As many of you already know, co-creator of D&D and arguably one of the fathers of modern fantasy, Gary Gygax, passed away in his Wisconsin home yesterday afternoon at age of 69.
Source: Wired [ more info ]

I spent most of yesterday trying to come up with just the right sentiment then spent most of last night trying getting the charicature just right. See, to memorialize Gary Gygax and the worlds he helped foster, I felt it only appropriate if the tribute was equal parts adventure, saddness, and humor. That is what D&D is to me.

My teen years were spent playing in Gygax's system. My friend and I would stay up until the wee hours of the morning sitting around a table strewn corner to corner with paper and dice, rolling initiative, calculating THAC0, making a fantasy worlds all our own. In that way I feel somewhat attached to the gaming legend that was Gary Gygax. I'm sure I'm not alone. Like Mike Mearls, the lead developer working on the next edition of D&D said in the cited article, "He was like the cool uncle that every gamer had".

I wish I could honor Gary's memory by gathering all my friends around the table again. Maybe not to toss dice or roll characters, but to tell stories of the adventures we had, the jokes we told, and the miraculous rolls that somehow managed to save us all. But, we're all scattered about the country now. So, I'll tell Taks the stories again. I'm sure she wouldn't mind hearing them for th 800th time. **grins**

Thanks for the memories Mr. Gygax. If there are more adventures to be had, I hope you roll twenties.

Can I ask what the source for your quote was? I don't recognize the module he has in his hands and it's been too many years since I've played any 1st or 2nd edition modules.

Thanks.

Steve

The book is Gygax's "The Village of Hommlet".
But, I'm the source of the "quote".

Thanks Woody for drawing a tribute to one of the greatest guys in the fantasy gaming world.

Recalling my years upon years with D&D groups, moving from D&D 1.0 through AD&D to 3.5, Garys game has filled countless days in my life. Sad to see him go..


Now where's a good necromancer when you need one...

Wow, nice tribute there. I always had the greatest respect for Mr. Gygax. Loved the part he played in Futurama (as himself) cool guy.

It's incredible how one man's life can shape so many others through it's drive, fun, and contribution. He will be very missed but always appreciated and remembered.

Excellent tribute, Woody!

I grew up with DnD and play it still to this day at the age of 29. I always held Gary Gygax in the highest regard for what he did for creating roleplaying as we know it today - and for inadvertantly being the great-grand-father of many of the videos games we play.

I even met him back in 2002, shook his hand and spoke briefly with him - was a delightful man.

Woody, I'm quite certain he'd have had a hearty laugh at your comic - I commend you for such fine words and letting me remember him with a grin on my face

D&D... those were the days.

Of course, the only story I can think of that's memorable is the night my cleric rolled nothing but natural 1s for every single heal I cast.

A very fitting tribute to a man I owe many a grand experience to.

Really sad day to be honest, although I never really played much of D&D (and the one time our group got down to business I messed it up by boiling a couldren of water and through on a ant nest half an exp point each baby!!)

Really cool tribute woody.