OOTS #536 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

It's a bit of a non sequitor, since it switches back to Roy rather suddenly, but I felt it was important to say this now, rather than next week or so. We'll get back to Haley, Belkar, and Celia next strip.

[Theodorus]

Aww, how touching.

E. Gary Gygax

1938 - 2008

R.I.P

[AngryRussian16]

Very nice in memoriam

[Szilard]

Cool, I was here when this updated. Don't know who the guy is though. Just looked him up, the co-creator of DnD, knew the name looked familliar.

[ArlEammon]

New comic is up.

It's a bit of a non sequitor, since it switches back to Roy rather suddenly, but I felt it was important to say this now, rather than next week or so. We'll get back to Haley, Belkar, and Celia next strip.

This was a sweet comic. Its why I like you Rich.

[Xefas]

It's very touching. A great tribute for a great man.

[Platinum_Mongoose]

Cool, I was here when this updated. Don't know who the guy is though.

He created DnD.

[Alias]

Thanks Rich.

[Eldaran]

Cool, I was here when this updated. Don't know who the guy is though.

Couldn't you google him? Anyway, he's the creator of D&D and many other RPGs.

[Cyclone231]

Is it supposed to be ironic funny, like "haha, he's thanking him for single-classed fighters and vancian spellcasting"? If it is, it didn't come off very well.

[Szilard]

Couldn't you google him? Anyway, he's the creator of D&D and many other RPGs.

I looked him up on wikipedia right before all of you people told me, thanks though.

[Glyde]

To the hall of heroes he goes. A touching tribute, Giant. <3

[slayerx]

He's a man who will be missed... he started it all and he will be missed. Thanks Gary, for giving us such a great past time.

R.I.P

[The_Kobold_Hero]

You know, I really think he'd like this strip. Thank you for doing that, Giant, that was very touching.

[mggreenberg]

Thank you for taking the time to say what a whole lot of us would also say
if we had ever had the opportunity.

Farewell Mr. Gygax and watch out for the random evil adventuring parties.

[Gorbash Kazdar]

Awesome tribute!


Cool, I was here when this updated. Don't know who the guy is though.
Gary Gygax, along with Dave Arneson, created Dungeons & Dragons, which was essentially the first tabletop role-playing game. The Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gygax) would be a good place to start learning. Everyone on the forums owes Gary Gygax thanks - even if you don't play D&D or even other RPGs, OotS wouldn't be around without what ultimately comes back to his work.

[Voshkod]

Nicely done, sir. Nicely done and appropriate.

[The Giant]

Is it supposed to be ironic funny, like "haha, he's thanking him for single-classed fighters and vancian spellcasting"? If it is, it didn't come off very well.

No. I actually AM thanking him for those things, considering those things are what made the game I love. No irony was intended.

[tmacdevitt]

Thank you for the tribute. He did us a service.

[SteveMB]

"Rolling on a chart to figure out where" :smallsmile:

[vivi]

When did he die?

Triple post!

[Bitzeralisis]

I wonder what Gary Gygax would've said if he saw this strip. *contemplates cluelessly*

[gooddragon1]

GG gary, gg.

[Lupy]

Thanks Rich, this made me tear up. I didn't know he had died until I saw this. And this just meant alot to me. I can't say how much I appreciate this, so, Thanks.

Even the Wizard by the Coast is weeping (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/welcome)

[Coplantor]

I loved to roll 3d6 six times in order and those class/race restrictions and requierments, the paladin class was a really special one, you nedded a 17 and two 15's to be one. I never played 1st edition or the tomb of horrors but they are in my to-do list. I loved this comic, it blended humor and respect perfectly. Thanks Rich and thanks Gary.

[Mr. Scaly]

*salutes* He will be remembered.

[hanzo66]

Well, it's nice that Rich whipped this up in tribute...


Rest In Peace and thanks for helping those who took Charisma as a dump stat for something that we had fun with, Gary.

Hopefully you'll end up in the Good Place. If not, then... Well, hopefully you're epic level.

[Yendor]

It's a sad bit of serendipity that Roy is on hand to meet him. :smallfrown:

[Thanatos 51-50]

Wow. That was a very nice strip. I don't mind the slight jar at all. Kudos, Giant.
The strip made me smile, and me just smiling is a rare thing.:smallsmile:
R.I.P. Gary Gygax.

[Maulrus]

That was the most touching OotS ever.

[Grey Watcher]

Gary Gygax, I hardly knew ye.

But yeah, even though I'm still relatively new at D&D (I've studied it for several years now, but I've seen very little actual play), I suppose I have a lot to thank him for. The first video games that I loved to play can trace their ancestry back to his work. It's sad to see him go.

Oh, and I love single-classed Fighters, too.

[Syrinth]

No exorciser harm thee!
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!
Ghost unlaid forbear thee!
Nothing ill come near thee!
Quiet consummation have;
And renownéd be thy grave!

Rest in peace sir, the world owes you an unending debt. Show those angels up there the true terror of rust monsters.

[The_Weirdo]

He lived a good 1d100 + 2d20 - 10 years.

[Rhathar]

It's hard to think that the founder of D&D is gone. All these years and suddenly no one new will ever join the game knowing he's still out there creating somewhere.:smallfrown:

[TheCountAlucard]

I'm both sad that he's dead and happy that you were so swift to pay tribute to him, Mr. Burlew.

I agree with Shadow Addict; this is a touching comic.

I like your depiction of the late Mr. Gygax, by the way.

[Haruki-kun]

That was really nice. :smallsmile:

RIP, Gary Gygax

[Church]

Thanks for this. The "considering rolling a chart" line was priceless.

[Sequinox]

...

Sniffle Sniffle...

I didn't think he would ever die...

And only 70 years old, too...

very touching, Giant.

[Jimblee]

Goodnight, sweetlings, may you forever roll 20s

I wonder how big a column he's going to get in the morning... Kind of sad knowing that people will grow up not knowing about him

[Brianna_Sollandry]

New comic is up.
Thank you, Rich.

Gary looms large in my life, since he invented a hobby which has kept my interest for more than 30 years. I cried when I heard the news today.

Thank you.

[calvinism]

Thanks you said it all. Curious how one feels older when the heroes of ones youth begin to pass away of old age.

[Dark Wolf]

It's quite a coincidence that Roy had just gone back to the afterlife in time to meet him.

[Green-Shirt Q]

Very touching. I cried at the end. Very well written.:smallfrown:

P.S @The Giant: I don't know if you are reading this message, but I sent you a PM about something really important and you haven't replyed yet. Just a friendly reminder if you are. I kinda need the info.

[Balkash]

NOOOOOOO!!!! Teh world is falllin a plart.. . ...

[kirbsys]

RIP

We nerds everywhere thank you.

[Maulrus]

He lived a good 1d100 + 2d20 - 10 years.

In the true OotS spirit.

[smellie_hippie]

Rest In Peace Mr Gygax. :smallfrown:

Very touching comic Mr Giant. Thank you.

I personally thank you 4d6 drop the lowest die roll... times. :smallamused:

[SnowballMan]

New comic is up.

It's a bit of a non sequitor, since it switches back to Roy rather suddenly, but I felt it was important to say this now, rather than next week or so.

I was kinda hoping you would do something like this.

Thank you.

[shaddy_24]

Wow... This was very touching. I've only been playing for about 2 years, but this game has had a huge impact on my life. I enjoy it so much. I agree with Roy. Thank you so much Gary Gygax. You made the world just that much better.

[tenguro]

Best tribute ever. R.I.P Gary.

[a1057soul]

Rest in Peace Mr. Gygax... I'm re-reading Greyhawk novel #1 in tribute today.

May the outer planes be all that you imagined.

:sigh:

[THAC0]

Thank you.

I have been following OotS since comic one and lurking on the forums for quite some time, but this has finally driven me to register here.

As a dedicated 1e player, all I can say is, once again, thank you.

