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.

I never met him, but the games he created for myself and all of my close friends lifted us out of an otherwise gray and troubled teen age existance. For us D&D, AD&D and Boothill gave all of a free and exciting place to live if only for a night or two per week. My friends would meet at LaTrobe uni in (Melbourne Australia) playing 12 hours on a friday night it was awesome, I picked up boothill and games of it are in demand constantly. The games he wrote gave advice that felt like an old mate was bringing us in on a great secret and usually he delivered in a way that made so many people smile and laugh untill it hurt. I still have that original print of Boot hill, the guys called to let me know what had happened so I'm flying 2000kms next week to run "mad mesa" and the "Taiming of Brimstone" as a tribute to someone who gave us all heaps it's the best we can do.

It's been really touching to read of so many people who felt the same way because it hit all of us down here.

Happy trails Mr Gygax
Thankyou for that helping hand. (we'll see to it that the game goes on)

Thanks for the Life Lesson! I wrote tournament dungeons through out the 80's and nothing in life taught me to think outside the box more than this game system. You are Missed!

AD&D was an important anchor for me transitioning through adolescence. Despite its fantasy themes, it ironically kept me grounded with a core group of friends and out of trouble. The "game" had an enormous (positive) impact on my life, and for that Gary, I will be forever grateful.
Brian P.

I find tears in my eyes whenever I think about how much this man inadvertantly affected my life. I wanted to somehow let him know, but, never got the chance. I can only hope and pray that he can see now how everyone feels about him and feel the combined joy he gave to all of us.