Gary E. Gygax Dies of a Low Constitution March 5, 2008
Posted by fredcharles in Uncategorized.Tags: Dungeons and Dragons, fantasy, Gary Gygax, roleplaying
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If you got the joke in the title of this article, then you are probably one of the countless people mourning the loss of Gary E. Gygax, co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons, and the fore-father of role-playing games. Gary’s influence can be seen in both pen and paper and online role-playing games even to this day.
The first time that I played D&D was ages ago (27 ages actually) with a few friends. We played the module Keep on the Borderlands, and to my recollection, we barely knew what we were doing. That didn’t stop role-playing from becoming the game of choice in my group of friends for the next 28 years. I dropped out of role-playing about 8 years ago when I was bit by the writing bug, but some of my friends stil play on weekly basis.
Even though I don’t play anymore, those early adventures (The Tomb of Horrors, The Temple of Elemental Evil) still influence and inspire me to this day. While many people disparge D&D as a game for nerds, I challenge anyone to show me a game that let’s exercise your creativity and imagination to the extent that role-playing does. Monopoly just doesn’t hold a candle.
So, let’s raise a horn of ale to ole Gary, who has begun his next adventure into that great dungeon in the sky.
Cheers!
fredcharles
My housemate and another close friend are a bit obsessed with D&D. One still plays on weekends. But despite my interest, they’ve never shown me how to play!
I haven’t played D&D in nearly twenty years, but when I just read “The Temple of Elemental Evil” I was floored with a wave of nostalgia. I was 16 at the time and had been playing with a group of thirty-something IT gurus. They had just given me my first shot at DM. I was using a campaign of mostly my own design, but I stole a lot of ideas from “Temple.” Thanks for the throwback.
ugh… i remember my brother used to be hardcore into dungeons and dragons.
I tried to play D&D once, but it wasn’t for me. However, I loved the artwork that it inspired and still do.
Ahh man. I miss RPing :-/
Ben: You should learn how to play. It can be a lot of fun and it’s an excellent creative outlet.
Bob: Your welcomed. Thanks for stopping by.
Lingo: Nice to see you. I’m guilty of being the older brother who played D&D.
Deb: The art is inspiring. You should check out the art associated with the Warhammer RPG. It’s awesome. Much darker than D&D.
Xeen: I do too, but it would take too much effort on my part to get back into it.
awwwww..dang it, I see you asked about me on lavender’s blog? I’m weepy now….;(..just kidding, yes I am blogging but invite only so email me at susieqser@gmail.com and I will hook up with you !!!