Gary Gygax Dead at 69(RIP) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTimePost
18DELTA

03-04-08, 12:55 PM
-I saw the news over at www.enworld.org. Here is the Link (http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=4373&mforum=trolllordgames) The father of our wonderful hobby is dead. If not for Gary, Ed would never have made the Realms for D&D right? Rest in Peace, Gary, Rest in Peace.:weep:


18DELTA:( :weep:
msatran

03-04-08, 01:00 PM
There's another thread over on D+D General. We should probably keep it all there, Delta.

I've already posted my goodbyes there. I hope everyone who frequents these boards does.
MarkusTay63

03-04-08, 01:06 PM
Wow... just WOW. :weep:
Alediran

03-04-08, 01:07 PM
Link to the D&D General? I can't seem to find it.
18DELTA

03-04-08, 01:11 PM
Link to the D&D General? I can't seem to find it.
-Here it is my friend.http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=999549


18DELTA:(
Jiggawha

03-04-08, 01:41 PM
props to Gary
Lord Karsus

03-04-08, 02:24 PM
-As I said before, the Vice Presidential Action Rangers have room for one more, now.
MarkusTay63

03-04-08, 02:40 PM
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/MarkusTay/Gygax_Memorial.jpg :(
Meldread

03-04-08, 02:52 PM
:(

This is awful news. He was still pretty young, too.
DMD

03-04-08, 03:01 PM
Very sad day.
Lord Karsus

03-04-08, 04:52 PM
He was still pretty young, too.

-69? 69 isn't pretty young. That's around the age when you are supposed to start dying. The average life expectancy around the world is 67. In the U.S., it's 75 for a male. 40 is pretty young.
Charles Phipps

03-04-08, 05:06 PM
Karsus, don't argue in the guy's memorial thread.

I intend to find the guy's grave when I next visit Chicago and put a dice on it.

His life was well beyond Dungeons and Dragons but it provided me a great deal of happiness throughout my life so far.

I believe in a hereafter and hope he's treated well there.
Lord Karsus

03-04-08, 05:10 PM
Karsus, don't argue in the guy's memorial thread.

-No one's arguing.
Charles Phipps

03-04-08, 05:13 PM
Sorry.
Meldread

03-04-08, 06:38 PM
Sixty-nine isn't THAT old if your healthy, if you are unhealthy then 50 can be old. Sadly, though, in one of the many threads about his death I read that he had a stroke about two years ago. So it sounds like his health was beginning to decline for awhile. :(

Is there any information out there telling how he died?
selunatic2397

03-04-08, 06:51 PM
Good Bye Gary, Thanks for everything! :weep:
Charles Phipps

03-04-08, 07:23 PM
It goes God, Parents, Gary Gygax, and George Lucas for my influences in life.

Scrooge McDuck is about 6#

Ed Greenwood is about 9.
MarkusTay63

03-04-08, 07:26 PM
I think 69 is still pretty spry. ;)

Is there any information out there telling how he died?CNN article (http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/03/04/obit.gygax.ap/index.html)
Draco Spirit

03-04-08, 07:36 PM
Sad he's dead, but at least he left a positive mark on the world, many hours of joy have come from his creation.

Which when all said and done, is a good life.
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin

03-04-08, 08:50 PM
I was pretty surprised at this, myself.:( Although, he did apparently have previous health problems.
Jhiroth

03-04-08, 10:48 PM
Thanks, Gary, for all the joy your creation brings us then, now, and forever.
Dark Wizard

03-04-08, 11:05 PM
In one way or another he gave everyone here something special to be a part of, something to participate in rather than just observe. Not many people can say that, even other famous or accomplished people. Thank you, Gary.
Lord Karsus

03-04-08, 11:11 PM
Sadly, though, in one of the many threads about his death I read that he had a stroke about two years ago. So it sounds like his health was beginning to decline for awhile. :(

Is there any information out there telling how he died?

"Gygax died the morning of March 4, 2008, at his home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.[8] He was in semi-retirement,[2] having almost suffered a heart attack after receiving incorrect medication[4] to prevent further strokes after those on April 1 and May 4, 2004. He was diagnosed with an inoperable abdominal aortic aneurysm."

(Wikipedia)
18DELTA

03-04-08, 11:23 PM
"Gygax died the morning of March 4, 2008, at his home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.[8] He was in semi-retirement,[2] having almost suffered a heart attack after receiving incorrect medication[4] to prevent further strokes after those on April 1 and May 4, 2004. He was diagnosed with an inoperable abdominal aortic aneurysm."

