Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Roland Delacroix
"Where do you get your ideas from."
This is an easy one, so don't pist it when I chat:
Jack Chick.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Henry
What
are your current d20 projects that we would be ignorant if we didn't
pick up; and secondly, what can you tell us about that we should be
looking toward in the 4th quarter of 2002 and the 1st quarter of 2003?
You likely have seen NECROPOLIS from Necromancer. I am considering
doing a sequel to it--if I can find some maps and notes. That's
something that will be decided late this year or early next.
Mongoose has released SLATER'S GUIDE TO DRAGONS, Jon Creffield and I
have also turned in SLAYER'S GUIDE TO UNDEAD. I am considering the
possibilities for another project sometime in 2003.
Troll Lord Games released my module, THE HERMIT, at GenCon. Before that
they did the CANTING CREW. A super module, THE HALL OF MANY PANES, is
slated for turnover to them sometime in the early fall, with Jon
Creffield doing the D20 work. I don't think the HALL' is like any other
module ever done, and I am most interested in hearing the feedback when
it hist late this year or early next. Of course, CANTING CREW is the
first of a series of reference books for world building. Coming soon is
the WORLD BUILDER, a "descriptionary." I'll be turning over the ms. for
the next one that deals with social classes, everyday life, etc. soon.
After than at least thrtee more are planned to complete the "Gygaxian"
Fantasy World series. Check the TLG website :-o
Chris Clark and I are working (still) on CASTLE WOLDMOON, whicjh will be
D20 with LA game stats also. It is very much an "old school" adventure
module--a mix of thinking, exploration, problem solving with much combat
in between those elements. The work has turned out to be so extensive
that how to publish it is the main question--three installments or maybe
four. I don't know for sure when this is going to get into print, late
this year or next.
Although not D20, I am considering a project with Kenzer for HACKMASTER.
I have an idea or two I'm mulling over. If I decide to go forward with
this effort, it will commence in the winter.
I think that's it. I don't want to take on a lot of new projects, as I
expect that in 2003 I'll be spending a fair amount of time working with
the online developers as the LEJENDARY ADVENTURE MMPORPG gets into alpha
and then closed beta test.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by mythusmage
It took you how long to memorize the Oxford?
Is it true you're allergic to Strunk's Elements of Style
:-D
I'm still working on the Webster's Unexpurgated, Alan.
It is true, as I prefer to have my own style as opposed to that
promulgated by someone who can't do so trys to tell other's how they
should write :rolleyes:
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Maraxle
Would you like my autograph?
Depends on how large the sum of money on the check is, and if it is good.
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Kershek
Do you still game? If so, what system and how often? Are you the DM?
Yes, I run a weekly campaign of the LEJENDARY ADVENTURE system here, and I am the "Lejend Master" ;-)
Of course now and then I do DM some OD&D or AD&D too. When Fast
Forward publishes the supplement for bringing muitant humans into the
METAMORPHOSIS ALPHA game. I intend to get one of the players in our
group to GM a campaign of that game so I can play a character at lreast
once a month--I miss playing!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Harlock
Are you related to the Gary character from the movie "Weird Science"?
If you could change one thing about your life, would Dave Arneson be dead?
Who is your favorite game designer? Other than yourself, you egomanical old man!
First, I suspect thay character was likely based off of someone more like you.
Second, what a rude fellow you are. Of course I wish no ill whatsoever
to Dave! As an aside, I don't waste time recriminating, let alone
considering the immutable past.
Third, as you don't know me in the least, your characterization is
pathetic. More importantly, as you fail to indicate what sort of game, I
can not possibly attempt an answer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Neo
Lets see...
Which one of your creations do you yourself consider your greatest work?
Who of the new batch of creative whizz's would you most like to work with?
Is there a product for d20 that someone else did, that you wished you had created yourself?
Can we clone you to ensure future generations fo Gamers get to enjoy your work as much as we have? :-D
What one thing would you have done differently in your career looking back now in hindsight?
What advice would you give to aspiring freelancers?
What genre or specific setting that is out there, would you most like to see converted to D20?
What piece of advice would you give to Wizards regarding thier approach
to D20 and its marketing as a longterm gamer and creator?
Erm there you go off the top of my noggin.... :-D
Okay, and that's quite a laundry list :-o
As with children, picking favorites is not my style. I can say that I
had a lot of fun writing all the RPGs that I've done, and that the
modules are a lot of work but they too were enjoyable. In all, I have a
number of historical games that I really like a lot and would love to
see published and played. Think of it this way: I am a hardcore gamer,
and I like to create and play games. The project I am working on or the
game I am playing at the moment is the *current* favorite.
As for working with co-writers, and I have worked with quite a few,
familiarity is a key factor. That said, I find that working with Jon
Creffield of late is indeed very much a pleasure.
It is not possible for me to produce as much as I do and spend a lot of
time reviewing other author's work, so I can't comment. Fact is I don't
get the time I wish I could to read fiction. Not all work and no play,
but close...
As for cloning, heh! I'd do that now to get to more of the ideas I have
were it possible. What I hope will happen, though, is that some of the
gamers who have read and played my material, or who have worked with me
in creating such work, will come to the fore in due course with their
own excellent work, some of which will possibly reflect some of my
style.
As noted, I dn't spend time or energy tinking about the past, what could
have been changed. However, I try not to make the same mistakes over
and over...
Aspring freelancers: Work for love, not money. If you enjoy the effort,
love gaming, then that will cme through in your writing. To break into
the field, figure on a lot of material being published on a gratis
basis, and be sure yo produce plenty to as yo become known. Writing
modules for convention tournament play is a great way of building a
"name," of course.
No comment on D20 conversions, sorry.
As for advice to
WotC.
I don't think they need any in regards the D20 system. However, in
regards to the new D&D one, I believe that there is a question of
"legs" for many new players, because as things stand the game allows too
rapid level increase. There's more, but if Hasbro wants consulting,
they'll cntract for it :-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by laurencio
Are there any plans to publish the original Castle Greyhawk?
(I heard rumors about a Hackmaster version, but haven't heard anything in a while)
Publishing a revised version of the original castle ruins and dungeons
from my campaign begin in 1972 has been considered, yes. Frankly, the
project is so large, would consume so much time, that I can not consider
it alone. So far I have had no success in reaching agreement with
another person in regards to co-development of the material. Of course I
require someone who actually played extensively in the campaign and
knows how to design adventure modules.
That said, I am not giving up. I thought perhaps to do something modest
based on the old work, and if that proves to be successful, moving ahead
on the development of additional material, much as the original
dungeons were created.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by jester47
How has the d20 explosion affected your work on Lejendary Adventure?
Do you feel vindicated that the d20 system allows you to publish what is essentially D&D stuff for the D&D game?
Lately you have done a lot of d20 projects, including The Slayer's Guide
to Dragons, the revamp of Necropolis, and the Canting Crew. Are these
projects good examples of what you have planned or just a precursor to
what is next? What d20 thing do you have in the works?
As a player, if you had to choose, would you rather adventure in the Forgotten Realms, or in Greyhawk?
What is you opinion of the Forgotten Realms as a campaign setting?
Aaron.
Okay, and I'll try to answer all of the aove in abridged fashion. First, from my standpoint, writing for
3E
is very constraining, and it can not compare to creating material for
AD&D--mush less rules-heavy a system. I try to make all adventure
material I write at least somewhat different from former work--unless
the modules are connected, of course. You'll have to be the judge of how
well I've done as new adventures appear in print.
Note that the reference series being done by TLG is really very much
generic in its aim, and that material for D20, and the LA game system,
is appended for the benefit of those who want such details to facilitate
the incorporation of the generic ideas into their campaign rules
systems.
Now as for a campaign setting, of course I prefer the WoG to
FR,
as I wrote so much of the former, am intimately familiar with the
original work. I hasten to add that there are many buffs that are now
better informed that am I in regards to the world setting. Having
perforce left it for going on two decades, one tends to forget as new
material is created.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Nightfall
If I offer you a blood sacrifice and get 50 copies of Necropolis, will do write for S&SS's Scarred Lands?
Okay maybe not...but serious, Gary, now with R&R2 out and since you
wrote the preface for R&R1, do you think that quality of the stuff
put out by S&SS has improved a great deal?
Heh, and all I can say to the first is, liquor is more efficacious that blood...
Seriously, I have not had the chance to review R&R 2--I do have a
heavy work schedule, and reading others' work doesn't get the words on
"paper" (into the computer file), so I miss a lot when fully engaged in
creative work. Fact is that I have not yet had time to do more than skim
through the NECROPOLIS adventure. The team at Necromancer has done a
great job in the conversion, adding material that really fits in so
smoothly that it's hard to tell where thay did that. I'm really
delighted with their efforts in this regard, so I can only assume
they've done a bang-up job with R&R 2 now. Eventually I'll get to
read the material. of course. I think there's an opening late in
February for that... :rolleyes:
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by William Ronald
Do you have any plans to work on a new campaign setting, or revisit one that you have worked on in the past.
Who are some of the new designers you would like to work with?
If you could revisit any product you have worked on, what would it be?
What do you think of the gaming industry and the hobby as it stands now as opposed to the early 1970s?
What do you see as the future of our hobby, especially the role of computers and electronic products?
Whoa! Another longish list.
As to new designers, that's a question I can't answer, for as I've noted
above, I seldom have the opportnity to read, let alone play, other
authors' material. (That's why I am eager to "retire" so I can spend 40
or more hours a week playing games rather that writing them.)
If I could revisit something, two adventures spring to mind
immediately--the city of Erelheicindlu in THE VAULT OF THE DROW and the
Elder Elemental God and what might lie below the ToEE.
There can be no comparison to the hobby gaming field of the early 1970s
and today's, the difference being vast! As I have often said, and in
opposition to not a few in the business, I do believe that gamers are
both above average in intelligence and highly creative. My main proof
of the latter position is the size and diversity of gaming now as
compared to anytime in the late 1970s or evcen early 1980s.
Paper games will persist, and the market might even grow some, but the
clear future for growth and diversity is in the electronic end of
gaming. That's something I've said for quite a few years now.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Mark The 1st edition AD&D DMG
(1979 - TSR Games) is adorned (front and back cover) with a David C
Sutherland III rendering of three adventurers battling an efreet on the
Elemental Plane of Fire. Was this inspired by one of the games that you
ran (or played in) and, if so, what was the outcome of said battle?
Actually, I did run a few adventures in the City of Brass, but I don't
recall Dave Sutherland being involved--mainly rob and Terry Kuntz. So,
to answer the question, I suppose that Dave either based his
illustration on his own adventuring or else pure imagination ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by JoeGKushner
Can
we see a cease and desist of Lejendary Journeys material in the D20
books? I don't like dual statted books from AEG and Holistic Design,
and this is a trend I'd like to see end.
Got a mouse in your pocket, joe? :-o
As far as I am concerned, I much prefer creating in the LA game system
than doing so in the D20 one. So the short answer is that I have another
super-adventure done, THE HALL OF MANY PANES, and that will be dual
system, as will CASTLE WOLFMOON. After that, though, I don't plan on
writing any more dual-system material so you'll not have to suffer
beyond what is noted. Well, allow me to step back and add that the
"Gygaxian" fantasy world reference books while mainly generic is
content, will likely continue to include both D20 and LA game system
material ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by shouit
If you would have designed d20 what would you have done differently?
This is likely the same answer you'd get from any pro designer:
Nothing, except what comes after the name and before the part that
concludes the work.
Seriously, the designers who did the material don't want to hear what
I'd have done differently, and I don't have any interest in detailing my
particular design ideas for a third edition system, eh?
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Golem Joe
Here are a few:
What do you think are the strengths of d20 and Lejendary Adventure? How would you compare the two?
What material for Lejendary Adventure do you feel would be of most use to d20/DnD players?
What is "Well of Shadows"?
Do you find it difficult to design a cross-over product, like "The Hermit"?
Who were the nine demigods Xagyg imprisoned in Castle Greyhawk?
What's going on with the Lejendary Adventure multiplayer online game?
How would you compare the Lejendary Earth setting to Greyhawk?
Now that Necropolis is out, are there any other "unpublished" Dangerous
Journeys material you are looking to have updated to d20?
Tell us about an average night in a Gygaxian gaming session.
Whew!
Such a lot you EN boarders are! So many questions, so little time to answer them :-D
The D20 system is so diffrent from the LA game that's it's like
comparing apples and oranges. Rules-heavy/rules-light,
c;ass-based/skill-bundle-based. About all I can say is that one is a
great change of pace from the other. Well, that and if you are writing
material for one or the other, it's a lot easier to do for the LA system
;-)
Again, there isn't much corelation between D20 and LA systems, so much
of the base material doesn't easily cross over. However, there are a
number of magic items, spells, and monsters that can translate to D20
and will likely be fun to add to the game.
The WELL OF SHADOWS is a very difficult adventure module that Jon
Creffield and I co-wrote a couple of years back. It is connected to an
LA game sourcebook, THE MALEDICTED PLATEAU. when the latter is
published, The WELL OF SHADOWS will follow it into print--likely in late
2003. Many an a player will rue the day they sent their avatar into
that deadly place... :-D
The difficulty with doing a dual-system product is more in the system
details than in the conceptualization, especially with a module. After
all, a good adventure translates into most every system with the correct
mechanics. So it is the correct mechanics that are a pain, not the
ideas. As the D20 system is very detailed, the pain is great ;-)
Fortunately, I have good comrades to help assure that nbot too many
errors crop up, so that the pain won't also be felt by the gamers who
pick up the product.
"Who were the nine demigods Xagyg imprisoned in Castle Greyhawk?" --Ask this over on the GreyTalk list :-)
We have a deal signed with Dreams-Interactive for am LA MMPORPG. The
demo is being added to now, and we hope to have an alpha test ready
around the middle of next year. That given, then a closed beta ar year's
end, open beta in 2004, and then the game up and running online late in
that year.
The Lejendary Earth world setting is a complete planet based on a very
loose parallel to the actual world. so it is again a matter of apples
and oranges in regards comparing it to the WoG. About the only parallel
than can be drawn between the two is that both are designed to
facilitate GM creativity, encourage input, and allow for campaigns to be
vastly different evcen though based on the same setting.
"Now that Necropolis is out, are there any other "unpublished" Dangerous
Journeys material you are looking to have updated to d20?"--None that
spring to mind, no. Loren Wiseman's CITY OF ASCALON would be a good D20
product, though, I should think. It was never published as a DJ/MYTHUS
one, so Loren has the material. and it's his call.
"Tell us about an average night in a Gygaxian gaming session."
Well, heh! No time for another page of material here. Get on my "games
list," and you'll get an email from me just about every week that
recounts the action in the campaign session run Thursday night. The team
of doughty adventurers are now working their way through the HALL OF
MANY PANES--said module to be published late this year or early next by
Troll Lord.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Golem Joe
And one more:
With Troll Lord Games doing dual-stat stuff for Lejendary Adventure and
d20, any chance we'll see more companies that you write for doing that
in the future?
Good question! Aside from the massive CASTLE
WOLFMOON adventure that Chris Clark and I have about finished, I
haven't any plans on doing more dual-system material. However, if some
publisher is interested, maybe so.
Fact is that it is very demanding work, module writing. I approach it
with trepidation, and executing the project is very time consuming. So
to make the task lighter and maximize personal enjoyment I far prefer
writing using the LA game as a base--I find it facilitates my
creativity. If I can work thus, it's more likely that I'll be motivated
to write ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Talath
Do you like eggrolls? :-D
It is a legitimate question :-D
Thet're okay, but I prefer Vietnamese "rollups" with mint in 'em :-)
It is a legimate question as I don't think that this is restricted to RPG material...
:-o Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Zarthon
I
wish I could sit in on this chat, but I have an important test on
Wednesday and the fact that the chat is usally about 3-4 am for me. I
will just have to wait for the log :-(
Here is my questions for Gary: How many dragons have you killed in alll your years of gaming?
To the best of my recollection my PCs have managed to slay only a few.
Of course Mordenkainen and party did subdue a couple of red dragons. The
last time Mordie was involved in dragon slaying was in an OAD&D
campaign run by my son Ernie. Two ancient white dragons had ambushed his
main players' PC party, killed most. So they sought help, Mordenkainen
agreed to the deal, and lead the survivors and some new PCs into the
dragons' lair. a Power Word Stun took care of one, and the other,
lurking invisibly above on a ledge was then assailed and laid low--many a
Magic Missile lightening the combat load on the other characters in the
melee.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Harlock
Mr. Gygax, do you have the personality to cast real spells yet?
"I've got that magic touch, it makes you thrill so much.
"It casts a spell, it rings a bell, that magic touch."
Real spells? You mean like dizzy spells, coughing spells, fainting
spells? Dry spells? Wet spells? Heat spells? Cold spells? As far as I
know, that's about the extent of reality in regards spells.
If there were actually magic spells, and I could use same, do you suppose I'd be answering these kinds of questions?
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by sword-dancer
Mr Gygax
When You compare Dangerous Journeys, Lejendary Adventures and
D&D/D20 what are the strength and weaknesses from every setting?
Which non english RPGs do you know and how did you value them and why?
Good questions, but I have no time to manage critical analyses of this
sort. Besides, everybody and their pet monkey too does this sort of
exercise all the time on one website or another :-)
Briefly: DJ is a rather rules-heavy skill based system with great detail required for the creation of the heroic persona.
LA is a rules-light, skil-bundle-based system that facilitiates creativity and innovation within the rules framework.
As for my opinion of non-English RPGs, I understand that there are some
excellent ones. However, not reading in other languages, not having time
or the chance to play them--or most other English-language RPGs for
that matter--I can not offer any useful comment here Sorry.
Gary
3E is a rules-heavy system that provides full structuire for everything.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Fourecks
If
you could have Greyhawk back under your control and therefore could,
and did, publish a decisive GH book, what would you change to bring it
back to your "vision"?
Well, with all the creative ideas I need to come up with for projects I
can do, I simply don't have time or energy to speculate in regards
material that is quite unlikely to ever eventuate.
When
WotC approaches me with such an assignment I'll think about it :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Henry
I would sooo love to see Gary answer this one diplomatically. What you
ask is tantamount to "Would you please stop selling your system in the
products you write?"
BTW, it's Lejendary Adventure.
Heh, and how did I do?
Of course it is a hell of a lot more that pushing the LA game system,
amigo. The actual creative effort involved is vastly easier for me when I
am thinking in and using the LA system ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Turlogh
Would you rather play a character or Dm ?
Have you ever suffered DM burnout?
Will we ever see Mordenkainen's true levels and abilities?
As I am usually stuck being the GM, I long to play a character--or
avatar. If I could manage both, I'd spend about half the time with each
activity.
Yes, I have suffered from GM burnout. That's why it's great to play a
character now and then as it refreshes and gives the opposite
perspective in regards adventuring.
Actually, I am given to understand that the EPIC
3E
book has come pretty close to nailing Mordie's level. I haven't seen
it, so I can't comment further. As I do still play that PC now and
again, I won't reveal anything else.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Question for Gary
Originally posted by Upper_Krust
Have you anymore news on the graphic novel representations of the Gord the Rogue novels?
Shhhh!
I'm not supposed to be talking about this until the publisher makes an official news release...
The work is going forward, but art delays have causeed a delay in making
a public announcement of the release of the series. It had been planned
to announce around this time, but I suspect there will be nothing
"official" until near the end of the year.
i can say that all the work I have seen so far is really excellent, some
even "breathtaking," and that I am champing at the bit for the release!
Ciuao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Necromancer Games
Originally posted by gordonknox
How would you characterize your relationship with Necromancer Games?
Are there plans for future collaborations with those folks?
gk
I think the crew at Necromancer are splendid fellows,
and I really enjoy working with them--or just hanging out :-D They did a
great job with NECROPOLIS too, so in regards to their creative work I
can only give lauds. I am considering a sequel to NECROPOLIS, but that
depends on me finding some maps and notes--that might be lost. It will
be some months time before I know.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Dark Psion
Can you explain the addition of Psionics in the AD&D Players Handbook (1st edition)?
It seemed added on and thrown together.
How right you are!
When I was writing the AD&D core material, some of my fellows in the
Chicagoland area put considerable pressure on me to include psionics in
the system. Sadly, I caved in to please them. If I had not been so
deeply immersed in the whole, trying to get it finished on schedule, I'd
have doon a far better job with the psychic-power area, I believe. It
would have been far better if I'd waited and done the material when
concentrating solely on that aspect of play.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Deedlit
Who is the parent who Hextor and Heironeous share.
I can't say, because the matter is now for
WotC to decide, eh?
What's your guess as to this?
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
What do you think will be the future of RPGs in general, and d20 in particular?
What do you think about Dave Arneson's re-entry into RPG publishing,
especially the "For too long the game industry has been mired in
mediocrity, Blackmoor will burn a new path in creativity and ingenuity
as it did when it served as the origin of role playing games" quotation?
Cheers!
RPGs have a bright future, both inb paper and
especially electronically, the mnore so as AI improves, and most home
computers are equipped with audio and video capacities.
As for Dave Arneson's re-entry, I wish him the best of luck, The hype
involved in this is not to be confused with actual conditions, of
course. Most new products have more than a touch of puffery in their
promotion, no?
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by sword-dancer
Mr Gygax
What inspired you to create roleplaying?
Short answers only to questions demanding at least essay length responses ;-)
Some 30 years of living prior to actually sitting down and writing the
first draft (50 pages in length) all combined to bring about the
resulting game. It was a combination of much reading of imaginative
fiction, a love of games, and the desire to create that enables it.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by sword-dancer
A question from Midgard forum
Midgard is the oldest german fantasy rpg
Sadly, ni, I am not familiar with MIDGARD, save in regards to the Norse mythology version.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Lejandary d20?
Originally posted by Scott814thmpco Hi Mr. Gygax
Perhaps if you converted LA to d20, your work load might lesson and I
would have another campaign setting to tack on to my World of Greyhawk
setting, which is a combo of Call of Cthuhlu, Star Wars and D&D. ; )
I would also love to see you do a WoG campaign source book like WoTC did for the Forgotten Realms as well as a revised queen of spiders module.
Scott Holst That'll never happen, I assure you. I very much
prefer a rules-light, skill-bundle-based system for my creative work,
and changing the LA system from that to something quite different would
be absolutely conuter-priductive to my creative muse, shall we say...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
If
you dislike d20, or find it too constraining to write for, why not
simply write whatever you'd like, and let somone else figure out how it
works in d20? Sort of like how the Necropolis d20 conversion was done,
but with new material.
First, I don't dislike playing D20, I
just don't like DMing the system....or writing for it because of all
the rules and "fiddley bits" involved. As an aside, the authors did a
hell of a job making the system tight and virtually immutable.
So, my fellow colonel, you have hit the nail squarely on the head. I do
write in the LA system, then have an associate work up the conversuon
material, and we then go over the whole of it.
Actually, if I do any HACKMASTER design I plan to use AD&D and the
working base and then have someone else check the work and convert to
HM. Of course, I'll likely toss in some new material designed strictly
for Gary Jackson's masterpiece.
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Oh yeah - so now what are you gonna talk about in the chat? You've answered everything!
Seriously, though - what would you like to discuss in the chat?
Right on, homes! As I am only going to be on for an hour, I thought I
could manage a lot more this way that when I actually got online. I am
nor a fast typist, so my answers take too much time when in live chat.
As for what I'd like to discuss, well... I figure it's up to the assembled gamers to decide that. I can go with the flow :-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Question for Gary
Originally posted by Upper_Krust
Hi Gary! :-)
One last thing; if you get the opportunity try and slip the 8th installment in there. ;-)
Actually, the plan is to do the first two novels, with some of the
material from CITY OF HAWKS included, and see how things go. If, as we
are pretty certain will be the case, the work is well received, then the
publisher will go on to cover the other three main books. As side
ventures we'll cover the short stories, and some new material too, all
things working out as projected. In effect ther will be like an eighth
book.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Mortaneus
Two questions:
1. Regarding Necropolis, what is the possibility that we might see a
World of Darkness conversion for it? Personally, it seems like it would
fit quite well into the setting, especially with White Wolf's current
emphasis on the middle east. An ancient evil buried beneath the sands?
2. Have you ever considered writing an autobiography?
1.
That's a question to ask Necromancer. I'll venture here, though, that
it's a negative, as I suspect they licensed the material from
WotC for D20 conversion only.
2. Actually, I have been asked this often, and for years. That has
caused me to do some preliminary work in recalling my early childhood in
Chicago, and a bit of it later on, from age eight, in Lake Geneva.
However, as I have a pretty good memory, and not a lot of spare time to
write, the material is fairly detailed but spotty in coverage of the
years. That is, mainly outstanding episodes in my childhood memory are
covered without comments on much of how I got into playing games at age
five, how WWII impacted me, all that sort of thing. So, to sum up, yes,
and I have a few dozen pages done, but it's not really an autobiography
yet, just a lot of recorded incidents and the like.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Sir Edgar
Four questions:
1. To what degree, in your opinion, has D&D returned to its original roots (style and spirit-wise)?
2. What are your feelings on the D&D products that have been
produced over the past 15 years or so (esp. Forgotten Realms)?
3. Who are your favorite D&D artists (then and now) and why?
4. How does it feel to be back producing D&D-related material?!! :-D
Okay, and here goes:
1. There is no relationship between
3E and original D&D, or OAD&D for that matter. Different games, style, and spirit.
2. Actually, as I've been pretty busy creating other gaming material
during the past 15 years, I haven't the depth of experience to give a
reasonable commentary on such products.
3. Off the top of my head, and in no particular order, my favorite
artists are Trampier, Elmore, Parkinson, and Easley. Hmmm... I think I
am forgetting someone here, but such is life. As for why, well, that's
like asking why I like quail with artichoke sauce--a matter of taste :-)
4. It is certainly fun to produce material for the D&D gaming audience again. because of course that's where I come from.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Sir Edgar
Can
you talk more about the style and spirit of D&D and AD&D during
the 70's and 80's, especially during conventions and such? What were
your favorite moments and what did you enjoy most about the atmosphere
then? How was playing and creating for D&D different from how it is
now?
I could spend a good bit of time doing that, speaking
to the difference in style and spirit, but that's a pale exercise. The
only way one can really grasp the difference is to play each game.
The main differences in the older works I did and
3E
are style of writing, reliance on archetypes, limitatations on
character advancement, availability of and creation of magic items, and
general single-class play for human characters.
Play is mainly reliant on rules. I ignored those I write when DMing if
the game called for that, and in all added what was logical in terms of
the game environment to play. Thus much of adventuring was not "by the
book," but rather seat of the pants play by DM and players alike.
Rules lawyers are unmentionable...
Creating adventures is something that generally relies a lot on the
system bases, rules, monsters, eivironments, etc. In regards to the
first named, the more rules one must pay close attention to, the more
difficult it is to create adventure material.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Maraxle Wrote:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Lejendary Adventures system sounds interesting. Does it support the
Open Gaming License, or something similar, for 3rd party creations? Is
there an equivalent of the D20 license available, or in the works?
I apologize if this is considered "common knowledge", as it is not common to me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just in case you missed it...
Thanks!
Indeed I somehow missed your post.
The LA game material is not covered under any form of open license.
However, with TLG we are working on a permission form and agreement so
as to allow the use material found in the "Gygaxain" Fantasy World
series of reference books, the CANTING CREW and subsequent volumes.
After all, that's why the works were conveived and written in the first
place, to assist other authors and designers kn creating material of
their own :-D
I'll have to query Troll Lord in regard to getting the permission
statement done in proper legal fashion..right after I post this, in
fact!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Harlock
Oh come now, Mr. Gygax. It was all in good fun. I could make some mean
spirited retorts but obviously this would start a flame war
extraordinaire. If you're touchy, it's understandable. I'm a bit
mischievous. And for the record, Gary was actually a funny character
and a geek and I proudly wear both of those badges.
Hey!
You poosted the in a manner that called for a reply such as I gave you.
so don't admonish me for your initial attidure, eh? :-o
If you want serious questions: What kinds of things can we expect from
you in the future (RPG wise so there is no confusion)?
Are there any D20 games other than fantasy types that have caught your eye, say superheros, modern/future, wargames?
Are there any up and coming RPG writers that have caught your eye that we should watch out for?
I'll leave it at that for now.
Sure, and I am happy to answer your queries, Harlock, and in the same spirit as they are asked. so it's all comradely now ;-)
The projects I am considering have ben named in my various responses
above. there are certainly two modules coming--CASTLE WOLFMOON and HALL
OF MANY PANES. Not mentioned previously are a number of works for the LA
game system that will be releasing this year and on through 2003--maybe
into 2004--an adventure and sourcebooks for the 20 pantheons of deities
in the LEJENDARY EARTH World Setting and details of special areas of
that world.
As for D20 RPGs in other genres, I just don't have much time for
playing--too much work to get done. Thus I miss a lot of stuff. For
example, I really want to try a campaign of DEADLANDS, play some
miniatures again, etc. That gives me something to look forward to when I
retire--playing games instead of writing game material all the time.
As for new writers, other than those with whom I happen to be working
with on some new product, I again must confess a lack of time for
perusing much in the way of gtaming material. the research material I
need to read, and some fiction for relaxation and inspiration, pretty
well fill what spare time I have.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Harlock
If you swing toward evil on the alignment scale you could always become a reviewer when you retire.
What do you plan to do when you retire?
What do you do now as a break from writing? Of course reading previous
responses I am not quite certain a "break from writing" may exist for
you.
Heh, and many a reviewer is of evil alignment. Not a
bad idea, though, especially if I could do history and imaginative
fiction in the main.
If I ever retire, I'll spend more time playing games, read more again,
and get in some travel too, perhaps. Of course reading and seeing
different places inspires me to write...
When I need a break I usually read (non-gaming material) or watch
something of interest on the telly. Now and then we get out to a movie
ot visit a friend. What I realy need is a long vacation in some distant
place--or at least a place different from the usual ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Fourecks
That would totally ROCK! If only I were worthy...
Fact is
that I have a very rough pencil sketch done of a castle--a map with some
ideas as to how the original material and some new ideas might be
merged to create a setting that contains elements of the original, plus
added fun.
I'll fiddle with it now and then as I get time, meanwhile make notes and
see what gels. If all that works, I'll have a good idea as to the size
of the work projected, the time needed. Then it will be decided if it's a
go or not. If it is a go of course I'll leave hooks in the module so as
to allow for expansion if that's desired by the audience. That way a
potentially massive project can be bitten off in "digestable" chunks.
Furthermore, with a base done, I might be able to enlist co-designers to
assist in the development of the possible whole. I do have--somewhere
on this machine--a file outlining a version of the castle and dungeons
that would reflect the original and be managable as a series of
releases.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
Thanks muchly for the answers, Gary.
Another question for you:
Do female beards have dwarves? ;-)
The other thing I should say is to thank you very much for the gaming
anecdotes you've been giving us in the "On a Soapbox" column in Dragon.
(I can seem to remember wishing for stuff like that back when you first
revealed yourself to us on these boards, and lo! it appeared!)
Cheers!
Damn! I tried trolling this board a while back to
see if I could get any anti-female-bearded-dwarf folks all het up.
Lackaday! Seems that those folks have finally coped wise to the fact I
was jesting.
Glad to learn you enjoy those little tales of the old days of
D&Ding. Thank Dave Gross for getting me started. I have only a few
left, though. Likely I should be writing more now, but as nobody from
DRAGON is hollering at me, I'll not worry... :rolleyes:
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: autobiography
Originally posted by Nathal
I remember asking Gary if he was ever going to write an autobiography
and he responded, "when they are selling slushies in hell!". :P
Why the change of heart?:
Did I really say that? Hmmm... No
matter, as I am not seriously writing an autobiography, simply
recording some memories of things that I liked, found amuising or
telling. Fact is, though, that so many persons have urged me to do the
deed that one day I might seriously undertake it. It is a lot of work,
though, and organizing the material is quite a task in itself. Meantime,
I have a lot of gaming stuff to look to :-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Teedoff101
Question
for Gary: As you can tell, DnD has spawned into its own cult. Are you
proud of creating a game that so many people (including myself) play
constantly? My DM is a huge fan and when he is not doing work, I find
him re-reading the DM guide or the Players Handbook for what seems to be
the 10,000th time. Congrats on this great accomplishment Gary.
No questuion that I am very happy to have created something that has
brought so much fun and enjoyment to millions of people world wide! The
best part is receiving emails from fellow gamers who have been helped in
various ways by the game. That, amigo, is really heartening.
Secondarily, the creativity that my work has encouraged is also very
satisfying to me. Fact is that I believe that RPGers are a
well-above-average lot, and that they are also highly creative (and
opinionated) group. The full results of the stimulation from the D&D
game and other material I've done has yet to be seen and assessed. I am
sure that there'll be some great things to come from this. Being the
primer of the creative pump for so many people is somewhat overwhealming
to me. In all, I hope that I did a good job of it, and I expect to be
emulated soon, using that word in its true meaning :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by sword-dancer
A few other questions from german threads, not from me.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why it gives Swords + 3 or something ???
Why is an Mage so Poweerless at the beginning ?
Why did you choose the vancian magic system ?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As for the +3, or whatever, on weapons or anything else, I am nor
really sure of the reference here, the "it" in "Why it..." I'll take a
stab at it anyway (pun intended): In creating a game there are certain
systems used to reflect ther "magical." The plusses are a means to
quantify "magic," the extraordinary.
Powerless magic-users at first level? Ha! That's an old question, and
one I can deal with easily using the OAD&D rules, the main
origination of the m-u in most play. Questioner, you be an ogre, a big
strong 4th-level monster. I am a poor weak magic-user. We are at 30-foot
distance. You move to attack, I cast my Sleep spell. You loose. So, now
I'll be any other sort of PC, and you remain the ogre. You win...unless
my character succeeds in running away.
The low-level magic-user is mainly a one- or two-shot weapon, but the
"artillery" is potent. This fits well with a balanced party of low-level
PCs, none of wom are really very strong singly.
I chose to use a system of magic inspired by the worls of Jack Vance
because it fit the whole of the game I devised. For example, think of an
archer with a quiver of arrows. When one is shot, it is gone. Magic
spells, more potent than arrows, are much the same. So archers need to
select their arrows before going forth to battle, so too the m-us in the
game.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Games Day
Originally posted by Scott814thmpco
Hi Mr. Gygax
Games Plus in Mount Prospect Ill. is having a D&D games day Nov 9th,
It would be really cool if you dropped by or better yet DM'ed some good
o' 1st edition D&D.
Scott
Hola Scott!
As I recall, I am slated to go to the gathering at Games Plus in Mt.
Prospect--it's only a bit over an hour's drinve from here in Lake
Geneva. I'll be coming with Chris Clark and likely my son Alex.
As it stands, though, I am going to be running an LA game or the
like--the LA fans were the ones who invited Chris and I to come about a
month or so back.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Kershek
Gary,
What did you think about the Dungeons & Dragons movie?
I think of that flick as little as possible ;-)
For a Grade B fantasy film it was passable because one could enjoy the
few good bits and laugh at the rest. Otherwise, virtually nothing was
right in it. Even the special effects were pretty mediocre. Anyway, no
need to belabor the matter, as it is dead, very dead indeed...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Questions for Gary
Originally posted by johnsemlak Questions:
1. Did you ever consider either adding more detail (a map, details of
encounters, etc) of the drow city of Erelhei-Cinlu to D3, or publishing a
separate product detailing Erelhei Cinlu?
2. In your own words, how would you summarize the difference between AD&D and Basic/Expert/etc. D&D?
3. How important do you feel the concept of 'character archtypes' is to the D&D game? Do you feel that 3e rules, by going away from having core character classes, has lost something important here?
4. In your campaign, was the dissident drow Nilonim from D3 ever a PC?
P.S. Please write a sequal to Necropolis. Okay, and some answers :-)
1. As I noted in an earlier response, the drow city in the vault is one
that I did think about revisiting, expanding. Becuase such a project
demanded considerable time and effort, it didn't happen, so now it's in
WotC's hands.
2. I am not going to try to do critical comparative anayyses here or in
any chat. That's a task that demands much careful thinking and effort.
The only thing I can say about the matter is this: Play the two and
judge for yourself. I think that AD&D is a "tighter" game than
D&D was, more directed, less free-form. However, that applies mainly
to those DMs who followed the book, if you will, as AD&D could be
played in the same style as D&D.
3. I feel very strongly that the archetype is crucial to the D&D game, and yes, I believe that
3E
has suffered by virtually abandoning that concept. Without it I don't
think the game will maintain so strong an appeal as it originally
possessed. Time will tell.
4. The drow was strictly an invented NPC. None of my players ever showed
much interest in playing drow. Of course, with well-established PCs
going before the drow were introduced, that's likely a principal reason
for such lack of interest.
As for the sequel to NECROPOLIS, as I mentioned before, it's in the
hands of the gods. I need to be able to open some MAc+ files, find the
maps I made around 1994 for a potential CRPG, then see how much work is
involved in changing the adventure from a computer base to a paper one.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by CrazyMage
What are your favorite drinks, and when should I bring them over? ;-)
Hell, I'll drink just about anything :-D Bombay Sapphire martinis top
the list of appertifs, but I like manhattans too. Don't think there's a
form of liquor I don't like, and beer or ale is fine--as long as it
isn't mass-brewed crap or "light" stuff. Ugh!
Seriously, though, I don't usually imbibe doring gaming sessions, and if
it's hot and I decide to have a g&t, it's light on the gin and
heavy on tonic and ice.
So, Whitewater isn't too far distant. Want to join the Thursday night LA
game session here? We begin c. 6:30 and close at 10--everybody has a
ways to drive to get home, or else needs to be up early for school :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Questions for Gary
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
This is a question both for the poster and for Gary - how does 3e not have these archetypes? No way I am goping to get involved in a critical analysis of
3E
now, amigo. I will say that while you suggest that some players stick
with a single-class character, is that because of the way the game is
done or in spite of it? Also, the way that skills and feats are
presented tends to both encourage multi-classing while blurring the
archetypes. Yes, one can still play
3E with archetypes, but the system does not encourage it, nor is that in the spirit of the system--gaining power.
That's all from me on this topic.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: More Questions for Gary
Originally posted by johnsemlak
Gary
Thanks for taking so much time to answer my and other people's questions.
1. A recent D20 product details the use of time-travel magic. I don't
believe you have ever mentioned time travel in any of your
D&D/AD&D material (am I wrong?), though it's a popular tool in
fantasy literature. Do you think time travel poses difficult problems
for the game?
2. Do you have an opinion on the use of firearms in D&D?
3. You are from Chicago, and fantasy gaming has strong roots in the
Midwest, from Wierd Tales magazine to Gen Con 2002. Do you think there
is any particular reason for that?
Welcome :-)
1. Somehow I can not relate time travel to fantasy per se. That is, I
believe it belongs in the science fiction genre,m something based on
technology rather than magic. This is not to say I don't think time
travel is interesting, and I have had it included in my own game
campaign--a blend of both probability and time travel. The players did
not like it... Anyway, I don't think it works well in fantasy.
2. I do not allow firearms to work in any of the campaigns I run, but I
have had my players travel to other worlds, parallel ones, where
firearms worked. There is no problem handling the damage caused by such
weapons, but in my view such technological weapons are counter to the
spirit of the fantasy game, and all things considered, quite
unnecessary.
3. I was born in Chicago, lived there for my first eight years, then for
about 10 more years--from age 19 on through 28. I worked in the city
until near the end of 1970, gamed with many people from Chicago. There
was a good bit of organized gaming there, and I did likewise in Lake
Geneva, started GenCon here 35 years back. As to why there is such
interest, I can speculate only. Winters are long here, so indoor
activities are often pursued. Once game groups get started in an area,
they tend to persist and proliferate too.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Questions for Gary
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Hey, this is the kind of answer I was looking for! I figured that since
it was brought up, I'd ask. You did want questions asked, right? :-D
EDIT: Oh wait - this actually begs another question! What was the spirit
of earlier editions. then? From the perspective of a player, 1e
AD&D, for example seemed about gaining power also.
And remember - I learned to play by reading the 1e DMG and PHB, which you wrote... ;-)
Journalists and trail attornies stuff, amigo ;-) As I said, I don't
care to go into a comparative analysis of the games, and they are very
different games, as most everyone acknowledges. You can draw your own
conclusions, eh?
Now, as for _wanting_ questions asked, heh! I simply agreed to do an
online interview, and I am answering questions here so as to lessen the
load when I get into the chatroom later today :-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Rel
Gary,
I've been a poster on these boards for a pretty good while now and I've
always thought it was cool how you would drop by from time to time.
I've rarely seen a figure of your importance to a hobby be quite so
accessable to the fans as you are.
Thanks. What can I say
other than to point out I am a gamer, and I generally respect and like
my fellows, so I don't mind spending time kicking things about with
them. One face sharpens the other too...
Anyhow,
I felt the need to stop in and thank you from the bottom of my heart
for how your creation has enhanced my life in so many ways. It kept me
out of trouble when I was young and it helped me form friendships with
guys who are like brothers to me to this day. It has made me more
literate and creative. And someday it will hopefully give me a fun
activity to pursue with my children (they need to get out of diapers
first and stop trying to eat my dice) as it already does with my wife.
In short, I have gotten more unadulterated joy at a phenomenally low
cost-per-hour from D&D and the many games it has spawned than I
could ever have hoped for in a hobby. For that you have my undying
gratitude. Not to be excessively sycophantic but just imaging you
reading these words gives me a touch of fan-boy glee.
What
you note above is what I posted about earlier when asked how I felt
about doing work that influenced so many people in so positive a way.
You know I am really encouraged when I read accounts such as yours :-)
[/QUOTE]
But I'm not here just to suck up! I have a serious question:
How many olives do you take with that and what brand (if any) vermouth
do you prefer? (excellent taste in gin regardless of your answer) [/QUOTE]
Right! Well, in general if I have any vermouth at all, it will be a few
drops of Martiti & Rossi. I like blue cheese-stuffed jumbo olives
(2) in a martini, ot three small sweet onions in in a gibson. Typically,
though, I drink the Bombat Sapphire shaken sans any vermouth, straight
up, with one small olive in a proper martini glass. In fact, a generous
soul saw to it that I got a pair of them from the Bombay Gin compamy,
each with a blue sphere where the stem meets the bowl of the glass :-o
Small things can surely bring a lot of enjoyment...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Yesterday
afternoon I tried to get on here and answer the last few posts,but for
some reason I was unable to--the computer kept crashing when I tried to
enter my responses, so...
Originally posted by Mortaneus
Here's another one:
Of all the published D&D related items you've written (novels,
rulebooks, adventures, etc), do you have any particular favorites? What
was the most fun to write? The least?
As I have
mentioned, some projects are really a breeze to write, as inspiration
rush makes the work seem to create itself.Others are done with much
labor and many revisions. The end effect is usually greater satisfaction
when the latter sort of project is finished, so that in balance, all
come out with about the same level of enjoyment.
I admit to having a lot of fun wwriting the giants and drow series, but
that was mainly because of anticipation of DMing the adventures for my
group and the play-test group at TSR. The novels were a lot of fun to
write too, particularly the Gord short stories, as that form of writing
seems to demand more than a novel does.
Because I do love games and writing, I must admit I love all the work I
do. However, writing modules is becoming more and more a chore because I
do not want to repeat anything that has been done before by me, so
creating something that is different and fresh is commensurately more
difficult.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: still more questions
Originally posted by johnsemlak
Gary
1. What are your favorite fantasy movies? And would you like to see a film based on a popular D&D module/adventure?
2. One of the primary limitations to the cleric class or related
classes has been the prohibition of edged weopons. This was based, to
my knowledge, upon the prohibition among medieval priests against
spilling Christian blood (I don't think they had a problem with spilling
infidel blood). I believe the Pope Julius was known to charge into
battle with mace and beat opponents to death.
However, did you ever feel it was a bit unrealistic to extend this to
all priests, including evil priests, not to mention the general concept
that it was/is ok for a priest to bash an opponent to death (somehow
without spilling blood) but not to use edged weopons?
That's all I can think of.
Good luck in your future gaming and publishing. I really hope you
somehow return to writing material for WoG. I'd most like to see you do
more drow material, though other authors and done much of that already.
Cheers
John Semlak
Right to the chase here!
1. My favorite fantasy films are the Harry Potter one and the LotR
movie, in that order. There are a lot of movies that I feel have a great
fantasy theme, even though they are not in that genre. For example,
KING KONG and THE DEEP. Anyway, now that we have two exceptionally well
done and profitable fantasy major motion pictures, more such films can
be expected, and I don't man only more Harry Potter ones and the other
two Rings films.
2. In seeking clear class distinctions I did indeed proscribe m-us from
the use of the sword, and clerics too. This made the archetypes
distinct, balanced the character classes, and worked well enough for
game purposes, methinks.
As for unrealistic, heh! Let's talk about magic and monsters in that
term... Actually, when initially writing the cleric class, I did not
contemplate much interest in PCs of evil sort. Of course I often had my
evil cleric NPCs using proscribed weapons, so I am not all bunched up
about changes in the matter--save for game balance. If something new is
allowed, then some compensating restriction is likely in order.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Questions for Gary
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Actually, I don't want you to do a qualitative comparison between games. I'm not a raving d20 fanboy (well, not that
way, at least) that sees no value in anything printed prior to the turn
of the millennium (or close to it). I played AD&D 1t edition for
well over a decade. I'm actually interested in what you feel the spirit
of older editions was. It doesn't have to entail anything about other
games. One could surmise a certain mood or feel for the game based upon
the fiction you gave as recommended reading in the DMG.
However, older editions/versions of the game seemed to have a different
feel from the later AD&D. Can you articulate what that was?
Being close to the matter, it is difficult to write with clear
objectivity. About all I can say is the enthusiasm and the love of the
game were possibly conveyed to the reader by the style in which I wrote
the material. Also, some of the rules and mechanics that were included
in the original, removed later on, were actually critical to the "feel"
and the "spirit" of the whole work.
That's about all I can relate, Colonel.
This
isn't a grilling - Sorry if it seemed like that (I'm certainly no trial
lawyer or journalist, and don't mean to come off that way). I'm asking
for some artistic commentary from you. Like when Steven Spielberg is
interviewed and he tells about what symbolism was used in a film he's
made, or why he made particular artistic choices. OK, so maybe not that
involved, but along those lines. Does that make sense? It doesn't have
to be about the game overall; I'd be interested in, for example, knowing
what directly influenced the "Giants" series, or the "Drow" series.
Okay, and I understand. I really don't want to get into long essays on
my creative choices either, as I am not all that enthralled with such an
approach to what I consider a craft at best ;-)
Most of the influences on my creative work were acquired from childhood
on--my father's bedtime stories about wizards with magic rings, cloaks
of invisibiulity, my mother fairy tales and adventure stories reading to
me. I read Bradbury's "The Veldt" in 1948, in BLUEBOOK Magazine,
IIRC.
That was about the same time I found a copy of Burrough's CAVE GIRL and
Howard's CONAN novel. While I read Poe and a lot of military history,
from 1950 on I was a devoted SF and fantasy fan, read a book or pulpo
zine or two a day. (Back then my reading speed was about 600 words a
minute.)
So, to answer directly, the majority of what I used to create back in
1970 and onwards from there was material inculcated and gained over some
two or three decades prior. Of course I haven't ceased reading and
being inspired. For examplem, one has to love "luggage" in the
"Diskworld" books :-D the main inspiration for the adventure material
was the D&D game itself, ny love for Dming and playing it.
And that's a fact. The reason I now write mainly using theLA game as a
base is because of that very thing. I really am enthused by that system,
as I find it brings back the same sort of feel I had back in those
early days.
Hope that serves, amogo,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB O, Great Gygax, who we implore to not let the rust monsters near our vorpal swords...
You've mentioned the weakening of the archetypes in the 3E
system - I'm unfamiliar with your Lejendary Adventures game, save that
it is 'rules lite', but I was wondering if you used archetypes in that
system, or another approach altogether?
Cheers! good question. Yes indeed, even though the LA game
system is skill-bundle-based so as to allow broad lattitude in character
creation, I included what are termed in the game "Orders." If a player
decides to have an Avatar that belongs to an Order, then the initial
four of five "Abilities" (skill-bundles) are prescribed. Orders are
archetype characters--the Ecclesiastic, Elementalist, Mage, etc. By
doing this I hope to have managed the best of both worlds, all the while
having a non-complicated and easy skills system.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Questions for Gary
Originally posted by Dahak
Hi Gary!
Was the CRPG in question the Dangerous Journeys game that was advertised
back in some of the old DJ books as coming for the Turbo Grafx 16/Turbo
Duo game console? I remember debating about buying the console at the
time, in anticipation of the game's release (thankfully I did not).
Howdy!
No, the bogus lawsuit filed by T$R back in the 90s closed the door on
the deal we had with Nontendo/JVC. After that I did a number of CRPG
designs, two of which that were oprioned for development but never got
into production for reasons not related to the game itself.
Anyway, the material I am speaking of was not one of the two game
designs sold, but rather one that was a stand alone product. I never got
it far enough along to do a formal proposal to any publisher. After the
second CRPG (after the MYTHUS ONE) was accepted, word came on a Monday
it was going forward into development, and on Wednesday we were told the
company was sold and all projects were being canned, I decided I would
return to paper games once again... Thus that design, along with some 20
or so others is lauguishing somewhere in this place, in disk limbo if
you will.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Eternalknight
Gary, here are a few questions as I won't be able to make the chat.
1) How long did it take you to write the original version of D&D?
Or, in other words, when did you come up with the idea and how long did
it take to get it into print?
2) I have been reading your Up On A Soapbox colums in Dragon and really
enjoy them. Your commentry on some of your gaming sessions brings back
memories about when i first started playing. Unfortuneatly, I can't
seem to get that same 'feeling' now when i DM. Any advice?
3) Would you consider D&D (in any of its incarnations) as your favourite game? If no, which game would be your favourite?
Well, here you are, answers a day late, but hopefuly not short...
1. The initial 50 page draft of what was to become the D&D game took
me only about two weeks to write--around November of 1972. After all,
most of the material was drawn from the CHAINMAIL Fantasy Supplement, so
it wasn't a real challenge. I then sent the draft around to a dozen or
two of my wargaming comrades. The positive response was overwhealming,
and from my own play-testing and the many letters and phone calls
received from the other testers, I revised the initial material into a
draft of some 150 pages--essentially what appeared in the three booklets
of the boxed D&D set. That revision took place in the early spring
of 1973. When Tactical Studies Rules was formed as a partnership by Don
Kaye and I in October of 1973, we produced a military miniatures rules
set as the first product, as that was all we could afford. Then, when we
took in a new partner, the D&D ms.went to the printer's, so the
game was published and sold in January 1974. By that time I was working
on the new material thyat appeared in the GREYHAWK Supplement some
considerable time later.
2. Go back to playng OAD&D, perhaps. I find that when I D< using
the old material I am as enthused as ever--of course I still enjoy DMing
OAD&D with the same zest as I did "way back when." If you want to
change systems, take a peek at the LA material. It is now my system of
choice because I find it facilitates my sense of wonder in regards to
fantasy gamning.
3. Actually, see above for my feelings in regards to :favirite." While i
love games, and the one I am playing at the time is the current
"favorite," most likely, for long-term involvement I place the LA game,
OD&D/AD&D, and METAMORPHOSIS ALPHA at the top. Of course I would
like to try to get in some other genres there too, and when I have less
writing to do, more playing time, I'll do that ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Thanee
I
just wanted to add, that I really liked the way you answered the
questions here (i.e. taking the time to read and answer pretty much
everything, especially the fun and ... inappropriate questions ;-) )!
Very cool! :-)
Bye
Thanee
Thanks :-) Actually I am happy to do this, because
"chatting" with fellow gamers is almost as much fun as playing games
with them. Okay, okay, I am a game geek!
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: original MM question
Originally posted by Voadam
Is
there a story or myth behind why rakshasas can be instantly slain by a
blessed crossbow bolt? I have never come across one and it seems an odd
enough specific vulnerability to be based off of a real myth.
Heh, and there surely is. There was a TV show, THGE NIGHT STALKER, that
had an episode in which rakshas were the featured monster. In that
program these demons could be slain thus, rather like the way a vampire
would be by a blessed wooden crossbow bolt through the heart. So I
thought that it would be a good idea to follow that lead.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Darklance
Has
Jack Chick ever contacted you so he could chastise you for creating the
object of his hatred? You are after all responsible for duping
thousands across the world into worshiping Satan....
Oddly
enough, no. In fact, the only anti-D&D group that ever did contact
and interview me is a fundamentalist Christian organization that
publishes a magazine called CORNERSTONE. The interviewer was polite, the
resulting article in the magazine allowed I was merely misguided, not a
deeply evil pro-satanist sort of person...
And speaking of people not contacting me, I surely do wish I'd get more
feedback in regards my most recent adventure module, THE HERMIT! I know
it played well in the LA format, and I'd sure like to hear how the D20
version rates :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Upper_Krust
Hi Gary! :-)
Does the HALL OF MANY PANES give a nod to Gravestone's Demiplane
defenses in Come Endless Darkness (?) and if not have you ever thought
of writing a module based on that sort of 'Run the Gauntlet' idea?
Hola Amigo :-)
The plot for the HALL OF MANY PANES involves some rival deities--ones
you might enjoy, as they are based on Celtic ones, modified for the
game's world setting of course, and called the Daneen Pantheon.
Anyway, the demiplane exists because a deity created it, and the team of
adventurers who get sent there must visit the many other dimensions
that are accessed from it through enchanted portals that float about the
"Panes" in the "Hall." Of course, there are dozens of such gateways to
other places, and no two are exactly aloke, some wildly different from
others.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by coz
Gary,
I remember reading a Dragon magazine editorial from way back by you
where you spoke of some new medieval live action group and you mentioned
something about prior involvement in the SCA. Could you shed any more
light on the subject of you in armor swinging rattan at another guy's
head (for some reason I just picture you as a 'stick jock').
Just how many children do you have? Have any of them gone on to game design?
And who played those original Greyhawk adventurers who became famous NPCs?
Well, that's going back a ways. In the early 70s there were a few SCA
members here in Lake Geneva, two of whom played in my D&D campaign. I
did indeed wield a rattan sword with helmet and shield, but only in
practise. I never did join the SCA or make armor and cistume. As is
still the case, gaming kept me too busy for that. LAcking proper leg
protection, I still sport the broken blood vessels where enemy swords
impacked leg. Never felt the pain of impact at the time though--too
worked up with battle lust :-o
I have six children, Ernie, Elise, Heidi, Cindy, Luke, and ALex. All
have played D&D. The three boys still game. Ernie and Luke combined
to write the LOST CITY OF GAXMOOR module, D20 by Troll Lord Games.
Ernie's work prevents him from doing more design, and it seems likely
that Luke too is facing that same stricture--writing adventure material
demands a lot of time and effort. Luke is going to try to get to a
sequal, THE LOST UNDERCITY (of Gaxmoor), but it will be some months
before he can begin. Neither son want's any interference from their
father. Alex is only 15, soon 16. He is a good player and fair GM too,
but I don't think he'll be a dedicated writer. Such is life.
Lastly, when I started the Greyhawk campaign, the initial playtesters
were son Ernie (Tenser, Serten, Erac's Cousin) and daughter Elise. In a
couple of days time Don Kaye (Murlynd), Rob (Robilar, Otto) and Terry
(Terik) Kuntz joined the gang. Of course in a few months we had a crowd
of 20 and more persons, and when some split off to form their own
campaign new people were there to take their places.
As Rob had begun his own campaign, I played a lot in it with various
PCs--Yrag, Mordenkainen, Bigby, etc. I enlisted Rob as co-Dm for my
campaign too, as it took two of us to manage the large player groups,
and also to run all the game sessions demanded by smaller parties. Often
times there were two long sessions a day in 1974 and 1975. I had to
write material, so Rob ran many of them.
A few years later son Luke played Melf.
That's it :-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Upper_Krust
Hey Gary! :-)
Celtic Pantheon you say...interesting. Too often sidelined in favour of the 'big three'.
Yes, and to rectify that I have devised 20 pantheons for the LEJENDARY
EARTH World Setting, with vaqrious major and minor states thereon having
one or another as the recognized one. Thus I hope to encourage greater
diversity in this regard.
Incidently
I caught the veiled musings of Tharizdun in Dance of Demons wherein he
indirectly equates himself with the Celtic Deity Cernun/Cernunnos. ;-)
Heh. Caught me! I was reading a lot of mythology at the time, so I couldn't resist slipping that into the novel.
I still want to see you do the definitive work on Egyptian Mythology of course! :-D
I'm curious, have you ever been to Egypt?
I have a huge
number of Egyptian deities identified and awaiting their appearance in
the LEJENDARY PANTHEONS sourcebook--whenever it gets into print. The
Egyptian Pantheon is the largest one, and that's saying something,
considering the Greco-Roman one. The ms. has been done in rough for
about three years time now, just needs polishing. Of course by treating
20 pantheons for a FRPG setting, no great details are given. That will
have to await additional books that deal with a pantheon or several of
them more minutely.
The problem in regards to the latter is details. There just aren't a lot
of details, or any in some cases, for many pantheons, or deities
therein. Additionally, where information is relatively abundant, much of
it is pretty valueless when moving the deities to a fantasy world where
they are active and potent, and the society is thus different and more
technologically (and intellectually) advanced.
As for visiting Egypt, sadly no. Not likely to attempt a trip there
anytime soon now either :-( The only place in Africa I have managed to
visit is Morocco, which I really loved.
I have been looking forward to it since you first mentioned it on these boards a while back.
As I recall didn't you say it can be utilised at myriad levels? After
Gaxmoor and Necropolis are conquered it sounds like the Hall of Many
Panes could be next on the agenda... ;-)
Appreciate the
interest. The HALL' is mant for experienced players, for there will be
diverse approaches needed to manage the dozens of secnarios to be
managed therein. I have used the LA game system to create it, so it's aa
bit difficult to estimate the PC level as it now stands--Jon Creffield
is adding the D20 material now. I should think average level 8-10 for,
but the DM could easilt upgrade the encounters by including more
opponents, or giving them more HD and damage potential, so as to handle
PCs of 12-14 levels. Of course some places in the adventure level 20-30
PCs will be lost unless they are played properly, thinking is used
rather than reliance on combat and magic.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by davidschwartznz Gary, you've mentioned elements of 3E that differ from your original vision. Is there anything in the new rules that you think improves on that vision? A valid query, and one that I wish I could answer properly. The fact is that as
3E
is actually a different game from AD&D, both Original and 2E, there
isn't any way to do so. That is, new D&D is a game unto itself, and
in such case the axiom about comparisons being odious seems to apply.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Gary
- would you like to see the Epic of Aerth see the light of day again? I
think it's a great setting, and could easily be used for any number of
game systems.
Yes indeed, Colonel Sir! :-) The time and
effort I spent getting the details into the EoA work were considerable.
When I wrote it I hoped it would supply the sort of information that
would benefit any fantasy campaign setting. What with the way things are
going at
WotC, likely it could be picked up pretty reasonably by some publisher.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Yes, let's hope somebody does get hold of it. It's one of the most underrated settings ever.
Heh, all I can say is that I spent about five years putting it
together--not all the time working on it alone, of course. The set of
Eleventh Edition ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA that my most honored maternal
grandfather bequeathed to me was much used in developing the details
given in the EoA. What I longed for was a set of the Third Edition to
reruse so as to perhaps get closer to the actual area conditions, but
never was I able to find one...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Rel
[snippage]
She said, "I'm not sure it would be quite the same as you talking to Gary Gygax."
I said, "Of course not. God probably doesn't drink Martinis."
:-D
ROTFLMAO
But seriously, if God was making the martinis, I'm sure they'd be the
best ever. As for Him not drinking them, well, He did give us wine...
:rolleyes:
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by LoPaC Hey Gary.
Im suprised no one has asked you this yet, but whats your take on these WotC lay-offs? It came as no surprise to me, as I'd heard that more were coming after GenCon, also that Hasbro planned to move the
WotC
offices back East to be under their wing, so to speak. Whether what I
was told was merely lucky guessing or some inside scoop doesn't matter
now.
In all I've been very charry about the acquisition of a hobby game
company by a mass-market toy and game one. Two very different cultures,
markets, and
IMO management needs for assuring the success of the different lines.
Let us watch awhile to see what further developments take place...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: lol
Originally posted by Duorin III
What is your favorite color?
Rainbow and the permutations thereof!
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Books and Influences
Originally posted by darth
One
of the ways that DnD influenced my life positively was the books that I
read because of it. Of course, I had already read LOTR and C.S.
Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, but it was at Gary's suggestion that I
read Fritz Lieber, Jack Vance, and Michael Moorcock. Other RPGs have
gotten me to read HP Lovecraft and his circle, including the great
Robert Howard.
Hey now! Look at my recommended reading list in the old
DMG again, amigo. Both Howard and Lovecraft are named there and were actually major influences on my creation of the game.
One
of my great interests right now is the development of fantasy as we
know the genre today. Certainly, EGG has been one of the more
influential names in the landscape. Many of the assumptions we make
about a fantasy world come from him and from DnD.
Two questions, then, for the good sir:
What other books and authors might you suggest? I'd love to hear of
ones that influenced you, or ones you think anyone might benefit by
reading.
The aforementioned appendix in the OAD&D
DMG
has a pretty exhaustive list of those books I felt were influential and
interesting--Merritt, Saberhagen, St, Clair, and Weinbaum for example.
Also, if you happen to get a look at the MYTHUS game book, look for the
recommended reading lists therein.
What
are some things you're proud to have personally added to the landscape
of fantasy? Obviously, many of your ideas were taken from previous
sources (that's the topic of my research), but what ones do you credit
to yourself, or to early DnD?
Heh, well, what is around now
that wasn't "taken" from some other source. The trick is to combine
existing elements so as to come up with something new and different from
what was previously existing. That D&D did right well, methinks.
So, what I am pleased with is authoring D&D and thus creating the
source of inspiration for the whole RPG field we have today ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Deedlit
It's me again. Three questions for you
1. Are you familiar with Lodoss war?
2. If the answer to the first is yes, what do you think of it?
3. How does it feel knowing about all the series caused by your game,
and people wanting to turning their campaign in it(Or a similar game
created because of it's shortcomings), to a great fantasy series.
Dragonlance, Lodoss War, and Forgotten Realms come to mind.
1. Good old PA sent me the Lodoss War material, but I haven't had time
yet to sit back and watch. I mean to for sure as the weather turns less
mild here and being outdoors is not longer pleasant.
2. As noted, that's not currenbtly answerable.
3. To have inspired so much creativity, to have thus provided enjoyable
employment for many a gamer is as gratifying to me as is the fact that I
brought so much fun and entertainment to millions of people ;-) In
fact, I am still trying to to the latter now, 30 years later.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
The hard work you put into it shows, Mr. Gygax. Aerth is my favorite
generic FRPG world out of all the multitude published. In the forward to
the original Necropolis, Lester Smith (I think) mentioned that Aerth
has its roots in your unpublished world of Oerth (with the published
Oerth being a very different version). Can you expand on that?
Thanks, Geoffrey :-)
It was Les who put that into the forward, and yes, I can expand on it a bit.
When I initiated the Greyhawk campaign, I envisaged a world of parallel
earth sort. Thus the geography then assumed was pretty close to that of
earth. Being busy running game sessions, creating dungeon levels, the
map of Greyhawk City, writing new material, and also really enjoying
"winging it," I never did a large-scale map for the world.
When IU was asked to create a campaign setting for TSR to market, I did a
new and compact "world"--that only in part, of course, as that was all I
could fit onto the two maps allowed. So that became the World og
Greyhawk.
At that point my campaign play gradually moved from the amorphous "real"
planet on which Greyhawk was located to the material one published by
TSR. Being busy as ever, saving what amounted to duplicate labor was
happily accepted.
After the split with TSR, I returned to my original concept, painted
over a globe of the earth to match my original ideas for a fantasy
alternate earth, and thus Aerth was born. My wife and some others
thought I'd lost it when they saw me with acrylics and brushes altering
the globe :-) I still have it around somewhere...
Only after I had the fullly done globe of Aerth did I then set about the research needed to quantify all that was thereon.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Lightfinger
Gary,
What is your opinion on the RPGA?
What's it like working with Steve, Davis, and the rest of the Troll Lords?
What have you heard about Troll Lord's sponsored national campaign, Legends of Erde?
--David
Howdy!
In my estimation the RPGA is still a useful adjunct to
WotC,
but its service to the majority of gamers is simewhat questionable.
From what I know it is now mainly a tournament-running organization in
which DMs and players interested in ranking are much involved. this not
only narrows the scopr that should be offered, but to my mind sort of
makes it an exclusive, not inclusive association.
You know I just _have_ to like Steve, Davis (who looks a lot like my old buuddy Skip), and company. They are great guys!
I keep Steve so busy with my stuff, mss. and emails about this or that
change, that he doesn't ahve time to tell me about "other stuff," so
this is the first I've heard about national campaign based on Erde.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by LoPaC
Sorry
Im asking another opinion question, but what do you think about d20
Modern? I've heard alot of different things about last minute changes
to the gaming system, so I'm just curious what your veiw on the game
itself and antything else about it.
Heh, and we all know what opinions are usually likened to, eh?
Anyway, I haven't actually tried playing a D20 modern game, but from my
gut feeling as a designer, I don't think the systemwill translate well
to the genre. now watch some talented guy come up with a kick-ass game
and make an ass of me for venturing that :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by davidschwartznz
From your perspective, what makes 3E a different game from AD&D? Is it just the 'd20 system' or are there other elements?
You've suggested that d20 is rules heavy (perhaps it is). But do you think it's more complicated than 2E? My perspective aside, try playing an AD&D character using
3E
rules. All manner of differences, right? The mnechanics and rules of
new D&D are radically different from some of their counterparts in
AD&D.
"Rules-heavy" means that there are definate mechanics prescribed tor
handling virtually all situations and cases thereof likely to arise in
game play.
3E
is very much that way, and it is carefully designed so that each part
of the game is linked to the others, a tight, regulated whole.
Yes indees, I know that
3E
is more complicated that AD&D--I never played 2E, although I did
play some OAD&D where parts of the 2E system were picked up and
included.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
Oh, Great Gygax, who we implore to not let the Black Puddings get our Bags of Holding...
Now there's a thought dear to my DMly heart! Dave Arneson conceived the
black pudding, and I confess it is one of my favorite critters for
disconcerting PCs... :-D
Did
you ever run characters through the Vault of the Drow (D3), or is it
only a 'literary' creation for the purposes of (nearly) concluding the
Great Descent?
Cheers!
I never ran any of my PCs through the Vault, but I
did DM my personal group, and several play-test groups through the
setting, and then DMed with a team of others that module as a tournament
at one of the small cons TSR used to hold in Lake Geneva in the Legion
Hall here. :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
It is dawning on me that I could well spend my declining years pleasantly engaged in answering posts here...
:-D
Okay, back to the task at hand:
Originally posted by Larcen
Hi Gary,
Glad to see your still answering questions! Sorry about the long
message to follow, but an opportunity to question you is too good to
pass up!
After reading what you have said about Lejendary Journeys I was interested enough to go check out your website for more info.
First, let me say that the free download, "Weyland Smith & Company",
was hilarious. Leave it to you to crank out 59 pages of pure magic and
creativity. I especially liked how you included generic, non-specific
"rules" right in the body of the funny descriptions for each item.
Where do you get the ideas for such great magic items?
Heh,
and that is also little booklet is available from Hekaforge so the GM
can have it on hand when he wants to mess with the players :-o
Of course as a typical boy I used to get "joke and novelty catalogs in
the mail--I'd send a dime to get them, in fact, esprcially the one from
Johnson Smith & Company. Then I'd carefully read them, long for the
many marvelous things therein, fron snapping gum packs to cigarette
loads, even fencing foils. Yes, I did save up and buy "stuff" too.
Luckily I was out of the house when my father's after-dinner cigar when
KAPOW!
Anyway, remembering fondly those days, I decided to do something like
that for RPGs. Eventually I'll expand the work and add it to the
"Gygaxian" Fantasy Worlds reference line, perhaps.
However,
I was disappointed not to find more information on the LJ game itself,
other than the sample Avatars. I was kind of hoping there would be a
sort of free "LJ Lite" (a la "GURPS Lite" available at the Steve Jackson
site), or an introduction to some of LJ's mechanics, or at least more
information on how to read the sample Avatar sheets themselves. At lot
of the abbreviations on the sheets were meaningless to me. Can you post
a sort of key on how to read the Avatar sheets? I hope I simply
didn't miss it somewhere.
Heh, and that's LEJENDARY ADVENTURES, amigo :-) The website that has virtually all there is on the game system is
www.lejendary.com
Hekaforge does plan to do a primer for the game, a small book with a
low proce point, so that those interested but not sure, can have a go
without spending $30 or more to see if it is their cup of tea.
There is a brief glossary of terms in the players' rules book, and I'll suggest to Gambit that this be posted on his website...
(Just did that via eamil, so onwards and upwards.)
On a different topic, here are a few off the wall questions:
What kind of music do you enjoy listening to, and do you use atmospheric music for any of your gaming sessions?
When I am really engrossed in work I prefer silence, and if there is
some background noise and confusion, then classical or Spanish guitar
music to muffle the intrusive noise. In general I enjoy classical and
Spanish music, blues, modern jazz, old R&B, some electrinic
classical compositions, even some opera. Mosic with lyrics I generally
find distracting, as I want to listen to them, not concentrate on my
work.
When we game I don't play music, as I find it interfers with the conversation and roleplay.
The
anniversary of 9/11 is coming around so it's on my mind. Where were
you, and what was your reaction, when you first heard of last year's
tragedy?
I was at the computer, and Gail happened to be
taking a break, drinking coffee and watching FOX News. She called me in
to see what was happening, so I saw the coverage of the second plane
hitting. I immediately assumed it was a deliberate attack when I saw
that horific scene. Unbelievable, heart-breaking, and absolutely
infuriating!
On a lighter note, do you think Al Quaida would loosen up if they gamed more? ;-)
I've got a game for them...
Finally,
there is a project I have been hoping someone would do for some time
now, and quite frankly am surprised no one has thought of it yet. And
now that I think of it, YOU are the only person I would trust to do it
justice. :-) Here is the idea: A sourcebook for ROLEplaying. No
rules. Just roleplaying. In it, there would be complete descriptions
of how each and every monster (in whatever game system suits your fancy)
talks, acts, parlays, etc. Right down to common words used, voice
inflections, and accents. Obviously no one race can be pigeonholed into
one stereotype, so I am talking the common mannerisms of average
members of each race. For example, unless you read this new book, you
would never know that kobolds speak in quick high-pitched voices and
repeat themselves over and over again. Or you would not know about the
fact that hobgoblins talk in slurred, almost drunken voices and have a
habit of belching midsentence and using the word "Dunno" a lot.
Hobgoblins also tend to slouch and hunch their shoulders and move their
heads back and forth a lot. See what I mean? I am talking hard, fast
stuff that the game master can use AT THE GAMING TABLE to make his
roleplaying come to life. I think this would be extremely helpful to
would be aspiring game masters everywhere, like me! What do you think
of this idea?
Anyway, thanks for giving me, my friends, and gamers everyhere a wonderful passtime and hobby like no other.
The work you suggest would likely be helpful to many a gamer, GMs and
players alike. However, I wonder who could possibly manage the task? To
write such a book would require a couple of years time, I should think.
Also, to be generally universal to FRPGs, a lot of publishers would have
to give premission for use of their proprietary creatures, I should
think. The upshot is I really kike your idea, but I am doubtful that it
can be done. It's surely too much work for me to undertake....without a
govrnment grant, that is :rolleyes:
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Eternalknight
Hey Gary, another question for you.
What do you think of the future of paper based gaming? Where do you see
RPG's being in 5, 10 or 50 years? Also, do you ever think we will see a
computer game that represents D&D to the full extent? Neverwinter
Nights was close, but not quite 100%.
Speaking of computer games, have you played any of the old D&D
computer games, such as pool of Radiance and Curse of the Azure Bonds?
If so, what did you think of them?
Happy to oblige!
I am relatively certain that face-to-face RPGing is here to stay, much
as live theater has survived a couple of millenia, remains still in the
face of motion pictures and television. Of course the relative
percentage of people playing P&P games thus will decline as
technology improves and the online and computer RPGs come ever closer to
the playing live with a group of friends. Short of the Starship
Enterprise's holodeck, though, electroic RPGs will never be as good as
the f-t-f experience.
I don't play electronic games much. If I get started I blow a week or a
month doing nothing but playing compulsively. I love such games, of
course, and as W.C. Fields used to say about his gin, "Like blood to a
vampire...yes..." Even a text-based game is compelling to me. If all
people were like I am, the electronic gaming market would be larger
still, and now it is bigger than motion pictures.
As I've said before, I can hardly wait untill my "work" demands I be
involved in the alpha and beta testing of the LA MMPOROPG ;-) If and
when I "retire" I plan to spend at least 30 hours a week playing games,
not 60 hours working on them.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Aww, jeez, Gary - I asked the same kind of questions back earlier on the thread, and you yelled at me (well, sorta)!
;-)
Awww...
I only used gentle admonishment when yoou asked the same thing in a different way, eh?
Note how I answered the question in question :-o
Golly, if folks are really interested in my opinion of games, maybe
they'll take my advice and switch en masse to the LA RPG as their main
one... Being a gamer born and bred, I'd vener so much as hint at
exclusivity, because I know damned well I like to try different RPGs and
other games pretty regularly!
Heh-heh-heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Larcen
... (Gary, start a trend and put something like this in all YOUR future
works, I implore you! Show 'em all what ROLEPLAYING truly means. ;-) )
That is indeed something that all writers might well heed.
some minor information is given here and there by me, but I have
neglected giving intelligence for roleplaying races and creatures that
are intelligent. Doing that for new ones won't be hard. Going back
through all the current material for the LA game system and adding it
will be demanding, but I think it would be worthwhile. Having that might
mean a lot more interesting gaming :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
O Mighty Gygax, who we implore not to sentence us to eternity in Rob Kuntz's "El Raja Key"...
Right! Perhaps the Isle of the Ape is more fitting...
Would
it be fair to say that a role-playing game (or indeed, any game) in
your hands is never a "finished product" - that you're always tinkering
with the rules, to make it suit your needs better?
;-)
Cheers!
Yes, that characterization is fairly apt. However,
it needs to be modified by the inclusion of additions and changes
instigated by dedicated players; so the "your" in "your needs" might
better read "the needs of the game in the eyes of the participants."
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
To get to what I believe is the essence of the matter, as you state yourself, I've snipped all but one paragraph, Colonel ;-)
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
In essence, what I'm saying is that 3e
can be played using those archetypes that were a main part of 1e. I
also, see, though, that the use of these archetypes are not as strongly
reinforced or encouraged in 3e.
So, younger players will not be familiar with those archetypes, and
will be less likely to use them (assuming they become familiar with them
through some other medium, like reading fantasy fiction).
That is so. Indeed, much of
3E
can be played differently than what the corre rules focus on. As you
note, participants new to D&D will not likely do that for lack of
familarity. However, even the veteran DM wil have some difficulty
sticking to archetypes if the players are desirous of not so doing. They
are no longer a game base, an integral part of the system.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
The strictures noted above are,
IMO,
valiant attempts to prevenr blatent power gaming. However, tha actual
game assumes something quite different, and that means there exists in
the system mechanics that mitigate against long-term campaign play.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Larcen
Gary, here is a quickie:
Why "Col_Pladoh" ?
A fair enough question, Larcen ;-)
I am usually not given to using some nickname, but as it is de rigeur on
many websites I pondered a bit and came up with "Col_Pladoh" for the
following reasons:
I liked to play colonel Mustard as a boy when CLUE was a regular game in my group of comrades.
I am a member of the OH of Kentucky Colonels.
I have sometimes been spoken of in terms similar to those used for the great Greek philosophers.
So...
...to poke fun at all, and mainly myself, I decided that "Col_Pladoh" was an appropriate name to use :-o
Who can take me, and the whole subject of RPGs, too seriously when seeing that nic?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
in the original 1974 D&D rules, does every monster get only one
attack per round, and is the damage always 1-6? (With the clearly stated
exceptions, of course, of giants and ogres) I'm mostly wondering about
dragons and other fearsome creatures. Do they really deal out only as
much melee damage as an orc with a sword?
Yes, but don't
forget that most of the feasrsome creatures concerned had as principal
attack forms something other than melee sort--breath weapon, missile,
draining touch, etc.
In truth, a man or orc with a sword is pretty deadly, that such an
attack might well cut someone in half, deal deadly harm--albeit not
usually in terms of the D&D game, granted :-o
Second
question: Which of your FRPGs (D&D, AD&D, DJ: Mythus, and LA)
cost you the most in terms of sweat? I would guess DJ, since it is
obviously the result of a mountain of research.
That's
difficult to answer in logical manner, as you muct remember that when I
write D&D, there wxisted a huge base of knowledge garnered from
reading authored fantasy, muth and lejend, history too. Also that I had
the CHAINMAIL game to work from, but that itself took time and effort,
play testing to develop. That said, the sheer blocks of time needed to
write the AD&D and DJ/MYTHUS games were about the same, but the
added research needed for the latter did amount to a lot of time.
Finally, LA was based on my entire experience in RPGs, and designing for
computer applications--a couple of years spent thus.
I do believe I spent the most pure research time on the MYTHUS material,
and that A/D&D and the LA game are the systems I have spent the
most writing time on :-D
Hope that sufficies,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Henry
One more question, Gary, if you will:
I purchased from you back in 1999 the Lejendary Rules limited edition
that came out at Gencon. Compared to the regular rules, are there many
changes between the two? If so, is there a "conversion document"
available with said changes (either on hekaforge site or elsewhere)?
What? You plan on playing the game with a collector's edition book? Gasp!
Yes, there are any number of typos cleaned up, corrections, and even a
few additions made to the LEJENDARY RULES FOR ALL PLAYERS book in
standard edition, second printing. These, and all sorts of "official"
additional material can be found posted for download at:
www.lejendary.com
A link from there will take you to a UK website that has even more such material available. Sorry, but I can't recall the URL.
As someone noted here, I do tend to create a bit of new work, and as
usual with dedicated gamers, the LA crowd is likewise pretty creative
too...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by andargor
Hello Gary,
I was just browsing the forums, and spotted this thread. Thanks for stopping by!
Just to echo some thoughts expressed earlier...
I started gaming in 1977 with the Blue Book (I was 10, damn those dice
would wear out fast). BTW, who were the characters on the cover? (I
dimly remember an archer and a mage, and the red dragon of course, we
still have the book somewhere...)
Happy to read your post and appreciate what you have to pass along.
The characters on the D&D Basic Set cover were, as far as I know, simply creations of the artist, Dave Sutherland.
D&D
has definitely changed my life. Asked to explain what it was, I usually
said something like "a mix of theater, improv and imagination". I truly
do believe that children playing an RPG will develop superior
creativity and social skills. I'm a computer engineer currently, but
I've always kept that intuitive/creative side and person skills, and I
thank RPGs for that.