[Gerli]

It's a beautiful tribute from all the people who plays for too many years... Roy's speech and the circumstances in where he is are a very apropiate way to say "Godbye" to a very important person in their World...
QDEP (Que descanses en paz)

[rosebud]

It was bittersweet when I saw that a new OOTS was up. Happy to see a new installment then wishing I could trade that excitement for a long delay if he meant he could have made his saving throw.

But he lives on in all of us. The countless hours pouring through stats and books and dungeon creation and gaming. The times of frustration and friends. And the amusements, like recalling how a DM in a game I played a century ago let me out of his other dimensional trap unharmed because I was the only party member that was neither a fighter nor magician. :smallsmile:

And that's how he should be remembered. With all the smiles and good times.

[raichi]

very good comic, may you enjoy as many one night stands and debates where your always right as you can Mr. Gygax.

[Moebius]

I got to meet him at Gen Con last summer. He signed my 1st ed Players' Handbook.

Now I have a dead man's autograph. That feels odd.

Requiescat in pace, Mr. Gygax. And thank you.

[Zephra]

awwwwwww... we gamers owe him so much

I wonder anyone ever told him, "you've created a monster!" (ha, ha) no, really-- When he started all of this, do you think he knew just how big it would be?

good comic, if the most fourth-wall-y I've ever, ever seen...

[Greyhame]

A darkness falls over the World of Greyhawk.
At his tomb in the City of Greyhawk are assembled all the powers of Oerth.
Mordenkainen and the Circle of Eight, Lord Mayor Nerof Gasgol, attending heads of state from the highest lands of Veluna to the lowest lands of the Bandit Kingdoms have gathered. Even the avatars of Beory the Oerth Mother, St. Cuthbert, and even Iuz the Old appeared to pay respects.

The Master has ascended to Godhood over his world. Long live Xagyg!

[Vulion]

I can't believe it, Gary's dead...

*sigh*

And for the record I like Tome of Horror's.:smallamused::smallwink:

[Overelemental]

Very nice comic. It's where I first heard the news. Gary was a great man, and will be missed by gamers everywhere. Rest in Peace Master Gygax.

[Nightfall]

Wow. I feel old all of a sudden. Wait a minute...I AM old! He co-created D&D in 1974. I began playing in 1977. Looooong time to be rollin' dice!

Glad you put this up, Rich. Wouldn't want the body to get cold, now, would we? :wink:

RIP Old Man. I owe you big time.

[TroyXavier]

Sad that the strip had to be made but wonderfully done. Thx for it, Giant.

[Leliel]

Yep, Gary better watch himself around that part of heaven...

[hajo]

Very moving, indeed...

Who ELSE still has their 1st-edition handbooks ?

[Tabiani]

Nice tribute, Rich.

[Greyhame]

Very moving, indeed...

Who ELSE still has their 1st-edition handbooks ?

*Raises Hand*
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 3.5.
Lost my gaming virginity in B3 - Palace of the Silver Princess.
Still use World of Greyhawk as my campaign setting to this day.

[Zargon]

Thank you Giant for a very nice tribute.
RIP Gary. The world changed in a noticeable way because of you.

[Kahlan]

Thank you Rich for that touching tribute. I think you said it all.

[The Tygre]

That was beautiful...

Godspeed, sir. Godspeed.

By the way, does anyone else think that Gygax should get Spock's funeral from Star Trek II?

[Krimm_Blackleaf]

Reading this and the newest news segment in sequence brought me to tears.:smallfrown:

I only wish I could have made a memoriam as well as you did.
Edit: I'm also glad to have an avatar of a creature invented by him.

[Demonicbunny]

He lived a good 1d100 + 2d20 - 10 years.


Indeed

In respect to his memory my own gaming group is going to take 1d4+1 minutes of silence at our next session.


I think that's a fitting tribute, at first it makes you laugh, but I can't think of a greater tribute to his memory than a remembrance lasting for a variable amount of time (using a dice as a randomizer).

[Gengy]

May he live on in the Nat 20s.

Gygax, your work is a critical hit to my heart. No save.

[NeonRonin]

That was very nicely done. Kudos, Rich.

Sorry you had to leave us, Gary. You will be sorely missed. Thanks for everything you've done for players and gamemasters alike.

May we meet one day in Elysium(or wherever you decide to settle down). Godspeed, good sir.

[Eran of Arcadia]

I never played DnD, but I will forever remember his appearance on Futurama.

"Hello, Fry, I am . . . (rolls d20) . . . happy to meet you."

[THAC0]

Very moving, indeed...

Who ELSE still has their 1st-edition handbooks ?

Um, of course. In triplicate. And still playing. ;)

[weresheep]

Lovely tribute. Thank you for posting this.

Best,
Elaine Cunningham

[Warlord JK]

I didn't know who the guy was, but I pretty much figured out by the end of the comic that he had something to do with the creation of DnD. Very touching Giant. GJ

[Kusanagi Hayate]

It was Third Edition where I started. I'm of the younger gaming generation (not too young, just early 20s). However, Gary Gygax has made not only tabletop, but almost all roleplaying gaming possible.

If it weren't for him, Final Fantasy, World of Warcraft, hell, none of it would be the same. They might still be there, but the worlds he created spawned more worlds, which created even more, from which, entire universes have formed. Nothing would be the same.

As a nerd.

As a tabletop dice roller.

As a gamer.

I salute you, Gary Gygax. Thank you, for allowing me and millions of others out there, to enjoy our experiences, to bring out something stronger in our own souls, to know that in our world, heroes still exist. Hell, you're certainly one of them.

Good night, Father of Modern Gaming.

And don't worry. That dragon's head is as good as mounted.

[sbarrie]

"In order."

Damn straight.

[Vincentrose91]

He shall be missed.

[Lionpawheart]

How sweet... love the memorial comic.

[DaewnNightbringer]

GG gary, gg.

For some reason I was ok until I read this, then I got all choked up :smallfrown:

[[Insert Neat Username Here]]

An excellent tribute. Rest in Peace, Gygax.

[Hunter Noventa]

I wish i was back at home right now, at the local gamign club there would have been a moment of silence, and I'm sure some of the veterans would have said something moving.

Rest In...*rolls d20*...Peace, Gary. The world owes you.

[Kinneus]

Aww. I was kinda hoping the Giant would do something like this.
Thanks for everything, Mr. Gygax. RIP

[Swashbuckler]

Rich -

You, sir, have 10d100 x 1000gps worth of class. What a great tribute!

Having met and played in-game with E. Gary Gygax on a couple of occasions, I can say that he was most definitely a fun loving guy. He will be missed.

Again, great strip, Rich.

EDIT: And yes, I still have all of my 1st edition books, my 2nd ed stuff, and both 3.0 and 3.5. Long live the game!


- Swashy

[Superglucose]

There have been a lot of really stupid tributes out there that weren't touching in any way.

This was not one of them.

This was brilliant, and moving. A great industry lost a great man, and leave it to Rich Burlew to remind us just how great he was.

[Random Guy]

I looked at the Wikipedia article for March 4 (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_4), and noticed his name has been added to the list of people who have died on March 4.

Someone also updated his article (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gygax) on Wikipedia, in addition to the Deaths in 2008 (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_2008) article.

[Swordguy]

Damn you Giant. I'm crying.

Thank you.

[The_Ditto]

Very moving, indeed...

Who ELSE still has their 1st-edition handbooks ?

1st ed, 2nd ed, 3rd, 3.5
Also have the original "basic" set + Expert + Companion + Masters
Even still have the Immortal set. :smalleek:

Scary ...

RIP Gary ...

[Particle_Man]

I think that was a wonderful tribute.

And I do have my hardbacks. Not in mint-condition, but well-loved.

And Roy is dreaming if he thinks he can get an illusionist with "3d6 six times in order". That requires a 15 INT and 16 DEX! :smallsmile:

[BloodyAngel]

It's such a sweet tribute.... so why am I crying?

We'll miss you Gary.

[Yendor]

I looked at the Wikipedia article for March 4 (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_4), and noticed his name has been added to the list of people who have died on March 4.