(Wikipedia)
-Thanks LK. Do you think that maybe you could make Gary an Honorary Hand of Karsus:dragon: ? Without Gary and Dave, creating that wonderful game in the 70's none of us would be posting in this forum. That man had a tremendous impact on so many peoples lives.


18DELTA:weep:
Lord Karsus

03-04-08, 11:24 PM
-Thanks LK. Do you think that maybe you could make Gary an Honorary Hand of Karsus:dragon: ?[/B]

-No. For as instrumental as he was for making D&D and all, I never particularly liked his views on things. I am benevolently neutral towards the man.
18DELTA

03-04-08, 11:27 PM
-No. For as instrumental as he was for making D&D and all, I never particularly liked his views on things. I am benevolently neutral towards the man.
-Thanks. I can respect that.


18DELTA:dragon:
TheDarkestOfAngels

03-05-08, 12:25 AM
I'm sure his burial will involve a massive tomb secured by undead minions, deadly and poisonous traps, and even himself as a powerful lich-priest of RPG gaming.
In fact, this is likely Gary's current incarnation (d20 modern):

E. Gary Gygax
Medium Undead (Augmented Humanoid)
Hit Dice: 11d12 (77 HP)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30ft Speed
Defense: 22 (10 +2 Dex +5 Defense +5 Natural Armor)
Base Atk/Grapple: +6/+7
Attack: +1 Mace (+8, 1d8+2, x2) or Melee Touch (+7, Inflict Light Wounds, x2)
Full Atk: +1 Mace (+6/+1, 1d8+2, x2 and Melee Touch (+5, Inflict Light Wounds, x2)
Special Attacks: Fear Aura (Will DC 16), Paralyzing Touch (Fort DC 16), Inflict Light Wounds (Will DC 16 half)
Special Qualities: Turns as a 15 HD Undead, DR 15/Bludgeoning & Magic, Undead Traits, Immune to Cold, Electricity, Polymorph (still can polymorph self), mind affecting attacks, Rebuke Undead 4/day (+1, 2d6+7), Spontaneous Inflict Spells
Space/Reach: 5ft by 5ft
Saves: Fortitude:+8 Reflex:+7 Will: +11
Abilities: Str:13 Dex:14 Con:- Int:14 Wis:19 Cha:12
Skills: Bluff (Cha) +6, Computer Use (Int) +5, Concentration (Con) +7 (+11 casting defensively), Craft (visual art) (Int) +9, Craft (writing) (Int) +18, Diplomacy (Cha) +9, Hide (Dex) +10, Intimidate (Cha) +3, Investigate (Int) +7, Knowledge (arcane lore) (Int) +7, Knowledge (business) (Int) +5, Knowledge (history) (Int) +5, Knowledge (tactics) (Int) +8, Knowledge (theology and philosophy) (Int) +9, Listen (Wis) +22, Move Silently (Dex) +10, Profession (Game Designer) (Wis) +18, Research (Int) +13, Search (Int) +18, Sense Motive (Wis) +24, Spellcraft (Int) +8, Spot (Wis) +12.
Feats: Knack (Listen), Knack (Sense Motive), [Meticulous], Renown, [Creative], Studious, [Archaic Weapon Proficiency], Two Weapon Fighting, [Combat Casting], [Attentive]
Talents: Research (Research), Exploit Weakness, Captivate (Will DC 13)
Environment: Underground
Organization: Himself and four to eight undead minion ordinaries brandishing dice and maces
Challenge Rating: 13
Reputation +9
Treasure: Standard plus Dungeon and Dragons game materials, dice, and a +1 mace
Allegiance: Lawful Evil
Advancement: By Character Class
Level Adjustment: +4

The decaying yet animate corpse of the legendary RPG game maker is before you with haggard grey hairs and the dank gamer smell that permiates the dimly-lit dungeon where he commands four other undead minions behind his DM screen.
Spellcasting Ability: Caster Level 6th; Save DC 14 + Spell Level; Spells/day: 5/5/5/4
Prepared Spells (0th thru 3rd):
3rd: Animate Dead, Bestow Curse, Locate Object, Glyph of Warding
2nd: Aid, Augury, Hold Person, Remove Paralysis, Zone of Truth
1st: Bane, Cause Fear, Command x2, Shield of Faith
0th: Create Water, Detect Magical Aura x2, Light, Resistance

Holy Symbol: 1st Edition Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide

His undead minions are intelligent 2 HD zombies with maximum hit points. Adventurers whom battle the four and loose are not immediately killed until they loose characters in an insidious game of his own creation, which from those few who've lived say is fairly unlikely.
Lord Karsus

03-05-08, 12:39 AM
In fact, this is likely Gary's current incarnation (d20 modern):

-Send that to the Character Optimization section, and let's get that optimized, pronto! :D
Charles Phipps

03-05-08, 12:49 AM
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0536.html

Very touching.
Mr_Miscellany

03-05-08, 01:49 AM
Goodbye Gary.

