ingrained that even people who have never gone near an RPG will occasionally find themselves using our off-hand remarks - are possible because of Gary's creation. He is responsible for a phenomenon that has crossed national boundaries, cultural divides, and religious barriers, creating a worldwide community that reaches farther than a lot of organizations that dedicate themselves to trying to breach those same barriers.
I admit, freely, that I have little respect for humanity, being a creature who is antisocial, reclusive, amoral, and much more. And yet, in light of this man's simple work and the ways it has changed the world, I find myself moved, and I begin to regret that there are not more souls like him in this world. People who bring heroism and laughter, at the same time, to those who need them. People who inspire friendship across gulfs that would otherwise seem insurmountable.
But then, friends, I remember - there are. Thanks to Gary and those who have followed in his footsteps, there's an entire worldwide community of people who've been inspired by his humble efforts to bring us all a good story. A worldwide group that has, in some way, been enriched by this hobby we all share. Thanks to Gary, I have friends across the globe who share a creative fire with me.
From a humble game made by mixing imagination with tabletop wargames, countless worlds and divergent games have been born. Heroes and villains have been given life. Tales of valor, tales of sorrow, tales that can be told around a table for years to come, shared with the friends we have and the friends we have yet to make - all thanks to this game we play.
Thank you, Gary. We who are about to roll salute you, O Grandmaster of Gaming.
And to all of you, regardless of anything else, regardless of whatever disputes you may have about editions and games... I salute you, as well. Let's all remember that this hobby belongs to all of us, regardless of whatever other differences we may have.
Game on, everyone. Roll a D20 for Gary.
~raises a +2 Backscratcher in salute to the Great DM~
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Yeah but suggeting he created the gaming industry is a bit silly to claim...He benifited greatly from the millions who played it and built on what he started.
Once that ball of snow got to the bottom of the mountain it was big enough to take out a planet.
He will be remembered for what was fact, and hurt by delusions of fantasy.
Without Gary I would never have discovered role-playing games.
Thanks for all you have given to me and the rest of the world of gamers.
Rest In Peace.
Yeah but suggeting he created the gaming industry is a bit silly to claim...He benifited greatly from the millions who played it and built on what he started.
Either he started it or he didn't, dude - very tactful. I love what EGG did too much to ball you out right now.
My sadness is merely intesified by the fact that I could have gone to the Con last year but decided against it; it was one of my long-tie goals to at least meet the god of gaming.
He will be missed and I do not greive for him, I greive for the opportunities lost as I know that he is in a better place.
Thank you for starting what I hope will never end. It won't for me at least and that is close to a resurrection spell as I can give you. in peace... ttocS
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Either he started it or he didn't, dude - very tactful. I love what EGG did too much to ball you out right now.
Truth, Kruelaid.
Either he started it, and people built on his foundation (which is what we've said), or he didn't and we're all delusional.
YD, if you want to be confrontational, go to some other thread, would you please? Arguing in a tribute thread is like pissing in the grave at a funeral.
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Yeah but suggeting he created the gaming industry is a bit silly to claim...He benifited greatly from the millions who played it and built on what he started.
Once that ball of snow got to the bottom of the mountain it was big enough to take out a planet.
He will be remembered for what was fact, and hurt by delusions of fantasy.
I'm not usually the confrontational type, but do you actively try to piss people off? Seriously, this is one of the times that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it.
I feel terrifically lucky to have met Gary last year at Gen Con. I posted about it this morning on my personal blog.
I miss you, Gary. Thanks for everything.
Wow. I will remember I was DM-ing my friends through the end of Gathering of Winds when I heard the news. I am grateful I got to share a bit of my love of Greyhawk with my group who mostly came to the game after 1st edition and EGG's reign. He was the Godfather of Geeks. I will miss him much. So long and thanks for all the late nights and cold pizza : )
~sad smile~ I had to post this over here. Gary, you will be missed and you have touched more people than you shall ever know.
Originally Posted by Shiyuan
I haven't posted here in some years, but I am now compelled to say one final goodbye to a man I have never met, but hope to meet in the next life...
Mr Gygax, it is thanks to you that in the years lost to the mist of maturity, a man now calling himself Shiyuan on a web forum survived the heavy handed reign of a step-father.
A step-father who laughed as he beat his step-son into bloody tears, and once broke the child's nose for trying to protect its beloved friend, a dog named Chestnut.
A step-father who rained verbal abuse as much as his fists, constantly reminding the child that it was not a "real American," like him with his European surname, just some "Chinese brat destined to be a white man's pencil pusher or accountant." How it didn't matter that the child was born in America and lived there all its young life, "because America's always gonna' be a white land for white men."
A step-father who's only saving grace was his ignorance of the life-saving nature of books and fantasy. Of the thousand worlds within a boy's mind that bolstered and healed him every day as he faced a real world that battered and assailed him.
Mr. Gygax, it is thanks to you that this young boy managed to claw his way out from the darkness of hate and ignorance that threatened to consume him. It is thanks to you that in the worlds traveled through by this wayward son, he saw that right and wrong could exist, that a moral heart could save the lives of the innocent or even the depraved. It is thanks to you that he grew into a confident, resilient man, ever ready with a helping hand and firm of moral principle.
Mr. Gygax, it is thanks to you that I am alive. Thank you for bringing me this far; I hope in the world beyond, your travels brings to the companionship of an ever muttering dwarf and his plodding donkey companion. I hope in the world beyond, you meet a happy little Lhasa Apso with a penchant for chasing lantern archons; may she bring you as much joy and friendship as she brought me.
Goodbye.
P.S. - This is not my post, but me just letting others view it.
Thank you Gary Gygax for everything youve done in my life and countless others, may God bless you.