The other major impact the game has had is that I'm still in touch with
the original group after 25 years. After career moves, families, etc, we
still manage to play every two weeks.
Some of us are in different cities. No problem, we hook up the webcam
and fire up NetMeeting. Some people will balk at this, but when you play
with people that have 25 years of experience, you really feel as if
they're right next to you.
Yes, what you note above is often
mentioned to me in emails from various gamers. Not a few state exactly
how playing A/D&D improved their social or scholastic skills, and
virtually all note the lasting friendships that were made through
gaming.
As for online play, it seems a natural recous=rse when a group of old
friends becomes separated. With audio and video components, the
NEtMeeting becomes very close to the face-to-face experience when all
were in the same rom, eh?
We're playing 3E
now, and yes we use archetypes. Although I did see some signs of
corruption... Mage such and such takes a level of fighter to boost his
hp or get a feat...
But generally, even if you are the min/maxer type (which didn't exist in
OD&D), sticking with an archetype usually yields to a better
character. The rules appear to promote power via multi-classing, but my
experience has not shown this. I usually play the "pure" fighter or
mage, and funnily enough, I end up saving the party more times than
not... Specialists will always beat generalists in their specialty (if
that makes sense) B-) In general I concur, but again you are making reference to a group of veterans, not newbies...
I
do agree that the current rules do not guide new players towards good
role playing. After all, when you use archetypes, you worry less about
mechanics, and more about how you are going to play. Correct me if I'm
wrong, but I felt that the D&D Basic Set vs AD&D tried to
provide simpler rules for beginners so they learn what role playing is
about before moving on to a more complex system? If so, it should become
so again...
Yes, there should be a lot more emphasis on
roleplay, what it is to create a character and stay within the framework
created, and what it means to the game overall when this is done. This
is not to say I am disparaging combat, as it is a very important,
integral, part of the RPG form.
Anyway,
sorry for the pell mell comments and questions. It's just nice to have
you here. Brings back memories of the old Dragon magazine, the other
RPGs I used to play (Gamma World, Cthulu, Boot Hill) and even my first
wargames (Blitzkrieg, Tobruk, Panzer Leader, original Squad Leader).
B-)
Heh, and I do have a little column that runs most months in DRAGON--just sent off a couple of installements this week, in fact.
As for GAMMA WORLD, don't overlook Jim Ward's METAMOPPHOSIS ALPHA game
from Fast Forward. I always preferred it to the later version, GW, in
which input from Kevin Blumne seemed to mess up a perfectly good
system...
Keep
up the good work, and if you need testers for your MMPORPG (whatever
that is LOL) or any GreyHawk stuff (we played that setting for a few
years), just give a shout!
Andargor
The Massively Multi-player Persistant Online RPG
version of the LA game should go into alpha test late next year. Bu then
I'm sure you'll be familiar with the LEJENDARY ADVENTURE game, so
getting into the beta test lineup will likely be easy :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
O Great Gygax, who we implore not to let the earseekers infest our helmets - or our ears...
Until the wretches conceived of ear trumpets, those marvelous little
grubs surely did stop all that vile listening with ears pressed to doors
so as to avoid nasty surprises the DMs wished to spring on the PCs.
Stepping
back to the not-quite-elder days of D&D, how do you see the
relationship between AD&D (1E) and the Basic/Expert/Companion/Master
sets of "basic" D&D?
Did you ever play or DM the BECM version? (especially at the higher levels?)
Many thanks for the time you've spent answering our queries! :-)
Cheers!
Because I was so involved in getting the AD&D
line up and running, I did not play the D&D "B-E-C-M" other that in
tests of Frank Mentzer's (able) work there. It was only after I did not
need to be concerned about the direction of AD&D that I had time to
revisit D&D as DM. It is a great game,
IMO, and no question I still enjoy running adventures using the system.
AS for answering questions here, rest assured it is my pleasure :-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy!
Here's a general response to LArcen, ColonelHardisson, and Henry.
The main online shop handling the LA game line is found on a link at
www.lejendary.com
--I use that as the URL because it's the place where you can get just
about anything you are interested in regarding the game :-D
Now for a cmbat example... Wait! The LA game system is not one that
stresses combat. It facilitates all forms of activity. Ah well, okay,
back to the H&S then.
Let's assume that a party of adventurers is entering the ruins of a
temple hidden in the thick foliage of a tropical jungle, There is a
Forester Order Avatar leadiing the way, a Noble Order one directly
behind him, and a Mage Order Avatar is bringing up the rear. (Note, for
this example I am using "ordered avatars," so we'll have archetypes in
play.
Combat is handled in 3-second-ling "ABCs."
As the Forester pauses to use his Hunt Ability to check for any signs in
the entry to the temple, he is grabbed from above by a massive
gorilla-like creature, a kru-krad. This alerts the two others, but it
doesn't help the victim. The kru-krad (Health 65, Precision 60, and
Speed 17) smashes the Forester (9-12 +10--that 10 bypassing armor), then
bites him (13-16 +6 Harm), and hurls him down to the stone floor. As
the LM I rule that the Forester must make an Avoidance Roll against his
Speed Base Rating or else be stunned for 3-6 ABCs from the impact.
Assuming an average unadjusted Speed, this gives a 13% chance. The
Forested is lucky and makes the roll. He has suffered 26 points of Harm,
so he's at half normal Health now but ready to fight back.
As the krukrad is attacking the first of the party to enter, the Noble
and the Mage see what's is happening and move into action:
The Noble is unable to attack immediately, as the ape-creature is in the beams overhead, but his sword is at the ready.
The Mage reacts immediately, using a Flame Fan Power to inflict 9-12
Harm on the creature as it drops the Forester. The activation of this
Power takes 2 seconds, so at the start of the second ABC of the
encounter, the mage checks against his Enchantment Ability score of 64,
succeeds, and so the kru-krad is subjected to the flame, and it's coat
of hair is on fire, so an additional 3-5 points will accrue next ABC.
Meantime the Forester is up, readying his crossbow, while the Noble hefts his sword.
The enraged kru-krad leaps down on the Noble. The LM rules that this
attack will certainly overbear the Noble, but as his sword is ready, he
will have opportunity for first attack. The Noble has a Weapons Ability
of 52, with his sword adding 10, and Chivalry another 10, so his
likelihood of success is 72%, he makes that. Harm is 4-20 base for the
sword he has, and to that is added Chivalry and Physique bonuses--10 and
4, the total then adjusted downwards by the kru-krad's natural amrom of
6. Let's assume that the noble manages to inflict 20 total Harm on the
ape. So it is at the end of the ABC down from H 65 by 14 from the fire
and 20 from the sword, so it is at 31 Health.
It's attack chance is 60 (ots P Base Rating), plus the LM gives it +10
for its leaging assault, and it lands squarely on the Noble. Both of
it's attacks succeed, but the shield and armor worn by the Noble mean
that only the +10 boinus from the smash accrue to that character.
However, the kru-krad's impact inflicts also d10 Harm on the victim,
this also ignoring shield and armor protection. The roll is a 10, so the
Noble is down 20 Health, pinned, and unable to attack. The kru-krad
will ignore shiuled protection in subsequent attacks, so the Noble is in
trouble!
In the third ABC of action, the Mage attempts to activate a new Power,
Xargya's Military Fork (essentially a to paralyize the ape for a few
seconds), but he misses his Ability check, the Power fails, and his
Activation Energy Points are lost.
The kru-krad is acting first, and its beating and biting upon the Noble
score fully 20 more Harm to that worthy's Health. He is at 20 points
now, will be unconsious next ABC from another 20 Harm, virtually dead if
more that that is inflicted on him.
Fortunately, the Forester has taken aim, and hith a 15 bonus with the
crossbow to his Weapons-Archery Ability at close range, he hits easily.
The base Harm rtange is 3-20, adding 4 for his Archery ability. His
Ability check score is 01, a special success that means maximum Harm
base 20 is scored, that bypassing opponent protection. A confirming
check for possible added Harm is made. It is a 20, and that means added
Harm is done. A d10 comes up 7, so the kru-krad suffers 20 + 4 + 7 = 31.
Just enough to send the creature into unconsciousness. The Forester
drops his crossbow, draws his dagger, and end's the monstrous creature's
life, then pulls his comrade out from under its dead body.
Total time of combat has been 12 seconds. Two of the Avatars will now be
seeking some healing, espacially the usually unscathed Noble, for in
this case his full playe armor and shield did not serve as they do in
most cases.
The LM is wondering if any of them spot the giant cobra that is slithering near...
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Henry
Fascinating. I shall have to look for this further...
I noticed a few circumstances which added or took away a +10 or -10 from
the percentile chance - roughly analogous to the +2 and -2
circumstances in the d20 system...
One thing that confused me, and I will really need to pop up around the
Lejendary Boards for more info - but I noticed that some Avatars get
certain abilities, at a percentage of their health, or precision, or
speed, or such. Do other Avatars get any "default skills" for some
things? For example, say an avatar with no skill at all in hiding wants
to "get off the road," to paraphrase Elijah Wood. What would his chance
be at this?
Right! The system uses percentile chances with adjystments that might range from 1 to 50 or more.
Assuming an Avatar was seeking to hide and didn't have any Ability that
would facilitate this--Hunt, Ranging, Rustic, Waylaying--then it's up to
the Lejend Master. Depending on the circumstances, I'd give a default
of around 10 on the success, and that would be the penalty for any
Avatar using a tracking skill to discover the matter.
Other things might have no default chance, or a mere 1% chance--a
non-Extraordinary-Ability-possessing Avatar would likely have no chance
for activating a Power (spell) from a Plaque (scroll), but in time one
without Waterfaring Ability would likely be able to set a sail--a lot of
d% checks beginning at 1 to see it if was right, adding 1 until a
default of 10 was reaches through trial and error. Enough of that, and
the Avatar might eventually get the Ability at 1.
Possessing an Ability allows up to a +30 bonus for doing ordinary things in calm surroundings.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Larcen Thanks for the example. Sounds faster than 3E
alright! But I happen to LIKE discussing rules and have been called a
rules lawyer more than once, so I hope you don't mind being dragged into
an in-depth analysis here. :-o I know, I know, sorry. Anyway, being
as I am, several questions popped into my head after reading the
example:
1) What roll was made, if any, for the kru-krad to successfully grab the forester? It was not mentioned, so was it automatic?
Actually, I assumed an automatic hit for the kru-krad, as iot was
laying in wait, aware of the intruding party. In normal attack
situations a creature has its Precision Base Rating as its d% cance for
successful attack.
I am not a rules lawyer, and I don't mind bending oor ignoring rules I have writted...if that suits the game at the time :-D
2)
If appears like a person's chance of successfully striking an opponent
is not dependant on any kind defense value the target may have and that
only the attacker's skills, bonuses and weapon play a part. What is the
rationale for this?
Heh, well, maybe that armor doesn't
really reduce the chance to be struck, but rather it absorbs damage
(Harm in LA game terms) delivered by the attack. In the wash though, the
effect of either system is much the same, so it's a mechanic, not a
commentary on combat.
3)
Along the same lines, is the Mage's chance of successfully activating a
Power dependant solely on his Enchantment skill and not the magnitude
(level?) of the Power he is attempting?
Quite so, it is a
fucnction of Ability score, not of the power of the activation. Hovever,
the more potent Powers, Spells, etc. have longer activation times and a
greater Activation Energy CPoint cost. Thus, players soon learn that
the low-Rank, fast-to-activate Powers are their best stock in trade when
a fight is in progress.
4) Some of the die ranges seem strange to me. How is "3-20" or "4-20" rolled?
Oh, I just knew I should have explained that. The assumption of the
game is that 20 is the standarg Health of a huiman, and that most
weapons can deliver 20 points of Harm. In n-20 point spreads, the first
number is the minimum Harm the weapon can do when it hits the target.
Many Extraordinary bonuses and Powers have Harm ranges from the
following progression: 3-5 (d3+2), 6-8 (d3+5), 9-12 (d4+8), 13-16
(d4+12), 17-20 (d4+16), 21-25 (d5+20), 26-35 (d10+25), and 36-50
(d15+35). those at the upper limit are very, very rare.
5) I am still getting used to going from a combat round of 1 minute (1E) to 6 seconds (3E).
Feels too constrictive somehow. No way I can ever play GURPS, their
round is 1 second I believe! Have your players had any problems with a
mere 3 seconds per ABC? Something along the lines of: Avatar: "Ok, I
take my backpack off, find that potion, and drink it." LM: "No way you
can do all that in 3 seconds." Would this action just carry over into
more than one ABC then? It should surprise nobody that all
of the players, save Alex, my youngest son soon to hit the bit 16, are
well-versed in all forms of A/D&D. Not a one has had any problems
with the 3-second Activity Block Count. In fact, there are no arguments,
as it makes it pretty easy to count seconds and figure for oneself how
long an action or series thereof takes. This the LM adjusts mentally, of
coourse fot the Avatar's Speed Base Rating as modified by protection
factors--shiuled, armor, or Power.
Finally, as the system is rules light, the flow of action is the most
important thing, so if a player hesitates, the Avatar is doing likewise,
and if he is eagerly issuing instructions as to actions, then the
Avatar is like a ball of fire.
6)
Any particular reason why common RPG terminology was changed, like
"rounds" to "ABCs" and "damage" to "Harm"? Was this just for flavor?
(Not that after gaining familiarity it wouldn't become second nature I
am sure.)
The principal rason for the new terminology is to
move the mindset of the participants from A/D&D and like game
systems to that of the LA one, for it plays quite differently, and
getting into the spirit of the system aids greatly in understanding the
game and enjoying it. Of course having a separate patoise, if you will,
also sets the gamers using it apart when they describe some gaming
actiivity in those terms. Needless to say, all LA gamers, myself
included, quite frequently slip into the "rounds" and "damage" and
"spell" terminology. Old habits die hard. however, once you begin to
think using those gaming terms, then thinking within the LA system is
easy.
PQUOTE]
There may be
more questions if I go back and read the example in more depth, but I
know that one of LA's promoted strengths is that it's rules light, so I
can understand if the answer to any and all of the above is something
along those lines. Also, like I said earlier, if this is not the proper
forum (literally) for all this, and you would prefer discussing it
elsewhere (if at all) let me know. I would also accept it if your
answer to it all was simply: "Buy the rulebook!" ;-) [/QUOTE]
The
www.lejendary.com
boards are where this discussion should continue ;-) I never urge
anyone to buy the rule book unless they think they want to collect it
for their libvrary--or better still see if they will like it in play. An
unsatisfied buyer is not likely to promote the game, so better not to
buy if unsure!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by optimizer
Howdy!
I just wanted to say that this was a nice story on how you created a
world. Any chance you will include this tale in your World Builder's
Guide?
Thanks.
Mike
Mike, the coming book of that name is really more of a
"descriptionary" reference for all that needs to be placed into the txt
of a work on fantasy, not how to create the world.
Alan Kellogg is now working on how to create a fantasy nation/state, and
that book will be done later on in the series. I'll have to consider
the potential for a treatment of how to start from scratch, so to speak,
fashion the planet, its terrain. It might fill a vast tome, or be only a
slim volume, depending on how much detail were given. To be sueful, I
think the former is called for, and I don't know how many gamers would
really want to delve into such a detailed work.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by optimizer Howdy!
Nice example. Any chance of posting a copy of it over at www.lejendary.com?
Thanks again!
Mike Consider it done :-) I'll go back, copy my post, and then hit the lejendary website with it.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by KingOfChaos
I'd just like to apologize to Gary if I scared him the other night with my fanboy tendencies. :-)
Your thought is appreciated, amigo, but not much scares me outside getting mail from the IRS... :-o
To me the main thing in a chat is my read of a question and how to
answer it properly--or not! working in a rather chaoric environment,
with a time limit, is not so easy. If I weren't a "Columbis Method"
typist, likely it would be easier, but...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Rel
I
don't want to take this thread off topic (if it can be said to have a
"topic") but when does that book come out and where can I order one?
Cause I'm grabbing that thing in a skinny minute.
As the work will bear the D20 logo, I don't think you are taking the thread too far off topic ;-)
Surf on over to the Troll Lord Games website, and you'll see the promo
for CANTING CREW and the rest of the series planned for the "Gygaxian"
Fantasy World reference works. All are basically generic, meant to make
the task of creating and developing fantasy material for stories,
modules, and the like easier for the one so doing.
http://www.trolllord.com/id176.htm
TLG has left off the list a book of names we are working on. If the
general line does well, the series will be extended to cover some
additional things such as principal archetypes and perhaps even an
expanded version of my "joke" magic items catalog.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Vocenoctum
Okay, my questions;
1) Ever heard something refered to as Gygaxian? How does it feel to be a descriptive term? :-)
2) how do you feel about the Cult that has sprang up around you? What
about those that in a way revere you, but probably haven't seen anything
outside your A/D&D stuff?
3) How do other game designers/ authors treat you? I'm sure you have
some that love or hate you based on your past work, but in general, are
they polite or are you one of the crowd etc?
Thanks :-)
Some brief answers to the above:
1. I admit I was somewhat taken aback when I first heard the term
"Gygaxian" bandied about. It is, I suppose, a rather unavoidable thing
considering my work and my style :-o That aside, it hasn't turned my
head...
2. A cult following? Damn! Why aren't I getting rich on contributions
and surrounded by lots of comely groupies then? Seriously, there is a
solid fan base for my creative work, and that's much appreciated by me.
Not seeing my work outside the D&D field is unforgivable, though.
Members of the Cult! hie the hence and immediately buy all of the
products not associated with AD&D, or face my wrath :rolleyes: Okay,
okay, buy what grabs you and ignore the rest.
3. As to relations with other designers, I really can't say. Better ask
them. I am pretty much isolated and working all the time here, and even
at cons I am usually so busy I don't have much schmoozing opportunity.
Fact is I pay more attention to gamers there than I do to other creative
types. I get along quite well with a number of game designers I know,
and I'm on speaking terms with many others. Of course there are a few I
don't really care to associate with--likely that feeling is mutual :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Larcen
EDIT:
I just went back and reread your message Gary and was reminded that
you suggested we continue this conversation elsewhere. Sorry I forgot.
Disregard if you like.
As my response is pretty brief, as you'll soon see, there's no reason not to take care of this here ;-)
Hi
Gary, thanks for all the responses. I have been busy so I couldn't get
back to you right away. Actually, I still am pretty busy here at work
so I'll make it quick, and I promise this is the last LA mechanic
question I'll ask here. I just wanted to clear this up:
I wasn't referring to armor which is the reason why I used the term
"defense value". I meant such things as (but by no means all of) the
defender's speed, agility, size, parry, dodging, skill, intuition, etc.
Shouldn't these kinds of things determine if the attack hit home in the
first place, even before armor comes into play?
Thanks for your infinite patience with us rules lawyers. Look at it
this way, if LA can survive US, it can survive anything. :-D Unless
of course the system wasn't MEANT for us... :-P
The LA
game is not a wargame, not only it it rules light, but it is fantasy.
Some fantasy things I feel are important--monsters and their attack
forms, magical things. Details of imagined combat such as you mention
are things that in my view slow down the game, interpose themselves in
the flow of play, belong in combat simulation exercises, not in FRPGs.
When I hear from someone that ignoring factors such as you mention isn't
"realistic" I must confess I have to shake my head. Not only is the
very premise of the FRPG wholly unrealistic and fantastic, but all of
those factors are likewise based on little more than supposition and
make believe. Dealing with them adds nothing to the roleplaying and ad
nauseum to the rules required to handle combats that stretch into hours.
And that's the way I see it.
Of course if I were designing a game of tactical warfare with miniature
figurines, I'd want to have such tings dealt with in exhaustive detail.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Draco Argentum
You're still here answering questions? Thanks for humoring us. :-)
Gary where did the idea for having the cromatic and metallic dragons come from?
Humoring y'all? No way! It's more like sitting around with a big bunch
of fellow game devotees and enjoying a good bit of talk. I should thank
all the posters for making my days more fun--writing game still all the
time gets to make one somewhat stale, so these breaks are fun and
refreshing.
Anyway, to your question: If you read the intro to the SLAYER'S GUIDE TO
DRAGONS fromMongoose, you'll see therein how I came up with the
chromatic dragons. Some colors other than red were needed, hues that
would be harmonious with their breath wespons. When I'd done the four
new additions to the CHAINMAIL red dragon, it seemed a good plan to have
a LG dragon, one of gold color that was based on the Oriental model.
From that I worked on the rest of the metallic species. Of course, such
potent creatures needed great leaders or masters, so I delved into
mythology for the names--Tiamat and BAhamut--and thus came up with the
Evil Queen and good King of the chromatic and the metallic dragons.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BoGGiT
Mr.
Gygax, or Gary if you prefer a slightly more informal tone, i know that
you didn't invent the term "Gygaxian fantasy", but if i gave you free
hands to define the term, what would the definition be?
Gary it is ;-)
As for a definition, well... I choose to point to the style of writing
and attention to certain sorts of detail. As it isn't a dictionary sort
of thing, the matter is open to interpretation :-o Mine will be put
forth as per the CANTING CREW and subsequent volumes if the series as
regards the fantasy world.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Fool
Gary,
Here's another thanks for answering all these questions.
When I first got into D&D in the 80's, Gygax was a name out of myth
with no more reality than characters we were playing. Thanks for
putting a personality to the person. It's wonderful to see you have the
same love of games after all these years.
If I have to append a question, here's one: What's with all the traps?? ;-)
Take care, and don't let this take you too long from your work!
Again, quite welcome and my bit of fun ;-)
As for the traps, we originally played dungeon crawls much of the time.
My dungeon levels were both an exploration/mapping problem to solve and a
place for encounters. As I would place perhaps 15 or so active
encounters on a level of many passagerways and as many as 50 or so
rooms, to keep things "interesting" I'd include various traps. That
became a de rigeur thing in general from around 1977 on. Of course when
combined with monsters and NPCs, traps add a degree of complexity to
encounters too, so they are a handy tool.
That cover it?
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
O Great and Gygaxian Gary, who we implore not to let our henchmen near our magic carpets...
Too late! Quij is even now fondling your PC's best volitant rug, virtually slavering over how it will look as his new poncho...
How long did it take you to write Necropolis? Wow! There's so much in that module/supplement/thing!
With D&D, when I think of the basic experience in the game, it's of a
party of adventurers entering a dungeon, killing monsters, avoiding
traps (hopefully!) and gaining treasure. Of course, the game then
expands beyond that greatly, but that's what I consider the basic
experience.
Is there such a thing for LA?
Cheers & best wishes!
Okay, to the questions and comments :-D
It took me about three months of time of design and write NECROPOLIS. As
I went along I had a group to play-test the material, so I was a bit
slower than usual. With just straight map-making and writing, devising
new monsters and magic, the job could have been done in about two
months--that's working about 50 hours a week on it, of course.
funny you should mention encounters and traps, and see my post replying
to the one just prior to your own. Dungeoneeriing was and still is a
marvelous part of the D&D experience, even though I fully concur
with your statement that the RPG is much more than that.
As for the LA game, indeed! One of the introductory modules has what is
basically a dungeon crawl theme. In THE HERMIT I have included a rather
tricky dungeon to get through, and of course in the HALL OF MANY PANES
you can bet I have some considerable portions with that theme, although
in total they don't amount to so much as half of the content.
Chris Clark and I have done CASTLE WOLFMOON, it being an intense
dungeon-crawl at its heart. When that will be in proint, though, is
still a question. It got to be so large that we are looking ar doing it
in perhaps five installments. It too will be D20 and LA system friendly
;-)
Cherio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Larcen
Alright,
its the weekend and I finally have some time to ask more questions, if
you be so willing. I still can't believe that we have THE Gygax "on
tap" here so to speak. B-)
Without further ado:
1) One of the things I love about D&D is the brilliant cosmology of
planes. How did you come up with all the cool planes (inner, outer,
etc.) and how they interact with each other? How much of this was
based on your readings into such matters?
2) How do you pronounce Gygax, Ioun, Iuz, Tarrasque, Lich, and Tiamat? I
pronounce them GUY-gax, Yoon, Yuz, tar-ASK, litch, and TEE-a-matt.
3) How did the Simpsons episode that you were in come about and how much
say did you have in the show's content? What other film appearances
have you made?
4) What were Mordy's favorite AD&D combat spells and tactics especially in the REALLY tough fights?
5) What the best way to get a group of stubborn set-in-their-ways
players to try a new game like LA? Our group hasn't played anything but
D&D in over 20 years. (Not that that is a BAD thing. ;-) )
Thanks, and do let us know when all these questions start to become a chore, ok? :-o
Thanks :-)
The guys who play here regularly whish I would shut up. Familiarity and all that... So to the as to your Qs:
1. The planes sert of developed as a mix of reading and game need. What I
did was to take the mythological and fabulous, arrange them to suit the
D&D system, and as AD&D was developing they sort of gelled into
the cosmology shown therein. In all it was a great facilitator for
creatures and beings form outside the material.
2. GUY-gax is how my family pronounces the name, but in proper Swiss it
is pronounced GHE-gox. As for Ioun, I say Eeun but Yoon sounds fine,
and so too Eeuse, but Yuz is okay, We almost agree on the pronunciation
of Terrasque--err-ASK TO YOUR tar-ASK, WE HARMONIZE ON litch (many
prefer lick), and Tiamat as TEE-a-matt.
3. the show contacted me, sent the preliminary scropt, and I was
delighted. Of course I asked for a bigger role, more than minumum, and
other foolishness in joking with David X. Cohen, a former D&Der and
DM :-D It was great fun working with him even over a clean phone line.
Naturally I urged them to fly me out to their location in California,
bus alas, that too was to no avail ;-)
4. Mordenkainen always had a fair stock of magic missile, fire ball, and
lightning bolt spells to go with ice storm, cone of cold, cloudkill,
death spell, and power word stun (later on) Evard's black tentacles was
another oft-used casting. Dropping a cloudkill spell around his party
and advancing on loe-level monsters was a lot of fun. Of course
depending on intelligence he would alter the usual. Mordie had some
pretty extensive spell books, of course, and he and Bigby exchanged
spells to broaden their repertories.
5. Getting grognards to try something new is really difficult. What I
have heard from a couple of other DMs is that they prepared their groups
beforehand by saying we are going to try one session of the naw
system--if you like it we'll play it maybe once a month as a change of
pace. One such group had a holdout who refused to play, came to the
session to watch and criticize. He ended up doing a lot of roleplayng,
liked the LA game more than the rest, and allowed it was okay...after
OAD&D.
Welcome, and I'll holler when I need to cut back on posts. I do have a
couple of likely new projects pending, and they'll need attention soon
if I undertake either. Both will mean a really busy fall and winter,
which ain't bad in many respects, as I hate winter, and that'll make the
time pass swiftly.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Draco Argentum
Its actually on my to by list but I haven't seen it in my local store.
Thanks for the answer. :-)
As a member of B.A.D.D. it is
virtually obligatory for you to acquire the SLAYER'S GUIDE TO DRAGONS.
Funny name for the book, as it is really more a Dragons Guide to PC
Slaying :-o
The man exception is the (somewhat truncated) adventure, that meant for
the DM to give his players a chance to kick some dragon butt--if they
are very good.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Heh...
Originally posted by JohnRTroy
Hi Gary,
Well, as long as your answering the question elsewhere...
What's your opinion about the Book of Vile Darkness?
:-D
(Sorry, just felt the subject would benefit a broader audience than it has now...)
On no you don't JRT! Eric has already locked up a thread of mine where I
siad my initial say about the matter. As long as everyone's having a
good time here, I'll shun that topic as if it were a ill-advised gaming
product!
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Heh...
Originally posted by sotterraneo
Mr.
Gygax, as various other people here I too want to thank you for the
wonderful experiences given to me by the D&D game: not only long
lasting friends, countless hours of fun and doing exciting 8-] things as
tournament and convention organizing, but my career choice too. No, I'm
not a publisher or an author (unless you consider translations as being
an author...), I'm a games retailer here in Italy - perhaps not a
flashy job as designing, writing or publishing but without us, no gaming
industry... 8-]
Don't denigrate the position you have, amigo. It is a great one
IMO, and you get to relate to gamers a lot and likely play many games as part of your "work" too. An enviable potition ;-)
I
had the pleasure and honor to meet you in person, along many Italian
fans, during an Italian convention (I think in '98) in Modena, the city
of Ferrari cars. I had imagined you different but, hey, the latest
photos of you I had seen were 15 years old. Anyway, the D&D Basic
Set and D&D The Keep on the Borderlands adventure you autographed
for me are still a priceless treasure of my collection (right along the
Orange B3 module 8-]).
I think it was ModCon99, as Alex was
with me, had just turned 13 a week or so before we attended. As for
looking different, well, that's what time does for you, eh? As for
me,I'm just happy to be around still :-o
A couple of questions:
1) Time and engagements of yours permitting, is there any chance to see
you again in Italy or in a 'reacheable' country such as France, UK or
Germany? Would you accept an invitation from an Italian convention?
2) Why TSR, Inc. killed the D&D game and devoted all the efforts to
AD&D? It was a VERY bad move here and many fans, like me, simply
never felt to 'move' or 'evolve' to AD&D - we kept playing D&D
and started to buy other products because there was nothing more for us
from TSR, Inc.
Thank you so much for almost 20 years of gaming. It was worth it!
Ciro Alessandro Sacco
Brescia - Italy
1) Well, when we were in Italy, Alex said:
"The food here is great, all the gamers are friendly, and the girls are
really pretty. We can move here anytime you want to, Dad." So, is Alex
has any input, I suspect the answer is a positive one. Fact is, though, I
am very busy, and going to cons here in the US or overseas takes about
two weeks out of my working time when all is siad and done. Thus Trigee
levies a hefty fee on my appearances. I hate travelling--although I love
to be in new places--so I generally don't mind not going. The most
likely scenario is in regards to the LA MMPO RPG. The developers,
Dreams-Interactive, are in Europe. If all goes as planned, arond 2004 we
will be in beta test, and then I'll likely by needed over
there--Belgium. Once I'm in Europe, well, I have a good friend in
France, and I like Germany, Italy, and Spain, enjoy england too...
2) From the larger perspectivem Alessandro, the AD&D game was the
best move TSR ever made. Sales jumped incredily when it was released,
and I do believe that even
3E
has not met the volume that those originalbooks attained--could be
wrong there, but... Anyway, I do agree with you that it was a mistake
for TSR not to cntinue to support the D&D game line too. I urged
that we do so, but that advice was ignored.
You are most welcome--I've had a great time creating and playing games, so the whole is mutual.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Vocenoctum Thanks for the answers, here's an easy one waiting for a Gygaxian answer. :-)
How do you think the 3e bard compares with the 1e bard? Why did the original bard require Rogue? Any thoughts to reinventing it as it was for 3e?
Thanks again! Well darn! It isn'tas easy a query as you suggest. The only way I could give an intelligent response is to have played the
3E bard for several adventures, comparing and contrasting it with the original version. That I have not had opportunity to do.
By "Rogue" above I assume you actually mean "thief" ;-) I included
that as most fictional treatments of bard-like characters were roguish,
engaged in some nefarious activity such as stealing.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Sir Edgar
It
seems like you don't really look at the work of other creators or even
current D&D rules very much. Is this deliberate so that you don't
taint any of your thoughts and ideas in the creation process or are you
simply not interested? Also, where do you get your inspiration? Do you
read a lot books and if so, which kinds? Do you do any research on the
Internet? How much of your creative process is based on folklore and
mythology vs. science fiction? Thanks.
Whoa!
SirE, that's a lot of queries packed into a single paragraph, and some that would call for pages-long responses :-o
I have never read a lot of other game creators work--in fact only when I
intend to play a game do I read the rules. Otherwise, it isn';t a
matter of "taint," but one of believing I have sufficient of my own
ideas to need to borrow from others not associated with the project I am
doing. Of course when I workj with a co-writer it is a shared work.
My inspiration came originally form about 15 years of reading fiary
tales, childrens' books, fables, Westerns, mythology, mysteries,
folklore, detective stories including Sherlock Holmes and Nyland Smith,
adventure tales, history, military history, SF and fantasy, Edgar Allen
Poe--just about anything that seemed even vaguely interesting or
informative. I have read literally thousands of books, and I still read a
book or so a week, even when doing a lot of writing. These days I read
mainly history and inaginative literature, but I have perused THE
SOCIETY OF THE MIND and THE ORIGINS OF CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE BREAKDOWN OF
THE BICAMERAL MIND not many years back. For light rwading I am
currently reading MORE TALES OF IRISH GHOSTS and TOM BROWN'S SCHOOL
DAYS.
Of course I must add radio, comic books, movies, school studies, TV,
conversations, and observation of people and places to the inspirational
sources. Foreign travel is especially interesting and helpful.
For some bibliographil suggestioons see the OAD&D
DMG, Appendic L or M, I believe. Also in the MYTHUS game book there is an extensive bibvliography and reading list for fantasy.
I do not do much research on the internet, although now and then I find
something of interest. Basicaly, I much prefer hardcopy, a book to read,
take notes from, and re-read.
My initial work was a blend of history (from my wargaming roots), muth
and mythology, and authored fiction. Currently I am much more interested
in history than in fiction.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by jester47
Gary,
I have to admit that I am very much a Vecna fan. I figure you might
have an inside view of Vecnology and might be able to answer my
questions.
[snippage]
Even the smallest details would be appreciated.
Aaron.
Smallest detail indeed and perforce. Brian blume was
the creator of the Eye and Hand of Vecna, and nary a detail of those
items did he ever reveal to me--beyond what appeared in print, I hasten
to add :-D
All I can say other than that is that some clever DM included the "Head
of Vecna" in his adventure material, and at least two players instigated
the demise of their characters attempting to take advantage of this
marvelous opportnity to gain the greatest of powers. ROTFLMAO!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey Why Lejendary instead of Legendary?
(I remember being taken in for a few moments by an April Fool's joke a
couple years ago [I believe it was in the LA Web Community on www.gygax.com] in which you were reportedly gunned down, all because of the "J".) :-o
Marketing, of course. Without the "j" in it, the name is common,
ordinary, easily forgotten, and quite unlikely to be trade-markable.
With the "j" in it it is disctict, unusual, and remarked on often, thank
you very much :-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Heh...
Originally posted by sotterraneo
Oh, I like my job (hey, I have chosen it, not the other way around 8-])
but I understand that reatilers have often not a very good 'press' in
Internet sites and forums... 8-[
Good retail outlets are a
major part of gaming, are what keeps it alive. GW, for example, relies
on their retail stores almost entirely for this purpose. PRG publishers
should, and generally do, appreciate the key role retailers have in the
whole field. I
certainly appreciate them greatly!
8-] Your son has a really good taste 8-P.
About gamers being
friendly, well, considering that D&D and AD&D were and are by
far the most popular games in Italy (we could say that gamerdom is
divided between the ones who like/love them and the ones who hate them
with a 10:1 ratio at least) and you are the father of both, well, I was
surprised in not seeing a biggest queue (when I went back to Brescia and
started to tell amazed customers about your presence in Italy and
showing your autographs I started listening "NOOOOO - why nobody told
this to me?!? AARGH!" and of course "How much do you want for this
module/Basic Set?". Nothing, of course, becuase I'll NEVER sell them. If
you ever come to Italy and the news are better spread, expect a HUGE
audience!
"So, is Alex has any input, I suspect the answer is a positive one. Fact
is, though, I am very busy, and going to cons here in the US or
overseas takes about two weeks out of my working time when all is siad
and done. Thus Trigee levies a hefty fee on my appearances. I hate
travelling--although I love to be in new places--so I generally don't
mind not going. The most likely scenario is in regards to the LA MMPO
RPG. The developers, Dreams-Interactive, are in Europe. If all goes as
planned, arond 2004 we will be in beta test, and then I'll likely by
needed over there--Belgium. Once I'm in Europe, well, I have a good
friend in France, and I like Germany, Italy, and Spain, enjoy england
too...".
I'll alert convention organizers for 2004 then.
"2) From the larger perspectivem Alessandro, the AD&D game was the
best move TSR ever made. Sales jumped incredily when it was released,
and I do believe that even
3E has not met the volume that those originalbooks attained--could be wrong there, but..."
Oops, sorry if I gave you the impression I was against the AD&D game
- far from it! I'm not that kind of person who says "If I don't like
it, then it's a bad thing". But...
"Anyway, I do agree with you that it was a mistake for TSR not to
cntinue to support the D&D game line too. I urged that we do so, but
that advice was ignored".
Sigh. They really shoot themselves in the feet, in Italy at least,
because they destroyed an excellent 'recruiting' game. Oh, well...
"You are most welcome--I've had a great time creating and playing games, so the whole is mutual".
Mr. Gygax, I don't want to seem pushy or anything and I DO know you did a
lot of these things in the past, but may I interview you for the
Dungeons.it web site (I think the site's nature is clear?)? I understand
you are - of course - a very busy personbut if you ever had the time
then I'd be most grateful.
Thanks!
"Ciao,
Gary"
Hmmm, you don't know Italian, don't you?
Ciro Alessandro Sacco
Brescia - Italy [/B][/QUOTE]
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Heh...
Pardoon the gaff in my earlier, partial response. I hit send by accident. Now I'll finish what I meant to.
Originally posted by sotterraneo
8-] Your son has a really good taste 8-P.
Heh, and his father agrees with him, as most likely would his two older
brothers :-D Italian cuisine is my favorite, although I confess to
preferring premier grand cru class French wines (and their cheeses) to
the Italian ones.
About
gamers being friendly, well, considering that D&D and AD&D were
and are by far the most popular games in Italy (we could say that
gamerdom is divided between the ones who like/love them and the ones who
hate them with a 10:1 ratio at least) and you are the father of both,
well, I was surprised in not seeing a biggest queue (when I went back to
Brescia and started to tell amazed customers about your presence in
Italy and showing your autographs I started listening "NOOOOO - why
nobody told this to me?!? AARGH!" and of course "How much do you want
for this module/Basic Set?". Nothing, of course, becuase I'll NEVER sell
them. If you ever come to Italy and the news are better spread, expect a
HUGE audience!
I met a number of non-D&Ders who were
very nice, so I guess that not liking the game doesn't nbecessarily man
that it's author is disliked :-o And thanks for the heads-up on a
possible return visit. I'll bring along extra pens :rolleyes:
Sigh.
They really shoot themselves in the feet, in Italy at least, because
they destroyed an excellent 'recruiting' game. Oh, well...
That is so, and TSR did that again when 2E was published, for some 50%
of their audience did not accept the new edition, There is an analogy to
the "New Coke" release here, only TSR didn't rectify their marketing
error by supportiing both original and 2E versions of AD&D. That
certainly led to the financial difficulties esperienced in the years
thereafter.
Mr.
Gygax, I don't want to seem pushy or anything and I DO know you did a
lot of these things in the past, but may I interview you for the
Dungeons.it web site (I think the site's nature is clear?)? I understand
you are - of course - a very busy personbut if you ever had the time
then I'd be most grateful.
Email me at
[email protected] about an interview, Alessandro.
[QUOTE][B]Hmmm, you don't know Italian, don't you?
No, I know only a few words, although I understand more because of the
Latin base of many English words (and I have a large vocabularly of
those words), and once I listen to Italian being spoken for a while I
can follow a bit of what is being said. Also, I do know what "ciao"
means ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
Another question or two...
Looking at your D&D adventures, the term "challenging" comes to
mind. An entirely good thing, of course! However, I'm wondering how
often players would be losing their PCs in your D&D games?
What happened then? Did they start new characters at level 1, or were you kind to the poor players and give them other options?
:-)
Apart from your own RPG designs, have you played many other RPGs?
Cheers & Thanks once more!
Well, my regulars learned to
say "Run away!" pretty quickly. Even the best came to a fatal situation
with their main PCs now and again. That's what high level clerics and
wish spells are for, of course. The compliment was returned when I
played.
Most of the regulars had several OCs, and the secondary and below ones
were more expendable. Some were allowed to end their careers just to
allow the creation of new low-level PCs for fresh approaches to like
adventures. Seldom did I allow non-regulars to start above 2nd level.
Regulars could start new PCs at 3rd or 4th level, as they clearly had
experience to manage such characters.
Personally, unless the group demanded a "jump=started character," I enjoyed playing a new PC from 1st level on.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Blast! Messed up again. Bad morning...
Originally posted by MerricB
Apart from your own RPG designs, have you played many other RPGs?
Cheers & Thanks once more!
Quick list:
EN GARDE, BOOT HILL, METAMORPHOSIS ALPHA, STAR FRONTIERS, TOP SECRET,
GANGBUSTERS. TRAVELLER, GAMMA WORLD, PARANOIA CALL OF CHTHULLU.
There'd be more, but time and lack of proximate GMs has kept it fairly short.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Zappo
You were at ModCon in '99?
AAGH! *bites his hands* :-o
I'd better be more informed in the future. :-D
Hush!
Don't tell the guys who run ModCon. They're a great bunch, and I don't
want them to learn that had they publicized my appearance back in 99 a
bit more they'd have had an even larger attendence than they did ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Dragons in the Basement
Originally posted by angrypossum
Hello Mr. Gygax,
Thanks for continuing this thread. I have two questions.
What do you know about the documentary Dragons in the Basement by Dave Arneson?
What was your profession before starting TSR?
-Josh
I don't think I ever saw the documentary you name,
although I did do an interview for a chap what was working with Dave,
the produicer of the work, as I recall.
As to my work before I became a full-time game geek, well, mainly
insurance. (A lot of part-time jobs and even full-time ones of short
duration when i was a teenager.) I was in the insurance field for about
13 years and was a supervising underwriter for various forms of health,
special risk, and life insurance until late in 1970. I then decided to
roll the dice. to support the family while earning very little in gaming
I learned to be a cobbler, and did that for four years until becoming a
full-time employee of TSR.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Sir Edgar
I wanted to ask you a few more questions.
How do begin your creation process? Do you take notes while you're
reading a book or after watching a movie? Or do you go straight to the
computer (or typewriter) and start typing? Do you have a schedule for
how many hours a day you commit to work or does it just come all at
once? How do you avoid crossing the line between insipiration and
plagiarism?
Thanks very much for all of your great replies. I'm still amazed at how responsive you've been here.
Hail SirE!
Inspiration comes when and where it comes. Sometimes in the shower,
maybe when reading to viewing something, most often when I sit down and
contemplate. Thus, notes can be input to a computer file, written on a
pad, or scratched hastily on a bit of scrap paper.
When I am involved in a project I usually work about six to 10 hours a
day on it, seven per, save Sundays during football season. The balance
of the day's work time (10-12 hours standard) is spend managing
business, email, and board posts such as this... :-o
Plagerism involves copying another author's work, and that I have never
done. In writing articles, one must needs to make clear the sources of
direct quotes, of course. Ideas are not copyrightable--or else there's
be only one RPG today. As a matter of fact, there are no really new
ideas around at all, but rather we have recombinations and new
approaches to old ideas, and that too is creative and innovative. When
someone looks for the roots of the PRG, then need only harken to "Let's
Pretend" and games such as "Cops & Robbers" to find them :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by The_Gneech Heya! :-) I originally posted this question in this thread and got some very interesting responses, but I figure there's probably not a better person to ask, so:
Is there a mythic/folklore precedent for the drow? I know of sidhe,
seelie, and unseelie fae folk; I have also encountered the terms "drugh"
and "trow." None of them have a clear correlation to the D&D
drow, nor have I seen a readily-identifiable source or set of sources
for them the way, say, "dwarves" have. So were there drow before the
days of D&D?
-The Gneech Hola!
An easy answer. I saw the reference in an unexpurgated dictionary, "dark
elf." From that I made up the whole of the drow race as the main
antagonists for the vasty underdark :-)
Cherio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
it is a privilege to have the Master of the Game be so generous with
his time and insights. Thank you very much for making this thread
possible.
I have two questions:
1. My favorite modules are your D trilogy. In the random encounter
tables, ghasts and ghouls show up quite a bit. Since these creatures are
once-humans, why is there such a great population of them in these
heretofore-undiscovered-by-man caverns? (Also, did you ever develop the
other encounter areas on the large-scale [1 hex=1 mile] map included
with these modules?)
2. If you could travel back in time to the early 1970s, would you still
make it that clerics can turn undead? I ask because of these words you
wrote on page 101 of the original version of Necropolis:
'Priests and Priestesses have no extraordinary ability to affect the
Netherrealms creatures and beings, spirits, Unliving, Undead, and
Unalive in this game system. There will be no mumbled prayer followed by
a "Vaporize!" or "Shoo!" removing dangers such as these foes in this
tomb! Naturally, clerical personas wield many instruments which are
amongst the Susceptibilities of these sorts of creatures and beings, but
there are no givens ("gimmes") here. Be sure to keep this in mind--and
to gently remind players of this too, if they are veterans of game
systems which make this sort of fell minions of Evil lightweights to be
brushed aside with the wave of a sacred object.'
Thank you once again for your kindness and generosity!
Hi Geoffrey,
Welscme once again. As long as there are questions and I have some spare time, I'm delighted to be able to be of such service.
1. Once-human tells the tale. The underdark is not strange to the vile
undead creatures you name. Of course HPL had much the same view ;-)
The lightless world there seemed to me a likely place for such creatures
and also likely to have supplies of food.
As for other large-scale maps, I was tinkering with some, developing
ideas for more adventures in the depths, but none of my players, and
that includes the most able with very potent PCs much cared to explore
there, so I scrapped the plan. Can't say if any of the sketch maps atill
exist, as so much was lost in my leaving T$R, and in the many moves
before then and thereafter I have made.
2. So many of the very most interesting "monsters" were subjected to
that rude capacity of turning/destroying that I initially bestowed upon
the cleric class that I did indeed come to rue the initial benison gven
to that class. My plan for a revised edition of AD&D was such as to
limit that power somewhat while adjusting things for the capacity of
undead to withstand "turning" so as to make things more challenging for
PCs without emasculating the power of the cleric. Alas, that was not to
be in AD&D terms, so I did things differently in the DJ system, as
you note, and have continued that fine tradition now in the LA RPG :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by jester47
Hello again Gary, I have returned to puzzle you once more!
yeahright!
You mentioned above that Brian B. was the creator of Vecna. Do you know
if there is any way to contact him, if he would mind being contacted
and if so how I should contact him?
And for your time I guess I should feed the dragon:
Here's one-
There once was a jeweler named Hasan. One night five of Ali Baba's men
broke into Hasan's shop and stole some diamonds. They entered the shop
one at a time. The first thief took half the diamonds, and then began
to leave. He changed his mind and decided to take another. The second
took half of what was left plus another. The third did the same. As
did the fourth. When the fifth entered the shop he did so to discover
that there were no diamonds left. How many diamonds did Hasan have in
his shop?
Enjoy!
Aaron.
As for Brian Blume, it will probably not come as a
surprise to learn that I do not have any truck with that individual.
When he sees me he heads the opposite direction with some alacrity. He
lives here in Lake Geneva. Last I heard he was employed making tools and
dies. From there it's up to you. I have no addy info.
Now as to diamonds, is that "Took another" another diamond or another
half of the remaining stones? If the "another" is a single stone, we
can't be dealing with halves, of course, as there would be odd numbers
involved...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi derverdammte...
As I based the Gord yarns directly upon gaming, the cosmos was inteed
one of infinite size and alternate worlds. a multiverse. Other than
that, though, I don't believe that there are parallels to Moorcock, much
as I enjoy his writing. Gord was not "eternal," in that he was born and
at some point die.
The series has been OOP for a long time, but it's likely you can findthe
six books you need to complete the set on Ebay. I'm not supposed to
talk about it, but we do have a deal for the series in graphic novel
form, full color interior illos, and the story as written, with text in
full where pictures are not supplied. The first installment of the first
novel will likely hit in mid-2003, a few months delayed from original
projected release. I'm relating all this, because if the graphic novels
prove a success, the regular ones will likely then be reprinted,
initially in hardback version.
Now, if the thieves are also gemcutters, then what of the chips left
brom cleving a stone? Those would have to be even in number :-D
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by derverdammte
Ah, okay. I was thinking in terms of his being champion of the balance,
and at some point (so I've been told) acquiring a black sword, since
those are a couple of the archetypal components of being the eternal
champion.
Michael did pretty well establish the "Eternal
Champion" in that model, but the concept of the magic sword predates
Elric by a few centuries, eh? ;-)
The cosmology of Oerth has nine alignments as well, not the three that
Moorcock set--and more or less like that of the original D&D too...
I'm not sire that the eternal champion is actually an archetype, but it
is an iinteresting concept for sure, a sort of superarchetype in the
mold of the mythological demigods.
By
the way, didn't you write a Moorcock pastiche at some point? I heard
about it, but I never found out where it was published or collected.
Yes, I wrote a tale in which Gord and Moorcock's Simon teamed up to
bring disaster to some contemporary demon worshippers. It was in a
paparback anthology titles THE ETERNAL CHAMPION, as I recall.
SIX books? Yikes! The other three must come after the book I have ("Dance of Demons," I think it's called).
That sounds seriously cool. I'll have to keep an eye out for it.
In order of reading the titles are:
SAGA OF OLD CITY
ARTIFACT OF EVIL
CITY OF HAWKS
NIGHT ARRANT
SEA OF DEATH
DANCE OF DEMONS
COME ENDLESS DARKNESS
The artwork I have so far seen is really teriffic, and I am very anxious
to have a look at the work when it begins publication. It will be like
rading someone else's yarns, which from my standpoint is great :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Happy to have you join the thread.
Originally posted by Remathilis Hi, I just joined no to long ago (having been a poster at WotC's boards) but wanted to get a few questions answered. :-)
1.) What was up with the Unearthed Arcana Cavalier class? Negative XP? Stat Increases? Why?
As is said by attornies, the dicument says what it says... Seriously,
the class was "right" for the OAD&D game as I envisioned it, and
once one got a cavalier class PC, they were very capable in adventuring.
This is not to say that some change was not needed, but only some fair
period of playing time could determine that. UA was published about a
year before I was planned, as TSR was in financial trouble and needed a
"seller".
2.) What is your favorite D&D monster, either to throw at PCs or in general?
Ah, that's impossible for me to answer. Circumstances alter cases. I
can wreak havoc with kobolds if the PC party is of low level. Terry
Kuntz's beholder is always a fun critter to bring into play. A black
pudding in the right place or a small dragon can work wonders in
discomfiting the plans of a PC party. Then again a trecherous NPC tends
to be amusing... :-o
Not always using a set of stock monsters is a key to interesting and exciting adventures for sure.
3.)
Have you seen any of the "Return to" series of modules from 1999 (I
think)? What was your opinion of the re-makes of the Temple of Elemental
Evil, Tomb of Horrors, Keep on the Borderland, and Against the Giants?
Other than the RttToH which I read in ms. form and then wrote a forward
to, no. I have run a LEJENDARY ADVENTURE game campaign for about seven
years now, so most of my GMing has been in that system--or in original
D&D or AD&D at cons and for special occassions. There is little
time from work for me to play, or even read other RPG material, save
when needed for work. As I've said frequently, when I retire I plan to
spend some 40 hours a week playing games, not writing them :-D
4.)
Lastly, (and forgive me if you've answered this) if there is one
rule/concept you would change in AD&D 1st edition after the fact,
what would it be?
Thanks,
Remathilis
Yes! First, I'd remove the psionics material,
possibly adding it back in later on, having been able to spend more time
and being very careful to see that it meshed better with the magic
system in the game.
Next, I'd drop the weapon speed and weapon vs. armor material, as those
are seldom used and generally slow and complicate play. Those
considerations could be picked up in a special "duelling" supplement or
the like.
BTW, when I am DMing AD&D, I tend to ignore rules that get in the
wat of the flow of the game. When I have said so before an audience,
there have always been some audience members who expressed shock, not to
say horror and disbelief. I aon't a rules lawyer, and I believe my own
advice--ignore and change as the DM sees fit to make the players'
involvement intense and the game be a compelling experience ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by diaglo
A simple plea: :-D
do you ever plan to attend DragonCon in Atlanta?
and if you do, could you run a session of Original D&D for some of us die-hards?
Haven't been to a DragonCon in years, and they are good shows too....
I will be at CoastCon in Biloxi this March. Chris Clark and I are
heading down there as guests. If you can make it there I'd be happy to
haul along my AD&D materials, run an adventure ofr six or eight
players ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Breakdaddy
Hi Gary!
I've heard the game Hackmaster likened to the original AD&D in terms
of grit and feel. As a player of the original AD&D I would love to
recapture the wonder of playing the original AD&D, but with no new
supplements and little time for conversion, I was wondering if you've
any insight as to whether the Hackmaster game truly delivers some
semblance of the original "feel" of AD&D?
What diaglo
says above in response to your query is on target. HACKMASTER is
different from OAD&D but close--some new material and all that you
can easilt manage or ignore.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by diaglo
thanks. don't worry about hauling your stuff down. i have a few too many
copies of my own i can bring. i'll see if i can get my group to make
the roadtrip.
Okay, and drop me an email if you do plan to
come. I'll need adventure material for AD&D, of course--outdor
action or dungeon crawl?
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Welverin
Packers fan or did you end up liking another team?
Da BEARS!!! They've actually played two halves (both first halves were pathetic) and lucked out both games, so...2 and 0 baby!
That's because I was born in Chicago about four blocks from Wrigly
Field--the Bears played there back in those days... Because my maternal
family has been in Lake Geneva since c. 1836, I don't hate the Packers.
Fact is, I'll root for them if it doesn't affect the Bears' chances for
winning. Back when Bart Starr was QBing the Pack, I often watched their
games in preference to Chicago--what a traitor I am.
A friend gave the motivational speech to the Bears a few years back, so I
went with him up to Lambeau Field. ate breakfast with the team. then
watched them get their asses handed to 'em :-( Even though I was decked
out in all sorts of Bears' stuff, the Packer fans were really pretty
gracious, so I didn't have to slink out of the stadium... :-D
One last thinh: Back when the Bears won the championship, better believe
I made a LOT of money on bets with die-hard Packer fans :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Gaming!
Originally posted by Archade
Hi Gary,
Firstly, I'd like to thank you for introducing me to Jack Vance's work
... his use of the english language and the fantasy store is original,
challenging to the reader, and rich with texture!
You are
most welcome. How I do agree! I can read and re-rad Vance as no other
author. His characters are so clecverly developed with few descriptive
passages, their personalities coming forth from their dialog--and what
dialog. I think Keith Lauramer in his "Retiff" yarns comes close in that
regard, albeit he is dealing with his subjects in a humorous vein, by
ald large.
[B[Secondly, I have a generic gaming question for you. I've had a
number of campaigns over the years, and I find as a DM/GM/etc once the
story is up and running, it's simple to keep the ongoing soap opera
going. However, starting, or working towards a grand finale, is ever a
challenge for me.
As a Storyteller (DM/GM/etc), how do you put your adventures and
campaigns to paper, plan (or improvise) such things, and all in all, can
you give some insight to your many years as a game-running-guru in this
regard?
[/B]
Sure, and first of all, I don't ever think of myself as a
"storyteller." that role is fulfilled in the course of play through the
combination of the GM and the players, each doing their part to develop
and bring to fruition, the basic outline of the episode--that part being
the work of the GM, of course.
BNEginning a new adventure thread is often difficult when play sessions
are frequent and intensive. Currently we play once a week only, so I
have plenty of time for conceiving new material. If I am lazy I can
always grab an adventure module ;-) When we played several times a
week, and the groups were different, I would often allow in-game
discourse between PCs to develop a plaot and direct the general
direction of things. Not surprisingly, the players ofter know pretty
well what sort of adventure they would enjoy, so by listening and
creating by the seat of one's pants can work wonders...or at least
squeek by with something that's mildly entertaining to the group.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
A few more questions on early D&D:
The Thief & the Assassin...
Were they played much as PCs in your games?
If you can remember, who played the first Thief? (I notice that it's not introduced until the Greyhawk supplement).
And how common were demi-human PCs, with the vast restrictions on them
seemingly working against playing them in the longer term? ;-)
Again, thanks muchly for your time and patience!
Cheers!
Whoa! Recalling many details from late 1974 on
ain't likely. My campaign players were the testers of all the new ideas,
so the thied and assassin were played by me as NPCs in the middle of
the year, 1974, as I began to compile material for a supplement to the
D&D game. The thief was immediately popular, so quite a number were
played before GREYHAWK hit in 1975. One or two assassin PCs were played
also, but the party was always charry about them. Minor pilfering of
party treasure was tolerated, but having a PC offed by an assassin was
most annoying. That happened once, maybe twice, with theoffending PC
then leaviing the game, the player returning as a different character.
As for demi-humans, they were always played extensively from day one.
All sorts of dwarf, elf, and hobbit (later halfling) PCS--later on gnome
and half-orc too. Fact is I once had a (short-lived) half-orc
cleric-assassin PC :-o Seems his adventure mates weren't sorry to see
him offed.
I still have the dwarf character, Zigbie, who is topped off in level--
and that's with all the OAD&D (with UA) additions to what level can
be attained--but now and then shows up in play.
All the players opting to play demi-human PCs knew the limitations,
accepted them, and had great fun playing the role chosen. After all, the
game doesn't have to be about power, eh?
In my opinion, in a world setting where humans are dominant, there is
logic for setting level limits on non-human PCs. That's a whole other
discussion though ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Fourecks
I think it is safe to say that you shall never decline. Your devotion to
the crafting of make-believe and entertainment; combined with your
willingness to be involved at the grass roots level, ie. here, pretty
much assures your immortality.
Having said that, LONG LIVE GYGAX! :-D
Aw quit! You're making me blush :rolleyes: Fact is that I really do consider myself as a gamer like y'all here.
I'd
just like to say that my respect for you has grown considerably over
the last year or so. Being completely chaotic neutral (it's a
description of my personality that just happens to be exceptionally
accurate, I don't fit it, it fits me), I of course railed against the
fanboys and set about to bring down the heirarchy of worshipers. What
can I say? It's in my nature to go against the popular flow.
Heh, and that's a pretty normal thing, and not likely to put you into
the ranks of the bad guys. Fact is that a number of decent gamers just
don't like my work. I understand that well, as I am not a fan of many a
creative thing that lots of people think simply marvelous. No biggie.
Sort of like preferring sngle malt Scotch whiskey to Canadian or
bourbon, etc. Who gets their undies in a bunch over that sort of thing?
But
after reading through a lot of material that you had written (mainly a
lot of Greyhawk stuff) and having seen you engage in such helpful and
constructive enterprises as this Q&A, I couldn't help but
re-evaluate my stance.
Well, just don't get all muchie now, hear? :-)
You're
a credit to creativity and I thank you for all the work you've done
over the years that has inspired and entertained me. I only hope that
one day I can attain even a fraction of your genius (any chance of a
piece of DNA? :-D ).
Thankee kindly! I have a lot of fun
doing what I do, so it isn't exactly a sacrifice when I spend so much
time having at it, if you will. What I do miss is gaming as much as I
once was able to do--before becoming a "pro" and when I was directing
things at TSR and getting to play-test many a design. Thus the quip
about retiring to play games once again. Which reminds me to add that
I;ll go to cons incognito so as to be able to play undisturbed. Quick
story:
Back in the late 1970s I was at a Detroit MEtro Gamers con. got invited
to slip off to the basement of the facility to join a Napoleonics
miniatures battle, and I went off with alacrity. As I was playing (the
Russians on the left wing of an Austro-Russian army opposing the
French), an RPGer came down, spotted me, and excalained in surprise that
he didn't know that I as into military miniatures. I laughed silently,
for the boardgamers wuse to berate me forbecoming a miniatures player,
then those buffs for going to fantasy, when the truth was and is that I
didn't abandon any of those game forms, just expanded my horizons.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: D&D cartoon & nostalgia
Originally posted by Hikaru
Any hope to ever see a sequel to the ol' D&D cartoon?
Too late! You've pulled the wrong lever, and the pit of another sad tale yawns beneath your feet...
I got forced out to California to run what was then TSR Entertainment.
That name I changed to "Dundeons & Dragons Entertaiment Corporation"
because having dealt with the boys back in LAke Geneva, the name "TSR"
conjured a most unfortunate image in the monds of those out on the West
Coast who ran things in TV and movies.
So it was an expensive proposition, maintaining offices out there, for
it takes at least a year for an outsider to be considered potentially
suitable for insider status, even with a cartoon show running on TV, a
major net then, CBS. So I fought the good fight, was finally getting
somewhere when "doping lunch" and "taking a meeting" out in LA.
Although the third season of the D&D Cartoon Show saw only five new
episodes, we were working on a major motion picture project that was
making great progress towards getting into pre-production stage, in
serious discussion for a game showm and best of all we had cut a verbal
deal for a cartoon show spin-off.
Gail saw to it that Judy Price from CBS and Margaret Loesch and Hank
Sayoran from Marvel Entertainment had a comfortable meeting at our
location, with white wine and cold shrimp for the evening break.
Meantime I pitched my concept of a more adult-oriented spin-off of the
show, sans Bobby the Barbarian and Uni--those two remaining back onearth
when the Call to Adventure sounded again for the other Heroes. After a
meeting that lasted about six hours, we took the lot down to Beverly
Hills to a good italian restautant for a late supper--it was about 10 PM
by then. None of the three had ever dined in BH before, even though
they lived over in the Valley. The supper went as well as the meeting.
and we [parted after midnight.
In a couple of days time we got word that it was a go, CBS was eager to
move forward. Soon thereafter Marvel sent me the first script for the
new series, and told me two more had been assigned to writers. The
opening show was great, the "kids" were no longer reliant on hoaky magic
items, had skills and their own abilities in the main.
Of course the TSR financial crisis of 1984 then occurred, so I had to
hasten back to Lake Geneva. That put all projects on hold. Then I lost
the stock fight. When it was learned that I was no longer involved, that
ended the new cartoon series, and the other projects too. What a
wretched result :-(
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Interesting...
Originally posted by Archade
So,
O Great Sage, you are telling me basically the art of a good DM is
"wing that mother"? Good to know I've been doing it right all along...
Here's a question for you. Obviously the current state of the halfling
is a long running issue, as is indicated from early dragon magazines til
today. Can you (legally) discuss the evolution from the hobbit to the
halfling of at least AD&D, and your speculation of the current
status of the hobbit?
Personally, I think the halflings of today more resemble the Kender from
the Dragonlance fiction, or those wacky little guys from the movie
Willow, far more than anyone living at Bag End. Anything you can share
here?
Archade
When I included "hobbits" in the D&D game it
was tp attract the many JRRT fans, of course. Note I couldn't resist
punning when I dias something like" While this race has small place in
the game...
Anyway, when the Saul Zaents Division of Elan Merchandizing came down on
TSR about it, the only difference was the name change, "halfling"
replacing the old English "hobbit." To get even, I then divided hobbits
into separate sub-species that somehow resembled creatures known as
"hobbits" as described by another author. Whatever changes have occurred
since are not of my doing, and it is best that those who made them
comment further ;-)
BTW, I have played a couple of halfling PCs, althougn not for any
considerable period to time. The one I would most enjoy playing
(OAD&D) currently is the gnome illusionist thief I created some few
years back but have had precious little opportunity to play...
(Rathe, if you're reading this post, when you coming up to Lake Geneva and DMing for us again?!)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: D&D cartoon & nostalgia
Old Typos & Dyslexia Coming at You again!
Whoa, and in reading my last post I saw I has spelled a word backwards. I must look at the keys before I tap them :rolleyes:
Anyway, moving along...
Originally posted by Hikaru
Don't... I get a save vs. traps? :-(
I have seen adult-oriented anime (Japanese cartoons, and no I am not
refering specifically to the hentai sort) but in the US, the great
majority of cartoons seem to be aimed at kids. Those cartoons who are
not are usually erotic ones; I cannot remember any real American
adult-themed non-erotic cartoon. When/where would yours have been aired?
CAN I SEE IT?!!! :-o
Now THAT's a bad script. The start was promising but the ending is a mess. Please rewrite it NOW. :-(
Who's got the rights on the series, now? Hasbro? Marvel?
Heh, and you read the post, so you failed your save.
Sorry, but Marvel got the new script back after I heartily approved it. I
believe the original show's script that I had in DDEC files are now
either in WotCs archives or else lost.
By "adult" I was referring to a target audience of above age 12, not
"adult" adult :-D The show would have been more mature, more akin to a
Spiderman or Barman cartoon, than to the original D&D presentation,
that's all.
I believe that the agreement says that the D&D Cartoon Show property
is joontly owned, so that would now be Hasbro and Marvel.
Cover it well enough?
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
Glad to hear that thieves & demi-humans have always been popular. (Hang on a moment, am I glad about the thieves? ;-) )
And once again, thank you muchly for your time spent answering our questions.
What project that you're working on or have recently completed that you're currently most excited about?
Cheers!
Welcome, MerricB :-)
Posting here a few times a day is a good break from other work, so I am still having fun, thanks to you all here!
As a matter of fact, I just turned over a big folder with about 30 files
in it to the good folks at Troll Lord. When it is edited and laid out,
illos in place, it will be the third book in the "Gygaxian" fantasy
worlds series, the reference/sourcebooks of generic nature, but with
both D20 and LA game specific information included therein. It deals
with everyday life in a fantasy world, and I have as a working title
EVERYDAY LIFE.
Technology, socio-economic class, and gorvernment organization are the
key things in it as far as I am concerned. It is a sort of a who, what,
when, where, why, and how treatment of the culture and society of a
fantasy wprld of basically European extraction. that's the common basis
for most settings, of course. such information being common knowledge to
a great extent here and in Europe.
I am particularly interested in how my discussion of the role of the
ecclesiastics in a deity-active world will be received by the grognards
of RPGing...
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by barsoomcore
...Sure, it's just a game, but you could say the same thing about bowling. ...
Aargh! Cut to the quick, I am! :-)
And seriously here, you are welcome. I am well pleased that my wife has
not had time to become involved in RPGs. Not only does that give me time
off with the gang, but it saves me from having to put up with her avid
game play. I won't usually play hearts with Gail, nor will son Ernie, as
she is too vicious a player and shoots the moon far too often. She is
just about the only one I kknow who will play as tenaciously as I do in
railroad games too. Speaking of which, son Alex wins about 90% of those
no matter how hard his parents try to wrest victory for themselves.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: D&D cartoon & nostalgia
Originally posted by Hikaru
Didn't you share the script with anyone else who may have kept a copy?
With the regular scripts, I reviewed and marked each, then we copied the work, sent the original back to Marvel in 24 hours.
As the script in question was for a production not yet under agreement,
all I did was read and comment in a memo to Marvel, returning the script
without copying it. At such time as the deal was agreed to the same
script, likely with a few changes, would have been sent to me again,
so...
The short answer is no :-(
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Kapture
Mr. Gygax,
This question has been nagging me for years.
[snippage]
Had you seen the toys before those monsters were written?
Thank you,
Kapture
Heh, and indeed! When we were all playing CHAINMAIL
Fantasy Supplement Miniatures on the sand table in my basement, finding
figurines for monsters was a priority. Of course the fantasy miniatures
field was nil then. In my search I came upon the bag of monsters in a
dime store, brought them home, and various persons involved suggested
what they might be. Eventually we created names and stats for all, and
so the resemblance is no coincidence at all ;-)
BTW, the red dragon we used was a conversion I made from a stegosarus,
and the lone giant figure we had I convetred from a 90mm scale Hauser
Viking, using a kitchen match and auto body putty to make his club. Hair
snipped from one of my daughters' old dolls gave him a real "frightwig"
too :-D Yes, my rude theft of hair was discovered, and I was in deep
kimche with my youngest daughter for a long time because of it.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by jester47
I too remember these little plastic toys. I thought the rust monster looking plastic mini was a prehistoric animal...
Aaron.
Heh, and no, the figure that we based the rust
monster on was vaguely sauracian, but it was not actually any
dinosaur--at least any one I ever say illustrated in the dozen or som
books I have on them.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by sleezesteve
[snippage]
So please Mr. Gygax have a conversion made with the little d20 logo on
the front. I�m sure the market is out there for it, in fact I pretty
sure it would sell more than the Hackmaster version (though I don�t have
the data to back that statement up only a hunch).
:-D
The castle ruins and dungeons from my original campaign were
constructed based on D&D and then AD&D. Those games are so
different from
3E that the whole spirit of the work would fail--at least that's the opinion that I have and Rob Kuntz shares.
Frankly, I would far prefer doing the work as an OAD&D one, but
that's verboten. The closest system to it is the HACKMASTER one, so
that's what we are considering.
As for including D20, that's the publishers call. However, the lengthy
conversion information needed would likely blow the whole project out of
the water due to size. As it is we are looking at something like six or
so parts to complete the work. Naturally, we will so design the
separate portions to that they stand alone as a complete module, but
have hooks that will enable the next to be added if the participants
desire.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Rather OT This...
Just
reading the most recent posts on the economics of D&D. Whew! What a
lot og gyrations are needed to recncile all the problems. I feel guilty
as I started the mess...although I didn't promulgate it to the point it
is now. anyway...
What a far simpler, generic, sysyem the "$" one I use. Prices of some
things need to be set for the game, of course, but all the worry about
income, general prices of cmmon goods, etc. is easily covered. Sure
makes running a campaign much easier ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Clumsy Bob
Hi Gary.
A little question for you if I may. Gord, Chert, Curley and Gellor.
Where did these guys originally come from, were they PC's in one of your
games or straight out of your head? What made you choose a theif
acrobat as the main character in your series of novels and what was the
story with the Gord the Rogue novels and the Greyhawk adventures series,
why two.
Thats actually three questions, but what the heck.
Cheers
ClumsyBob
Three is okay.
Of the quartet of characters from the novels, Curley Greenleaf is the
only PC, one I played for a time. Sadly, I have misplaced or lost his
record sheet. I thought a story beginning as I chose required a
protagonist of the sort Gord was, a thief and then thief acrobat. It was
interesting to develop him in story and imagined adventures too, as I
had never played such a PC, although a something-thief demi-human
character is familiar to me.
When I parted company with TSR, I could no longer use the "Greyhawk"
name, so the five later novels were done with the "Gord the Rogue"
banner.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Breakdaddy
Gary,
do you still read Dragon magazine? I am a participant in another
lengthy thread on this board about the magazine and it seems that there
is some very vocal opposition to the current direction of the magazine.
Do you think it still follows the spirit of the old magazine?
This is somewhere I don't want to head. Actually, from my POV DRAGON
should have kept on with dungeon adventures, and splitting off DUNGEON
as a separate publication was a disservice to the gamers.
As for a certain article recently run in the zine, I believe it was ill advised.
Allow that to suffice, okay :-)
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Bonjours Gary!
Originally posted by Jabba Von Hutt
Hi Gary,
first off thank you for creating a game that I have been enjoying for over 20 years.
You mentioned your fondness for miniatures battles, have you ever played
anything from Games Workshop? If so, fantasy or 40k? Which races? Do
you still play when you get a chance?
Merci,
Alan
I have played a game some few games fantasy
miniatures like the GW kind--one an OAD&D-based one son Ernie ran
using a number of the GW figurines--but not the actual thing. My
interest in mainly in historical miniatures.
I do play when the opportinity arises, but that's far too rare. Another
reason I look forward to "retiring" so as to get in more game play :-D
My current "want" list is WWII on a 1:1 scale, some DEADLANDS,
Napoleonics (sea included), but in fact I'll usually play any period and
have a good deal of fun if the rules are decent and the battle scenario
interesting/challenging.
Tonight I run my LA game campaign, so soon I need to think about that.
My group is play-testing a module, THE HALL OF MANY PANES, that will be
done in both D20 and LA system. They are really pretty good, so I am
going to toss in some matterial not in the ms. so as to make them feel a
bit more "challenged," shall we say...
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
This is the most exciting news in gaming! Here's my wish: You and Rob
write-up the dungeons using OAD&D rules. Kenzer publishes it as-is
with the following tongue-in-cheek note: "The infamous Gary Gygax
finally found his way into our office. He was wild-eyed and waving a
thick stack of papers in our faces and demanding we publish his
manuscript as-is. Since it was the only way to get him to leave, we
agreed. To make the encounters herein fully compatible with the latest
version of HackMaster, just add 20 to everythings hit points and leave
the rest the hell alone." :-D
Heh...
Not far off the mark, at least in regards as to how the work will likely be written :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Breakdaddy
Heck
yeah! I will buy a copy of HACKMASTER if Gary starts taking me back to
the good old days like this! On a side note, now I feel damned old. :-D
Well, try dealing with "Will you still need me, will you still feed me..." when you're 64.
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
More questions from a rather inquisitive Australian, I'm afraid... ;-)
Do any of your Worldbuilder books contain information helpful towards
implementing taxation, tithing and other anti-PC-money schemes in a
fantasy/mediaeval campaign?
How often were you playing D&D during the early years? Would "lots" be an appropriate description? :-)
Cheers!
G'Day Mate!
The EVERYDAY LIFE book deals with some bit of that--taxation. As it will
vary from state to state, I did not go into it heavily. There is the
royal tax, that of the clergy, that of the city or ruling noble, and
that of the company/guild the person belongs to.
As I mentioned, I prefer most states to have a fairly well-to-do society
as that enables much that I wish to bring into the campaign from the
GM's standpoint. Oddly enough, even wealthy characters seem to resent
taxation even when it doesn't really drain their finances, only slows
their progress towards some economic goal.
In late 1972 through 1975 I probably averaged at least 30 hours a week
wth D&D. I'd work a half day to keep the wolf from the door, then
play the game or DM a group. Late at night I'd make notes and/or write.
In 1976 I had to spend more time working, I became a full-time employee
of TSR in June of 75, and I was writing a lot of game material then
also. My gaming time likely dropped to an average of about 12 hours a
week.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by the Jester
Hey there Gary!
My question is this: before UA came out, in many of the Dragon articles
you published with 'teaser' stuff in it, you referred to a PH2. You had
talked about several other subclasses that never saw print- the mystic,
savant, mounteback, etc.
How far along did your developement of these go? Any chance we'll ever
see any of the details, or was it all lost during the TSR/Gygax fallout?
Howdy!
First. I did the article material to intriduce the convepts dealt with
and get feedback from gamers. I have always paid attention to that, even
if I don't agree with the comments and suggestions ;-)
I indeed planned to see to a revised AD&D game, a Second Edition,
that added the new material from UA and elsewhere, compiled the various
monsters books into an encyclopedia-like work, and updated the
DMG.
I really wanted to go over the rules and mechanics of the game to see
about possibly changing things a bit to include select skills for
classes, and also make the system more adaptable to other genres.
Indeed, I wrote a lengthy memo to management about this play, suggesting
it begin implimentation in house in c. 1986.
The new classes--mountebank, mystic, and savant were in progress of
development when the troubles at TSR caused me to drop that work so as
to manage and direct. Likely the nores and all are somewhere here. I am
precluded by legal agreement from exploiting any A/D&D material.
Won't give the stuff out for free either, so that it can be exploited by
some publisher...
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Hey Gary -
Ever play OGRE?
Also, I don't recall you saying much about playing starship war games,
like Full Thrust or Babylon 5 Wars. Do they not interest you much? Are
there any you've played and liked?
Ho There Colonel :-)
No, as to OGRE, but son Ernie was a big fan of the game. I did play a
bit of the game that Lou Zocchi did, the various alien ships with
various differing weapons played on the table top (floor). Can't recall
its name but I do remember Lou refereeing for us.
Back in the late 1960s I ran a PBM strategic and tactical game named WAR
OF EMPIRES that Tullio Proni conceived and I rewrote and expanded.
I don't have any consuming interest in SF wargames based off of movies/TV.
Have you seen the rather anachronistis LA game "Fantastical Science"
genre expansion LEJENDARY ASTEROGUES? It's posted online in an early
beta test format. That contains ruiles for spaceship (heh) batttles.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by bones_mccoy Gary,
This is a follow-up to a post on the Pied Piper boards: will you be
joining Rob Kuntz in the creation of an OAD&D style rules-set using
the OGL?
Considering HackMaster's success and the longevity and continued
vibrancy of the OAD&D community, I do believe there would be a very
significant market for it. Also, such a move would avoid all the legal
entanglements you have with writing for OAD&D. And lastly, you
wanted to do a revised version anyway when you were last in the
captain's chair, so here ya go! :-) Today's round of
questions is lengthy indeed! Whew, and I had to take a break to get a
bite of breakfast--late start this AM due to running my campaign last
night, staying up later than usual. Never can go right to sleep after an
exciting time RPGing :-D
Anyway, as to the question, Rob and I are indeed discussing what needs
to be done. I have sent him an outline of my map plan, something I did
some months ago. Rob has been generally busy "elsewhere" this week, so I
expect that sometime next week he and I will get into the details of a
format agreement between us for the project.
If Kenzer is the publiosher, they will not being an
OGL/D20 product, eh?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Clumsy Bob
I have read Gord the Rogue, Sea of Death and Come Endless Darkness. What
are the other two novels and more importantly what happens!
In the novels Tharzidum (sp?) plays a central role. Did he ever get
released? What did you think of his portrayal in Return to the Temple of
Elemental Evil, actually what did you think of the re-visit to your
classic adventure.
Cheers
Bob
Bob, MerricB covered yur queries well :-)
As for Tharizdun in the RttToEE, I have not seen that work so I can't comment. Sorry :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
Yes, Tharizdun does get released, and Gary has a lot to make up for because of what happens! :-)
Bah! The shoe is on the T$R foot. Such stuff that happened with the Wog
back then. May Tharizdun take all the guilty parties... :rolleyes:
Gary,
if you find this un-stickyfied thread again (arrggghh!!!), could you
clear up one thing that bothers me from the AD&D rules?
Halflings: -1 Str, +1 Dex.
In the "min/max" ability score table, they've got a maximum Dex of 18,
and a maximum Con of 19. I've always wondered about whether or not that
was a typo, or if they once got a +1 Con or whatever. :-)
Though I've always ruled that its a typo (halflings may have a 19 Dex), it is one of those things that makes me wonder... ;-)
Cheers & Best Wishes!
Wow! I've never had this called
to my attention before. That's astonishing, because so many sharp eyes
have looked over the work, and errors were pointed out with alactrity
:-o
It is clearly a gaff. The entry should be 19 Dex, of course, not 19 Con.
:-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Stickify
Originally posted by D'karr
A thread with over 10,000 views and over 300 questions and answers surely deserves to stay at the top of the heap.
Could one of the moderators please return this thread to the top?
Thanks.
What? This thread is no longer sticky?! Lesse majeste! Foul! Sob...whatever did I do to desreve such treatment?
Heh. Ah well, I've indicated that I get an email whenever someone
responds, so I don't have to worry about the position of the thread :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
I
know that Morrus wouldn't want a thread permanently stickied to the
top. The best way to keep it going is to continue to post to it.
As you did in posting, eh?
Anyway, hasn't Morrus ever heard of a "loss leader"?
Oh, well, never mind that; not a good analogy... :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by jasper
Exactly how did you play dragons?
In 1st edition they had as many hit points as the adventurers. Hey all critters had a d8.