Someone also updated his article (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gygax) on Wikipedia, in addition to the Deaths in 2008 (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_2008) article.
That doesn't surprise me at all. What interested me was how quickly Rich's tribute was mentioned in the article.

[Runar]

As a non-gamer, I admit I had to google him to know who the heck he was. Though, by gamers and just about any RPG fan, he will be missed.
Afterthought: Now I get comic...389?...when Captain Scoundrel says "how in the name of Gygax".

[Inigo Montoya]

Just a quick poll: How many people will be running First ed. games tonight in memory?

[Johnny Blade]

Really a great, warm-hearted tribute.



Rest in peace, Mr. Gygax.

[Swordguy]

Just a quick poll: How many people will be running First ed. games tonight in memory?

Tragically, I'm the only person in my area who knows the system...

And I don't want to give Gygax a memorial by playing with myself... :smalltongue:

[The Extinguisher]

:smallfrown:

That sucks. Really.
Great comic, but sad nonetheless.

In somewhat related news, I've always wanted to try Tomb of Horrors.

[Inigo Montoya]

Well, I think someone should get a game going in PBP section.

[darthmoridin]

Very touching tribute Rich, thank you for giving us the pleasure of being able to read it.

RIP GG, may you always throw natural 20s.

:smallwink:

[Harr]

Brilliant, brilliant tribute.

[Qov]

Bravo! I knew exactly who it was by the second frame, because I'd just clicked away from learning about his death on another site. Of course, that made me realize that unless Rich consulted an accurate oracle last week,
A) it doesn't really take three days for Rich to craft one of these things, and
B) the plot may not be as immaculately planned out as it seems. Sometimes it just happens that a character is in the right place at the right time, just in time.

[Greyhame]

Tragically, I'm the only person in my area who knows the system...

And I don't want to give Gygax a memorial by playing with myself... :smalltongue:

Although you could! Remember at the back of the 1st Ed. DM Guide are all the charts that would let you generate a dungeon, including its structure, for solitary play?!

You could in fact, play D&D with yourself as a tribute.

[thubby]

awesome tribute.
anyone else weirded out by how convenient this is though? what are the odds?

[InuSaga]

Wow, Giant. You got that up there fast.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

R.I.P. Mr. Gygax. You will be sorely missed.



:smallfrown:

[BisectedBrioche]

R(I)P Gary Gygax. :smallfrown:

[caw]

well done, a very nice tribute. you can speak for my elven fighter-magic user-thief anytime.

[YohanLeafheart]

Wonderful Strip Giant to a Wonderful man

"Tomorrow will take us away
Far from home
Noone will even knows our names,
But the Bard's songs will remain" (Blind Guardian - The Bard's Song)

For the man who create it all I pray
May Rao help thee settle down
May Pelor shine thy path and heal thy wounds
May Istus remember thy name, and write thy fate
May Boccob keep thy spell list updated

Let Beory cry with sadness
Because the Greatest has left Oearth
And taken by Saint Cubberth hands
Has entered the Upper Planess

Farewell oh Master of All Dungeons.
Slayer of Orcs.
Keeper of relics.
Thy name is written on the Songs.

Yohan Leafheart


Just a quick poll: How many people will be running First ed. games tonight in memory?

Just need to find my box.

[rgoodfellow]

Thank you.

[Jayngfet]

For some reason I was ok until I read this, then I got all choked up :smallfrown:

me too, I heard the news in the morning, I verified this with cnn and wikipedia, the tears refused to flow, I played always look on the bright side of life all day, when I read this, combined with that I cried for the first time in about a year and a half (didn't shed a tear from broken bones between then), suddenly I'm groping through water stained eyes for the tissue.

[vanyell]

Rest in Peace Gary

[Firest]

Awesome tribute, kudos on getting it up in such a timely manner.

[Kyeudo]

I am amazed at the speed with which the Giant can whip out a comic when he wants to.

Gygax dying marks the passing of an era. My life would be sorely different if not for his creativity. Guess I'll actualy try that Tomb of Horrors supplement I got.

[CockroachTeaParty]

I was hoping Roy would run into ol' Gygax.

I'm going to have my group hold a moment of silence for him this Friday, and I'm giving everyone a free action point to do something extra epic in his memory.

[Jayngfet]

in other news, I gotta borrow my buddies first edition rules and run a dungeon.

[Swordguy]

Oh Gary G, the dice, the dice came callin'
taking you to the DM in the sky.
And now you're gone, the gamers are a talk-in
That memories of you will make us cry.

We're grown-ups now, with wives, and kids, and mortgages,
You make us knights, or elves with sword and bow
You let us dream and let us live our fantasies,
O Gary G, O Gary G we'll miss you so!




I'm sorry. I can't keep going. I'll be back tomorrow maybe.

[Aethir]

RIP Gary Gygax, you'll be missed around the world.

[MyrddinDerwydd]

*:durkon: *A toast*:durkon: *

To those who, by their ideas, make us become better people.

R.I.P. Gary Gyax

[purepolarpanzer]

We can all agree on one thing.

No matter who runs the game,

We have lost the one true Dungeon master.

Everyone burn a d6 tonight in his memory.

RIP EGG.

[Arkenputtyknife]

Who ELSE still has their 1st-edition handbooks ?
Just sold the last of mine, the Fiend Folio. Despite being in terrible condition, it was valued at $65. Then again, it was the edition with the Cthulhu Mythos chapter. (A copy of the later edition without CM was going for $15, even though it was in much better shape.)

It's amazing how much some of those old books have appreciated.

Still got my Basic rulebook and Original set.

Farewell, Mr. Gygax. D&D was never my favorite RPG, but without it, where would we be?

[Blaznak]

WHOO HOO! What a GREAT tribute! I certainly hope this strip makes it into any OOTS anthology. Very very nice. Not too touching, not too distant. I'd say it was just perfect. Wow. Nicely done.

3d6 ... in order ...

I remember back in 78-79 our gaming group considered a contract between the players not to keep re-rolling characters until we got a "good one". Never came off...

Anyone else remember how he'd hide his initials in the map? So you would map out the dungeon and there would be his initials? Or magic "EGG"s for some reason?

*Sigh* now those were fun times...

Later!

[Eldritch Knight]

I was reading over some of his posts over at another forum I frequent, and I completely forgot about the Pun War I got involved in with him. Here now, preserved in history is his classic wit.


First, the opening shot:


Lightbringer wrote:
I warn you all.. I've recently gotten a licence to kill those who make bad puns... You might just find yourself being the first. My PUN-isment will be swift and lethal.

What a pun-y threat

I respond with what I percieved to be an attempt at puns so corny he'd be forced to surrender. My puns are in Orange, his counters are in black.



Lightbringer wrote:
Well then, this means war!

He died leaving 100 clocks. His son is winding up the estate.

A timely and striking pun.

Quote:
Animals that tunnel in the soil have to have an escape root.

How can I not soil myself and respond to that?

Quote:
A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean a mother.

As learned from one's Alma Matter?

Quote:
No-fault insurance does not cover earthquakes.

That one makes me tremble.

Quote:
Those who change the color of their food are on a dye-it.

That one makes me green with envy and hungry to top it.

Quote:
Somebody was running a flea circus, but a dog came and stole the show.

Ah, scratch that one!

Quote:
I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.
A pun to pit one in stiches.

Quote:
Show me a piano falling down a mineshaft and I'll show you A-flat minor.

Rather a sour note that.

Quote:
If you don't pay your exorcist you get repossessed.

Only speed demons can get into the spirit of that.

Quote:
Yeah, so I pulled them off the net. Pulling them out of my head is a painful process...

Now ain't ya sorry?


Gary


I surrendered. If he can out pun my father's puns, there's no way I'd have stood a chance against him.

((Lightbringer, is of course, me))

Edit: Made it easier to read

[Blaznak]

He lived a good 1d100 + 2d20 - 10 years.

