Ernest Gary Gygax Tribute

It was some several years ago in the mid ninties. I wrote a small tabletop strategy game and was lucky enough to be invited to the same after Gen Con party as E. Gary Gygax.

I was at the convention for several days and actually kept bumping into him randomly and he spoke to me every time, at length, with no apparent regard for the fact that I was taking up some of his time. Not many get to meet their idol, as I grew up in the eighties adventuring through endless hours of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. So I feel fortunate for this and the rest of this story.

Anyway, this party. We all were there for a short length of time, new people showing up, most of us awaiting Gary. He arrives, no dismountig off a dragon he rode in on, no great flash of magic as the grandfather of roleplaying arrived, he just walked in wearing a button up untucked shirt and wry grin. I was maybe ten feet from the door, and to my utter amazement, he walked directly up to me with purpose and greeted me. I was standing with a few other people whom I had met at the convention and this wonderful and amazing feeling of pride came over me. My hands are shaking right now as I type this memory. Gary Gygax walked into a party and apporached me in front of all these fellow fans of his, and greeted me...ME. Of all people. Well only aanother moment went by and he reached into pocket and pulled out a pack of smokes and lit up. As if by magic, a party attendant approached out of the ether and said, "Mr. Gygax, this is a non-smoking party." Without missing a beat, he handed me a cigarette, the people I was with a cigarette, a few passers by and the attendant were all handed cigarettes. He lit mine and proceeded to light others as well. I didn't smoke at the time, but I tell you, when Gary Gygax practically puts a cigarette in your mouth and lights it, you smoke it! He finished up after lighting only a few, looked at the attendant and said, "Miss, now this is a smoking party." He waited for some comment, she turned and left. We all laughed and he bid the group I was with a good day and proceeded to head around the room.

I wept at his passing, but he is now on the grandest adventure infinite that we all must take. I bid him peace and a sincere thank you for his work while he was with us, and the personal memory he left with me.