Liked your Slayers Guide, some good ideas, some repeats from your and others articles in the dragon mag.
Thanks, and when I was the DM most of the PCs were charry indeed when
about to face a dragon. I assumed the role of that creature as if it
were my own PC, and played it thus. Of course I made sure the initial
setting and all would give the dragon some advantages. One time a party
of two mid-level PCs were nearly slain by a yound red dragon that used
spider climb and invisibility to surprise them from above when they
entered it's lair. It ain't the stats that count so much as the verve
with which the critters are played.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
I haven't seen that. I'll look and see if I can find it.
Sorry I can't recall the name of Lou's game--ALIEN SPACE maybe. Players
choose which vessel they want. The spaceships have weapons like stalker
pods, torpedoes, the "gapper-zapper," and so on. Tactical manoever and
much shooting at one another in a general melee. We had great fun
playing.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by shadow
Gary,
I've been wondering for a while what was your inspiration for some of
the gods of Greyhawk. Specifically I've been wondering about Erythnul,
Zagyg, and Wastri
Erythnul, the many, really kind of reminds me that old movie, Clash of
the Titans. In one part of the movie skeletons spring up from the
ground where the hydra's teeth had been sown. In the same way, where
ever Erythnul's blood spills, monsters spring up. What was your
inspiration for Erythnul?
I can see that Zagyg is Gygax spelled backwards (With Z replacing the
X). I've read somewhere the Zagyg was originally a mortal who ascended
to godhood. Was he originally one of your PCs?
And, I've been wondering about Wastri for a long time. The god of
bigoty and human superiority is depicted as being slimy and toad like.
The way he is depicted almost seems to be poking fun at some of the
various hate groups.
Anyway, I would appreciate your response.
Heh, well...
Zagig/Zagyg is based on a sort of joke--me as the mad designer of
Greyhawk Castle and its dungeons. After all, how else could such a place
exist? Zagig was never a PC, only an NPC played by me...
Erythnul was my conception, and it was inspired by need in the pantheon
being created, and the "Demon of Blood & Seed" from Hindu mythology
provided the conceptual basis for one of his capabilities.
Wastri, ah, a favorite of mine. His original appearance was in an early,
never fully published (rightfully so) novel called THE GNOME CACHE. In
withdrawing to the marshes to live a life of cntemplation, Wastri found
only that he loves batrachians, that hunting small demi-humans with
giant toads was amusing sport, and the only enlightment he received was
from the first used to roast prey taken. Perhaps it was a comment on
extreme conceits of religious sort....
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by bones_mccoy
I think you're talking about Castle GarHack here. My question was about this post of Rob's:
[snippage]
What do you think about that idea? Apart from "my God, what a mountain of work!" ;-)
As a pragmatist, I discount the idea entirely. I believe that Kenzer has licensed the old material,
WotC will not have the least interest in adding it to the
OGL, so the speculation is to no useful end.
IMO there is only one possible route open--other than genericiziing the material and publishing it thus.
right you are about monumental tasks too. In any form the project is one of great length and like effort.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by PatEllis15
Gary:
Wow, took me about an hour to read through all this, thanks for your
your time and effort (both here, and back when you wrote D&D!)
Ah, welcome, and if only it had taken me so short a time to read and respond :-D
Curius if you can comment on WotC/Hasbro's marketing strategy.
WotC has elected to push adventure development to Dungeon, and have released only a few adventures for 3E (The "Adventure Path" series). Further, they figure that with the OGL, that the market will be flooded with adventures, but that the OGL will help sell more PHB's, DMG etc.
From you knowledge with LA, and your past experience as the head of TSR, do you think this was/is wise? Without critiquing what
WotC/Hasbro
has and is doing, I can say that my management philosophy for a game
company is quite different from theirs. Of course Hasbro is a
mass-market toy and game company.
The
OGL and D20 are clever moves that are, in my estimation, meant not only to support the
3E
game but also to capture more of the RPG market by broadening the base
audience for it by having other games covert to the D&D base system.
I would not have done that. I would certainly have licensed at low
royalty select companies to provide support material, though. Such
product would then have the game logo on it too.
To
follow up, What I have always enjoyed about Greyhawk was the skeletal
feel that you gave it. The adventures you published provided glimpses
of the detail that lied beneath the surface, and provided many idea's
that a DM could use to flesh out the world a bit more.
Was this purposeful, or by design?
Not being familiar with DJ or LA, did you use the same approach with the gameworlds for those systems?
Taro Sarask
Heh, and it was done with purposeful design. I
sought to create an interesting, even compelling, base from which the
GMs could work so as to create campaigns and adventures with sufficient
of their own input, the "group personality" if you will, so as to allow
each to be a unique expression.
Yes, in general I did that with the DJ/MYTHUS system--as some hace
noted, the EPIC OF AERTH is near a generic fantasy world--and likewise
this holds true for the LA game world, the LEJENDARY EARTH. In it I have
provided for near endless expansion and variation through "portal
anamoly" areas and portals to parallel worlds.
Cherio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Well, sure, Gary, I don't want this thread to fall off the page. I'd
rather it was stickied to the top also, but that's beyond my control.
Posting to the thread isn't, though. Just because I've differed with you
on occasion about some things doesn't mean I'm not a huge fan. You'd be
surprised how much common ground we have.
Frist, what would
we learn, and what fun would be had, if we all agreed on everything? So
no to fret in the least that your POV has now and then differed
radically from mine. Of course I am usually right, so you should vote
for me... Wait, forget that. It's
from an upcoming political speech,
Full Thrust might be a game you'd enjoy. It's a good, solid starship combat game.
I was wondering about your reaction to the death of Poul Anderson not too long ago. I know you were a fan of his.
Possibly, even likely I would, because I enjoy playing most good games.
Finding time and opponents is the trick. I will make time to play
OPERATION OVERLORD at the drop of a hat, for example. Unfortunately for
me, not many takers hereabouts. LAst game I played Peter Adkison was the
British, I was the US, and sone Luke was the Germans. Another Allied
victory :-)
Yes, I was saddened to learn that Poul Anderson had passed away. Another
of the F&SF giants whose work I am so fond of is now gone. At least
his writing remains, but no new work <sigh>
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Deedlit
Why
were gnomes put in? Hobbits/Halflings, Elves, Dwarves, and Humans had a
clear origin in the works of Tolkien(Which seem to be the basis), and
Half-Elves were there(Albeit uncommon.) and Half-orcs existed, though
they were merely villains. But what was the purpose of the gnomes, and
what was their inspiration?
A fair question!
Indeed, the number of JRRT fans who were potential D&D gamers
encouraged me to include races like those in his works in the game.
Dwarves, of course, are common in a lot of myth, German and
Schadanavian. The elves in D&D were not those of the Rings Trilogy,
but hobbits/halflings were that. As a reader of fables, fairy tales,
fantasy, and myth for a long time before the work of JRRT was in print,
adding another choice, the gnome, seemed a good thing, as in fantasy the
former elemental had become more an archetypical "fairy" race.
Inspiration came from extensive reading, and of course designing the
race to fin the D&D model was not a great challenge ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Breakdaddy
I'm
having a damned hard time trying to find Lejendary Adventures. I want
to check it out for a few minutes and maybe purchase it if it fits my
gaming needs. Unfortunately, I've been unable to locate anything for it
at my local game retailer. I've mentioned this to the store owner, but
he kinda shrugged it off. He is a bit of a smug bastard anyhow. >:-(
Retailers need to be supported, especially those who
provide gaming facilities, carry a broad line of RPGs, know their
products, and encourage gaming. Display space is valuable, inventory
costs money, so naturally a shop will want space used for high-demand
products...especially if the staff aren't broadly knowledgeable, are
more order-takers that salespersons. All that said, when the Hekaforge
Productions line is carried by many distributors, Alliance at the top of
the list, why a shop that doesn't stock the products will not special
order for a customer is simply beyond me! It is their loss--not merely
the sale but potentially the customer too.
If you go to
www.lejendary.com
you will find an exposition of the products, information regarding the
LA game system, and a link to RPGme. They handle online orders promptly.
Sorry that your local supplier is so unresponsive to your requests. We
do our best to promote and support brick & mortar game outlets, but
if one refuses to serve gamers, it deserves to lose their custom :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Khan the Warlord
So, until then, let's *bump* and ask more questions. :-)
Speaking of bumps, and now specifically to those in the night, I
experienced a real poultergeist phenomonon one summer when I was about
nine years old. It's a tad OT, so I'll refrain from details unless asked
;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
TRUE "GHOST" STORY
Seeing as how I was asked :-)
One summer, likely 1947, when I had just turned nine, my parents were
heading out to California whene my father had purchased some land (La
Jolla). Me go on a trip with parents during summer vacation and miss the
fun of freedom from scholastic incarceration? Whoa, and how could I
weasel out of that?
My parents being good and kindly souls, arranged for some friends to
come up and stay at the house during their absence. Better still, those
friends just happened to be the parents of my oldest friend, a lad who
lived next door when we were in Chicago, whose mother had wheeled him in
his carriage next to my mother with me in a like buggy. Hooray!
My bedroom had bunkbeds, so Dave and I were really having a lot of fun
the first night of his stay. Ignoring adult admonishment to go to sleep,
we were horseing around at midnight. That's when his parents came up,
heard the racket, and set things "right." David was escorted to another
bedroom by his father as I was scolded sternly bu his mother. Ah well,
all good things must end...
Just as I was dozing off, perhaps 10 minutes after the dressing down, a
tremendous crash shook the house. The noise came from nearly overhead,
My room was near the front of the long house, and it had a full attic,
six bedrooms on the second floor. A second after the terrible crash
there followed six or seven great thumpings from the same location, the
attic. These sounds came from the place of the initial one, moved from
there north to the opposite end of the attic as if soneone with really
long legs were stomping along up there.
In a minute Dave's mother was in my room to see if I had anything to do
with the noise. Of course she discovered me huddled under my sheet,
quite unwilling to leave the "safety" of my bed. Meantime, Dave's father
checked on David, found him fast asleep in his bed in the room across
the hall frm my own--incidentally that was almost directly under the
place where the initial crashing thump originated, but he slept through
that ant the following noise quite undisturbed.
Mr. Dimery, David's father, roused him, and the four of us proceeded
down the hallway to the attic door. Mr. Dimery had picked up a baseball
bat from my room, likely fearing the commotion was due to burglars of
the like. Unkikely in the extreme, but who at that hour of the night,
morning, properly, would think of anything but some such?
As we three stood at the bottom of the steps, David's father turned on
the lights, proceeded into the attic, had a cursory glance, then came
back down. Too many dark corners and unlighted portions to manage. We
locked the door, wedged the key fast, and retired.
In the bright light of morning all four if us preceeded to thoroughly
search the attic. Nothing was broken, no trunk or box or crate
disturbed. All open windows were fully screened, and those screens
fastened in place. In short, no possible physical cause for the whole
bizarre series of sounds could be discovered.
That was that. Needsless to say, I was thereafter somewhat charry about
going up to the attic alone, even in daylight, but that didn't last too
long, and soon I was back up there playing. That is until the next time
the "ghost" manifested itself in the house--a year later and when I was
absolutely alone.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by clockworkjoe
Question:
Most D&D adventures revolve around a fairly standard plot like
retrieve item X from place Y or defeat NPC A and so forth. What kind of
adventures or campaigns do you think haven't been given proper justice
by the RPG industry or you would just like to see more of?
As with fiction, there are only so many plots. Unlike writing stories,
though, the RPG medium is narrower, for only so many of the standard
ones will fit the vehicle and entertain the target audience.
Delving into the areas that I consider as untapped and potentially
interesting to gamers is something I won't do, of course. Sort of like
giving away my stock in trade.
I will add that the upcoming HALL OF MANY PANES adventure module does
treat a wide variety of adventure themes within the greater whole. Maybe
afyer you've assessed that you might want to comment on some of the
things i presented therein ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Anabstercorian A few quick questions:
1) Where did the Mind Flayer come from?
2) You've repeatedly said that 3e
D&D is so far in design philosophy and rules from OD&D as to
have essentially no link between them, and I agree with that, but do you
think there are any parts of 3e D&D, rules-wise, that could be transplanted in to OD&D that would improve it without changing its old school flavor?
3) How do you explain hit points, or do you even bother?
4) In 3e,
there's one big goal - Become the hardest bastard you can (I.E., gain
power and lots of it.) What were the big goals in OD&D? Wealth?
Land? Nobility? Pretty good oones too, I add :-)
1) I was reading Brian Lumley's THE BURROWERS BENEATH, and the cover
made me think" Now what sort of nasty bastard is that? So, without a
qualm I made up the Illithid, the dreaded mind flayer, so as to keep the
players on their toes--or have their PCs turn their's upwards :-D
2) To properly answer that I would have to sir down and re-read the final versions of both the PHB and the
DMG.
It's been a couple of years to so since I read the working drafts. Just
from "design instinct," though, I'd say no, but some underlying ideas
might be used. Then again, the same is true for a number of non-D&D
games...
3) That's easy. HPs represent not only the physical person, but that
one's luck, skill in avoiding damage. As luck runs low, muscles tire,
and reflexes slow their measure, HPs. are lost to reflect this. The last
few remaining are the actual physical body being harmed. Okay, its
rationalizing, but it works pretty well, I think ;-)
4) In OAD&D there was plenty of play aimed at power, just as there is in
3E.
Of course those that I knew as "good" players aimed first and foremost
at having fun playing the game, regardless of rise in rabk and all the
rest that goes with power gaming. The challenge of each session was
enjoyed more from a group perspective, likely. As the team prospered, so
too the enjoyment, cameraderie, and resulting stories. Many a group
downplayed combat, developed campaigns in which roleplay was the key.
Politics and economics? Sure. While OAD&D certainly focused on
combat mechanics and rules, it did not hinder other sorts of play. The
XP system in
3E does that with a vengence.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: TRUE "GHOST" STORY
Originally posted by Khan the Warlord
:P
Entertaining story, Gary!
Thanks, amigo :-)
For a moment, I was considering the thought of powers from "Dave's" subconscious mind manifesting themselves, until I read:
So since I know you're wanting someone to ask, and I want to hear the next story...
Truth to tell, I thought the same thing myself some years back, and
came to the same place you did. Unless the various manifestations were
totally unrelated to the initial one. there isn't any likelihood that
friend David was responsible for the first.
[B[Would you care to tell us all of this next manifestation?
:-) [/B]
The next one really terrorized me. I have reconted it elsewhere, but I';ll do so again here.
It was in the late fall when I was age 10. A bleak November day, and
after school I returned home to an empty house. My mother had to drive
into a suburb of Chicago, and she wouldn't return home until around 6:30
PM. So there I was alone. No playing outside because it was too nasty
and no snow yet, my buddy next door and I were on the outs--typical
kids' stuff--so I decided to read.
I opened one of the bookcases in the living room, looked at spine
titles, decided on something scary and so pulled out Edgar Allen Poe's
"Tales of Terror" from the complete set of his works my grandfather had
purchased before I was born. Taking it to grandfather's armchair, I
switched on the floor lamp sat down, fliupped through the table of
contents, and opted for "The Fall of the House of Usher." I started
reading. My white tom cat, Queball by name, hopped up into my lap,
settled down comfortably. All was well to that point and for some
half-hour after.
Just as I was reading the passage where the sounds from the crypt below
the House of Usher were frightening the protagonist, the cat dug its
foreclaws into my leg. Ouch! I looked frombook to cat. The cat was
staring fixedly at the door to my left, some 15 feet distant. It was a
bit ajar, lead into what had been the maid's room, in my time a day or
sewing room. What on earth could that blasted cat be staring at?
Horror of horrors! As I stared at the door trying to figure out just
what might cause the cat to react thus, I saw out of the corner of my
eye that Queball was now rising, ears laid flat, back arched, and tail
up, fur horripilated in full "Halloween cat" fashion. Worse, my eyes saw
the door move inwards into the totally dark room beyond. Had my short
hair not bneen alteady been brushed upwards, it too would have risen as
had the cat's. I was paralyzed with fear, and it got worse. The oak
floorboards creaked as if someone was walking from the now-open door
straight into the room and up to beside my chair, only there was nothing
to be seen.
I don't think my teeth chattered, but I'll bet my eyes were popping. All
I could do was sit there in shock as the cat stood its ground hissed
and growled in his most menacing fashion.
After what seemed long minutes, but more likely was a few seconds,
Queball ceased his defensive persofmance, settled back down on my lap,
and started purring. Whew!
With that I got up, unceremoniously dumping my benefactor in my haste.
Immediately after turning on all the lamps in the living room, I
illuminated the dining room chandalier, the kitchen lights, then the
front hall. Making a dash to my bedroom upstairs, I turned on tthe
lights there, got my bow and arrows, machette too, and ran back
downstairs to sit in a chair at the front end of the living room, awwor
ready, eyes fixed on the offending doorway at the far end of the room,
maybe 30 feet distant.
there my mother found me when she returned. She said little other than
to reassure me that nothing like that in the house would harm me.
Despite that I was more than a tad nervous when alone in the dark there.
Of course when some years later my brother's fiancee had some concersn,
and the experience of friends staying over, I took comfort in what
mother had said. Nothing ever touched *me*...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Right Breakdaddy!
Being in a place that has such manifestations is not usually pleasane.
There's a major mansion here on the lake, divided up into condos now,
one of which I lived in for a couple of years.Despite its marvelous
location, substantial building, lake view, somehow the place manages to
remain deserted of habitation most of the time...
I would not care to move back if they gave me a free unit :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by thegolem
Gary,
I've been enjoying D&D for going on fifteen years or so now, so I
just want to start out by saying thanks for bringing it into this world.
It's always been a great creative outlet that I've found invaluable in
learning writing and reading skills. I think the fact that D&D
involves so much reading is nearly directly responsible for my
above-average english skills throughout middle and high school.
Aside from that thanks, I also want to say thank you for spending some
time here with us. I haven't had any questions to ask, but I'm eagerly
checking this thread daily to see the new responses you've posted; I
appreciate your time, thanks!
Sure Peter, and you are most
welcome. As I've said, I really enjoyed doing the design work on games.
This is fun for me too, so as with any good game, we are sharing the
enjoyment ;-)
And
finally, you've sold me on trying Lejendary Adventures. My brother
owns a game store up here in Canada, so I'm going to have him order me a
copy and check it out. Rules-light is what I love. Right now, we play
an almost rules-free CoC campaign, which we're all particularly
enjoying (including three new roleplayers!), so I'm eager to see if LA
can give me a great rules-light fantasy setting.
I do hope
you like the treatment. It is very different from D&D, and thus the
changed patoise for the LA game. You'll need to think differently, in
its terms, to really get into it. However, as you state you play CoC
generally winging it, the way I played D&D and now LA, likely you'll
absorb the new material pretty easily. I don't urge dedicated D&D
players who love that system (whichever one they use) to play the LA
game, unless they want an accassional change of pace. If someone is
having fun with a game why change?
Anyhow,
I guess I'll finish with one question, just to keep in the spirit of
the thread: Obviously when it comes to a completed manuscript you type
on the computer. However, I'm wondering if you do a lot of 'idea work',
brainstorming, etc. in handwritten form? I find I write a lot better
on paper than on the computer espciallywhen composing from my
imagination. Have you found that the advent of computer technology has
greatly benefited you as a creative worker, or that its had not too much
of an affect at all?
Peter Miller
Many a time I do make notes on whatever paper
is handy. This is especially true when I am doing inspirational or
research reading. It really helps to do that when you are not absolutely
certain as to what the final form of the work will be. From the notes I
then go to the computer, enter the material in a more formal form, then
use it that way, or as a basis for yet a third approach to the subject.
The outlines I sometimes do--for rules this is typically a must--are
likewise mutable. If they don't work I just forget their order, use the
points that work, delete and/or add new.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Hey Gary - you should try to get on Art Bell's show...
Thanks, Colonel, but sharing with friends and fellow gamers suficies. I
really don't want a larger audience and the likely attendant bother
from some listeners...
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
Of course, OAD&D's XP system promoted the gaining of treasure above
all else. :-) At least there are plenty of ideas in the 3E DMG for changing the XP system, and more online.
Is that comment due to (a) the rate of advancement in 3E, (b) that XP is given only for overcoming monsters, (c) some other reason, or (d) some combination of (a), (b) and/or (c)?
On a related topic, what are the highest level OAD&D characters
you've played or DMed? (That have started at a low level and worked
their way upwards, of course!)
How are your sons enjoying being World Famous Game Designers? ;-)
Cheers! Indeed, the wealth was featured--most realistically
if one considers human motivations. If you, the real you, were an
adventurerer, what would miotivate you more that the lure of riches?
Sure, altruistic things, honor, patriotism and the like come into play,
but most adventures are based on the lure of treasure. Note also that
casting spells earned XPs, as did successful performance of various
class abilities not related to fighting. But enough comparative
analysis.
I have played a PC of over 20th but less than 30th level. Advancement of
that particular character came because of long play and some pretty
clever stuff done therein, if I do say so myself. I have DMed for some
higher level PCS, and my observation was that the players really didn't
have the expertise to have gained such level in my campaigm. the
highest level ever gained in my campaign is around 20th, Some players
could have gotten above the level their best PC had attained, but they
preferred to play several, as I have always done, and keep the levels
lower.
AS for Ernie and Luke, there was much grumbling over the amount of owrk
needed to create a large module. Bith were quite proud of their final
result, and I thought justly so, as THE LOST CITY OF GAXMOOR was a lot
of fun to play. Ernie is too involved in his day job now to do more
design work, Luke also, but I am encouraging them to complete the
adventure with a LOST UNDERCITY module. Maybe Luke will manage it, but
not in short order, shall we say...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BigFreekinGoblinoid
Great thread you have going here Gary! I'm enjoying it tremendously...
I am DMing a new campaign and have some new players, one a fellow by the
name of Chris Zephro who played with Luke quite often back since Jr.
High School ( in LA ). I was wondering if you might have any stories I
might embarrass him with, or if you know of any particular monster
phobias of his... :-P
Also, as a longtime D&D Fanboy, I have always respected and feared
the great Demon DEMOGORGON, and have been dissapointed that he has seen
such limited print since 1E ( None of my players have ever lived through
an ecounter with him BTW ). Do you rememeber Demogorgon's origin? Did
he spring from your twisted, yet brilliant mind? Any details about his
creation and/or usage in your gaming would be appreciated!
Thanks and Regards,
Joe Stoken
Heh, Joe, I remember well and fondly Chris and
the others that were Luke's buddies, stayed overnight "up on the hill"
and played "ninja" and other kids' games there as well as AD&D with
me as the DM. A really great group of lads even when they work me up at 3
AM banging on a big gong that was just below my bedroom.
In those days, Chris always wore a blackj T-shirt with some heavy metal rock band featured on it :-)
The most notable adventure I can come up with immediately is the one
where I had the party in an Oriental-type setting, and as they were
involved in play what should happen but Arabian music starts playing
from somewhere in the house, and shortly thereafter a real live belly
dancer appears. Heh :-D It was Luke's birthday, so I hired same for his
and his friends' entertainment. All the lads were indeed most
fascinated.
BTW, Chris is lately in touch with Luke again after a hiatus of some
years. Ken Sato, another of the gang, was also in touch some years back
but has not been heard from for some time. Chris and I have exchanged a
couple of emails just recently.
As for Demogorgon, I fond the name in mythical demonologies, devided to
make him the biggest of the demon baddies, and made up the detailsand
the stats. He shouldn't be too difficult to translate into
3E, if you are now playing that...just a lot of detail work.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ScottGLXIX Thought I�d join in on the interrogation. I�m curious about this quote from the DMG,
�In my own Greyhawk Campaign there have been 9 demigods, 3 demon lords,
and a handful of Norse and other gods involved in the course of many
years of play. Once or twice there has been divine intervention--and
twice the powers of the infernal region have come at the mention of a
certain name....�. The 9 demigods would be the famous 9 that Robilar
released, one of the demon lords is Frazz-Urb Luu, I know Zeus made a
cameo during the same encounter, but he chose to ignore the Unnamed�s
plea for help and left him to the demon lord�s tender mercies. Were
Lolth or Zuggtmoy included here? I heard a story of a young Robilar
being saved by �divine intervention� when he was about to meet his end
at the hands of two wights. I�m guessing one of the powers of the
infernal regionmay have been Asmodeous when Erac�s Cousin made his pact.
Could you provide any more information on who the powers mentioned
above may have been? The demon lords and the powers of the infernal
region are the ones I�m most curious about.
Ciao,
Scott Scott, are you sure your laundry list is complete? Bah! (and LOL)
The 9 demigods/gods are indeed those released by robilar.
Frazz-Urb Luu was freed by Erac's Cousin and a paladin, heh-heh-heh. I
intend to tell that little tale in a DRAGON zne column. Yes, Zeus made a
brief appearance than and left with a shrug, none there honoring him.
Lolth never made any appearances, but Zuggtmoy did. When Robilar freed
her (yes, he again loossed another deital figure) she was grateful, took
him off to her layer of the Abyss to be one of her favored servants...
Robilar, and he was a veteran adventurer at this time, was not a happy
camper then.
I don't recall the tale of Robilar's rescue from the wights, but I can relate something more amusing.
In one tournament session at a Autumn Revel, as I recall, a team managed
to bring Asmodeus to their location. In desperation, one of their
number called for a diety opposed to that devil to come to them. Being a
kindly DM, I had ORcus arrive instanter. Oddly, the party were not in
the least happy that I allowed such "divine intervention." I suppose it
is because the two Evil beings took stock of the situation, saw no
reason to fight amongst themselves, and simply divided up the "spoils"
between them and left...
As has been noted often, being careful what one wishes for, pleads for in the above case, is a good idea.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hypersmurf
Gary,
I've always thought it was fantastic the way you provided some of the "game mechanics" details in the afterword of Saga of Old City. Wish you'd continued the practice with the other novels :-)
But there was one in SoOC that didn't make the afterword. Gellor is
gifted with a sword that purported to be invisible when wielded. I
loved the idea - I don't recall it actually being showcased "in use" in
the novel, but the concept was great.
Did you use a similar item in one of your own games? And if so... what sort of game mechanics were involved?
-Hyp.
Thanks Amigo :-)
After ARTIFACT, I was precluded from adding AD&D material to the stories, of course.
As for the invisible sword that Gellor had, it was not in play in my
campaign--not to say I hadn't maybe placed one somewhere ;-) Aside from
its plusses to hit and damage, the weapon allowed its wielder to see
any otherwise invisible foe and to attack first in any normal exchange.
Of course there was a command word for it to come to hand--pretty hard
to locate your invisible sword without that... If it was within range of
the possessor's voice it woulc fly instantly to that own's hand.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
G'Day MAte!
Almost missed yoour post as it came sandwiched between my current string of replies.
I've just been using your Random Dungeon tables in the 1E DMG to create an "on-the-fly" dungeon for my players, due to a couple of decisions they made that surprised me.
Lots of fun was had by all - I must thank you heartily for those tables, and the additional suggestions for tricks in the DMG
appendices! A couple of 'elevator' rooms have confused the mapper
mightily, and the final encounter with an intelligent throne with the
powers of sex-change, gem-granting and teleportation have led to a
cliff-hanger where the mapper has been teleported off onto a solo quest.
The other characters haven't yet realised he has the only map... ;-)
Happy to hear that, and I did indeed use the same for more than a few
"scratch" adventures done on the fly. I feeely admit I love to DM
dungens where exploration is at least as important as the encounters,
solving the problems and defeating the tricks and traps a major feature
of the whole.
Rob had some very nasty stuff like that in his dungeons, and I swan I am
still at a loss as to one. It seemed every time my PC would pick up a
loose gem--usually not more than 1-100 GP value, but sometimes greater,
so the lure was irrestible--he'd soon be teleported to some other place,
sometimes a most unpleasant one. Never did figure out if it was the
gems proper or some other nearby thing that activated the transferrance
:-(
XP
for casting spells in OAD&D? I must have missed that, as I've never
seen it used - or perhaps it's one of the many features of your
campaign that wasn't in the original rules. :-) Not that it matters!
Now I could swear that's in the rules somewhere, maybe UA? Anyway, we
always played it as 100 XP per level of the spell cast--usefully in an
adventure or to assist someone during or after, so clerics were rewarded
as well as m-us.
Gaining
treasure is muchly on the mind of my players at the moment, as they've
finally reached a position where they each want their own stronghold,
whether monastary, castle, thieves' guild or similar. And of course,
such things are expensive! And I'm making much reference to the few
paragraphs in the 1E DMG about terrain clearing, and the 3E Stronghold Builder guide for costs...
Right! Having a base of operations changes the whole thrust of the
campaign. Be prepared for more solo adventures, and ready the forces of
hostile NPCs to assail those places :-D
The subject wasn't treated in great detail by me bacuuse of lack of
hands-on experience of considerable sort. With a mix of groups being
DMed for, the state of each was such that most were stil adventuring in
dungeons, cities, and the outdoors, Only a few PCs had attained
sufficient wealth and level so as to look towards establishing their own
strongholds.
One
thing that I've been wondering recently is if you read any of the newer
fantasy or science-fiction books, or are you too busy with creating or
other things?
Cheers!
Not many of the contemporary fantasy authors
interest me. Vance still writes, and he is still my favorite. I like the
"Diskworld" novels, of course, and believe me, there is something like
"Luggage" now in the lists of Extraordinary Items" to be found by
Avatars adventuring in the LA game universe :-)
I am about half of the way through a Harry Turtledove alternate history
novel now, WORLDWAR. I find it a tad choppy so I need to read more
slowly than usual, but so far I really enjoy it, so I'll likely be
picking up all of his alternate history works.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by clockworkjoe
threemore
questions: Which monster from d&d beside dragons and the various
infernal species are your players scared of the most?
What was doing the cameo on futurama like?
And where did the beholder come from?
When it comes to the
relative degree of fear amongst players caused by monsters, that depends
on the expertise of the players, the level of the PCs, and the
situation. As I have mentioned, I have made a goodly number of players
with low level PCs fear and respect the kobolds in my uppermost dungeon
level. Usually, though, the unidentified monster(s), undead when there
is no cleric in the group, or NACs are the banes that cause nervous
responses.
Fact is, when I was playing a PC a couple of years back we encountered a
wind walker, and my 19th level m-u was not prepared for that, couldn't
recall the means of dealing with that critter, and I was not exactly
comfortable with the situation ;-)
In the FUTURAMA show episode I appeared in cartoon illustrated likeness,
with my voice. I was part of a team led by Al Gore, and with me were
Stephen Hawking and Nichelle Nichols. I can't really describe it
adaquately, so you need to see it.
The beholder was the original conception of Terry Kuntz, Rob's brother, a
regular in the early days of my campaign. I developed it a bit, but
it's essentially his work ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: ok
Originally posted by jgbrowning
my questions..
how do you remember all this stuff about what you and the other early
guys did? I'm lucky if i can remember more than two campaigns ago.
if you got one wish, what would you wish for? :-) hehehe.. and how would you WORD it? :-D
joe b.
First, amigo, I have to admit that I have what I now
understand to be a most unusual memory. I can recall incidents from
before I could walk, the time I first walked (ran rather, as I tried to
do that and made it about three steps), and so forth. I won't bore you
with any more of that, though.
Some of the gaming incidents stand out, others I need to ruminate for
long periods in order to recall them. I also will check with someone
involved in an incident in order to see if my recollection is
correct--or to get something vaguely recalled right.
We played so much that in truth I can't remember 90% or more of what
happened, and the accounts are the incidents that were truly
exceptional.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Lendore Isle
Originally posted by Tarek
I
know Len Lakofka did a lot of work on the Suel and on the Lendore Isle
area, but I was thinking maybe you'd know the answer to this question:
The city of glass/Gates of Glass on Lendore Isle were meant to be used
in the event of some "ultimate calamity." Do you know what that calamity
was supposed to be?
Also, the recent Living Greyhawk Guide had a line about Boccob worrying
about the slow decline of magic in the Flannaess and his suspicion that
Tharizduun was behind it. Was this "decline of magic" part of your
original campaign, or was this a theme introduced by recent writers?
Finally, for this round of questions anyway :-), what was the origin of
Tharizduun? (apart from the module Forgotten Temple, that is :-) )
Tarek
I strike out on two of the above, Tarek. Len kept his
campaign material close to his chest, just as I did mine save when it
was ripe to publish a bit of it, so I don't have a clue as to what he
was doing there. Why not ask him?
What the guts are doing in Living Greyhawk is strictly their own creation, and it is not related to any of my own thinking.
As for Bit T, well, I decided a really nasty and wholly evil deity was
needed, so I created Tharizdun from whole cloth. When I wrote the FToT I
had that in mind, and from there I developed him into what I hope is a
truly dispicable entity.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
No, I can't seem to find it anywhere. (Actually, not quite true - a similar rule exists as an option in the 2E dmg!) ;-)
The rules I can find on granting XP are:
* monster XP
* treasure XP
* special bonus for dying & being raised XP.
Were there any other class-based XP awards you use? And just a bit back I was near to boasting of my mnemonic capacity... :rolleyes:
Well, I certainly did hand out XPs in my campaign for spell use, also
successful tracking by rangers, use of thief abilities by any PC so
doing, that sort of thing.
As I left behind when I split with TSR various documents regarding a
revision of the AD&D game, I wonder if perhaps amongst them I had
written the information regarding XPs. Ah well, not much of a matter now
anyway... ;-)
On
a related topic, until recently, I thought treasure XP was awarded the
same way as monster XP, that is, evenly amongst the party members.
Looking through a couple of rules about henchmen made me think I was
mistaken: instead XP was granted for treasure depending on how much the individual managed to acquire. Is that right?
:-)
Actually, as the DM I left it up to the players. Generally they took
all treasure as property of the party, then at the conclusion of an
adventure divided it in shares according to the total number of levels
of the PCs involved, counting half of any multi-classed PCs levels only
as addition the the higest sngle class one, i.e. a F/T/MU of 8/4/10
levels would get 4+2+10 shares of the loot.
Magic was always selected by high d% roll, each player getting a roll
for each level of his or her PC--in the above example 16 rolls saving
the highest. Prcks then went from highest on down. Many a tie of 00
rolls occurred. In such case the top scorerers rolled off for order of
picks.
Diving
into my Greyhawk books, (in reference to Tarek's query), the Foreword
to the Glossography in the 1983 boxed set has a section that reads: "During Smedger's time, magic was not a lost art, but, apparently, a fading one."
The foreword is signed by Steve Winter & Allen Hammack. It is even
possible one of them wrote that passage. ;-) The topic causes hotly
contested debate on Greytalk whenever it turns up, much like whether the
Oerth goes round the sun, or the sun goes round the Oerth.
Likely the two named individuals wrote that bit, certainly! Why they
did is known only to Messrs. Winter and HAmmack, of course. "Smedgar"
was Frank Mentzer.
There is no question in my mind as to the Oerth and the sun. Oerth revolves around the sun.
Gary - the Oerth isn't flat, is it? ;-)
Oh, and thanks to RJK managing to re-release some of his modules, I'm
getting an idea of how fiendish the man can be. Your poor characters
have my sympathy. :-)
Cheers!
Oerth is a sphere, and it might be hollow...
Rob learned from me, then added all sorts of horrid nuiances and
completely new devices to his store of cruel things to wreak upon PCs.
As he did that, I recipriocated, and so our games were lively matters
indeed. One face sharpens the other :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ScottGLXIX
I
notice that there are no thieves of note in the who's who of Greyhawk. I
can't think of one well known thief PC. How did the early PCs go about
finding and removing traps and opening locks?
Scott
Well, some of the less caring PCs had orcs who were
sent forth to take care of such things. Others of the PCs had henchmen
who were of the thire class. There were also such things as wands of
secret door & trap detection ann knock spells for the m-us.
As an aside, and pertaining to the question of treasure division, there
was an unwritten understanding that any thief who made off with a
reasonably smalll amount of the loot, that including monor magic items,
was "unnoticed" and the spoils and XPs that went with them were that
PCs. Thieves that were too greedy didn't last long, though...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Daiymo
Greetings Gary!
You spoke earlier about mind flayers, so I have a question about the
Gith races, my favorite outisder type monster race(no doubt due to their
being prominently featured on the cover of the old Fiend Folio).
I dont know how much input you had in the gith's development, but where
did the idea of these two warring races(the yanki and zerai) come from?
Where are Steve Jackson (the Brit) and Ian Livingston when you need them? Likely living it up in Spain... :-o
The FIEND FOLIO was compiled by those two, then the owners of GW, from
submissions published in WHITE DWARD MAGAZINE, and brought to TSR as
material for an additional book of monsters. I culled some, saw that
other creatures were added, and then Lawrence Shick, the man in charge
of project left in the monsters I'd said must be cut--he was leaving the
company so...
Anyway, I agree that the Gith are an interesting racial pair. Only their
creator, or Steve & Ian possibly, can give you the inside
information you seek.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Lenard Lakofka
Originally posted by Tarek
Gary--
Thanks for your reply. Certainly, in the newest incarnation of the
D&D game, Tharizduun is playing a major role; from Return to the
Temple of Elemental Evil to the Living Greyhawk campaign, we're seeing
T's cultists all over.
As for getting in touch with Mr. Lakofka, I'm having trouble even
finding out if he has a presence on the net. I know he wrote two
articles for Canonfire and the Oerth Journal, but that was a few years
back. I understand he's also a major figure in the Diplomacy world, but
again, I can't find anything recent from him.
Tarek
Heh... Cults of worshippers of Tharizdun must needs be those with an extreme death wish...
Right in regards to Len. Have you tried a websearch? Fact is I haven't
heard from himin over a year. The whole of my email addy book got blown
out about a year back, so Len's went with it, and I not having heard
from Len since, I can't email him about this thread.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
Republishing the Fighting Fantasy books at the moment, actually. :-)
The first four of the reprints (Warlock of Firetop Mountain, Citadel of
Chaos, Deathtrap Dungeon & Creature of Havoc) have just arrived on
the shelves of many bookstores Down Under.
See the icon books website.
Did you ever look at them, Gary? I've very fond memories of the Warlock of Firetop Mountain...
Cheers! Bet their agent is seeing to the republishing of those books, MerricB, even as they frolic here or there ;-)
I was so busy when those books were being published initially that I
never did read/play any of them. I did have Steve and Ian as guests at
my place--then out in the country west of Lake Geneva. Both assisted me
in clearing some vines from the trees sourrounding the house. I forgot
that a lot of people react badly to handling poison oak--it doesn't
bother me much, a small blister if I rub it on my bare skin. Seems as if
both of them returned to the UK and had some rather annoying skin
outbreaks like poison ivy from their good deed helping me :rolleyes:
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Moorcrys Hey Gary,
One of my favorite things about the original AD&D was the
illusionist class. In fact, I'm still disappointed with the
'genericized' specialist wizards in both second and 3E
(a fireball flinging illusionist? Where's the flavor in that?) As it
was such an odd class in the first edition of the game and forfeited a
good deal the damaging 'punch' of the magic-user in favor of something
subtler, I was wondering if you recall any of the more successful
players of illusionists in your earlier games? What was your
inspiration for that particular class?
Moorcrys Thanks, and I appreciate the good words.The
illusionist sub-class sprang from my reading. So many spellworkers in
fable and fiction used only the illusory, not "real magic" that had
actual substance and effect, that I thought it would be fun to include
such an option in the game.
Subtilty was indeed a factor in play--and for that reason not a lot of
illusionists were active in my campaign. Also, as a "latecomer" to
choices, those who did have such PCs were not in the level par with the
veteran characters of other class. As I recall, there were a couple of
mid-level illusionists, somewhere around 9th-10th level active. Don't
recall who played them. Rob might...
As noted previously, I have a gnome illusionish/thief PC, but he is of
pretty low level, about 4th in both classes, and I haven't had
opportunity to play him for a couple of years, so I'll have the devil of
a time finding his character sheet if the opportunity arises.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Getting in touch
Originally posted by Tarek
Gary--
I did in fact try a web search or two. That's how I found out that Mr. Lakofka was heavily into Diplomacy . :-)
Unfortunately, the web search engines that I used did not pick up any
e-mail address for him, not even through the web sites that showed up.
Tarek
A Kind Soul sent me an email giving me Len's addy,
and I have just contacted him, included the URL to this page in the
message. If Len is wiling, he'll be dropping in :-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Theuderic
Quick question Gary: have you read any of Margeret Weis & Tracy Hickman's works and if so what did you think of them?
Well, I did read about half of the first of the "Dragonlance" novel and
found it not to my particular taste in fantasy, so I passed it on to my
sons. One read several of their books thereafter and enjoyed them.
I enjoy either a lot of action or very interesting and different
characters being developed. So, for example, Howard and Vance are
favorite authors ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Thanks for the URL.
Interesting that he has become a pro SF author, and too bad he has left gaming.
Mr. Stross' observations in regards to what inspired him to create the
various monsters he did is pretty much the same as how I have done a
number of them.
Although I know Larry Niven, I most certainly wasn't reading his
material for monster ideas, then or now. As noted, the inspiration for
the mind flayers came from a piece of cover art on a book in the
Lovecraftian Cycle, Lumley's THE BURROWERS BENEATH. I still have that
paperback in my libreay, too :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by CrusaderX
Gary,
I'm curious about your thoughts on the D&D (or AD&D) Paladin
class. Many gamers see the Paladin's Lawful Good alignment restriction
as an essential part of this class. Other players, however, have no
problem with allowing Chaotic Good Paladins, Lawful Evil Paladins, and
Paladins of any and all alignments.
Do you think that the Paladin's Lawful Good alignment restriction is an
appropriate, or even an essential, element of this class? I myself am
all for having "Holy Warriors" of all alignments, but I've always viewed
the "Paladin" title as being uniquely bound to the service of both Law
and Goodness. Maybe I'm just a traditionalist. :-)
Also, from where did the class concept originate? Is it true that Poul Anderson's Three Hearts and Three Lions story is one of the main influences of the AD&D Paladin?
Thank you for your time, good sir! This is indeed a wonderful thread.
Welcome CrusaderX. Pleased to be of service...and to have a bit of fun in so doing.
As far as I am concerned, the Paladin is Lawful Good--perior. The class
takes vows, swears an oath, and then follows it. The concept is drawn
from some legend--Authurian--and some quasi-legend--the paladins of
Charlemaine plus the code of chivalry as it was written, more honored in
the breach than the keeping. As described in the game system, any
characyer that was of paladin class would cease being so immediately his
vows were broken.
Playing a proper paladin is often mishandled also. They are not stupid
per se, only bound by oaths. For example I did allow paladins to slay
dangerous prisoners if those individuals renounced Evil. In such a state
of grace, killing them is actually a Good act, for they will then go on
to a better life in another world instead of being sent to some dark
and dismal plane to suffer for their ways after death. While a paladin
will fight to the death if necessary, they are not usually bound to
suicidal valor for no pirpose.
Anyway, while Poul Anderson in his excellent THREE HEARTS & THREE
LIONS was treating Oiger the Dane as his protagonist, that work was not
the source for the paladin class. I did borrow a good deal from the
troll he had in the yarn though ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Three Hearts and Three Lions didn't inspire the paladin? Wow. I always thought it did. Another urban legend dispelled.
Well that's the way it goes ;-)
In truth I was using the older sources for the model of the paladin, and
the 12 Paladins of Charlemaigne was my main inspiration. Of course it
didn't hurt that I had been told the story of Roland at about age
three...
[On
the subject of the origins of familiar tropes in the game...from what
I've read, Gary, D&D was originally an outgrowth of war games, in
which the party was, basically, a small unit of what one could call
"commandos" that infiltrated a besieged fortress. Is that accurate? If
so, then what's surprising to me is that I can't think of very many
adventures ever set in such a situation. That is, while some adventures
feature infiltration of fortresses - such as the "Giants" series - few
ever feature a beleaguering army outside. I guess it surprises me
because of how much potential such a situation has - PCs could either be
from the besieging army, or they could be from the within the fortress,
trying to make a sally of sorts. I'm just surprised we never saw more
adventures about such a situation, given D&D's wargame origins.
The D&D game grew out of wargaming on the table top uning the
original CHAINMAIL Fantasy Supplement thereto. In that rules set there
is a suggestion that when digging mines and counter mines graph paper be
used, but as you note no actual D&D game module I've ever seen has
taken the base, seiges, to the "commando" raid stage, either in
infiltrating a fortress of for breaking out of one to wreak havoc on the
besiegers lines.
As a matter of fact, though, in the HALL OF MANY PANES module I do have a
scenario in which the team is sent from a besieged castle to seek help
to break the encirclement.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Skarp Hedin
Hi Gary,
It's very nice of you to be sitting around answering question after question here.. and when I saw this:
I just had to ask: So, then, what monsters did you designate as "must be cut" from the Fiend Folio?
Hey! I don't sit around, but when I see a notice that a reply has been posted to this thread I get back here in due course ;-)
As to the should-have-been-gornished entries in the FF book, well, it's
20 years, and damned if I can recall many off hand. I haven't one of
those books handy, or I'l flip through and answer in detail. I surely
didn't care much for the Needleman, and I do believe that the
Disenchanter was another that I found rather too flimsy a creature to
include. The treatment of the Kenku (sp?) also was not liked by
me--katana-armed sparrows didn't do it in my view.
Alas, all that's water under the old bridge, as every entry I said should be cut was left in. Bah! :rolleyes:
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Rel
Do me a favor and next time you see him tell him thanks for being the
best hard-sci-fi writer I've ever read and that I wouldn't mind seeing
another Dream Park novel when he gets a chance.
Do you also know Jimmy Buffett? If so, we can just call this thread "All Rel's Greatest Heroes" and be done with it.
Last time I saw Larry was out in California in the 90s. I don't make it
to many SF cons, but if I do, and the Good Mr. Niven is there, I will
pass along your lauds and urging for more DREAM PARK sotires.
Can't say that I have ever met Jimmy Buffet, alhtough I have run into
Willy Nelson at the Beverly Hills Hotel way back, exchanged a few words
with him. Being quartered in Lake Geneva, working all the time, sort of
diminishes one's social contacts, shall we say. About the only "name"
people outside gaming I see regularly are cartoonist Joe Martin and
author and motivational speaker John Powers.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: (Lighthearted) Would you?
Originally posted by The Sigil I
have to ask, because some of the posters on another thread were afraid
to... and I figure that since I thought of it, I should bring it up...
This comes from the 1,000 Ways to Freak out your players thread... would
you be willing to do this one, Colonel? It's way #1,000.
http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showt...=17#post387575
--The Sigil LOL!
I have not followed that thread, 1,000 ways', because I don't want to
freak them out save by what I throw at them--we don;t get to play but
once a week and then only about 40 weeks a tear. So much gaming to get
in so little time and all that...
Of course I would do that :-D The idea is hilarious--likely more so in
the exposition than in actual fact, but what the hell, I love practical
jokes. I've played many a one in my younger days, mainly inspired by an
old book named THE PRACTICAL JOKER'S HANDBOOK. My wife talked me out of
the last one I was going to pull--putting smut zines in the john at a
friend's house when he was giving a dinner and play for charity... :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Bjorn Doneerson
Hello. I don't know what to say so I guess just thanks, and I'll get on to asking you annoying questions:
You came up with all the planes, right? And the planes have their
little mysteries, like what's in Chronias. Do/did you have an answer in
mind for any of these and would you be willing to tell us such things?
And on a dare I ask you: Will you be my friend?
To be
fair, I mostly took existing material and arranged it so as to form a
cosmology for PAD&D, the planes of existence. Then I made up and/or
placed creatures from the game milieu into the various planes.
As for what didn't get done, all that is now moot. the property belongs to
WotC, and they are the ones who will populate all of them now.
I will happily acept you as an acquaintance, and if throught the course
of personal interaction friendship develops, then great! Have you ever
read the essay ON FRIENDSHIP? I can't recall if it was done by emerson
or Thoreau. When I first read it I was stunned--blown away in current
parlayance. Well worth looking up and reading, that short piece of truly
enlightening literature :-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ScottGLXIX
Greetings,
A question on some of the undead creatures. Did you originally see
wights and wraiths as having corporeal forms or not? Early on wights and
wraiths were very similar, the wraith was just the more powerful of the
two. Over the years they�ve developed into very different critters with
a wight having a physical form, and wraiths not.
Scott
Hmmm. Absolutely did have in mind that a wight was a
physical being, a wraith mainly immaterial, and I thought that was
clear from the get-go in original D&D. Certainly the movement rates
for the two creatures reflected that, as I recall. (Heh, you can tell
it's been a while since I have delved into the
MM--over a year now, in fact.)
In fact, as I recall the
Mm
illos of the two showed the wight as a clearly physical, corpse-like
monster, while the wraith was shown as spectral, ghostly, no?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Henry
Gary, if you would -
This question came up elsewhere on these boards, and I had never thought about it before -
in 1st Edition AD&D, was the magic item known as Daern's Instant fortress meant to expand AND contract?
or
was it meant to be a single-use item only?
What's the
matter with you, Henry?:! I know what I had in mind, and just because I
neglected to put down that one small detail, there is confusion! USe
your psionic power of mind reading for goodness dake.
Heh, and sorry. The item, Daern's Instant Fortress, was meant as a
multi-use object, anbd upon command it would contract after being
activated.
The devil is in the details, and it seems that I oft shun the devil, eh? :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Tewligan Mr. Gygax, I humbly offer up a question to thee:
Back in "the day", Judge's Guild material was pretty much official
D&D/AD&D. In addition to JG's contributions, however, I
remember plenty of material by plenty of other companies that declared
themselves to be suitable for use with all major fantasy RPG's, or
something to that effect. A quick look inside these books made it clear
that "all major fantasy RPG's" meant "AD&D." Occasionally a term
would be changed ("strength" becomes "might", "hit points" becomes
"wounds"), but it was obviously D&D without coming out and saying
it. I was just curious if this kind of thing got TSR's legal hackles
up, or was it overlooked or even encouraged? Of course, I do remember
the stern warning in the DMG against using unofficial material, but was there any non-TSR/JG material at the time that caught your fancy?
As protective of its IP rights as TSR was, there was never any thought
of attempting to somehow patent the RPG system. As long as the marks,
D&D and AD&D were not used, or likenesses of creatures unique to
TSR's games weren't used, "generic" material was ignored--neither
encouraged nor discouraged.
Judge's Guild requested and received a license to use the marks
belonging to TSR on its products. I was all for that, and wanted to
license Mayfair's "Role Aids" line later on, but the BLumes would not
agree.
As for me using any generic material, no. I was too busy creating new
work of my own, checking that done in house, or going over tournament
module material. never enough hours in a day to get in half what I would
have liked to.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Colonel!
Noppers. I have stashed somewhere around here around 40 or so of the
"Little Leather Library" books, a small portion of the library left to
me by my grandfather. One of those small tomes contains the essay, ON
FRIENDSHIP, and I am sure it is either Emerson or Thoreau who authored
it. I haven't read it in a decade, so I should locate the place I have
cached those small volumes and re-read it and several others soo.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Bjorn Doneerson
Hmm. What were some of these sources?
But, did you personally hae anything in mind for those things?
I'll have to look into that. Thank you for your time.
In
regards your first query, I used the alchemical for the elemental
planes, the old concept of the elheral plane, ideas drawn from the
Spiritualist writers of the 19th century, along with mythology. For
example, Ancient Egyptian religious belief had an upper realm, Pet, and a
lower one, the Duat or Tuat, something that combined areas of a
material paradise, uncertain realms, and hellish places. Where one's
soul ended up depended on how the deceased lived life,
As to the second question, sure I had many things in mind--and that's where they'll stay ;-)
The essay is one that is remarkable, for it sheds light on what a very
important and rare thing friendship is, what it demands of one. Do read
it.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
More questions! :-D
In OAD&D, rangers gain a damage bonus vs. "giant-class" creatures.
What exactly did "giant-class" mean? Or is it just the list of monsters
that the ranger did additional damage to, as listed in the PH and
expanded in UA?
Do you ever use adventure modules created by other people, or are your
games completely the result of your own imagination (as modified by your
players, of course! ;-) )
Cheers!
G'Day Mate...
...and at this time of year I wish I were Down Under where spring is in
progress rather than being here where autum is all too soon introducing
winter's gloom :-(
You have it. The list in the PHB, expanded in UA, is that of the "Giant
Class" against which rangers were so effective. It seemed a good
corellary to clerics and undead. (I am generous to a fault with PCs, of
course...)
On many occassions I have my players adventure in other authors'
modules--in the past using AD&D, and even currently using the LA
game system. This is a good change of pace for all concerned, I think,
and it allows me, as the GM, to have a bit of R&R from the creative
frontline.
The same is true for getting onto the other side of the screen, if you
will, playing a character. It is an excellent thing from my standpoint,
getting to play, work against the GM's plottings, and in all
stimulating--entertaining and creatively invigorating.
Now if only I could get someone here to run some LA game sessions for
me, because I need to get a better player's perspective there :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Ahzad
Hi Gary, no real questions to ask of you, as the others in the thread
have done a fine job at bringing up most of the ones I would thought to
ask. I'd just like to say thanks for all the great times I've had over
the years with this little game of yours, now I'm passing it along to my
own children and their friends and having a blast reliving the game for
first time through their eyes. :-)
As for the essay it is by Emerson and it can be found here
http://www.rwe.org/works/Essays-1st_...Friendship.htm That's appreciated, Terry :-)
I've noted over the past few years at GenCon not only pre-gamers being
introduced to me by their parents but a fair number of actual RPGers of
tender years, some teens in fact, thus brought there as 2nd generation.
It would make me feel really ancient, save for the fact that I have sons
of my own playing, and a couple of 3rd generation grandchildren that
play, so it seems natural to me ;-)
Thanks very much for the URL on the Emerson essay too :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Bunping this for two reasons:
1) Tomorrow I'll be gone all day at a mini-con.
2) Sunday I'll clear up email and answer any last queries hereon. I
think this thread has pretty well run it's course. but if someone has
some burning question they'd like to get in this weekend, I'm game :-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Thanks for everything!
Originally posted by Taren Nighteyes
Gary,
I've been playing D&D since I was 12 - so over 14 years now. I have
wonderful memories that will be retold countless times for years -
generations - to come. I wait for my son, who is 5, and my daughter,
who is 2 1/2, to be old enough to teach and nurture a love for fantasy
and games. (My wife plays, and thinks its a blast!)
I have an original small wood grain box (2nd printing), with the 3 books
in very good condition, and then supplements I through IV in the same
condition. I need to make it to GenCon or some other event and get you
to sign them!
Thank you for answering all of these questions. I have been reading the
thread every day, eager to discover something "new" and interesting.
Taren Nighteyes
Welcome! As all of my six children have
played, and the three boys (well two men and one teenager) still do, I
thoroguhly approve of your ambition. It is really great to see whole
families enjoying a convention, playing together.
Wish I still had my original D&D. long gone now :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
Before you go, a last request/suggestion (though not for answering on
this thread!): please give a thought for including in your On A Soapbox
column some details from play in the original Temple of Elemental Evil,
the "Wonderland" of CG, and the Isle of the Ape.
Especially the latter - you've dropped some nice hints in the published
module of the terrible time your players had of it! :-D
Best wishes,
Merric
Hi Amigo!
The main story of unusual sort in re the ToEE is likely too well known
to treat again--that of Robilar's romp therein with his orc hero, Quij
left waiting outside.
Terik had some hilarious run-ins in THE LAND BEYOND THE MAGIC MIRROR
with the Walrus and Carpenter, but they were more of the "you had to be
there" sort.
Terik was also the main actor in the various IotA adventures, as he took
great exception to the chief's and witch doctor's initial treatment of
him. A series of attacks followed, with retreats coming in due course,
and then return visits with comrades to take revenge. On;y after finally
roughly handling the native population sis the crew go into the
island's interior. One PC, and I won't say which, met Oonga, got
grabbed, wrenched, bittem, thrown down, and then drop-kicked off the
ledge of the cave. A wish was expended to save him. That ended all
interest in further adventuring there :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Breakdaddy
Thanks Gary! Hope that even after this thread is gone that you drop in and hang out with us, its been a real pleasure!
:-D
It has been a proverbial slice, Breakdaddy :-D
I am indeed postiing on a couple of other threads, and it is mainly when
I have to put my creative nose to the writing grindstone that board
posting goes by the boards...heh.
Fact is I have been goofing off for a bit, and I need to get to some serious writing and work again soon.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
Gary, thank you for making this the best RPG thread I've ever seen.
Best of luck with all of the following:
Lejendary Adventure--May its players double every three months!
Castle GreyHack for HackMaster--We've been eagerly awaiting this for a long time. A pox on the shade of T$R!
Your various and sundry d20 products--May they sell a million copies!
All your other endeavors--May they be pleasing and profitable!
Geoffrey, you have the laundry list down pretty well. From your lips to
God's ear. Of course, if all that happens, I will "retire" in short
order and start playing more games :-D Heck, I could likely run three
different RPG campaign sessions a week then, and finding players would
be the main problem...
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: A few last questions
Originally posted by johnsemlak Gary,
You said you might answer a few last final questions. Here we go.
1. Sorry, but this very small thing has nagged me for years...
In Appendix N (inspirational reading) of the 1e DMG, you write:
"The most immediate influences upon AD&D were probably de Camp &
Pratt, REH [Howard], Fritz Leiber, Jack Vance, HPL [Lovecraft], and A. Merritt."
In listing the primary authors that influenced the AD&D game, you
left out J.R.R. Tolkien (you put him in a much larger list of sources of
fantasy but did not include him among the 'most immediate influences').
As many people (erroneously) consider D&D to be a rather close
copy of Tolkien's world, leaving out Tolkien seems conspicuous.
Is there any particular reason you didn't single out Tolkien as one of the major influences on AD&D? Happy to be of service.
I omitted JRRT's work as a primary one because it didn't inspire me in
regards to gaming, to create the material in A/D&D that made it what
it is at its core. While I enjoyed THE HOBBIT, the trilogy was not an
exciting read for me.
The listed authors and works were what moved me to want to design a game
that allowed participants to have exciting fantasy adventures. The
"influences" from JRRT's work that I included in the game were mainly
there to interest others in playing it, not what caused me to want to
create it ;-)
2. Was there any particular inspiration for the lich?
Actually, no. The lich just seemed a natural for the upper ranks of the
undead in the game, so I created the various features of that monster
for the system, and used only broad general knowledge to do so.
3.
I'm sure the answer to this is available elsewhere, but could you say
how you came up with the name Dungeons and Dragons? (if it was covered
earlier in the thread, sorry).
There is some false
information put out on this subject from T$R after I split. When I wrote
the initial and second drafts of the D&D game ms. I had it's title
as "The Fantasy Game." This was for two reasons: One, I hadn't settled
on a name yet. Two, when I did choose a name, I didn't want it known
intil a product was out. During this period I made up a two-column list
of names. All in column one could stand alone or go with one in the
second column to form a longer title. I read the lists to my regular
players, and my family, asking what they thought best. Of course the
list had both "Dungeons" and "Dragons" on it. Those two in combination
were the favorites, and when my (then) little daughter Cindy clapped her
hands and said the really liked that name, I agreed. It was my favorite
too--after all, I had formed the Castle & Crusade Society as a part
of the International Federation of Wargaming about three years before
that.
4.
You recently published a d20 supplement that included a mini
dictionary of Thief's Cant, based on the historical language of, well,
thieves. Do you often make use of historical languages in designing
adventures or material (Latin, Greek, old English, Near Eastern
Lanugages, etc). Did you ever study any 'dead' languages?
Right, I have been fascinated by "thieves' cant" for a long time, so I
did indeed develop that for use in RPGs where the GM wants to add
criminal underclass action to the campaign--or for authors who want to
have characters speal in cant now and then. However, that exercise was
demanding on me as the GM, because my players took to it as ducks to
water, and then I had to remember all the bloody stuff!
As for using/studying other languages, no. I have more than enoght to
worry about managing English in writing and gaming :rolleyes:
Cheerio,
Gary
Happy Adventuring!
John Semlak [/B][/QUOTE]
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by belegost
Gary,
Thanks for all the time you've spent on this thread and for creating a
game that I've been enjoying for 22+ years. It is wonderful that the
creator still has passion for RPGs after all these years. Like you've
said you are a gamer.
Whew! Glad someone did notice that. My
parents and grandparents had to suffer with that since I was about five
years old. The only damper I ever recall was my grandfather's whupping
my ass at chess (he could play seven boards at once) and then correcting
an early move I made, so we could play again from that point and he
could whup my ass again later on.. :-D
My
son (9) has discovered D&D and I've been enjoying his fresh take on
the game. It is amazing that the younger kids can occassionally have
brilliant sessions that would impress my older, more experienced group
of gamers. They also don't notice or mind when I slip a little
education in the games (mapping/scale, economics, governments,
communities, creative writing, etc.). RPGs are a tremendous learning
tool and great fun.
Do you have any memorable incident when your children (still young) surprised you with their gaming prowess?
Oh, yes. My two oldest children were initial play-testers in 1972-3. As
they had few pre-conceptions, they often amazed and confounded me. More
recently, the group of mainly older players has ignored suggestions
from my youngest son, and I have had to bite my tongue, because he had
struck the nail on the head.
Of course young players often have pretty bad ideas too. The great part
is to watch them learn and develop, see the playing skill increase over
time.
My
older players are fully entrenched in D&D. However I've wanted to
give LA a go. How well does the game translate to younger players? I
believe that you stated that it is rules lite which sounds great. I
don't expect my younger players to know all the rules (in fact, the lack
of knowledge of every minute detail appears to help in their gaming).
I'm currently perusing the newsgroups at LejendaryAdventures.com to try
and educating myself on the game.
Actually, I believe that
the LA game is really fun for any age gamer who enjoys roleplay and
doesn'r like rules getting in the way of adventuring. There is a good
deal of intuitiveness in playing an LA game Avatar, and children usually
do quite well with the system. It has fre stats, and about the most
difficult thing for them to manage is the magic system. Keeping track of
the points there is a bit hard for youngsters.
Ironically,
I think playing LA would also help with several children whose parents
do not want them to play D&D as they still believe the media reports
of the 80s and are convinced that D&D will lead to the
occult/suicide/etc. I respect their decision as concerned parents but
wish they would have taken the time to join us for a session or two as
I've suggested. I've mentioned Lejendary Adventures to them and they
seemed much more open. How ironic as both games have the same founding
father!
Thanks again.
While I am most happy to have new
participants pick up the LA game as their primary RPG, or as a change of
pace "second system", I most certainly hate to see that happen for the
reason you note :-( The ignorant attacks and prejudice against D&D
are very unpalatable to me, and not mainly becuase I wrote so much of
the game, but because those charges are so awfully wrong!
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by belegost
As for those that think Video Games have replaced D&D in the
parental consciousness, I have had to sit down and explain away the
myths to nearly EVERY parent that isn't a gamer. I am happy to report
that most are very open minded as long as you take the time to discuss
the matter and offer to have them a chance to sit in on the game (wish
more would accept).
Michael
Hi Michael!
To get to the gist of things, happy to hear that rules-lite sounds good
to you, and the younger gamers should take to the system easily. What I
must do here, though, it to give you a tip of the old hat for the above.
Great to hear that articulate explanation clears up confusion and
dispells ignorance :-)
Cheers!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Thanks from me too
Originally posted by Caedrel
Hello Gary,
I too just wanted to say "Thank you" ...
...It's so easy to belittle things (and people) we don't like that I applaud you for your maturity in not doing so.
...
Cheers!
My pleasure, and welcome :-)
One thing is easy. I am "mature," shall we say, even though I haven't
gtown up :-o By that I mean experience has taught me that everyone has
their own gaming preferences, and it is not a matter of "good" or "bad"
in all, save in light of one's own preferences. In short, saying you
like something better than someone else does doesn't make you right or
them wrong. Also, disputs and invective don't gey my undies in a bunch.
Some folks just enjoy being nasty for one reason or another--mainly a
sort of "look at me" syndrom I have come to believe. Likely most of
those folks are really okay, just need some maturity and some
camaraderie.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Paul_Klein
Hey
Gary! I live about 20 minutes south of you (Woodstock, Illinois), but I
travel to Lake Geneva probably twice a month with my girlfriend to walk
on the beach... one question tho: I don't know if you go out much on
Friday or Saturday evenings... but Lake Geneva seems to attract the
loudest most annoying teenage joyriders in the midwest! I'm scared just
to DRIVE in that town on the weekends. HOW do you put up with it?
HAHA once time my girlfriend and I were sitting on a bench in downtown
LG one Friday evening watching all the cars drive by. I swear, in 30
minutes, we saw 4 or 5 different guys in souped-up cars drive up that
same street 10 times. Either they're desperatly trying to impress girls,
or they need a HOBBY! Like...say... oh nevermind ;-)
Sure, and I know Woodstock p[retty well. It has sure gotten big over the
years since first we used to drive down there as teenage kids looking
for something to do. That brings me to the LG crowd.
As a resort town Lake Geneva changed from family vacation spot to
young-folks hot-spot in the 1950s. As a teenager we would be out every
weekend looking for girls. Being locals we knew which weekends were
best, as they would alternate. One weekend a lot of guys would be in
town, and we'd quit patrolling early then. Next weekend, when the girls
had spread the word that there were five guys for every one of them, and
vice versa, we'd sure be out and about ;-)
Now that I'm well past that stage, it's easy to just stay home on
weekends--go to someone else's house, ot hit a place out of town where
the kids don't go.
BTW, my house is a block and a half from the library pary, two from the
beach. Most of the traffic is centered around the MAin & Broad area
and the beach, of course, so it's pretty quiet here even on busy
weekends.
And as a teenager I was usually in one of those cars endlessly circling.
Finally we caught on to the fact that walking around was the way to
meet girls. Then we parked the car and did just that... In fall-spring
we did indeed pursue something other that girls--games!
Oh wait... I actually do have a game-related question...
What happened to the Game Guild? I know that it moved several months
back, but it moved to a smaller building that's *completely* hidden from
view by some smoke-shop. Why the move?
Don Perrin and
MArgaret Weis sold the iperation, and now Dennis Harsh (a former member
of my gaming group and a really great guy) manages the Game Guild. They
moved to the second floor of that big mall-type building on the corner
of Main and Mill street because of cost. Maintaining it in its second
location--the two places on Broad and Dodge Streets--wasn't possible
unless they bought them from Don & Margaret.
I agree with you that the new place is like a "blind ale house"--as if
purposefully hidden to keep the uninitiated away. That's not by design.
They need sinage--neon and large. I don't think that they'll get it
though :-(
I'd hang out there, play games and all, but as with most places these
days, it's "no smoking." About half of my group smokes, myself included,
so we prefer to be in less restrictive surroundings...and we can tip a
brew here too :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Grigori
Hey,
Gary! An off the wall question--- What, if any was the relationship
between dreggals and barghests in Gehenna? Barghests seem more
powerful, but dreggals had the bigger role in the Gord novels... Also,
did you ever develop creatures native to the Plane of Arcadia--seems
that this plane in particular was neglected. Thanks!
Here I am again after thinking I had slipped off this hook...
In developing some nasty inhabitants for Gehenna, I figured that the
dreggals would be the mnost populos, not the mots powerful. Thus you see
lots of them in action--the proverbial cannon fodder for the greater
creatures behind them. They carry out the tasks assigned, are
expendable.
I never did get sround to creating a population for Arcadia, as that
plane was not one that I envisioned as playing much of a role in the
great struggle. Before that none of my players ever got sent to that
place, so being a typically busy and harries DM, I didn't spend time
working on something that seemed unlikely to be a factor in the
campaign. Evenmtually I would have gotten around to it, mainly to toss
something really different into the mix, but...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Helspar
This
has probably already been asked before, but what inspired D&D to
transition from a game apparently played among a group of friends to
published material?
We all read about the formative sessions of Chaainmail and D&D, does
copies of the original rules still exist somewhere in that fabled
spiral notebook?
And why was the use of a die 20 elected for use over say a die six or percentile system?
Here I am again!
In 1970 I left my previous field of work to become a professional writer
and game designer, so it was with purpose that the D&D game was
developed. The reason I wanted to become a "pro" was so that I could
share what I thought were great game products with my fellows. This I
did with respect to military miniatures rules, board wargames, and then
the first RPG game sold.
Sadly, I have lost the original ms. copies for what became the D&D
game, the initial c. 50 pp. (1972) one and the later 150 pp, (1973) one.
I understand that at least one copy of one of them exists, but where I
can't say. My original copy of the second draft went to the printers,
and from it came the original D&D game's three booklets. I never
recovered the ms. from the printer :-(
As to the d20 for use in combat, we had used a 5% incrimental system for
hit determination in an earlier work, the TRACTICS rules. thus it was
natural for me to utilize the same easy system for the D&D game even
as I used all the other dice for other aspects of the game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: briefcase tourney/Good King Despot's replacement?
Originally posted by grodog
Gary,
Back in the day, you commented that you used to carry a copy of The
Abduction of Good King Despot for use at tourneys and cons as a pick-up
game. Once you published that adventure, what have you carried around
since?
Heh, and right....
After 'DESPOT was published I did have to find another fall-back.
owever, as I was then working on the DANGEROUS JOURNEYS game system, I
didn't need one for a FRPG. the initial genre for the DJ system was
horror, and I had some adventure notes for that on hand when I went out
and about. Later on I was not making any cons where I nbeeded pick-up
material--too busy working on the fantasy material for the DJ/Mythus
game. More recently I have taken to carrying around both some old
D&D levels from my Greyhawk Castle campaign and an introductory
adventure I did up for the LEJENDARY ADVENTURE game. As I don't attend
many cons because I am so busy writing, that's plenty ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Upper_Krust
Hi Gary! :-)
One question I have been puzzling over for years.
In Monster Manual 2 (1st Ed AD&D); pg 39 under the entry for Graz'zt you have the following line:
"...He was in fact waging a winning battle against the troglodyte, harpy and bar-lgura."
Who are 'THE' troglodyte; harpy and bar-lgura?
The sentence implies either unique entities or the entirety of the race/sub-race.
Can you shed any light on the matter?
Eeep! And here I was thinking that this thread was surely burind in the oblivion of the many old ones piled up here...
When I wrote the text in question in regards the demon Graz'zt, I was
envisaging various warfare that must be constantly raging between the
leaders of the Evil factions with their respective minions as the cannon
fodder. Thus wording was ment to infer that one or more other potent
Evil entities leading trogs, harpies, and bar-legura in opposition to
Graz'zt.
That clear it up for you, Upper_Krust?
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Redleg06
Gary,
Someone may have asked this before, but I cannot resist throwing the hand-grenade into the china shop.
Kla-BLAM!
Okay, as the smoke and fragments clear, I step forth unharmed :-D
Drow. Was the original intent to create a reace of evil elves? Or
just to create a race of sub-terrainian elves with dark skin and kewl
abilities? (And those nifty little hand-crossbows!) [/B]
Both, as a matter of fact. I wanted to have a new, unique, and
interesting race of demi-humans that dwelled in and command much of the
vast underworld of Oerth. They were, as stated, of Evil bent as a
race, so the clear intent was to have fell opponents for non-Evil PC.
That all drow were not of Evil I also noted in the "Gord the Rogue"
tales, for Leda, a drow, was certainly not of malign sort.
The drow abilities were given to them to highlight their unique nature and potency.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Dinkeldog
As an addendum to Redleg's question, was the intent that all drow would be evil and no player could ever be one?
Noppers. As noted in my reply to Redleg's post, I didn't think all
drow had to be evil--only maybe 99% It then follows that some player
might have a drow character, Evil or not, as the DM allowed ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ZimbrantSouldrinker
Hey Gary,
It's little Dan from Wiscosin GenCon (83 I think)
I got one question, why did ya let Cook screw up the game soo badly?
Was is the cocaine, or did ya just not give a rat's ass?
Well, I can understand your calling yourself "little," because from the
above it is evident that you are a small person in many ways. I won't
dignify your question beyond stating the obvious: When Zeb Cook rewrote
AD&D, I was no longer associated with TSR is any way. That is
general knowledge available to anyone who has the sense to compare
dates.
[/QUOTE]It's all about respect and if you've got the boys to earn it [/B][/QUOTE]
Whatever that means, rest assured you have no rerspect from me.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
As
I recall, Gary, you had left TSR just prior to the release of Oriental
Adventures (or was it just after?), which was 1985-86, and 2e was
released in 1989.
I have the math skills, and the brains to use 'em... ;-)
Heh, Colonel, and you have it.
Actually, I was effectively out of any TSR direction by fall of 1985,
and I signed the agreement ending my association on New Years Eve of
1985, so officially I severed things at that time.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Astragoth
Just one thing to say Gary....
Thank you for giving me/us this game
Well shucks,
Astragoth, my pleasure--and I mean that. I had one hell of a great time
writing it, DMing and playing it, and I got paid too. Almost as good as
being a rock & roll star, eh?
Anyway, I still lobe games and gaming as much as ever, although I can't
play as long as I used to without suffering the next day. Liking
tipping a few, the penalty for excess grows greater with advancing
years...:rolleyes:
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by JohnRTroy
So, then...if we're gonna talk about THAT stuff.
You wanna tell us what a Maelvi is (or however it's spelled) and what you envisioned THEM and their society to be like? :-P
(
FYI To the board, Gary's never answered this question to me effectively
for about 10 years now...so let's press him to answer the question THIS
time, since everybody is paying attention. :rolleyes: :-D B-)
If
he dies before this is answered, I'll find a way to bind his spirit and
put it into that nearby haunted condo complex until I get an answer!
And if I die, I'll move in there and get the gang there to have a parade
through his house every night!
'tis the Halloween Spirit... :-)
)
In all seriousness, I felt the Multiverse, the Planes and Spheres
interpretation by others at TSR after you left, quite frankly, sucked.
Et tu, JTRus?! Arrrgggg! That cruel thrust has finished me! Yet
before I expire, I will say that the Maelvis were...cough...a race
of...(choke)...very evil sort that...(gasp!)...too late, I am done
for...
Don't despair though, the clever creative folks now in charge of the game can certainly supply the information :-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Upper_Krust
Hi Gary! :-)
Thanks for the information on Graz'zts waged battle (that point always vexed me somewhat).
'Ear 'ear. :-D
Sorry couldn't resist Gary. :-#
Well, Upper_Krust, you
did note the typo, but you interpreted it wrong. I meant to enter "lob"
as in "lob games." Always did that when someone irritated me.
Here comes a large and extremely heavy one at you now!
Heh :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
Back again so soon? ;-)
Just been looking over Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure again (a Fantasy Word
Adventure... oops!). I tried taking my character Meliander the Mage
through that once... not good. Much respect for your playing skills from
that experience!
Here's a question... how common were wish spells in your game? It seems that every time I look at tales of your characters exploits, a wish spell or two seems to be used to save them!
(Am I exaggerating? Possibly. Individual perception is a wonderful thing!)
Hmm... I notice that our 'local' mail order people have The Hermit in
stock. I'll see if I can get it... Necropolis has renewed my interest in
your adventures!
Cheers!
Hi Merric!
My fellows call and I respond in expeditious manner ;-)
There were all too few wishes from my POV. Whenever one or another of
my PCs discovered an item that granted one or more, that prize went into
the common treasury, and they were kept for emergency rescue use, so to
speak.
Later on, of course, Mordie, and then Bigby rose to sufficient level to
cast the spell personally. Then potions of longevity became likewise
prized items.
Now i trust that when you put The Hermit adventure into play, you will be using the LA game system version, right?
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
LA Game Stats
Hi Merric!
Say, didn't we just meet on the Dragonsfoot boards? Heh...
When you get a look at the LA game material in THE HERMIT, don't blink
or you'll miss it. The difference between a fast, rules-light game and
one that is at the other pole, of you will :-o
We have fiir distribution for the LA game in N.A. but elsewhere it is
spotty indeed. Wish it were otherwise, but until the audience is larger
that's not going to happen. A Catch 22 indeed, but we will manage to
get past the hurdle in time ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by roytheodd
First
off, I need to thank you Mr. Gygax. For the last 20 years my head has
been full of wonder and merriment due to your game. You've given me a
gift that allows me to exercise my imagination and to present my
findings with friends and to share goodness and joy. Thank you for that.
My question for you, since you're still answering, is what prompted the
use of Alignment Languages? I've never read a book, seen a film, or in
any other way uncovered a clue as to why you created these. I can
understand and appreciate them, but I never did figure out your source
for the idea.
Roytheodd, you are welcome, and as I so often say, I've surfe had a lot of fun too.
As for alignment languages, as I worked up the mindsets for the none, it
seemed to me that each such groups would have developed their own
patoise as a recognition means, more or less like sectrt societies have
signs and signals to ID their fellows.
Never did I ensisage characters announcing their moral-ethical (or lack
thereof) beliefs and convictions. Rather, the alignment languages were
meant to be the means by which one might discover a like-natured
individual. Similarly, conveyance of information or general
conversation was not contemplated using such "language."
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
Somewhat akin to Masonic greeting rituals?
Cheers!
Well, now that you mention it, yes. I'd have
referred to those we use in the Bavarian Illuminati, but no one is to
know that we exist, of course...
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Mark,
It's unlikely I'll be making the event unless Chris Clark is attending...or somebody from Lake Geneva is driving down.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
As I have a lot of fun at such events, I'll do my best to get down there for sure.
Hope to see y'all there ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Clangador
I always thought that idea came for the black speech of the orcs in Middle Earth.
Noppers. That's merely justification for a separate orcish language.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Clangador!
Well damn! I guess it's a secret no longer :rolleyes:
The material from my GH castle-dungeons campaign didn't get generally
published because I was playing it, and had no interest in trading off a
perfectly good adventure setting for a few bucks.
As for answering wquestions a lot, well, I have become innured to it.
Sometimes it is a lot of fun, other times a mild annoyance, so on
balance it is generally entertaining to me, and I am happy to do it as
it entertains and informs my fellow game fans.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Felon
Salutations, Gary. Thanks for the spiffy game that has become one of the
chief sources of pleasure in my so-called life. Hoping to see many,
many more years of gaming goodness, so don't retire too soon, OK? :-)
My pleasure, and do make sure that you spend some time having fun away from gaming, eh?
As for retiring, I don't think I'll be able to ever to that totally, but
my creative work will be channeled into those areas I really want to
play games in and about ;-) How about Anglo-Saxon England or the
American Indians resisting the influx of settlers? I'm up for some
gaming there :-o
There was a thread over on the WotC board fairly recently about drow
and their weapons. It dwelled on the fact that in 3e, the rule for drow
weapons & armor degrading in sunlight was thrown out. Sean
Reynolds' stated that rule was discarded intentionally because the only
reason that rule existed in the first place was to "screw the players".
Do you feel that statement, and the accompanying general sentiment
expressed by others that AD&D drow were over-the-top and introduced
solely to be the "ultimate party-killers", is at all fair and accurate?
[/B]
Heh, and my opinion of Mr. Reynolds' statement must be
self-censored. Given that the whole concept of the game is fantasy,
what, pray tell, makes drow weapons disintegrating in the radiation from
the sun any more unreasonable than just about everything else of
fantastic natute in the game? More likely he was unable to find a
rationale for the effect, and needing a rule for everything had to do as
was done.
