E. Gary Gygax

I don't even know where to begin to be honest. Redbull and I spoke about the passing of Mr. Gygax yesterday and I have to admit, I just couldn't put the words together last night to make an entry. I don't have much more straightened out in my brain right now, but I just wanted to take a couple of minutes in front of my computer to say : "Thanks again, Mr. Gygax." I only wished I could have told him in person again.

I had the pleasure of meeting Gary at ICON-11 or 12 in 1992 here in New York. I stumbled into a room at the convention a little before anyone was supposed to be there and lo and behold, Gary was in the room. He smiled when he saw my friend and I enter and introduced himself and spoke with us for about twenty or twenty-five minutes about the game itself and answered our very childish but sincere questions and even told us what his first character was, I only wish I could remember that detail now. He said the name and class. He then signed both mine and my friend's programs. Mine says "Spells and Swords! - E. Gary Gygax". My friend's says "Shade and Sweet Waters." Good stuff. Good stuff.

That was 15+ years ago, and I had started gaming in earnest 4 years before that. I'm still friends with one of those guys, best of friends one could say. I met almost every other friend that I have today either directly or indirectly through the hobby. I owe you a debt of gratitude and I hope my little story and my kind words does something to diminish it.

Till we meet again, save a seat at the table for me when I get there, I want to try the original Tomb of Horrors ok?