Ok.... You made me laugh at that one! Nicely done :smallsmile:

[RosesOnConcrete]

No exorciser harm thee!
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!
Ghost unlaid forbear thee!
Nothing ill come near thee!
Quiet consummation have;
And renownéd be thy grave!

Rest in peace sir, the world owes you an unending debt. Show those angels up there the true terror of rust monsters.

I was fine until I saw this one, and then I started tearing up. That Shakespeare quote has always been a favorite of mine, and so appropriate here.

As the girlfriend of an avid gamer, and an eager amateur myself, thank you from the bottom of my heart, Mr. Gygax. You will be sorely missed. And thank you, Giant. This is a lovely, touching tribute to a great man.

[Blaznak]

Just sold the last of mine, the Fiend Folio. Despite being in terrible condition, it was valued at $65. Then again, it was the edition with the Cthulhu Mythos chapter. (A copy of the later edition without CM was going for $15, even though it was in much better shape.)


It made me laught to read this because I'm guessing you must mean "Deities and Demigods" not "Fiend Folio" if it has the squids in it! Yikes! I know too much trivia. Either way, a fun memory! It also had Melnibornian stuff in there, too.

Of course, the White Box had hobbits...

Later!

[Gamaliel_the_Bard]

It's sad to see a person pass away. It's nice to know that his work and name will be remembered for many years to come.

For all of us "old-timers" who played the Original D&D, this for us is a time that brings us to pause and reflect on all the nights we sat around in kitchens, family rooms, and basements with some of the people who would become some of the best friends we've ever had .....because.... Ernest Gary Gygax, gave people with imaginations a means to come together and share the "adventuring experience" that we have loved from as early as we can remember. The fairy tales of childhood, the stories of Narnia, and the world of J.R.R. Tolkien and his epic story that began with simple hobbits, all served to fuel our imaginations and daydreams, but our only outlets were artistic. Whether we wrote, drew, painted, played medieval instrumental music on our record players, we could only take our thoughts and expression so far. That was until D&D came along.

We couldn't resist the chance to imagine ourselves walking in the world of D&D and creating our own epic stories.

Gary Gygax and his D&D game system turned our ability to dream and imagine into a "reality". The rules were a guide, not the end all be all, to taking a group of people and helping them turn dice rolling, thinking, a measure of "improv" and storytelling into an enjoyable hobby. And almost anyone, regardless of age race, or handicap could participate. All you needed was a desire to want to vicariously live an adventure, and a group of friends of like mind.

At first the rules seemed "odd" but then as you read the Player's Handbook and the Dungeon Master's Guide, you began to understand, how to make an adventure world come to life. A game like this, no board, no cards, no field or teams, was totally new to people and seemed not likely to succeed. But, < show of hands please > how many of us fully understood all the rules to a game the first time we played it? Someone who knew us, who thought we might like D&D, took the time to show us the ropes, which usually came in 50' lengths. It only took one friend with the extra interest and drive to understand how it all worked, plus the hyper-active imagination and take the lead attitude to have the Dungeon Master.

For anyone who ever rolled dice in any RPG game or who today enjoys the vast array of computer adventure games, from console to PC to MMORPGs. Gary Gygax was the first guy to break the ice for the rest of us to fall into our imaginations in a new and creative way. Suddenly there were no time limits or buzzers on our game, unless you had a curfew, and "brain power" was the skill you needed, and "OK" luck with dice was helpful too. Our games suddenly became open-ended and you could find yourself OK with losing one day because you could come back and win the next time (Note previous dice rolling comment).

I enjoy today's games and am happy to have all kinds of choices, but there is something about the simplicity of the Original D&D that has become lost from today's games. In the desire to have a control over gray areas, we find ourselves sometimes frustrated by the rules instead of being helped by them. Yes, as an "old-timer" I long for the days of a simpler RPG from time to time, when plate armor only cost 60 gold and everyone had 3d6 X 10 gold to start.

I found out today about the passing of Mr. Gygax when I went to Aaron Williams website to read up on Nodwick http://nodwick.humor.gamespy.com/index.htm and he has links that are of interest to read if you like more news about Gary Gygax. Aaron Williams comic, Full Frontal Nerdity was posted today as a tribute to Gary Gygax. For all of of us dice rollers it's especially fitting http://nodwick.humor.gamespy.com/ffn/index.php .

As I read through the posts for this dicussion, I noticed that a lot of folks have been gamers in the more recent years, after D&D first came out. I felt it would be helpful to some who never knew the early RPGs to have a little insight into an "old-timer's" thoughts about what this means to us, the news of Gary Gygax's death. I did have the privelege to meet Mr. Gygax one year and get his autograph and speak with him about what D&D meant to me and my friends. I wish I could have been as elegant as what Mr. Burlew put into today's OoTS. Today's OoTS is a well crafted, funny, and true expression of appreciation for the work of the man that we honor with our comments here today.

Thank you for sharing a walk with this Bard as he reflected on this day.

[Corrupted One]

R.I.P. Mr. Gygax. You were a great man. You opened minds, stimulated imaginations, and brought joy to many a nerd. And, at the risk of sounding pathetic, you made some people who had no friends feel as if they do. I've never had a way with words ( even if I did I doubt they could do him justice) but you have created a legacy that will inspire and enlighten for years to come.


Rest well my friend. You've earned it.

[Lorna]

I thought now would be a good time to tell a quick tale...

A few years back a friend of mine came over very excited. He had just returned from a gaming convention (sorry I don't remember which one).

He had been sitting down at a table with several other people playing D&D and a few of them got into a discussion afterwards about some of the rules in first edition. One of the gentlemen there seemed very, VERY sure of the rules. My friend in a fit of frustration blurted out sarcastically "Who are you?.. Gary Gygax?"

The Gentleman in question calmly reached in his pocket and placed his name tag on the table in front of my friend... sure enough it read... "Gary Gygax"

You could have knocked my friend over with a feather... He appologized immediately. He said he has never felt so strongly the need for a pair of peppermint sneakers.

Rest in Peace Gary...

You have provided years of entertainment for not only myself but now my children and your contribution to the planet will not be forgotten.

[xopher.tm]

E. G. G.

Salut!

[Toothygrin]

Just one word to say, Rich.

Bravo.

[Fawsto]

Master Gygax... :smallfrown:

I will never happen to talk to him in this life. To think that I owe a single man so many hours of fun and joy. We all will feel that there was a huge loss around.

At least, if it is to comfort anyone, he died knowing that he was the man who brought funny and thrilling experiences to more than one generation of players. He, with a simple game, changed the world to a better way. "Father of D&D"?: A Hero by other name.

I can only say two things:

Thank you Master Giant for this tribute. Touching... In the depths of the hearts of every D&D player, this loss will be buried.

I will remember to find Master Gygax in heaven for some roleplaying when my time comes. Until them, I shall honor his memory playing the game he helped to create and trying to make it the best game ever, with all of my efforts.

Rest in Peace.

[FoE]

Nice comic, Rich. It was good of you to do that so fast.

Gary, my human magic-user/illusionist Mordred and my single-class elven fighter Redsword say goodbye. And thanks. :smallfrown:

[Mordeus_Dire]

A sad day for every roleplayer.
Seems every webcomic and D&D enthusiast is giving him a salute in some form, not just Chris. Quite inspiring really.
http://www.dorktower.com
http://www.nodwick.com
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/welcome&dcmp=ILC-DND062006FP

[Tredrick]

I had the pleasure of meeting the man on several occasions. The most amazing thing about him was he could listen to players tell stories about their characters and campaigns and enjoy every minute of it. After talking to him for 5 minutes you felt like you had a true lifelong friend.

The first time I met him was at I-Con on Long Island way back when. We started lining up for him an hour before he was scheduled to start. He walked in and saw us standing there waiting for him. he walked up to us, shook all our hands and invited us up to where he was going to be doing the signings to talk with him for the 45 minutes until everyone else came up. There were about a dozen of us.

I would see him a few times over the next few years. By the last time I met him, he knew my name and my character's name.

Rest In Peace, Ernest, the world is better, if slightly weirder, for your time here.