As for drow being too difficult to defeat, boo-hoo-hoo. Good players
managed to do so with their PCs pretty handily, second-rate ones lost.
Is the game to be a cake-walk or a challenge? Speaking for OAD&D, I
can state the former was meant to be the case. As for
3E, well, you be the judge...
On a broader tangent: hindsight being 20/20, do you think that there
were monsters in AD&D that genuinely qualified as an over-the-top
attempt at creating the biggest, baddest, PC-kilingest beastie (i.e.
creatures that were probably more fun to design than to fight)? [/B]
A very few of the AD&D monsters were meant to be
near-unkillable. Those were done to pose a real challenge to PCs that
were exceptionally well-equipped with magic items and of level above the
usual--say 14th and above. After all, something had to be around that
would pose a very real and difficult problem for such characters, no?
Again, the game was meant to be such that no character could be
invulnerable, unkillable. What fun would there be in such case?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Clangador
I have never even seen LA in a game store. Not one single time. O.o is
it sold in game stores, or is it only availabe over the Internet?
Some game shops stock the Hekaforge product line, but not many, I fear.
It has a relatively small audience demand compared to D20. As the
line is carried by a number of distributors, Alliance amongst them, most
ships should be able to order whatever LA game product you desire. If
for some reason they are not willing to do do, a number of online
suppliers carry the line, notably RPGme. You can hook up to them easily
from
www.lejendary.com
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
"DRow"
in an Anglo-Saxon word. I found it in an old unexpurgated dictionary
way back when. It means "dark elf." From that entry I created the drow
race for AD&D, of course. There is no other background for them in
myth or fable. Their characteristics were designed as they were to
make them a suitable set of inhabitants of the subterranean world.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by herald
Gary,
What was your reasoning in disallowing gunpowder in Greyhawk?
Was it a game balance choice or was it something you felt made Greyhawk special?
Was magic supposed to fade away and gunpowder become usable in the
future or was it just not going to work at all. ( I realise that this
question borders on pointlessness, as all that really matters in running
a game is the current and near future. I just want to have a contextual
understanding of why they weren't allowed in the game.)
I do understand that Murlynd was the exception to the rule. As a matter
of course, I find alot of what I readabout him very interesting. He
sounds like he was alot of fun to play.
Adding functional
gunpowder to a milieu already filled with active magic that did many
things similar to what explosives do seemed both redundant and out of
the spirit of a magic-active world. The changes that gunpowder wrought
in history are manifold and evident. Furthermore, to bring it into the
fantasy mix would mean not only more rules governing it, but more magic
aimed at surpressing its effects.
As for it ever working, no. As Oerth was a differnet world, gunpowder
and like acting (gas expansion) explosives were never meant to function
in the future time there.
Cover it?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by bones_mccoy Hi Gary,
Thanks for continuing to answer all our questions. I have a query regarding the OAD&D book Oriental Adventures.
In the 2E years David "Zeb" Cook always talked as though he wrote the
whole thing by himself. Now I know this is not true but I was wondering
what his contributions really were. What parts of the OA book did Zeb
actually write?
To me it seems almost the entire book has the Gygax feel. The only area that may have been Cook-authored IMO
seems to be the Kara-Tur bit at the end, but even that feels edited by
you. Also, I must say I really love the martial arts rules in this book.
So much fun, variety and imagination has been concentrated into those
few pages it is quite amazing. It is also quite excellent how the whole
book captures the feel of the Orient while still remaining an
exceedingly playable OAD&D milieu. I for one feel you did a
magnificent job on this tome and would have liked to see much more from
you set in the Orient had you remained in charge of OAD&D. Did you
have plans for continued exploration into the East? Fact
is, and as little fondness as I have for Mr. Cook, he speaks the truth
when he claims primary authorship for theOA work. I conceived and
oitlines the work, Francois supplied a thick sheaf of material, and Zeb
carries the ball from there, as Francois was not as able in English as
he is in French (in which language he has been a best-selling author for
about a decade now). As I was busy trying to keep TSR from forced
bankruptcy, Zeb had his head, and I could manage only developmental
editing at the end of the project. Frankly, had there been time, I
would have had considerable rewriting done, as much of the material from
Francois that I found superior to Zeb's, was not used.
Ain't you glad? ;-)
Additionally,
if you don't mind my asking, how were sales of the Oriental Adventures
and Unearthed Arcana books? I assume they were both considered
successful? And although you left the company by this time, do you have
any idea how the two Survival Guides sold, and the Manual of the Planes?
Although I have heard a lot of criticism of UA over the years, I have
always enjoyed it immensely. You added some classic concepts to the game
with the Cavalier and the Barbarian, and my group had a great deal of
fun with them. Thanks again :-)
While some
"traditionalists were boo-hooing about US, it sold very, very well,
blowing off the shelves and providing the cash flow TSR needed to get it
out of immediate trouble. TheOA book sols less,but did very well
nonetheless. In combination, those two books were what saved TSR as had
been pared down and cleaned out.
I was not involved in the company when survival guides were released.
From what I heard from inside sources, they were not very successful,
although they did not loose money for TSR. Manyal of the planes was
said to have done better that the two survival guides, but how much
better I can't say.\
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by alsih2o
mistah G,
ever written any under a pseudonym?
just curious,
alsih2o
Heh, and yes. Once or twice. The principal one
was "Ernst Grumbold." This was done mainly for a series of articles in
the zine that supported the DJ game system. Also, I think I used
"Garrison Ernst" for a (bad) novel I wrote way back in the 1970s.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Flexor,
Originally posted by Flexor the Mighty! Hello Gary!
Any chance we will see any more adventures from you for 3e?
Not campaign length megadeals but a classic Gygax dungeon?
Necropolis looks cool, but after running The Return to the Temple of
Elemental Evil it's just too much. I'm looking for smaller mods at the
moment. More flexability IMO. Either way thanks for 17 years of gaming. Well, seeing as how I find the
3E
system's rules very constraining and combersome in regards to design
and innovation, I doubt I'll be doing much in the way of such adventure
material--at least directly. I have finished a super module, HALL OF
MANY PANES, using the LA game system as a base, and Jon Creffield is
developing it for the
3E
system. This is a long, campaign-type work, but it is not a "killer
dungeon" as some have classed NECROPOLIS as being. (I thought of it as a
highly challengng adventure for able players with strong PCs, nit as an
exercise to exterminate characters. but I suppose the rash and inept
will not likely survive such a test...)
Have you had a look at THE HERMIT? It is fairly lengthy. has some
unusual aspects, and will likely keep a team of adventurers bust over at
least a dozen play sessions of four-hour length.
Frankly, it is hard work to write new adventure material that is
interesting, challenging, and quite different from what I have
previously done, so I undertake such projects with deliberate care, not
to say reluctance :rolleyes:
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Flexor,
That's pretty well the way I run my campaigns. It is expected that
players will use discernment and sound judgement when it comes to
something that is out of the ordinary and seems particularly difficult,
threatening, and potentially fatal,--because it most probably is :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Clangador
In Castle Greyhawk, what is the living room?
A PC of mine actually adventured in "The Living Room" when Rob was
running a separate campaign. It became a part of GH castle when Rob
became my co-DM. I suspect you can pretty well guess what the encounter
entails... ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Clangador
Thanks. Did you say there is a mailing list you post your group's sessions to?
In theory I post game session reports to the
www.lejendary.com website, but I often forget :rolleyes:
Where I always remember to post is to my games email list:
[email protected]
Last week we cancelled the session, though, because a coulpe of the
players had other engagements, and I've just cancelled tonight's game
because I am not feeling very well--some lousy little "flu"-like bug is
all, nothing serious, but I plan to be pretty quiet today, get some rest
so as to shake it off and get back to work ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by RSKennan Hi Gary,
I hope you feel better!
I'm the guy who started the "goofiness in games" thread in your Yahoo
group a while back. I've played since first edition, and one thing I've
noticed is a loss of inherent flavor in the rules as subsequent
generations are born. In it's current incarnation the onus to inject
flavor seems to rest squarely on the DM and the group. I understand that
Necromancer Games prides itself on a 1st edition flavor, but what
advice would you give groups who want to play in the 1st edition spirit
using 3e rules? Is such a thing possible in your opinion?
Thank you for some of the best years of my life. IMO a good session needs some drama, the feeling that danger and death are ever-present, and usually a good measure of humor.
As for
3E
capturing the feel of OAD&D, I don't think so--too rules-heavy and
too focused on power, A whole different game, a completely different
spirit.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by RSKennan
And not just reading this thread either! :-D
ROTFLMAO
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by jasper
1st edition feel. Don't worry about following the rules to the letter.
Ex. Mr. Fred from the speaker in dreams module is invading my pcs
dreams. I give them a save to keep from letting information slip and
opposed roll to wake up.
Or just create a new monster cat call DM Special which does not have to
follow the rules. Ex. I had 2ed snowman which threw snow balls. 1 per
hit dice. Plus some could cast Otto dance with a little less power.
by the rules I can't do that with any of the current creature types But I am going to.
Yes, those are some valid observations. OAD&D encouraged and in
some instances facilitated innovation and had flexible rules that did
not require an explanation for everything.
Do
worry about following the rules to exact letter. Have a fun campaign. I
just waiting on my players to convert their old characters to 3rd so I
can show them how mean a green dragon and vampire team up can be.
That is certainly blasphemy to many
3E players ;-)
1st
edition feel. Never give dumb players a break. Or as KODT says WHAT you
want to know if you lived after taking a face full of dragon breath,
taking a 300 foot swan dive into a pool of boiling hot lava.
Well, perhaps not quite that harsh, but as in chess, if you expect to win, know how to play the game...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well, Colonel...
What can I say? Aside from the fact that the rules ommissions in
OAD&D were generally done on purpose, so as to not shackle DMs and
those writing for the system, and to definately have a game where
everything was not quantified or explained, What you norte is valid
IMO. A game is indeed just that. Its merits exist in the eyes of the players, little else.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well, Fellow Colonel...
Some prefer to fill in, others to excise.
Currently, though, the
3E
buffs tend to want *more* rules and adherence to the letter of the
rules, so I am not convinced that the free-wheeling and innovative phase
is likely to develop as you project ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Wow - still here?
Originally posted by Caedrel
Hi Gary!
Amazing! This thread is still going... I thought we had farewelled you from this discussion ages ago :-)
Heh, and indeed, I go along for a few days and then lo and behold!
Another post to this thread, another gamer who would appreciate my
response, so how can I not do so?
Still, since you're still hereabouts, I actually had a question that
occurred to me as I read the latest posts. It may have been asked
somewhere else, but I don't roam the internet very much and haven't seen
it...
How
have the dice (number of sides, etc) evolved in D&D? Other games
I've seen tend to use multiple d6s with maybe a different value on one
side, but I love the number and variety of dice in D&D, as well as
rolling them (even if some do get a bit lonely - I feel especially fond
of the d12 in this respect :-) ). Were there always the d4, d6, d8,
d10, d12 and d20 in D&D?
Indeed, from the inception of
the game with OD&D, the Platonic solids were included. There were
no d20s per se, then. They were numbered 0-9 twice, so you had to color
in half the faces for 10 plus the number, or else roll another die with
that one to get a 1-20 range.
Now I include a d30 in the LA game, although it isnt' used much. I also
have a d7 that's useful but not caled for in the rules. A d7 and d4 in
conjunction give you the day of the lunar month, of course :-) Also
handy for random determination of something when there are seven
characters involved.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Morning Colonel :-)
We are in agreement about veteran gamers, DMs and players alike. They
will most certainly use what they consider the good parts of the system
they play, disgard, alter, replace what doesn't suit them.
There is a very large audience that is not hardcore, don't read RPG
zines, don't roam the boards, don't go to cons. just play with their
group and have fun thus. Reaching this audience is difficult in the
extreme. If
WotC were publishing and promoting
3E
support material of the sort that somehow "trained" thees participants,
then it might be that some considerable number of them would become
like veteran participants. That this is not happening means that the
majority is left on their own with the core material, likely the epic
book.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
My
belief is that the rules for an RPG should facilitate the enjoyment of
the game for all concerned. If they get in the way then they are no
good.
Whatever system brings fun for the group is fine. Hopefully the rules
will be such as to enable that enjoyment to be for as long a period of
play as the group wishes to experience.
Players who attempt to use the rules as a stick to beat players, or the
GM, the latter thus enhancing their character in the game, are anethma
to me. Hells bells! If some player in a game I am running demonstrates
to me that some rule I have written makes no sense in the situation at
hand. or I happen to discern that without such "encouragement," I toss
the book out the proverbial window for the case at hand, and likely take
a hard look at the material for continued application. Ecverybody
makes errors...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Helspar
Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions here Colonel!
But here are some more for you:
A bit back you mentioned Mordenkainen and Robilar and I got to wondering
who are the players behind the other original iconic characters such as
Bigby, Otiluke, Leomund, etc.? Are any of them still played? Any
converted over to 3rd ?
Have you eveer noticed any of the cameos you have made in some of the
old modules? Example: There's a spellbook in Baltron's Beacon that has a
page signed by a Eggy Gax. Hmmm. In the old Companion set there's an
NPC listed as "Sir Guy de Gax". Coincidence? I think not. ;-)
Sure, and happy to comment :-)
Bigby was a PC of mine who started out as a henchman, the apprentice, of
Mordenkainen. Otiluke is a created NPC based on my son Luke's PCs, and
Leomund is a created NPC of Len Lakofka. Tenser was a PC of my son
Ernie. Keoghtom and Heward are created NPCs, and Murlynd is the same,
but based on Don Kay's original PC in D&D. Nystul is the actual
surname of a person, Brad Nystul, a stage magician. A lot of this
information is posted somewhere online ;-)
As for the other names, I hadn't notices, but fair is fair. As I did that plenty, so too others, eh? All in fun.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
The Thread that Will Not Die
Clangador,
How right you are. In my group of fve active players, nary a one has an
interest in such things, but thay do buy a fair amount of gaming
products.
Bigdndfan,
"Gary" is fine if yoou like, and noppers. I haven't seen the RttToEE, so I can't comment.
Over some decades of gaming, the creation of some number of RPG systems,
I have come to the point where I prefer a rules-light system, one that
is skill-bundle based. I do not like to rule-play, and as a GM I find
long lists of stats and the like tedious. Such things tend to get in
the way for my style of play, including as a PC. While I do enjoy
plenty of roll-playing (after all I am a military miniatures player
too), centering the game on combat seems fatuotous to me. I want a game
that facilitates all of the elements of the RPG. So you are correct in
assuming that the
3E
system is not my cup of tea. As I've stated before, I don't ming
playing a PC in a game using the system; indeed I have a good time. It
is simply that I enjoy other systems much more--any yes, that includes
OAD&D. I have no axe to grind in this matter, though. If lots of
people are having a great time playing
3E,
that's fine :-) If my adventure material adds to that enjoyment, so
much the better, as I din't feel alienated from fellows who play
different system than I do, but to feel unconstrained in writing it, I
work in a different system, and thus the dual-system module, THE HERMIT,
and one massive one in the works, HALL OF MANY PANES.
Bones_mccoy,
Got me! :-( That piece was written back in 1985, and I've no idea
any longer what the weapon was I'd neglected to detail. As is no
secret, all of my notes, books,games, etc. stored in my office at TSR
were siezed in 1985 and never returned to me, so likely the notes on it
were in that material.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: The Thread that Will Not Die
Originally posted by Theuderic
I didn't know that. That's terrible,why did they do that?
Oh dear, another can of worms inadvertantly opened.
Theuderic, the woman who became the majority shareholder of the company
was not what one would term a "nice person," in any sense of the term I
can envision. She claimed whatever was in the office was corporate
property, and without suing over the matter there was no recourse but to
let it go. Amongst the lost items were all of my old A/D&D books,
many signed works by other authors, and a D&D cartoon show poster I
had had framed at my expense, of course. Perversely, she did allow my
office furniture to come to me, stuff I didn't particularly want.
All water long passed under the bridge...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: The Neverending Thread. . .
Originally posted by Clangador
That's harsh. Why was T$R so scared of you? They seize your notes. They
sue you for the Dangerous Journey system? What was wrong with these
people that they were so bent on causing you a hard time? I think
history has proven who were the villains in that particular affair.
From what I can make of it, it seems there was much personal enmity
involved in the matter. I dared to contest Lorraine Williams right to
control the company, and she disagreed with all that I wished to do with
TSR--put qualtiy product first, not aim at profits over all, allow
employee ownership, etc. So when she took over she apparently wanted to
both bury me even as she seemed to milk the company for all she could
gain from it.
Right you are about the historical results showing that Williams was
absolutely unsuited to manage the company. It is not very comforting to
the AD&D fans, though...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Vargo,
The spell levels I devised were for game balance and logic within the
system. If from that basis someone can extrapolate an interesting name
and story, more power to 'em! In short, go for it.
No, I don't read story hour posts. With all the board postings, email,
business correspondence, and creative work here for me each day, about
the only reading-for-pleasure I manage is some history or other
non-fiction and an occassional novel. At least my book purchase bills
are not excessive these days...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ranix65
So
basically, the question is: Did somebody else develop D&D before
you and does that person now program computer/video games?
Florida is where Dave Arneson is located, and Dave has credit as
co-creator of the D&D game. Maybe he means him. I think Dave does
some cmputer programming work, although what his credits there are I
don't know.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Rel,
Really not a bad idea that, except I have a family and need to work to support them...
We have taken side trips now and then in our travels, made stops at game
shops to meet the folks that way. It's possible we'll do a bit of that
next spring if I make an appearance at an arms & armor museum.
Time is the main problem, though.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by RSKennan
What
if someone were willing to fund the trip (I don't have the cash) in
exchange for filming it as a documentary. When I was reading the above
post, I couldn't help but think what a great documentary it would make!
It would be great, the whole family could go... I'm just daydreaming
here.
That's a horse of a different color, and sure. Such
an arrangement could work. I have actually spend a three-day weekend
DMins (OAD&D) for a group that flew me out and put me up at a motel
with a suite where we played. It took me about two weeks to set up the
adventure, and I lucked out. They finished it on Sunday night around
eight o'clock :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
A couple of caveats:
There have been a lot of dicumentary productions done in the past couple
of years, and there's not likely much chance of actually getting
another aired so as to recoup expense, let alone make any return.
Second, any gaming done for such a production will have to be scripted,
the players selected for their appearance and acting ability. Not much
of a game coming from that....
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Clangador
That is sweet. You should start a business doing that. :-D So, were these guys big fans of yours or what?
That would be a really demanding sort of business, amigo. I could make
maybe one or two sessions a month. Figuring 1.5, that would gross
something like $4,500 a month, a good enough income for fun work, but
difficult to maintain the creative demands.
The group that had me out to DM for them were indeed big fans, all with
successful careers, and they spread the cost over eight persons, as I
recall the group size. Thus they satisfied a dream they had held from
the late 1970s, and we all had a great time in the process ;-) Don't
think I could manage doing that on a regular basis, though.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by RSKennan
If
not a documentary, would you play yourself in a low budget movie? The
scenario with the eight friends sounds like the makings of a good movie.
It would of course,be about more than D&D, like that movie they
made a few years back about the Star Trek fans who befriended William
Shatner. Please Gary, let me know if this line of discussion is annoying
you, I don't want to do that.
Can't say about
participating in any such production without knowing details, seeing a
script ;-) I an not exactly taken by the idea od playing myself, I
confess.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ranix65
How about it Gary, if I ever get it made, wanna play a dwarf lord?
Heh, and why not? Of course I'd want to mug the camera like the guy in the D&D movie did :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Gary!
What did you intend the main religion of Veluna to be? Rao or Cuthbert.
I always thought it was Cuthbert, but in the new books it's listed as
Rao. I've been running it as a bastion of the faithfull of Cuthbert
myself.
I was reading a chat transcript you did a while back. You were
discussing Tsojcanth and how he imprisoned the Avatar of Tharizdun years
back. You said that he was a mage of great power, of which one is
only born every few hundred years. Is that how Mordenkainen would be
described. And epic mage of the sort that in only seen once in a
lifetime?
Damn, but that's stretching my memory, as its
been a long time since I had any PCS involved in Veluna--other than
passing through. As I recall, though, the Archcleric was meant to be
one honoring Rao, but with St. Cuthbert as the common patron of the
state. That is, general service of the masses is to the Good Cuthbert.
As for Mordie, no such pretensions ;-) He adventured a lot, made a substantial level, and then got involved in politics.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by alsih2o
fanboy question of the week, in the movie based on the creation of the game (yeah, right!) who would you have play you?
There's a question I can't readily answer--mainly because I've never
considered such a film. Whoever could pull off the role of a
risk-taking, Camel-straight-smoking, non-conformist who loved gaming but
wasn't averse to hanging out in a biker bar maybe...
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Colonel :-)
Short answers.
While I appreciate the attribution, I am simply echoing others who before me have likened the D20 concept to the "one ring."
GURPS was written by Steve to serve gamers in multiple genres that
appreciated his system. It was a successful idea, as you note.
The contraction in the D20 marketplace is noted from falloff of sales.
There are likely several reasons this. Some publishers are not
producing more material because it isn't selling. The likely reason is
that the consumer audience has all the material it wants and then some,
is now becoming selective in purchasing. As this time I can't make an
informed estimate of whether or not the base audience is smaller, but it
doesn't seem to be growing at any noticeable rate.
Some publishers are still achieving considerable success, producing
streadily. This is certainly due to their material appealing to the
large market for D20 material. After all,
3E has a dominating market share, eh?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by chatdemon
D&D3e/D20 did
say these things, via Ryan Dancy, so it comes as no surprise to me that
designers of competing systems may feel some resentment toward D20.
I suspect that Colonel Hardisson knows about the difference you pointed
out between Steve's approach with GURPs and the D20 effort...
Heh, and I don't think many game designers felt or feel resentment about
that "one ring" game philospphy, knowing how independent gamers are and
how varied their tastes in RPGs is. The group far more likely to take
umbrage at such statements are those gamers who would be deprived of
their favorite system if what Ryan Dancy asserted were somehow made
true.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Help! Thread Hijackers At Work!!!
Just kidding about the "hijack" of course.
When Steve did GURPS I do not believe he was aiming at taking over the
whole RPG field. The game system he designed was, as I said, more
likely meant to capture and retain a solid share of it.
Attacking the "big guys" is most often done by those who want to compete
with them or by those who are looking for publicity to "make a name," I
do believe. When there is a fight, though, the onlookers do tend to
root for the "little guy." As for the D20 matter, this is likely as
much a matter of vocal opposition by those who plainly don't like the
new D&D game than anything else. That's hardly surprising in the
RPG field, whene the "critics" are vocal, outspoken in their opinions.
There is likely more fervor amongst those who assail it, because
3E/D20
is far and away the most played RPG. By no stretch of the imagination
is it a monopoly. Furthermore, with the diversity of opinion so evident
in the RPG field, it has no chance of ever becoming one.
ColonelHardisson, I am committed to attending the Milwaukee regional con
that runs a week from GenCon. I have no firm plans in regards to
making Indy. That is I had not planned on going, but I am getting some
pressure to attend, so it's up in the air at present.
Dcollins, my vision of the elemental planes differs from that published.
As for the City of Brass, I had it floatiing on fiery stuff of airy
sort, a sort of island in a sea of flames, if you will.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Help! Thread Hijackers At Work!!!
Originally posted by dcollins
Interesting. So I'm assuming that the whole plane did have a fixed
orientation of gravity, and not the "everyone flies for free" mechanism?
A correct assumption indeed ;-) Otherwise, what use the
power of flight possessed by efreet or flying carpets for that matter,
the latter being a favorite means of reaching the fabled city, of
course.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: What's the record for a thread?
Caedrel, Hi :-)
This thread is on the longish side, isn't it? As you note, I do enjoy
reading posts and responding. I have about 600 on the main LA game
website, but it seems that here on the EN borads is going to be my most
active place for a while longer...
The Lejendary Adventure game makes limited rules use of the d30 in
combat, some of the nasty monsters having it as the base die. I use the
d7 personally, and it is not a required die for the system.
The d30 does tend to roll a long time unless you have a bounded place to
toss it. The d7 is a pentagon, the points and sides having numbers.
As I think I stated, it seems to generate all seven numbers pretty
equally when rolled.
While I am not much of a collector or picky about dice, there are a
couple of d20s and d10s that I like to use best because they seem to
generate the numbers I want as the GM more often ;-) In truth, though,
I'm generally satisfied with whatever dice are at hand.
Management at TSR tended to be very much on the "poor" sinde, yes. Not
only were discharged employees escorted out, but at one point Kevin was
going to use his "medical training" to examine employees for drug use
and fire them if he found they were using. Luckily, he was talked out
of that scheme. When one of their relatives was discharged for lack of
capacity, though, she was allowed plenty of time before having to leave,
and then during the audit it was found that the company was paying for
her college tuition...
As for KoDT, I do read it now and then. A very funny comic that!
the first Lord of the Rings movie Was very good indeed. I was bored in
the opening--too long for my tasts, and I disliked the flute music and
chanting when the elves were around. That seemed inappropriate to me. I
liked all the rest, and the orcs wer great, especially the chief of the
bunch. My wife picked the movie up on CD, so I've seen it after the
big screen outing, and my son Alex has watched it about a half-dozen
times now.
I've seen the "Harry Potter" film twice also. With the LotR movie, that
makes the two best fantasy films done to date. I too am looking
forward to seeing "Two Towers" as well the next "Henry Potter" flick.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Todd!
Welcome, and at the risk of wearing it out, I really do have some fun on boards :-)
No, I haven't seen Lorraine Williams since the court case was settled. I
think she is living out in California now, in Carmel by the Sea yet...
It is really pretty sad that Brian behaves as he does, for once we were
at least close and friendly assiciates, almost buddies. I suppose it is
his conscience that makes him behave as he does--or maybe he does think
I'll give him a sound thrashing given the opportunity...heh.
Ah well, as a fan of REH's work since I was about 10 years old, I'll
have to see the next "Conan" film even though I'll likely really not
like it. I told Arthur Lieberman and Mimu Shapiro both that they needed
an axpert consultant on the "Conan" written by Howard, and Art then
wanted me to design a weapon for "King Kull" to use and suggest a
storyline for that flick...for free :rolleyes: Anyway, I like Arnie in
many films, but not as Conan. Tough luck for me.
I never got into much microarmor play, always preferred HO scale. I've
played more contemporary games, but WWII armor amongst my very favorite
periods in miniatures and board wargames too.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by pogre
Hello Gary,
[insert gushing, thanks, etc. here]
Do you still use mass combats in your fantasy campaigns? What rules set? The real Chainmail perhaps?
One other thing - it seems like the genesis of roleplaying was in the
midwest. First there was yourself and Dave Arneson, then the folks down
here (Bloomington) at GDW with Traveller, and the guys over in Decatur
(Judges' Guild). Any theory why this is so?
Frank Chadwick once told me it was because the midwest is boring and so we have better imaginations to make up for it.
[Insert usual cordial responses to thanks >:-)
Lacking a large playing space these days, when we get into large-scale
combat dice are used to indicate positions, and I have a "quick &
dirty" method of resolution of fighting (based on the LA game system) in
which there are no player parsonas involved. this allows such combats
to not eat up too much of the game session.
Actually, back in the 1960s, while there was a large Midwestern
contingent of wargamers, the East ans West Coasts, Texas too, were well
represented. Perhaps because of the GenCon event being here in
Wisconsin, and a lot of activity in the surrounding area playing, and
what good old Frank Chadwick pointed out, there was more fervor for
gaming here than in milder climes. I know my most productive time of
year is usually from November through Arpil ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by johnsemlak
As I added earlier, I'd like to mention that Chicago was also the home of Weird Tales,
the fantasy pulp magazine where Robert Howard and others published
their works, in the 30s. So the midwest has long been a hotbed for
fantasy.
And now Wisconsin is home to Arkham Press.
The Midwest was also big on spiritualism back in the early 20th century
Wonder what all that indicates... Boredom springs to mind :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Question regarding boxed D&D
Originally posted by Endur
Gary,
[snip]
My question: Was this sample dungeon ever fully fleshed out? Or was it
left as just starter materials for the imagination of those who would be
using the product?
Tom
thanks for the good words, Endur :-)
Your latter surmise is correct. The dungeon was never fleshed out as a
priduct, just shown as an example. Now that you mention it, I wonder
why we never did make it into a product, as it would have had a ready
and waiting audience.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
LA MMPO RPG Website Just Online
Greetings All!
In case anyone wants to see what the LA game is all about in its online,
MMP version, I've just learned that the special website for it is now
officially open. Come on by, take a gander, and join the group there if
it looks like fun :-)
www.LejendaryAdventure.com
Regards,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Movies
Originally posted by Caedrel
If you get around to seeing the extended version on DVD, let us know
what you think - apparently it's got better character development but
not onerously so. If you found the opening slow, I wonder if you'll find
the extended version slower? :-)
Actually, we have the
DVD, and I've watched it once, son Alex several times. I found it less
tedious, in fact in that I could get up, get a drink, have a smoke, when
the material on screen was not quite compelling to me ;-)
Uh
oh! I feel a "best movie of all time" debate coming on - perhaps a sure
way to generate some controversy and get this thread closed :-)
I liked the "Harry Potter film a bit better, but not by much, so I have
no dispute with those who rate the first of the "Rings Trilogy" movies
above it. We are looking forward to seeing the second productions in
both series soon now, in fact.
My
personal favourite would be Ladyhawke from 1982 (I think). But that
probably has more to do with me than the movie, as I suspect most
"personal favourites" are :-)
That was done in the days
when I was out in the "Hollywood" area, and I read, still have, a
pre-production script. I had great hopes for that film, but im my
judgement, they blew it somewhere. The original script was a lot better
that what was shot.
[snip]
I suppose I'd better ask a question too, while I'm here :-) I know you
enjoy watching your team in the NFL (I forget which - sorry, it was a
lot of pages ago! :-) ), but do you have a favourite sport to take part
in? Were you a mean basketball player, or bowler, or were you never
really interested in the physical stuff, with all this wonderful
material coming out of your mind? :-)
Cheers,
Caedrel
Da Bears! They are not playing well at all, but
luckily I am not so much a fan as I can't enjoy watching them lose and
at the same time have fun watching the Green Bay Packers play well and
win. Of course come Monday night I'll be rooting for the Bears, but
likely they'll loose :-( Also likely that the Packers will be in the
Superbowl if they play as well as they have been.
I played football in elementary school, loved being in the line, but by
the time high school rolled around I was far too independent in mind and
spirit for either school or organized sports. For exercise I worked on
a farm, hiked, camped, fished, and hunted, doing a bit of weight
lifting to tone the muscles, and then worked as a mover for a bit.
The thought of all that exercise now is enough to send me for the refrigerator for a beer :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Greatly Exaggerated...
Originally posted by EricNoah
Hey, Gary, good to see you alive. :-) We had one of the (fairly frequent) "Gygax is Dead" scares this morning...
Well, while one day the news will be true, whomever posted the tale of
my demise was yanking cranks. Another silly buger looking for 15
seconds of fame :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Melan
Besides, we haven't seen those Castle Ruins yet...
Sorry. ;-)
Heh, and we are working on that, as I just posted over on the PPP boards earlier this AM ;-)
Just don't expect the secrets of the Disappearing Jeweled Man and the
Great Stone Face to ever be revealed in actuality :-o I plan to
provide a set of options for the DM that may or man not include the way
those were dealt with originally.
LOL,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi John!
As with most rumors pertaining to me, those of my prescience are quite exaggerated.
Fact is I began working on the LA RPG system in 1996, using a CRPG
system I'd created for a game that was optioned and then didn't make
production becasue the house that had accepted it was sold off. Anyway,
it came from that base and was in testing well before the new D&D
game was conceived. As I recall, John Ratliff played in a GenCon
alpha-test game in 1998.
Fact is that I found I liked a skill based system better than a class
based one for several reasons, not the least of which was the potential
for multi-genre development. Also, rules-light facilitates both faster
play with more flexibility and innovation possible for designers, GMs
and players alike, as well for ease of adapting the system to suit other
genres.
As a matter of fact, I did assume that most persons picking up the La
game would be veterans--and thus the effort to change terminology so as
to force mindset change to more easily understand and assimilate the new
system, for it is very different from the D&D one.
Hope that covers it :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
BTW...
Do I get an award from the Department of Redundancy Department for the
previous post. Fact is I sort of got carried away with the facts in
factually replying :rolleyes:
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi John,
No need for concern, as many a misunderstanding occurs on the internet ;-)
Right you are, I did make my first foray into a skill-based system with
the DJ game. There I attempted detail, although the system was optional
in regards to the amount, so in some ways it was a "pick-a-rules"
system. It was very rules heavy if all presented were used, but many of
the rules were easily dropped to move the game towards the rules-light
end. The major exceptions were the creation of the character and use of
magic. The DJ system was also designed for multi-genra application,
and it worked well for all who loved detailed character development and
much player involvement in the operation of the game.
Now I favor that involvement in play, not management, if you will.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Beating the Wind
Yuletide Salutations!
Good grief, who but P-A would dredge up this ancient thread?
It should be pretty well known by all that I consider any game where the
players' characters arn not fully able to impact the environment,
direct their action, determine the outcome of events in which they play a
part, and know that what actions their characters are taking have a
probability of success and failure that can be determined by random
means, cards or dice rather then the whim of the GM, is something other
than an RPG,
Authors of fiction, screen plays, and playwrights create stories. GMs
direct game play and in conjunction with the players this generates a
story whose outcome is not prescribed.
If people enjoy playing limited roles in an game setting in which there
are "untouchables," where they must be marionettes for the GM to move
about, well and good. It is just not full RPG activity, and often is
little more than amateur theatrics, play acting in a minor and surely
inferior story line built as an adjunct to the original authored fiction
and relatively meaningless to that work. Still, if it's entertaining
to the participants, it is fulfilling its purpose, but it ain't RPGing.
This is a dead horse, actually, as something well over nine gamers in 10
have by their choice of game agreed with me. "Storytelling" games have
made their advent, gone nowhere thereafter. What more is there to say?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Santa PA
Originally posted by PA
Consider that my Christmas present.
Proof positive that The Grinch was modeled upon none other that you, Dear Fellow!
Happy Christmastime, PA ;-)
Warm regards,
Gary
P.S. Check out my icon on my posts at
www.LejendaryAdventure.com and advise me if the one you did of me with the halo would be more appropriate, okay?
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Cedric
Someone may have already asked this question, if so, I apologize...
How do you feel about rolling treasure randomly in 1st Edition and assigning XP to characters for Magic Items they receive?
Cedric
Xmas Greetings, Cedric :-)
Nobody has asked that question before this.
Actually we found the random tables great when the PCs were out in the
wilderness on non-scripted adventures, encontering monsters randomly,
finding treasure likewise. Of course often times the DM added extra
monsters guarding the loot--whatever it turned out to be eventually.
Mordenkainen did well waylaying bandits, brigands, and ppirates thus,
but sometimes coming up empty after a hard fight with magic items
expended for little reward.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Santa PA's Vote
Originally posted by PA
No need to check out, I had already visited the website and its forum,
and I do think that the Dr Midnight version you use suits you best.
Well excellent, PA!
I had thought I should alter it, and your suggesting the pic remain the
devilsh one the Good Dr. Midnight devised has tipped the scales.
I have sent off to Dan at Dreams Interactive the jpg in which the
saintly halo appears over my head as is proper. I thank you again for
that work of true homage, Old Sport!
Merrie Christmas,
GAry
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Santa PA
Originally posted by Mark
I would think that, if railroading were the intention, it would be easier in a game with fewer built-in variables rather than more built-in variables, no?
Yes, when variables and outcomes are known, and the random number
generation is done so all can see, there is no railroading--make that GM
fudging--possible in regards the probabilities and the outcome. When
the GM is able to pull "results" out of thin air, there goes a
structured game.
Cheerie Holidays,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Random Chance
The following is posted without further comment, and each gamer here can draw their own conclusions from what is written.
ON THE ELEMENT OF CHANCE
The following quote if drawn from a essay by George Orwell, �Politics
and the English Language, 1946�. It can be fond in its entirety on the
internet at
http://www.resort.com/~prime8/Orwell/patee.html
�
"Here is a well-known verse from Ecclesiastes:
"I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet
riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time
and chance happeneth to them all.
"Here it is in modern English:
"Objective considerations of contemporary phenomena compel the
conclusion that success or failure in competitive activities exhibits no
tendency to be commensurate with innate capacity, but that a
considerable element of the unpredictable must invariably be taken into
account."
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Baraendur
I
scoff at diceless roleplaying. How is it any different than a bunch of
grown individuals sitting around playing "Lets pretend?"
Seriously Gary, I completely agree with your point of view. You should know too since you invented roleplaying.
Now that I have brown nosed sufficiently, (and pardon me if this
question has already been answered), what type of adventure do you find
to be the most fun to run - the player killer adventure (Tomb of Horrors
- Here's something evil in a big hole with lots of treasure - go kill
it. Oh, did I mention it will be impossible?) or a more long-term
adventure that involves lots of fights the characters can actually win
and an actual plot, such as "Temple of Elemental Evil"?
Aside from these light hearted jabs at your expense (they are classics,
you have to make fun of classics, you know...), I am curious which one
you enjoy running more.
Happy Christmas!
As for the lack of ability of players to decide their destiny by use of
random number generation--as opposed to being puppets of the
"sotryteller," see my post immediately before this one. It ain't an RPG
without chance entering into play ;-)
The sort of adventure that is best is that which most amused the GM and
players at the time it is being played. At least that's how I see it.
The one-off sort of killer adventure, such as the ToH, is great for a
change of pace from the long and drawn out campaign kind that are found
in the VoH-ToEE modules. Variery is indeed the spice of gaming life,
eh?
It is interesting that you bring up this subject, as I have just
finished the final polish of a very long and varied "super module" that
contains just about every sort of adventure one might want...I hope.
Hopefully, Troll Lord Games will find a way to publish it--the ms. runs
to 515 ms, pages, plus maps. It is dual system, d20 and the LA game.
My play-test group has been at it for months now and are not yet near
the end. To make sure it was coherant, though, we had three developers
working on it. and the double check of making it d20 first has confirmed
the whole of the material.
Baraendur, if you eventually play the HALL OF MANY PANES, see if you
find I favor a particular scenario type. Just remember that for the
sake of a published module, I do include a lot of hack & slash, for
that's clearly the most popular material ;-)
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Pot Shots :D
Originally posted by PA
I... I don't see what you mean. I cannot remember. You must have been
hallucinating, or you're actually thinking about another Frenchman.
Fran�ois, peut-�tre ?
Allow me to refresh your memory, My
Dear Friend. You provided that true portrait of me so as to elicit from
me the assurance that I would dispose of another jpg you has sent to me
in error. Now, seeing as how you are not positive I did that, perhaps
you can better recall that you did indeed depict me with a bright and
glowing halo crowning my head...
Since so many people scoff at roleplaying in general, you're in good company.
And dice make it suddenly so much more mature. :rolleyes:
Thankfully, amateur theater is not the same as playing an RPG, and of
course having random chance in full play is something that
differentiates "Let's PRetend" from the game form, the actual RPG.
Dice do make the game, mature or otherwise.
Cheerie Christmas!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Panes, Pains, and Puns
Well, PA, one can not dispute that there are many sorts of games, but most do not masquerade, pretend to something they are not.
As for your header, indeed! The HALL OF MANY PANES module can inflict
many pains on the rash and unprepared character. Even the best of
players, though, can not escape the pain of the many puns included
therein. Indeed one scenario centers on that very thing, the true
grateness of the pun :-D
Cheerie Christmas Wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Drew
...
Gary, during the now famous "Gary Gygax, Lurker?" thread in which you
first appeared on ENWorld I asked you a small favor. My homebrewed
D&D world has a god of magic that, at the time, was without a name. I
asked you to please name my god for me, if only so that I could claim
E. Gary Gygax created a tiny part of my world. :-D
I wrote the name you gave me down in my campaign notebook, which
mysteriously dissapeared a few days later. Due to a cruel failure of
memory, the name you gave me is now gone.
...
Whoa! Drew, that mysterious disappearance... Coincidence? I think
not. You see, the Veiled Lord of Magic, Ahethon, must have had a hand
in the matter. As he has many names, the one above is as good as one of
the others. He pronounces it "Ah-HETH-un" BTW ;-)
Christmas best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Random Chance
Yes, no doubt, and the stats and probabilities set forth in the game
system enable the player to judge how to wager, and then in a real RPG
said player generates the random result that determines if the "bet" was
well founded ;-)
Yuletide cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Happy Christmas Eve!
Merric, I concur with your assessment. Diceless and "storytelling"
games are not RPGs, but that is not to say that they are not games, nor
to claim they lack high entertainment value--fun! My complaint has been
that these games hould not claim to be RPGs, nor should those that tour
them claim any "adult" or "sophistication" merit becasue they have no
random chance.
Of course chess has no random element, other that the state of the
opponents durring the course of play. It is not a RPG, nor do its
proponents claim it to be.
As for PA's calling attention to the fact that many an RPG session has
little or no random chance element interjected into a play session, this
is so. However these RPGs can include that when needed or desired. In
a private email I called his attention to this, and the fact that the
"diceless" game can not to do, as it is not an RPG, has been emasculated
by the excision of random chance ;-)
Yuletide beast,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
A Sad Christmas Tale
I
came down with a migraine on Christmas Eve, but thanks to black coffee
and aspirins, it was no problem. We made our rounds of friends' places,
and I had a great time, even so far as to relating a horrible pun as a
story appropriate to the occassion of family and friends gathered for
the special celebration. Better still, nobody threw food at me as they
groaned and said how stupid a "joke" that was. That made me breathe a
sigh of relief, as there were about 20 people there as victims...
On Xmas day I was not much "fun" as the headache had really set in. My
"wish list" was small, so I received few presents, and that's as
planned. What I will do, though, is to use funds given from now through
the New Year to buy such games and books as I spot and desire. Well,
as many as a couple of hundred bucks will buy, anyway. I also want to
get some CDs, classical music, but that can wait until next summer when
my birthday anniversary rolls around.
As for PA, he is not really an antagonist, just someone who enjoys being contentious now and again :rolleyes:
Happy New Year to All,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Father!
Originally posted by PA
Oh come on. Recently again, you were talking about adopting me.
That was with the understanding that you would do all the cooking here, right?
Heh,
Happy New Year,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Further to Father!
Originally posted by PA
Roll your save against poison. :-(
So, who can blame me for wanting to sell PA to that band of Gypsies looking for children?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Where is the Holy Spirit?
Originally posted by PA
Too bad they actually asked for money to get you rid of me, uh?
No question about that!
Post-Xmas ho-ho-hos!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
Gary - how did you deal with this? Were you somewhat flexible with
regards to training, or were you more rigid? "Oh, you've gained 2,001
XP, eh? Well, get to your tutor if you want that new level, because
otherwise it isn't happening!"
Best wishes to you and your family!
When I ran my AD&D
campaign, training was generally quite informal and considered to be
done "on the job" as it were. Only if a virtual windfall of XPs came at
once did I call for PCs to take a protracted period of time from
adventuring to do their studies, train, be educated, gain experience,
and practice what they had learned. A week to a month was the normal
period. Otherwise, it was subsumed that the time between adventures was
spent thus.
Merric, I can comisserate in regards the lack of holiday joy, as I lost
my father shortly after New Year back when I was 17, and of course he
was at the last of his days during the Christmas period, the end of a
long bout with cancer. It is all too recent in memory despite the many
years that have passed.
On to a far more positive note, I have had an old map of Carcassonne for
many years, and since I heard about the game I have wondered how it
plays. It seems right up my alley. When you've had a chance to play
sufficiently to evaluate it, I'd love to hear about your expereince
;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Sea of Death
Originally posted by Sniktch
I
recently got my hands on a copy of this book and really enjoyed it!
Reading about Eclavdra and Obmi and the like really brought me back to
some classic old memories of gaming in Greyhawk in the early 80's.
I also remember a short story featuring Gord the Rogue and the Cat Lord
in an old issue of Dragon, but could you tell me what other books are in
the series, what order they were released in, and where I might be
able to find them? I'd love to read more but I don't know where to
start looking.
Thanks for the good words, Sniktch :-)
The long short story appeared in DRAGON #100.
All of the books are OOP--although there should soon be an announcement
about the release of a graphic version of them coming later on this
year... I hope. Meantime, the best place to find them is Ebay.
The books, in reading order are:
SAGA OF OLD CITY
ARTIFACT OF EVIL
CITY OF HAWKS
NIGHT ARRANT
SEA OF DEATH
DANCE OF DEMONS
COME ENDLESS DARKNESS
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Sniktch
Thanks
for the quick response (although to be honest, I waited to ask until I
knew you were online :-D ). I'll start my digging on e-Bay, then, and
I'm really looking forward to hearing more news about the possible
forthcoming graphic novels.
Right! I am quite enthused
about the graphic novels, having seen samples of the really excellent
illustration (full color) that is being done for the series. The
material from CITY OF HAWKS is being used to completely fill in the base
of the initial novel, SAGA OF OLD CITY, and will also be used thus in
the ARTIFACT OF EVIL graphic novel. I suppose it is obvious that I am
most anxious to see the work in print :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Short
story collections sell only about two-thirds the quantity of
full-length novels of the same size. Sadly, I had the most fun--and
challenge--writing the yarns found in NIGHT ARRANT. It did quite well,
but was indeed the book that sold the fewest copies of the series.
I can't fault readers, though, for I tend to prefer full novels myself,
even over a collection of related short stories that are themselves a
near-complete tale. Knowing what I do now, I could easily have linked
the separate yarns into a novel addinf perhaps 30 pahes or so in the
proicess, and likely making readers happier with the result.
Merric, I think SETTLERS OF CATAN (original game) is a classic, and we
always enjoy playing it. I am interested in CARCASSONNE more from the
standpoint of fortification and siegecraft than from a game perspective,
but if it can provide a fun gaming esperience, so much the better. Now
to find the time to hunt down a copy, read the rules, and get people to
play...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Oh high and mighty Grand Dungeon Master please answer my query.
What is your new Worldbuilder book about? A lot of poeple on rpg.net
are ripping it apart. Big surprise there huh? :rolleyes: ANyway that
was the first I've heard of it and wanted to ask you a few questions
before I have the local shop order me one.
Anyway what kind of book is it and what exactly will it help me do? Is
it just lists and stuff, table of terms and descriptions to be used to
flesh out a game? Or is it something more? Is it out yet?
P.S. *shamelss suckup follows* The Slayers Guide to Dragons is great.
The WB is mainly a collection of lists and tables of things one needs
to detail and complete a story, adventure location, or a whole campaign
world. Along with some little-known facts and many details about herbs
and gem minerals, the work provides the user with a single-source book
for adding color and fleshing out information and detail. It is a
"descritionary" as my co-author Dan Cross has used in described it. If
you do much adventure material for any reason, it is a very useful book
that will save you time and make the materisl you produce easier to put
together and more elaborate.
Aside from that, the WB isn't a would builder per se. the whole series
is for doing that, as will be seen when Alan Kellogg's NATION BUILDER is
released--not soon as Alan is working on the ms. for it now, and my
FANTASY LIFE (the socio-economic classes in the fantasy world--a who,
what, where, when, why sort of work that treats the nobles and their
relation to the clergy to a considerable extent) and Jon Creffield's
ESSENTIAL PLACES are ahead of his book in the series. There's a really
great book of names by Malcolm bowers coming too--one that I want very
much to have on hand. Naming places and people and monsters is such a
tedious chore! Following those there will be a book on seas and
adventures there, one on devising advcentures, and likely one or two
others to round things out. Being overall editor is part of what keeps
me very buys of late.
As for the lauds for the SgTD, thanks much, and give the major credit to
Jon Creffield, my co-suthor, and an excellent one for sure ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Gord the Rogue
Originally posted by Upper_Krust
Hi Steverooo! :-)
I still can't decide which novel (of the series) I liked the best...I loved them all! :-D
However I have to challenge your comment about the 'weak finish';
personally I thought there were a number of fantastic swerves in the
last book. I don't want to spoil anything for those yet to read the
series by revealing them, but what you think is going to happen is
turned on its head more than once while still all making sense.
hirning in here, I just want to say thanks for those very kind worfds
abut the series. I wrote it as fantasy thet reflected the AD&D game
in feel and scope of action. I suppose it's obvious I like action in
my stories and games too :-o
Anyway, it is great to read that you enjoyed the plot twists. SOme of
them sort of wrote themselves, as the characters took over and began to
direct things outside the planned story outtline I had scripted for
them. Funny thing about that is it really happens.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
Hello Gary!
Hope your holidays were joyous!
Howdy, and thanks. We had a great holiday with most of the family in for Christmas.
Have
a question for you concerning ancient Egypt (from another thread that
tweaked my interest): How was the court of the Pharoah arranged? I
assume that it could be considered a theocracy... but what were the
titles held by subordinates and did they have actual control over
fiefdoms around the Nile valley or further? Or was the Pharoah strictly
top dog?
I ask this of you because I assumed that much study went into the
writing of Necropolis, and I thought you may have run across information
pertaining to this.
Pharoah was absolute ruler, a living
god. The various districts of Egypt were ruled by governors, but they
were generally absloutely under the thumb of the king. The military was
absolutely loyal too.
I do not have an organizational chart of the governemnt under the
pharoah--the palace officials, priests, governors, overseers, and
scribes. In all my reading I never came across anything resembling a
treatment of this. Sorry.
Thank you dear sir!
Duglas K[/B][/QUOTE]
(Oh...
I just thought of one more question that got missed earlier... was the
Elder Elemnetal Eye worshipped by Eclavdra and her minions an avatar of
Tharizdun?)
No, the Elder Elemental God I envisaged as an
entity of vaguely Chronos-like sort, a deity of great power but of
chaotic sort, and not always highly clever in thought and action. Big T
on the other hand is the epitome of pure, reasoning and scheming evil.
Eclavrdra, being more of the mold of Tharizdun, would prefer to have as
"master" a powerful deity she might hope to influence, thus the EEG.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Just a few questions
Originally posted by Son_of_Thunder
Howdy Gary,
A few questions if you please. I haven't been able to find out if there
are other races besides humans in your Legendary Adventures game. Are
there? And secondly, what do you think of the recently published 'Book
of Vile Darkness'? Do you think it needed to be made?
Thanks for your time.
Son of Thunder
Hi :-)
There are a lot of Avatar races to play in the LA game, none of which are exactly parallet to other systems',
3E included.
Dwarfs--about like standard RPG ones, with a few differences.
Gnomes--ditto.
Ilfs--a sort of rustic elf race.
Kobolds--the most potent non-human race for sure.
Oafs--large and strong, none-too-bright humanoids
Oafs, major--ditto.
Orcs, greater--more human-like, semi-neandrathal types.
Orcs--ditto.
Orcs, lesses--ditto.
Trollkin--annoying and shifty little anti-dwarfs, perhaps...
Veshoges--the Ferengi of the system.
Wylfs, grotto--wild, subterraneal elf types.
Wylfs, thicker--ditton, only woodsy sorts.
Plenty of different race roles to play, and some great roleplay opportunities in the mix ;-)
Thankfully what I feared with the publication of the BOOK OF VILE
DARKNESS has not happened. The opponents of D&D and RPGs in general
did not jump on it and make it into a weapon in their arsenal. Thus my
reservations have been allayed.
It seems more of a "hype" product that anything else, but that's not
much of a knock. It it is selling well, then it is a work that the
consumers wanted, if for nothing else the rebellious "shock" value.
Given
WotC's continual assertion that the
3E
game is about heroes adventuring against Evil, one might question its
addition to the line, of course. From my perspective, though, one must
have dark villians to oppose the bright heroes, so for those who are in
need of assistance in developing the malign and evil to be fought
against, the BOOK OF VILE DARKNESS should be of use.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Gary, what mythology is Demogorgon from? I know I've seen him somewhere, but I can't recall where.
It was the Greeks, in their mythology, who had Demogorgon originally.
He was held as the elemental force of earth that which made plants grow,
and was thus depicted as an old man covered with moss. Medieval
writers demonized him into a terrible ruler of the underworld--a much
more colorful depiction for use in a FRPG :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Paul_Klein
Gary, I have another question for ya:
What does your "average" work-day look like? Do you typically write for 8
hours? How many projects do you typically work on at the same time? Do
you ever get burned out doing so much writing? ;-)
Thanks!
I get to the computer sometime between 6 and 7 AM
on an average day, stay here most of the time thereafter until 6 or 7
PM, seven days per except during football season and in find summer
weather.
Email and board postings take up anywhere from an hour to three a day.
When I am on a hot creative project I keep it to an hour, thet
grudgingly given.
I work on two or three projects at a time, usually, although one will be
center stage, the others in the wings--given only slight attention
while thr main one is being completed in rough draft.
Indeed, I get burnout. Usually a migraine headache will be the result.
That means I am forced to take a day or two off, sleep, rest, watch the
tube. Sadly I can't read much when a migraine headache is hanging in.
In summer when I feel a lack of enthusiasm for creative work, no ideas
are hammering at my brain seeking to be let out, I sit on the front
porch, listen to the birds, read books of fact or fiction, or in the
evening watch the fireflys and listen to the crickets, sipping minted
and lemoned iced tea or maybe enjoy a gin and tonic. That usually gets
me back on track in a day or three.
Actually playing a different sort of game, RPG or boardgame, will often
spur me to want to be creative, if outside of the realms of fantasy. No
matter, as the energy can then be channeled.
If things are really slow in the creative thinking department, then it's
time for a holiday. Speaking of which, I could use one somewhere warm,
sunny, and flower-fulled :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hey there Gary I've got a question for you.
What parts of 1e did you house rule when you still played it? I read in
an old issue of Dragon that you used a different hand to hand combat
system. Was it the same one that was published in Dragon? Any other
changes?
Whoa, and I have to think hard about those
questions. Generally, I just DMed on the fly, so to speak, and didn't
use the rules books except for random encounters, monster stats, and
treasure.
when hand-to-hand fighting occurred I usually did that seat-of-the-pants
rules--asking what the character was doing and deciding on the chance
for success based on the circumstances.
I did not use psionics, generally ignored weapons vs. armor type and weapon speed.
When an opponent was helpless I always allowed an immediate kill if of
lower level; otherwise a successful hit killed, a "miss" doing double
damage anyway.
That's about all I can think of ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
That was a very odd cartoon...
The popcorn bag looks like something my wife would have on her hand. I
don't care much for the stuff unless it's carmelized and has peanuts
added ;-)
And there was no mug of coffee and a Camel smoking in the ashtray :-P
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BronzeDragon
Well,
this has probably been asked before, but the prospect of wading through
almost 700 posts to find the answer is, shall I say, not very
entertaining...
What product do you rank as your WORST?
[snip]
Thanks in advance...
To be asked this is uique, actually. I
would rank my "The Gnome Cache" story--thankfully never completed in
DRAGON Magazine--as one that needed to be re-written.
Much flak has been generated about CYBORG COMMANDO, and I write very
little of it, but the portion that was published needed reworking and
more play-testing, plus the addition of the two other parts of the whole
game.
Otherwise, I am generally happy with my published work, as is proper for
an author. If one doesn't like something, it should not be sent to a
publisher :rolleyes:
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
...or it shows how desperate you were at the time, Gary?
Desperate? No, just very much immersed in writing the Gord the Rogue
novels. New Infinities needed the sales income from them, of course, and
they sold very well, so I was constrained in what I created.
(Flicks through Tomb of Horrors... "Call that a trap? Huh! If it can't even kill Robilar, it's not worth putting in..." ;-) )
Gary, is there a type of product you enjoy writing the most? (Novel,
adventure, rules supplement, core rulebook, book of advice, etc.)
Noppers! More of a mood and inspiration thing...although modules are
not usually on top of my favorite s list, because designing a new and
entertaining one is very demanding. The last one I did, HALL OF MANY
PANES, took about six months to complete.
And going back to one of those dark memories from oAD&D, might I trouble you about the assassin?
It's one of those things that I've always seen debate on amongst 1E
people: does the assassination ability work against any old
monster/opponent the assassin happens to surprise in a dungeon or
elsewhere, or is it only usable against the poor innocent soul that the
assassin has been hired to kill?
Or is it somewhere in between? Something that requires planning, or something that can be done on the spur of the moment?
Cheers!
As you suggest in closing, the assassin character
was meant to have some limitation, the need for planning the kill. Of
course, a totally unexpecting victim seen and assessed needs little in
the way of thought and preparation...
Cheers, Merric,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Merric,
I had the most fun writing the short stories in NIGHT ARRANT--as the
punning name likely demonstrates. It sold the least, as collections of
short stories are want.
Now time to bail from the computer, open a Sam Adams ale, and watch the
Superbowl. I am likely to root for the Bucs, but the team that plays
best winning will be fine as far as I'm concerned.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Samuel
Adams Brewery has restored the repute of American beer, and thankfuly
there are now lots of mincr-breweries also purveying something better
that the tastless near-water that passes for beer in the eyes of most
folks here.
I am concerned about Sam Adams making a light beer, though. Ugh!
The Bucs spanked the Raiders, didn't they...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Mark,
Heh, and a major event for the airing of the Superbowl is likely only if
the Bears are playing--although my buddies who are Packer fans might
force me to host a "special" for that event is Green Bay is in the game.
As it looks now, there'll be no big Superbowl parties here for some
time to come...
Typically only some popcorn get's made for gaming night here on
Thursday, as the team brings a host of their own drinks and snacks
along. However, if I have been cooking I offer samples to the players.
Last time I did that was when I made a delightful (if I do say so
myself) fresh mushroom soup with sherry and sour cream. Before that it
was some very spicy chili--bound to bring out the Tums at bedtime :-o
Anyway, we wanted to have a holidays party but it got postponed, and
maybe we'll host a small shindig for the group around Valentines Day,
the wife informs me. I am urging 1 April as the most appropriate date.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Mystras' Chosen,
Not a few Bears fans think I am daft because I don't hate the Packers...
As for your kind words of thanks, I appreciate them a lot. Gaming is a
really great hobby, and as you point out it provides more than just
short-term entertainment. I feel very privileged in being given the
ability to create the material I have, and that so many others have
enjoyed it, had fun as I have ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: You Aint Seen Nuthin' Yet
Originally posted by mythusmage
...
And a note for the Col:
Expect the manuscript March 1st. Lots of gaming goodness in the popular Mythusmage style. :-)
Have you received a copy of the final ms. for LIVING FANTASY from the
Trolls? There's likely material therein that you'll want to refer to
for your project, Alan ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: You Aint Seen Nuthin' Yet
Originally posted by MerricB
I'd be very interested in a CD-ROM
compilation. I very much doubt there's enough material there for a DVD,
and most people still don't have DVD players in their computers.
Cheers!
Merric, I've flagged TLG about this. When the line
is complete there will be over seven volumes in it, so a DVD might be
in order.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Alan Kellogg's Tour de Force ;)
Mythusmage,
An excellent bit of commentary there in all seriousness. I've flagged
Steve. I'd send you unedited MS doc files of my mss., but they won't
work on your computer. Besides you'd then begin editing them :rolleyes:
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Baraendur
Wow,
I can't believe this thread is still alive and kicking (and please
don't take that as any kind of a tie-in with the GG is dead hoax). Gary,
you rock!
BTW, I recently bought and printed a copy of the Temple of Elemental
Evil. I had it a few years ago but had to hawk it when I needed some
cash. Love your stuff. Keep it coming!
Thanks Darrin :-)
The ToEE was a fun adventure to DM...I never did get to play it, of
course. If you happen upon THE HERMIT, give it a read, and I suspect
you'll find it to your liking. It isn't as long as ToEE, but it has all
sorts of different challenges for the party undertaking the mission,
different play environments too.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Okay :-)
It seems that it is fated to be a long-term thread, and I'm still game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by diaglo
is Gary still in season?
what type of game are you?
One rigged in favor of the house, of course :-D
Questions for Gary:
How did you find time to organize games for yourself and your friends,
while juggling a company? a family? and other
interests/responsibilities?
What would you consider from your own experience to be a healthy balance?
Pretty eaisly. i just gave up about half my normal sleeping time and
thus managed the lot. Quite a few folks have remarked that I had, and
have, a life in addition to gaming ;-) Admittedly of late that
"outside activity" has been sharply curtailed by work demands, but
winter is a time to be inside a lot anyway, at least for those of us who
don;t enjoy snow and cold...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Baraendur
Thanks for the recommendation. I actually have it already, but haven't
had the chance to read it over yet. I'm looking forward to the big
mega-adventure you've been talking about recently. I also picked up a
copy of Necropolis. It was good to have a copy of that adventure the I
can run. I tried but could never get into Mythus.
Welcome. Do let me know how you found the play of THE HERMIT using
3E
as the system. I have not had much feedback, and although long
experience makes me pretty sure it will come out well, feedback is
always most helpful.
The long module is just that. HALL OF MANY PANES should take about a
year to complete assuming about 40 sessions of four-hour length during a
typical gaming year. I am still running it for my group, and they are
surprised by the variery of encounters, situations, and environments I
managed to work into it :-o
Troll Lord Games is play-testing it now too, and likely will package it as a boxed set due to its size.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by diaglo
will dice come with it? :-D
Heh, and I doubt that, but
possibly some accessort goodies. Only the Trolls know...or more likely
will know when they get the project final plan together. Right now it
looks like two books, maps, GM record of encounter panes entered, and
player hand-outs are sure things.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Sir Edgar
What's
your daily routine like? Do you tend to write more during the day or
night? How many words per day do your write, on average?
I
answered this in part in a previous post, but a quick recap won't hurt
;-) I rise pretty early, go to work between 6 and 7 AM after coffee
intake. I work through, with regular,brief breaks this being one),
until sometime in the evening, and seldom work after 6 or 7 PM. I don't
keep track of output. What get's done gets done. On a good day I can
produce 25 or so pages, while when dealing with concepts and research
only a page or two might bet into files.
Are there any rituals that keep you going?
Other than coffee and Camels, a break to eat or speak to someone for a bit, and managing emails and board postings, noppers.
What
kind of resources do you use? How often do you take notes on paper
before getting on the computer? Do you do drawings before writing up
creatures, etc?
I have a very large personal library, use
online resources now and then, and my memory. When I am considering a
new project I make notes on paper, then transcribe them to computer
files. I am a poor artist, so most conceptualization of creatures is
done mentally, followed by descriptive text for an artist to refer to.
How
do you do all of this and at the same time, keep up on your reading?
What books have you been reading lately? Do you finish each book you
read or just read portions at a time?
In the dark of winter
my reading drops off and my work output rises. I like to sit out on the
front porch here to do most of my reading, so that means May-October is
the main time for consumbtion of books. I am working my way, slowly,
through a history of medieval Europe, a book on the American Indians
before European colonists arrived, and an SF novel. I tend to read such
books at the same time, picking up whichever appeals to me at the time I
decide to do some reading. There are very few books that I start that I
do not finish--even if they are not appealing to me I fight my way
through to the conclusion. Skip reading is a last resort in such cases.
I will read a Jack Vance novel. he being my favorite author, as slowly
as i can force myself to go, but finishing one in a day would be easy.
Non-fiction is always a slower read, as I am likely storing information
in memory, taking notes too.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Sir Edgar
Thanks for the detailed response!
Are there any medieval history/culture books that you recommend? What are your all-time favorites in this category?
Can you share any insights into how you write and any "no-no's" or
"dont's"? Like do you think people it is better to write during the day
or does it just depend on the person?
Actually, any
medieval history book is useful to the designer-suthor. The "See
Inside" an "Everyday Life" series are generally excellent additions of
solid material from C.W.C. Oman and Violette Le Duc, Burtons Book of the
Sword, and Stone's Golssary of the Construction, Decoration and Use
(etc.)
I write mainly because I have so much information inside I just have to.
When I was in my 20s and 30s I was most productive at night, but after
that I reverted to my younger says. I loved to rise with the sun and
enjoy that again now. That's when the creative juices flow in spate.
The main "no-no' I have is not to ignore an urge to write. Ideas are
ephemeral, slip away too quickly, so when the muse isthere go like hell.
When it fades, thak a break, but keep thinking of the general subject
being treated, even of only in the back of the head, so to speak.
A shower is a good way to revive flagging inspiraion. Strong black coffee is fine too--if you like that drink.
Thus endeth my short seminar ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
To Each his Own
Originally posted by diaglo
not to come down on you too hard. but working in the public health field, i feel it is my obligation to ask you to cut back.
besides, the latest articles say that 2 drinks (doesn't matter what type of alcohol) are much better for your health.
Well, amigo...
Seeing as I've been smoking Camel straights for 50 years and love it,
and drinking for damned near as long, I reckon that, or something else,
is bound to kill me :rolleyes: True about 30% of smokers die from a
smoke-related cause, but the other 70% of them, along with 100% of all
others, die of something in due course. Meantime, I want to have fun
and enjoy life the way I like it. As for the "dangers" of second-hand
smoke, I think the folks on SOUTH PARK got it right, so I don't fret
about that either.
Appreciate the concerm though, for sure.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by johnsemlak
Hello Gary
You probably don't remember but awhile back in the previous thread I
asked about the NPC Nilonim from D3--The Vault of the Drow.
I wanted to expand on that. In the times you ran that module, (how many
times did you run it, if I may ask) Did Nilonim (the drow prisonor
chained in the Lloth Temple to be sacrified to her, who was neutral with
good tendencies) ever become significantly involved with the PCs? Did
you have particular reasons for putting him where he was?
John Semlak
I recall the question...vaguely ;-)
Now that you've expanded the material, I believe I can comment in more satisfactory fashion.
I ran the Vault' midule three or four times, first with my personal
group, then with TSR staffers, then at a con or two. Never once did any
party get to Nilonim,. He was there to tesr the players, to see if
they were in a kill first and talk later mode, and to call their
attention to such mindest of they found and slew him. It was to provide
some roleplay and questioning opportunity outside the city encounters
as well. Nilonim was placed where he was, in peril, to sort of give
the PCs a hint he moight not be Evil to the core as most in the place
are.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Shard O'Glase
just out of curiosity what did the folks at south park think of the dnagers of second hand smoke.
Me I think its BS, yeah with all the facotries, cars, busses kicking out
toxic sludge into the air it't the little thread of smoke from a
cigarrete that gets me :rolleyes: .
By the way I just want o promote smoking. Smokers generally die
younger, and nothing costs society more than really old people.
Heh :-)
South Park classed the "government warnings" about second hand smoke as
lies, along with the silly crap about drug use supporting terrorism.
right you are about auto and other toxic emmissions clouding the skies.
It makes me shake my head in wonder to see health conscious folk who
watch their diet, don't smoke, out running or jogging beside a busy
road. Breathe deeply, good people, and a good thing you aren't adding
tobacco smoke to that crap you're inhaling.
As for smokers dying younger than average, right! That's the 30% i
noted, and 3 in 10 is not a very good odds ratio, so I discourage others
from taking up the habit. Most of my children don't smoke, one alone
does, and that only occassionally.
Damn, all this typing makes me want to have a cigar and coffee now.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: To Each his Own
Originally posted by diaglo
well i'm with the government and here to help you. :-D
the check is in the mail
and all that jazz.
Heh!
As a Libertarian I'll say no thanks. Just let me retain my individual
liberty and make my own way, life decisions included ;-)
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Actually, I was a gamer in the 1940s--cards and chess, from there added
varius boardgames, chess variants, mah jongg. In 1958 I played my
first board wargame, and was a military miniatures buff by the early
1960s. Having "1970" as the earliest decade one could vote for as being
a gamer is discriminatory :-D
Heh,
Hary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Lisa Nadazdy
Hmmmmm... since you're still bouncing around here like a bad check, let me ask you:
Do you consider roleplaying to be "art"?
Playing a game can
be done artfully by a superior player, but no game is an art form.
Creating them might verge on being an art form but it is more a craft,
IMO ;-)
Col_Pladoh:
Boxed Set HOMP Presentation
Originally posted by Baraendur
Is there any chance you and TLG will reconsider the whole box set thing?
With a ms. over 500 pages in length, some maps and hand-outs not
included, there will need to be two books for the module. A boxed set
seems the best answer. Maybe a book-sized one, a sleeve that could
accommodate the volumes and loose-page material would be better received
than a large box...?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by barsoomcore
I've wondered about this for some time and here's my take (since I know you want to hear):
Games and art are fundamentally different things. Art is an expression
of someone's (or several someone's) ideas about something. Whether it's a
story or a painting, it's somebody SHOWING you something. Art is not
participatory. The APPRECIATION of art is participatory, but the artwork
itself exists without the audience. It may not have any meaning but it
still exists.
Games are problems to be solved, where the solution must fit into
previously-determined rules. Nobody has to show anybody anything.
Nothing has to be said. All that has to happen is the problem (get the
puck into the net, capture the king, etc) has to be solved.
People like to watch both. Both are entertaining to a greater or lesser degree.
A role-playing game is a weird mishmash of both. On the one hand, the
rules and support materials clearly provide the problem-solving context
of a game. However, the fact that the problem being solved isn't always
known (a campaign can go in vastly different directions than anyone
expects) makes it hard to say firmly that it's strictly a game.
My feeling is that a game session
can be art. Sometimes everything comes together, and everyone works in
harmony and something fantastic and memorable happens. Sometimes it's
just a couple of moments in a game session. But it can be art. There's
something being presented (the actions and imagined situation) and
there's an audience (the players, who are also the creators).
I always have a hard time expressing this notion. But it's those moments, frankly, that keep me playing.
In general i can't disagree with most of the above. however, i don't
believe that a play session can be art. By the definition you give art
is participatory, and most anything of that nature done in memorable
fashion and satisfying all the participants then fits into the art
category. As I mentioned, play can be artful, but I don't believe that
raises it to an art form, even of the performing arts category, that
being group participatory and usually with an audience to view the
performance.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
Greetings Gary,
Back a ways in the thread you were speaking about reading material. I
just wanted to offer a fiction selection: "The Book of the New Sun" by
Gene Wolfe. I consider it to be the finest sf/fantasy novel(s) I have
ever read... very inspirational!
Take care, Duglas
thanks for the tip, and when I am searching for some fantasy fiction I'll make a point of looking for Gene Wolfe ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
Wow... the thread continues! ;-)
It occurred to me the other day that you've told many stories about your
players and yourself going into great danger to get treasure...
...what happened to the treasure?
What did you spend it on?
Or does Mordenkainen have a great pile of gold and platinum underneath
his stronghold that a new generation of adventurers can seek to obtain?
;-)
Cheers!
Hi Merric,
Building a vast stronghold, and employing lots of henchmen and troops,
tends to take care of excess wealth ;-) Any leftover treasure went to
dragons Ghorki and Porki for their bedding :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by jgbrowning
I have to add a big "heck yes!" to Stone's book. It was out of print for
a long time (may still be, dunno), but if you want only one book on
arms and armor, this is probably the one for you.
joe b.
Joe, it can ;ikely be found used online, maybe even on Ebay. It is a real must for the arms & armor buff for sure :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Baraendur
Well,
I'm going to interject an opinion about the whole art vs. trade where
it regards RPG's. The rules have to be functional as a system, which
would suggest that the design of them is a trade. On the other hand,
different designers have their own style, and people will make
purchasing decisions based on the name on the cover. Books with the
names Monte Cook, Gary Gygax, Sean K. Reynolds, and Chris Pramas (among
others) tend to outsell the ones by lesser known designers. This
suggests art. I think that a game can be both art and a trade. A
carpenter who is known to extremely nice nightstands will be viewed as
both, so why can't a game designer?
Okay, if the term "art"
is extended to artistic design elements, as in craftwork done by
masters of their trade, I'll buy what you suggest ;-)
Playing an RPG is participating in a form of entertainment, though, not art by any stretch of the imagination (pun intended).
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Baraendur
Well,
I'm going to interject an opinion about the whole art vs. trade where
it regards RPG's. The rules have to be functional as a system, which
would suggest that the design of them is a trade. On the other hand,
different designers have their own style, and people will make
purchasing decisions based on the name on the cover. Books with the
names Monte Cook, Gary Gygax, Sean K. Reynolds, and Chris Pramas (among
others) tend to outsell the ones by lesser known designers. This
suggests art. I think that a game can be both art and a trade. A
carpenter who is known to extremely nice nightstands will be viewed as
both, so why can't a game designer?
Design can be more than
workmanlike, so yes. there is some degree of art involved in writing
game material. As you note, something akin to that of a master
craftsman's or artisan's touch in making furniture or jewelry. On
playing a RPG, though, there is no art involved ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Baraendur
Not to disagree with you, but I'll play devil's advocate for a moment. :-D
Couldn't participating in an RPG almost be considered an odd form of
performance art? Just a thought. You don't have to answer that.
Heh, but I want to answer ;-)
If there was an audience being entertained by the game play, say at a
convention, then it might be a form of performance art. That feature
would be incidental to the game, though, and it's play. By this measure
football and other spectator sports are art forms :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by johnsemlak
As the starter of that thread I'd like to apologize. I did however note
that if you started before the 70's you could post so. By 'gaming' I
was vaguely (perhaps too vaguely) referring to RPGs and D&D, which
didn't exist before the 70s in the form they exist now.
Sure :-)
I was just having a little fun. Being an Old Fart must have some compensations, right?
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Adding to the Art Topic
Originally posted by mythusmage
(If bad grammar was the mark of a great writer, Gary Gygax would be this generation's Shakespeare.)
My, my, Alan!
Aren't we precious?!
Perhaps your assessement is not as astute as you might think ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
HALL OF MANY PANES sounds like it might be your best module yet, Gary!
Thanks kindly :-) It is certainly different from any other I have done--or even heard about.
You
might enjoy what's going on where I live (Pueblo, Colorado). On January
1st a city-wide smoking ban in ALL public places (including bars) went
into effect. The heroic bar owners united and collected far and away
enough signatures to get the ban suspended. Now the little orcs and
Wormtongues on the city council have to decide whether to just drop the
whole thing or send it to a general election.
Heh. One of my favorite parts of the Two Towers movie is the scene in
which Gimli is eating and drinking beer in Theoden's hall, Aragorn is
smoking, and they all are armed to the teeth. Weapons, alcohol, and
tobacco: The good guys don't forbid these things! :-D
Health Police are certainly Nazi-like. Of course the Nazis wanted to
regulate all aspects of life, and disarmed the civilian population of
Germany.
What I wonder is why restaurants and bars can't be "smoking" or
"non-smoking" according to the owners' decision. As a smoker I will
usually look for a place that allows a cigarette or cigar after dinner,
but if it's a good place I'll eat there even if they forbid lighting up.
Not a bar in the world I'd patronize, though, that was posted as no
smoking. (And yes, I do own firearms.)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ScottGLXIX
Gary,
I remember not too long ago you were trying to remember what a bit of
the poem refering to Thrommel in the ToEE meant, the nine, On thre, in
six, lies nine... Did you ever remember what the nine was for? Also, for
many years, I was always curious about Lareth from the moathouse being a
cleric of Lolth, it never really went anywhere in the published
version. I'm guessing now that you had originally intended to go with
Lolth, but because of using her in the GDQ series you wanted to come up
with something new, and Zuggtmoy ended up being behind things at the
temple, and Lareth could just be considered a cleric of Zuggy, or did
you have bigger plans for Lolth?
Scott
Well Scott...
Thinking back, I believe that the "nine" was meant to refer to Thrommel
being the ninth of his line in succession for the crown--and his level,
which of course could not be "known" per se. the trouble is, one
forgets to set forth all the information created as backstory.
As for Lareth, yes, I did plan to develop Lolth in a different direction. The Q1 module sort of shot that idea down in flames...
She would have made a comeback via the EEG, though, as he was planned as
the central baddie in another adventure module...that I never got
around to writing :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: throwing this out
Originally posted by Inzae
Hall
of Panes may have dice in it. I am pushing hard, really pushing (I
think Steve is going to hit me soon) for the dice. Special unique dice.
A one sided die - hheheh
its late... what can I say. the module is stupendous and somewhat overwhelming to my little head, so it deserves dice.
Davis
One-sided dice are easy to make--Mobius strips ;-)
they will "roll" perfectly too, and have absolutely accurate chances
for the random number generated! Stupendous, eh, Davis?
Anyway, we have someone who would likely prefer a sleeve-type packaging
of the material and a vote for a regular box. So much for polls...
Heh, Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Hello All
Originally posted by Troll Lord
Hello all,
...
Davis has the full thing on his desk so I don't know the final page count, but the ms is something like 390 pages I think.
...
Esteemed Publisher!
The ms. I sent was over 500 pages in length--around 530 IIRR--not
counting maps. Davis is a nice guy, and you can talk to him, honest.
After all, he is your bro, right? :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by mystraschosen
Excuse me Gary ,hate to bother you about something you have obviously answered many times over,but I am in a bit of a bind.
That's part of the reason why I am here, so no problem :-)
I
love to write.....about anything really,but sometimes it becomes very
hard for me.I feel overwhelmed by my ideas and don't quite know where to
start or how to structure the grand ideas I evision into a proper
manuscript. This very well may have to do with the fact that I have no
professional writing experience,and also never having taken a class or
been taught per say could be a big part.
I humbly ask for ideas on how to go about this.How do you lay everything
out?What do you do when you get bogged down or overwhelmed by the sheer
flood of ideas that come faster than you can articulate them onto
paper?Is there a certain way you have found easier to structure your
outlines?
When i get an idea a write it down on scratch
paper if I am not at the computer. Then I give it a title as close as
possiible to what the idea pertains to--a name if it's a book or module
concept, and put it into a file.
When i heve time I read the notes, expand them usually, and create an
outline of the work to be done. Using that outline I develop separate
files for the parts indicated, and write material for them as the ideas
come.
When the body of the material is completed I go back and write the
introductory portion based on what has developed. that introductory
work might well necessitate the revision of some of the following
work--it's a good way to check that you've done what you aimed at and
said was done.
Just finding the time and energy to get the material into form can be a
problem. As for lack of inspiration/ideas, if the work is divided into
sections, skip to the section that appeals to you the most at the time.
If that doesn't work, watch or read something that pertains to the
subject, and that might trigger your creative muse :-D
I
have begun toying with a microrecorder to preserve my ideas before they
flit out of my head and it has improved things considerably.However I
still get overwhelmed pretty frequently and am at my wits end on how to
get around this.
Thanks for your help.
Good day to you swammy.
The recorder is a great idea, and
it will prove very useful, I am sure., Ideas come swiftly at times, and
they leave just as rapidly, forgotten in the flood of others surfacing.
Hope what i noted above will be of some help to you.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Dialgo,
Geoffrey is quite right, and sorry if I somehow made it seem as if I
were referring to you as a Health Nazi. I was not and do appreciate
words of advice...even if I fail to heed them ;-)
Melan,
As i recall, the level range for beginning PCs for the HALL' module has
been suggested as six of 8th level. I believe that three or four good
players of that level could manage the encounters quite well. The
Trolls alone know the release date, but my progonstication is late
July...