And thank you.

Thank you for everything.
Valgard

03-05-08, 03:08 AM
I hope you feel better where you are now :cloud9: probably in an island in Thalasia, the fourth layer in the Blessed Fields of Elysium.
Leon_Lionheart

03-05-08, 04:01 AM
Darn it, Gygax! How dare you die before I have time to fully appreciate Dungeons and Dragons! Now I'll never be able to shake your hand and tell you how great it is... *grumble, grumble, grumble...*

^ (just trying to hide how choked up he is)
Zanan

03-05-08, 04:24 AM
This guy was a legend even when he was still with us.

Now, every time you meet a drow, mind the fact that they are his brainchild.

In every drow, Gary Gygax lives on!

Lolth kyorl dos!
sfdragon

03-05-08, 04:48 AM
Rest in peace
Khaelieth

03-05-08, 09:35 AM
He should be buried in the Tomb of Horrors. Ah, the days of rolling 3d6 and that was it. Wis 8 and Cha 7, here i come!
HVulpes

03-05-08, 09:59 AM
We have stats for Mr. Gygax as an undead, but what about Gygax as a god (and not just lending his name for one).

Gary Gygax

Greater Deity
Symbol: A Twenty-sided Die
Portfolio: Role-playing games, Creation, Dungeons and Dragons
Home Plane: All of the Outer Planes
Alignment: Neutral
Worshipers: All great heroes, great villains and the common man
Clerical Alignment: Any
Domains: Any and all Domains
Favoured Weapon: Mace Plus One (Light Mace)

Note: Alignment chosen so all characters a player might use can worship and
gain power from Mr. Gygax.

Thoughts?
Eli_the_Tanner

03-05-08, 01:59 PM
A man of great works has died. Whether you agree with his views or not, he definately given us all something. I know I'm immensly grateful to him, seeing his name at the front of every D&D book I've ever opened has always been a reminder to me of the roots of everything I've come to love about D&D.
Jiggawha

03-05-08, 02:13 PM
what were his views?
Charles Phipps

03-05-08, 02:23 PM
Gary was old school. He disliked Computer RPGing, 3rd Edition Simplicity, and was very much a war gamer who was about encouraging competition between the DM and players.
Lord Karsus

03-06-08, 06:52 AM
Gary was old school. He disliked Computer RPGing, 3rd Edition Simplicity, and was very much a war gamer who was about encouraging competition between the DM and players.

-Yes, thank you.
Valgard

03-06-08, 12:16 PM
Gary was old school. He disliked (...) 3rd Edition Simplicity.Well, we can thank God for him that he hasn't meet 4E altogether. :gah:
Faraer

03-06-08, 03:46 PM
With Gary dead, I feel sad and slightly less optimistic about the world.

Charles, in fact Gary liked computer games and only didn't play them much because he knew he'd get caught up; disliked 3E for other reasons than you state; and often spoke out against adversarial RPG play.
Lyvannalas

03-06-08, 03:51 PM
-The first thing that I thought of when I heard that he died was that he read the 4e rules.

Sadly, that was my same exact thought when I heard Tuesday evening.

Farewell, Dungeon Master. :weep:
Keryth

03-06-08, 04:19 PM
-The first thing that I thought of when I heard that he died was that he read the 4e rules.

Scary thing is, I thought something alot like that, after I got over the shock that he'd died.

My only regret is I will never get to emet the Legend now and thank him for the game he created that has brought me a lifetime of fun, creativity, and friends.
ORC_Wyvern

03-06-08, 08:07 PM
Let's all try to be a bit sensitive here. If you wish to criticize Mr. Gygax, I'm sure there are places for that all over the net.

Play nice.
Lyvannalas

03-07-08, 06:16 AM
Let's all try to be a bit sensitive here. If you wish to criticize Mr. Gygax, I'm sure there are places for that all over the net.

Play nice.

WhoŽs criticizing *him*? Maybe the thought was cynic ( not by much more than the much repeated "He failed his fortitude save", surely? ), but IŽd never dare to talk badly of Gary. 4E, not so much with the "not daring".