[Fawsto]

I have to psot this song... This is the only thing I could think in memory of such a great man... This music translates my gaming spirit, the spirit to travel and explore, the spirit to fight hordes of orcs and survive to bloody traps. This music, however, is not half epic enough to be sung in the memory of Master Gygax.

"The way is long, time is too short
this little footpath seems never to end
Green are the trees, musk on the stones
how it looks strange this mystical world
Sweet smelling rose what do you hide
behind your innocence red like my blood

Hungry for victory, hungry for love
love for the earth that made me her son
strong and invincible serving my cry
go now and ride there where dragons fly

The rocks appear in front of me
when the first shadows pretude to dark
Near is your end wild holy path
open my eyes to what the sun hides
Beloved mountain what do you hide
Where does your river flow, I want to know

Hungry for victory, hungry for love
love for the earth that made me her son
strong and invincible serving my cry
go now and ride there where dragons fly

Beloved mountain what do you hide
Where does your river flow, I want to know

Hungry for victory, hungry for love
love for the earth that made me her son
strong and invincible serving my cry
go now and ride there where dragons fly"

The Music is Called "Where Dragons Fly", by Rhapsody of Fire (Formely known as Rhapsody if you must search for the song, and I tell it is worth it).

[PaladinFreak]

Talk about ironic.
Today was my birthday, and today, Gary Gygax died. I've played D&D since I was 6 (not very well, admittedly), and it has been a major hobby ever since.

Damn...

[Schulzy]

I'm not a tabletop gamer, but I am a PC gamer. Without this Gary fellow, I wouldn't have a game I hold so near to my heart: Neverwinter Nights. I'm afraid I can't get nearly as sentimental as many of you, but I'd like to thank Gary for creating the game that became...well, a different game.

Rest in peace, and say hi to Drogan for me.

[ladysekhmetka]

Bravo! Excellent tribute, Rich.

[memnarch]

Very nice Rich.

*salute*

[Felixaar]

I'll never stop laughing at Gygax's brief appearance on Futurama. Cant think of anything to say that hasnt been said, so congratulations on a life well led.

[Allandaros]

I teared up while reading this one.

Thank you, Giant.


Dear Gary,

Thank you for the fun times, and the laughter of friends, and the cursing as Rethgif the Fighter toppled over, gnawed to death by giant rats. Thank you for the wonderful adventures, and the wacky names, and the dungeons chock-full of ancient lore and lethal traps. Did I mention the lethal traps?

I wish I had taken the opportunity to ask you a question over at EnWorld, in your threads. But I never had a good and thought-provoking question (or so I felt). I keep thinking that the news can't be true, and that you'll pop back on EnWorld and post some more responses to questions.

Thank you for the hobby you gave us, Mr. Gygax. Rest in peace.

[Corestimah]

Thank you Rich, for this tribute. I can think of no more fitting farewell than the one you have given. I am also saddened at Mr. Gygax's passing. I hope that he would have approved of The Order of the Stick; I am inclined to think that he did. Thank you again.

[FoE]

Two scenes stick out. First, when Gary introduces himself to Fry.

Gary: "Greetings! It's a ... (Rolls dice, checks result) ... pleasure to meet you!"

And later, when Fry is about to enter the cryogenic tube, and Fry begs for a weapon to use against the futuristic robots:

Gary: "Here! Take my +1 mace!"

[Schulzy]

Wow.

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/index.xml

Even the folks at Blizzard have put up a few words in memory. I suppose I owe Gary for a lot more than Neverwinter Nights...

[†Seer†]

*raises his cup in toast*
In Pace Requiem.

Nicely done, Giant.

[Hoplite]

I rather liked this comic.

[Yiuel]

It was a great read and a great tribute, I had a tear. (And finally decided to join to express how great Rich's work is).

[Foxpaw]

Rich, you're awesome.

Gary, thank you for this wonderful hobby. RIP.

[Zare]

I just read it again, and realized that the "3d6 in that order" bit could very well be from Roy's Archon to Roy. However, I think I'll stick to my original belief that it's some unseen force talking to Gary.

[The Kool]

Where to start...

I started on second edition, and moved to third. I knew a guy who said he played a CE Gnome Illusionist in a party with a paladin with abysmal Wisdom, and he managed to convince him to enter a fight he couldn't win, bet against himself, and give the winnings to the gnome, who would then "deliver it to the church." Heh. He got as far as the nearest bar. (Tossed a gp on the bar. "Drink up, it's on me!")

On the other side, this brought me closer to tears than much anything else ever, and I came quite close to shouting, AMEN!

[SoD]

Rest in peace Gary.

I've played DnD for near three years now, and never had a single thought about the guy who created it...even looking at the thread title, the name meant nothing to me. But...wow. A guy who I never knew...yet he did so much for me. A guy I never knew, but I will mourn his death.

I never knew your name until today, but you've done so much for me. For that, Gary Gygax, I thank you.

Rest in Peace.

[Wadoka]

How many of us could run a 1st Edition game basically from memory (with maybe a THAC0 and saving throw chart?)

How many of us still have to suppress an evil cackle when we think about the first time we DM'd a party through "Tomb of Horrors"?


Return this man to Huma's breast
Beyond the wild, impartial skies;
Grant to him a warrior's rest
And set the last spark of his eyes
Free from the smothering clouds of war
Upon the torches of the stars.

Let the last surge of his breath
Take refuge in the cradling air
Above the dreams of ravens where
Only the hawk remembers death.
Then let his shade to Huma rise
Beyond the wild, impartial skies.

[The Vanishing Hitchhiker]

My first reaction to panel two - "asf%#@$that guy works fast". I mean, I fully expected a tribute for the next strip, but I mean, the turnaround on this is just-- All hail the Internet.

Anyway, now to finish the comic.

Aww, touching tribute.

Excuse me. I have several somethings in my eyes. Made of liquid. Damn. :smallfrown:

...what sucks is, I rolled up my very first actual D&D character only a few weeks ago (a second edition bard - no rapier for me, sob), but I haven't gotten to use her yet, and I'm not going to get to use her because I'm moving in two weeks.

That's right, I wasn't even social enough in high school to find a D&D group. Yeah, laugh. I accept your scorn. :smallyuk:

Now, where was I...oh, crap. The mysterious liquid eyethings. Sigh.

[The Kool]

Return this man to Huma's breast
Beyond the wild, impartial skies;
Grant to him a warrior's rest
And set the last spark of his eyes
Free from the smothering clouds of war
Upon the torches of the stars.

Let the last surge of his breath
Take refuge in the cradling air
Above the dreams of ravens where
Only the hawk remembers death.
Then let his shade to Huma rise
Beyond the wild, impartial skies.

Amen brother, Amen.

[Martok]

I know I'm doing little more than simply repeating what everyone else has said already, but I'm saying it anyway:

RIP, Gary Gygax. I thank you for all the adventures my friends & I have been on, and still have yet to do. May your dice always roll well in the afterlife. :smallfrown:


And thank you, Rich, for that tribute. That was....perfect.



Oh Gary G, the dice, the dice came callin'
taking you to the DM in the sky.
And now you're gone, the gamers are a talk-in
That memories of you will make us cry.

We're grown-ups now, with wives, and kids, and mortgages,
You make us knights, or elves with sword and bow
You let us dream and let us live our fantasies,
O Gary G, O Gary G we'll miss you so!




I'm sorry. I can't keep going. I'll be back tomorrow maybe.
That was beatiful, Swordguy. I'd actually managed to not choke up today until I read that....

[Yoritomo Himeko]

That was very classy of you, Giant.

[ss49]

I knew I could count on Mr. Burlew for a tribute.

Thank you.

[Bellmaethorion]

I have known about D&D for a long time, and always wanted to play...
recently, I joined a pbp on this site, but before that, I had plans with some people at my school to start a game.
I worked on the story and everything, and finished(-ish...) a few days ago.
and yesterday, tuesday... we finally decided to start, it felt.. right, to do so.(not because I knew about Mr. Gygax, but.. because it just did)
today we'll be rolling stats for the characters...