Mystraschosen,
That's what I've been doing, working on a creative project, and my head
is aching from the concentration, so this post is a "break" from
that....
Geoffrey,
While I have played it using the LA game system, the HALL OF MANY PANES
is set for d20 play also, so however you prefer will work.
Steve,
Right on! My page count for the main body of text in 12 point Times New
Roman is 515. If that is put into 10 point Ariel, it will come down to
about 400 pp, likely, so your 300 and something count makes sense. But
as you note, all those sidebard and other separate bits add to the main
text, as do the maps, so two volumes are a certainty for this work.
It is a long one, a campaign module that the GM can hasten through in
under a year or spin out to a two year length if that's the desire.
Plenty of room was left in the material for GM addition so as to draw
out events. I used the shortest form as the base ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
No... Comic Relief
Originally posted by mythusmage
Here, good reader, you can see an old saying in action, "Familiarity breeds amusement." :-)
BTW, I now take this opportunity to welcome Davis Chennault to the
rarified world of those who've edited the good Col. Counseling is
available from your local mental health clinic.
And, Gary, I was going to use H.P. Lovecraft instead, but at least he had a talent for overwriting. ;-)
Thank you Alan. You serve as a perfect Jack Pudding. All I need now is a regular jester for you to back up :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: General Appreciation
Originally posted by Napftor
I
don't really have any pressing questions, but just wanted to pop in and
say THANK YOU GARY for doing what you've done, what you are doing, and
what you will do. D&D is a vital part of my life and brings forth
nothing but good memories and feelings. You are the man, as far as I'm concerned. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Game on!
Howdy Bret :-)
The good words are appreciated. I have to agree that gaming has muuch
to offer, including many great memories and good friends made because of
it. I note you do freelance writing, and knowing how tough it is, wish
you the best of success.
BTW, don't mind Mythusmage, he's always acting up ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Arravis
Last
night I had the "pleasure" of watching the movie "Mazes and Monsters".
While my friends and I were watching this... umm... masterpiece of
cinema and laughing like hyena's, we wondered how come you guys never
sued them and what were your thoughts on the movie?
Oh, andnd Gary... thank you for an incredible game :-) .
Rona Jaffe is a second-rate author for sure, and her M&M book was an
evident potboiler. There was no grounds for a lawsuit, and any attempt
would merely have generated publicity for her, so TSR did what was
best--ignored the whole thing.
As for the thanks, welcome, and rest assured I've had a lot of fun in this whole matter ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Boxed Set HOMP Presentation
Originally posted by dcas
That sounds very palatable. My issue with boxed sets is that they get
easily crushed -- and the family has so many books that most of my RPG
stuff gets stacked downstairs. The biggest offender by far is the
original Kingdoms of Kalamar boxed set -- it's about twice as big as it needs to be.
Of course, if TLG was willing to produce a hardcover with sewn
signatures, the size of a single volume might not be an issue. . . .
;-)
How well i know about a clutter of books, magazines
and games. My wife is also into books--on antiques, so they add to the
stacks of my stuff. antiuues and colectibles fill every flat surface
and nich here :-(
As for stitched hardbacks, is is necessary to make long runs to allow
the expense, and I don't think the Trolls will sell 50K copies of the
module no matter how good it is ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by mythusmage
Ladies
and Gentlemen, I only razz the good Col. because it's fun. Gary's an
irascible old coot, and a libertine (He spells it l-i-b-e-r-t-a-r-i-a-n,
but we all know about his typoes :-) ). Lest you get the right idea
about me, be aware that I have enjoyed his work over the years, admire
him for his imagination and his near encyclopedic store of knowledge,
and appreciate what he has done for people all over the world. My life
has been a much richer one for having known him. (Vocabulary wise at the
very least. :-D )
Alan!
Now you've spoiled it :-( Surely those who are discerning would get
the idea that we were on at least amicable terms. After all you are
named and thanked in the MYTHUS books, edited material of mine, and are
working as author on one of the "Gygaxian Fantasy World" books
:rolleyes: Meantime, it was fun to have some seemingly annoyed back and
forth :-D
Now I'll have to see about getting PA back posting on these boards.
Being unfairly attacked and villified keeps me humble, of course...
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Talath Gary, maybe you've been already asked this, but what is your view of Hackmaster?
Kenzer's HM modules look fun and entertaining, and truly herald back to a
day when there was a wandering prostitute table in your DMG :-D
From what I have seen HackMaster is very close to OAD&D, a
souped-up version with some tongue-in-cheek additions to add slapstick
humor. I am all for some frivolity in RPG, and I employ it often when I
GM adventures in which it is appropriate. More I can't say because I
have not had opportunity to actually play the game. One of the
drawbacks of being so busy...and living in a small town where GMs of
various RPGs are at a premium.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: if you think that's coooool
Originally posted by Inzae
check out gary's 'buttocks' table in the World Builders Guide. LOL
sorry Gary, had to do it.
Davis
So?
It only goes to prove that my hindsight is 20/20 :-D :-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
How big is the town in which you live, Gary?
(I don't live in a town, I live on a mountain. The nearest hamlet only has a few hundred people - if that!)
Ballarat, where I work and play D&D, has a population of about 90,000.
Cheers!
Ya, Hey Dere Merric!
Lake Geneva was about 4K people when I was a boy, but it's up to about
10K now, not coounting all the unincorporated developments surrounding
the place that add about 10K.
The lake is seven miles long and a mile plus on average wide. It's
spring fed and rock-bottomed, over 120 feet deep at its deepest point,
so its attractive.
Tourists coming here, and summer residents make the area population
swell by some 20K in the summer. Sadly, most all the big estates of the
wealthy who used to have lake shore places around it have been
subdivided into clusters of petty places that ruin the beauty of the
shoreline. Sadly, soon what everybody comes here to enjoy will be
gone--covered by little houses, roads, malls, and parking lots. No
foresight in the minds of the City Fathers, and developers of real
estate have no soul, only a lust for money :-(
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by EvilPheemy
Mr. Gygax
If it's not too personal a question, what sorts of firearms do you own?
Sadly, I can't affoard to collect shooters, I have to sate myself by
collecting game volumes describing guns.
I really appreciate the time you spend answering questions from all of us. Thanks for being so candid.
KPP
Howdy!
When I began wargaming back in 1958 an Avalon hill boardgame was $5, and
that seemed so princely a sum that I had so save up to acquire a game.
A friend and I pooled out spending money and bought the new games
together. When I moved we divided the lot between us, taking turns
after a die roll determined who got first pick ;-)
I own a 12 gauge pump and a double-barreled shotgun. a 30-30 carbine, a 7.63
mm
Argentine Mauser, a 9mm Uzi, and a .22 semi-automatic. I also have
several handguns, including a .45 semi-automatic, a .357 revolver, and a
9mm colt semi-automatic.
I used to do a bit of hunting and a lot of target shooting, but not much of that in the past 10 years, and I miss it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: General Appreciation
Originally posted by Napftor
Thanks for the well wishing. I've been at this for a year now and have
met with surprising success. As I said, none of it would have been
possible without you. I aspire to be half the writer you are. :-)
And I've got a question now! This may or may not have been asked
before, but I'm curious as to exactly how much creative control you
possessed up until your association with TSR ended. That would be
creative control over product lines, new books, what have you.
Welcome, and the kind lauds are heartening. It is good to see others
able to have the fun I do with gaming and earn some money too ;-)
As for my control at TSR, it was pretty much my call up through 1980,
but after that it went south. By 1981 Brian Blume was making the major
decisions, and I was completely out of creative direction by 1982, other
than my own work. Even there I could not stupulate the quality of the
product or it's illustration.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Sniktch
Wow! Remind me never to try robbing your
house :-D I'd have to fall in the category of buying gun books to
look at the pictures, but not being able to afford one myself. I mean,
one gun = dozens of RPG products :-D
Heh, and I got an
early start. My grandfather matched my savings so that I could buy my
first .22 rifle, a single-shor, bolt-action Winchester, when I was age
12. He kept the bolt, and I had to learn all the safety rules and do
target shooting with him, hunt only with an adult, until I was age 13.
From then on I worked and saved to pick up other firearms. My first
shotgun was a 16 gauge three-shot, bolt-action Mossberg. Managed to bag
a few pheasants and ducks with it. By trading I picked up a couple of
better .22s, and then I got an old 12 gauge single-barrel shotgun that
would self-break and eject a magnum shell :-o So the armory began
when I was a lad and has taken many years to become what it is.
BTW, I have in the part chased two sets of would-be burglars off by
suddenly appearing with a weapon in hand, pointed only in their general
direction. Funny how quickly they fled, no shots fired at all. the
only time a successful burglary took place was when I was away. turned
out they caught the perps--teenagers, one whose parent worked at the
copshop. He'd stolen my .45, but I got it back :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
I most commonly describe myself as an anarcho-capitalist. The pillars of
my political thought are Murray Rothbard, Hans-Hermann Hoppe, Doris
Gordon, and lewrockwell.com. Where in the libertarian spectrum do you
put yourself?
Can't refer to any particular person when
noting my beliefs, as I am pretty much an independant, not tied to any
dogma; a Jeffersonian Libertarian, if I must point to some person whose
political ideals I follow.
I believe that the individual is responsible as follows:
Self
Family
Friends
Neighbors
Community
The greater polity in its many stages
Central government is necessary, but only to the extent given to it in
the Constitution by the People--that power now grossly exceeded.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Late to the party as usual...
Howdy Merric,
I found the second Harry Potter film a letdown, not anywhere near the 9 I
gave the initial one, more of a 6. On the other hand, despite TTT
being too long, I had to rate it a 9, So much for my movie critic roll
:rolleyes:
As far as I know, the Trolls are in process of play-testing the HALL',
and whilst that takes place doing their planning for its presentation. I
am fairly confident it will be boxed, but the actual composition will
be a surprise to me, most likely...
Alan,
Great idea that, but one will need actual strength of 18 or better to lift the product you suggest :-o
Darrin:
My group is playing in the HALL' now--still. They managed two panes
last session, and likely will finish another this time. Play value is
very high. The group is large and experienced, so they manage most
challenges well, properly. After finishing the last portal one of the
players wished for some combat, and lo and behold! The next pane chosen
was really a H&S one that tests the mettle of all seek &
destroy types. They have managed only two of the seven encounters in
it, are somewhat damaged, a bit low on energy for activating Powers
(casting spells), and might well lose an Avatar or two before this is
done. Anyway, they've been playing about half a year and are not quite
half of the way through the module.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by mythusmage
On the positive side, you'll have ammo to use against those who consider RPGs light entertainment. :-P
Not only online but on punning target, eh Alan?
I plead no contest, as I was up too late last night...
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
Hi, Gary. I have some Lejendary Adventure questions for you:
1. Why did you include Psychogenics in the game? I remember you had
expressed regret for including psionics (which seem similar) in D&D
and AD&D.
Hi Geoffrey :-)
Okay, point by point, here are the answers:
The LA game's magic system is point based, so Psychogenics, unlike
AD&D's psionics, fit the overall system as just another
Extraordinary Ability that can be taken. The Powers offered in the game
tend to be relatively limited, and many encourage roleplay and
non-combat options to encounter situations. So the comparison of the
two, they being in different sysyems, isn't actually one that applies.
2.
If I drop Psychogenics from the game, are there unfortunate ripples
that might adversely affect the game? (Note: I plan on requiring all the
players' Avatars to be human, so the "what to do about Wylfs?" question
wouldn't crop-up.).
The main repercussioons will be in
those areas where NACs and creatures are given Psychogenic Ability. the
lack of that Ability will also hinder human Avatars in being able to
see in darkness. A quick perusal of the list of Powers for the Ability
should serve to alert you to any other drawbacks you might encounter in
your campaign.
By and large, the rules and systems will be otherwise unaffected by exclusion of Psychogenic Ability.
3. What level of play is Hall of Many Panes geared towards? Would a group of new Avatars be able to adventure through it?
The HOMP is geared for about four to six veteran players with Avatars
that have adventured for a year or so, thus have added score in existing
Abilities, and have added some new ones to their repertorie. In my
group there are three players whose Avatars are very strong, and they
could likely manage the whole alone...maybe. In some encounters numbers
are inportant.
The module is designed to be adaptable, though, the GM adjusting the
strength of opponents where believed necessary, downwards or upwards.
The upshot is that experienced players can manage with beginning Avatars
if you as Lejend Master give them breaks where necessary. There are
some very challengind combat scenario encounters. By doing that, they
can manage those panes where problem solving and roleplay are called for
in the main--or exclusively. By allowing extra Merits to them
initially, so they can increase Ability scores, a newbie group could
manage well enough, I believe.
Oh yes, one thing more: Many Abilities can not be raised for lack of
someone to train the Avatar. That can be accommodated by having the
sprites in one of the rest areas able to prodide some help in this
regard. There are encounters where the team can remain in the other
dimension accessed by the pane, gain training there in the more
difficult Abilities--the Extraordianry ones as well as Chivalry.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Zelazny, art and guns
Originally posted by Caedrel
This
thread is STILL going? Simply amazing! Hello again Gary, Merry
Christmas, Happy New year, etc etc etc. Good to hear that things have
been busy and going well for you - Hall of Many Panes sounds exciting,
although Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil and my own connecting
spin offs is going to occupy my own group for well into the forseeable
future... :-)
Howdy, and thanks for good words. The
HALL' is a long haul, but with luck it will be on the backlist of Troll
Lord Games when you finish the RttToEE and are ready for another...if
the group is up for another campaign-length module ;-)
I'm
a bit disappoined I missed the whole thing with PA - I love Roger
Zelzany's works, and would love to debate some of those things with him,
but I don't particularly want to draw his attention back to this
thread, so I'll keep my peace :-)
No question in my mind
that Zelazny was an excellent author. It is not his writing that was in
question, but the merits of a diceless "RPG" based on his books.
No need to worry about PA jumping in here, though. He is busily engaged
in furthering his education, getting his Ph.D. Pity that, as I enjoy
sparring with him. He is a good fellow.
I
like the candour with which people have talked about the whole art /
craft / trade issue. I like the fact that you and others don't see
themselves as somehow "better" than others because of your creativity
and ability, or look down on people who don't have the same ability and
who praise your work. That humility is wonderful and delightful to me -
well done!
It's pretty difficult to get haughty about
something I was blessed with. I thank my parents, and sometimes curse
my inate compulsion to do things creative, but... Now if I was a
virtuoso musician or a great painter or could write like Shakespeare
likely I'd be insufferable :-o
I'm
interested in what it is about firearms that attracts you - I think
it's an exceptionally bad idea to have ready access to one (and its
ammunition) in your home...
Cheers,
Caedrel
Just about everyone I know here grew up in a house
where there were firearms around--mostly mine as I got older. I think
it odd that everyone does not own a weapon or two of the sort. Not many
burglaries or home invasions hereabouts, because the bad guys know that
the honest citizens are armed.
I loved target shooting as a boy, and then when I was old enough I
hunted a good deal--squirrel, rabbit, pheasant, duck, goose. Only got
to go deer hunting once, and failed to bag a buck. Sad that, as I enjoy
venison. Always eat what I shoot.
All of my children were around firearms, and I taught them to respect
guns. Of course I keep loaded handguns--empty ones are less useful that
a rock. Never had a single problem with firearms.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
Dear Gary,
I wonder if you might be willing to comment about the upcoming 3.5 edition of D&D?
[snippage]
Nothing I can say would be useful. I am concerned that a new edition
will fracture the new D&D audience, and that's all I can venture.
Whenever some new information, correction or addition, to the LA game
system is determinbed, it is posted to webpages as Errata or new core
material or else covered in an article in LEJENDS Magazine.
Minor changes are done automatically in core books as they are
reprinted. We plan a couple of supplements at some point. One to cover
the addition of Shamanism & Witchery, the other to compile all the
other added rules and information. These books are planned for 2004 or
so. No hurry, as they don't change the game, only expand its scope.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by blackshirt5
This
one might have been asked before, if it was, just let me know: Who were
the writers/what were the books, that influenced D&D originally. I
know that Tolkien, Moorcock, and Vance were influences on you, but what
about others?
And will you adopt me Gary? I'm very clean, and easy to live with. I come with a complete set of 3rd edition rules! :-D
Heh, Blackshirt5 :-)
If you check the OAD&D
DMG,
Appendix M IIRR, there is a long list of inspirational authors given.
JRRT's influence was more in ther marketing of the D&D game than in
it's creation and development.
A few other authors that were very key to my thinking: R.E. Howard, A.
Merritt, De Camp & Pratt, Fritz Lieber, Fred Saberhagen, Stanley
Weinbaum, R. Zelazny.
As for adopting a gamer, I actually did that back in the TSR days,
sorta... a lad from the southwest came up to Lake Geneva looking for a
job at TSR. There was none, he was broke, so I hired him to help at my
place--it had horses, and he helped take care of them. He lived with
us, played in my campaign. Eventually he went back home. He emailed me
about a year ago. He is now an MD ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Enceladus
That has to be one of the coolest things I've read since this thread's been going. :-)
Well thanks, but I am just passing along the same spirit Leo Edwards
included in his novels for boys. If you've never read a "Jerry todd"
book, and they are for a pre-teen male audience, have a look ;-)
I've
always felt that Tolkien's world and style was a bit out of place with
DnD, that is they didn't fit well together. After reading much about
your history I can see why this is so.
Fritz Lieber is one of my favorites, becuase he can paint a scene so
well, the atmosphere and feel of his style is very much how I percieve
DND. Of all of the fantasy writers that I like, his has the most DnD
feel to it IMHO.
Don't know if this has been asked before but, out of all the sources
that you've stated, how much of his Lankhmar/Characters inspired you?
My real impetus was Howard's "Conan," not surprisingly. Fritz's novels
and the De Camp & Pratt books were also great influences as was
Vance--my all-time favorite author in the genre. From 1950 through 1956 I
read about every book and magazine of F & SF published in the US,
and I bought used pulps so as to read back through the entire 1940 on
era. That's why I included so extensive a reading list in the old
DMG...I read and enjoyed, was inspired by, a large number of authors.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Janos Antero
Well someone has to keep you not just humble but under control afterall. :-D
You devil! Where did you dredge up that quote:rolleyes:
PA has commented to me in email that he was relying on you to villify me, and that he hoped you were doing a proper job of if :P
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Yes, Janos...
A very munchkin-like post that :-o
D&D hit the stands 30 years ago.
Of course I do admit to enjoying a Camel (unfiltered) or a nice Havana
cigar--especially with an alcoholic potable. Both nicotine and alcohol
are drugs...
According to giovernment lies, second hand smoke is a killer and using
drugs supports the "War on Terror," so I am dopubly huilty by that
measure. Not to mention that I support the legalization of drugs--the
only way to have a chance of actually controlling their sale, and
something that would end billions in wasted tax money, bring in revenue
to support anti-drug education and treatment too. But why am I writing
about this here?!
Damn, I've had too long a day of developmental writing and correspondence. What I need now is a cocktail and a smoke :rolleyes:
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by JohnBrown Mr. Gygax,
I have a question (or three depending on your point of view :-) )
concerning the final encounter areas in each of the �D� series modules.
I have owned them for years and years, but I am finally getting my
first chance to DM them. My question deals with how you envisioned the
encounters to unfold. For example, did you envision the caverns and
warrens area at the end of D1 to �behave� like a classic dungeon
exploration where the creatures stay more or less in place until they
are �triggered�, or did you see it as more of an encampment where the
creatures there will try to actively repel any intruders that don�t
belong there, or perhaps just as a merchant checkpoint where the party
is actually intended to bypass most of the encounters there. I can see
the potential for any of the three. I also see great potential for a TPK (regardless of which edition you are playing :-) )
When I DMed NPCs and monsters tended to stay where they were unless
something drew their attention and brought them out. Thus, and of the
options you note above might come into play. It was up to the PC team to
manage. If they crept about and attacked with relative stealth, the
adversaries would noy act in concert. Likewise, they could bypass most
of the opposition. The groups I DMed through the module tended to seek
bypassing, although one very strong party made a point of wiping out all
the enemy that they could find.
I
have similar questions involving the temple area in D2 and my questions
about what you exactly intended for the Vault of the Drow are numerous,
but my main question involving D3 is how did you envision that the
players are supposed to ferret out that the temple of Lolth is final
encounter? Perhaps, I am overlooking the obvious, but I just didn�t see
a lot of information available to the players that would indicate that
this would be the final destination.
I have my own ideas on how to run these encounters, of course, but since
I have an indirect conduit to the author, I thought I would ask.
It never hurts to check with the source. :-)
Thank you for your time,
John
To discover the temple the party was meant to do some
big-time roleplay by entering the city of Erelheicindlu and mixing in
with all the Evil NPCS and monsters there, ask questions, mabe even take
a prisoner and question that one. Of course, mant of the inhabitants
of the Vault would know where the fane was located, so the DM could
decide how to manage the matter--bribery, threat, whatever.
One thing I didn't do was direct the DM in how he should manage an
adventure, or force a play style. What I attempted to do was set forth a
template for accommodating whatever the general situation might allow.
Hope that's sufficiently cogent...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Gun Ownershop
One final observation:
When Adolph Hitler came to power in Germany he seized all privately
owned firearms. american citizens are guaranteed the right to won
firearms by the Constitution, not the Bill of Rights.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Henry
Um,
Gary - I don't mean to disrespect, but are you SURE about that? (2nd
amendment and all that) - In fact, it's why the Bill was added - because
the ten amendments were not explicitly spelled out, and needed to be
added.
Hi Henry :-)
Yuppers, I am quite sure. The Constitution gives the Federal Government
only those Powers specifically enumerated as yielded by the People to
it. All others are retained by the People. nowhere in the enumerated
Powers is there one that allows the government to limit the ownership of
firearms.
All firearms cases filed in court by the Federal Government have been done under Interstate Commerce laws, IIRR.
The Second Amendment business was unnecessary and now used as a canard by those seeking to deprive people of their freedom.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Datt
Hello Gary,
Are you currently working on any projects for Dungeons & Dragons
that you are allowed to talk about? If not would you ever be willing to
work for D&D again?
If you mean by that doing work for
WotC,
the answer is no. I do have some number of d20 works in process of
publication. anthough the advent of 3.5E is likely to mess that up a
good deal.
My ability to be creative using
3E
is limited, for I find the rules inhibiting. so it is not easy for me
to write for the system. I prefer to do my creative work using my new
system, and thereafter something akin to OAD&D, as I can think and
be innovative in those game terms freely.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
D-rock,
There we are of one mind in regards to rights of the People ;-)
Politics aren't allowed on my games list, so I have a seconf one for
such subjects. Seems that there's usually some cross-over despite that.
Better to cut it out here, so as to keep the thread going.
Pardon me for getting it started on the wrong track by responding to a
post that questioned firearm ownership. I won't respond to any further
posts of that nature, and please don't any others carry on with the
off-topic discussion.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
Hi, Gary.
Your D-trilogy of modules are my favorite AD&D modules. Legalities
aside, do you have any interest in finishing detailing all the encounter
areas on the large-scale map? It should only take a dozen or so more
modules. :-D It would be doubly cool to have them printed in the same
font as the D trilogy, and have monochrome/pastel covers.
Shifting gears to your latest love, when is Hall of Many Panes scheduled for release? It sounds intriguing! :-)
Sure! It would be fun to goi back and flesh out more of the Drow underground, but that's pretty unlikely to come about ;-)
your mention of format of the modules is something that you can count on
seeing from one to two publishers soon. It's been discussed recently
on the
www. Dragonsfoot.org boards too.
The HALL OF MANY PANES should be ready for release at GenCon as a
premier--at least that's the current plan of the Trolls, I believe.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Mark CMG Good afternoon Poppa G! :-)
I'm sharing some old time stories from the early days about my first
DM/GM in another thread and it'd be great if you could pop in and share
some of yours too. :-)
http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showt...threadid=41429
And, if you hadn't already heard, please know that you are also invited
to jump on board for the March Fo(u)rth for GM's Day! movement. We've
got a growing, grass roots movement to promote the first gamers' holiday
and I think you'd enjoy being a part of it. :-) Heh, and son Alex is want to call me "Papa G" now and again ;-)
The accounts of the old time D&D games I have are pretty well told
already, or will be, in the DRAGON Magazine column I do, "Up on a
Soapbox," so I have to pass on the kind offer.
I hadn't heard about March Fo(u)rth for GM's Day. Sounds an excellent
idea. Hope it gets a great turnout. I'll not be marching much of
anyplace, though, what with my bad leg...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by JohnBrown
Mr. Gygax,
Thank you for your response to my questions. Your insight is very helphful
John
Welcome, john!
Anytime, and my pleasure.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Quick Question
Originally posted by Lord Zardoz
This is related to politics, but thankfully, not to firearms.
What non US country do you admire most, and why?
And on a more game related note:
What D&D Villian did you create that you are most proud of?
END COMMUNICATION
As one of the very select number who are members of the Zardoz Film Fans, how can I not respond?
Actually, from my historical interest perspective, I admire many other
countries for one or more reasons. Which one I admire most is a very
difficult question for me to answer. The criteria are manifold, so
without some specific bases for selecting one, I can't name a special
one.
I will mention that Ancient Egypt holds a special place in my heart, for
it lasted so many centuries, and the people of the land wanted the
afterlife to be no more than a continuation of their fleshly existance
there. That's quite a nod for living under pharoah's rule.
From a gaming standpoint, my all-time favorite is Obmi the dwarf. All
of the players who encountered him rapidly came to despise Obmi and want
to see him extirpated. Of course, that was why he kept coming back.
Most of the others were sort of uber-NPCs, and not as much joy could be
had from thwarting the PCs' desires in regards to their expunging them.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Ulrick
Mr. Gygax,
Is it true that you knew and were friends with the late Chief Standing Bear here in Ames, Iowa?
[snippage]
Chief Standing Bear is a bit of a legend within the Guild. Some of the
older gamers say he was the best DM they ever had and all around great
guy.
Ulrick
Edit: Added the link.
Hi Ulrick,
The name doesn't ring an immediate bell. Did he ever use another name?
It seems to me that I recall a gamer who was an American Indian, a very
knowledgeable and articulate fellow who was from Iowa. Met him at a
GenCon or two early on when D&D was just starting, and I think he
played in a tournament I was DMing and was on the winning team.
Going back a quarter-century and more tests the memory rather severely...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Nathal
Oh, don't let 3.5 stop you, Gary. There are always many who are willing
to aid in translating your adventure designs, or more generic "gygaxian
fantasy" material into the specifics of the latest D&D incarnation.
:-)
Thank goodness for such help, I must say!
However, I was actually referring to the possibility of current material
in editing having to go back to be revised to the new 3.5E rules, thus
messing up the publishing schedule and release date :-(
Of
course anybody who tires of keeping a strict catalog of errata and
revisions to "official canon" can try out Lejendary Adventure with its
emphasis on the Game Master's primacy as the final arbiter on which
rules (or even updates) to use or toss.
Granted there is such a "Rule Zero" written in the new D&D, and yet
there remains a great concern with what is Official. This a common
obsession, never discouraged by Wizards, regardless of conventional
wisdom concerning DM fiat. LA hammers home the point that the Game
Master is ultimately responsible for the success of the game, the fact
intrinsic to its very design it would seem, based on its "rules-light"
nature. B-)
Heh, and that's so. Being old and cranky,
I have grown tired of arguing over rules, so I figured that doing a
system that had as few rules as possible, just enough to facilitate easy
play, and with mechanics that were "forgiving" in that they allow for
some and just about any addition alteration without throwing the system
out of kilter was the way to go. That way the GM can play the fast and
easy way or add whatever else is enjoyable to him and his group without
difficulty. It also gets me out of the "what does this mean," and "why
isn't this done thus-and so," loop :-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
Back a while ago, you did that poll in Dragon on the various aspects of
RPGs - very illuminating and thought-provoking, I must say!
Which aspect do you find easiest, and which do you find hardest as a DM to handle properly?
[snippage]
As you note, roleplay, and even role-assumption, are the hardest
elements of the RPG for me to get to if the player group is not so
inclined. I include one encounter in the upcoming HALL OF MANY PANES
that absolutely demands the group properly assume their character's role
and then play that persona. Surprisingly, when so confronted, all of
the group did well, including my young son Alex, age 16, who is uneasy
in reagrds that (which is typical of most young persons not of a
theatrical bent).
Some problem solving can be a trial, for if the group isn't in the mood
for serious lucubration at the time, they then to use the rule, "Don't
use force; het a bigger hammer!"
Focusing on strategy and devising tactics to accomplish the mission is
another probem area at times. In the excitement of the adventure many a
team loses its focus and goes astray.
Conversely,
finding quests for the players seems relatively easy to me, though at
times it turns into quest overload. "Can't we have some down-time?" "But
there's a dragon about to eat your castle, and you need to find the
Sword of Magnificence to kill it! No, you can't rest, now!" :-)
Cheers!
That you can easily manage the quests portion of
the game is excellent. to the best of my knowledge many GMs don't do
that with great facility. That's why short modules are pretty popular.
A busy GM is often hard-pressed to devise an interesting scenario, for
the quest must have more than the sheer mission, be given details in
regards all sorts of things. Bening able to have a quest that's
complete--a ready-made adventure that can be slipped into the
campaign--is generally looked at as a great boon by harried GMs.
The intermediate elements are intregue (quite demanding on the GM),
politics, and economic ones--building, commerce, etc. In most groups I
am familiar with these are not as popular as action aspects. When I
play I love to get involved the lot of them. Jim Ward actually made a
group called "The Vigilists" a part of his infrastructure of groups that
characters will encounter in his METAMORPHOSIS ALPHA game :-o
BTW, the easiest RPG elements to manage all around are exploration and
combat. Most players love both, so that's why they form the meat and
potatoes of many campaigns.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by johnsemlak
For those of us who don't have access to that poll, could you provide a summary? :-)
Below are the questions I asked. i published the results in DRAGON,
but I don't know which two nimbers the column ran in, so hopefully
MerricB can suply that.
BTW, had I been aware of this website I'd have posted the survey here too ;-)
The questions:
THE ELEMENTS THAT CONSTITUTE A ROLE-PLAYING GAME
Rate each component of the game from 9, most, to 1, least, important to the RPG.
If you believe any element listed does not belong in the game form give it a 0 (zero).
1. Building (construction, land acquisition, etc.)
2. Business (an occupation aside from "adventuring")
3. Character Development (detailing game persona�s �history�)
4. Combat
5. Economics
6. Exploration (dungeons and for larger discovery)
7. Intrigue
8. Politics
9. Problem Solving
10. Questing
11. Random Chance (encounters, resolution of combat, etc.)
12. Role Assumption (staying "in character" in actions/thinking)
13. Role Playing (ditto, and speaking thus when playing)
14. Story (backstory and in play)
15. Strategy
16. Theatrics (occasional histrionics and sound effects)
17. (You name it and rate it :-) _________________________
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Pronunciation, D-series
Originally posted by Caedrel
There
was an earlier post on pronunciation of Gary's surname - from memory,
they now say "Ghuy-gax", although it was originally "Ghee-gax".
Close :-) The Swiss pronounce it as "Ghe-gox," and so do many others
in the family here in the US, but my branch gave up and has adopted a
more American "Guy-gax"
I
struggled with the lack of detail in the D-series modules... I'm now
more grown up and feel more confident about tackling this sort of thing,
and have actually recently pulled out the GDQ super series with a view
to adding them on to my existing campaign in Return to the Temple of
Elemental Evil (so the Hall of Many Panes is even further away - sorry
about that, Gary! :-) )
In looking at this, it's clear that the chief "shadowy mastermind" of
the G series is Eclavdra, head of the house Eilservs, who have turned
away from Lolth to serve the Elder Elemental Eye... why then is the
"final confrontation" with Lolth? Was something meant to happen in the
Vault of the Drow that led to the destruction of Hosue Eilservs and the
impending unleashing of the true worshippers of the Spider Goddess upon
the surface?
You gotta keep the players busy and happy! I surely do understand that :-o
As for Q1, Ask Dave Sutherland and Brian Blume about that. It was taken
out of my hands by the latter when Sutherland discovered the "Demonweb"
pattern in a hand towel and talked Brian into using it as the main
theme for the concluding module. I had no creative control over it.
I had hoped to get to the Elder Elemental god in a sequal to the ToEE, but...
Bah,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Merric, thanks for supplying the zine numbers.
Alan, that's a good plot line.
My concept was that Eclavdra was aiming at dominance of the Drow through
using the EEG to replace Lolth. she, as the chief priestess of the
elemental deity would then be the mistress of all. The final scenario
was to have been one in which the adventurers got involved in the battle
between the evil entities and made it so that both lost and were tossed
back to their own planes, relatively powerless in the Mundane world for
some time to come.
The Sunless Sea was indeed meant to serve as a place for further
subterranean adventuring, of course. Always leave some room for that
sort of thing, obvious or concealed in the setting :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Tallarn
Ahah!
After months of seeing this thread and being vaguely impressed that I
could potentially talk to the guy that started the whole D&D
thing...I have a question!
It's not a very good question, though, sorry.
I'm playing in a campaign using the Lost City of Gaxmoor, and yesterday
we spent some time having statues described to us. The Wizard is now
planning revenge on the DM for reading out all the statue descriptions
by planning to use shrink item on the lot of them to sell them in a nearby large city...
So here's my question. Why O why O why did you write such long descriptions? :-)
Heh, happy to have some fun here, and your's is not a bad question at all...only directed at the wrong Gygax :-D
My sons Ernie and Luke write THE LOST CITY OF GAXMOOR, and I did only
some suggestions (mainly as to the statues) and play-testing (as Tempros
Ganger).
The descriptions of the statues have a purpose. Of course they aren't
meant to be read serially, only when a party is near to one so as to be
able to "see" all the details. Play will reveal more.
BTW, if I were the DM, I think the Wizard in the party would have his
spell rebound, and he'd get minimalized whenever he tried to mess with
the statues like that ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Tallarn
The DM in question (S'mon on these boards) has mentioned that some of
them radiate magic, but no more yet. I await with interest to see what
happens.
There's a SH based on the campaign if you have time to take a peek. http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showt...threadid=28405 Talk about long threads!
S'mon seems to have a good turn of phrase; the accounts are interesting.
You all must be having some great fun in the adventure. Reading those
reports was near enough to get me interested in playing
3E. Shows what a good DM can do ;-) Hope you enjoy discovering more about the statues of Gaxmoor...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Decado
Gary,
I have been following this thread for a while now and wanted to thank
you for creating something that has given me years of enjoyment.
TTOEE is my all time favorite series and I have been DMing it for four
years now in a play by post game. I as a DM I really enoy the fact that
it is open enough to add my own material which I have done on numerous
occasions. I wish there modules like that being published now. I did
just purchase Necropolis and am working on intergrating it into my
Greyhawk Campaign. I was considering placing it in the Sea of Dust or
Dry Steepes.
A mutually shared pleasure, i assure you ;-)
It is good to learn that you appreciate the creative room I always try
to leave for GMs, so that the material can be personalized as well as
fit into the unique campaign.
As for placing the Necropolis adventure, I'd recommend that you move it
off map to a new continent that can a accommodate more civilizations.
Nothing wrong with having an Egyptian-Indian-Persian-Burmese-Chinese
land mass separated from the Oerik map....if you are so inclined.
After
reading all the post in both threads I was finally able to come up with
a question. I really enjoy the Ranger class and always wondered about
the ruling that no more then 3 rangers could ever work together at one
time. I am curious as to the reasoning for that rule. I always thought
of the ranger class a fantasy version of Army Rangers, warriors who
specialized in fast raids, hit and move tactics and used minimal
equipment.
Thanks again for giving us a great game.
Decado
The stricture was placed in the rules to discourage
parties of one sort of character, or an over-balance of one--Rangers.
We found that a problem in the large groups we were DMing at the time.
The Ranger was envisaged as more of a lone scout sort than a trained military man who operated in units.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
[snip]
Gary, you introduced the new classes of Cavalier, Barbarian and
Thief-Acrobat to us in Dragon Magazine and later Unlimited Adventures...
were those classes being played by players in your campaign?
Cheers!
Hi Merric :-)
We had one cavalier, a couple of barbarians, and one thief-actobat ex
post facto... I actually worked up a barbarian just to use as an
annoyance factor when playing with a group that had greedy mages in it.
Of course I made sure to have a goodly number of sympatico PCS around
to avoid undue retribution for his destruction of "stinking magic!"
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by mythusmage
Gary,
have you ever done a 'follow-up' adventure. That is, one where the
party is going off to learn what happened to the previous party. The
first group gets hired, goes off to investigate, and never comes back.
So their employers hire another group to go look for them.
[snippage]
Bogies, the one thing elves and drow can agree on. The one creature mind
flayers won't touch, even when they're starving to death. Bogies, the
only subject that can turn a kender homicidal. The beasts PETA has
declared worthy of extinction.
So, you done any thing like that?
Errrrrr...
Well, some of the more rabid posters over on RPGnet will likely say I have, but I don't think so.
BTW, if you are looking for Bogie candidates, I think I can give you the URL :rolleyes:
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Baraendur
Gary,
Forgive me if this was asked before in the previous thread, but I'm
wondering how you feel about certain 3rd edition rules. The monk and the
paladin have a rule stating that if either of them multi-class, they
can no longer continue in their advancement in these classes at a later
time. Do you feel that these are good rules, especially considering that
many of the prestige classes are based on the monk or paladin class?
Hi Baraendur,
The question hasn't been asked before.
Although I am by no means an expert on
3E,
I must say that I concur with the rules that limit monk and paladin
advancement is a character multi-classes. Both have special mindsets
and dedication to the base class, that of monk or paladin. One might
have logical prestige class based on some facet of the monk's or
paladin's underlying dedication and still progress in that
specialization, of coourse. Otherwise, though, I would question the
prestige class, not the limitation of progression in either base class.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB **looks on in interest, knowing how Gary feels about 3E rules...** :rolleyes:
;-) Too many of them, too much quantification, and where has the
magic gone? Anyway, I believe you'll find the response I gave a sincere
and appropos one ;-)
Gary - thank you muchly for your answer about the cavaliers, barbarians, and acrobats. Or, the ABCs if you prefer. :-)
You played a barbarian just to annoy your group's magic-users? Right -
time to start a new character. I don't think Meliander the Mage would
enjoy such a companion. You weren't pilfering the items already possessed by the magic-users, were you?
But of course!
Merric, we played a LOT. An average of seven gaming sessions a week was
typical even when I was busy working. Often I played more than that.
Rob would DM for me one-on-one where I mostly roleplayed because i was
doing manual work at the same time. So, understanding that, the number
of PCs I created and played should be likewise understandable. Playing
seriously and intensely a good deal of the time, I varied that by
playing otherwise--such as with my half-orc cleric-assassin :-o
When I played a barbarian, I would indeed atempt to get at newly
discovered magic items and rid the world of their bane, and if some mage
was foolish enough to flaunt such an object before the character, and
he could lay hands on it, then... Because the barbarian was otherwise
cooperative and put the overall interest of the party first, he survived
quite a number of adventures, and his demise was not at the hands of a
fellow PC. Some monster got him--which I don't recall, but it seems to
me it was a basilisk. No cleric or mage in the group was much
interested in having the poor chap returned to life :rolleyes:
I
was wondering (again!) about something in those oAD&D rules. You've
got a rather complex system written for initiative - with modifiers for
weapon speeds, weapon lengths when charging, casting times, magic
device activation times, bow fire initiatives modified by dexterity...
Did you actually use all of that, or was it - as seems standard for you -
much more a DM's call as to when things occurred, modified by what
seemed appropriate?
Many thanks once more!
Cheers!
Actually, most of the DMs I played with were like
me. We used only initiative and casting times for determination of who
went first in a round. The rest was generally ignored save in the most
critical situations when rules lawyering might enable saving a PC. I
did use weapon length for the NPCs as a factor when I DMed so as to
manage to get in some first attacks on PCs, and players who had good Dex
could factor that into their initiative when using bows, sure. If they
didn't, okay :-D In all, we played to have fun, and in the throes of a
hot melee rules were mostly forgotten except as a feature of the
combatant's nature, if you will. If it seemed logical then none of the
veterans would look for a rule to the contrary.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
Hello Gary,
Thanks again for humoring us with this Q&A thread! I just can't get
over how cool it is to be able to drop questions on the Old Wizard
himself about his creative ideas... truly the internet has made the
World that much closer together!
Hola Duglas,
Sure, happy to do that, and I have fun doing so ;-) No question that
the internet is a really great boon to all, especially gamers!
Anyway...
my query regards Mythus. I pretty much know the story how T$R pillaged
that lovely endeavor... but I was curious about whether there existed
any unpublished material for the game (perhaps now owned by WotC)?
Namely, a book of monsters! (Or would that be considered "faerie
creatures" in Mythus terms?) The book of native animals and such just
didn't have enough crunchy action in it for me to consider pursuing a
Mythus campaign despite the lawsuit... but a book of monsters just might
have. Dave Newton was working on the Phaeree Bestiary. I
believe he had completed most, if not all of it. What happened to the
materail I can't say. Seems to me, though, that I heard some of the
entries might have been available throough the MythusL...
Would you be interested in seeing the current owner of the Mythus rights (I am assuming WotC)
republishing that game, or is it considered a dead beast by you?
Perhaps having it republished would run counter to your activities with
Lejendary Adventures?
Thanks and take care, Duglas I wouldn't likely be involved in any re-release of the DJ system and Mythus--not that there'a any likelihood that
WotC will ever do that... It would compete as much with
3E as it would with the LA game, right?
Yes, when I set out to create the LA game system I was certain that the
DJ one was dead. Of course over the intervening years I have spent the
majority of my creative time developing the new game, so that's where I
now create most easily, think in those game terms. Because there's yet
much to do in regards to completing the world setting and in the way of
adventure material, I need to keep working on the LA system--especially
with a MMP online version likely in the offing.
By the way... I can't find Lejendary Adventures products ANYWHERE in Seattle... very frustrating!
Getting shelf space for an RPG that isn't widely promoted and
advertised so as to stimulate both "push" to make space and the "pull"
of consumers demanding it is a fact of life for small publishers. If no
shop will order the LA product you want--it is carried by several major
distributors--then I suggest that you visit
www.lejendary.com From there you can link to the online shop RPGme to order thus.
BTW, we are working on an intro product for the LA game, a free,
downloadable pdf that will enable the potentially interested party to
play a bit and see if the system is his cup of tea. Having someone
spend money to discover he doesn't like the game is good for nobody. It
should be ready in a couple of months.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Ulrick
Thanks for the answer. I'm going to speak with those who knew Standing
Bear today (Wednesday) to find out if he went by another name.
Great! I wish my memory for people was better, but it has never served
me very well. I guess the space available is filled up mainly with
"otyer stuff" :-(
In the meantime, I wish to ask one more question:
Has anybody ever pointed out that certain artwork in the 1st ed. DMG resembles artwork from Gustave Dore's illustrations for Dante's Inferno?
"There is no honor among thieves"--p.24, resembles "Ugolino"
and the succubus on p. 200 resembles "Myrrha."
I'm fan of Dore's artwork and Dante's "Divine Comedy" and just happened notice that awhile ago.
I apologize if the question is too obscure. I'm just curious.
Actually, no; that's never been called to my attention prior to this.
Likely the artist was looking for inspiration and had some of Dpre's
work around. Only the person or persons who did those illos can give
you a firm answer, of course. My old
DMG isn't handy, so I can't check them examples.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy, S'mon!
you posted here as I was, and luckily I heard the incoming email
notification, checked, and saw that. Otherwise I'd be be off doing some
work and not have responded until later. Anyway...
Your comment about needing assistance was something that I noted when
Luke and Ernie were running the LOST CITY OF GAXMOOR play-tests. Even
when the player group wasn't over 20, more of a reasonable 10 or so,
there was a lot of assistance needed. combats took forever--which was
great for all of us who smoke, as we'd get our actions in and then duck
outside for a cigarette, a must in game sessions that lasted six hours
and longer.
Back to your accounts of the campaign, I must again say that they are
well done. I can get a great sense of the play from the well-dramatized
reports, and from that know that you DM the play in like, exciting
manner. How you manage that with the
3E
rules is a testiment to your ability, and I say that with complete
sincerity. I know I couldn't. I've always "winged" much of the play,
ignoring rules and skimping on DM duties so I could have fun in the
adventure too :-o
Cheers!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Et Tu, MerricB!
Heh, and your post hit just as I finished my reply to S'mon ;-)
Actually, I didn't suffer any D&D play burnout because I was working
on the AD&D core materials from 1976-78 and so my playing time then
dropped off to a couple of sessions a week, As a matter of fact I took
a "break" from rules writing between the PGB and the
DMG to write the G series, and after the D series modules. I really am a game geek :-D
That's a great story about your friends and their young daughter. It is
really fun to teach youngsters to RPG--I did that with my six kinder,
of course. Being a mentor in RPGs surely does mitigate against harsh
DMing, as you will soon know for yourself. Damn. but sometimes it is
hard to switch gears and get back into the proper state of mind for
making the game challenging for older and experienced players after
being the kindly teacher DM for youngsters....
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by jasper
[snippage]
We now return to Donahue show.
:-D B-) B-) B-) :-D :-D :-D
Poor Phil!
MSNBC dumped him :-P :-P :-P
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by S'mon
I think one good thing about 3e
is that it satisfies my liking for tactical miniatures combat - the
rules really require minis, or at least counters. 1e AD&D is the
game I ran in high school (grammar school, we Brits call it), in 45
minute lunchtime sessions - it wasn't practical to use miniatures, so
although I accumulated hundreds, they were rarely used. Now I'm at the
time in my life where I can run games in my own home (I didn't play much
during the 2e era), and the miniatures finally get to be used, nearly 2
decades later!
The converse of this is that Monte Cook's 3e DMG
has quite stringent indications as to what makes a suitably manageable
battle: parties of around 4 PCs (maybe with 1 cohort each) and no more
than 13 NPCs at a time. Obviously Gaxmoor wasn't built around these
strictures and running the large combats, with dozens or hundreds of
opponents, under 3e
combat rules can be pretty tough. Now that the party has recruited
their own army and cleared out most of the enemy hordes, I look forward
to running smaller battles in future... :-) Good point, S'mon;0
Ernie ran a big "meeting engagement" game with various groups of Good,
Evil, and Neutral forces on the tabletop. It took a long time for moves
and combat resolution, especially for invisible forces, jyst as
military miniatures usually do. the game was a blast though...even in
my Evil force led by my PC in the engagement an assassin were wiped out.
My roll to strike the nighthad with my envenomed dagger came up a 1,
and she slew me quickly thereafter and managed to escape with the
artifact everyone was fighting to gain.
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
Gary, I have a two-fold question for you regarding the 1981 "Basic" and "Expert" D&D rulebooks:
1. How much say did you have on the contents of these books? I know that
1981 was when your influence at TSR unfortunately began to wane.
Hola, Geoffrey!
Right you are, and I was kept busy with lots of corporate work too.
Fortunately, I had taken Frank Mentzer into my personal staff, so he was
there to do the revision of the initial Basic Set. So Frank did the
bulk of the work, and I reviewed and directed his efforts.
2. How pleased are you with these rulebooks? I've noticed that many gamers have mentioned on various boards they are abandoning 3E
for the 1981 rules precisely because the latter are widely held to be
the clearest and simplest of all the various incarnations of the D&D
and AD&D games. Well shucks! I was very pleased with
them, or they wouldn't have gotten into print ;-) I still had pretty
firm creative control over the D&D and AD&D game systems proper.
It was me who urger the completion of the series too, so Frank could
go ahead and do that. however by then I was more removed from the
creatibe process...
When I play OD&D O prefer to use the original little booklets,
altering them with whatever seems right at the time, but not including
thieves, I do give clerics a spell at 1st level usually, or else start
that as 2nd level PCs. Fact is, i have a lot of fun just playing and
"winging it." If the players aren't lost in known rules they tend to
have more fun that way, and the sense of wonder comes back...FWIW.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Aww, don't tell me I got put on the "ignore" list! I don't think my question was rude. I mean, I did buy The Hermit, so I must be kindly disposed towards ya, Gary. :-D
Hey!
I didn't get an email notice of your post, Colonel, and I missed in in
scrolling down...until your last post gave me notice, and I re-checked.
Sorry.
As I recall, and I don't have a copy of THE HERMIT on hand, the stat
blocks for LA are extensive in a few instances because the information
is for new creatures.
For a fair comparison look at the standard NACs stats and those for d20 NPCs. About a quarter of the latter at most.
Anyway, on a positive note, have you played the module? If so, I'd like
to know how it went, and if the group had fun with the adventure.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Ulrick
[snip]
I'll try to figure out his name though. I'll keep you posted.
And thanks again!
Ulrick
Sorry, I missed getting email notification of a
number of posts here, yours being the first. I look forward to solving
the mystery ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Mercule
And, from left field....
What RPGs have you played/do you play that are not some breed of D&D
and not of your design? Which ones struck you favorably, and why?
Vampire, Shadowrun, Hero, GURPS, Paranoia, Castle Falkenstein, Amber, Aria, etc.?
Also, what genres, besides fantasy, do you enjoy gaming (incl. wargaming) in?
Sorry, another email notice not gotten :-(
I have played and enjoyed EPT, Boot Hill, Metamorphosis Alpha,
Gangbusters, Top Secret, Gamma World, Paranoia, CoC, and Dark
Conspiricy... Likely I've forgotten a few over the 30 years or so of
RPGing :rolleyes:
In military miniatures periods I most enjoy medieval, WWII, Napoleonics,
Napoleonic naval, ancients, ECW, and Victorian military campaigns.
In board wargames I have much the same taste, although WWII is likely my favorite period there.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Bendris Noulg Well, in addition to giving this a bump for Mercule's question, I'll ask one myself...
Recently, the SRD
was updated and made entirely official. However, some creatures/races
were removed and retained, presumably as Product Identity (i.e., no 3rd
Party can use them short of special permissions, and word is that some
have already obtained the "green light").
Might I ask, for the sake of curiosity, where the ideas for the following originated?
-Beholder
-Carrion Crawler
-Displacer Beast
-Kuo-toa
-Mind Flayer
-Slaad
-Umber Hulk
-Yuan-ti
I'm not trying to snub WotC, mind you. I'm just trying to figure out what makes these more PI than, say, owlbears and ropers. Yet another post that I missed...
Okay, here's your list, and my answers ;-)
Beholder--Terry Kuntz dreamed up this sweet little critter.
Carrion Crawler--I just needed something nasty for the "clean-up crew, so thought this one up.
Displacer Beast--Vaguely inspired by a PJ Farmer critter in his "Created
Universes" series, but not drawn from any specific thing therein.
Kuo-toa--Another "I need something new" race dreamed up out of whole cloth so populate the subterranean world.
Mind Flayer--the depiction inspired by the cover of the paperback noved
by Brian Lumley, the Burrowers Beneath, but all the detals made up by
me.
Slaad--This isn't my creation, so I can't say more.
Umber Hulk--Just a tough monster I made up from my imagination so the
players would have something new and difficult to deal with.
Yuan-ti--this isn't my beastie...
As for the owlbear, I used the Oriental plastic figure sold in a package
of various other "monsters" as the basis for it's appearance, then made
up its specs.
The Roper I dreamed up out of whole cloth, like the unber hulk, so
WotC could well claim it is unique. They missed quite a few others that I made up from whole cloth, of course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by S'mon
Hm - so if I want Slaad in stuff I write I now theoretically (ie assuming WoTC
has enforcable IP rights in the use of the current version of Slaad)
have to base them off their original appearance in White Dwarf magazine,
which was copyright to the original author... assuming he didn't
object. :-)
-S'mon, copyright law guy Hi S'mon :-)
As I recall, when Steve Jackson and Ian Livingston brought the Fiend
Folio material to TSR for a book proposal, they had releases from all
the contributors. Likely those are in the
WotC files nowadays. So I expect that
WotC does have all rights to the various creatures that appeared in that work.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Mark CMG
:-) Happy GM's Day, Poppa G! :-)
Thankee Kindly, Mark!
Not only does son Alex sometimes call me "Pappa G," but I was totally unaware that 5 March was Game Masters Day.
Shouldn't we make a point of bringing awarness of this important day to
the rest of the nation? I am sure that all school students would be
pleased if it were made a national holiday--devoted to playing the RPG
of your choice, of course :-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Tallarn
Not a question as such, but a continuation of thoughts on Gaxmoor...some spoilers ahead...
.
.
That maze
spell was nasty! But the final revelation that Trakhassa has been
masquerading as the High Priest all along was fun...please feel free to
congratulate the authors on a fun module on behalf of our group!
We're now moving on to other things in the campaign, but we got a lot
out of that one city - excellent stuff. I'll let you know what happens
with the statues in the future :-D
Appreciate the post.
Ernie was rather dismayed by the ill-tempered posts about the module he
found on RPGnet. I told him that in truth any mention of the work is a
plus, and never to expect much in the way of a good word on that website
;-)
Do keep me posted on the interaction with the statues in Gaxmoor. Some are a lot of fun...heh-heh-heh.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
S'mon,
Darned if I can remember if the GW chaps had obtained additional
releases from the authors of those creatures appearing in the Fiend
folio or not. I think Kevin and/or Brian Blume cut the deal for
publication. All I remember clearly is that I went through their list
of monsters and deleted quite a number that I didn't want in an
"official" bestiary, and created some new entries to replace them, and
had others add theirs; then that Lawrence Schick left most of them in
the work--he was leaving TSR thereafter, so I suppose he was showing me
something...
Bah! :rolleyes:
Anyway, I can understand some editing problems being in 'Gaxmoor,
because Ernie and Luke missed their deadline, and the Trolls were really
under the gun to get it into shape for publication as they had planned.
I must say that I had a good bit of fun playing in that adventure, and
I am disappointed that the two are not working on the "Lost Undercity"
now as had been the original plan, because I'd happily do play-testing
there :-D Ernie is working all the time and Luke has a new job that
demands all of his time too. worse, he is currently called up and on
active duty in the Army--Luke was with the 1st Armored Division in
Desert Storm
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Mercule
Personally, I'd be tickled just to see what Hallmark came up with for the holiday. :-D
"Munchkins and game geeks,
"Computer nerds too
"We hope this holiday's
"Perfect for you!
"From the Hacks at Hallmark."
Col_Pladoh:
Heh, S'mon!
Believe you me, I made sure to have contractual agreements for
everything I wrote while at TSR, those NOT as work for hire. My job
description did not include creative material I produced.
When matters between TSR and me were settled back in 1985, that was
covered, so most of the copyrights I owned became the property of TSR,
and some additional ones were later acquired by
WotC.
I do retain the rights to the "Gord" stories and some few other
properties, as well as to my name and variations of it such as Ignatz.
Morgax, and Zagig.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by S'mon
Your legal struggles are legendary, Gary. :-)
Peter Jackson should make a movie about it...
Argh!
You know where to hit a guy and make it count ;-)
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Ulrick
Well, I did some digging and asking around, and nobody seems to remember his "English name."
It is a mystery, indeed.
So far I know the following:
1. People at the Guild who knew Standing Bear claim you were on amicable terms with him.
2. You vaguely remember an American Indian gamer from Iowa.
3. You met this gamer at a Gen Con or two when D&D was just starting.
4. Standing Bear also went by an English name.
5. I found out that Standing Bear did run an RPG before D&D game out. He switched to D&D because it had a better system.
The past, though lived, still changes. Every individual remembers it in his or her own way.
Which, of course, makes me more curious about the past...
But its the stories, however, that makes this search interesting. I
don't know their true or not but I think these might be a little
amusing. Keep in mind that these come from unreliable sources and I
maintain that they are highly likely to be false (I don't wanna start
rumors).
1. One member of the Guild claims that Standing Bear helped you create the original D&D game along with Dave Arneson--huh?
O.o
2. Another claimed that D&D was made as a collaborative effort among
you and your friends, and you just happened to see a business
opportunity and took advantage of it. And your friends weren't too happy
about it.
I said to that, "Good for Gygax. That's just how things work. Not many
people see a business opportunity and take advantage of it...he did."
:-P
At the risk of incurring the wrath of some of the folks who have given you their recollections:
As far as I am aware, there was no RPG available before the D&D game
was created. The closest thing to it, aside from gtames of "Let's
Pretend" sort were psychological ones and the Inter-nation Sims that
were run popularly for a time in the 1960s.
There is no question that I wrote every word of the original D&D
game. Dave Arneson has said so himself in an interview in the
now-defunct magazine Different worlds (issue #3, as I recall).
I sent the original 50 pp. ms. to about a score of other wargamers I was
close to back in 1972. Most of them were college students. Indeed,
these individuals game me a lot of feedback, so that in about two months
of time after sending out the initial draft I rewrote the game so that
the ms. was 150 pp length. That was likewise mailed out, this time to
about twice as many persons for play-testing and input.
Chalk up the false stories to envy and jealousy ;-) There isn't one
person who can come up with a shred of evidence contrary to what I state
forthrightly above, mainly because there isn't any. Rather like the
post here some time last year that claimed I had bashed female gamers.
That chap claimed he'd find and post the proof, and I'm still waiting
:-D
Anyway, that said, I do hope you can discver Standing Bear's English name, as my curiosity is piqued.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Draxx,
You are most welcome, and as I always hasten to point out, I've really
had a great time creating and playing all these years. BTW, you've been
playing RPGs about as long as my son Luke, asd he hits age 33 this
coming autumn.
And as for posting, heh, and a first time for everything ;-)
I have a dual d20/LA game system module out now, THE HERMIT from Troll
Lord games. It is not a short adventure, more of a mini-campaign, but
it can be slipped into any campaign setting, likely.
Coming this summner from the Trolls is a like dual-system super module,
likely a year of play that's titled HALL OF MANY PANES. They are
wrestling with its 700 + pages of ms, now, and it will likely be a boxed
set when released.
Other than those, Chris Clark and I have done a big dual-system campaign
module, CASTLE WOLFMOON, but it isn't quite finished yet, and Chris
hasn't told me what the publishing arrangement is to be. Its ms. has
not hit over 500 pp...
For the future I have a request to do an "old school" type module of
around 24 pp. printed form length, but I haven't had time to so much as
begin to plot it out yet.
If things break right, Rob Kuntz gets back online and is willing to
commit to a two-year project, we might well do a new version of my old
castle and dungeons, "Zagig's Castle," in a generic format that will be
compatible with as many systems as possible, including OA/D&D ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Ulrick
[snip]
I find these stories very entertaining but I don't put much stalk into
them. Even before now, I knew the truth that YOU were the one who
created D&D.
Yay!
Thanks again. :-P
Heh, and me and all whole lot of
others, beginning with my father's bedtime stories about magic rings and
cloaks of invisibility, my mother's hours of reading to me, the local
gang of boys I played with, Jim Rasch who was the director in "realistic
cops & robbers type games I played when I was 10, and so many
others I can't begin to name them--friends, authors, fellow gamers--who
contributed to the process ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Clay_More
[snip]
... As the ogres begin looking around, trying to find out why all their
entertainment vanished, the Dwarf looks at the Wizard and asks; "Is this
good or bad?"
Anyways, thanks for the game Gary. And I hold you personally responsible
for the fact that half of my childhood memories contains orcs...
Heh! Gotta love that dwarf!
And Clay_More, you should be happy that those memories are of orcs, not orgre, right? :-D
When my son Luke was about seven years old two of his older sisters made
him DM (OAD&D, of course) for them, and they dictated what treasure
was found when opponents were defeated. Finally he came to me, and I
invested him with the "DM's Crown," thus putting an end to that abuse.
Young players do many odd things to an RPG, but all in fun :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
KDLadage,
those are some fine questions. I hope I don't presume in saying that,
of all the rules in the 1974 D&D game, the ability of clerics to
turn undead might be the one Good Sir Gygax wishes had vanished.
Of course, that's only a guess, based on a paragraph in the original
published version of Necropolis. (Sorry, I don't have it with me or I'd
quote it.) :-)
Clerics turning undead was a needed
ability that seemed to get out of hand. While I do not regret the
ability, I must admit that I used many "fudge" methods to get around
that, so my precious undead critters would not be so easily disposed of
by the party's priest. In fact, here's one I never got around to
putting in a module or otherwise writing about
:
Amulet of Magnification: A magic item made by an evil cleric to protect
undead serving him this item functions so as to raise the negative
energy of the wearer by one or more levels (up to three in the most
potent form of the device). When a cleric attempts to turn the subject
wearing the amulet, the magnification is triggered.
I also had one that multiplied the negative energy of the undead, so
that each one with such amulet was effectively equal to 2 to 5. It
didn't work as well against high level clerics, though, with automatic
destruction...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Almost Missed this Post!
Originally posted by KDLadage
Mr Gygax:
First of all, greetings and salutations! One of the things I have always
enjoyed about these baords is reading the various things you post
within them. Although I disagree with you on many things, I find your
opinions to be well thought out and interesting, at the very least. This
goes for your regular Dragon Magazine gig as well. OK... now that the
traditional apple-polishing is done, on to my question for you. ;-)
You have the hubris to admit that you often disagree with me, not treat
my every word as canon, and then dare to fob that off as proper homage?
See if I bless your dice :rolleyes:
Looking
back over the evolution of the Role Playing Hobby in general and the
Dungeons and Dragons game specifically, there are a lot of things that
have changed, been dropped and added along the way and morphed into
things they may not have been originally intended to be. So... given the
vast array of things that decended from those early works of yours and
those that worked/played with you -- I have two questions -- each in two
parts:- Question 1, Part 1:
Of all of the rules that have managed to survive the OD&D, D&D,
AD&D, AD&D2e, D&D3e train, which one (that your originally
wrote) would you have most liked to have seen disappear by now?
- Question 1, Part 2:
Of all of the rules that have managed to disappear somewhere on the
OD&D, D&D, AD&D, AD&D2e, D&D3e train, which one
(that your originally wrote) would you have most liked to have seen
survive the journey?
- Question 2, Part 1:
Of all of the rules that have managed been added to the Dungeons &
Dragons rules set, which one (that your did not originally write) do you
look at these days and slap your forehead saying, 'Man, I wish I had
thought of that one!'?
- Question 2, Part 2:
Of all of the rules that have managed been added to the Dungeons &
Dragons rules set, which one (that your did not originally write) do you
look at these days and slap your forehead saying, 'Man, what were they
smoking when they thought of that one!'?
Thanks, and good day sir! Whoa! Those are excellent
questions, but they subsume that I have complete familiarity with the
versions of the game noted. Fact is that I played 2E only a couple of
times, and never read through the books, and after my contractual read
through the draft mss. for the
3E PGB and
DMG, I've not read the final texts.
Actually, I don't much enjoy drawing comparisons, so I am going to let this go at that ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by dreadnought
Here's
a way off-topic question for you Gary -- how have you managed to
balance family and gaming? I ask because I am one of the old-timers here
who started gaming with the White Box set.
I am about to be introduced to parenthood in a few weeks and its the
first time in my quarter century of gaming that I've wondered if it
might be time to hang up the dice for a while.
How did you cope with both? I'm pretty heavily involved because aside
from my weekly game, I'm also freelancing for a d20 company and planning
to start up my own d20 company in the near future (as well as holding
down a full-time career).
Any tips?
Cheers, Andrew
Hi Andrew!
Your query takes me back a lot of years--when I was working a full time
job, writing on the side, playing some games by main, and gaming on
weekends. I managed that and time with the family...barely. By doing my
gaming work after 10 PM I could get in a couple of hours a night and
thes spend a good part of the weekend with games too. I managed to get
by on about 5 hours sleep a night then, and likely I should have spend a
bit more time with family matters that I did...
These days I spend about 10 hours a day on game-related things, but
that's my occupation, and when necessary I can drop almost anything to
see to family affairs. With my youngest being age 16, dad isn't always
wanted around--he gets in the way ;-) Most evenings are strictly
family time, and son Alex plays in my weekly PRG game session too.
With young children around there is likely a need for more time spent
with them, so maybe you'll need to cut back on both gaming time and
sleeping hours as well.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Clay_More
I
was actually wondering about a few things as well though. I remember
that I saw an episode of "Futurama" where you appeared, was that
yourself that was doing the voice for that?
I really liked the episode, they make fun of people yes, but they do it in such a good-hearted manner.
"I am.... (rolls dice) .... happy to see you"
Heh, and yes,
that was my voice. David X. Cohen is a former DM, and a great guy. It
was fun talking with him and doing the VO for for the episode :-)
When
you speak of your children playing as well, I cant help but to remember
what I answered when my girlfriend asked me how many children I would
want to have. I answered "5" and she asked "Why", to which I responded:
"Well, I need two to play fighters, one to play a rogue, one to play a
wizard and one to play a cleric".
As good a reason as any
I've heard. I've had six, but sadly all three girls gave up RPGing.
the boys--two men now and living away from home, still play when they
can find time. Young son Alex is heavily into computer gamingm but he
is a regular in my weekly RPG campaign :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
Early autumn here in south-eastern Australia is treating us fairly well;
the weather is nice, though a bit more rain would be appreciated. I
hope the weather is nice around you and your family! :-)
Young Grace seemed to enjoy her first experience of D&D. On to the second experience this evening...
I was just wondering: has your development of the Lejendary Adventures
game system altered your perceptions of roleplaying systems?
Cheers!
Howdy Merric :-)
Here in Wisconsin March held up to it's repute, came in like a lion with
cold and snow. Yesterday things warmed to about 40 F., and the rest of
the week looks to be fairly mild as well, so likely March will go out
like a lamb as the old saw predicts.
As for the LA game's effect on my prespective, it's a horse and cart
thing. My perspective was altered and thus I wrote the basic work. Now
that horse is indeed carrying me along further ;-) I find that the
system enables more creative thinking for me and does not force
perspective to alter to suit the rules.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hola Alan!
Great post :-)
There was a method to the madness of the 2d6 chack, both the bell curve
total for turning and the number of the undead turned by the cleric.
Lou and a lot of others sure hopped on the dice bandwagon, which is
good, because TSR was producing lousy dice for sure. Another thing to
be grateful to Kevin and Brian Blume for...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by satori01
Not that you would have any direct control of the licensing aspects, but
"Zagig's Castle" as the name for what EVERYONE knows will truly be
Castle Greyhawk is an affront to the hobby and frankly poor buisness on WOTC end. How inclusive can the "castle" be? Would you be able to include in it sections or levels used in older modules? WotC
surely holds the marks using "Greyhawk" as valuable properites, and so
they will not allow use by others. That's no problem to me, as I
believe that the name we've likely chosen is sufficiently well known to
convey the correct information to the potential customer.
As for use of other material, other than some side adventures that one
could get transported to from the dungeon levels of my original Castle
Greyhawk, as expanded by Rob's inclusing as co-DM, none were ever
published. That TSR released had nothing to do with my work--that
product was bogus in respect to what the real dungeons we created were
like, and the concensus amongst the knowledgeable was that the product
was done to discredit the original material they had no rights to. The
side adventures published were DUNGEONLAND, LAND BEYOND THE MAGIC
MIRROR, and ISLE OF THE APE. Several more such adjunctive areas were
never written up for publication.
I wish you the best of health Gary, and leave you with one final question,(I'll ask the Egg if I need to):
Was Al Gore TRULY a 10 level VP, or was he more like 6th level?
As a Libertarian, I'll have to concur with your assessment of Al Gore, somewhat lower than 10th level ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BOZ hi
gary! i have a question. have you had a chance to see the Tome of
Horrors by Necromancer Games? if so, what did you think of it? :-)
Monte Cook said: "Having seen the 3.5 PH and the Tome of Horrors, if I could have only one of them, I'd choose the Tome of Horrors.
(This is not a slam against the 3.5 PH. It's praise for the ToH.)" Hi Boz!
No, I haven't seen NG's Tome of horrors, but I have heard some good
words regarding it. Fact is I have so little spare time that I'm lucky
to get in light reading fro relaxation :-(
Anyway, it isn't a surprise to me that NG has done a great job of things
there. They really excelled in the conversion of my old Mythus game
NECROPOLIS module to d20. Besides which I like the guys who run the
company--good fellows and dedicated gamers ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by diaglo
i still use my chits are rare special occassions. :-D
Diaglo, that one still strikes a nerve with me :-(
That was Kevin's marvelous idea how to silence objections about the game
using dice (all three of the serious questions about it) while upping
the net to T$R on each sale. I was appaled, but no argument I put forth
would suffice to sway the Brothers Blume. Only when sales dropped
sufficiently did they suddenly decide that dice were the proper thing
after all.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
send them to me if you don't want them, they can go on one of my many shelves of old games :-)
ken
Heh, Ken!
Always in there plugging for old goodies, eh? :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Clay_More
Sometimes I wonder just exactly how many former players / DM's are out
there in influential positions. You might have yourself a whole secret
network of supporters :-)
I've met a few. Most former or
even still-active RPGers don't advertise the fact outside certain
circles. Creative groups are the exception. doctors and lawyers tend
to keep mum ;-)
Do you regularily watch the two cartoons Futurama & Simpsons?
I think especially Futurama holds some good advice for making a good comic-relief adventure...
I catch them sometimes, but not on a regular bases. I often don't
leave the computer until 6:30 or after (and usually begin the day 12
hours earlier), then watch some news as I have a glass of cold
buttermilk to relax. After dinner I typically look for a good murder
mystery or old movie to watch, hoping it is exciting enough to keep me
awake...
Anyways,
if you ever buy a remote farm outside civilisation where people can
come and live, grow vegetables, walk around in tunics and listen to
lectures from your three times a day in return for giving up all their
worldly possesions, just give a call, ill be right over :-)
Heh, and I have frequently joked about starting a cult religion on such
a basis. If I were less scrupulous, I might have done that, but...
Some years back I did have a place in the country with 23 acres. Lots of
gamers came to play, but the only non-relative one that lived there
with us was an out-of-work chap who needed a job and a place to stay.
He is now a physician, BTW.
When I retire and can be less boring, not be at the computer all day, it
might be a good idea to consider a place that is at least large enough
to accommodate a dozen gamers at one time, so a game or two can be
running most days. Right now we're cramped for space when all nine
players show up for my Thursday night LA game session :rolleyes:
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Janos Antero
Hey
Gary, actually thought up some real questions rather than just picking
on you for once. Some of this may have been answered before, but I
didn't see these in this thread.
Hi Janos!
I'll happily do what I can in response...
Any
chance you'd talk on some of your classic villians? I've always loved
Obmi and Ecvledra (sp? I always forget how to spell that damn name).
Care to share how they looked stat wise, or history wise in the good old
days?
Actually, Obmi appeared in may campaign as a vile
dwarf who worked with gnolls (see other thread on same on the boards).
Worse, Obmi has a machine-like device that would cause the opponents to
move backwards instead of forwards when they tried to attack him and his
band in their fourth level dungeon abode. He had his throwing hammer
and speed boots too, so that he really enraged the players. Eventually
they managed to kill all his gnolls, his reverse motion machine was
destroyed by spell attacks, and so Obmi ran off to return in the G
series modules. Heh, working with giants was even more enraging to the
PCs that his former association with gnolls :-o
Then I had him in the shadows, with the elf, Keek, as his second banana,
and Luke, playing Melf, was totally fooled by Keek. That delighted
Obmi, Keek, and me but was less amusing to Melf and his comnpanions.
Eclavdra made her appearance in the play-tests of the D series, so she
didn't have so long a career as a bane of PCs. By the time they were
adventuring in the D modules all had gotten very wary of my Dming, so
fooling the party was pretty difficult.
You
may not answer this one, but I can't help but ask... Was Loraine
Williams THAT bad in your opinion? How did she change your interactions
with the hobby (aside from the obvious stuff).
Is the Pope
Catholic? Need I say more? Just consider her public statement that
gamers were not her social equals if you need to get a handle on what
sort of persn she was.
As for her changing anything in the way of interaction with the hobby,
first I was immersed in saving TSR from bankruptcy because of Blume
mismanagement, then I was devoted to trying to keep Williams from
gaining cntrol of TSR and wrecking it--which she managed to do and did.
So what interaction during that period?
Did you like the DnD cartoon you did, and have any plans in relation to it that never saw fruitation?
Thanks partner.
Well, the D&D Cartoon Show was pretty
good for the age category it was aimed at, so I enjoyed it. Of course I
wanted something a little more mature, so I worked on Marvel and CBS to
do a spinoff. When 26 episodes were dine we managed to convince them
to do just that. The new show would begin after Micheal Reaves superb
concluding episode, #27 was produced. the new show would have only the
older "kids," leaving Bobby and Uni (as a pony) back on earth. In the
new series the "kids" would not have those hoaky magic items, rely on
their own abilities, and a bit more imitatable action (violence) could
be shown. The deal was done on a handshae, Marvel the final old series
script in hand, and two scripts for the new series done, one of which
I'd approved. Then I was called back to Wisconsin because of the
financial difficulties at TSR. LAter, when Williams informed CBS and
Marvel that I was not invoved in the project any longer, the series was
dropped.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by barsoomcore
Gary,
every time you drop another tidbit I just get more and more fascinated.
You've had a remarkable series of adventures, though I suppose they
didn't seem like it at the time.
Heh, and you only know
some of the ones suitable for telling in mixed company ;-) While some
of the experiences were most disappointing and depressing, I regard
those as water under the bridge, and in all some of them are remarkable
in one way or another, yes...
Have you considered publishing your memoirs? I imagine there's many, many people who'd love to read them.
I have had a number of persns ask about an autobiography, and a few
volunteer biographers too. Spurred on thus, I have a few pages of a ms.
done, but of late I've had little time and no particular urge to write
more. Maybe it will never get done, but I do add a bit now and again.
I've covered a good bit of my earliest childhood, and have worked into
the time I moved from Chicago, so a little of my recollections from age 8
on are covered now as well. Only about 58 years to go--well, soon 59
:-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Sir Edgar
Were
there legal reasons for making the D&D elves different from Tolkien
elves or did you just want to be different? Can you talk more about the
conceptualization of elves?
I guess it's no secret that I
am not a rabid fan of the "Rings Trilogy," so that should explain a good
bit of why elves in D&D are more my conception of them than they
are copies after what the Good Professor Tolkien saw them as ;-)
My take was more of the British mythology based, with French "feys" the
influence for the high elves. All of that was measured against what the
D&D environment was meant to be, of course, a human dominated one.
That cover it?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Well I have found that if you buy him a good smoke and a good meal and a
nice drink he can talk for hours on the most fascinating stuff. :-)
Ken
Why thanks, Ken. I do tend to wax eloquent after a
good meal, with a cigar in hand and a drink before me. It is enjoyable
to become a raconteur in such circumstances. Recalling things that were
amusing or exciting to me and sharing the accounts with others who find
the tales interesting is enjoyable. Of course that risks being a
bore...so I don't mind sharing the floor, as it were :rolleyes:
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Sir Edgar I know you have a list of books that inspired your work at the back of the 1st edition DMG,
but if you were to recommend five books that MOST influenced you in the
design of D&D, what would they be? Basically, I'm looking for a few
good books to read that will help me get an understanding of your
design philosophy. Thank you. :-) I can't narrow it down to five books, but five authors, maybe:
Jack Vance
Robert E. Howard
Fritz Lieber
de Camp & Pratt
A. Merritt
Honorable Mentions :-)
Roger Zelazny
Michael Moorcock
Fred Saberhagen
L. Sprague de Camp
Stanley Weinbaum
Margaret St. Claire
Sorry, even being that "narrow" makes me feel uneasy. I read a LOT of
fantasy and SF before I got to the penning of the D&D game :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Janos Antero
I
was always a fan of your villians in the early Gord the rogue novels,
especially for how they seemed to break the mold (although at the time I
suppose there really wasn't a mold in the same sense) of villians we
see today.
Thanks. Not a few critics claim my villains lack
redeeming qualities, are thus not complete and "dimensional," but
that's the way I see really evil individuals. No touchy-feely, blame
society sort of hogwash for me. they have nothing whatsoever to
recommend them, no depth of character, and their motives are simply to
do what is malign. Hey, that sounds a lot like game reviewers!
Heh-heh.
[
You
mentioned the script of the 2nd series of cartoons you had in the
works.... any chance a bottle of fine whiskey sent to you might loosen
your tongue on where you saw it going, or what it was going to be like?
As always thanks for the replies.
Marvel has the two completed scripts. My copy of the one approved is likely not in the
WotC archives somewhere--unless Williams trashed it.
the series was to focus more on action and the realization of the heroic
band that they were maturing, actually gaining the capacity to do
heroic deeds on theior own, without relying on some magical item. Of
course with this growing maturity there would be some dramatic xcenes of
soul searching, emotional longing for a return to their mundane
existences, development or personal relatuonships--all the srtuff that
get's in the way of the real fun, the adventure and combat :-o
Okay, I was jesting.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
ERB
Merric,
Thanks for posting the forward to the D&D work. I had totally forgotten it.
I recalled Edgar Rice Burroughs only after submitting my reply...,but I
actually did remember his books. As for the Barsoom and Venus yarns,
don't neglect the stories based in Pellucidar! Those hollow earth
adventures, one with Tarzan included, were just great! BTW, I read my
first ERB novel at age 10, Cave Girl, and loved it.
Young
Grace very much enjoyed her 2nd experience of D&D - alas that I had
to leave when I did, but my choir rehearsal called (with her father
being the conductor of that choir, my being absent might be a bit
noticable...)
Cheers!
Heh, and it is good to being in youngsters. RPG
play should encourage her interest in all manner of other thing too,
open a whle world of imagination and creativity ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Janos Antero
[snippage]
So since we've got you going on about the old days here, how about
telling us about one of your favorite characters on the side of "good",
or at least not one of the villians?
Thanks for the good
words, amigo :-) To avoid blushing I snipped the lot. Heh-heh. BTW,
Iggwilv is the sweet and loving lady you refer to, I am sure.
The closest I came to a human gone bad was Wastri, "The Hopping
Prophet." I must admit I relished describing his fall from a seeker
after inner, and greater, knowledge into a hunter of gnomes for "sport."
Iuz was born bad, but of course his parentage had something to do with
that :-o
Fact is I never really developed any strong NPCs of Good for play in the
campaign. The reason for that is twofold. First, many of the players
had characters of that alignment. Second, the Evil team would have felt
obliged to assail that NPC, and to withstand such an assault the
character would have had to be so powerful as to be otherwise an
overmatch for most any Evil in the campaign--short of the demi-deital
sort. Add to that the main team of "bad guys," Erac's Cousin, Robilar,
and Teric were not ravening sorts, so that there was no campaign demand
for retribution. They were as willing to combat NE and CE adversaries
as they were any other.
Likely the inclusion of Mordenkainen, bigby, and the rest of my PCs as a
Neutral force in the campaign moderated excesses, of course, those of
Good as well as Evil. I kept them as active in play so as to make the
campaign viable for all alignments, No faction could expect to dominate
with the Circle of Eight there to keep the balance. Beside that, it
gave me a chance to team up with any group when someone else was DMing,
and thus I could play more :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: cartoon
Originally posted by cimerians I
never thought about asking Gary about the animated show. Sweet
memories! I remember being 11 years old, eating Lucky Charms and
watching D&D.
