RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Every once in a while, someone will post a threat commemorating the death of an industry legend: Gary Gygax, Eric Wujcik, etc. Happily, this is not one of those threads. Aaron Allston was in crucial need of multiple-bypass surgery, but he made it through the operation and is recovering.
Aaron has had a profound impact on our hobby. You're familiar with his work, particularly if you've ever played RoleMaster, which he helped develop, Champions, which bears the mark of his handiwork throughout, or any of the Star Wars games, which use the characters and situations he developed in his novels.
I worked with Aaron on some of the work he did for TSR, including the exceptional "Dungeon Masters Design Kit". He was one of the nicest people you would ever want to work with. He was always supporting the hobby. (He traveled from Texas to Iowa to be a guest at a local gaming convention. He did so as a favor to us, knowing that he wouldn't break even for his troubles. He did things like that all the time.)
Medical bills being what they are these days, and freelance writers being notorious for having limited healthcare insurance, friends have set up a medical fund for Aaron. You can read more about it here.
I will drop a donation in laer on this week once some bills clear. I have enjoyed Aaron's work, especially when I was a teenager and a big Cahmpions fan.
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Whoa!
Only weeks ago, I finally got my greedy hands on "GAZ1: The Grand Duchy of Karameikos". It might not seem like such a big deal today, but back in 1987, TSR had never attempted a book like that. Oh, there were the Greyhawk setting books, but this book had to establish a format for a whole series of similar books in the same world, to cover different areas. And of course, he had to incorporate stuff from many modules. Allston met the challenge admirably. He even wrote "Skarda's Mirror", a unique and unforgettable module, in which the Karameikos setting was integral.
He also developed the D&D Rules Cyclopedia, compiling the BECMI (well, BECM anyway) rules into a single volume, providing a valuable - make that indispensable - resource for fans of that version of the game.
And "Ghostbusters International" holds a distinguished place on my RPG bookshelf, for its sheer simplicity and humorous tone.
RIP.
I just finished writing a piece for my game blog about Mr. Allston's death. I felt kind of like I had to.
I didn't know him personally, but I know a lot of people who did. His work on the Priest's Handbook was what broke me out of the cycle of "My Cleric Wears Heavy Armor and Hits Things, and also Heals The Wounded" and really got me thinking about what it meant to be a member of that strange, fictional, fantasy religion that granted a mere mortal so many powers. Galatea in 2-D is still my go-to example for excellently written subtle satire and comedy. His work on Star Wars was genre-defining.
Everyone I know who knew him only ever spoke kindly and bravely about him. By all accounts, he was an amazing person.
Thank you, Mr. Allston.
Greatly saddened to hear of his passing. I came to know Aaron Allston through his work on the basic D&D system, notably Gazetteer 1: Grandy Duchy of Karameikos, which really set the stage for the development of the world of Mystara. I was also introduced, as a result, to his other works, such as his novels.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Allston, and thank you.
I first became aware of him from his Champions work - The Blood being the first one I remember by name. His Hero work was fantastic with both Strike Force and Lands of Mystery being incredible to read. Then I looked over some of my older D&D stuff, and saw him all over the BEMCI stuff. Hollow World was fantastic. Read Doc Sidhe and Sidhe Devil, then was overjoyed at seeing him doing Star Wars. The Wraiths are still my favorite Star Wars books out there.
Right after Strike Force came out, I got his number and called him - his number wasn't unlisted. He took half an hour out of his day to talk to an overeager fan that called him out of nowhere.
And incredible talent, and an amazing man.
No...Aaron Allston gone? I loved his X-Wing novels.
Damn. I'm sorry to hear this.
May he rest peacefully.
Rest in peace. He was one of the great names in the hobby.