He has had a huge effect on.. the world, and still will, he will live forever.

In Memoriam E.G.G.

[AzSteven]

Thank you Giant - thank you very much.

[XBobbis]

Rest in Peace, Mr. Gygax.

Alternatively, have awesome extraplanar adventures, and may your afterlife never be boring!

[Arraxis]

I thought it was really touching for you to dedicate an issue of OotS to the Big Man himself.

RIP Mr Gygax, we'll all miss you.

[sturmhauke]

I started playing with 2nd Ed. at a friend's house when I was in high school. The first RPG I had heard of was actually Robotech, but even my pre-gamer self knew that the Palladium ruleset sucked. :D Before long I was running my own campaign, armed with nothing more than a Player's Handbook and some dice. You were "supposed" to have a Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual at a minimum, but since I didn't I made up a bunch of stuff on the fly. Nobody cared, it was still a blast.

Thank you, Gary, for inventing an entire new genre of awesomeness. And thank you, Rich, for, well, the entire comic really, and especially today's. D&D still gets bad press from certain quarters, it's nice to see someone who gets it.

In honor of Gary, I've switched avatars to my Living Greyhawk character, named Zaru.

[Scribble]

Very nice tribute comic Giant.

Keep it up.

I hope we get to see Mr. Gygax pop up again some where as maybe a background cameo.

I'm pretty sure our heroes are gonna be plane hopping some more in the future.

[Calico]

OMG the world will not be the same. :( and i must say.... I actually had a much harder time with the bridge over lava that tilted. and for the record my cleric died AFTER the adventure was over.. was wearing the crown and had to get it off... poof.. disintegrated.. new i shouldn't have touched the butt end of the scepter >_<

a great imagenist.. although i must say (again) if you've played DDO you have to admit you would never want him DMing.

[Bluephoenix]

Hi, just wanted to say you did a fine job of representing what most of us would want to say.

As a player of a single-class first-edition fighter, I was almost brought to tears.

He was a most magnificent man. thanks for the tribute.

[Shadowcaller]

Even thought i never played DnD or knew who Mr Gygax was I still want to pay my respect for him, its sad that i never knew who he was or how much he had done before he passed away.

May he rest in peace.

Great comic Giant.

[Maithu]

Great Tribute.

Thank You Gary for all you have done.

[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 I can laughingly reminisce with friends about how the inebriated and very belligerent looking Severus Gaius got mowed down by town guardsmen after he attempted to yell, "I mean you no harm," while throwing up his arms, forgetting that he was still holding two bastard swords, one of them flaming.

Or how the doughty 7th level fighter Methos Kiam's epic tale ended with a failed a DC 9 jump skill check (TWICE, DM tried to be nice) because his player was a horrific munchkin (now reformed).



Mr. Gygax, it is thanks to you that I can tell with pride the tale of Grigory Breznivich, brave dwarven warrior amongst a band of magicians and rogues. Grigory Breznivich, a dwarf banished from his own clan for a single act of cowardice in his untested youth.

Of how when a vicious behir struck at his clan's hold, he returned with his friends to defend the clan's kin left unprotected by the warriors who were off to claim a dragon's treasure.

Of how when the monster slaughtered his companions, Grigory tearfully bade goodbye to his loyal war donkey and handed his cherished warhammer to his only remaining friend, the human mage Vikar the Resplendent.

Of how he then drew his short sword and ran headlong into the gaping maw of the behir to strike at its softer innards from within. He slew it with his last pain-ridden breath, muttering about the unreliability of magic to the very end.

Of how as the years went by, heroic tales of a humble wandering warrior named Vikar the Hammer and his war donkey began to be told over hearth fires and in tavern halls.



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.


Excerpt of “Hear You Me” by Jimmy Eat World:

“There's no one in town I know
You gave us someplace to go
I never said thank you for that
Thought I might get one more chance

What would you think of me now?
So lucky
So strong
So proud
I Never said thank you for that
Now I'll never have a chance

May angels lead you in
Hear you me my friends
On sleepless roads the sleepless go
May angels lead you in."

[ref]

Rest in Peace, Gary Gygax.

It was fortunate that Roy came back to the waiting room, since noone could hear him. :)

I guess this is one of the strips that can be moved to the end of the book when the book is printed. :)

[factotum]

Amazing how I can be in tears for the death of a man I never knew...brilliantly done, Rich.

[Invisible Queen]

I'm not very involved with D&D or its many derivations, not enough to actually miss the guy, but this thread made me mist up. So many people personally bereft. My sympathies to all of you.

Actually, this comic and this thread stand as a great memorial. I wonder if, say, Shigeru Miyamoto will get something to equal it when he dies.

Also, congratulations to mr. Burlew on adding another layer of confusion over how the world of OotS works. On one hand, the creator of the game entering the world is a pretty strong indicator the world is a game being played, on some level, but on the other hand, could the player characters play a game within the game? First edition no less.

Or maybe the comic is non-canon. . .

[Zavion]

Rest in Peace Mr. Gygax.


Also, about the comic: The comic has never had a complete four wall, what with the lawyers from Wizards hauling off the Illithid, and the constant references to rules and stats. So I don't think Mr. Gygax making a cameo really hurts continuity per say.

[Lord Herman]

A fitting tribute to a man who did so much for geeks everywhere.

[Winterwind]

Wow. This brought tears into my eyes, and I'm not even a D&D player. But then, it's not like the impact of this man's work was limited to D&D; without him, all those other tabletop roleplaying games which are such a major part of my life would not exist in that form, if at all.

Thank you, Giant.

[DracoDei]

I can think of little enough to say, and it has probably been said before... it seems he may have been a true Christian, so I yet hope to get his opinion of my homebrew when my time comes.

One comment though, had me weeping openly:

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;

To this I can only say that I hope your step-father's yield in XPs for defeat (although not death) was appropriately generous, awarded both you and Mr Gygax and his kind. I suppose a good roll on the treasure charts when he finally passes (if he has not already) would be too much to hope for, but with a good lawyer you (and/or your mother) might be able to contest the Will... or better yet have earned the bonus XPs for redeeming him from Chaotic Evil status (or did he fall under Neutral or even Lawful Evil?)... but don't get in over your CR...

[Harbajar]

Excellent Giant, excellent. Moving and clever. Gave me some shivers (the nice 'touchy feeling' kind).
*A half-orc pauses and looks to the skies, sheds a tears before continuing a cleave through the second goblin*

:smallsmile:

[Cywar]

Cael Stormdreamer Half-elven Warrior/Mage
Arn Rukian Mage.
Arve Axam Rogue
Cywar Kleideblumenockt Legendary Rogue
Fughal, Son of Fodin Blacksmith, Dwarven Paladin
Galen Stoerrebrandt Rogue/Ranger

And these are but a few of almost 20 Years...

"If you throw a stone into the water you will always know where the point was, where it hit the surface."
Anon.

"Guys with ideas which everyone could have are seldom"
Terry Pratchett

[Frederyck]

Thank you Gary for 25 years of the best hobby imaginable. So until the next time...

[Kanthalion]

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.


That was the one that put me over the top and brought tears to my eyes.
Rest in Peace, Gary. Thank you for the many years of fun, and all the other games that have come after. You will be missed.

[Doc Filth]

Very touching tribute. Thanks, Mr. Burlew.

And R.I.P Gary :(.

[Bayar]

If only it happened in the comic and not in real life...

You will always be in our hearts!

[Oslecamo]

Gone, but never forgoten.

Gygax greatly helped to create what is nowadays the most popular genre of gaming worldwide. He was a great man, and his legacy shall endure.

Just a shame he died so young. I was hoping he still participated in some d20 project.

And I must say I really apreciate the Giant's speed to make this strip, and how he also likes single classed fighters and vancian casting. It was an essential part of what made D&D special(altough it seems most of it will die in 4e, meh).

[Zeb The Troll]

Thank you, Rich.

And a fond farewell, Gary. See you on the other side.