Thats really interesting. Dennis Marks a producer for the Spider-man
cartoon show mentioned he worked with you on the Dungeons & Dragons
cartoon. Seems like a nice guy and he had very nice words about you. The
interview is at http://www.spider-friends.com
Whoa! Thanks for pointing me to the interview with Dennis :-) I've
lost touch with him mainly because he's not active online. Dennis
forgot John Beebe's name. Jogn knew Orson Wells sufficiently to be able
to get through to him, but they weren't really buddies. Dennis didn't
mention that he is a very fine stage magician.
I have great memories of the two is us sitting poolside at the Beverly
Hills Hotel dreaming up springboards for the D&D Cartoon Show,
developing plots. Dennis was a frequent visitor to our offices and digs
up on 1636 Summit Ridge Drive for social gathrings. I introduced him to
the Firesign Theater there, in fact, listening to the "Giant Rat of
Sumatra." For his part he had us over to his place and as his guest at
the Magic Castle.
His problem getting along with Judy Price of CBS wasn't lost on me.
When I pitched the D&D Cartopn Spinoff to Judy--and Margaret Loesch
(then head of Marvel Entertainment) and Hank Saroyan--Gail (now my wife)
orchestrated the whole meeting. She made sure that when we took a
break after a couple of hours intense discussion there weere proper
refreshments--excellent California chardonay wine, green grapes, cold
shrimp, and some bree and water buiscuits. The crew stayed until around
10 PM, then I took them all out for a late supper down in Beverly
Hills. Believe it or not, Judy and Margaret had never been there for
dinner. As I recall, they wanted Italian, so I decided on LA Famiglia
for a relaxed atmosphere. The party broke up around 1 AM, and the deal
was done ;-)
Always
wanted to ask if some of the monsters in the cartoon were picked by
you? (Specially some of the lesser known Fiend Folio creatures.
Bullywuugs, Grimlocks etc.... even Lolth!) And lastly....what was
Venger? A Lich? Simply an ex-good guy turned evil with fangs and one
horn? (The voice actor for him was really good).
Thanks for everything Gary! And lets get that memoir book written!! :-)
Most of the writers for the D&D cartoon came up to our place and
hung out--free food, a pool to swim in (and a few brought their
girlfriends up for night swims too), a hot tub, pool table and free bar,
and best of all an old stable converted to a studio where they could
set up their computers and work...when not playing Chainmail fantasy
battles on the 6' x 12' sandtable in the main room of the place. they
were a great bunch, so they had the run of the place even when I wasn't
around--much of the time after 6 PM ;-)
Anyway, as I had creative control, I read and made suggestions as to
anything that didn't meet the D&D canon. They had the whole of the
core books, including all the monsters ones, so most selections were
their own. I do know that bullywugs were chosen both for their
interesting features and because son Luke, then living out there with
me, was a regular in many of the Chainmail games and known to be the
creator of those critters.
Well, there's some memoires for you :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
A bit of clean-up here in this post...I am running short of time this AM :-(
Venger was Dungeon Master's son who was under an evil curse. The object
was to somehow lift the curse from him, but his father could not speak
of it.
The paper plate up for auction on Ebay is completely bogus to the best of my knowledge.
Those low-impact d20s did get pretty round in short order--well short
order in terms of gaming time. Rob Kuntz had one that would stand on a
point now and again. I still have a couple that I use when playing
OD&D as the DM. One with gray faces on 10 sides is a "killer" die
that comes up on those faces a lot--the 11-20 range, of course! Can't
find it now, but it's likely in a box of old dice somewhere in the
basement here. I have a second one with red faces that's as good for
the monsters' rills, of course :-D
Sorry If I've missed anything I shuld have responded to. If I have, somebody holler at me, and I'll make amends.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Can I get one of these?
Originally posted by BOZ
LOL it doesn't look like anyone bid on it though. ;-)
Last I heard there were two bidders, the high bid $.11.
Now I wonder if the audience is wise to such a scam or am I just not much of a draw?
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Can I get one of these?
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
it is because you are such a draw. :-) Hmm gary should I auction off
the plates and silver are you ate with when you where at my house? At
least it is better quality then Styrofoam, and you can authenticate
them :-) .
Ken
who is often but shouldn't be amazed at the things on the internet.
Well Dude!
Why stop at the table service? There's the couch cushion I sat on, and the doorknob I touched. I am growing nauseus...
Oh, boy, this sort of silliness makes me shake my head in wonder, so I do share your amazement, Ken ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Can I get one of these?
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Oh yes I forget that see Gary's butt print in my couch, or this is the actually toilet seat Gary sat on LOL
ken
:-( :-( :-(
Just where i feared this digression would lead...
That'll teach me to expand on things >:-(
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Can I get one of these?
Originally posted by jgbrowning
now the doorknob idea may be workable....... :-)
"Open the door on a new realm of fantasy adventure!"
joe b.
Heh, that reminds me!
Somewhere I have the original painting for the old "Gateway to Adventure" ad that TSR ran back back around 1979 and 1980.
Now that is likely to bring a fair bit if offered for auction ;-) Of course I don't care to part with it, I add hastily!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by diaglo
but do you have the sound bite from the Morley the Wizard ads?
No, but I think I have a video tape or two of some early TSR
commercials. I'll see if Dave Dimery--who conceived "Morley the Wizard"
as TSR's spokesman back then--can locate a copy of that. Dave is an
old friend and headed up advertising when TSR did its best stuff
IMO.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Can I get one of these?
Originally posted by mythusmage
You knew what would happen with all this egoboo. :-P
Alan Old Top!
If you seriously believe offering paper plates attributed to me is in
any way something other than grotesque in my mind, I have a fine bridge
for you--cheap ;-)
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Can I get one of these?
Originally posted by mythusmage
This from a man who once said, "As long as they spell my name right." :-D
Heh,
That's an old show biz quote that I happen to agree with. It has
nothing to do with ego, but rather with publicity. "There is no such
thing as bad publicity," eh?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Gary,
given your apparent interest in Egyptology (based on your epic
adventure "Necropolis"), I was wondering if you'd gotten a chance to
see the recent "Mummy" movies - "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns"? I
love these films, for their breezy nature and old-fashioned derring-do -
plus, there is something very reminiscent of a good D&D session
about them.
Howdy Colonel :-)
I've loved Egyptology since I was about five years old and my father
took me to see the large exhibit in the Field Museum in Chigaco. Next
to the Lincoln Park Zoo, that was my favorite Sunday outing. I have not
really pursued Egyptology other than as a dilitant, but I have a fairly
large collection of reference books on Ancient Egypt.most of Budge's
old works amongst them, as well as some issues of KMT magazine...
Indeed, I did see the "Mummy" movies, includng the original Boris
Karloff ones ;-) thus I have both many tanna leaves handy as well as a
cat. those flesh-eating (as opposed to dung-eating)scarab beetles in
the new flicks are absolutely horrible. A swarm of those could take out
most D&D parties in a trice, I fear.
Speaking of films that recall D&D sessions, "The Deep," is in my estimation a great one for a modern equivalent of same.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BOZ
they must have changed that exhibit a whole lot because i went there a
few years ago and it was very different from what i remember as a kid - a
whole lot was missing. :-( is there another mummy exhibit in
chicago, or did the field museum just stash all that good stuff away?
Darn, Boz...
I haven't been to the Field Museum in about 10 years, so I can't really
say. The exhibit used to be very extensive, and when I was a lad one
could even see an X-ray of a mummy ;-)
I do recall that the main hall was much changed the last time I was
there--looked far less impressive to me than what had been on display.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Field Mueseum
Originally posted by BOZ
right,
i think you see what i mean. i was first there in roughly 1988, and it
looked like there was a lot less stuff there last year.
edit: even the dinos seem to be a lot less impressive... but the taxidermy exhibit is awesome. :-)
Boz, I still remember being blown away as a little lad when entering
the main hall of the Field Museum. There before me were those huge bull
loxodonts locked in battle, while behind them were the bronze stature
of the Masai warriors readying their spears, on another pedestal a lion
and lioness crouched and snarling, and the third with the speared lions
and the warriors in jubilation, one at least with shield held overhead.
Right you are about the taxidermy exhibits there. That was where I
spent most of my time as a boy, looking at them. We went to the museum
about once a month, with a side jaunt to either the Shedd Aquarium or
the Adler Planetarium.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Parties vs. Individual Heroes
Originally posted by Endur
Gary,
A lot of the Fantasy novels focused on a single hero (Conan, Tarzan, etc.) or perhaps a hero and a sidekick.
How did you come up with the idea of a whole party of characters adventuring in a dungeon?
Especially since D&D grew out of tabletop wargames, and tabletop
wargames tended to be 1 on 1, or 3 vs. 3 types of scenarios. Most
tabletop wargames (unless they involved hidden movement) don't have a
referee.
Tom
Hi Tom :-)
Fortunately I read in a lot of genres other than fantasy, including the
historical war fiction one. Even there, though, crafting a story around
a large cast of characters is difficult, and from such a number one or
two main protagonists, and possibly an antagonist or two emerge.
In tabletop games, the LGTSA would have teams of players, sometimes as
many as six on a side. There was usually one person as unpire or
referee, the one who set up the game to be played, although that
individual would sometimes play as well. When I ran my later games they
were usually the "Man-to-Man" medieval ones, and as pretty common on
the tabletop, each player had a command figure. A team of several
defenders would plan and cooperate to try and defeat a like team of
attackers.
It wasn't much of a leap from that to single "command figures" operating
as an adventuring group. Do keep in mind that original D&D had
provision for and pretty well assumed that each PC would hire a few
men-at-arms--the old tabletop force of soldiery ;-)
In another thread someone was wondering how 1st level PCs in the
original game survived. Some responses mentioned the "run away"
tactic--the one we commonly used. None I read, though, considered the
hiring of mercenaries to assist in the encounters. All the early play
groups I knew of, those in 1972 and on through 1974 surely did that so
as to give their low-level PCs a better survival chance. It worked very
well. Yrag and Mordenkainen both began as 1st level, and Rob Kuntz,
the main DM for their adventures, was not prone to cutting slack for
anyone.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Draxx
Mr. Gygax,
Feel free to call me Gary if you like.
I
was just wondering if you have had any contact with mortality.net and
the mortality radio show. Adlon who hosts the show mentioned last year
that he was going to try to get you on for an interview. I for one
would be sure to listen. His show is excellent and is a lot of fun for
the gaming community. It is a wonderful opportunity to hear from game
designers and gamers from all over the globe.
Yes, the good
people at Mortality.net were in contact with me some tme back. I
forgot the reason why it was not possible, or perhaps convenient, for me
to do an audio interview with them. I get email notices of their
shows, so I should probably get beck in touch...
Also,
I was wondering have you had any recent involvement with any scripts or
ideas for new fantasy TV shows. With the success of Buffy and Angel,
Xena, etc. it seems the viewer market is there for more fantasy
oriented programs or films.
Thanks again for many years of gaming fun.
Respectfully,
Draxx
Sadly, if one isn't out on the West Coast--or in
NYC--where the action is, that pretty well precludes being a participant
in such productions.
Short answer: No.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BigBastard
Have you thought of doing your own production company? Its amazing what
some Star Trek and Star Wars fans have been able to do with a digital
video camera and a computer. You could c
reate your own pilot shows to shop around.
Actually, no...
That's because I have all I can manage with the trade I have now--agme
design and writing ;-) there are many projects awaiting there, and
too little time for them as it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Clay_More
You
mentioned Egyptology, and I must admit it is a fascinating subject.
Still, D&D really had a strange effect of getting me interested in
myriads of non-game subjects. I read books on Herbalism, Medicin,
Zoology, History, Architechture, Craftmanship etc.. for the sole purpose
of finding inspiration for D&D. This, In My Opinion, is something
most anti-D&D people hardly ever consider. How D&D contains
elements from so many different fields of study and that it actually can
get people involved in some of these fields indirectly.
The opposition against D&D was actually rather lacking here in
Denmark, so I never discovered that there actually were people who were
directly "against" it. Only my introduction unto the net made me realise
that there were some demented protestors. This realisation only came 10
years after my introduction to the game, so it was a little late for me
to take it into consideration about starting to play :-) Anyways, how
did the opposition influence you? I think, that had D&D been my
creation and my brainchild, I might take opposition rather personally,
but thats just my opinion :-)
Right you are about the RPG
being a mind-broadening experience that encourages learning in many
fields--that in addition to the imaginative, creative, and social
qualities of the game--and all the while having fun, being entertained.
As for opposition, I ignore it. They never buy any gaming products anyway, eh? :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
you just need to have an intern to help you out say some one around 40
who is married so his wife could pack a lunch for you. :-)
Ken
There's an idea. An intern...make that two interns! Would you believe "The Twins"?
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Well I am not sure how much more work you would be able to get done with those interns LOL.
Ken
After I win the lottery I'll apply to be your intern okay? :-)
Depends on the definition of "work." (Former President Clinton would be proud of me for that!)
Sure, either way about the intern matter, you winning the lottery or me :-o
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by johnsemlak
Gary
I was wondering if the LA Primer download (did I get that right?) is available yet?
John
Hi John :-)
The LA game "Quick Start" pdf is all done except for final layout.
Chris Clark is away at the GAMA show, so the final won't be ready for a
few days. I'll announce the availability of the download here, I
suppose, on a new thread, and give the URLs of the webssites that have
it ready to go. Likely be a week or so.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
excellent and with that I shall hopefully bring my saturday group around to playing LA
ken
BluSponge has done an excellent bit of work on the
"Quick Start" for the LA game, Ken. there are four pre-generated
Avatars and a good adventure for the LM to run--it is a tough one but
managable if the players are knowledheable and careful. this isn't
something for for newbies to role-playing to tackle, for sure, unless
the Lejend Master is expert and softens things up considerably.
Now to get Chris Clark to finish the pdf and get it around for posting ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: 3 stupid questions
Originally posted by Wolv0rine
Gary,here's
three stupid questions that have been floating around in my head for
the past few days after after some D&D cartoon nostalgia. I really
expect the answers to be either "I have no idea" or "no", but I'll ask
anyway. :-)
Pretty good questions, amigo :-)
I'll answer them in order...
1) Who came up with those weapons the kids had?
2) Why didn't they ever get some horses? I mean they walked the length of the realm and back again.
3) Is there, anywhere in existance that you know of, a map of the Realm
the kids were in? So many interesting places (if presented in a goofy
and cheesy fashion for younger-audience consumption).
Thanks!
1) That was Dennis Marks and me. He was the lead, because CBS would not allow weapons that did real violence.
2) Because the age group that was initially considered as the primary
audience would not feel comfortable with large horses--seen as
threatening--the "Kids" walked. think of Uni, and you'll get the mental
picture of what the network people thought of as appropriate. Of course
in the spinoff series, more real weapons and horses would have been in
the adventures.
3) No map was ever done, as that would force the various writers to
conform to a "known world." With a nebulous area, most anything could
be done to make a story idea fit in. Of course sans a mapped area there
was also no reference points for recognitin from story to story, and no
inspiration from the depicted terrain.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: 3 stupid questions
Originally posted by Wolv0rine
Thank you. :-)
[/b]
*nods* Logical, about CBS and all. But why did the weapons (or even
permutations of them that would fit into the AD&D/D&D game)
never show up in the game itself? I mean, Shiela's cloak was just a
cloak of invisibility (easilly gotten in-game), but I don't think
anything like the others was ever found in the books. Those were great
stuff. :-) And, is there any copyright on them going around these
days (the weapons themselves, that is), or could some publisher put out a
book with with a close variant of them statted up for
3E
(I, myself, would loveto take a crack at illustrating the kids in a
more realistic fashion, aside from just for laughs, hehe)? ;-) [/B]
There was no one back at TSR that was paying attention to the
cartoon show, so nothing that appeared in the episodes was picked up in
article material in DRAGON.
Copyrights to the cartoon show material are jointly owned by Marvel and TSR--now
WotC. Still, descriptive material for the paper game could certainly have been taken from the TV episodes and added to the game.
Gods, I hated Uni. :P
Really? Just horses were considered too big and scary? Tiamat they
thought was okay, but horses were too much? *falls over laughing at
asinine TV execs* That's great stuff right there. :-)
Gods I'd love to see that spinoff show, even now (Willie Ames, forsake Bibleman, I want my updated Ranger!).
Well, more likely the idea was to avoid showing children riding horses
in dangerous places--immitatable action. Venger also had a horse, a
threatening one.
I
suspected this one would be No, actually. It was a logical step to
assume the writers had no map to deal with while they were writing to
confine them, but I did harbor a wee hope that someone both qualified
and who worked with the writers (you, perhaps) had created an official
map of the Realm. (not just made one up, but actually mapped out the
realm as it was presented - possibly even including places the show
never got around to showing us)
*chuckles* That always bugged me, even as a kid, that the Realm had no
name. It was just "This Realm" or "The Realm". I mean, of course we
knew it was "The Realm of Dungeons & Dragons", but I never thought
the locals called it that. :-)
Thanks a ton Gary, this thread is just unendingly cool. :-) (And I still want an energy bow, hehehe)
There would be no benefit from a map that would be ignored or conflict
with a writer's idea for a show. Programming for a young audience
generally doesn't call for such continuity. In a more "advanced"
spinoff version of the D&D Cartoon Show, such a step would have been
logical. Sadly we never got that far.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Hi Gary...Gord question...
Originally posted by The Fool
Hi
I was wondering if Gary knew what was happening with
the re release or re printing of the 'Gord the Rogue' books...
I sort of remember this was on the cards over a year back...
I heard rumours of an Omnibus of all the books in one book also?
If this is only just a rumour i apologise for getting anyones hopes up (including mine) :-)
The Fool
Heh,
I hope to shout I do, as those yarns are thr IP of Trigee ;-)
We changed plans aver a year ago when a publisher approached us with a
proposal for full-color graphic novel versions of the Gord the Rogue
books.
That is now underway, and there will be an announcement regarding the books later in the summer. More I can not say.
If those novels do well, there is a a strong likelihood that the regular
books will be reprinted in hardback version, possibly with paperback
reprints following that.
There is no plan to reprint all seven books in one giant volume, though ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Eridanis
Gary -
I woke up this morning, planning to finally take a ride over to Lake
Geneva to visit the Game Guild (where I hadn't been in years, since my
first stint living in the Midwest), and when I Googled for their
website, it was empty! A call to their phone # says it has been
disconnected.
How long has the Game Guild been out of business? All good things must
come to an end, I suppose. Guess I'll just have to spend the day outside
enjoying the sunshine. :-)
Yours, disappointedly,
- Matt
Ho Matt!
Dennis Harsh, the manager of the Game Guild plays in my regular LA game campaign, so I have the skinny ;-)
The 'Guild is temporarily homeless, not out of business. Lake Geneva's
tourist town rents are brutal, so the hiatus is that of finding a now
place that's large enough, affordable to rent and still a reasonably
accessable location. Dennis is working on it, and I believe he hopes to
have the shop open and running again within a month.
Maybe I can get him to rerspond here--I'll email him the URL.
Meantime, today is fairly sunny here in Lake Geneva, so all's not lost.
If you plan another visit here ahead of time, email me if you'd like to
set up a meeting for coffee and some gaming chat. Just had two fellows
fron North Dakota stop by yesterday, we went to Starbucks for expresso,
and "war stories" :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Eridanis
Thanks
for the inside info, sir, and I'll be sure to take you up on your
offer! (As it turns out, my toddler daughter got sick soon after I
posted this morning, so any road trip would have been ki-boshed anyway
... everything happens for a reason...)
Thanks again!
Wee bairns have a way of doing that...especially when parents have a desired plan for fun :-o
I did send an email off to Dennis.
Invitation stands, of course!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Janos Antero
Hey
Gary, I remember toys for DnD/DnD cartoon around the time of the show,
with a villan on a nightmare that was most certainly Vengar. But I also
remember a bearded and mustached hero in thick plate armor with a
horse, any chance you remember who or what that toy was?
As
I recall, the figure you refer to was "Warduke." The line was designed
by Duke Siefried who was then with TSR. I did have the entire
collection of those "bendy toys," but they were lost, along with a lot
of other personal property, when my office was siezed by Lorraine
Williams.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Who is Rose Estes?
Originally posted by Nine Dragons
Hello Gary,
I have a question, which came up a few weeks ago in another thread about
D&D-related female authors, which I'm hoping you can resolve. Is
"Rose Estes" a real person or a pseudonym for one or more then-TSR
authors? One person in the aforementioned thread even went so far as to
suggest it was actually Roger E. Moore. I tend to believe "she's" a real
person, possibly related to one "Lydia Estes (then aged 10)" who was
credited as a playtester for some Tom Wham game printed in Dragon
Magazine.
Howdy Nine Dragons!
Rose Estes us a real person. She worked at TSR for a time before
becoming a freelance writer. Lydia is her daughter. Rose lived in a
house owned by tom Wham for a time, but she removed from this area about
a year or so back.
Incidentally,
I'm just now delving through the 1st of the New Infinities Gord the
Rogue books (I just acquired all 5, so it's all new to me), and I'm
really enjoying it. I haven't yet been able to pick up the two earlier
books under the Greyhawk banner, so I'd really like to see that
potential re-release you've mentioned come to fruition (especially if
it's hardcover)! Any chance we'll ever see any new Gygax novels (fantasy
or otherwise) in the future?
The two Gord books published under the TSR logo might be found on Ebay. Those will be done as graphic novels, of course.
As for me writing more novel-length fiction, that's not in the cards in
the foreseeable future. Too many other projects on my plate, and no
particular world upon which to place any new adventures--of Gord or some
other protagonist. I did have fun writing the short "Magister Setne
Inhetep, Wizard-Priest" fantasy mystery novels. But that world is also
no longer one upon which I can base material.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
The URL doesn't work...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Nathal...
Now how about the package with the figure of the guy in armor that has a big moustache? :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Great link, Nathal!
So it was Strongheart... I'd forgotten that name.
They don't have the bendy ones that TSR was doing lister, though. the
only one of that lot I recall immediately was a poor version of a
carrion crawler.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Dark Eternal,
Heh, and the description sounds very muck like you had a CYBORG COMMANDO
RPG in your hands... I won't speak to the game mechanics for fear of
generating irate attacks upon me, even though the main designers of the
game were Frank Mentzer and Kim Mohan. ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Dark Eternal.
Yes, I conceived the basis for the CC game, and I have notes somewhere
for the two parts that were to complete it. It was produced by New
Infinities Productions, Inc. I gave over development of the mechanics,
as NI wanted my gord the Rogue novels as quickly as I could write them,
and then I was mneant to go on to doing a new FRPG system.
Janos, Melf was son Luke's PC. He was really pretty happy to have a figuyre named after his character ;-)
S'mon: NO COMMENT! :-P
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Hi Gary...Gord question...
Originally posted by The Fool
Thanks Gary
I cant wait for any and/or all of these things to be released :-D
The Fool
Anyone going to the Comic Con in Chicago, 8-10 August, will likely see me there on Saturday ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
Greetings, Gary!
One of my favorite RPGs is the 1975 Empire of the Petal Throne set. I
know that M. A. R. Barker wrote it, basing the mechanics in large part
upon D&D. But, after Mr. Barker submitted his manuscript to TSR, did
you make any changes, additions, subtractions, etc. to the manuscript
before publication?
Howdy Geoffrey!
Indeed, EPT is a fiine RPG, and I enjoyed playing it a good deal,
although finding GMs was not always easy. My first couple of adventures
were GMed by Phil Barker, in fact ;-)
As for editing, the Professor sent in work that was just about totally
clean, so that TSR published in the EPT game was about 99.9% what Phil
submitted. No additions or cuts were made to the best of my
recollection.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Hi Gary...Gord question...
Originally posted by BOZ
woohoo! :-)
hey, that's the weekend before my wedding. :-D
that reminds me... when is gencon? hope i don't have to miss it...
Hey, congratulations, Boz! (And kiss your gaming days goodbye.) Okay, J/K :-D
I think GenCon is the last weekend in July, but I am not sure, as I'm
not going this year. I'll make the Milwaukee Gamefest 1-3 August,
though, which I understand is the weekend following GenCon, then on the
next Friday I head for Chicago to the Comic Con.
If you make either event, please look me up and say hi ;-) We'll have a
room party at the Milwaukee Gamefest, but which night I don't yet know.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
I was just wondering - how popular were demihumans in your AD&D
games? Did they often reach the level limits? Did they go above them due
to one method or another?
Cheers!
Hi Merric :-)
About half of the players had demi-human PCs, and that's when I saw the
need to allow multi-classing more broadly, and not limit the thief
level. Also some of the sub-types were created and the level limits
bumped up to accommodate those who insisted on playing non-human races
in a human-dominated game and world setting. Actually, I allways
allowed a Wish spell to bump up a level too...
It is worth noting, that most players never got PCs above around 12th
level, so even an elf fighter/m-u of 5/8 was a viable member of a
typical party.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
That's really interesting, Gary. Who were the standout players who managed to achieve 13+ levels?
Cheers!
Actually, most players sort of retired their PCs at
around 12th level, preferring to start new ones. By dint of demand
Rob, with Robilar and Otto, and Ernie, with Tenser and Erac's Cousin,
got above 13th. there were also a handful of others just around 12th
and 13th level, but I don't recall who played which PC in that regard.
Mordenkainen and Bigby, mainly by demand, played in so many different
campaigns that they kept climbing. Most of my other PCs that did
likewise, but were mainly active in Greyhawk with Rob as DM, are in the
range of 16th level (Yrag) on down.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by blackshirt5
I've got one Gary(not sure if it's been asked before, feel free to sack me if it has).
What do you think about people being able to play evil characters in
D&D? Does it go against your vision of the game and genre?
We had a fair number of Evil PCs in my original campaign. Mostly the
experience gained from such play convinced the players the futility of
having such unheroic characters. For example, in 1974 I created a
half-orc cleric-assassin for a member of an Evil adventuring party. He
was soon killed, and of course none of the others in the group cared to
do more than loot his body ;-)
The game was really designed to facilitate a Good vs. Evil sort of
struggle, and I subtly weighted the original AD&D game towards the
Good side, but I never thought it "wrong" to play Evil characters as a
means of exploring that particular aspect of human nature. I do think
it abnormal to do nothing but play Evil PCs, FWIW...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
LA Game "Quick Start" pdf
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Great to see the quick start rules posted at Lejendary.com good sir
Ken
Ken!
Give the bloody URL for the website where the free download of the LA
Game "Quick Start" pdf can be downloaded, for goodness sake :-)
www.lejendary.com
Chris Clark will be getting the pdf to other websites soon, but because
of the long service done for the game by the noted one, they have an
exclusive for a few days.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: apologies if this has already been asked!
Originally posted by RichGreen
Hi Gary,
I was wondering what were the original destinations the mysterious metal
triangles in Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure were meant to lead to.
I'm using these to send my PCs to a number of different campaign
settings I've bought over the years and never used.
Cheers
Richard
Hi Richard!
Fact is I never got to try any of those gates. Rob alone knows where
those sent the PC activating them. All Mordie & Company found was a
portal to a world where everything was super-sized--recall the huge
ivory pillars thet he and Bigby sought refuge atop when the iron golem
attacked. Not wanting to meet creatures armed with tusks as large as
towers, we scooted away. the plan was to return another day, but fate
intervened to disallow that--I was moved out to the West Coast.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
Hello Gary!
After reading some of your responses to earlier posts, another question came to mind...
How has the playing and enjoyment of RPGs changed for you since
AD&D? I mean, there seems to be an evolution of style in the games
you've authored since AD&D (Mythus, LA). The addition of skills,
mostly.
For example: You mentioned in an earlier post that you expected AD&D
players to bring along a good amount of hirelings and henchmen into the
dungeons with them. Is this still a recipe that rings true in LA?
Is LA the natural evolution of AD&D for you, or a whole new agenda all-together?
Thank-you for your time, dear sir!
Duglas
Duglas,
That's an excellent question ;-)
The newer game systems I designed were meant to offer a somewhat
different perspective on the play of the FRPG. I'll move directly to
the LA game as it is in print.
LA is a different game that any other I have created. What I was
attempting to create with it is the same "spirit and soul" as were found
in OA/D&D while having a completely different approach. It is so
different that those coming to it with the D&D mindset have trouble
getting into it. That is the main reason I used new terminology, hoping
thus to facilitate the grasp of the new system by using different names
and changint thinking patterns.
In the LA system the beginning character (Avatar) is sufficiently able
to operate alone or with a like party and not need to hire anyone. Of
course hiring can be done if the Avatar has sufficient funds.
Let me go back a bit to the approach of original D&D players. Most
suce initial players came from military miniatures gaming where
commanding a force of warriors was the norm. It was a natural thing for
a PC group to hire men-at-arms, form a mercenary company and adventure
thus. As the background experience of the players became less warame
oriented, the focus of play shifter from the compamy to the core party
of PCs. this was in a sense an evolution, the realization of the
uniqueness of the RPG form apart from the military miniaturtes one.
Designing adventure material for a party of PC is certainly easier than
doing the same for a party plus mercenary forces. Thus modules assumed
the former, and the concept of the adventuring company was further
removed from the game.
It seems most players prefer to manage only their own PC/Avatar and work
with the player group thus. A couple of years back when I was
play-testing a sourcebook for the LA game the group turned down the
services of a company of warriors that their prowess had impressed--the
team of Avatars had gained considerable Repute. They could have become
local lords, ruled lands and estates, etc. Instead they preferred to be
an adventuring party of "rootless" sort--over the objections of one
younger member, my son Alex. They also avoided political matters.
So in the end the question is more of player preference than of
evolution of ideas. Most persons seem to prefer individual action to
command of a group of NPCs. When playing the former sort of campaign
thinking and action are on the personal and small tactical scale. In
the larger-group format, thinking must expand beyond the personal
problem and quest into areas that include such things as business,
commerce, espionage, finances, intregue, politics, protocol, strategy,
etc.
The LA game can handle either approach, but it was created to facilitate the core Avatar group adventure ;-)
Yes, I still prefer the larger approach, but I don't get to play a
character often enough to tire of the limited, personal adventure one.
Sorry to run on so!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB Here's what Rob Kuntz had to say about the star when asked a similar question last year on his message boards.
Cheers! Heh, Merric!
So now my Kindly DM is going to consult with me in regards where the
portals lead, eh? Fat chance :-o Mordie would suggest they lead to
places filled with unguarded magic items and vast heaps of glittering
gems...
Actually, Rob was excellent at "winging" new material, and no doubt he's
have come up with something far less idyllic for my PCs to encounter.
When he gets back online I'll try to remember to broach this subject with him.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BigBastard
Hi Gary!
I don't know if this question was asked before but I'll give it a shot.
When you left TSR did you leave behind any unfinished games or modules
that were never produced by TSR? Are there any lost adventures floating
around? :-D
Thanks for everything.
A question that's not been asked before ;-)
The answer is no*, while I did leave behind many books, games,
miniatures, a poster, and some notes that were wrongfully retained and
never returned by management, all of my working game material was kept
elsewhere--mainly with my campaign notebooks. Thse I still retain,
although one or two of the maps for "side adventure" areas connected to
the castle-dungeons ahve been lost.
*The sole exception is the map for the bandit city of Stoink and the
notes for that place. I was planning on developing that place as an
adjunct to the ToEE, so the map and notes were in my office and lost. I
have seen a photocopy of the map, and someone else has a copy of the
notes, I believe.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Well tell us who so we can go beat them up and make copies :-)
ken
Sorry, but I don't keep track of petty thieves ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BigBastard
Gary, what direction would have Greyhawk gone if you did not have TSR stolen from you? How different would it be today?
Speculation...
Timelines would be loose indeed ;-)
The would would be a complete globe with more continents and states
thereon with contributions from Len Lakofka and Francois
Marcela-Froideval/
There would be several WoG sourcebooks detailing places such as the Great Kingdom, the "Barbarians (Frost, ice, Snow)," etc.
A major module would be done regarding the area around the Rift and the
place proper. Another dealing with the Sea of Dust would be done.
Possibly adventures regarding the Scarlet Brotherhood and the Horned
Society would be available. Likely a couple of more from Len and
Francois would be in the line.
There would be some "porrtal accessed" adventures, these likely found in
a series of modules detailing more of the Underdark and the Sunless
Sea. The portals would lead to non-fantasy-genre settings.
In all, for every question answered regarding the world, at least one
new one would be created and left unanswered, for my purpose was to have
a world that the DM could complete and customize as suited his group.
In all likelihood Castle Greyhawk and the City of Greyhawk would be available products.
That's it off the top of my head--first time I've actually gone to such detail in considering what I would likely have done.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Kai Lord
Hi Gary!
In the early eighties, TSR created Dragonlance to compliment the world
of Greyhawk. Greyhawk provided the Dungeons, Dragonlance showcased
Dragons. What did you think of Dragonlance?
Tracy and
Margaret created the "Dragonlance" material because Trecy liked to "tell
stories," Margaret to write/develop them, and that was the vehicle that
emerged. The books were not my cup of tea, as I am more a Swords &
Sorcery type, so I enjoy less time spent in character development and
more action. The strictures in the DL modules also lessened their value
for dame play, I thought. Lots and lots of people disagree ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Janos :-)
Fact is that after the 'Wars stuff and the 'Ashes material that
followed, I paid no attention to the setting. Those two efforts
unalterable changed the world from any direction I would have taken it.
My work and general approach are expressed amply in the material that
was published.
So the short answer is that there's no profit for anyone in my critiquing the material that exists.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Kai Lord
I thought Dragonlance had some pretty nice dames, actually. Particularly Laurana, Kitiara, and Goldmoon. ;-)
There are adventure modules, and there adventures... :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Wolv0rine
I think he got you, Gary. :-) (Unless you got the joke, and *I* missed it, in which case...eek!)
Oh, he got me with the typo....but I think I had sufficient aplomb to
note that there might be merit in his suggestion while at the same time
ignoring the gaff I made ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
Alas! The loss of possibility of all this Greyhawk material makes me
sad. Frankly, I couldn't stand one iota of the Greyhawk stuff released
after you left TSR, Gary... they just couldn't do it right. I was
pleased that WotC ressurected the setting for 3E, but I don't feel they've supported it in a decent way either.
If there was some way for you to publish the stuff you've mentioned above in a generic game setting, grognard's would rejoice!
Another thing I would have jumped at greedily: a deities book for the Greyhawk pantheon.
Oh, well. If all those who use the world setting agreed
with your assessment, then it would be a sure thing, and I could write
'generic" material for the setting...
About the best prospect is that of "Zagig's Castle." Even that isn't
looming large currently, as Rob Kuntz is offline and inactive now. Of
course, I am still not sure I want to spend two or more years of my life
on that project.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by johnsemlak
This is very interesting. I wonder, would have you used the 'R" series
(R3, Egg of the Pheonix, et. al. (republished as I12)) by Frank Mentzer
and others to develop a continent opposite the Flanaess? My
understanding is those modules were intented to have taken place in an
undeveloped part of Oerth.
The exact form of the remainder
of the globe was not settled upon. I wanted an Atlantis-like continent,
and possibly a Lemirian-type one. Likely two large continents would
have been added. The nearest would house cultures akin to the Indian,
Burmese, Indonesian, Chinese, Tibetan, and Japanese. Another would
likely have been the location of African-type cultures, including the
Egyptian. A Lemurian culture would have been based off the Central and
South American cultures of the Aztec-Mayay-Inca sort.
Also,
I would like to second those above who regret you never got a chance to
develop Oerth further they way you intended. There would have been
some very interesting products.
Thanks, and I too am sorry
that I never got to continue on with the WoG. Some have found that
material in the EPIC OF AERTH world setting I did not the MYTHUS game
has some merit. Currently, we are working on yet another world setting,
LEJENDARY EARTH. However, neither is anything like the WORLD OF
GREYHAWK.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Q&A with Gary Gygax Pt. 3
Originally posted by Dinkeldog Continued from here
Gary just want to echo those that appreciate you taking the time to talk to us about stuff like this. Confession:
I haven't been musy inspired in regards creative writing--been watching the telly to keep track of the war in Iraq.
Posting here is a welcome break ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Now we just have to hope he finds it :-)
So gary did you ever have a creation myth for the world of greyhawk? explain how it came to be etc.?
Ken
Mike Mornard suggested that it was spun into existance by the Great Spoder.
I never got that far in working backwards into the history of the world--too much contemporary material that needed attention.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Angcuru
Gary, if you could stat yourself out for 3rd edition, what would you be like?
That question requires far greater knowledge of the system than I possess :rolleyes:
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Q&A with Gary Gygax Pt. 3
Originally posted by Wormwood
Tell me about it---I've been working for two weeks with a live
Baghdad-cam in the corner of my screen. Almost blew out my pc speakers a
few times.
Been off for a couple of days now...so now I have to work. :-(
Right...and I like that sig you have :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Melan
Greetings!
A new question: in your games, how often did the characters confront
arch-devils and demon lords (if at all)? Were they successful in slaying
these great evil powers, or did such a fight always mean irrevocable,
painful death?
For example, did they come blow to blow with Zuggtmoy, did they spell an
end to Lolth (maybe in a different way from Queen of the Demonweb
Pits?), or was Kerzit's defeat an isolated event?
Plus: was demonkind limited to the base types found in the Monster
Manual, or did you invent multiple demon variants to entertain and
terrify the adventurers?
Heh! No PC in the group would
ever have dared face a really big-time demomon of devi. I'll speak for
Mordenkainen and Bigby in that regard ;-) When playing in what became
the D3 module someone in the group managed to gate in Asmodeus, and
another character called for some entity as strong as that to oppose
that devil. Of course I brought in Orcus when the call for assistance
was deemed successful. The two are actually opposed of course... They
had a fine time laughing at the grovelling mortals, then failed to agree
as to who got whose souls. The dispute escallated, and the party
escaped.
Not a lot of demons and devils were encountered in my campaign, and when
they were it was usually a major fight to get rid of them. They tended
to keep gating in reinforcements.
I would sometimes create a unique sort of minor demon or devil for the
party to deal with, but. with the plethora of other monsters available
this was a rare and "special" thing.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Wormwood
Actually, I do have a question.
Why spiders?
Many years ago, we battled our way down down down to the Abyss and discovered that the dark heart of the Drow had eight legs.
We've been fascinated by the Dark Elves ever since, but I've always wondered what inspired their arachnophilia?
It's a wonderful touch which lent the race a uniquely creepy feel (that
echoes to this day), but is there some story behind that decision?
Thanks.
You put your finger on the matter nicely. Spiders
lurk in dark places, attack savagely, are nasty and poisonous. That's
the way most people think of them, so what better symbol for the Drow
than that?
No, I don't like spiders in the least :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Aeolius
another question...
Gary, in your mind, how old is Oerth? Is it millions of years old,
thus capable of generating fossils, species evolution, and mass
extinctions? Or was it whipped up by the gods 20,000 years prior to
Oerth's recent history?
(Yes, I asked this on GreyTalk, as well)
What a question! just between us it's one that I think the DM should decide ;-)
The long history with ages passing is great, but that means all manner
of additional material needed for the campaign, including possible past
races, gods, etc.
Enough of the past can be garnered in a history that spans only some tens of thousands of years, not billions or many millions.
I envisioned the Oerth, the World of Greyhawk, as a parallel earth far
removed from out own probability, a much more recent one that was spun
off by the deities that are found there. If another DM wants to have it
as one as old as this world and can manage the details, fine.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by 8XXX{0}====>
A question for you...
Have you read George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. If you have, what do you think of it?
Thanks,
Sword
Sorry, but I have not read the book, so I am unable
to comment. As a rule of thumb if it is anything like the work of
Anthony, de Camp & Pratt, Farmer, Leiber, Howard, Merritt, Moorcock,
Saberhagen, or Vance I will likely enjoy it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by 8XXX{0}====>
I
think you would like the series. Its better written than Wheel of Time,
but since I havnt read anything by the abovementioned authors, I cant
really comment accuratly. But thanks for answering my question.
Its kind of intimidating to be 17 and ask questions of The Man.
Just remember that I was 17 once myself ;-) My buddy Tom Keogh's
father was a freelance artist and inventor, a great fan of myster and SF
fiction. I used to feel somewhat intimidated speaking to him about the
authors I liked, but I was such a SF goob that I did it anyway. Funny
thing about Mr. Keogh was that he had worked for Walt Disney and he
looked a bit like him--made it ever more intimidating ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Faraer
Ver' interesting. I note that Sea of Death seems to indicate Indian-like states (Changol, Jahind, etc.) in Oerik, west and south of the Sea of Dust/Suloise Empire...
There are some of Gary's ideas of elder ages of the AD&D multiverse, and by necessity the WoG, in The Slayer's Guide to Dragons, which I am much enjoying.
Just the way a verbig would say that :-D
Mthanks for the lauds, but make that Gary and Jon Creffield. Jon is a
very talented writer whose work will be seen more and more, I think.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Tewligan
I'm
curious as to how hard it was to sell the idea of mixing fantasy into
historical wargaming to your group way back when you were first
developing Chainmail and, later, D&D. I would imagine that some of
the more die-hard wargamers of the time would be a little leery of
throwing wizards and orcs into the mix, and even more reluctant to trade
a field full of armies for a dungeon full of adventurers. Was there a
lot of nay-saying and footdragging, or was everyone enthusiastic from
the start?
The reception of fantasy elements in the
medieval tabletop wargame was incredibly enthusiastic by about 90% of
the old group. Lee Tucker dismissed it, and me. Mike Reese and Jeff
Perren were not captivated by giants hurling boulders and dragons
breathing fire and lightning bolts, not did wizards with spells, heroes
and superheroes with magic armor and swords prove compelling to them.
That said, the Chainmail fantasy games soon were drawing crowds to the
basement sand table where but a handful of wargamers once played ;-)
It got so crowded that we had to turn gamers away unless they were
regulars--no room around the table.
When I wrote up a fantasy battle report for Don Featherstone's
Wargamer's Newsletter ("The Battle of the Brown Hills"), one reader
commented in a later issue that I should forget fantasy and do more
interesting games such as his Balkan Wars ones...
That sort of criticism has never daunted me ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
[snippage]
Over the past few years (and more for your poor players), you've created
a large number of mysteries, such as the Great Stone Face, and the
Jeweled Running Man... I know you don't want to reveal the truth of
these matters prematurely, but could you please write down the
explanations and get them sealed in a bank vault or similar in case of
your untimely end before someone does solve them?
Hmm... you might want to add something like "to be destroyed, unopened,
in case of death by foul play", because I can just see a few angry
D&D historians wanting the solutions to these things rampaging
towards your house...
:-)
Cheers!
Hi Merrick!
That's a thought. Of course some possible explanation will be given in
the "Zagig's Castle" work...if that ever comes into being. Of course I
never planned to give the actual information I based things like you
mention above for my campaign--at least not obviously. the very best
part of mysteries is keeping them that. This can be done by offering
multiple options for the Dm for the "Disappearing Jeweled Man," the
instant evoker of greed in my group of PCs, and the "Great Stone Face,"
something as enigmatic as Stonehenge.
Of course even as I give a choice of explanations for those things I wil
have to include new, unanswered riddles--or at lease highlight some
previously unknown ones there in the mazes below the castle.
Life is full of unanswered questions, and I believe that the RPG would should be the same ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
S'mon,
Managing a generic line of sumc supplemental material might be possible
is it was kicked off by "Zagig's Castle," and that and follow on modules
were successful sales-wise.
Indeed, the castle might have many names in its manifestations on parallel worlds... Dunfalcon springs to mind as one ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Eternalknight
Did you ever think of doing much on Australian Aboriginie mythology? It seems to be a greatly untapped resource in RPG's.
while i am much impressed with the Australian Aboriginies, and also
with the Bushmen of Africs, I never contemplated adding them to the mix
simply because their cultures are so far from those used as bases for
the milieux of Oerth adventuring. The amount of work necessary to
establish the groundwork for play therein would be rather daunting, bith
for the author and the DM utilizing the material. It would be a
simpler matter to manage it for the LA game system, but for D&D I
can foresee all manner of lengthy additions to the rules being
necessary. BTW, by D&D, I am speaking broadly, and mean AD&D as
well.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by tleilaxu
hello!
what foreign countries have you been to?
I have been to
about 40 of the US states, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas,
England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and
Morocco. Still a whole lot of this world I need to visit ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Alzrius
If
I'm asking a question that has been asked before, feel free to brush me
aside: I keep meaning to read through the older threads of your
Q&A, but never seem to get around to it.
What did you think of Ed Greenwood's Forgotten Realms when you saw it, compared to your own World of Greyhawk?
When Ed Greenwood's Forgotten Realms hit I never got around to
examining it as a world setting. Had it been published while I was
still active in TSR management it would have been a different story, of
course. As it happened, though, I was already involved with
conceptualization of a new RPG system, so I didn't spend time with
others' creative work.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Eternalknight
Thanks for answering Gary :-) So, then, when are you coming to Australia? :-D
Funny you should mention that!
I've wanted to take a trip to Australia for many years now, but it's a
long way and expensive trip to boot. (Fact is I hate flying--long,
boring, and I can't even smoke on planes any more.) anyway, I hope to
make it down under one day, travel the breadth of the continent...wine
in the West, sunny beaches on the East, and lost of sand in the middle,
eh?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BigBastard
Gary,
there has been a discussion in this forum dealing the cost of game
books. As a former game publisher what are your views on this subject.
The vast majority of game publisherds make a thin living at best.
Because they do not have the economy of scale that a large company,
WotC, for example, has, they need to have seemingly high proces on products that are of high quality.
Consumers need to remember that the publsisher gets only about 40% of
cost of a product, and from that all costs and operating expenses must
be paid. Thus it's about 99% certain that the price charged is barely
enough to keep the company in operation, pay the authors, artists,
editors, and other persons needed to produce the work ;-)
I
would also like to know your stance on those who are copying still in
print gamebooks and distributing them for free on the internet? :-(
How do you feel this is effecting the hobby in general? Thank you Gary.
What you describe is theft, pure and simple. It is criminal and also
subject to civil penalties. Those stealing thus should be prosecuted by
the owners of the IP being stolen, sued civally. Hopefully the thieves
will end up having to pay legal costs for the plaintiffs, triple
damages, and punative damages in top of that.
Stealing alwyas hurts others. In the case cited it hurts toe publisher
and those who derrive income from that operation. It also harms all
those who sell the stolen product--game distributors and shop owners.
It also harms the end users who are honest, those gamers who refuse to
accept stolen property. Such theft adds to the cost of game products
and discourages the creation of new product.
Some perry thieves feel they are justified in stealing from big
companies--film studios and record producers. that's wroing, of course.
To do the same to small game publishers is absolutley impossible to
rationalize. for they are not rich, and such theft might actually drive
them out of business.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Eternalknight
That just about some up Australia alright :-D I'll have a cold beer
waiting here for you (hec, it's the least I can do for the man who has
given me years of entertainment!)
Heh, and oaky! I enjoy a good beer, and I don't like winter here in
Wisconsin. I always thought it would be great to spend six
months--October through March in Australia to escape this place ;-)
Maybe next year...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Larcen
Hi Gary.
I heard you are going to be at Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester MA
later this month. As I live in RI it's only a short jaunt away.
Can you tell me what you are planning for this event? Will it be just a
straight book-signing? (Not that that in itself would not be worth the
trip. ;-) )
The event will be a discussion of
weapons--fantasy and actual ones as on display at the museum. I'll give
a brief introduction as to how I became interested in mediaval weaponry
before that, then answer questions after. A luncheon follows, then a
tour. There will be a book signing following that.
Here's the schedule of events direct from the Good Folks at Higgins Armory Museum :-)
> 10:30-12:00 Talk with you and Jeffrey
> 12:00-1:00 Lunch
> 1:00-2:00 Tour of weapons and armor in the Great Hall
> 2:00-3:00 Demonstration of weapons by our Sword Guild
> 3:00-4:00 Booksigning
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
Over the years, you presented several systems to create ability scores
in Dungeons and Dragons. From the initial "roll 3d6 six times, and
assign to ability scores in order" to the later versions in AD&D and
Unearthed Arcana...
What method did you actually use in your campaign? (It probably changed, but which was your favourite?)
Cheers and Best Wishes!
Hola Merric!
As stats became more vital to a long-lived PC, I improved the players'
chance to get a viable one quickly, one that they would be happy with.
In my campaign I allowed rolls of 4d6, three highest for the score, and
arrangement of scores as the player wished. That enabled the creation
of a character the player wished to play, of course.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Eternalknight
Well if you enjoy good beer you will come to the right place ;-)
The USA has finally begun to brew decent beer and ale again. Over the
last decade, mainly based on the success of the Samuel Adams line, quite
a number of brews that have real flavor and character can be enjoyed.
Still, all the "junk" beer seems to sell well, and even Sam Adams is now
making a "light" (read low alcohol) version. Ugh!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Good post there, Flexor :-)
The Gord the Rogue graphic novels are supposed to be secret. I blew that some time back, but what the hell... :rolleyes:
Latest word from the publisher is that the series will be announced at
the Chicago Comic Con in August. That's likely a sure thing, as I am
slated to show up there on Saturday the 9th (I think that's the date) to
promo the "Zero Issue" and the coming regular numbers to follow.
The delay has been to assure the artwork is top flight and line up distribution.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by optimizer
Howdy!
We started with with 3d6 in order rolled, moved to 3d6 in player
selected order to get characters and classes we would like to play, then
finally ended up with the 4d6 with player selected order to get viable
characters like you mention. We have been doing this for years and
seems to be the best way for us. I am glad to know that our paths moved
the same way! :-)
Thanks!
Mike
Agreed, Mike ;-)
The objective is to have players who are happy with their new PCs, the latter having a decent chance of surving the adventures.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
At the risk of incurring wrath...
All the popular American beers are watery and tasteless, so they need to
be drunk ice cold so as to convince the poor deluded consumers that it
is beer they are drinking, not amber-hued, carbonated water.
IMO
the British real ales are about the best brew one can enjoy. Sam
Smith's Nut Brown Ale is one of my vary favorites, and their Oatmeal
Stout is better than Guiness to my palate.
Peter Hand Brewery used to make an excellent beer, their Special
Reserve, but it had body and flavor, so folks raised on soda pop likely
preferred beers lacking those qualities.
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Flexor the Mighty!
We
usually drink our Budweiser at progressively warmer temperatures. See
the group of guys I drink with most of the time just sit our case of
Bud on the table and start going at it. Pour in some Bushmills
shooters and it's ecstacy!
Boilermakers are different than
straight beer. If I'm mixing Irish whiskey in my beer, the brand isn't
going to matter much ;-)
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Gary can you tell me if the Gord GN's will be able to feature the Greyhawk names and locations?
Whatever is in the novel will be in the graphic form, so the later ones
will not have Greyhawk names not found in the first two. Actually, as
parts of City of Hawks will be picked up to flesh out the initial two
graphic novel series, these will be somewhat expanded versions of the
first two stories.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Enough about beer, back to reality.
Originally posted by Angcuru
Well,
there's one thing I've always wondered, Gary. When you run games, do
you have your own unpublished homebrew, or do you use one of the
pre-existing settings?
Have you(exclusively) written and published a setting? (I assume
Greyhawk was a joint endeavor, if so, that wouldn't count in this
respect .)
BTW, who developed Mystara?
I have done three world
settings on my own: World of Greyhawk, Epic of Aerth, and the latest
one, still in process of publication, and with developer input,
Lejendary Earth.
I used my own special homebrewed setting for A/D&D up to about 1978,
then switched to the published WoG. When I was running a Mythus
campaign I used the Epic of Earth, and currently my LA game campaign is
based on the Lejendary Earth world setting and it's 20 pantheons of
deities ;-)
Sorry, but i don't know who authored Mysteria.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Angcuru
What do you think of the Hackmasterization of Old-School D&D? I.E. Greyhack...
When it first hit I was quite enthused, but HM now seems to be growing
out of all proportions. Of course, I have come to appreciate a "less is
better" sort of approach to RPG rules...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Enough about beer, back to reality.
Originally posted by BOZ
was that dave arneson? i forget who i heard was the main designer for the original D&D Known World.
Heh....
Seeing that D&D wasn't around to build a world setting for until
1974, and the first pubvloished world setting thereafter was World of
Greyhawk, what else can I say?
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Enough about beer, back to reality.
Originally posted by Geoffrey
Gary, would you be amenable to sharing some details of this pre-1978 homebrewed setting?
Briefly, I will do so ;-)
The planet was much like our earth. Think of the world of Aerth as was presented for the MYTHUS FRPG.
The city of Greyhawk was located on the lakes in about the position that
Chicago is, and Dyvers was north ar the Milwaukee location. The
general culture was pseudo mediaval European. Some of the kingdoms
shown on the WoG map were around the adventure-central area, the City of
Greyhawk.
More details aren't really possible, as the sketch maps I used are long gone :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by tieranwyl
Gary,
Which do you consider to be more rules-lite, Lejendary Adventures or AD&D 1E?
If you were to do a revision of AD&D 1E, would there be significant
changes to: classes, alignment, level restrictions, class restrictions,
experience and level progression, combat or magic? Would there be any
room for improvements in 1E, and if so, what would they look like?
What types of adventures are best handled by Lejendary Adventures? Do dungeon crawls have a place in LA?
LA is more rules-lite that OAD&D, although you can play the latter
in the same manner LA is--setting aside the class-based nature of the
latter.
It doesn't actually matter what changes I would have made in AD&D,
does it? Suffice to say that I had hoped to broaden the system to allow
its play in genres other that fantasy. Goint into details of how I
would have altered the game is really a futile exercise ;-)
As for the LA system, I have found it accommodates all types of
adventures very readily. As one who loves dungeon crawls, I can assure
you that they are as excoting with the LA game as they are with
OAD&D.
The HALL OF MANY PANES module now in editing at Troll Lord Games has a
huge number of different sorts of encounters within it. Ine is an "Olde
Time Dungeon Crawl," that played excellently. Other encounters feature
roleplay, problem solving, intregue, etc. There are many
exploration-combat (dungeon crawl) encounters in it, though, because
gamers love them, and as I mentioned above, I certainly do :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by tieranwyl
You still have fans that play 1E AD&D, many of whom hang out at the
dragonsfoot site. After all these years, some people have not been
willing to move on to newer editions of D&D or other FRPG's. Partly
they love the game because you wrote it, and mostly they just love Old
AD&D. I think many of the "old schoolers" are hanging on to the
hope that Old AD&D will make a come-back, that you would be in the
creative lead of it and that their favorite classed-based game can be
experienced by new gamers. There is still a lot of resentment by them
toward the non-Gygax versions of the game. I could be wrong, but I
don't think the old schoolers would accept a multi-genre D&D.
Just an observation.
When 2E was released TSR lost about
hald of its audience. That's according to inside information from
someone then at the company. I suspect there was a much resentment
about unnecessary changes and the cost of acquiring brand new core books
as there was resistance to playing a game I didn't write...
My take on the matter is that those who hold fast to OAD&D do so
because they like the system as it is, do not want any major revisions
that alter its spirit and soul--other than those they have done for
themselves to suit their group. Seeing as how I am quite unable to
create a new edition because of legal reasons, speculating about it is
indeed a fruitless exercise.
As for adding genres, that was generally directed in the ODMG, and what
alterations I made in the rules would simply have made such facilitation
easier.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by EvilPheemy
[i]
[snippage]
You mentioned earlier that few of the early characters ever faced Demon
Princes or ArchDevils. However, wasn't Iuz (admittedly not a Demon
Prince in the proper sense, but a Demigod qualifies in my book)
confronted by Tenser and companions (in the adventure where Robilar
dispelled the wards trapping Iuz within Greyhawk Castle)? Was that
adventure actually played out, or was it flavor text developed for the
published setting?
In the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth there
were the trapped "demigods' that were released. Erac and Aylarach freed
a demon prince in Greyhawk Castle, Fraz'urblu, that carried the pair
off to the Abyss with him in "thanks." robilar smashed the portal
confining Zuggtmoy in the ToEE, and she offered to make him her main
servant.
There was interaction, if you will, but no confronation in the actual sense of the term.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Weren't the Nine demigods imprisioned withing Castle Greyhawk? O.o
Right, Flexor...
That last post was a brain fart on my part. It was Iggwilv's daughter
that was in the LCoT, and the Nine were confined in the dungeons below
the castle. There was considerable confusion amongst the lot when they
were brought out of stasis and set free, though, and no confrontation
with PC--a few squabbles amongst themselves, then off they went.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by fusangite
Now
that I've slobbered all over you in another thread, Gary, here's a
series of questions that have been bugging me for about a year:
1. D&D appears to be inspired from Aristotelian physics, judging by
the four-element system and non-exponential falling damage.
(a) What are the implications to this system of of replacing the celestial spheres with the Great Wheel?
(b) What are the implications to this system of having elemental planes instead of confining the elements to Earth?
(c) Am I correct in using Aristotelian physics for questions of physical
science when the rules aren't directly on point -- ie. relative speed
of falling objects, object trajectories, how electricity interacts with
water, etc.?
2. The popularization of polyhedral dice suggests that D&D is in
some way paying homage to Platonism; is there any aspect of Platonism in
the way the rules or world have been structured?
Heh :-)
don't read the complex into what is pretty simple. The four elements
are indeed drwwn from Aristotelian physics, but then leaped ahead some
centuries to Paracelsius (sp?) and later Spiritualist writers. In all
it is meant as a game system of workable sort and nothing more.
As for the non-exponential falling speed question, I corrected that later on--much to the dissatisfaction of many players.
The elemental planes had to be expanded beyond the material in order to
exist in other parallel worlds, and to have existence in terms of
Theosophy, such as the empyreal plane. By being so it also offers new
realms in which to explore and adventure, places for elemental
creatures. For example, without the elemental plane of fire being
outside the mundane, where would the efreet dwell?
The use of platonic solids is coincidental to the generation of a wide variety of random numbers :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
S'mon,
You have the matter well in hand, I see :-D
When players would have their PCs leap off a 200' cliff to avoid a
confrontation with a monster, survive the fall, it came to me that I had
erred...badly. Thus the UA falling damage.
In the LA game I have a similar system, exponential, duing a d20 for
Harm delivered if falling onto a hard surface such as stone. A 20 is no
damage, though, and 19 indicates a broken bone or sprain, but no other
damage, and all the rest of the numbers are points taken from Health.
Long falls are pretty much the end for an Avatar, even if the surface is
relatively yielding so as to call for d10--again a 0 is no Harm, 9 a
broken bone or sprain, and the rest points taken from Health. As you
note, a 30-foot fall is 1dX plus 3dX plus 6 dX, and so on.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
what is your opinion on using the "real world" of the Middle Ages as a
campaign setting for A/D&D or for Lejendary Adventure? Of course,
the setting wouldn't be completely real since there would be monsters,
spells, and magic items. But there would be Catholicism, England, the
Crusades, and all the rest.
Do you think this would be a fun and/or a workable setting for A/D&D or LA?
Hi Geoffrey ;-)
My considered opinion is that such a setting would require a special set
of rules, and neither A/D&D nor the LA game are designed to fit
something that is based on actual history.
Using such a setting also treads close to the edge in regards religion
as practiced today--mainly Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam. Most magic
would then perforce be Satanic in nature, or at best theurgy in the true
sense of the term--forced from the divine.
the setting would certainly make for some interesting campaign play, but in general I doubt the commercial viability.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
LAST POST FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS
Hi Boschdevil,
As I am about to depart for a trip to the East Coast--about an hour from
now--this will be my last post here for the noted period.
You asked about how I managed "Vile" content in my game designs. The
answer is I don't include it per se. As far as I am concerned the FRPG
is a heroic game form, and thus the base assumption is that the players
will be of non-vile stamp. If the GM desires the exploration of malign
behavior in the campaign there is no need for printed guidelines in the
game.
As you note, the combat with and slaying of creatures is considered by
many a bad thing, even when it is a case of good fighting evil. While I
don't agree with them, I do think it is unwise to add more ammunition
for critics to use against the RPG by including the vile in printed
material.
About as far as I go is to include malign abilities such as Necrourgy,
Sorcery (in its mythical meaning as using demons to work magic), and
Witchery (mainly as a non-avatar character ability) in the LA game
system. this serves to enable the development of "vile" material for
the campaign by the GM so desiring.
Hope that covers it. If not, I'll revisit the subject when I return ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Lake Geneva Game Guild
As
someone remarked that they couldn't locate the Game Guild, I thought I
should posy this bit of information from Dennis Harsh, the Kindly Prop.
of same.
"The new Game Guild is at:
836 W Main St
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Hours are: Wed-Sat Noon to 10pm
Sunday noon to 6pm
and our Phone is (262) 249-0779"
If you stop in tell them Gary sent you ;-) Heh, like that will matter...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by mystraschosen
Have a great trip gary! :-D
Thanks!
It was fun, but we had to leave much sooner that we had hoped bacause of
work demands :-( No real sightseeing got done at all, and about the
best we can claim was a lobster dinner in Kennybunkport.
Worst still, even though we are back early I had over 1K messages awaiting in the old email inbox :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BOZ
gary, when you get back...
my fiancee and i are considering a weekend trip to lake geneva. :-D any hangouts and fun places you can suggest?
also, our honeymoon is going to be in wisconsin dells :-)
Ho BOZ!
See above for the addy of the Game Guild ;-)
This place is almost as bad as The Dells as far as tourism is concerned.
The main hangouts are the Starbucks (where cartoonist Joe Martin is
often encountered) and a downtown sports bar. Most "action is
definately at the local beach and in the saloons hereabouts.
The boat tour of the lake is fun--if it isn't chilly out.
There's a really excellent Japanese restaurant here--expensive but worth
it is you like such food--I do, and their sashimi is marvelous.
You can give me a phone call of you like--I'm in the book. Might be
able to suggest something else. Fact is I don't go out and about in the
town much, so I'll need to ask around as to what's new and maybe
special these days :rolleyes: Happy to have a cup of java with you if
you like, here or at Starbucks.
Motel rooms are often scarce here on weekends, and they charge as much as they do in The Dells. Make a reservation for sure!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: "Golden" Age of Modules
Originally posted by boschdevil
Gary,
I hope you had fun on your trip. (I'm figuring by the time you get my message you would have returned)
We did, but it was cut short so no holiday time to speak of :-(
Thank
you for answering my previous question with the limited time which you
had. I really do appreciate it, especially when I figure that it is the
time of the most prominent person in the gaming industry. (I know
that you have regarded yourself as just another gamer, but frankly I
would still be playing chess and the wargame "1776" if D&D never
came to being. In fact, my father once gave me heck for getting my
brother into D&D, but thanked me for it years later. For my father
to switch positions, that it an impressive task.)
Appreicate
your thanks and kind words. Fact is I did play a lot of chess and
boardgames in my youth--no RPGs around. I still enjoy those games too.
That your father admnitted his error show he is a fair-minded fellow
for sure!
And
you did answer the question in the manner that I meant to ask it. Yes,
D&D has the slaying of evil monsters and demons and devils running
through the games. This practice goes back to the 1st edition rules.
However, there is a difference between having witchcraft, demon, devil,
and devil in a game and actually bringing in rules for sadism, rape,
self-mutilation, and demonic worship. I agree we have had evil clerics
in our campaigns (like Keep on the Borderlands) that have grotesque
images and bizarre rituals, but we never went into steps and rules for
the demonic worship. As you said, we gamers already have an unearned
reputation to try to correct outside the gaming community.
Needless to say, I hope, I am not in favor of adding "vile" aspects to the RPG.
IMO it is a grave error that gives anti-RPG elements real ammunition for a change. Why fuel such fures?
As
a follow-up to the unearned reputation of "being agents of Satan
promoting suicide" (none of which is even close to the truth), how did
you handle keeping your cool when these people were going through the
witchhunts of the early 1980's? If I remember right, you and D&D
were up there with Heavy Metal for the eventual downfall of our
civilization. I remember thinking at the time that the accusors were
insane, and I would have strangled them on sight because they were
saying thing that even a teenager (me) knew were lies.
Few
of the detractors of the D&D game ever approached me in any regard.
When someone did, mentioned those supposed aspects of the game, I
simply asked them fro actual proof, suggetted that perhaps they were
incapable of distinguishing between the fantasy of an imaginary game and
real life.
I used to query them about parallels in a MONOPOLY game such as owning
slum properties and bankrupting other players--all make believe.
As for obsessive behavior, I'd point to golfers playing in the rain, even in thunderstorms.
I
do have another question. It has to do with the early modules that
were released for D&D. To me, these modules were such fantastic
adventures that more recent modules just are not in the same league as
them. Do you have a reason for why these modules are so much better
than the more recent modules? Sometimes I wonder about this, but I have
not put my finger on it yet.
Take care.
That's a difficult one for me to answer. I
suspect enthusiasm and love of the game by the module designers, writing
for and from the sheer joy of it, has a lot to do with it. Also, the
field was new and totally unexploted then, so the first well-crafted
treatment of any adventure subject is likely to be a sort of landmark
thing, eh?
I'd like to think I have the ability to write superior adventure
material, although all that I create is not a masterpiece. Fact is that
it is very difficult to write a module, and I approach the work with
considerable trepidation. As far as I am concerned, and adventure I
write must be relatively different from all others I have done in the
past, and not resemble any other authors' works either.
How well I've managed is a call that only other gamers can make. I
think that NECROPOLIS, FORLORN CORNERS (for LA), THE HERMIT, and HALL OF
MANY PANES fit the qualifications I have set. So too the few other
adventures I've co-created and are yet to see print--as PANES has yet to
do ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Larcen
Hey
Gary, hurry up and get here on the East Coast. My friends and I are
eagerly awaiting meeting you at Higgins Armory. B-) B-)
I want to see you wield a longsword with the Guild guys.
Now to come up with even MORE questions to ask you in person.... O.o
Heh...
Their Guild folks are really pretty good, as their demos show. After
doing some SCA fighting back in the 1970s, I've pretty well had my fill
of weapons play. Give me a staff filled with spells anytime :-D
The Higgins Armory Museum has some really great armor and weapons.
Their storeroom in the basement is packed with wonderful Asian and
European weapons. I met their staff and directors too, and was most
impressed.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Higgins Armory
Originally posted by Uriah Heep
Hi
Gary, it was great meeting you at Higgins Armory in Worcester Mass. on
Saturday, April 26. This is also my first time posting here. I look
forward to talking to you when you get back.
Didn't Uriah Heep found More Science High? (Firesign Theater, "Don't Crush that Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers.)
After answering all these posts here, I plan to stay away from the
boards for at least a day, as I have stacks of email to manage too.
As for you and the others at the Higgins Armory Museum, what A great group! I had an absolute blast there thanks to y'all ;-)
for those in the area that are close to Portsmnouth and Jumpgate, I can
heartily recommend their quarter "Game Day" get-togethers. No entry
fee, plenty of gaming, and what a great bunch of players there. Hector
Diaz, the Kindly Prop. of the two stores is a dedicated gamer who really
is there to serve all of us.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Piratecat
Heh - I thought Mearls, Sagrabah and I monopolized most of his time. I'm glad to see that wasn't entirely the case. :-)
Uriah, welcome!
- Piratecat
PS Boschdevil, interestingly enough Sticky threads actually get less
views than regular threads. Odd, but true. I think we're better off
just leaving this one as is, since it will get a boost every time
someone asks a question.
Hey, Piratecat!
You and the others were not at all intrusive. I appreciated the
opportunity to chat. My main regret was that there wasn't a pub handy,
so that the whole crew could have vacated the museum and gone for a pint
and some real gaming talk!
As I'v already said, we had a great time at Higgins Armory and next day
at the Jumpgate Games Day event. I ran a 10-player charity dungeon
crawl in original Greyhawk Castle using the old D&D rules. The
players were excellent, and nary a one lost a character, even though
they were only 2nd level. A couple did come near to buying it, but they
had three clerics in the party :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Piratecat
We
were goobers and didn't go for the whole $50/$75 seminar; instead, we
toured the museum and then chatted with Gary afterwards, while he was
signing books up in the Great Hall.
How was it? Did you have fun?
All I can say is that the
audience for the seminar was top-flight. I realy enjoyed speaking,
andswering questions, and listening to their expert, Jeff, speak on the
weapons. Of course I disagree with some of his conclusions as to the
actual use and usefulness of some of the complex pole-arms...and he has
the use of the halbred by the Swiss quite backwards. They used their
pikes to fend off cavalry, then sent the halbrediers (and like armed
men) from the center of their battle out bttween the files when the
combat was deadlocked. (Yes, I have emailed him about this, citing the
battle where the Swiss almost lost and so changed ratio of pikes to
short pole-arms1)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by tleilaxu
ok i'll boot this back on top...
gary...
do you like the beatles?
john or paul?
Whew!
Last post for this round I think, and that's excellent as I am tired
from the long trip and can use a nice cold galss of buttermilk about
now...
As I am a fan mainly of classical music, R&B, blues, big band and
modern jazz, Spanish guitar, got into R&R with Carl Perkins, Big
Momma Thornton, and Gene Vincent, by the time the Beatles hit I was
pretty unimpressed. Sorry. Some of the cuts on Sgt. Pepper were okay, I
admit.
Ciao,
Gary <shutting the computer down for the night!>
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Branduil
Hey Gary,
Wow, it feels strange to actually be talking to the forefather of
D&D. It is most humble of you to take time to answer us mere gamers
questions like this. I just wanted to say thanks.
I was wondering where some of the most classic aspects of D&D came
from, and who came up with them. Was there one person who created most
of the classic spells, like the Magic Missle? Also, what about the
unique monsters, such as the Beholder?
Also, I realize this may be a touchy subject, so I'll understand if you
don't want to answer, but have you played 3.0 at all? If so, what did
you think?
Thanks for your time.
~Branduil
Hi Branduil :-)
I wrote 99% of the material in OA/D&D, so those questions are easy.
Most of the classes, spells, and monsters are of my creation. Some
exceptions are: Ranger based on Joe Fischer's work, the druid inspired
as a class by Dennis Sustarre. The beholder was Terry Kuntz's critter.
Magic missile was inspired by a film, THE RAVEN, as was the shield spell ;-)
I played
3E
quite a bit testing THE LOST CITY OF GAXMOOR, and it was fun. however,
it is far too rules heavy for my general use in play, let along GMing
and creating material. After decades of playing RPGs I have come to
prefer rules-light systems that are skill based--just a matter of
personal taste. I don't think people who love
3E
are wrong, of course. RPGs are for fun and entertainment, not value
judgement. Of course I hope lots of other gamers will enjoy playing the
LA game more than
3E, as i dom but I ain't holding my breath :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Mike :-)
Originally posted by optimizer
Howdy!
How did you go about introducing these new classes when you created the
game? Were Joe and Dennis in your campaign when they created them, or
did they send them in to you for publication? How about the other
classes added after the original 3?
Joe Fischer played in my
group, and he did an article in THE STRATEGIC REVIEW introducing the
Ranger Class for the D&D game. From that I built the AD&D
version. Dennis Sustarre was not a member, but he corresponded with me,
and did a DRAGON Magazine piece on the Druid Class. (I had them as NPC
"Monsters" in D&D before that.) From his material I crafted the
new PC class.
I did the Thief, Assassin, Monk, Cavalier, Barbarian all by myself, as
I'd done the three basic ones in OD&D. Same for the demi-humans.
Tim Kask had a hand in creating the Bard class.
Most of the new material was introduced into my campaign first, then done in DRAGON as articles, then appeared in the PHB or UA.
Similarly, how did you go about introdicing new spells into your campaign?
Thanks!! :-)
Mike
Same way i handled new monsters--mainly in campaign
play, then in modules, finally in books such as FF, MMIIm and UA. A
while back I found some spells I'd not gotten into print, and those were
posted on the old Unearthed Arcania website about three or so years
back. Some were 1oth level mage psells, as I recall. I've lost the
material now...
Welcome, of course!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
I'm champing at the bit for HALL OF MANY PANES. :-)
You and I both. My group is over half-way through the adventure now
after about a year--but we miss about one session a month, probably have
played only about 35 in the past year.
As far as I know Troll Lord Games still plans to have it ready for release this summer--August, or maybe in time for GenCon.
Steve or Davis, if you are reading this, please let us all know :rolleyes:
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Melan :-)
Originally posted by Melan
Greetings!
Did you make up named spells like Melf's Acid Arrow, Otiluke's Resilient
Sphere and Mordenkainen's Disjunction ( ;-) ) yourself, or did these
come from player research?
All of those spells I made up,
usually to hono a PC in my campaign, or for the person who suggested the
basis (Tasha was a little girl who sent me letters in crayon, Nystul an
actual stage magician I mey through Len Lakofka.) Melf was a PC of son
Luke, and "Otiluke" was a combination of a couple of his other PCs. He
suggested the bases of both spells. No need to go into Mordenkainen
and bigby, I trust :rolleyes:
[OUOTE]
I am also
intrigued by the comment on "1oth level mage psells". Did you intend to
publish these in, say, a second edition of AD&D, or even use them in
your own campaign? Do so powerful spells have a place in the game...
Especially in the hands of Player Characters?[/QUOTE]
I planned to test them in my campaign, and if they worked well introduce
the new level of spells in a revised edition of AD&D I hoped to get
to in the late 80s--I left notes for the revised edition at TSR, but
those were not followed. The new spells were powerful, but not
world-shattering, and if campaigns went on for many years I figured they
would be useful--not to mention as material for DMs' potent NPCs...
they were to fit into the expanded game with Mystic and Savant character
classes, as well as the jester one. (Don't ask about that
oinformation. It is all lost or proscribed by legal agreement.)
Oh,
and: when you designed the Castle Greyhawk dungeons, were there levels
which were never found by players due to being hidden too well? I assume
most larger levels had multiple ways in and out, with more hidden ones
found only after extensive exploration...
Yes, in part.
Rhere were several upper levels (out of about 35) where PCs had only
partially explored, and a couple of lower "side" levels (out of some 12
or so) that had not been discovered. The same is true of two associated
areas which were attained by magical transferrance from relatively out
of the way places in the lower levels of the dungeons.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Hey
Gary! I was just leafing through the latest Previews when I ran across
an entry for Inner City Games Designs, which listed a module called A Challenge of Arms,
written by you and Christopher Clark. I hadn't heard of this one
before; I try to keep up on these threads, but the memory fades at
times, so I apologize if it's been addressed somewhere above. Anyway, it
looks cool; the listing says it's something of a universal system
product. The cover they show looks very "old school," which I
immediately liked. Looks like it will be the first in a trilogy.
Anything you'd like to expound upon? I'm looking forward to it (and
heck, it's cheap, too, at $11 for an 80 page module).
Howdy Colonel :-)
Whoa, and I'd nearly forgotten about those modules... They are in the
"old school" form having plenty of combat and problem solving, PC
mistakes likely to lead to character death.
Chris and I wrote A CHALLENGE OF ARM'S and RITUAL OF THE GOLDEN EYES
about three and two years back, respectively. As they aren't "flashy,"
and ICGD isn't known for RPG modules, the first two have languished,
relatively speaking. The final portion, CASTLE WOLFMOON, is still in
process of final development. The concluing part grew like Topsy, and
we can't figure out how best to publish it, for it is huge.
Chris developed a good generic system for these adventures, one that is
easy to use with OAD&D, 2E also. I had to work a bit to convert it
to the LA game, but I managed without much trouble. I'm not sure how it
will work with
3E, though.
Anyway, CASTLE WOLFMOON is on a back burner at ICGD because of its size.
Glad you mentioned this, as I need to prod Chris to get the last
module (or module set) into print.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by hammymchamham
Hey gary,have you taken a look at third ed or "special eds'" edition of the oriental adventures or rokugan?
I am a bit vapid minded right now,so I don't quite have the specifics of
what I wanna ask,although I will collect my thoughts and query
tomorrow.How do you feel about it overall and did they change alot of
your original ideas,like shugenja's and the shadowlands?
Fast answer is noppers! As I am not DMing a
3E campaign, and otherwise very busy, I just can't keep up. It takes most of my time to earn a livelihood writing :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BOZ
and that's the damn shame of it all. :-(
But Lorraine Williams knew what was best for the D&D game system... :rolleyes:
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Melan
Another question, if you don't mind.
In several early D&D adventures and supplements, there is a
considerable number of futuristic elements: the whole Barrier Peaks
module, Dave Arneson's Temple of the Frog and City of the Gods (not to
mention a lot of Blackmoor). Judges Guild supplement have a ton of them,
too. You also recounted a battle between an Evil High Priest and a
division of nazis with tanks and all in The Strategic Review (which I
read in the Dragon Archives CD-Rom).
How common were these in early play? E.g. did the players often find
laser rifles, crashed spaceships and androids (they are, if I recall
correctly, even recommended monsters in Monsters&Treasure)? How does
this mesh with your insistance on gunpowder not working in D&D? Do
you feel these elements have a vital role in the game, or should
campaigns be more "pure"? If crossovers are good, were there other
genres which appeared in your early campaigning?
Intense
adventuring in the quasi-medieval fantasy milieu becomes staid without
some variety. some campaigns manage this by bringing integue and
politics into the mix. My group was too large and action-oriented to
enjoy much of that...
Science Fiction is really no more than future fantasy, so that was a
logical choice, and one that was popular with most players. The more
daring (Rob, Ernie, Terry, etc.) loved to send their PCs into the
"future" alternate world area based on Vance's "Planet of Adventure."
This was the "Carabas" where the Dirdir hunted humans out seeking nodes
bearing sequins.
Unlike gunpowder weapons, SF ones are "magical" in that their
operational power is unknown and irreproducable by PC. PCs gaining
laser-like arms in a SF setting had nothing more than a "wand" with
limited charges, a weapon that was useless after those charges were
expended. (I allowed 20 charges, less those expended by the former
possessor, with usual damage based on 5d4 for pistols, 5d6 for rifles.)
When I devised a scenario in which the PC party were gated into out own
world, entering NYC's subway system during the blackout there, the
players caught wise and after wiping out a street gang and getting shot a
few times thus, turned tail and hastened back to their own world rather
than face police with more firearms ;-)
The "curses" sent parties to places such as "Barsoom" and to (my favorite) the "Starship Warden" of Metamorphosis Alpha.
So I retained the fantasy base but offered opportunities to experience
other milieux. Overall, the group appreciated that greatly. The main
complaint came from Jim Ward who was much aggrieved when his elf
fighter-mage ended up in his own RPG's setting. The "Vigilists" there
welcomed the "mutant" warmly, though, and his wanf of fireballs became
the most potent weapon in that group's arsenal!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BigBastard
Gary, whats your take on the upcomming book "The Book of Erotic Fantasy"? Do you think this could hurt roleplayings image?
I sure do! Coming after the questionable BOOK OF VILE DARKNESS, the
detractors of the RPG game form in general and D&D in particular
have new ammunition.
As a concerned parent not knowing anything about D&D, what yould you
think if shown oly the names of the two books, showing that such
material was "promoted" for players of the game. then a look inside,
and most parents would forbid their youngsters to play such a game.
This is a case of providing fuel to start a real fire, not just smoke as there was before,
IMO.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by caudor
Hello Gary, I hope you are doing well. It is a pleasure to (virtually) meet you.
My question is about the uskfruit that grows just outside the Temple of
Elemental Evil. For some reason, I've always liked the idea of the a
pale blue fruit spotched with angry red patches. Was the fruit your
idea or Mr. Mentzer's (or someone else). I realize this is a minor part
of the adventure, so you may not remember it at all.
Would you believe that one of my players actually ate one? Later, he
told me he did it because of the way my expression brightened when he
picked up. Now days, anytime I smile or chuckle during an adventure
(sometimes I can't help it), my group starts glancing at each other in
alarm. I need to work on my poker face, I suppose.
Heh...
The usk is a tree that I created for the World of Greyhawk, and the
description of the fruit is likewise my own. The blue of the
description is a real blue, so Oerth has blue food ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by mystraschosen
Hello once again gary of the gygaxian syllabisim....ok so I try but am not funny is that a crime? Moving on...
An older player in one of the games I play in asked me I f I would relay
a question he had.DISCLAIMER I am not sure you will even know what I am
talking about as his remembrances were very vague.
Ok he heard you mention once something about a whip and or fan of
cockatrice feathers and it has been burning in his head ever since,do
you perhaps remember what it was about ?
Sorry to bother you,but he has been bothering me for a while and now I can tell him I have asked. :-)
Thank you sir gary!
No Problemo!
Mordenkainen and Bigby faced an iron golem in Rob Kuntz's campaign. It
could levitate and breathed fire. That construct was armed with a
poisned sword and a whip tipped with cockatrice feathers. Mordenkainen
was turned to stone and Bigby was slain when he failed his save :-(
Fortunately others of the circle came to their rescue, and as Rigby used
a stone to flesh spell, Nigby used a wish to bring Bigby back to life.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Merric :-)
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
Were many characters raised or otherwise returned from near-death experiences in those early days? I know some campaigns never allow the raising
of dead characters, and others (such as my own) have it as almost
commonplace. (You can draw your own conclusions as to how often
characters die in my campaign. :-) )
PC death was pretty
common. Lower level ones were generally written off. Hioghtr level
ones able to pay the cost, or with a Wish spell were brought back. Yrag
died several times, and the same is true with most of the "famous" PCs
from my campaign. Thus magic items enabling use of a Wish or Wishes
were highly prized and generally reserved for bringing back a beloved
character. The rule about being brought back no more than a number of
timnes equal to the character's constitution was not fluff, but meant to
restrain the more foolhearty players in risking their PCs.
One other matter that I've been wondering about recently: AD&D in tournaments.
Looking back on your writings about the time AD&D came out, it seems
to me that one reason for the standardisation of the D&D rules in
AD&D was to provide a 'stricter' set that could be used in
competitive tournaments of the game.
Is this impression correct, or is my imagination just working overtime?
Thanks again, muchly, for your time, Gary!
Cheers!
You have it right, Merric ;-) There was so much
variance of play in D&D that it was difficult to run large
tournaments at cons. AD&D was indeed meant to give players more
common ground, so that large competitions could be staged.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by optimizer
Howdy!
Thanks for the response!
Did you have trouble finding volunteers to try the new classes? Did any
of them catch on so well that people decide to continue playing them
beyond the playtest period?
Thanks again!
Mike
Hi Mike :-)
Well shucks! We weren't formal in play testing. When I had new
material I'd just pass it sround to the guys, and let them decide what
to do about it--or sit down and DM the adventure ;-)
Terry Kuntz played the first monk character, and he loved it. We had
several assassins, but nobody played one for a long period of time. Tim
Kask played the first bard IIRR. Druids were very popular, and he had
been playing one regularly.
From the in-game experience I'd fine tune the new class and then get it
into print so other gamers could have at it. Pretty much the same with
adventure modules.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by adndgamer
Hey Gary,
Just wondering what happened to your website. It's directed to a domain-name dealer now.
Do you (or your sons) still run Lejendary Adventure games at your place every now and then?
Howdy!
The domain renewal slipped by the host, so we are now attempting to get
it back from the pirates. Current ststus is awaiting advice from the
main company concerned, and we are considering legal action because of
the "famous name" consideration. It should be resolved in a few weeks,
with ;uck.
Both Ernie and Luke are out of my LA game campaign--Ernie works a lot of
hours, and Luke is on active military duty. Youngest son Alex is a
regular, though. We play most Thursday evenings here--save for the last
three when I had a bit of flu and then went off to the East Coast for
the speaking engagement at the Higgens Armory Museum (just great
medieval armor and arms, plus fighting demos!) in Worcester, MA and on
to a Games Day sponsored by Jumpgate (a fine gaming shop and great crowd
of patrons) in Portsmouth, NH. I recommend both places heartily!
We were supposed to take a few days holiday while Down East, but business matters cut the trip short :-(
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Ulrick
Greetings Gary!
I was unable to discover Standing Bear's "english" name.
So much for that.
Ah well... It would have been interesting, but no big deal in all.
Anyway...
How many Total Party Kills have you had in your long gamemaster career?
And roughly what percentage of TPKs in the Tomb of Horrors? :-D
I've had only 4 in my 14 years of being a DM. 2 of those where while I ran the Tomb of Horrors.
It never happened with my regular group, but running tournaments and
special games I have racked up a few TPKs. Let me rephrase that: The
players have managed to get all their PCs killed ;-)
In the ToH those of my players who dared enter did it mainly with their
PCs being alone save for hirelings. Robilar's use of his orcs is pretty
well known, with all slain in the initial entrance, and he then going
on alone to find the demi-lich's lair, grab the treasure and run away
without any combat.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ScottGLXIX I've had more TPK
in The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun than anywhere else, and the all
happen in the first room of the temple. The difficulty of the encounter
is fiendishly disguised by the trickling in of monsters after the first
round, and my players often forgets about running away to fight another
day.
The talk of barbarians reminds me of a question I've had for some time,
Ernie the Barbarian, did Ernie play a barbarian character (besides his
magic-users who were prone to fits of barbarian berserker rage) or was
this just a nickname he picked up?
Scott Howdy Scott :-)
Right you are. Groups not used to my DM style tend to lose many, if not
all, their PCs because they don't have their characters flee when
things are looking grim. "He who runs away lives to fight another day."
Of course The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun reflects my DMing :-D
Ernie got the nickname of "Barbarian" because of his play style. Even
as a mage his character would go full bore to defeat the foe without
regard to danger. That was indeed the inspiration for the spell
"Tenser's Transformation," as Ernie would risk all thus.
It was me who loved to play a barbarian and disconcert the players with characters who desired magical items... ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well Ken...
Fact is I don't get to play military miniatures much at all. I have
limited time, but I'd make room for at least a game a month--if anyone
hereabouts was running interesting miniatures games. No one is :-( At
conventions I am too busy to get to play, except late at night. Being
as old as I am I need to get my rest after a hard day, so I'm SOL.
I'd like to play: WW II, Napoleonics, Wild West, or just about any other non-fantasy fo SF minis game.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by optimizer
Howdy!
Thanks for the response! :-)
On a related note, do you have any plans to publish another adventure after _Hall of Many Panes_?
Thanks!
Mike
Salut!
While I have at least one offer on the table to write an adventure
module, I have been otherwise occupied...and have not been at all
inspired. Modules are hard for me to write, as I wish to make each one
different in as many ways as possible from all others I have created ;-)
Likely I'll get to work on another one of these months, though.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Well then I guess one I get my prussian painted up < i;ll have to get
an army for you painted up. though they are only 15mm, I prefer 25M but
some times price and availability . I understand about finding players,
thankfully with all the military around here I find lots of miniature
gamers. SO I can keep my War-hammer, and Napoleonic desires satisfied.
:-)
Ken
Speaking of Prussians...
I was building an army of Brunswickers in 30mm scale way back when. For
the Duke's command figure I used a Sctuby Prissian Mounted Officer
figurine. After properly painting him in black, with a chest-full of
medals and a monacle, I used a piece of Airfix plastic sprue of
brown-pink color, Bending it a bit and painting a yellow band around
it, it was placed in the figurine's hand and looked a good deal like an
Oscar Meyer Braunschweiger. Then I piped my troops into battle with an
Oscar Meyer "weinie whistle."
the serious Napoleonics buffs were quite taken aback :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Merric :-)
Originally posted by MerricB
[snippage]
As to my next question: at some point towards the end of your time at
TSR, there was an advertisement produced for a module named "Shadowland"
or "Shadowlord", by yourself and Skip Williams, "A high-level module
set in the World of Greyhawk. Journey to the perilous Plane of Shadow
to rescue Princess Esterilla and confront the master of the plane...
where you find yourself an unexpected guest at a wedding where the
guests include a lizardman, a catlord, and a mistress of illusion!".
Had you done much design work for the module, or was it still mainly conceptual?
I guess a few of the ideas from the module made their way into the Gord the Rogue books?
Cheers!
Skip and I had done a good deal of work. the plot
had been outlined, various new monsters sketched out, and the
descriptive text worked up.
When the dispute about share ownership arose, the project was tabled, of
course. After losing the decision in court, that pretty well canned
the project, as neither Skip nor I could proceed alone, for the material
developed was clearly a co-mingling of ideas. Of course now the work
could be written, and somewhere Gail assures me the notes are on file.
Not likely to see the light of day, Shadowland :-D
The idea of the Catlord was mine own, and that was used in the Gord novels. The Plane of Shadow was not.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by optimizer
Howdy!
I can understand how inspiration can impact module development - I have
gone through long spells of not creating an adventure to DM because I
did not have enough inspiration. That is when published adventures come
in handy! :-)
What are your plans for your local group when they finish HoMP in the next few months?
Thanks once more!
Mike
Well, Mike...
As you note, when inspiration fails the GM turns to published material.
If the creative muse has deserted me still when the HOMP module is
completed by the gang here, I think that they will likely get to
adventure in Castle Wolfmoon--assuming that work is completed ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by JRRNeiklot Hey, Gary, with all the flak the ranger class has been given in 3e,
and indeed, in the upcoming 3.5e rules, why do you thinkis no one
(myself included) has been really happy with the class? I loved the 1e
and AU ranger class, but I have yet to see a version in 3e that really inspires me to play a ranger, though hackmaster comes close.
The answer is easy ;-) OAD&D got it right in regards to the
Ranger class. As HackMaster is pretty close to AD&D, their version
is pretty close to being "right."
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Upper_Krust
Hi Gary mate! :-)
[snip]
1. What kind of beast was Putriptoq (Nerull-Infestix' steed)?
2. Secondly, we were puzzling over the implications of the following paragraph...
[snip]
Howdy Upper_Krust,
The steed that Infestix rode was never stated out by me, but I envisaged
it as a sort of a cross between a nightmare and one of the mounts
ridden by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Right about the Theorpart's use. The shock and awe felt by the group
was that a demon, Zuggtmoy, was able to penetrate the security of the
council via its power.
As for the graphic novels, I daren't mention them...other than to say
that the official announcement will be at the Chicago ComicCon in
August, and that I'll be there for the launch with an issue #0 or some
such special give-away ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
what are your thoughts on non-human undead? I for one think they strike
a discordant note. Kobold vampires, halfling mummies, gnomish wraiths,
etc. all seem ridiculous to me rather than fantastical.
Non-human undead of the skeleton and zombie sort are fine. Others of
the class might be possible too. The main objection is that some few
members subsume possession of a soul.
this is a matter of personal taste,
IMO. If you dislike having such undead in the campaigm, then exclude them, and you are not wrong.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
Geoffrey,
don't forget the Banshee, nor the drow vampire in one of Gary's
modules. (I'd say which, but I don't want to spoil it for people... :-)
)
Cheers!
Ho Merrick!
The banshee isn't undead, but a member of the Unseelie Court.
The vampire drow is indeed as noted. I am really not sure of exactly
how the non-humans like that become vampires, as they don't have
souls--maybe a process similar to that of becoming a lich...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BOZ
gary,
which day(s) were you going to be there again? :-) if i am not too
overloaded with marital planning i shall do my best to be there
(probably saturday).
Hi Boz,
We're scheduled to come into the city on Friday evening, likely make a
brief appearance at the con, then be there for most of the day Saturday,
so looks as if you're on target ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by optimizer
Howdy!
Sounds like that will be fun! :-)
BTW, how would you (or do you) handle the transitions between modules?
Are the same Avatars used and you create a story to get them to the next
module? Or do you write a mini-adventure that bridges the modules? Or
just have them create new Avatars?
Thanks!
Mike
Heh, and some of the above...
When it is a major transition to something really different, I will have
new Avatars created. I've had the group do that twice in our six plus
years campaign.
For transition from a long adventure to something else, I usually wing
some adventuring, then do a semi-prepared bit to actually immerse the
group in the next long adventure saga.
I don't usually detail material of short-duration play. too much effort for something inconsequential ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by optimizer
Howdy!
I can see having nonintelligent undead from any race - it makes some nice variations on the monster. ;-)
Based upon what you said, then it is the presence of a soul that permits
the existance of higher-level undead. So would it be correct to assume
that any creature that one could use a Raise Dead spell on can also be
turned into a higher-level undead? Then those without souls would have
to be a different but related type of undead (if desired) - such as an
elven wraith-kin as an example. Would that work from a game
perspective?
Thanks!
Mike
Hola Mike!
The test of Raise Dead would be a fine measure of what sorts of non-human can be undead of standart sort for humans.
As I recall, though, there is some inconsistancy in regards characters
being Reincarnated as a race that is soul-less :-( Now I think of it,
eh?
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by optimizer
Howdy!
I can see having nonintelligent undead from any race - it makes some nice variations on the monster. ;-)
Based upon what you said, then it is the presence of a soul that permits
the existance of higher-level undead. So would it be correct to assume
that any creature that one could use a Raise Dead spell on can also be
turned into a higher-level undead? Then those without souls would have
to be a different but related type of undead (if desired) - such as an
elven wraith-kin as an example. Would that work from a game
perspective?
Thanks!
Mike
Hola Mike!
The test of Raise Dead would be a fine measure of what sorts of non-human can be undead of standart sort for humans.
As I recall, though, there is some inconsistancy in regards characters
being Reincarnated as a race that is soul-less :-( Now I think of it,
eh?
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Upper_Krust
Hello again Col_Pladoh mate! :-)
[gross snippage]
Thanks again.
Welcome Upper_Krust :-)
You are correct in supposing that I was not considering a Biblical type
of treatment of the Four Horsemen, so War and Famine were not
represented by that nasty lot headed up by Nerull.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hey
Gary I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading "Saga of
Old City" the past few days. Why I passed these up back in the day
blows my mind! Anyway the parts that happen in Greyhawk really get me
going to get the party I'm running now into the city. So much
adventure to be had there. This book nails the old ad&d feel
better than any other TSR/D&D novel I've read. Now it's time for
"Artifact of Evil"!
:-)
What you note makes me happy, Flexor. I did the gord novels in order
to convey the S&S feel of AD&D without any particular
consideration to literary merit. The books are fantasy action adventure
that reflect how I think the "feel" of an AD&D game campaign should
translate to stories.
Gene Weigel had a pretty good map up online for a time of the City of
Greyhawk as I envisaged it drawn from the Gord yarns. I plan to use
Gene for commentary about the city and Gord in the pages of the graphic
novels.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by mystraschosen
Hello
all! :-D Hijack in progress:It is a beautiful day in
aurora,illinois.Know how I know this?I stepped outside on the porch
after 4 straight hours on the computer at the urging of my ball and
chain.I was blinded by the brilliance of the sun and the smells of
springtime. So for all of you who tend to lose track of the fact that
outdoors is a great salve for the spirit as I did....Well just follow my
lead and take a seat on the old porch and crack a frosty brew......no
one says you can't bring the laptop out with you :-D Hijack over:
Salutes you all and have a great day outside!
and thanks for the hijack.
Member #1 of the nature is great fan club.
Interestingly
enough it so happens that Gail and I had lunch with an author this
afternoon. We sat outside on the porch of the Temprea House here in
Lake Geneva for almost four hours enjoying the sun, breezes, the food,
and some gaming talk...also a bottle of Saporo ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
[snip]
Just the names alone of the above devices are sufficient seeds to grow
adventures. (BTW, Gary, did you ever detail any of the items in this
book, or did they remain fantastical names only?) The only designer who
can compete is M. A. R. Barker, whose artifacts in his world of Tekumel
have wonderfully imaginative names.
I never got around to
detailing the mighty devices of the Aerth, Geoggrey. T$R's litigation
pretty much put the damper on that. Whatever notes I had for those
items went into the dumper, of course.
The inspiration for names such as I devised for the world setting comes from the Esteemed Author, Jack Vance :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Salutations Upper_Krust :-)
The short question asked first is easy. I was reserving Lolth, the
drow, and even the Elder Elemental God for detailed treatment in a
separate yarn that never got written. Seems the popularity of the dark
elves rather closed that avenue--Bob Salvatore's books and all.
Now as to numerology, better put it that I like numbers as tools and as
evocotive additions to descriptive text. The connotations being more
important than the actual denotations.
Working downwards, I envisaged that the Demon Lords numbered somewhat
greater than the number of layers of the Abyss. However, as the place
is of Chaos, as with all numbers there some uncertainty must always
exist. So anywhere from 600 to 800 of them might exist at a given time,
the larger layers having more than one.
Now as to the Type VI "Balors," in the whole of the Abyss there must be
at least an average of 10 per layer, the captains of the lords, so your
6,666 is a good estimate in my thinking. Reference to six being known
was indeed for purposes of knowing their names for purposes of
summoning. Lack of cooperation between Demon Lords means that overall
large numbers are not threatening to other planes...
Of course, that is all based on the conceptual cosmology of OAD&D and won't necessarily fit other systems.
I hope that covers it, but don't hesitate to ask further questions, as I
am adept at giving vague answers :rolleyes: Fact is that is careful
quantification is given, one must then live with it, and that could
constrain later creative work!
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
Hi
Gary! :-D I know that you like Lovecraft, but do you enjoy the
thousands of stories written by his literary disciples? I own all 28
volumes of Chaosium's "Cthulhu fiction" and am having a blast reading
those dread tomes of blasphemous lore.
And it all started back in 1980 when I (10 years old) purchased the
unexpurgated AD&D Deities & Demigods and was quite taken with
that exceedingly weird Cthulhu Mythos.
It has been many
years since I've read the various HPL and associated stories, and I
don't have the Chaosium collection, but I can say yes, I do generally
enjoy the work of his "disciples." Can't recall who wrote the King in
Yellow (Chambers?), but from that work to those of Derleith, Lumley,
Clark Ashton Smith, Bloch, etal. the many stories help to form a more
interesting whole in my mind. There is a long short story, "The
Willows," whose author (whose name I've forgotten) was not a part of the
HPL group that fits into the grand picture too.
Just off hand, my favorites of HPLs are "Pickman's Model." "Rats in the Walls," and "The Lurking Fear."
cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Just remembered!
Algernon Blackwood was the author of the story, "The Willows."
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
Hello Gary!
Firstly, thanks again for this continuing opportunity to ask questions
of the esteemed author of AD&D! It seems the more I read, the more
questions pop into my head that have been accumulating over the years!
Welcome, Hadit ;-)
I
was curious if any of the AD&D cosmology (inner and outer planes,
etc.), Mythus cosmology, or LA cosmology represent an actual belief
system (or philosophical conjecture) you may have...
or is it all simply a gaming contrivance?
At the very least it seems to represent a good deal of study in ancient
hermetic tradition (as well as some Jungian archetype psychology)! I've
always appreciated how nicely the concepts of the inner and outer planes
seem to fit together; the foundational elemental planes blending with
the 'higher' ethical/moral planes to form what we know of existence (the
Prime Material).
It just struck me that such an elegant system must contain at least some
small portion of personal philosophy, but then again, maybe I'm wrong.
Take care, Duglas
The kind words are appreciated, for I did
a considerable amount of research in devising the cosomology for
AD&D--and the Mythus game too,m with more Theosophy and other more
recent concepts added. We are still working on the details of the LA
game cosmology. Because of the wide variety of pantheons therein, all
based to a considerable degree on actual mythology, devising a plausible
and workable cosmology for the Lejendary Earth is an exacting task.
As far as I know all the work is purely done for the game in question.
Of course my personal moral and ethical views are bound to impact the
treatment...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Salutations, Merric!
Originally posted by MerricB
Oh, I see - I was misled by "The groaning spirit, or banshee, is the
spirit of an evil female elf - a very rare thing indeed. The spirit
returns to harm the living." (MM 1E, pg 50).
Despite the fact that a cleric can't turn them, it did sound somewhat undead. :-)
Indeed, in AD&D I "fudged" the banshee to be a spirit of an evil
female elf--that flying in the face of elves being soul-less... So you
were basically correct, and I was using my revised treatment, returning
the banshee into the ranks of the sidhe where they belong ;-)
Gary,
one thing I've been wondering: how big are the dungeons below Castle
Greyhawk, dimension-wise? Would a standard level (heh - no such thing!)
fit on a single sheet of grid paper (400' x 600')?
Were there levels bigger than that?
Cheers!
Being of insidious nature, I varied the maps for
levels of the castle dungeons. Sometimes I used 8.5" x 11' paper, 4
squares to the inch, sometimes 5, 6, or 8. then I'd throw in two or
more levels on the same map, or use 17" x 22" paper with 4 or 5 lsquares
to the inch. At least one level was done with small hexagons. Also,
many of the levels were connected so that it was difficult to know when
one was leaving one and entering another.
Accurate maps were highly prized by regular players :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: More questions
Originally posted by Bryan Vining
I agree with that. I'm less frightened, though, that there will be any
serious long-term impact. One could argue that including monsters
bearing well-recognized names of powerful demons from our own history in
1E was giving D&D's detractors plenty of ammo. Despite all of the
uproar in the media in the 80s, the only thing that really hurt TSR was
Lorraine Williams. 3E
has enjoyed immense popularity despite its explicit inclusion of demons
and devils. I think there will be some effects, but not very large
ones. Howdy Brian!
Jisy a cautionary note. Most parents aren't too concerned about their
children encontering "demons" and "devils" od mythological sort in game
play. The reasonable ones are certainly going to be concerned about the
sort of material found in the more recent supplements, for that is
clearly possible to imitate...
On a lighter note, I have some questions:
1. You've made your preference for rules-light games well-known. What
has been the evolution of that viewpoint for you? What do you consider
the advantages of rules-light gaming?
Short answer, for I don't think an essay is appropriate in this forum ;-)
The rules-light game facilitates freedom for all participants to
exercise imagination and innovation without undue constraint. That
encourages gamimg rather than rule-playing. In short, I believe it
encourages creativity in all participants, and allows greater immersion
in the game milieu, not the mechanics that form the game.[/B][/QUOTE]
2.
Asking you to peer into a crystal ball of sorts, what innovations do
you think RPGs need in order to become more mainstream, and do you think
it is a worthwhile goal to craft RPGs with more mass appeal?
Thanks,
Bryan
I do not believe that the RPG will ever become "main
stream." Its very basis is such that the majority of people will not be
likely to find it entertaining. Those bases I refere to are: make
believe and exercise of imagination, role assumption, role playing,
problem solving, group cooperation, no clear victory conditions, no
conclusion to play. Other assumptions made are considerable literacy,
mathematical interest, and a mind stimulated by problem solving.
I've probably missed some points there, but what the heck, this isn't a
scholarly dissertation, only a fast pass at an interesting question.
BTW, attempting to devise RPGs with mass appeal is
IMO as bootless as attempting to write them with broad appeal to females. It just isn't going to work.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by blackshirt5
Dear Gary,
What do you think are the secrets of making a really dangerous, well-done dungeon, like Castle Greyhawk?
Also, any map-drawing tips?
Heh!
Just that, secrets :-D
Okay, more responsively, I believe that the first quality a dungeon
needs is game logic and verisimilitude based thereon. That's why I
subsumed the maze beneath Greyhawk Castle had been created by a mad
demi-god.
The elements needed thereafter are: Challenge of exploration, increasing
danger including actual PC loss, varied problems, varied environments,
occassional humor or like relief from the tension normal to the
environment, mysteries, rewards commensurate with the challenge
overcome, a series of milestones indicating achievement in the course of
delving into the labyrinth, and a finally where the successful PC(s)
get the big reward for staying the course and reaching the untimate
conclusion.
I think that covers it...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: More questions
Originally posted by BOZ
hmm, i've heard "roll-playing" plenty of times, but i think this is the
first time i've heard this one. :-) i think it needs to be said a
lot more often...
Heh, Boz ;-)
Many people knock "roll-playing," but it is a necessary part of the PRG
game form where chance is a major factor in the game--as it is in real
life. The real bad rap against dice rolling is if combat is the
predominate feature of play, that negating the other elements that make
up the game...such as role-playing.
Rules are necessary for a structured game, doubly so when it is based on
fantasy where no real facts are available to the participants. then
the structure becomes the major feature of play, though, then it is at
least as onerous as roll-playing, so both terms are equally daming. If a
game is nothing but role-playing, then it is not really a RPG, but some
form of improvisational theater, for the game form includes far more
than acting out assumed roles.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
In my games, I considered banshees the spirits of human women who died
in childbirth. Also, I considered that demi-humans were all of inherently
good alignment. I didn't have any evil or neutral dwarves, elves,
gnomes, or halflings in my world. (This, of course, doesn't include
duergar, drow, or deep gnomes.) Just as, for example, there were no
six-foot tall halflings (not even as "exceptions"), there were no
non-lawful good ones either.
Geoffrey, I was not so strict
in my management of demi-humans. While most were basicaly of G
alignment as groups, there were plenty of TN elves, and individuals
within a group could vary through the whole spectrum. Basically E
demi-humans had the same exceptions, although most PCs were hesitant to
believe them, heh-heh.
Never did have a halfling or any other sort of racially gigantic proportions. About 25% variation in height was the max.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: More questions
Originally posted by BOZ
right, we need a good balance between all three for it to work well as a
whole. over-emphasizing one or diminishing one takes away from the
feel of the game. :-)
That's the way I feel, Boz. There
are those who really love to emphasize one or another feature though.
What the heck, if they are having fun it can't be bad...just sort of
wring in terms of what the RPG is meant to be ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
Of course this begs the question: Did any of your players reach the "ultimate conclusion" of Castle Greyhawk?
Or do secrets lie there still?
When i was running the
campaign alone, the dungeons of Castle Greyhawk wree only 13 levels
deep. On the 13th was Zagig himself--he observed what went on above,
restocked, etc. When a character got down to his level there was no
going back. The one managing that was given an appropriate reward then
sent on a giant, one-way slide clear through to the other side of the
world, a place akin to China ;-) They had only what they carried at
the time.
finding the lowest level was very difficult. Rob, playing Robilar solo,
delved into the dungeon, made it. Ernie, noting Rog's absence from
adventuring with the party, sent Tenser on a solo quest to discover
Robilar's whereabouts. He managed to follow a similar path, and made
level 13. Then Terry Kuntz noted both of his usual companions were nopt
available to play, went forth with Terik, and made the lowest lever
successfully. These PCs were around 10th level at this time. Rob never
mapped, and Ernie didn't either when he went exploring with Tenser, so
there was no cheating. Can't say how they managed it, but all three did
it in succession. Each then solo-adventured back overland syccessfully
via different routes.
No other players in the group managed that. About a month after all
that Rob and I combined out castles, and Greyhawk Castle's dungeons grew
massively, from about 20 levels total, 13 deep, to over 40, going down
to about 28 levels.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Ho Duglas!
I did sketch maps only for areas where there would likely be a lot of
adventuring. Oterwise I winged it. Must have done a fair to middlin
job, as Rob so enjoyed robilar's adventures in the Coty of Brass while
returning from the Mysterious East that he went on and developed a
detailed city of that name of his own design ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Paladin's Detect Evil Power
Howdy Ken :-)
Well, as the Paladin is supposed to be the virtuous warrior wholly
dedicated to being upright and doing good, the Detect Evil capacity
seemed natural.
I envisaged it as being one that the Paladin must use with active
thought, that meaning when he is thus engaged he can be doing nothing
else. (It was not meant as an automatic sensing device akin to a Geiger
counter detecting radiation level.)
The Evil needs to be an active force such as in a character or a spirit
entity or at worst a semi-intelligent monster able to contemplate doing
wicked things, or an active magical effect that has a sentient quality
that triggers it malign effect.
Okay, there is is, and don't ask why this isn't quantified thus in the original PHB ;-)
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Whoa! Missed a few...
I
just got a notice of a post today, answered it, then chacked back and
found several others that I'd not been alerted to. Sorry about that
:-( I'll answer them now.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by optimizer
Howdy!
What are the differences in using OAD&D versus LA when making a dungeon with increasing dangers?
Thanks!
Mike
that's a difficult question to answer, for the
beginning Avatar in the LA game is more like a 7th - 8th level PC in
many ways. When placing weaker creatures in encounters, the Lejend
Master needs to have plenty of them, and be careful to operate them in
as clever a manner as possible considering their nature.
Increasing dangers aren't so difficult, as the creatures with higher
Health and chance to hit, those doing a lot of extra Harm or with
special attack forms are clearly ratable and tougher to defeat. Also.
problems requiring the use of some not-too-common Ability, come into
play, as to difficult problems and tricky situations.
One needs be careful, though, for Avatars take a long time to work up to
potency greater that their corresponding level in AD&D terms.
Regular play (40 + sessions) adds what amounts to about a level and a
half per year, assuming the acquisition of some good Extraordinary Items
(magic) along the way.
They system can manage Avatars of considerable potency, of course, and
even veterans of six or more years can be properly challenged. Don't
forget that the LA game does not center on combat, makes it a key
element amongst several or many ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: highest allowable level for PC's
Originally posted by Devall2000
Hey Gary,
The information you've been providing is invaluable. I can't say 'thank you' enough.
I'm curious to know the highest level you would allow PC's to attain
before you had them retire and/or made the players roll up new
characters.
thanks,
Jamie
Never did I demand a retirement of a PC. Most of the
players with characters in the high-teens level voluntarily took those
PCs into semi-retirement, keeping them only for adventures that called
for potent adventurers. My own top-level PC Mordenkainen, went past
20th level thus--special high-level scenarios. In one in company with
several other like PCs. the first encounter faced by the group were
liches armed with Rods of Cancellation that charging the party.
Mordie's last two adventures were one there he was accompanying some
mid-level characters who got transferred to the MA game's Starship
Warden and another in which two ancient white dragons were awaiting the
party. Each of those was about a year apart.
Otherwise, as did my players, I tend to have more fun playing a PC of somewhere between 5th and 12th level.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by The Blue Elf
I'm curious to know how did Zagig become a Demi-God,Gary?
And thank you very much Gary for your time. :-D
Castle
Greyhawk had to have such a figure behind it. Otherwise, how could one
explain all the strange and near-impossible (even in a magic-active
universe)?
So the advent of Zagig corresponded to the development of the
castle-dungeons complex early in 1973 used in my Greyhawk campaign.
Zagig put in a cameo appearance when the adventurers managed to plumb
the utmost depths, as will be covered in a DRAGON Magazine essay in my
"Up on a Soapbox" column one of these months ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Devall2000
Well,
I've gone all the way back through to where this thread first began. I
think it's 34 pages worth of Q&A with Gary. I found that the
question I had about levels was answered.
Gary, I've been reading about how the Gord the rogue novels are coming
out in graphic novel format. This made me think about a graphic novel
that came out in 80's. It was a spider-man graphic novel called
"hooky." It was off the beaten path as far as spider-man went/goes.
Have you ever had the chance to read it?
Also, have you ever played Axis & Allies? What did you think of it?
thanks,
Jamie
The Gord the Rogue graphic novels are postponed due
to difficulties with illustrators and colorists. Now I know why the
publisher was reticent about announcing. The release date has been
moved from August to the end of the year :-(
No, I missed the Spiderman graphic novel. I really enjoyed the movie,
though. I am eager to see the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen film,
as I really liked the graphic novel!
As a hardcore board wargamer, I found Axis & Allies a little too
abstract for my taste. Both sons Ernie and Luke played it a fair bit.
When I got the more recent Avalon Hill/Hasbro ACW boardgame, I created
less abstract, more historically oriented, "wargamers'" rules for it
immediately after playing once with the printed ones ;-)
No, I have no problems with gamers who "improve" game rules similarly,
even if those "improvements" happen to be on something I wrote
:rolleyes:
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Paladin's Detect Evil Power
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
So as a follow then why would people think it is rude for a paladin to
detect evil? or would they, not that they do IMC, as it is considered
part of there make up.
Ken
If in the company of gentle folk, certainly belted
knights and nobles, for a Paladin to perform a detection for evil is
clearly a gross insult to all those present! Only if there is ample
reason for a devoutly religious person to suspect some malign influence
might the act be considered otherwise. To do so before a sovereigh head
of state, directed at that one, is certainly lesse majeste, perhaps a
capital offense.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Re: Paladin's Detect Evil Power
Originally posted by Hadit
This brings up a tangential question in my mind.
How do you view the changes a society would exhibit that had access to
clerical spells of healing and divination? (The D&D society,
basically.)
Would hunger and disease be effectively eradicated for the lower
classes, or are clerics powerful enough just too rare to cover
everybody's needs?
Thanks, Gary!
Take care, Duglas
If the world setting has active deities
and clerics able to employ magic, the lot of the lower socio-economic
class would be very much improved. There would certainly be sufficient
lower grade ecclesiastics--hedge priests, friars, and monks--to cover
the basic needs of the ordinary folk, while more able clerics would see
to the greater concerns such as disease and crops.
The more affluent the agrarian and worker base, the more wealthy and advanced the middle and upper classes.
I am propounding this general theme, and admitting my error on not
placing sufficient importance upon the ecclesiastics in the fantasy
milieu that assumes active magic and like deities in the upcoming
"Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds" reference book, LIVING FANTASY. that's a
bald-faced plug, but the fact is i deal with the subject of improved
conditions at some length therein.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Grishnak
Bit
of a goofy question but what did you think of the D&D film that was
made? Do you think that they should have had a better story than the 1
in place?
Also have you read any books by David Gemmell? If so what do you think of his style of writing?
Heh, and frankly I found no single redeeming feature in the D&D
movie. even the special effects weren't special. Yes, then needed a
story with a good plot and developed characters, then actors to properly
play the roles, real direction, decent costuming, makeup that omitted
blue lipstick, and dramatic music...
I've read one book by David Gemmell and enjoyed it.
P.S On a final note thank you for letting me lose 8 years of my life so far on D&D :-) Well worth it though!!
Only eight years! So you are still a journeyman, eh? I've been at this for over 30 now :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Whoa!
The guy who played the (giant) dwarf did nothing other than mug the camera during the whole dreadful performance.
If the D&D movie had awaited filming until after the first LotR one,
I think they would have canned the whole project, as it would have been
obvious that it was a total bomb, something that fell out of the back
end of a horse :rolleyes:
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Colonel Suh!
I do believe you are being too generous ;-)
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by optimizer
Howdy!
It sounds like LA can emulate a progressive dungeon setting like in
OAD&D, except that the levels would be much larger since it would
takes longer to traverse them, allowing characters to gain power before
heading lower.
Well, not necessarily. I have an "Olde Time
Dungeopn Crawl" scenario amongst the adventures found in the HALL OF
MANY PANES module. It is set up for experienced Avatars, mainly, say
with at least a year of adventuring credits, but it can handle beginners
or veteran Avatars with three or more years of play. the key is the
judgement of the Lejend Master on adjusting the number of creatures or
NACs encounterd, their Health and chance to hit and inflict Harm. Of
course, I packed the normal-sised dungeon level quite full of
interesting places, and made it difficult to move around and map, and it
must be mapped in order to find the keys to escaping the place, cause
the return pane portal to appear ;-)
Alternativelly,
the extra dimension of LA opens the possibility of gaining experience
(power) outside the dungeon, between dungeon expeditions. In this view,
the LM would spend as much time (or more) defining the world outside
the dungeon for the Avatars to explore.
Please let me know if this is incorrect. If I am correct, then I think I
do what I would like in a campaign in LA -- and probably more!
Thank! :-)
Mike
Your second assumption is correct. the LA game does
offer, not to say demand, the LM to spend as much time developing
adventures not set in dungeons, and the players' Avatars gain as much
from such activity therein as they do from subterranean delving.
Outside dungeons the focus can be on role-play, intregue, politics, or
just about anything else including exploration and combat.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Grishnak
I
agree with you pretty much on all the points regarding the film, my
only redeeming feature was the Beholder but that was down to the old
EOTB games and really liking the Beholder kin!
The movie was
such a stinker that most gamers I know have pretty much the same take
on it. What is so infiriating is that it could have been a decent film
that promoted D&D :-(
I
would love a company to make a film using 1 of David Gemmells books, He
seems to get the background without going over the top with page after
page of useless info.
Who can say? As the "Harry Potter"
and LotR movies have raked in big bucks at the box office, fantasy films
are not dead...only those relating to the D&D game...
Have you played 3e
at all? Do you plan to play at all if you dont already? Or do you
prefer past editions? Sorry if you've been asked this already haven't
been able to read all the thread :-( Yes, I played for
about 20 sessions in the test of Ernie and Luke Gygax's module THE LOST
CITY OF GAXMOOR. I enjoyed the gaming but not the rules. As a matter of
preference I play mainly own LA RPG system, my next favorite is
OAD&D, and thereafter METAMORPHOSIS ALPHA. Being a gamer, if I have
the time and opportunity I will typically play any game end enjoy it
:-o
Anyway
thanks for the reply and I'm still a young lad of 24 so yes still a
journeyman but still think of myself as more of a beginner again with 3e and 3.5e.
Well, when you try Monty's ARCANA UNEARTHED, you can enjoy yet more
apprenticeship then. Back in the good Old Days when I was a mere
stripling of 24, all we had were chess, board wargames, and military
miniatures--all stillgreat fun!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Yeah, probably. I just figure that in the post-LotR era, a production like that wouldn't get very far without massive rewrites.
That and a massive increase in budget, plus maybe some recasting.
Jeremy Irons playing Boris Karloff in his role didn't really cut it...
After the first day of shooting that would need to be addressed by Irons
getting into the role seriosuly or a new actor brought on board. The
same applies generally to the other leading cast members ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
No
question in my mind that a well-written script with a good plot and
devloped characters was the first step needed for a successful D&D
movie.
Considering the property, the D&D mark, a really fine script would
be sufficient to get the ball rolling. that would have been lining up a
name actor or two committed to the project. Thereafter the rest should
fall into line. The problem was the director, of course...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
It
seems that the Trolls are still trying to hammer our how they are going
to package a module of 500 page length, so the release date for HALL OF
MANY PANES is not yet set. It will probably be a boxed set with two
books and who knows what else, but it will provide a year of adventuring
fun--all sorts of different scenarios, plenty of combat nonetheless, as
I like it in adventures ;-)
As for making most films fantasy bases, I'll take a pass. No sense in
wearing out the genre thus, eh? The LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN
coming next month is fantasy, but not medieval-type, and one that should
prove well worth seeing!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by dcollins
Gary, I was leafing through the AD&D Descent into the Depths of the Earth
modules, recently, and it occured to me to ask about the "Large Scale
Map" included inside which briefly portrays maybe 4 times as many areas
as actually are encountered in the adventure yourself.
I'm wondering: Did you draw this layout yourself, or was this content an
addition by some other person (as I understand occasionally happened
with some projects)? If you ever used this map, how much of the
surrounding areas did you ever detail for your own purposes?
howdy!
All the material in the D series was done exclusively by me,
illustrations aside, of course. The additional areas of the underworld
were sketchily detailed, but I have no idea where those notes have ended
up :-(
My players were not much delighted with the thought of continuing
adventures there, so my efforts came to no useful end. My next plan was
to detail the city or Erelheicindlu, but the lads absolutely refused to
take their characters into the place ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
The LoEG movie does look like it will be pretty good, but I am still
leery that it will not come close to the excellence of the comic.
Hollywood tends to err on the side of excess (and simplification).
I read an interview with Alan Moore in which he was questioned about how
he would feel if Hollywood destroyed his 'baby'... he said he couldn't
care less! He was just happy to get paid the large dollars! He felt that
if it drew attention to his comic, then all the better.
Hope springs eternal in my breast :-)
I do really enjoy the writing style of Alan Moore--perfect blend of the
late Victorian horror/Oriental mystery novel and the pulp zines of the
30s, 40s, and 50s.
As for his statement about the film not being true to his work, I can
relate to the salve of receiving large amounts of cash to compensate for
that. However, I hope his agent took all that up front, and his
payments are not based on preoducer's net receipts...
Fingers crrosed,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
Thanks for the update, Gary. :-)
Time for a (somewhat silly) question: how many dice do you have?
:-D
Cheers!
The HOMP module is back on the active project list
according to Steve Chenault, so Troll Lord Games might have it as a
Christmas release, it being a boxed set and all :-)
Actually, Merric, I am not much of a collector, and I don't care about
fancy dice. I have about 50 that I use regularly, and various others
scattered all over, so I can't give you a real answer. I do have about
200 or so blue and white 10-siders in a box in the basement. there were
a lot more but I have given many pairs away.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by dcollins
Thanks, Gary, very interesting.
You are certainly welcome :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by mythusmage
Okay, going to a rather obscure topic (and there is a purpose for asking this), what was the original original name for Dangerous Journeys?
The name I favored for the system was Infinite Adventures. We made a
lsit of possible names and consulted with NEC and JVC. Their choice was
Dangerous Dimensions, so that was the what the system was originally
called.
Because T$R immediately filed a lawsuit, the name was changed to
Dangerous Journies at my suggestion, this being agreeable to NEC and
JVC. That cut the rug out from under the demand for a temporary
injunction upon the release of the game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
Bah! Boo to that!
Definately NOT my crew!
That's god. The adventuring in the
Vault, especially the city, will demand a lot of roleplay, involve
plenty of tension, intregue, and incredible danger, but it should be
absolutely unlike adventuring just about anywhere else.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Olgar Shiverstone Hi Gary!
...
I know you've been involved to some extent with the soon-to-be-released
Temple of Elemental Evil CRPG. Had you been king for a day and able to
direct the adventure for the first Greyhawk-based CRPG (AFAIK),
what would you have selected to best capture the classic Greyhawk feel?
ToEE, another AD&D adventure, or something original/unpublished?
There has been a lot of discussion, too, from the ToEE developers and
fans about a potential sequel -- most often the Giants-Drow series is
mentioned. If that were to come to pass, what changes, updates,
additions, or more fully developed areas would you recommend for those
adventures, now with 25 years of hindsight?
Thanks! Troika is 100% responsible for the content of the
ToEE CRPG. All I did was answer some questions from their head
developer in regards to the direction and interpretaions he had taken
and made. Fact is they are spot on in my estimation, although I have
not seen any of the actual game.
As for choice of a beginning point, the VoH-ToEE one seems solid to me.
I know after that Troika wants to do the G series and the D one also.
That makes sense to me also.
As for changes, if I were writing the G and D series today, I'd put in
some detailed backstory and include more adventure hooks, but most of
the encounter material would remain just as it is--with additional ways
to manage some areas, more dialog, and possibly some expansion of each
separate area so as to make each module about the same length.
General question for any reader who DMed or played in G1: Has any party
ever disguised themselves as the hill giant "kids," so as to roam
around the steading that way? I set it up as a possibility, but as far
as I know the disguise potential has never been used.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Alzrius
Howdily hey Gary!
I'm a huge fan of Orcus (the biggest one I know, though Nightfall and
the Necromancer Games people could contest that), and I was wondering if
you could share any thoughts/opinions/anecdotes about him from back in
the day. I know this isn't really a question, but anything at all would
be really great. Thanks! :-)
As my campaign never got to
the point where the PCs were of a level to dare any encounter with
deities of even lesser sort than Orcus, the sum total of ,y development
of the demon lords is pretty much contained in the core monster books.
The only anecdote I have regarding Orcus is this: When a party I was
GMing was in the D3 module, they got into such trouble that they pleaded
for divine intervention withoug being specific. As thos was successful
(a d% roll of 00), I had Orcus appear, he being the most potent deity
likely to have attention focused in that area. At that point the party
was toast, so knowing that they again pleaded for divine intervention,
this time specifying a deity opposed to a demon lord, but no more.
Again they managed a successful roll, so Asmodeus appeared. Having an
immediate understanding of what was happening, the two Evil deities did
not fight, not did they bother with the foolish mortals who had summoned
them. That was beneath them, of course. So they gated out and left
the party to their fate. A couple of the characters actually managed to
survive.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey
Why didn't the party want more adventures in this setting? Where they too frightened, or was it just not their druthers?
They felt the risks weren't worth the possible rewards. It was much
the same in regards to adventuring on the Isle of the Ape where they
calculated that the likelihood of Pc death was too great for any
possible gain thet might come from successfully managing the whole
adventure. In sum I believe that they also didn't want to have to do
all the roleplaying necessary to deal with the potent evil creatures
they'd encounter regularly in the Drow city.
As a DM who never begged, I didn't grill them about their refusal...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Olgar :-)
Well, your not taking the opportunity to use the disguise seems to be
the normal, so don't feel bad about the missed opportunity. A number of
instances of fire in the Steading are known to me, even though I made a
point of stressing to DMs how generally uninflammable the timers of the
structure were.
A couple of years back I played Zigby my main Dwarf PC in a session my
son Ernie was running using G2/ It had been so long since I'd written
the adventure, DMed it, that I'd forgotten sufficiently to feel
comfortable thus. Darned if I hadn't totally forgotten the misty cave
where everything is slippery, and poor Zigby slipped and lost his +2
shield down a crevass. I was weak with the laughter caused from the
mirth over my cruel tricks on PCs.
As for the
WotC
folks using Fondkin Hoddypeak as an example of what not to name a
character, bah! They are a humorless lot thet take themselves and the
game far too seriously, judging from that. It was a great joke on
players, though, for all of those names were rether less than flattering
even though the characters were buff ;-) Of course that sword cuts
both ways, for I created the characters, and was poking fun at the game,
the adventure, and myself in the process.
Beek (bask) Gwenders (chillblanes) of Croodle (to creep close as in to a
fire), was a favorite of mine, as was Faffle (stammer) Dweomercraeft
(magic).
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Olgar Shiverstone Whoops, I misremembered. It was page 61 of the Hero Builder's Guidebook, not the DMG,
that specifically mentioned not naming your character Fondkin Hoddypeak
(or Gleep Wurp the Eyebiter, for that matter). Poor Gleep! Smashed by
a giant ...
What's in a name? The play's the thing!
As I recall, for I don't have the book of lost words handy, the name was
Gleed (for squint-eyed) Wurp (a glance of the eye), so his appellation
wasn't quite as denigrating as Fondkin (little fool) Hoddypeak (crazy).
I thought it suitable for an elf... A fighter named Redmod (anger)
Dumple (beat into a shapless mass) was actually rather flattering, Or
was that Frush (crush) Dumple?
Ah well,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
Hey Gary,
Have you had a chance to see a publication called Demonographia, by Trident Books? It is a complete collection of illustrations of demons as decribed in J.A.S. Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal (along with descriptive text).
Its a very classy book and quite useful for GM inspiration in regards to infernal adventures!
In case you are intrigued, Trident Books address is: P.O. Box 85811, Seattle, WA, 98105.
Take care, Duglas
Thanks Hadit :-)
That sounds like an excellent work for the reference library of all GMs
and writers in the fantasy genre. I'll put it on my wish list! Does
Trident have a website? I was wondering what the price tag is...
Cheers,
Gasr
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by mythusmage
Well, in that case, Infinite Adventures it is. Got some people to contact, the rest of it I'll leave to your imagination.
;-)
Golly Gee, Alan!
I wonder what you are hnting at...
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ScottGLXIX
Dangerous
Journeys was a system I was curious about for a long time, and I've
recently started picking up and reading the books. It looks great so
far. I'm really looking forward to starting a campaign.
Gary, a question regarding the Necropolis adventure. It's such a large
and detailed book. Was that written for the Mythus system from the
beginning, or was it something that you had been working on prior to the
development of Mythus and then converted?
Scott
The Necropolis adventure was written for Mythus alone. I began it after the core rules were completed ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by mythusmage
If you're gonna ask me question, you'll have to start a whole new thread. :-P
And since we're supposed to ask you questions; any possibility of an LA Modern?
Ho-ho-ho!
Alan, it's your place to start a DJ thread, eh?
As for LA modern, a couple of the guys are developing material for their
own campaigns, but the next official product in another genre will be
the LEJENDARY ASTEROGUES Fantastical Science material...and I still
haven't finished the campaign setting material... but the core rules are
all ready to go.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
They do... http://www.tridentbooks.us/
I confess that I've suggested a book to you that appears to be
out-of-print now (having just perused the website myself)... I
apologize.
(My copy was a gift from a book publishing friend.)
There is a copy available on Ebay for around $120 the last I checked. (Yikes!)
Nevertheless, when reading the Demonographia
I was struck by the similarites between the demon descriptions within
and some of the descriptions of AD&D demons and devils.
Was the Dictionnaire Infernal an inspiration for you when writing that part of the Monster Manual?
Take care, Duglas Whoa!
Not likely I'll part with over $100 for the book.
The demon descriptions found in the AD&D works I did are strictly from my own imagination, and I have never seen
Demonographia. Must be parallel creative description-illustrative rendering of the same envisaged looks.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: An Alignment Question for ya EGG
Originally posted by Son_of_Thunder
Whew,
Page 10 before I found this.
Gary, I don't know if this has been asked before. My question is about
the true neutral alignment. I believe I have the other alignments worked
out in my head but I'm having trouble imagining the motivations or
characteristics of someone of true neutral alignment.
How did you come up with the neutral alignment and; How do you represent someone with the alignment?
Thanks,
Son of Thunder
Heh....
I'd thought this thread had slipped even further back ;-)
The true neutral ethos is one that sees all as part of a whole. One
must have evil to know good, disorder to know order, and so on. Looking
at the cosmos as consiting of all permutations of that sort of
opposition, the true neutral is convinced that these balancing forces
are necessary for the whole to operate properly, allow people and nature
and everything their freedom to be as they are meant to me--or opt to
be.
In this light, if any one opposing force becomes too powerful, the whole
system is threatened, so thus true neutral opposes the ascendency of
law or chaos, good or evil. That is out of the harmony necessary in the
cosmos.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Gary,
I'm guessing you are, or were, a Ray Harryhausen fan. After watching
many of his films over the past weekend on Turner Classic Movies, many
of the critters in them seem to have wandered their way into D&D -
the giant crab and giant bee, for two striking examples from Mysterious
Island.
Right, Colonel!
From my very early childhood I recall from the film THIEF OF BAGHDAD (I
think), where Sindbad was swinging on a line from a giant spider's web,
fighting it, sending it falling into a deep pit in which octopi were
waiting to devour it. Don't know if that oldie was Harryhausen's work,
but his skeletons were indeed what I visualized for the D&D monster
of that name. Ray did some very good work using the technology
available then.
The old film that holds up the best
IMo is the original KING KONG, though. What a great movie that was!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hello Gary!
Has Iggwilv ever been stated out in AD&D terms? If not what would
you imagine her classes and levels to be? She must have been a 25th
level magic user at least.
From my perspective, Iggwilv is a
deital figure, a demi-goddess in rank, and with capacities in some
areas, malign magic especially, more akin to those of a lesser deity.
In that regard I'd rate her level more in the 30s.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by D'karr Well then you must take a look at this wonderful tribute to the master.
Tribute to Ray Harryhausen
You will need sound to get the whole jest. That's not a bad bit of animation, but they should have pointed the skeletion minis rather than leaving them bare metal ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Alignment Revisited
Originally posted by Son_of_Thunder
Ok Gary,
While I can intellectually accept your reply, I have trouble internalizing it.
I've pondered your reply but as yet has not made sense to me. Take for
example a gnome wizard we had in a high level game. He gave his
alignment as true neutral, we were in 'A Paladin in Hell' by Monte Cook.
We were facing some demons and winning. Now the player of the gnome
says that he's going to join the side of the demons because it is
unbalanced. His statement was met by incredulity around the table and if
he would of went through with it he would of had five high level PC's
attacking him.
The true neutral seems a self destructive life to me. Does the character
believe in anything? Does he do good and then do evil to balance it
out? It seems to me that one or the other would effect the soul to which
one it truly likes to do.
I don't know, maybe I'm rambling but take a true neutral fighter, for example. What does he believe in? What motivates him?
Son of Thunder
Pardon me for saying so, but the play of the
gnome PC was simply a sorry example of bending alignment information to
suit a particular. disruptive, purpose
IMO.
The example isn't logical for someone believing in balance, as the
party was in the midst of LE foes, and the gnome was supposedly a member
of that group. A victory for them would hardly unbalance the cosmos...
He was unbalancing things, not seeking to level the matter.
What that character could have done was to ally with a team of LE PCs
bent on stopping the Good one. That would have been seeking a balance.
The TN character believes in the cosmos as a whole entity, one with many
aspects, all of which are necessary to life and that which is greater.
Perhaps Zen Buddahism is near to that concept.
Think of a world without contrasts, no loght and dark, joy and sorrow,
etc. Each specific alignment would remove many of the contrasts that
oppose their ethical viewpoint. the TN character does not want that to
happen ;-)
What I really wonder is how the other party members knew that the gnome
was a TN individual, as alignment is not meant to be announced. for
characters it was a guideline for roleplay and a measure for the DM to
use when judging the PCs actions.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi ColonelHardisson!
Well, that takes me to school on the matter of special effects ;-)
Those we see today are soo good that they are hard to distinguish from
reality, and no suspension of disbelief is necessary to accept them. the
cinema has made a quantum jump with computer technology, has it not?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Phebius
Read...entirety...of...all...three...threads
eyes....hurting...
ahem.
Hello Gary.
:-D
I'm looking foreward to seeing you at the convention in Milwaukee next
month (Whose name I am too frazzled to remember at the moment. Stupid
third shift jobs.) As is my 12-year old stepson, Alex, who dug up the
character sheet of his first OD&D character, that he is hoping you
will autograph.
I have no question except, will you say something nice to me on my birthday. (Today) B-)
Regards,
Happy Birthday, Phebius!
My own comes in about three weeks, the 27th.
Do make sure to stop and speak with me at MILWAUKEE GAMEFEST. I'll be
at the Hekaforge booth a good deal, as will likely be my yongest son
Alex, soon 17, who I hope to conscript as the LEJENDARY ADVENTURE Game
demo guy ;-) Of course I hope to see you at the OAD&D tournament
final...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BOZ
!!
we'll have to have a birthday party in your honor on the last day of gencon, in that case. ;-)
Thanks Boz!
I plan to be here in Lake Geneva. There's a place that sells quail in
Janesville, so my birthday anniversary dinner will have them on the
menu, along with some lemon merangue pie for dessert. In honor of the
65th I plan to open and have at least one big snifter of 75-year-old
Armagnac and a Cuban cigar. Been saving the bottle for over 15 years.
Seems better to drink it than save it for my wake, eh?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well, Colonel Suh...
Somehow I don't see the analogy between SFX and animation, but right you are. This isn't a good place to discuss the topic.
I must say, though that Dieter Sturm, a former TSR employee, won an
Oscar for his SFX snow.. Dieter is still in this area, but he travels
about with a big semi ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Just a quick note to clarify my analogy. SFX and animation were done
originally by very meticulous "hands-on" methods - the creation of
models, the painting of individual cels, etc. CGI has done away with the
need for these methods, not entirely, but increasingly so. For the
moment, non-CGI work has a "weight" or "feel" to it CGI has not quite
been able to match. Of course, that's just my own subjective view of it.
I love CGI, by the way, so don't mistake me for a cinematic Luddite
;-)
Happy 4th of July!
From my perspective--and I have pretty poor eyesight--the current CGI
SFX material is so good I have to remind myself it isn't real. that;s
quite the opposite of my viewing of the old stop-motion stuff ;-) CGi
has for the first time made it possible to do believable fantasy films
and like productions from Jurassic Park and the "Harry Potter" movies to
the LotR ones.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by AmerginLiath
As
a guy who got exposed to my older brother's 1st edition AD&D books
as a youth and has been a crazy D&D fanatic ever since, its great to
see you here, O' Creator! :-D
I apologize if I'm asking a question from an earlier thread, but (since
you made some mention of your reactions to FORGOTTEN REALMS' release)
what were your thoughts on the release of my perrenial favorite,
DRAGONLANCE? Especially regarding the changes to the races and such in
the new setting when it came out?
Also, what's your thoughts on the current crop of 3rd edition books
sporting old-school titles? First MONSTER MANUAL (and MONSTER MANUAL
2!), then MANUAL OF THE PLANES, ORIENTAL ADVENTURES, FIEND FOLIO and the
others. I'm eagerly awaiting the eventual WILDERNESS SURVIVAL GUIDE and
DUNGEONEER'S SURVIVAL GUIDE! :-P
(BTW, to this day, I still crack open the old UNEARTHED ARCANA and, my
personal favorite, the original ORIENTAL ADVENTURES from time to time to
read, and love to spring what original modules my brother had on my
unsuspecting players, most of whom started with 2nd edition...
Thanks for your comments and questions :-)
As I was playing and creating solely on the basis of the rules and the
World og Greyhawk campaign setting, my view of all other settings was
strictly from a business perspective. I was pleased that the DL
material sold so well, disliked the changes and the lack or true
role-playing presented in the forced-conclusion modules.
As for the remakes and re-use of old materials and titles, it is a
matter that gives me considerable satisfaction, of course :-o
Three cheers for the Red, White & Blue,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
How popular was the haste spell in your games?
It has been recently pointed out to me that, by the OAD&D rules, a
recipient of it not only ages 1 year, but also must make a System Shock
roll or die due to this aging.
Ouch! :-o
Did you play it in such a manner? Or did the PCs quickly discover other less-risky spells? :-)
Cheers!
Hoi Merric!
Too popular until "fixed." The Haste spell, along with Speed potion
consumption, was the subject of considerable abuse in not only my
camopaign but in many others. Thus the strictures added to the spell.
Most persons getting hasted were fighters with good constitution scores,
so the system shock was not all that tough a challenge. Elf and dwarf
fighters didn't care about the aging effect either. so the added demands
didn't do more than cut the abuse by around 90% ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Geoffrey Gary,
good ol' Merric here recently told me that in your AD&D campaign,
you didn't always require player characters to train in order to gain a
level (as required by the DMG).
How often did you allow PCs to go up a level simply because they earned
enough XPs to do so? In what circumstances did you require 1-4 weeks of
training in addition to the XPs?
--Geof, who is impatiently awaiting the HALL OF MANY PANES module. :-) Independence Day Greetings, Geoffrey!
When the PCS gained their XPs mainly through adventuring, active combat,
spell-use, thieving, exploration and the like I didn't usually require
any extensive training, often allowing them to assume they trained "on
the job," so as to goin a level immediately.
Only when an adventure brought a great windfall of XPs so as to make a
sudden jump in level possible did I demand that the PCs stop adventuring
and find mentors to train them. That happened about once every three
or four level gains even with my best players.
Above a certain level, say 15th or so, who is around to train such PCs.
In that case an enforced period of self-study was directed for the PCs
in question.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Cias the Noble
Wow,
this is great!! First I want to thank you, Mr. Gygax, for taking the
time to answer our questions; not many people who build a fan base
actually take the time to talk with them one-on-one on a regular basis!!
:-) :-) :-)
I have some questions about AD&D and was hoping you would answer a
few of them (I have many questions, but for the sake of time and space I
am only posting a few right now). These are all of those nit-picky
questions about the rules that perfectionists like myself just have to
ask.
Thanks, and okay, although I am not much for rules lawyering ;-)
1.
In your opinion, should human fighters be able to change into the
cavalier class or vice a versa? What about their respective subclasses?
A human fighter of cavalier should be able to switch to the other
class. Not sub-classes in either regard. A cavalier is a knightly sort
of figure, so a fighter might become one and vice versa.
2.
The Monster Manual seems to indicate that dwarves, gnomes, and
halflings have a lower base movement rate than their human counterparts
(even after armor considerations) but the PHB and DMG say nothing of this. Was this the original intent? Base movement rate for demi-humans is that shown for the race in the
MM, and it was always used for such PCs in all the game material I did--my own campaign and in modules printed.
3.
Page 101-102 of the PHB states the effects of encumbrance, but leaves
the description rather vague. I believe this was done intentionally to
allow the DM to allocate such situations as he or she saw fit, but I
was wondering if you have any examples of how the effects of encumbrance
besides reduced movement and slowing (if any) should be handled?
That sort of adjustment was left strictly to the DM managing the play.
there are far too many variables to allow any easy rule of thumb, so
the approach you noted was given. A PC carrying more than about 25% of
his body weight, as adjusted by Strength, should be penalized in
movement and reaction. Bulky materials that are light weight also have
the same effect.
That's about all I care to offer in this regard, but I had many a PC
moving along at half movement rate in my games...until they decided to
be more practical. One player with a dwarf character was shamed when I
described him as a mound of equipment with little feel poking out of the
stack, and a helmet capping the pile. Much of the extraneous material
was then dumped by that PC.
4.
I have noticed in the PHB that composite long bows have a shorter
range (for short or medium range, but the same long range) and worse
armor class �to hit� adjustments than regular long bows (in reality
composite bows are MUCH better than regular bows). In fact the only
benefit that I can see to using a composite long bow over a regular long
bow is that the composite variety weighs 80 g.p. instead of 100 g.p.
Is there a reason the composite long bows seem to be inferior?
Composite bows of laminate horn, sinue, etc. are assumed to have a high
velocity over a shorter range, thus the shorter initial ranges. They
employ lighter arrows than do long self bows. From my reading they were
inferior to the long self bow, just as the stats indicate. This is a
judgement call, of course ;-)
5.
How do you handle the attack/saving throw rolls for dual-classed
humans? I know the Oriental Adventures book said that a dual-classed
human always uses the best table, but the earlier books do not mention
anything about this; I am coming to realize that some of the later
AD&D books deviated from your original intent for the game on some
issues. On a related note, when a dual-classed or multi-classed
fighter/thief attempts a backstab, do you roll on the thief attack
matrix or the fighters? Is the character restricted to using only
weapons allowed to thieves when backstabbing?
I always allowed the most favorable saving throw number for dual/multu-classed PCs, just as is indicated in the OA book.
When a PC is acting in a way specific to one of his classes, the
backstab you note being specific to the thief class, then the attack
would be as a thief backstabbing. the multi-classed fighter-thief can
use all the weapos of both classes, but class specific actions performed
might well be hindered or impossible if such weapons (or armor)
normally excluded are there to interfere with them. For example, a
dagger or short sword is about all that can be used when backstabbing,
nit a long sword, as one needs to be up close and aim. attack unnoticed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ScottGLXIX
With
the "winging it' style of DMing you were fond of, how set were the
encounters in the Greyhawk dungeons? Would you adjust an encounter's
strength based on the party's strength? When Robilar was creeping around
by himself, would the encounters he faced be the same that a party of
six or moe would face?
Scott
You have it, amigo :-)
Encounters named only something like "9-16 gnolls," in an area. If it
was a big party of PCs entering I'd make that 16 gnolls and have some
sort of leader or leaders with them. If only a few characters of low
level were exploring and entered the place they might encounter only 9
of those critters.
Robilar sallied forth alone only after he was at 9th level or above. By
then he had +3 armor and shield, a +3 sword, and amongst his magical
equippage a girdle of storm giant strength. So in tha above example the
gnolls would likely be the guards of an Evil Pigh Priest.
As a matter of fact, Robilar did run into such a group, and the gnoll
guards flanking the EHP managed to score a 20 and hit him virtually
every round of combat. He finally managed to defeat the foe, but
Robilar was about one solid hit from death when he wiped out the last of
his adversaries.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Greetings ColonelHardisson :-)
Well, no question that I am one of those who loved Impressionism in art,
even some of the Post-Impressionist work. When it comes to the cinems,
though, most SFX are not seen in "art" films, but rather in
action-adventure ones, and the CGI does, as you note, facilitate the
suspension of disbelief. I fond that particularly true in regards the
dinosaurs in Jurassic Park...aside from the totally incredible abilities
allowed to the velociraptors. Nature isn't so profligate in its
advantages as was suggested in that picture--high intelligence,
communication, pack hunting, prehensile forelimbs, planmning, and
steel-cutting teeth.
I agree about a Conan film as you suggest. Arnie could never play that role as REH described Conan, of course ;-)
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ScottGLXIX
Here's
one that's been bothering me for a long time. In your original
conception of the Temple of Elemental Evil, was Zuggtmoy the big baddie,
or did you come up with her as a replacement for Lolth after Q1 was
released and you were forced to rethink her involvement?
Ciao,
Scott
Close to the mark there Scott. when Dave Sutherland
did the Q1 as it was, and Brian okayed it, I was rather stuck. Lolth was
supposed to be in there, and in the depths the prison of the Elder
Elemental God. I had my hands full with the management of the D&D
Entertainment Copr. out on the West Coast, so I couldn't get to the
copmpletion of the ToEE. That;s when Frank Mentzer took a hand and
filled in the lower levels that I hadn't detailed. That's why they
ended where they did instrad of proceeding downwards more to where the
EEG's area was going to be.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ScottGLXIX Gary,
you know when Gene Weigel and me start discussing Greyhawk, it's bad
news for you. Recently, we've been involved in a rather serious
discussion on the ToEE. Anyone curious can check it out here: http://empiregames.proboards12.com/i...num=1055713181
Gene recently pointed something out that I never noticed, nor have I
ever seen the connection discussed before. At the end of D3, the party
can end up with the "egg". "In the egg are an iron pyramid, a silver
sphere, a bronze star of eight points, and a cube of pale blue crystal."
The pyramid, sphere, eight-pointed star, and cube evolved into the
triangle, circle, eight-pointed star, and square from the ToEE correct?
Did you intend the items in the egg to be associated with the elements
as they turned out being in the ToEE?
Scott
P.S. I owe you another blue bottle at Game Fest. Well, Scott...
When I wrote an adventure I always tried to put in a few disguised hooks
for later exploitation, or not, as the creative muse moved me.
As you note, the shapes were repeated in the ToEE as I did intend to tie
the latter into the series. Lolth was to be connected to the temple,
she the key to activation of that which would remove the imprisoning
bonds from the Elder Elemental God. Of course that would have been by
unintended consequences of her actions when the PCs discovered her.
Hoiw it was all to operate was something I never did get fleshed out.
This was to happen in the lower levels of the temple, the development of
which I never got around to because of my work out on the West Coast.
Spending time trying to get a D&D-based film and like projects going
took precedence over paper game material creation until the very end
when I came back to Wisconsin to bail TSR out of its near-bankrupy
position.
Sad memories, those :rolleyes:
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Phebius Good Morning, sir. :-)
I was reading Artifact of Evil last night at work. (Don't tell my boss
;-) ) and noticed a line about the circle of 8. I've heard that the
TSR and later WOTC
membership of the Circle were not the same as the Circle in your
campaign. In the book, Bigby was the only member mentioned by name
(Unless Melf was a member) So, who were the others? Was it a rotating
membership? Did people enter and leave on a regulay basis? And did the
members have to be magic-users? Sorry that my Greyhawk knowledge is on
the fritz. The Obsidian Citadel and its Circle of Eight
wasoriginal to my own campaign. When Mordenkainen was at a level I
considered too high for normal adventuring, I used the money he and his
associates had amassed to construct the siad fortress. The members of
the 'Circle were Mordenkainen and his associates--others of my PCs. The
latter included Bigby, Yrag the fighter, Rigby the cleric, Zigby the
Dwarf, the Elves Vram and Vin, and Felnorith as principles. A number of
lesser PCs were associated.
And did you happen to ever visit this site
It pokes a bit of fun at some of the aspects of old school D&D in a
good natured way. I think you'll enjoy it if you get the chance.
First time I've seen that website. From what I noted there, it was
only someone with too much time on their hands critiquing in attempted
humorous manner some of the AD&D monsters. What did I miss?
Whines about "old school" do amuse me, for all the "classics" that were
best-sellers, action adventure material, are now being used for spin-off
modules and as the bases for CRPGs are mainly of that "school," not the
touchy-feely stuff "state of the art, sophisticated" ones that gather
dust on FLGS shelves ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Cias the Noble
Greetings,
Col_Pladoh. I now have some questions about the Unearthed Arcana. You
may have been asked some of these questions a thousand times and, if
you wish, please feel free to direct me to where I can find any previous
answers you may have given.
Many people feel that the new material given in the Unearthed Arcana was
�unbalanced� or that it gave too much power to certain races/classes. I
have also come to understand (and please correct me if I am wrong) that
the production of the UA was rushed and many of the rules were not
properly play-tested. What rules (if any) from the UA would you remove
and/or change, especially regarding the following:
1) Racial level limits. The tables in the UA seem a bit complex and
I�ve always wondered, if your revision had ever been released, if this
would have changed.
Not that any of this matters really, but
here are my answers. Note that musch of the material in UA had
previously been published in Dragon magazine, then cleaned up and
expanded a bit for the book.
Can't say if time would have changed my take on racial limits, but I
doubt it, as I assumed a human-based and rules world setting for the
AD&D game. The limits printed in the UA book had been in play for
at least a yearm and we had no trouble with them.
2) What, if any, changes would you make to the Cavalier and Barbarian classes?
None I can think of off hand. I might have raised the qualifying stats a bit, but for the class abilities, no.
3)
Weapon specialization seems like a great feature that adds variety to
the fighter class, but it is also accused of being overly powerful (esp.
double specialization and bow specialization). Any changes here?
Too powerful? Sounds like a mage-lover's whine (as are most complaints
about the barbarian class). Without the restrictions of 2E placed on
magic, the changes affecting fighters and their ilk were simply things
that brought them more on a par with spell-casters. As for archery
being too potent with doule specialization, hey! Real arrows can and
did kill, were deadly, so why not?
4)
From reading the UA, I concluded that the option allowing magic-users
to cast spells directly from their spell books was added with
reluctance, and the rules given in the UA essentially allow magic-users
of low level to make �cheap� scrolls. Do you feel that this should
still be an �official� optional rule, and if so would you alter it�s
form?
Optional rules are for the DM to decide in regards to
use in his campaign. I was not averse to allowing casting from a spell
book, as it is not cheap. Replacing one should be a major undertaking.
The only character willing to use that expedient should be one in
extremis, or else the campaign is being run too generously by the DM.
When the spell is gone from the book, it can't be read and re-learned.
Creating traveling spell books takes time and effort, money when the
proper blank book is located in which to scribe the spells.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by JeffB
Hello Mr. Gygax,
I'm curious if you still have any relationships/contact with m/any of
the ex TSR staffers? (besides Rob)..people like Jim Ward, "Zeb" Cook,
Dave Sutherland, Tom Moldvay, Jeff Dee, Allen Hammack, Lawrence Schick,
etc. ..many of the folks who contributed to /worked during (what I
consider) TSR's "glory days" (at least as far as product quality goes, I
realize now what tough times there were).
No, I don't see
any of those individuals. Haven't been in contact with Rob in about six
months--that's when he moved and went off line.
Jim Ward is not far off, in Elkhorn, but he is busy, and so I don't get a
chance to speak with him often let alone play in his campaign--which I
would enjoy.
Frank Mentzer is way up north in Minoqua, Wisconsin where he assists his
wife run a really excellent bakery ;-) I haven't been up there for
almost two years now, but maybe this fall.
That's it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by JeffB
Gary, thanks for answering my questions, though your answers sparked a couple of new ones, if you do not mind. :-)
1) Jim as the man behind FFE has a fairly poor rep here @ EnWorld. Many
folks not only have problems w/ FFE's lack of understanding for D20
rules, but many also disdain the higher than average "power level' and
emphasis on story/fluff elements (personally I like the FFE products,
warts and all). I would assume Jim's gaming style in his home games
would flow with that high power, story heavy theme. I get the
impression that style of gaming is not exactly your cup of tea so to
speak. Would you care to comment?
No question about it, I am
a big fan of the METAMORPHOSIS ALPHA game, and that was what I was
mainly referring to when I spoke of playing in a game run by James M.
Ward ;-)
I can say that Jim has been the DM in a number of AD&D game sessions
I have played, and his material was indeed high level, but the emphasis
was more on exploration and action than on story.
You are correct, amateur theater is not popular with me, as I think that
the story in a RPG campaign needs to be outlined by the DM, then
"written" by him and the players' characters in interaction with the
campaign environment, so that the events that take place are unknown
until they have taken place.
2)
Are there any of the people I mentioned that you have not had contact
w/ in many years that you would like to get together with and BS, or
play a game with? IOW, who were some of the folks you really enjoyed
working and/or gaming w/ at TSR who seemingly have dropped off the face
of the earth? (so to speak). Not Rob, Frank, and Jim, but some of the
others (if any).
Thank you again. :-)
The short answer is none. I do get
together with Francois MArcela Froideval every couple of years, and we
remain in touch via email and telephone. He is the only one of the
former writers from TSR that was omitted from my list. There are a
number of players from my campaign, or met at conventions, that I enjoy
encountering online, via email, or in person--and that I manage pretty
well.
My main creative contacts these days are with writers with whom I am
currently working, and those are quite stimulating and enjoyable.
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by green slime
Hi Gary!
I've always enjoyed the Scarlet Brotherhood, and the area they inhabit.
What occured in your campaign there? Where they always monks? What
conspiracies where they involved in?
Thanks!
Yes, when I devised the Scarlet Brotherhood I based
the concept on an organization of monks who were augmented by assassins
and clerics, with a large number of fighters around, of course.
Most of the play in my campaign was around the Nyr Dyv and westwards.
Thus the Brotherhood's machinations were not central to the action. I
was planning to do a module to two featuring them, but that didn't
happen, so I have no detailed plots regarding them and their
conspiricies. As with many places on the continent of Oerik, they were
there for use as needed, a tool for the DM ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by WinnipegDragon
I
have a question if I may, Gary. (I'll skip the fluff and fawning, but
suffice it to say it's kind of neat talking with you, and I'm a fan!)
I hold very fond and nostalgic memories of the D&D cartoon as I'm
sure many others on the boards do. Who holds the rights to these, and
have you heard anything about a possible DVD release of the series,
similar to what is happening right now with The Transformers, etc?
Indeed, the series was a good one, and I was very sad that it was
dropped after 26 episodes without a more "advanced" version going into
production as was planned.
All the rights to the D&D Cartoon Show are held jointly by
WotC and Marvel. Neither entity keeps me in the loop regarding their plans for any further exploitation of the series...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Nikosandros
Hello Gary! :-)
I've always been curious about the origin of a "weird" combo of magic items in AD&D...
Namely, the possibility of stacking Gauntlets of Ogre Power and a Girdle of Giant Strength when using magical warhammers (or was that only when using an Hammer of Thunderbolts?)
Thanks!
Salut!
The combined gauntlets and girdle applied only to the noted magic item,
it being akin to Thor's hammer, Mjolmir. Otherwise the two different
items did not combine their powers.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
Heya Gary,
Mention of the Lake of Unknown Depths has sparked a trivial (but old) question I've had for awhile.
How do you pronounce Nyr Dyv? (I've always said it like: "nyer deev".)
Also, how do you pronounce Flanaess?
Thanks, Duglas
What's in a name?
Well, FWIW, here is how I mumble those names :-o
Nyr Dyv: "Nir Div," with a punning "Near Dive" when PCs were about to be immersed.
Flanaess: "Flan-AeCE," the stressed syllable almost sounding "ace," the "Ae" like "Ay" perhaps.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Tamsar
Hello Gary,
Since I've been unable to find an answer in this rather humongous
thread, can you give all us Gord fan's an update on the proposed Graphic
Novels based on the books?
Thanks
Hi Tamsar :-)
Trigee proposes, the publisher disposes...
We had thought the series of comic-book-sized, full-color installments
of the first of the Gord the Rogue graphic novels was going to launch in
August. However, problems with illustrators and inkers have delayed
things.
The current launch date has been moved back all the way to December :-(
That's all I can relate.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Plycon,
Glad you enjoyed the "Black Company." I found Glem Cook's writing to be
the sort I enjoy. Unfortunately, I did not keep up with the series
because of work--many books to read for research and much writing to do.
In short, I never got very far in the series. Oh well, something more
to put on my list of books to pick up and read... What I am waiting
for most eagerly is Vance's "Sequal to Ports of Call."
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Alan,
Indeed, the quote hit my games list yesterday. I am quite indifferent
to the author's opinions, believe his perjorative "imfamous" sounds
pretty much like like sour grapes, and appreciate the name mention.
As for minions of Good, especially Lawful Good, it seems to me that most
people fail to understand that Law if the prime operative word in the
consideration of the alignment. They should consider the Mosaic Law for
the best example of how rigid and demanding the strict adherants of LG
are as the system was devised. Good MUST come from adhering strictly to
Law. the corellary is: Law is force. the latter is, of course, a
matter of actual fact, while what is good is a subjective thing.
Other than that I really don't have any comment ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Okay by me ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by andargor
Welcome back, Gary!
I've posted a little story about how the D&D adventure began in our
group (link in my sig), and I was wondering, how did it start for you?
Andargor
Hi Andargor :-)
Heh, and my experience is from the other end, so to speak. I do relate
fully to your mentiuon of chess and board wargames, and I do still love
such games.Operation Overlord is my board favorite wargame. I love to
play chess, shogi, and many variant chess games. Sadly for me, I get
little opportunity to do any of that. I've managed to remain active in
RPGs, though, and my current LA game campaign is about seven years old
now, with regular weekly meetings here at my house on Thursday evenings.
Now to my first D&D sessionion:
It was in the late fall of 1972 when I completed a map of some castle
ruins, noted ways down to the dungeon level (singular), and invited my
11-year-old son Ernie and nine-year-old daughter Elise to create
characters and adventure. This they did, and around 9 PM (sound
familiar?) they had to come back from such imaginary derring-do, put
their index card character sheets aside, and get ready for bed. They
had had a marvelous time and wanted to keep playing.
After they went upstairs I stayed in my study and went to work on a
second dungeon level. The next day they played, and with their PCs were
two new ones, that of Rob Kuntz and Don Kaye's Murlynd. After that it
was a race for me to get more levels done as the player group grew and
got more able in their delving.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by SubMensa
Ok, I'll step up. please excuse me if this has been asked before.
Where did the idea for the tarrasque come from?
Thanks in advance for any insights you may have.
By the way, thank you for the years of entertainment, and indirectly for
my love of reading. If it weren't for discovering roleplaying I would
definitely be a different person today.
Howdy!
The question has been asked before, although I am not certain if it was on this multi-part thread. anyway...
The tarrasque is a fablous monster from French legend, and it was French
author Francois Marcela Froideval who called the beast to my attention,
did up the stats for it. I thought the game needed at least one
near-undestructable creature from myth, so it made the book ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Ok I'll ask, do you mean the legend of the tarrasque, from the France, or the terrasque from the various monster manuals?