[Max_Sinister]

Giant, this was really great. Thank you for this strip.

[Kaerou]

Thank you Rich..

and RIP Gary.. rest in peace. You shaped the fates of all of us.. From all of us gathering round friends every week to roll dice and dream of adventures no matter the setting, to even those os us who never heard of you hacking around in games that never would have existed without you such as Everquest. Thank you so much.

[Bayar]

Just a shame he died so young. I was hoping he still participated in some d20 project.

He was almost 70. I doubt he was THAT young...

[RosesOnConcrete]

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.


The parts about your stepfather (may he be eaten by a grue) darn near made me bust out in tears. The bit about the dog? Did. Beautifully written.

[Invisible Queen]

Also, about the comic: The comic has never had a complete four wall, what with the lawyers from Wizards hauling off the Illithid, and the constant references to rules and stats. So I don't think Mr. Gygax making a cameo really hurts continuity per say.
The fourth wall isn't quite what I was talking about. It refers to characters being aware that they are in a comic (or other medium of storytelling), which these guys apparently are when it's funny. The mystery of OotS is if the characters are aware that they are in a game, if they are indeed characters in a game, or if they're people in a world that works like a D&D game.

[Elfanatic]

R.I.P. Gary Gygax.

May you roll twenties in heaven.

[Mojique]

Thanks from me to Gary Gygax too for creating a wonderful hobby!

[Athaniar]

I have not know Dungeons & Dragons for that long, but still enough for me to know and appreciate the magnificent work of Gary Gygax. When I first heard the news, on the D&D homepage, I was shocked, not that much to be honest, because he hasn't be that important to my life, but still enough to be able to mourn the passing of the Master. Without him, there would probably not have been Dungeons & Dragons (at least not as we know it), and therefore no Giant in the Playground, and even not fantasy as we know it today. I therefore salute thee, Gary Gygax, and I hope there is D&D in the afterlife as well.

[KIDS]

That was very nice of you, Giant. Kudos :)

[AslanCross]

Salutes from my NPCs:

-Kreshnak, Hobgoblin Fighter 9, first adventure boss.
-Ataklos Rathryn, Human Cleric of Bane 7
-Caellamore deLavierre, Human Warblade 11, Ardragon of the Zhentarim, second adventure boss.
-Eirklaon Mal'meret, Tiefling Swordsage 12.
-Loroshyr Auzkovyn, Drow Wizard 15.
-Grimgashr, Half-Fiend Ogre Mage, Banefist of the Zhentarim.


Since I never really played as a PC, my campaign's villains give their salutes.

[Gryndel]

Great tribute Rich, well done sir! You rock, Giant!!

Fare thee well Gary, the Great Gygax, wherever those charts and dice take you.

Originally I started my beloved RPG hobby with the box set game as an occasional player. I fell in love with it instantly, and increased my play time by joining a group through a local book store ad. When the AD&D books came out I got real serious about it, and played regularly from then until the present.

Its really great to see some of the comments from those who never knew Mr. Gygax until the news of his demise inspired this. He was a great man in life, and will likely be highly recognized in death, and for years to come.

I still have all the original (1e) AD&D books, several dragon magazines, and many of the modules from that era. Tomb of Horrors was the first published adventure I ever DMed in fact, and I still have it. I have seen one or more mention in this thread about the possibility of running this adventure on this forum. Though I'm fairly inexperienced on this forum, I play and run forum games elsewhere. I might be willing to run said module, if enough interest is expressed. Any help in posting such a proposal in the proper place would be greatly appreciated.

[fotzlapen]

Thanks Rich. That was really moving and exactly what I'm sure many of us wanted to say. I'm always surprised how often OOTS manages to communicate something I feel - I think thats also why we all love this webcomic.

Rest in Peace Gary.

[Fingolfin]

Some may think it's strange, but this might be one of the best OOTS I have ever read. Thank you Rich.. :smallfrown:
Goodbye and rest in peace Gary

[Tonttu]

I feel like listening to Dire Straits now or something..

Have a good rest, Mr. Gygax

[Amras Seer]

:smallfrown:
I owe Gary so much, I could never have escaped my boring life every night with my closest friends, and experience a new world. Without you I would never have learned what it was like to be a wizard, a fighter, an orc, or an elf. I would have never have had that little world to look forward too after a bad day. We will all miss you more than words can express, society owes you an unending debt.

R.I.P

[Hywel]

As Mr. Gygax performs his grand tour of the planes to decide which one he'll spend eternity in, I sincerely hope the gods of Asgard hold out a warm welcome. Mead, maidens and mayhem for the rest of time? Sounds right up his street.

I can still remember the thrill of reading Basic D&D, getting on for 30 years ago. For me it opened the doors to creating stories and, for a serious little chap without too many friends, to having a really great time with lots of really smart, fun and kind people. It opened the doors on storytelling, writing, acting, public speaking, directing... and surely helped me on my way as a scientist and later as a film-maker and photographer.

I met my wife at a D&D game, I still run a game for university friends every week which keeps us in touch and my life would have been very much the poorer without Gary Gygax's works as a catalyst to hours and hours of creative fun.

Thank you, Mr. Gygax. You really changed the world for the better. You will be missed.

Hywel Phillips

[JosephHeller]

It's about time Heaven get a DM who knows what he's doing.

Rest in peace while you can, Mr. Gygax, cause in about 30-40 years, everyone who poofs up there with you is gonna wanna be DMed by the man himself. (*wonders if George Washington would play a fighter or a bard*)

[Morchaint]

Excellent Tribute. *moment of dice rolling silence*

game on.

[warmachine]

As Gary Gygax can travel between planes and everyone respects him as the original creator, I wanna know if this makes him beyond god-like.

[Ossian]

Just too much of an impact on who I am now, and the same goes for so many of us.
Hats off gentle sirs, and to the kind damsels, we bid you stand close to us in this moment.

The First Dungeon Master is on his way home.

Honor him....

[Fabio_MP]

good bye Gary

[Roderick_BR]

It was an awesome tribute. Thanks, Rich, and thanks Gary.

[Tundar]

I like this comic.
And I love the work of Gygax.

Thumbs up for this tribute, Giant.


May he rest in pease.

[pendell]

:(

A well done tribute, Giant. Fare well, Gary. May all your rolls be natural 20s.


I think I'll randomly roll up a nethack character in his honor. I wonder what the RNG will stick him with?

--
Respectfully,

Brian P.

[Aeek]

1st Edition??? I started before that with books 1-3 + Greyhawk.
Greyhawk added Thieves.

[HOLEkevin]

Fitting and heartfelt. Thanks Rich.

[TarSheva]

Thank you for saying, oh so eloquently, what I felt when I head the news.

[TheMeanDM]

Thanks, Giant!

[pjackson]

A sad day.
A great tribute.
It is just over 30 years since I first played D&D, a week and a half since I started playing in a new campaign.
Thank you E.G.G. for all the please you gave me.

I still have photocopies of the original rulebooks from back then, all my 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 3.5 books, the basic and expert sets, the Deities and Demigods with Cthulhu, and many other RPG books.

[Aballistar]

I actually like making characters roll 3d6 for stats in order... makes the role-playing aspect more interesting. Try roleplaying a warrior with a strength of 8 or a rogue with a dex of 9. Makes for an interesting game!

[Uthrac]

Thank you Rich.

And thank YOU Gary. RIP.

[Yamara]

Good game, Gary. Good game.

And there could be no better tribute than the one you created, Rich. Thank you, too.

Barbara Manui & Chris Adams
Yamara

[Delg]

my first Post here after more then 2 Years where OOS makes my Day, but today you prove you are a really great Person, Giant. All the best to all out here who mourn abe Gary, just remember what he all gave to us, dont be sad about what he might had left and never finished.

See ya later Gary

[Mr Teufel]

Epic, Mr Berlew.

RIP E Gary Gygax. Your games changed lives and powered imaginations. The world is a better place for your being in it.

[chibibar]

that is what I would say if I met him like that :) go Roy....

I owe a lot of D&D :) it is more than just a game.

[PollyOliver]

Very sweet.

RIP.

[Imrahil]

Coming out of the shadows of law school again just to say this:
Thank you, Giant. You’ve managed to convey my own feelings more eloquently than I usually can. I’m another soul among the millions that M. Gygax touched, and I wish I could have thanked him for bringing Imrahil, my paladin inside, to life. He helped to create in me a paragon with which to try and hold myself up to, as well as to provide a loner and reject back in high school with a method of escaping the tormenting world around him. It would be nearly impossible for me to sum up each and every way that he touched myself and others around me, so I just want to say: He will truly be missed.

[The_Bard75]

Very nice tribute, well done.

[Ayago22]

RIP Mr. Gygax, thank you for the wonderful worlds you opened to us!
Great Tribute Giant!

[Belkar Rocks]

That was a nice tribute, Rich. Both touching and fun. :smallsmile:

[lonewolf23k]

Y'know, I just knew Rich would make a comic like this when, last evening, I heard about Gygax' passing. And I was not disappointed. A truly great way to pay the man due tribute.

[THAC0]

Just a shame he died so young. I was hoping he still participated in some d20 project.



He was still working on and producing many new products. One that was still in the works, I believe, is his Castle Xagyg. I believe most of the actual material for that had been finished, so I hope they go ahead and publish it.

[Sebastian]

Is it supposed to be ironic funny, like "haha, he's thanking him for single-classed fighters and vancian spellcasting"? If it is, it didn't come off very well.

Well, Roy is a single classed finghter.

And D&D Vancian spellcasting rock.

[Wolf53226]

I don't know if a more fitting tribute could be had, very well done Mr. Giant.

And thanks for all the memories you have given me Mr. Gygax, my life would not have been the same without this simple little game you created.

[Sir_Leorik]

This was a really great strip. It was reverent, and still funny. Good work!

[Kaluna]

I owe 30+ years of fond memories to Mr. Gygax. I've been feeling sad since I heard the news yesterday.

Some folks reported that the comic made them cry. On the contrary, I feel much better, thinking about Gary wandering the planes, looking for a place to settle down.

Thanks Rich, for cheering me up.

Thanks Gary, for letting me be a one-eyed half-orc with homicide on her mind.

[Prospero7]

An excellent tribute Giant. Thank you Rich and thank you Gary for 25+ years of one of my favorite hobbies.

[garylian]

I think that summed it up pretty well, Giant.

Thanks for putting together a strip that gets it right for us. And it felt just right, with Roy being "up there" to talk to Gygax. In a way, it's almost perfect, because what other OotS character would any of us want talking to "the godfather of D&D"? While the others could have all been comical, Roy was the only one that could have said the right things.

Gygax, you are mourned.

[plommon]

That was a nice tribute.
Well done Giant.

[geekoid]

Method 1, Awesome.

Hard core all the way.

[geekoid]

Method 1, Awesome.

Hard core all the way.

[Alfryd]

For all my mocking of the current rules (a point on which I strongly suspect Mr. Gygax had many things to say)...
Suspect no longer... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lejendary_Adventure)

We'll get back to Haley, Belkar, and Celia next strip.
Really? I thought that was the cue for checking in on Hinjo & Co... Anyways. Good work.

[Heritage]

A sad day and a great comic; thank you, Rich. So nice to see how many lives were touched by EGG, and yes, I still have my three 1e rulebooks :D

My first D&D character was rolled up 3d6 style back in the early 80s when I was maybe twelve; he was a cleric named Corrigan, nicknamed ‘Corrigan the Useless’ by my older brother and his friends, but he eventually lived long enough to be known as ‘the Useful’. His stats were so poor he could barely lift his flail, but he was brave and quick to use a cure light wounds to save his friends. Twenty-five years have passed, and I owe some of the best experiences in my life to the work of Gary Gygax. Thank you, Gary – thanks to you, I got to meet and be some wonderful people. You also opened a world of history, language, cartography and a thousand other interests, and literally helped make me the man I am today.

Farewell Gary, from your friends Abel, Alexander, Alfero Korgi, Business Clown, Corrigan, Fritz Gnarl, Giselle Amberdirk, Gossamer, Grimalkin, Günter Treuschild, Helgaravna, Professor Janet Lewis, Jervyn of York, Jordick (aka ‘Dickie the Quick’), Maestro Vincente, Red Queen, Reg-R-Cide, Shadira Xerthos, Simon, Slither, Starchmonkey, Sylvester, Xerxes the Saboteur, and last but not least The Bloody Fifeman.

(Sorry if I forgot anybody, player characters of mine!)

[picklepenguin]

Awww :smallfrown:... I'm teary now!

R.I.P. Gary Gygax. Even if I didn't play your work, I still wish to do so. *sniffle*

[ChaoticEvilGuy]

I almost cried reading the strip and all these replies (I may be Chaotic Evil but that doesn't mean I don't have feelings) this is very touching and a great man died march 4th. *sniff* I..I think I have something in my eye. (for those that are curious I really am crying)

RIP Gary Gynax
game creator
writer
world changer

[c34miller]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Gary! Great tribute Giant. Without you both my life would be much more boring. I actually started playing D&D again with my daughter after reading the comic and not playing for 20 odd years.

Enjoy the planes Gary!

[Saint Nil]

:smallfrown: I just started playing D&D, and it is hard to thank that I'll never be able to meet the man who opened up endless worlds for me to play in. May God rest your soul Gary.

:smallfrown: I promised I wouldn't cry. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

[TBone]

God bless the man. no words.

[Moff Chumley]

[applauds][sobs][applauds]

[Qov]

I'm guessing that comic got slashdotted, as I couldn't get on the site all day.

[squeakyreaper]

I've never played a game of DnD in my life. But I do know that none of my favorite games of today would exist without him. And for that, he has my respects. Rest in peace, Gary.

[P_Bradley]

Greetings. I thought I would finally register and offer my comments. Long time highly entertained reader and first time posting.

A most fitting and excellent tribute Mr Burlew. Having the privilege to have worked with Gary on his various projects over the past 5 years, for Troll Lord Games, I can say with a fair amount of assurance that he would appreciate this latest pannel.

For those who didn't know him, Gary had quite the impish sense of humor and a fine appreciation of puns. My friend, and a man kind to all, who respected my talents and let me help bring his visions to life, he will be missed.

[Itdano]

:smallfrown: I promised I wouldn't cry. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

I didn't. And I'm glad too. I would have broken that promise.

Rest well, sir. You've earned it.

[Quorothorn]

Beautiful. Just beautiful. And durn funny, too, even if I have no first-hand experience of First Edition (I mean, I wasn't even born when it was created).

This is, actually, how I first discovered the sad news. Way better than any of the obituaries I've seen in the papers since this morning.

[drengnikrafe]

As much as I hate to admit it, I cried when I heard that Gary had died. I thank you for having the empathy to create a tribute to him. I was talking to a friend about it via internet earlier about it, and he suggested this...

"I'm sure he's rolling natural 20s in heaven right now. I bet he's up there right now, drinking Mountain Dew and DMing a campaign with Jesus (who plays a paladin), Buddha (monk), Prometheus (rogue), and Kokopelli (bard).

...Man. That is a pretty unbalanced party. They're hosed against big hordes."

God Bless you, Rich. You're truely a worthy nerd, and a hero of mine.

[DreadZombigar]

My father took me to Lake Geneva to the Main TSR store for my 13th birthday in 1983. he let me do the "shopping spree" thing where I could just go about the store and literally pick out anything I wanted. God, I came home with Gamma World, Top Secret, Star Frontiers, The Monster Manual 2, Fiend Folio a bunch of modules, Lead Figures,- I still have all of up up in the attic- Oh what birthday. I brought a friend along, and we made it a weekend trip, staying at a campground nearby. When I heard the news on the radio last night after work, I called up my friend of 24 years ago and told him the news about Gary. It was a good excuse to call him out of the blue and reminisce about that trip.