Ken
Heh, Ken :-o
I covered both of those bases.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Barak
Mr Gygax
[tacked on appropriate praise for inventing the hobby, as they pretty much all have been used already, rightfully]
I've seen you refer in passing, favorably so, to Arcana Unhearted, by
Malhavoc Press, and have also read your comment on it on montecook.com.
Since the product itself introduces quite a few "new" views on D&D,
I'd be curious as to your take on the one that impressed or intrigued
you the most. And while we're on it, how do you view other products by
Mr Cook?
Barak, who'll be sure to look you up next time he's in Lake Geneva.
Howdy Barak!
Well, as one who read the draft mss. for the PGB and
DMG
before they went to print, bot have only played the new system for a
few score hours, I was most impressed with Monte's bold departure from
the
3E
system wherever he thought such variance would produce a more compellig
and exciting campaign. From a designer's standpoint the Arcana
Unearthed material strick me as innovative in what difference in feel
and stule of play it would engender--virtually a whole new game using
the same general framework as
3E.
As for the Good Mr. Cook's other work, as I don't play
3E regularly I don't feel qualified to critique it. That so many avid gamers hold his material in esteem speaks sufficiently, no?
Cheers,
Gary
P.S. Added by Edit:
Sorry I forgot to extend an invitation regarding stopping by. Please do
:-) Email me, and I can give you directions to my place. We play
every Thursday evening from around 6:30 until 10:30. Auditors are fine,
and the crew doesn't mind having a casual addition to the party either.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by PowerWordDumb
Wow! Extending an open invitation for a fan to drop by and play with the legendary master himself?!?
Yet another reason for me to continue to believe - going on 23 years now
- that our beloved Gary is the absolute hands-down coolest of the cool.
Some day I too will have to venture over to Lake Geneva. My own personal pilgrimmage to Mecca, if you will. :-)
Heh,
Well thanks, but I am just passing things along.
If you can, get ahold of one of Leo Edward's adventure books for boys.
the "Jerry Todd" series is the easiest to find copies of. Leo was born
in Illinois but lived and wrote in Wisconsin. In his books he extends
an invitation to readers to stop by his house, meet him and his wife,
and have lemonade and cookies :-) I never made it there, but I surely
enjoyed the novels and really liked the spirit of the invitation the
author displayed. So I am just passing things along now.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Barak
Well
now all that is left is to find a reason compelling enough for the wife
to agree with having our next family vacation in Lake Geneva. And
-then- an excuse to disappear from the vacation itself for four hours on
a certain night. :-)
"Are you having an affair or something?"
"No.. No sweetie, honest."
"Tell the truth now!"
"Well, ok. I'm going to Gary Gygax's house to see how he runs his game."
"Of course. Very believable. Just tell me one thing, is she younger then me?"
At least, despite not being a gamer, she knows who you are, Gary. :-) And not from me either.
Heh, Barak,
Well done!
That calls to mind my early days of wargaming. My ex-wife was convinced
that I was carrying on an affair when I would be away all night. After
much disputation, I agreed to have the games played at our place
despite the childrens' presence (noisy) and her wanting to talk.
So about eight o'clock my opponent showed up and we begin playing. At
around 11 PM my ex-wife said loudly, "Do you know that neither one of
you has said a word in over an hour?!" Grunted responses were all that
was forthcoming, so she went off to bed, and we finished the game around
7 AM that morning. We all had breakfast together, then my opponent
went home to get some sleep. The ex- never did like games, gamers...or
me in actuality.
The positive side is that RPGs are quite different from wargames. Lots
of conversation going on, so non-gamer onlookers are not quite so bored.
In short, she can come along to see the game if that's desired :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: The Past... and the future?!
Originally posted by PatEllis15
As always, thanks for you time Gary...
First:
I recently read an interview you did with CIRO ALESSANDRO SACCO, a multi
parter that covered your history in gaming from the birth of RPG's to
your current work with LA.
I'd like to say that it reads like an America tragedy... I can't
believe all of the pitfalls they lay before you. Your a strong man to
have not let them stop you from continuing your work!
Welcome, certainly. I answer such questions for the benefit of those
interested, and hopefully to assist others in error avoidance :rolleyes:
Fortunately for me I got into this field for love of gaming, not for
money and power. What happened was very much a disappointemnt, but it
didn't dampen my love for games--creation and playing of them.
SO, in response to this question:
"In your FAQ you write �1973: Gary and Don Kaye form Tactical Studies
Rules, an equal partnership� and then �1974: Brian Blume is admitted as
an equal (1/3) partner�. Did both of you admit a new partner to help
financing the publication of D&D? "
You responded thusly:
"Don and I wanted to get the D&D game out as soon as possible. If we
had waited until sales of our one set of military miniatures rules,
�Cavaliers & Roundheads�, generated sufficient funds, it would have
been 1975 before we could publish."
Can you talk a bit about how things would have been different if not for
the untimely death of your friend Don Kaye? Why did you not purchase
Don's shares? Why did you pick Brian (whom per the interview you never
seemed to be on the same page with) as your third partner?
Anything I have to add must be pure speculation, but...
Had Don not died, he and I would have been the dorecting force behind
TSR, not Brian. Don and I had been pals since around age 7, and we
shared the same general vision.
I didn't purchase Don's interest in Tactical Studies Rules because I lacked the financial wherewithal at that time.
As for Brain Blume, when he first came into our player group he was
seemingly a much different person than the one who emerged later. Don
and I made the decision to admit him as an equal partner, as both of us
wanted to get the D&D game into print, and we knew that between us
we controlled the company. Let this be an object lesson to the young
that they are indeed mortal, that life might end at any moment, and
therefore to proceed with prudent steps to protect themselves and their
heirs.
I must mention that absolutely no one seemed interested in investing in
the company, and all that saw the D&D game thought we were quite
balmy in thinking it would be popular. It is well enough known that I
tried to license the game, as well as DUNGEON!, to The Avalon hill
Company in the summer of 1973 before Tactical Studies Rules was formed,
and that they turned it down with derisive laughter. Tom Shaw and I
shared many a jest about that in years to come ;-) Don Kaye was the
only one with vision, so when Brian Blume came along, we assumed that
his perspective was similar to that Don and I had. In hindsight a big
mistake...
That's the past... now the future...
Hasbro has been busy selling off pieces of the old TSR (Dragon/Dungeon
magazine, Gen Con, etc.). I don't see it happening for a few years, as
Hasbro will surely beat Revised Edition to death first, but if Hasbro
were to put D&D up for sale, would you be interested, and motivated
to buy back your brand name?
Thanks for your time!
Pat Ellis
Taro Sarask
There are two reasons I would not be likely to
re-acquire the mark and game. First, I do not have the money to do so.
Second, I am not attuned to the current form of the game. To cut to the
chase, if I had the financial capacity to purchese the rights from
Hasbro, I'd use the money to promote and advertise the Lejendary
Adventure RPG system instead. there is no baggage of any sort with that
game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Absolutely, that is how I got my wife to play, she would wake up to the
table and listen to us, and when she would start to chime in, we would
tell her she had to have a character to comment, next thing you know she
was gaming, and that was over 3 years ago :-)
ken
Another success story!
Good work, amigo :-D
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Alaska Roberts
Hi Gary, are you gonna be at GenCon? And if you are, where can I meet you to buy you a drink?
Thanks
Alaska
Hi Alaska!
Thanks, and the thought is much appreciated :-)
Fact is that I am not making GenCon this year for the first time ever.
It is not in Wisconsin, I don't want to take the trip to Indy, and the
con falls on my birthday anniversary--which I surely don't wish to spend
thus!
Now if you happen to be in Milwaukee the following weekend, drop by the
Gamefest there, and look me up. We are having an informal room party
one night, likely Saturday, to say thanks to all my fellow gamers.
(Night of the gathering is yet to be determined, as on either Friday or
Saturday the Trolls are taking us out to dinner at the Old Town Serbian
Gourmet restaurant there, and that's not to be missed, Excellent food,
Serbian music, and great slivovitz.)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Beckett
I can see this quote getting a lot of mileage.
"Gary Gygax misses first GenCon ever!"
"EGG boycotts GCI!"
"Lejendary Gamer Unhappy with New Location and New System!"
"WOTC stock plummets!"
;-)
Best birthday wishes to you, and many more! Heh!
As if...
The main reason is that I don't want to go to Indy, especially on my
65th birthday anniversary. I am expecting all of my children and
grandchildren to be here at my place on Saturday, in fact :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BOZ
... does that mean you're not going to gencon anymore, or just this time? :-o
As the Bible says, "Let each day's evil be sufficient unto itself."
I'll make up my mind about going to GenCon 2004 sometime next year.
there's no hurry, eh? As it now stands I am commited to three local
cons next year beginning in January and running through April--assuming
they come off. One never knows about such things, although CodCon in
April is likely to happen.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by PatEllis15
Gary a quick follow up....
Hate to to keep dredging up the past...
When Don passed away, you were equal partners with Brian Blume, and
assumedly Don's wife now held the 3rd share... Whose idea was it to get
Brian's father involved? Why not some other investor, or let Don's
widow see the profits if they came along...
I'm guessing that at this piont, Brian still seemed like a reasonable business partner?
Thanks again.
Pat E
Okay, and I can understand your interest.
To put it delicately, Don's wife was less than personable. That even
Don would have said to anyone whom he knew well enough. After Don died
she dumped all the Tactical Studies Rules materials off on my front
porch. It would have been impossible to manage a business with her
involved as a partner. We had to buy her out. There was no one
interested in investing the money needed to effect a buy-out and closing
of the partnership. Unfortunately the agreement did not cover death of
a partner as it should have.
Brian approached his father, and he was the only person willing to put
up any cash to close the partnership and establish a new corporation
that owned its assets and liabilities.
Indeed at the time Brian was an amiable and helpful business partner.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Phebius
Sounds like way too many of my chess games in various venues.
You still playing much chess, Gary? Think you'll have time for a blitz game at the Gamefest? ;-)
The last two chess games I've played were double chess last winter and a shogi in the early spring.
I've never been much enamored by blitz chess. The 15 second time limit
makes me nervous, but that aside likely I won't have time in the
hall...maybe outside when I'm taking a break to smoke a Camel ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Emiricol Amazing thread, and great that you are so accessable!
When did you publish Legendary Adventure, and is it still available?
Also, I got to doing a Google search looking for information and noted that www.gygax.com is no longer a valid site, are there plans to launch your own personal site soon? Howdy!
Hekaforge Productions publishes the LA game system material, and it is
carried by major distributors/ If you can't find it at your FLGS, check
it out on
www.lejendary.com
There is an LA game Quickstart pdf downloadable there for free. Your
local shop should be able to order for you if it looks appealing, or you
can order online from RPGme.
As for my website, bah! for various reasons we mossed the renewal, so
pirates nabbed it and are asking way too much money for the URL, We
have
www.egarygygax.com now, and the website should be active in a week or two ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Bears and Hobbits
Originally posted by cimerians
Hello Gary,
Long time no post from me but I'm glad I've found a part IV thread here in ENWorld.
Just wanted to ask:
- What were the circumstances on the hobbit race being removed from the
original game? Was a letter from Tolkien properties sent to TSR
threatening legal action? or was it a more friendly phone call to remove
the buggers from the game?
Howdy Cimerians :-)
Looks as if this new section of the never-ending thread is going to keep me here for a while...
TSR was served with papers threatening damages to the tune of half a mil
by the Saul Zantes (sp?) division of Elan Merchandising on behalf of
the tolkien Estate. The main objection was to the boardgame we were
publishing, The Battle of Five Armies. The author of that game had
given us a letter from his attorney claiming the work was grandfathered
because it was published after the copyrights for JRRT's works had
lapsed and before any renewals were made. The action also demanded we
remove balrog, dragon, dwarf, elf, ent, goblin, hobbit, orc, and warg
from the D&D game. Although only balrog and warg were unique names
we agreed to hobbit as well, kept the rest, of course. The boardgame
was dumped, and thus the suit was settled out of court at that.
- Whats your one favorite meal. and your one favorite drink?
That's like asking what my favorite book, game, or movie is. Way too
many good ones to pick just one ;-) I enjoy most of the national
cuisines, exotic dishes, and wild game. Amongst my special likes are
breaded veal kidney chops, mutton chops wrapped in bacon, standing rib
roast of beef with Yorkshire pudding, quail, roast goose, pheasant, and
hot dogs :-o (Yes, I cook a fair amount, and my wife says I am
difficult in regards to meals.)
When I am flush I really enjoy premier grand cru class Bordeaux and
Burgandy wines with my meal. Also a fine Champaign is a nice--Cristal
and Rodidier Damant Blu are favorites. I have ecclectic taste in
liquor, drink most any good one. When it comes to beer I like the real
ales and Samuel Adams boston Ale is right up there.
In the morning my favorite "quick breakfast" is a cruller or French
Markey doughut and strong black coffee--drinking a cup of Stewart's
Private Blend even as I enter this ;-)
- Ok, what are the Chicago Bears going to do this year? You think maybe that offense might score a bit more?
Thanks and happy 65!
All I can say here is that I surely do hope so., The Bears need to spend more money and get a top QB, one that's durable too!
Cheers,
Gary
Edited P.S.:
If you go to Milwaukee Gamefest be sure and have a dinner at a couple of
places there. The Old town Serbian Gourmet is reasonably priced and
serves great food--beef burak and goulash there are superb. Also, Moe's
Steak house downtown is expensive but serves great food...and the owner
is a D&Der :-)
G
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Barak
Man I love my wife.. :-)
*Me, trying to be sly* "Oh hun, today Gary extended us an invitation to visit him should we ever be in Lake Geneva."
*Her, not biting* "Oh. That's nice."
"Yeah, I thought it was pretty darn cool of him."
"Hmm-hmm."
*Long pause*
"It's Gary Gygax, hun."
*Finally I picked her interest!* "Really? Wow! How did -that happen"
*Explanation, followed by discussion on how unlikely it would be in the foreseeable future, but how neat it would be.*
"Well, next time you talk to him, tell him that I think it's a very,
very nice thing to do, and that if we ever go I'll insist on making my
homemade pizza while you guys play around"
And her homemade pizza is her specialty, one she doesn't offer to do for just anyone.. And then finally the explanation.
"Man, that would really make Chas go bananas!"
Chas being her ex, which used to play a -lot- of D&D back in the old
days, and a huge fan of yours, therefore the reason she knows you...
Aren't women spiteful when pushed too far? :-)
Heh, and you do a good dialog ;-)
The pizza sounds great, of course, but there would have to be jpgs of us
all enjoying it as we played, those pics posted so that her ex would
see them and weep... That would be very funny :-D
And now, to stop the complete personal derailing of the thread by myself.. A question. :-)
-There's a pretty darn huge shift in the way of developing 3e
compared to D&D back in the old days, which we discussed last night
in my gaming group. Back then, once the core books were out, it seems
to me that modules were the focus of development, with actual
"supplements" seeming almost little more then an afterthought. Today,
obviously, at least as far as WotC
is concerned, it's supplements first, with modules left to 3rd party
publishers. We know that this is probably, at least in today's market, a
sound business decision. But do you think it hurts the game itself in
some ways? IMO there has been a vast shift in game focus in
3E.
The archetype has gone by the board, comic book-like feats are a
feature, the whole purpose of play is set on killing things, and power
gaming is encouraged. Long-term play is not facilitated by the new
game. However, all that seems to be acceptable, as so many of the RPG
players like it.
Creating good adventure modules is very difficult, and the returns on
average ones are minimal compared to core books and major supplements.
You bet it is a clever business move on
WotC's part to concentrate on the high-volume products and leave the production of low-volume support material to other publishers.
In all I believe that the long term result of this is indeed likely to
affect the D&D game adversely. Only time will tell, but the advent
of 3.5E so soon after
3E seems to bear out what I envisage.
OTOH, an active RPG system needs to grow and change according to the
audience, and I could be quite mistaken. After all, I have compiled a
whole lot of additional material for my Lejendary Adventure RPG that
needs to be released in supplemental form...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Re: Re: Bears and Hobbits
Originally posted by King_Stannis
Not bloody likely, don't you think? When have the Bears ever gone after a
top quarterback in the last 40 years or so. Other than McMahon, who,
while serviceable physically, was the only Bears quarterback in recent
history to have that intangible "X" factor. Stever Fuller, Jim Harbaugh,
Eric Kramer...it reads like a laundry list of the mediocre. Is there
some reason that McKaskey won't ever really try and get a true top tier
quarterback?
It is at least hopeful that McKaskey isn't
directly managing the team these days. Right you are about mediocre
QBs. After Sid Luckman they went for Johnny Lujack. When he didn't pan
out it seems that management decided never to make that sort of
"mistake" again. Having McMahon turn out to be so successful was a
fluke...
Oh
well, it could be worse, you could be a fan of the most gutless team of
the last 10 years - The Miami Dolphins. Talk about "Sunshine Soldiers".
As a Bear's fan you can well imagine how I feel about the fish :-(
Anyway, just wanted to say "Hi" and "Happy Birthday", Gary. Do you officially feel like an old fart? ;-)
Take care, man. Have a scotch and fine cigar for me.
Scott
Heh, and my kinder have been calling me an Old Fart
for quite a few years now, so I don't feel any more that way now than I
did a couple of years back ;-)
The official drink for my birthday anniversary celbration here is
Armagnac. I am uncorking a bottle that Francois Marcela Froideval gave
me 17 years ago. It was from his father's cave, 50 years old when
originally purchased, and there for some time before it was gifted to
me. Thus the libation will be considerably older than me!
I plan to smoke a good cigar whilst sipping that Armagnic from a crystal
brandy snifter, yes. I am picking up a good Bering and a Garcia y Vega
in honor of my father, as those were his usual stogies ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re: Healing potion
Originally posted by angrypossum
Hello Mr. Gygax,
How did the healing potion develop? Was it based on the healing properties of the Grail?
Thanks.
-Josh
Howdy Josh,
Actually, the idea for the healing potion was simply based on a game
need. Quick healing was featured in many fantasy stories, so creating a
potion to restore lost hit points for characters seemed logical. It
provided a good magic item to award, one that was a one-shot deal but
allowed protracted adventuring ;-)
That's it.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Barak
Oh
that's just great. You hate the Dolphins. We might be going to Lake
Geneva sooner then expected after all, the wife is a Bills fan true and
through, and therefore hates the fishes with a passion.
Well, I am a strange Bears fan in that I do not hate the Packers, enjoy
watching them play, but I dislike the Vikings strongly--well, as much as
I can work up enmity for any team in a sport that really doesn't affect
my real life other than in regards to leisure-time amusement :rolleyes:
Anyway..
Your comment about the need to publish new material to make the game
"grow" brings to mind another comment from one of my gaming friends.
You are a vocal proponent of "simple" systems, as your comments on 3E
indicate. Yet, any gaming system always end up publishing supplements,
obviously, both to enable the company to make money selling them
(duh!), and due to fan-demand. And obviously, any supplement must,
somehow, bring -some- more rules with it, be it only to enable the use
of such new material. How do you, as a game writer reconcile that fact
with your ultimate preference for a somewhat rule-lite system?
There is often player pressure to add complexities and complications to
rules and systems, such additions being urged in areas that the players
like and believe to be critical to enjoyment of the game. I did that
for some writing in OAD&D and regretted it considerably
thereafter--mainly weapons vs. armor types and psionics. I would have
been better advised to have explained alignment more carefully,
stressing that is was mainly for the DM to use in judging a PCS actions,
and not something that should ever be discussed in character unless
with clerics or in a debate of morals and ethics, mainly philosphical.
Actions should speak for alignment, and a player should have his PC
perform according to the alignment chosen without speaking of it.
Back to the LA game system, the additions I have are mainly the sort
that expand choices in the game--new a very few new Abilities, new
Orders, new Equipment, new Weapons, more Powers (spells), Extraordinary
Items (magic items), and new creatures (monsters). What rules additions
there are are generally very short, quantify existing material or else
give the Lejend Master some guidelines for action areas that were
overlooked initially--breath holding for example.
In short, the material to supplement the existing core work adds perhaps
5%or less to the rules base, and the other 95% or more simply
increases the options available to players and the LM.
Very few new rules are being added, but those that exist are being
clarified in brief. Any complications desired are left to the LM, and
most using the system appreciate that, as it leaves the game in their
hands, not in those of rules lawers who can point to chapter and verse
to mess up the flow of the adventure ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by PatEllis15
Thanks again Gary.
I agree with your long term assessment with D&D, thus my earlier question about your possible aquisition of the property.
I suspect that we will see 4th Edition sooner than most would like, and
that soon after that thing will spiral to far down for Hasbro to
stomach, and they will see selling the property as more atractive the
pumping money into it. If you can't buy it, perhaps Adkinson will buy
it back...
Peter Adkison is a huge fan of D&D, and
3E
was really his vision. Thus, Peter would be the logical one to acquire
the game when Hasbro divests it. I was concerned when he left
WotC because it seemed to me that the main force behind the new game was gone.
Onto another subject near and dear to your heart... Moving D&D, frombooks to the big (or small) screen.
It seems to me that NO fantasy movie to date has captured the basis for
an D&D adventure. To often they focus on the poor scrub having to
save the princess, or a typical plot of the underdog having to save the
world.
I wonder to what extent a D&D TV show could find success in the
syndicated TV market. Make a 2 hour TV movie, and hve 4-6 adventure
types be forced together, and then have them do some deed to gain
freedom, and find friendhsip in the same breath. Subsequent 1 hour
shows could focus on small adventures, with larger story arcs playing
them selves out. Hercles and Xeno showed that you don't have to have
world class budgets to make a fantasy show, and with the upswell of
support for fantasy films (ala Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings) I
think that success could be found.
But the focus for any such film or show should be about a group of
adventurers adventuring! No need to save the world every week...
I'd just like to hear your thought on this subject. Did you get far
enough along with Hollywood to discuss the concept for a TV show or
Movie?
Pat E
Short answer to a lengthy exposition ;-)
The D&D Movie was such a dog-log that there is no chance that the
game will be used as the basis for another major theatrical motion
picture in the foreseeable future. That means there is little chance
for a TV movie introducing a series. No name draw after the film
fiasco, and no game based series has made money, so no D&D
production.
If the upcoming D&D CRPGs do very very well, and/or the D&D
MMPORPG coming from Atari in 2005 is a smash, then there might be some
renewed interest. Otherwise, the property is gornished for theatrical
release or TV.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hello Gary, hope you and your family are well.
Howdy Flexor!
Thanks, and yes, we are all fine. This weekend all six of my children
and all six of my grandchldren too are likely to be here for a family
get-together and cook-out. First time that'll ever have happened ;-)
I
just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the Gord the Rogue series. I
just finished "Dance of Demons" and it was a blast. Reading these books
has given me a new take on how demons and celestials act. The rigid
dogma and inflexible attitudes of the Solars they encountered was
interesting. No turn the other cheek attitude there.
Heh,
and the alignments as defined in OAD&D are fairly narrow, and as I
mentioned earlier, Lawful good is LAWFUL first, that being the qualifier
of Good. The Biblical example in the Hebrew Scriptures of the Mosaic
is a good guideline as to how the LG ethos operates.
Reading
about Graz'zt, Zuggtmoy, Demogorgon and all the major demons was quite a
thrill as they were one of the things that caught my eye when browsing
the MM
back in 1983, which led to me starting gaming. The ending was cool,
was that your way of "washing" your hands of the setting? I kind of
think that if you had just left off after the final fight between Gord
and "T" it would have been better. But I'm a sucker for a "Good guy
gets screwed", Stephen King style ending. When I penned the
Gord yarns I was not attempting literary excellence but rather seeking
to convey the action and adventure imagined in the play of AD&D..as
set in the World of Greyhawk. i confess i had a lot of fun writing the
material too ;-)
When T$R started messing around with the setting, I did indeed decide to
let them know what I thought of that, wrote the conclusion to the
series that I did to put a point on it. Of course I did leave it
sufficiently vague to allow for a return of a parallel WoG if relations
ever improved. Then came the changes to the setting that made it
virtually impossible to ever restore the original setting. Such is
creative life.
Anyway on to "Night Arrant" and I eagerly await the graphic novels. Bravo on the quality storytelling.
There is a delay of the graphic novel until December, this due to
problems with illustrators and inkers, i am told. The initial series
will cover SAGE OF OLD CITY with parts of CITY OF HAWKS thrown in, then
the second book will be ARTIFACT OF EVIL, again with additions from CoH
to round it out more fully. given the success of those two, the other
novels will then be treated graphically, and likely some new material
added.
BTW, I had the most fun writing the short stories in NIGHT ARRANT, as
creating good short stories is a challenge more demanding than writing a
whole novel.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Heh, Boz...
How about this? "The D&D Movie fell out of the rear end of a horse."
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Melan
Salutations!
Angrypossum's query about the healing potion got me thinking bout
another main element of the game: turning undead. Do I recall correctly
that you later regretted the inclusion of this ability in the game? If
you redid OD&D for its new comeback (red, velvet-covered box,
leatherbound booklets and all), how would you approach the class? Or,
for that matter, other classes? Would you change them at all?
Considering how potent I made undead, I wouldn't really change much in
regards the clerical turning of them. I might put strictures on the
alignment of the undead as opposed to the cleric, the tables used
iriginally being for the diametrically opposed--LE-CG, NE-NG, and CE-LG.
Actually, not being much given to pointless specualtion, I have never
sat down and contemplated in serious manner what changes I would make in
OAD&D were I about to revise it. too many real creative things to
do ;-) Back in 1984 I was gearing up to do a revision, made notes that
T$R had and didn't follow. Most of that I have forgotten now, what
with so many other creative works envisaged and written.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Hey
Gary, I just noticed in the latest Previews that the setting for
Lejendary Adventures is being released for d20 also. I think that's
actually a cool idea, since it could help fans of either system get a
glimpse into the other system. Now, if only we could see Epic of Aerth
rereleased as a d20 setting... ;-)
Anyway, I was wondering if you could give us a rundown, a synopsis, if you will, of what the setting is like.
Stone a Crow!
I haven't seen that announcement, so I am at a loss.
Of course the format of the LE world setting is really system neutral,
contains no rules and only a little LA game-specific material (history),
being mainly just geographical, economic, and political information
along with adventure hooks that would fin almost any FRPG. In effect it
is accurate that the world setting could be used with D&D, but the
books don't contain any d20 material or any direct LA game material
either...
So I suppose I should check out the preview :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Salutations!
The claim to being a d20 sourcebook doesn't fit, as the work will not
have the requisite amount of d20 content to come up to license
requirements. Otherwise the blurb is accurate.
I don't know who posted that information, and I do hope that the
assertion of d20 doesn't land them in trouble... for that matter, I
don't want any D&D fans picking it up and being disappointed by its
lack of actual d20 material, LA gamers know that the setting is rules
neutral ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Zerakon :-)
To get a speedy take on how the LA game system operates, go on over to
www;lejendary.com and download the free pdf there, LA Game Quickstart.
It is a complete, self-contained adventure that needs no other LA game
material to GM and play--pre-gen Avatars for six players are included.
Thanks for the compliment about adding something to your campaign, and
your post came when I am in the midst of compiling supplemental material
for the LA game, getting it organized and into shape for publication as
a book, so my mind is rather stifled in regards to creative additions
to an adventure :rolleyes:
The trogs must have a master, and maybe it's their "priestess," a hag of
some sort. Their place is likely near water, a marsh of the like, as
indicated by your mention of the villager being transformed into a swamp
beast. If that fits, perhaps the hag is planning on changing a number
of men into such creatures to form a sort of harem for herself. Of
course she'll then aim at the PCs for the same reason, wishing to make
one or more into "handsome consorts" for her when she returns to her
native habitat. The trick will be to convince the trogs that the had is
duping them, not really helping them at all, save to endanger the trog
community by her antics. That's off the top of my head FWIW.
Anyway, I have done a fairly recent dual d20/LA game system module, THE
HERMIT, that is available from Troll Lord Games. The Trolls are now in
process of editing and laying out a vast super-module I've written, THE
HALL OF MANY PANES. that will likely be a boxed product with two large
books in it, as the adventure will take about a year of normal play to
complete. Ot is also slated for dual system presentation.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Zerakon
...
During D&D's genesis, did you envision people mostly playing it as a
"never-ending" sort of thing with a series of mostly unrelated
adventures strung together, ...
Many thanks and may you enjoy a very happy birthday!
-- Zerakon the Game Mage
Indeed, i assumed no campaign with
an end but connected episodes, with occassional sagas such as the G and
D series of adventures.
When PCs got to around 15th level they were generally retired, went only
on special adventures. (Even given that, Mordenkainen took enough of
those to get into the 20s, although his general retirement was at 18th
level, when he could finally use 9th level spells!)
Appreciate the birthday wishes ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by jokamachi
Hi Gary,
I know your plate is full of late but I'm curious to know if you're
still considering publishing Zagyg's Castle in all its multi-leveled
glory. If so, have you decided to go it alone or have you found someone
with whom to collaborate?
Sincerely,
Jokamachi
P.S. Looking forward to the Hall of Many Panes!
Ho There!
Not only is my plate full, but I'd like to cut back on my working hours
so as to have a bit more leisure time now that I am officially an Old
Fart as of tomorrow :-o Working 60 or more hours a week gets to be a
bit of a bore at times.
Anyway, kvetching aside, there is no way I will tackle the whole Zagig's
Castle project without the assistance of someone who played in it a
lot, better still someone who also co-DMed it after playing a lot. That
would be Rob Kuntz. Unfortunately, Rob has been incommunicado for
several months.
The whole project will take about four man-years to complete, so with
Rob to co-design that means two years each spent on the development.
That's about the max I want to spend on it.
I think I can get a good generic rules system to use as the basis, and
finding a publisher willing to go with a major non-d20 campaign module
in multi installments shouldn't be impossible. As of now, though, the
project is in limbo until Rob re-surfaces and if and when he does we'll
then have to see if all the ducks can be set in a proper row :rolleyes:
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Not Been Paying Attention...
Cheers,
This thread has suffered my neglect because of first loafing after my
birthday, then getting inspired by the creative muse and working on a
new module project. Anyway...
Originally posted by grodog Hola Gary---
San Diego Comic Con was a couple of weeks ago. IIRC, you were planning to make some announcements there about some new book deals; did they ever materialize?
Ah, the blasted Gord the Rogue graphic novel project. It was to have
premiered last winter, then this summer at the Chicago Comic Con, but
the publisher informs me that continued difficulties with illustratore
and inkers have delyed the launch yet again.
The latest word I have is a December announcement for the series. It is to be hoped that the date will not again be changed!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by satori01
Gary, I am floored by the courage inherent in that statement,( I
shouldnt be given your integrity on display though out the years,)but I
find it a statment alas that is all too rarely made by individuals in
creative ventures.
Hi Satori01 :-)
Thanks for your good words. Over the many years if being active in
gaming I suppose I have become even more prone to speak my mind. I just
hope I can always recognize when I was off base, say so when that's the
case and stand corrected.
Even
worse, it seems few individuals in today's coporatate creative world
are given the chance to mature in their craft to be able to make such a
statement, specificaly given what seemed to be WOTC purging of "veteran" designers, and the emphasis on the "NEW" being a paramount virtue in our world. Well, what can one say to that, particularly in light of the fact that
WotC
and other publishers too are going back to remake the "old," and not a
single new system has enjoyed the success that OAD&D had. That game
was by no means perfect, nor were the modules for it, but they seem to
have withstood the test of time much better than the "new school'
material for "mature and sophisticated" players.
All that really underscores is that a love of an role-playing game and a
desire to make it as much fun, provide great entertainment, are the
most important things in design. Those are the factors that impress the
gamers. No "art" or desire to make a "cutting edge" game that shows
off the author's "creative virtuoisty" (at the expense of play
enjoyment) will cut the proverbial mustard.
Learning to recognize errors, admit them, and thus grow creatively is
something that has to happen to the competant designer, for Lord knows
we all make mistakes!
It
is all to easily to fall into the trap of equating expanding rules
complexity with game depth, only to realize that more dice roling or
rules doesnt lead to more soul in the game. I certainly went through a
period in my halcyon youth of gaming where I created an ever expanding
number of house rules to put my own imprint onto my game.
I
do believe that every gamer with an iota of creativity does that very
thing. I had four pages of rules additions to the original Avalon Hill
GETTYSBURG boardgame after playing it for just a few months time. After
a while we just tossed them aside, for they added nothingbut
complications, didn't change the play, and brought no more enjoyment to
the game. However, the exercise did teach me a number of the basics of
game design. so the effort wasn't wasted.
I
think you perfectly described a role playing truism learned though the
harsh coin of aging, that rules dont make a game better, thoughtful and
intelligent participation does. If you dont like your game, dont change
the rules enmase, redifine and re examine the aspects of playing the
rules should describe.
Thanks, and I agree. If that
approach doesn't do the trick, find a new game where your thinking
meshes better with the systems presented therein. When all is said and
done, playing a game is about fun, enjoying the experience with a group
of fellows. Whatever provides the vehicle for such entertainment is
right for those concerned. That applies even if the game is packed with
rules, more of them created as in-house material. the only problem
with that sort of game is the audience for it will be small, and if the
core group disintegrates the campaign is likely to end, and never be
revived...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by MerricB G'day Gary!
Did you have a nice birthday? :-)
The ENworld "Happy Birthday Gary!" thread can be found here.
Cheers! Hoi Merric!
Thanks for the special thread. I've been there and posted a brief
response. That was a most touching series of good wishes, and it made me
want to have a great big party for all that sent along their kind
thoughts and congratulations ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by Hadit
Hello Gary!
I hope all is well!
I've just come from Dragonfoot where the torch burns as strong as ever for good ole' 1E D&D! (Huzzah!)
A question though... and a hypothetical one at that (which I know you have distaste for... sorry).
That's it! I've HADIT!!!
:-D
If
original D&D had remained within your control over these long
years, do you imagine that it's future incarnation would be as different
in mechanics as LA is now?
In other words, would you have stayed with the original template or do you think such drastic evolution is inevitable?
(The wake of 3.5E brings up such meandering queries... )
I
intended to revise OAD&D, but not into one that graftet skill-based
play onto a class based vehicle. I think that brings the worst of both
system types. In the long term I don't think I'd have made many changes
in the AD&D game, only those necessary to allow the core rules to
apply to more genres.
I am writing some adventure material now for what is essentially
AD&D-type adventuring, and I must confess it is a lot more difficult
for me to do so creatively than it is when I am using the LA game
system--the Orders and Abilities therein make it so much easier to
define non-player types that aren't of the adventuring sort. I know
that new D&D has added whole rafts of character classes for NPCs to
deal with this problem, but that seems hoaky somehow to me. How I would
have dealt with the matter were I in control of the D&D game is
something I haven't reconsiled in my mind--mainly because it isn't my
worry these days ;-)
I hope your birthday was a hoot and the Armagnac was exquisite!
Take care, Duglas
It was a great weekend indeed! One of my
good friends said upon tasting that ancient Armagnac, "If this was mine
I'd keep it under lock and key, drink it only when alone so as to not
to have to share!"
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by slaughterj
Quick question(s) for double G:
What was the origin of the beholder? Any basis in mythology, etc.?
Nothing more than a beast made from the saying "in the eye of the
beholder..."?
Heh!
I can't take credit for the critter in question, as great a monster as
it is. Terry Kuntz came up with the beholder after he had been playing
in my campaign for about two months. Where he got the idea I have no
ides, but I latched onto it immediately, and with his kind permission
made it an integral creature in the D&D roster of ugly customers to
encounter :rolleyes:
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BOZ hey gary, wish me well! i'm finally taking the plunge! :-D Heh, Boz...
Check the thread for my comment. Oh, wait! I forgot to wish you two
the blessing of a passle of young'uns. So maybe 2d6 worth is in order?
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by boschdevil
Gary,
Here's hoping that your family get-together and your birthday were both a blast.
As for my question, in this month's Dungeon
magazine, they have an adventure that reminded me of "The Shrine of the
Kuo-Toa". Thus, what was the motivation for the development of the
Kuo-Toa? And how did you come up with the name Blibdoolpoolp? Thanks.
Howdy Boschdevil,
The whole weekend was great, thanks.
When I got to ruminating on the inhabitants of the Underdark, the Drow
were the main human-types I came up with to compliment the Illithids.
Not wanting to have a lot of repetition in encounters, it seemed that
some picean race would be novel and fit relatively well into the
setting. I envisaged large communities of the Kuo-toa wherever there
was underground water, expecially in the Sunless Sea environs.
Blibdoolpoolp was an onomatopoeic name I came up with for a lobstress
deity of theirs. The sound is to call to mind the sound of large drops
of water falling into a pool, and splashing in general ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BOZ
:-o
here's hoping for a low roll... ;-)
But Boz...
Boxcars would mean you have a flock of kinder to help with farm chores :-o
Heh,
Gary
P.S. Truth to tell, the chap for whom I worked now and then as a farm
hand when I was in my early teens had about nine children, and he and
his wife adopted several more. They really loved kids, and having extra
hands to do work on the place was a plus despite tyhe cost of clothing
and feeding them. Breakfast there was a gallon of milk, a couple of
loaves of bread toasted and buttered, and as much oatmeal as one could
eat. Eggs on Sunday--they didn't have that many laying hens--and at
supper lots of pot roast with potatoes and veggies.
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Flex' :-)
Originally posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hello Gary. Hope you are having a relaxing Sunday afternoon.
I've wanted to ask you about the 1e combat system. Sorry if this has
been asked before but I can't search the threads until I pony up and
become a member. Anyway, since you said you didn't like weapon speeds
did you reduce battles to
1. Roll d6 for initiative.
2. winning side rolls attacks and spells. Spells, then missles, then
melee. Charging against set weapons would give the opponent an attack
first.
3. losing side rolls attacks and spells.
Did all spells get announced first at the start of the round?
Whoosh! That's a big chunk of stuff to chew on...
We usually managed combat thus:
1. Roll d6 for initiative, low score going first.
2. Weapons attacks and spells with a segment cost of 1
3. Spells with more than 1 segment time involved add 1 pip to the
initiative roll per segment, so 2 adds 1, 3 adds 2, and so on. A
6-segment-long spell adding 5 meant that at best it would happen
simultaneously with the opponents actions who had rolled a 6 on
initiative.
4. Moving into combat range against a longer weapon gave the opponent first attack.
5. Simultaneous attacks occured together where adjusted initiative was the same for both sides.
Do
you think being able to increase an ability score every few levels, or
going the Hackmaster route and putting a percentile score on every
ability and adding each level, is bad in the 1e system? I'd have any
racial max in place to cap it of course.
Actually, I
haven't given that any thought, tested the idea in play, so I can't
comment intelligently. I can state that the LA game system used d%
checks for all skill checks based on an Ability, but adding to the base
score is up to the individual playing the Avatar, additions purchased
with Merits gained by the character in game play. This works very well
so far--about seven years of play-testing now :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally posted by BOZ
hey, there's an idea... free labor! :-D actually, my dad came from a
town in upstate new york where that was standard practice. the
tradition was broken during his father's generation though, as most of
the farms got sold off to developers.
Indeed, Boz!
The same was true hereabouts in Wisconsin. Nowadays the small family
farms are mostly sold off to large corporate operations, while those
near to the Milwaukee-Lake Geneva corridor are indeed meat for
developers. Land in this area is really booming, and urban sprawl is
everywhere around :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Finally Back!
Originally Posted by solomanii
Here are my questions;
What is the ancestry of your name? I always thought it was an odd name
(no offence, mine is even stranger) from the first day my parents gave
me the red box as a b'day present.
Gygax is an "ancient
Swiss name," according to geneology books. Family legens says it is grom
the Greek word for giant, "gigantas," as we are descendants of Goliath
who fled the Near East, ended up in Greece for a time before going on to
the Swiss Alps and settling in around Berne.
I loved the D&D cartoon as a kid, any idea if this is available
in any form? Was it ever released on VHS? or some other format?
As far as i know, there is no authorized production of the cartoon show episodes. Pirate copies do exist...
Why do you list product names in UPPER CASE?
That's an accepted way to list titles if you don't use Italics to do so ;-)
How is your relationship with WOTC?
I have no contact with
WotC. I do continue to write a column for DRAGON Magazine, but that's no longer a
WotC enterprise.
I noticed you like wargames, in particular WWII. Have you every played World in Flames?
Noppers! I really like tactical and grand tactical miniatures
and board wargames, but I don't get much chance to play them, Ny
facorite WW Ii board wargame remains OPERATION OVERLORD.
Did you ever get a chance to see the Alternity rules from TSR/WOTC?
They are fairly rules light/skill package system with options to make
them heavier if the players wanted. They continuously reinforced the
fact through the GM guide that the game is in the hands of the GM to do
what they want in terms of game mechanics.
Yes, i saw ALTERNITY when it was initially released. Great graphics...
Did you ever get to read over the Planescape setting? What did you think of it? Personally it is one of my favourites.
No, and i remind you that you are addressing the creatir of the WORLD OF GREYHAWK :-P
As mentioned I stopped buying Dragon a while back but would like to
read your "Up on a Soapbox" columns people have mentioned. Are these
available on the web somewhere? Or if they are not too old to
back-order, what were the Dragon issues they appeared in?
There have been about 24 run to date, so whatever back number
of number DRAGON that gets you to, look there for the start of the
series. A few issues were missed, though. There will be another 12 or
so of the current column, more if Rob continues to submit essays--he's
done three now. When the series concludes there should be sufficient
material to make up a small book, and I will be looking for a publisher
then.
I will be living a childhood dream next year (2004) and finally going to GenCon. Any chance of seeing you there?
Very doubtful, but I will be at Milwaukee Gamefest in July next year--9-11 July IIRR.
Finally, I cant seem to find the Hall of Many Panes you have
mentioned a few times at Amazon.com. Not even as a pre-order. What is
the ETA for this game?
No wonder, because while it's been talked about a good deal,
it is just now going into editing, having 3.5E material checked. Troll
Lord Games hopes to have it ready for the Christmas market, but I am not
sure they'll make it. The module is very large, and it will likely be
in two books in a boxed set. My LA game group just finished the
adventure after playing about a year and a half, averaging three game
sessions every four weeks
The Dungeonland and Vault of the Drow adventures are two of my all time favourite modules.
Because of the Vault module I DM'd way back when (mid 80's?) my players
(all over 30 now) still shudder when they confront any sort of Drow. I
remember colouring in the various pictures of Eclvarda (sp?) to spice up
the pictures to show my players. I still have a scan of it somewhere.
Thanks for the good words! Liking the DUNGEONLAND module
indicates to me you don't take your gaming too seriously ;-) the evil
drow queen is "Eclavdra Eilserve" (I think that's the correct spelling
of the surname I created, but it's been a long time since last I read
the material, let alone the time passed since I wrote it.) Many a DM
and player found much in the way of fantastic enjoyment because of the
drow...
So even thou I disagree with a lot of the stuff you say (non-RPG
related) I thank you for the main hobby that has occupied and enriched a
chunk of my life.
You won't likely ever be left in doubt of my opinions if I am
asked. Of course all true gamers totally agree with me on all things
:-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by solomanii
What a great website, that cleared up a lot of misunderstanding. Thanks. To get back on topic a two more questions for Garry.
Right, and the Learned Grognards here know their stuff pretty well, so
the answers to your questins about D&D - AD&D were answered
correctly. D&D was originally published in January 1974. When I
was immersed in writing AD&D in 1976, J. Eric Holmes approached us
about doing a revision of the D&D set of three booklets and
supplements. I was delighted to have him do that, and when he turned in
his initial drafy, that became the Basic Set for D&D, I was far
enough along with AD&D rules to add a good bit from the latter to
the D&D game so as to keep them as compatible as possible in
mechanics. The MONSTER MANUAL was the first AD&D book published,
that in 1977.
1) Did you roll random hit points for all your players from level 1?
I tended to either give max hp every level or max first level plus an
average hitpoint at every other level on bad rolls. Just curious how
you ran your games in this.
Yes random rolls were made, but I always allowed a re-roll for a result of 1.
2) The Fighter, where did the name come from? Seems strange since a
fighter implies a ring (boxer) in my mind. I wonder why you didnt go
with Warrior or Hero or some such.
Always someone second-guessing... :-P the association of
"fighter" with a boxer is a relatively recent thing, but let's not get
into that sort of discussion, The reason was to have a generic name for
those who primarily rely upon weapons when adventuring. Note that each
level of that class had a specifin name. A warrior was a lower-lever
fighter, a hero was 4th level, and so on. that was done to steal a
march from potential competition, and all classes had level names.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ArthurQ
hi Gary.
I was wondering, do you own any weapons?
knives, swords, flails, etc.
Sure, I do own a number of
weapons, but most of them are handguns and shoulder arms. About all I
have in the way of primitive arms is a Green River and a Bowie knife
around somewhere, a couple a cheap sabres. I can't afford to buy
original medieval weapons, and I don't want repros, as I am not prone to
doing any combat recreational activities any more. I'd be delighted to
have a collection of genuine medieval arms and armor dislayed in a
large, wood-paneled room in my mansion. Sadly I have no such room, let
alone a mansion :rolleyes:
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by snarfoogle
Hi, Gary.
I just wanted to know, how'd you come up with the Grell? I've seen a
Grell in a CRPG, and I didn't know if they took it from you and D&D
or you both got it from the same source.
Heh. "Here, take my +1 mace!"
Thanks,
Snarfoogle
Well Darn!
The grell was not my creation--it's from the FF, as I recall--so I can't supply a useful answer.
The Futurama episode I appeared in is now in syndication, BTW, but they
aren't running it much, only once that I know of, so the quote you have
is likely to go into obscurity all too soon O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by fusangite
Gary,
I'm curious: in your vision of D&D, do all the various species of
monsters in the Fiend Folio, Monster Manual, etc. all exist concurrently
in the same world or was it expected that most campaign worlds would
have a subset of these?
An excellent question. the
plethora of critters offered is a game device meant to keep the DM
supplied with as large a roster of strange beasts to throw at his
players as was needed. For dungeon adventuring and really wild
wilderness, such a broad variety makes sense.
For a defined world that is less magic-heavy, then a narrower range of
creatures is more logical. In my Greyhawk campaign something over half
as many monsters as were included in the three bestiary books were in
play, the vast majority of those in dungeons or other planes.
I confess to creating new creatures in many a module just to have
something confront the PCs that they didn't recognize and know how to
deal with...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Whoa, and that's going back a good ways!
I think we printed 5,000 copies, but it might have been only 3,000. I
feel more comfortable with 5K, though. Anyway, the WoM booklet stock
was running pretty low when the ERB Estate folks hollered at us. To the
best of my recollection there was no recall, we just didn't reprint the
work. I am pleased to say I do have a copy around here somewhere,
likely stored in the attic.
We didn't ever recall the BATTLE OF FIVE ARMIES boxed game when the Saul
Zaents organization got onto to TSR about infringing on the JRRT Estate
rights.
Cheers,
gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
OMG some one paid 199.00 to buy it too.
ken
Ken, that's a reasonable collector's price for a work
that is likely limited to a only a few hundred copies floating around
now--if the book was in good or better condition ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Aeolius
That's
exactly the way I envisioned the kuo-toan language. One day, while
practicing silly voices in the car, I decided to try kuo-toan. So, I
began...
blip...blip...blip...blip..dool...blip..dool...poo l-p (kinda ended up like poo-lip, water dripping and splashing)
Once I chanted that for several minutes, I improvised the rest of a dialogue.
Yes, I was alone in the car. :-D
Now there's an amusing post, LOL!
Oddly enough, in the "Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds" series of reference
books, the next title soming is THE BOOK OF EXTRAORDINARY NAMES authored
by Malcolm Bowers. In one of the many chapters therein he gives
syllables for creating various strange names for races of various
sort--avian, bovine, etc. For the picine sort he includes mainly the
original and derrivatives of "Blibdoolpoolp," and I was delighted to see
that, of course. Bs and Ps are very liquid-sounding, but there's not
much else other than vowels to include in the mix.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Pielorinho
So
I guess this is the obvious question, but have you had a look-see yet
at a certain computer game? Did the developers consult with you at all
during its making?
Oh, but it's bringing back fond memories for me of being thirteen and staying up gaming until sunrise....
Daniel
Hah!
If I took advantage of the opportunity to play the computer ToEE game,
soon all of you would be wondering, What has happened to Gary? We
haven't heard from him in months, and no game products by him appear in
upcoming release schedules...
Yes, Troika consulted with me, but i had precious little to add, for
their deisgners knew the matierial, and the spirit behind it, perfectly.
Now I had better hurry on to manage a few more posts before returning to creative writing :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
One
of my favorite things in AD&D is the Cthulhu Mythos in the early
printings of Deities & Demigods. This, by the way, got me started
being a Lovecraft nut. I have a three-foot shelf packed with stories by
Lovecraft and by his literary disciples.
Gary, what are your thoughts on a campaign (whether D&D, AD&D,
Mythus, or LA) set in early 14th-century England in which all the
monsters and gods are Lovecraftian beasties, and all the spells and
magic-items are Lovecraft-related? Could it work, or would it be
stretching the game systems too far?
Indeed, and we agreed
to remove the material from a second printing because we respected what
Arkam House wished to do, retain the Cthulhu Mythos intact. I too am a
big fan of HPL and the associated authors writing in his mythos.
As for the suggested setting and scenario, I do believe that the LA game
system could handle it, but the whole of Theurgy as written would have
to be scrapped, and a new Ability and activations based on the actual
religions of this world be written to replace it. A lot of undies would
get bunched up over that, and not without some cause, I believe.
Setting it in a more contemporary period using a horror or even cyberpunk system would likely be a lot easier ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Aeolius
Care to add to a
PbP, then? ;-) No? Well, I do have a creative writing outlet in my lobi.com message boards.
Just what i need...
:-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DM_Rocco
Gary,
Hi, it is good to here from you. I have two questions, okay, three,
and I apologies in advance if you answered them already, I read some of
the threads, but you have so much and I wanted to get my question in
before you had enough of giving answers.
First, I loved the Gord the rouge series, but I have not seen a novel
from you in a while, of course I really haven't looked all that hard
(sorry, I have authors, like Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman who pump
out books on a frequent basis and I never saw another book from you
after this series), but do you have now, or are you planning in the
future, to write a new series of books? Maybe with Gord in Demi-God
mode?
After I wrote three short fantasy mysteries set on
the Mythus RPG's EArth world, with Magister Setne Inhetep,
Wizard-Priest, as the central figure, his associate the lovely Rachele
as co-star, I got back to game creation. I've been doing that ever
since. When the Lejendary Earth world setting is more developed, it
might give me inspiration to pen another yarn or two. Currently,
though, I have way too many game projects going to think about narrative
fiction
Second, Tomb of Horrors was, and still is, my favorite AD&D
module. I know that someone else created a Return to the Tomb of
Horrors and that you really do not like to create modules for 3.0 or 3.5
because of design issues, but in the back of your mind, are you
floating around the idea of a similar adventure, full of deadly tricks
and traps and strange and wonderful creatures that will make players beg
for mercy before they even go through it? Would you, if you were
playing the new 3.0 or 3.5 D&D rules, change anything to reflect the
current game environment if you were running players through the Tomb
of Horrors today? I am asking the tail end of this because I am going
to run my current players through this in a month or two and would like
some advice for updating it to the newer rules.
One thing I don't like to do is rehash something I have
already done. I try to make each module, or set thereof, different from
others. If you have seen the module titled THE HERMIT, you'll know
what I mean. It's not like any other I've done previously. There's a
huge one coming from Troll Lord Games late this year, likely as a boxed
set. It has some elements like other modules I've done, but it is a
whole mini-campaign that takes about a year to complete, and it has just
about every sort of RPG challenge possible in it. See what you think
when THE HALL OF MANY PANES hits the stands. It is dual system stated,
3.5E and LA game.
Currently I am working on another campaign-base module, another massive
design. this one for the new Castle & Crusade Game rules being
written by the Trolls using the
OGL.
It aims to be close to the spirit and soul of OAD&D, so even though
I prefer the LA game system for its diversity and ease of creation, I
am going along and creating for the C&C work.
Three, okay, the lame question, is Mordenkainen your character that
you play or just a high level mage you use as an NPC? Do you have any
stats for him or the rest of the circle of eight for 3.0? Do you maybe
know where I can find them? Told you it was lame.
Nah! It's a question I get asked a lot. Mordenkainen was my
second PC, and I started playing him early in 1974 wanting a magic-iser
to balance my fighter, Yrag. I still play Mordie now and again in very
high-level scenarios where a mage of over 20th level doesn't over-power
the opposition.
Of course I am not about to give out his stats ;-) The same is true
with all the other PCs of mine that compose the Circle of Eight. I
can't give out those of other person's PCs either. If they wish to,
that's their call.
So, that is pretty much it except for one last piece of business. I
just wanted to say thanks for creating such a wonderful game. It
nearly broke my heart when you announced in Dragon magazine that you
would be "moving on" from TSR, I loved your articles and modules but
most of all your game in general. It may sound crazy, but the game
opened my mind for creativity and I think because of that I started to
do better in school, especially when words like assassin would come up
on spelling tests (true story). I took a long 10 year break from
AD&D back when they had this failed thing called 2nd edition, but I
like 3.0 and 3.5. It is not the same as old school (it has a lot more
bells and whistles now) but it is still the same game at heart and
myself and (if I may speak for the others on this sever and those who
indulge world wide) others would just like to give a big heart felt
thanks.
Just FYI, that announcement published in DRAGON Magazine was written by someone other than me.
The very kind closing words are most appreciated. It gives me
encouragement to keep on dreaming up material that I hope my fellow
gamers will have fun playing as GM or with a character.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Andrew D. Gable
Hey Gary.
Question that really has little (okay, nothing)
to do with DnD at all. ;-) Two years ago or so, I read a little piece
in the newspaper which was talking about the British military during
WWII. I recall that it mentioned a guy who was on a British sub -
though I forget his first name, his last name was Gygax. And I remember
saying to myself, this guy almost HAS to be related to Gary, 'cause
honestly I've never heard the Gygax name anywhere else. So would you
have had any relatives in the British Navy during WWII?
That's really a dumb question, isn't it? ;-)
Heh!
Indeed, the chap on the sub with the surname of Gygax was almost
certainly a relative of mine, although probably very distant. As I
mentioned here to another person inquiring about the name, it is Swiss.
There are four "castles" of the Gygaxes in Switzerland, one for each of
the four brothers that originally settled there arond the time that
Julius Caesar invaded Gaul. My father's family is from Seeberg in
Canton Bern. A few of the family have changed the spelling from "Gygax"
to "Gegax" (very much the spelling for the German pronounciation of the
name) and "Gigax," but they are the same family.
If you check US military naval records, you'll find that a Xerxes gygax
was active in the development of the Panama Canal, and his son, Felix
Ajax Gygax became a Rear Admiral, was in charge of a sector of the South
Atlantic in WWII.
On the other hand, I met a cousin--the youngest son of my grandfather's
youngest brother, as I recall, who fought for Germany in WWII.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by LordVyreth
Hey,
it's great to be able to talk with a founder of an entire medium of
entertainment. Even though we don't see eye-to-eye on 3rd ed (I still
think it has a place for archetypes, and doesn't really encourage
killing things and power gaming any more than usual,) I'd like to echo
the thanks of many here, both for making the game we all love and for
still being in touch with your admirers decades later. I only hope I
can say the same when I'm rich and famous! :-D
Heh! I
am not at all rich, and my fame is that of a large frog in a small pond
:rolleyes: I only become insufferable after a large convention where
lauds are ladled out upon me nearly continuously. About a day
thereafter real life returns to burst the bubble and place my feet of
clay firmly upon the ground we all walk upon.
I had a few questions for you. First of all, have you seen any of
the more famous parodies of D&D? You know, like the Gamer's movie,
the Dead Alewives radio show, Knights of the Dinner Table, Nodwick, and
so on? If so, what are your opinions of them?
I haven't seen the films, although "The Summoner" clip is a
hoot! I enjoy KoDT, dork tower, and Nodwick. Naturally, I don't take
myself, or GAMING, TOO SERIOUSLY :-D
Second, there has been a fairly lively series of debates on the
Wizards boards lately about alignment. A lot of people seem to be very
vocal on the issue of alignment, and exactly what a good alignment
creature can do to evil or potentially evil creatures. Some even went
so far as to suggest it's right to kill all babies of a typically evil
race like, say, hobgoblins, just because they'll probably grow up to be
evil. Others suggest that detect evil should suffice for immediate
punishment, especially for paladins. This could mean a paladin has the
right to kill every greedy merchant and pickpocket he sees, just because
he detects them as evil, without even witnessing the crime. What is
your opinion on how a paladin should react in these and similar
situations, or any good creature in general? I could post the links to
the debates if you want.
Alignment was meant primarily as a role-playing tool. (Despite
what some of the "mature" and "sophisticated" gamers assert, roleplay
was indeed a central feature of the AD&D game from the proverbial
get-go.) the player was to be guided by it when role-playing his
character, and the DM had the same benchmarks to use in judging the PC's
actions.
The debates now make me regret that I ever included the system feature,
as it is being taken beyond the pale. Better to have the character's
actions speak for their ethics and morality than some letter set.
Rhe main problem seems to be that the players are assuming alignment in a
vacuum, without reference to any deities establishing and overseeing
the matters concerned with such judgements and actions. Bacause the
main system fails to provide properly for deities to be active in such
matters, abuses of the most eggregious sort take place. A paladin is
supposed to be the architype of the Christian knight. that means
focusing on doing right, spreading the word about the faith (in the
deity the paladin serves), helping others of goodwill, protecting the
weak, etc. Judging others not opposing the paladin is quite out of the
picture.
This is a subject that I could write a complete essay on, but it is
bootless. Let those who publish the system clean up the mess.
I think that's it for now. I was going to ask about the prostitute table, but I think that was covered pages ago. :-D
Vyreth
The table was done very much tongue in cheek. That's all I'll add.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by LordVyreth
Oh,
one more quick question. Is talking about your campaign to Gary for
the purpose of advice and opinions considered pandering to a degree that
blows chatting about your character to random vendors at a Con out of
the water, or not?
Vyreth
Short answer: YUPPERS!
After about 25 years, the subject becomes a tad shipworn and trite, shall we say...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by S'mon
I was going to ask Gary about this - Alignment, I already asked him about the prostitute table. :-D
I was looking at a 1981 copy of Basic D&D yesterday, thinking about
how there were just 3 alignments - Lawful, Neutral and Chaotic. Very
Moorcockian (which I like). Most literary fantasy worlds either don't
have defined alignments - eg most sword & sorcery settings (Leiber,
REH et al) or for high fantasy they have a clear good-evil split
(Tolkien & his imitators). The 9-alignment system of D&D seems
unique, and has a huge impact on the game with eg the Outer Planes'
Great Wheel. Gary, I was wondering why you decided to create the
9-alignment matrix? How did it function in your own play - from the
Gord books it seemed like 'Good' forces often came across as
sanctimonius hypocrites, with Neutrality preferred. Yet 'good' by
definition would seem to be the 'best' alignment. Did you define 'good'
as something like 'current American moral values', or was it defined by
the moral values of the setting, which for Greyhawk seem close to
medieval Catholic Europe?
Hopefully, the descriptions of the various alignments speak for themselves in terms of game ethoi.
I devised the nine alignments in order to provide what I envisioned as
the total spectrum of human and other-than human mores so as to offer
players complete range of role-playing for their PCs, to guide DMs in
their play of NPCs including the nether sorts--demons to devils.
Good and evil have a lot of cultural and social relativivity, so I did
my best to focus on features that are generally constant in moral and
immoral cultures, leaving the grey areas open for the DMs'
interpretation.
I believe you are confusion Law with good, however. A Lawful good places LAw foremost, and Law is force.
Anyway, the perspective I wrote from is basically that of the
Judeo-Christian--my own background. I included all the other views i
could based on my studies and readings of other major religions and
social anthropology works. (Can you believe that one twit of a female
book editor from a large NYC publishing firm once asked me in all
seriousness why I wrote from the male perspective?)
Finally, medieval Catholic Europe wasn't all that far off from the Bible in its
professed morals and ethics.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Thanks
for the invite, DM_Rocco. If we plan to get up in the Twin cities area
I'll email you. It is indeed a chore to always be the GM.
As for Mordie's level, he's 20-something, and that's all I'll say.
One last comment. the quote is good, but you have Robilar's name musspelled therein ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
When I am less busy I'll see about the humor on the website you note.
As for playing an evil-race character as non-evil, sure! Why not, as
there is variation of such outlook in most fantasy races. The general
alignment category speaks to the racial propensity and the bent of the
majority of it, but certainly a lot of individuals can be different.
That does not apply to it inherantly evil entities such as vampires, let
alone demons and devils. There the modification might be in
orderliness (Law-Chaos) and the
degree of Evil, the dilligence with which the wicked and malign is pursued. Just as there are truly
evil people with no redeeming qualities whatsoever, so too all such creatures of Evil, for they epitomize that trait.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Setting
aside the debate of nature versus nurture, there are always
abberations, and with intelligent creatures change is possible.
Consider how many monks and priests were martyred in the conversion of
the Friesains to Christianity, but eventually they prevailed. Contrast
that with non-intelligent species, a wolverine for example. The
likelihood of one not being an aggressive hunter-killer is infinitismal.
"Outsiders" is not a term that properly connotes non-human origination.
It implies that the world is the inner, central place. Demons and
devils are creatures of pure evil, just as there those of pure good.
Neither sort of entity can ever be anything else in my view. It is akin
to the wolverine example given above.
"Minorities" aren't that in their own country, and RPGs, D&D in
particular, are played in thre majority of nations of the world. It is
social-economic class that is the determanant, not ethnicity. Most
gamers are highly literate and of the middle class. About a quarter of
them are connected to information technology. In all, males outnumber
females by about 9 to 1--so there's the minority that publishers would
most like to attract to RPGs ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Faraer
4:1 according to
WotC's 2000 market research piece, and I doubt the ratio has since got worse.
Let me say that I am highly doubtful regarding the accuracy of that
claim. If as many as 10% of the RPG (excluding LARPers) audience is
female, I will be surprised. I have seen other surveys with meaningful
samplings that indicate the percentage of females is somewhere between
6% and 9%. That is players, not necessarily
consumers. However, even the dubious 20% figure indicates a minority of considerable proportions, no?
Somehow Political correctness seems to be working its way into gaming,
and that's a dispicable thing, as Political Correctness is thought
control. As author Richard Payne Knight notes, "Poverty of expression
will product poverty of conception." Offense at what is said is too
easily taken these days, hindering free speech and free thinking.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
when do you think your LEJENDARY ASTEROGUES expansion for the LA game
will be available in stores? I think a huge, sprawling fantasy-science
campaign would be a lot of fun.
Howdy Geoffrey :-)
Fact is that we play-teted a set of rules similar to the ones now used
in the LA game system in a fantasy-science milieu very like the
LEJENDARY ASTEROGUES one back about eight years now. The 'ASTEROGUES
core rules are good to go, but I have not finished the campaign base
setting personality details and plots-counter-plots thread. As with
many a writer, last minute pressure makes me perform more quickly.
Anyway...
We are in process of making a major move, likely in a couple of month's
time to be announced, to expand the LA game and build audience, so I
would have to project the release of the LAR Fantastical Science genre
books to late 2004 or maybe 2005. A good deal of regular LA game
product needs to see print before the go afield--a primer set, core
rules additions, the LE world deities book, a sourcebook or two, and a
number of new adventure modules have to get out first. When we do the
LAR expansion, I do believe I'll have to begin running a campaign of it
every other week because I really have fun with the genre :-#
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ed Cha
AMEN!
How insensitive of you to agree with me, and to do si with a word
having absolute religious denotations too! You must think, speak, and
act the way set down by Authority!
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Ho There, DM_Rocco!
For some reason I didn't get notice of your post, so pardon the late
response. As i am working on three separate design projects I confess it
would have been a couple of days lag, but...
Seems to me you and your group played the ToH absolutely right, grabbing the goodies and beating it, just at robilar did ;-)
Heh, and your Robillard PC story is amusing. Rob Kuntz's Robliar first
adventured in the winter of '72, so he is the elder, but you've probably
gotten in more action with Robillard than Rob has managed with his PC.
Like me, Rob had DMing duties first.
As for adventuring with Mordenkainen, no offense, but most certainly
not. I have no idea as to your DMing style, and so he stays home. When
Ernie, Rob, Terry, and I took our top PCs into Jim Ward's specially
prepared dungeon adventure the first attack was by a lich with a rof of
Cancellation. That experience was quite sufficient to teach us all to be
wary...and Jim is a known DM and former player in our campign.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Loki3,
Shudder! Ex-wives and judges...whoa, the stuff of nightmares :rolleyes:
As for responding, sure. All, I am really just another gamer. Just
because I happen to be hyperactive in the design area doesn't make me
substantially different from, and certainly not superior to, my fellows.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
Col_Pladoh,
Why all the secrecy about Mordenkainen's stats? This character has been written up previously in the old Rogue's Gallery, in Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure, and in the recent Epic Level Handbook. (I have them all, and there is only very little difference between the writeups, so they must be at least close to accurate.)
Heh, and a slight error in reasoning there, amigo. The information in
the ROGUE'S GALLERY was quite fallacious, made up im many cases when we
refused to give Brian our PCs' stats. Rob respected my wishes and didn't
use Mordie's actual stats and information, and whatever was written
thereafter based on those works continues the error.
It is my PC, and I do play him now and again, although it's been a couple of years since he last adventured.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by fusangite
Here's one tough aspect of this, though: in my current campaigns, people have Summon Monster
spells; because the planes system creates a multiverse, I don't know
how much business I have circumscribing what they can summon.
Theoretically, I suppose, these creatures might exist on some other
plane of existence; what do you think would be a reasonable way to
regulate what can be summoned by way of this spell? This becomes even
more problematic with the Summon Nature's Ally
spells. A pivotal combat in a campaign I just ended was resolved by the
characters summoning a Dire Bear into an African environment. It was
such an innovative thing to do, I chose not to argue but I was left
unsure of whether I should have ruled it out.
What we
always did was make the summoning random, with some weak ones in the
mixes possible. Also, if the monster(s) summoned survived and there
were no other opponents around, it or they would attack party members.
As the spell is a regular part of the game, there's no logical way you
can limit its sue, eh? If your players are abusing it, then have your
NPCs do likewise, summon monsters at the drop of a hat, so to speak.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by LordVyreth
Check out this web site for the movie:
www.deadgentlemen.com. Gamers is a classic in the making, and definately worth checking out.
Thanks, and when I am not so busy I'll see about it ;-)
And I figured as much about the campaign discussion thing. Now I'm
not sure if I'm glad I didn't bother, or I'm disappointed I didn't get
it out before I knew it was bad. You know, that whole forgiveness
versus persmission thing. :-D
Right.
Moving on from alignment questions, here's something similar. It
seems that people are getting more into playing good individuals of
typically evil races, like orcs and drow, and even generally universally
evil beings like demons and vampires. Do you agree that it's a new
thing, or has that been a constant throughout the game? If it is new,
do you think it reflects a way gamers look at the world and concepts
like universal evil, or is it just because evil characters are
considered "cooler" for some reason? I'll post my opinions, but I'd
like to hear what you think first.
Vyreth
As there will well be abberations in nature, a chaotic good
orc, or drow, is of possible interest to the player who wants a
challenge for the PC--virtually every hand will be against such
characters. Having demons and vampires of similar stamp is so much
nonsense, comparable in my mind to a grass-eating lion or a friendly
wolverine. The nature of true evil is just that--no good in it
whatsoever.
As for when such approach commenced, I can't say, but the politically
correct view of evil individuals as mere victims of their surroundings
and upbringing might be involved.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Faraer
4:1 according to
WotC's 2000 market research piece, and I doubt the ratio has since got worse.
Do you really believe that figure? I certain do not, nor have I seen
their documentation. Other surveys I have seen develop a much lower
percentage of female gamers, something between 5% and 10%.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerakSpielman
My
group was 4 females, 3 males for a long time. Now we're 5 females, 5
males, though we run 4 campaigns and we're not all there for each one. 3
DMs are male and 1 is female. The ages of members of our group: 10, 15,
16, 25, 25, 36, 37, 40, 49, and 51.
Maybe we're just more diverse than a lot of people.
Right.
Individual experience is not a reasonable guide. The play-test group
for LOST CITY OF GAXMOOR consisted of about 40 different players, all
male, and 90% under age 20. My group has 10 people in it, one female.
If I used those figures, I'd conclude that 1 gamer in 50 was female ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hey Gary---
Any updates on the Castle Zagyg project for us?
Check out
the Troll Lorg Games website ;-) I am indeed working on a large
campaign-base module to intriduce a new setting for the castle and
dungeons. Rob is outlining a follow up module to it, and then, the Good
Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we should tackle the actual
Zagyg's Castle and the dungeon levels thereunder, revising them so that
other DMs can make heads and tails out of the shorthand we used for
encounters. Of course, much of what happened was made up on the spot by
Rob or me, so we'll have a good deal of quantification to attend to.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by blackshirt5
Gary,
what do you think of recent books dealing with sex and intimacy in
RPGs, such as Encyclopedia Arcane: Nymphology, Naughty & Dice, and
the BoEF?
In a word, jejune.
To my way of thinking that sort of material is absolutely unnecessary.
If individual DMs want to have it in their campaigns, fine. Producing
supplemental material of the sort gives the detractors of the RPG more
ammunition with which to attack while providing nothing of substance or
value to the game form. The motivation for publishing such material is
most likely money to be made from pandering thus.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Wow! Sounds like something to look forward to. :-D
Oops!
Missed this earlier.
There is a boxed "Primer" Lejendary Adventure RPG set now in
play-testing, and it should be in print by spring. To compliment it I
have just finished a campaign-base module so the new Lejend Masters who
have picked up the boxed set will have solid material to use in creating
their campaigns.
If all goes as planned, after these hit there will be two core rules
supplements coming out, and then a series of hardback LA game books.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by blackshirt5
You're kinda vague there Mr. Gygax. Tell us how you really feel. :-)
What about the dungeon crawl do you think makes it such a great medium
for a game? What is it about fighting and thiefing(I know, not a real
word, but one I picked up from my brief stint in 2nd edition) your way
through the ruins of a castle(or graveyard, or evil temple) that appeals
to you?
Appeals to me? That sort of action-adventure
appeals to the vast majority of RPGers, as the success of new D&D
amply demonstrates. Of far greater note is the fact that the whole of
the electronic RPG field is nothing but that sort of play ;-) The age
group for the latter sort of games is older than for the paper game too.
I'll not bother to go nto the psychological reasons for a coiuple of reasons--time and expertise :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Faraer
And
yet the bowdlerized Comics Code norm created at TSR after your time
there, Gary, is a far cry from the adult, red-blooded fantasy of the
original D&D and its swords & sorcery influences. Individual d20
publishers might have the motive you mention, but some kind of
corrective (to what you'd call the 'politically correct') is surely
needed.
TSR's reaction to criticism was quite foolish,
IMO.
No matter what they did those criticizing would not cease, and they
bought no product either. However, cheap sensationalism dealing with
sex is hardly a mature response to aything other than a desire to make
sales.
As far as I know, that survey is the only large-scale piece of RPG
market research done, at least since 1990 or so. It's all we have to go
on as to RPG demographics (other than anecdotal evidence, of course).
Do we really know how reliable the
WOtC survey was? I don't think so.
There was a fairly extensive survey done by Role-Playing Tips Weekly in
conjunction with my website in which somewhere over 5K respondents were
counted. The percentage of females there was well under 5%.
I know of one study being conducted by a post-graduate student. She is
awaiting funding to proceed, but so far has developed what she believes
is a statistically reliable sampling that shows a c. 7% female audience,
I do not know the margin of error.
Cheeers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by blackshirt5
Also, who were the Circle of Eight, and what classes were they? I know of Mordenkainen the Mage, but who were the others?
Well...
To be completely accurate, I'd have to do a search to find the ring
binder in which all that information is kept. Haven't looked at it for
almost 20 years now. From memory the original CoE was composed of my
PCs--Mordenkainen, Bigby, Yrag, Rigby, Felnorith, Zigbie, Vram &
Vin. In the novel version the Circle was expanded to encompass other PCs
in my campaign such as Tenser.
It came into being because Mordenkainen and Associates had a lot og
wealth stored up from successful adventuring, located a place for a
stronghold deep in enemy territory to assure plenty of action, and then
went to work building the citadel. As there was an small army of
dwarves associted with the larger, mounted field army, the building
project went relatively quickly, about three game years to complete.
While it was in progress, the "boys" were active in raiding the lands
around to keep the enemy forces back on their heels.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Endur
I think the gender imbalance has quite a bit of variability depending on the medium and the age.
Quite so. When I am commenting in regards to a 10% female audience I
am referring to paper & pencil RPGs, not LARPGs, or electronic
forms, including online text/Chat gaming or MMP ones.
I have no relaible estimate of female participants in LARPing, but it is
certainly above 10%, and might approach 50%. I have some information
that places the computer "RPG" audience at in the 20% range, and online
play higher, more like 30%.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ed Cha
Gary,
Speaking of dungeon romps and such, where are you taking your game to
lately? Are you doing dungeons, forests, deserts, battlefields, castles,
or something else?
Ed
Creatively, yes. All of the above plus a town and some villages.
My group is just starting in THE HERMIT adventure, but I've not GMed for
a three weeks, and won't again until the middule of this month because
work load.
Cheers Ed,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Fester
Hi Gary,
I have a number of links on my website which link to your old site -
mainly your FAQ. I notice that the development of your new site seems
to be fairly dorment (though looks could obviously deceive here). Any
news on when you're hoping to get the new site up and running? And will
you have the old FAQ there, or something similiar?
Seems
that my new webmaster has been innindated with various demands that heve
prevented him from getting the website up and functioning :-)
Soon...
Cheers
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Sluggo!
Indeed I did miss the message below. As you are are likely a Little Lulu fan, how can I refuse to answer?
Originally Posted by sluggo the sleazebag
Hey there Gary...
Glad to hear that Castle Z is moving right along. How exciting it must
be to share it with your fans after all these years. In the meantime, I
hope you won't mind fielding a couple design questions.
What I am working on now is what Rob would call backfill. Seeing as how
the original setrting for the work can't be used, I am creating a large
module with a campaign area of managable size that's filled with a lot
of material that establishes the politics and society of the area, its
ecomony and monetary system. There is a walled town, some small
communities, a great inn, and all the surrounding terrain is described
and keyed for encounters and random ones too, with many adventure hooks
and five dungeon-level-like areas that I have yet to flesh out as I
await the final monsters list for the C&C rules.
Meantime, Rob is outlining an add-on module that will introduce Zagyg's original residence in the area.
I'm sure you've had some great ideas pop up over the years. Ideas
that, for one reason or another, you couldn't put to paper. What I want
to know is: How much of Castle Z will absorb those sudden moments of
satori, and how much of it will retain its original splendor?
The whole of the combined material Rob and I put together
would be far too large for publication, 50 levels or so. What I have
done is gone back to my original design of more modest scope, because I
doubt the work will need to accommodate groups of 20 PCs delving on a
daily basis.
As Rob learned from me, he too DMed by the proverbial seat of the pants
method. A single line of notes for an encounter was sufficient for
wither of us to detail a lengthy description, action, dialog, tricks or
traps, and all the rest. As this is not the stuff of modules, we will
have to do the same thing as we go over each encounter on the map,
actually recording our otherwise extemporized details for the reader.
The most interesting and demanding features of levels will be retained,
but the maps will have to be re-drawn from originals. the latter were
altered as we merged dungeons, and as PCs interacted with the complex.
At one time Robilar, Tenser, and Terik converted the first level of the
dungeons to their base.
In short the original upper and lower parts of Castle Greyhawk changed
many times over the years they were in active use. What we will do is
to take the best of the lot and put that into a detailed format usable
by anyone, no "winging-it' required. Noite that it is "Zagyg's Castle",
so no tedious explanations of how the denizens of the place got there
will be needed.
I'm also curious as to whether your extensive gaming experience has
tempered the encounters therein or have you chosen to preserve the
Castle as it first appeared when Robilar and company made their initial
forays?
The desire to build upon one's early work is a temptation not easily
overcome. You could hardly be condemned for doing so, but I imagine
there's a percentage of fans who would hope for either result. What can
you share about your design plans so far?
Sincerely,
Sluggo
To be frank, the castle changed over the years, so "original"
is moot. As levels were added by me, new nad different things were
introduced. When after a couple of year's of time Rob became my co-DM
there was a massive alteration in the upper works of the castle, a
whole, massive new 1st level was created, and then the level plan for
the expanded lower levels of the dungeon was created anew, with the
original levels of my making incorperated with those of Rob's dungeons,
plus a number of new ones we created to fill the whole scheme.
Again, what our challenge is going to be is to cull the extraneous, take
the best, and re-create the details we made up on the spot. Of course
the most famous things will be there, along with most of the best parts
that are not well-known through story and word of mouth. Of course, the
expanded work's multiple levels will have to be cut back. Having six
second level maps is not only impossible for a published work but quite
unnecessary for a normal campaign.
Remember, when Castle Greyhawk was in its heyday, groups of 10 or more
PCs would adventure in it several times a week, many of the players in
each group different from the previous ones.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by sluggo the sleazebag
Thanks, Gary. The whole thing sounds great. I look forward to its publication (as with the Hall of Many Panes).
I had hoped that the Hall of Many Panes would be hitting the shops
soon, but the Trolls inform me that the art for the cover has not come
in, so it looks like the launch of the boxed campaign-sized module will
be winter-spring 2004. Such is the life of a game designer :rolleyes:
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
About the only good thing I can say about that is that perhaps my finances will have recovered enough to afford it then.
But of course, if it came out now, I'd find the money. :-)
I'm so looking forward to the HoMP. How long did it take your group to complete it, Gary?
Cheers!
Heh, Merric ;-)
They took about 50 weeks to get through the whole of the module, and
they generally played very expertly, so as to manage to get through some
scenarios in an evening's play that I thought would take at least twice
that. On balancem though, any veteran group should be able to manage
it in 40-60 sessions of 3-4 hours playing time.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Upper_Krust
Hi Col_Pladoh mate! :-)
I hope you and the family are keeping well?
Any update on those 'hush hush' secret Graphic Novel adaptations of a
certain Rogues adventures? Or is it still too early to talk about them?
:-P
Argh!
A sore subject that.
Because of the poor market for comics, there is now a question of the project going forward :-(
I have a query into the licensee, but no response yet--just sent it on
Monday. It has brought me to wonder about our not incluiding a "print
or pay" clause in the contract, though, ala films. Option money being
small, the publisher has no real incentive to go forward in many cases
without such a requirement.
If this goes into the dumper I will be most sad. Keep your fingers
crossed that we can find a way for it to happen despite the bad market
conditions.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mossfoot
Hey Gary ;-)
How hard do you find it to keep a solid game going and work on so many
different projects? I mean, I barely have a once a week game going on
over here with my job and stuff!
Yeah, this is partly an excuse to say Hi somewhere else, but I am honestly curious, too ;-)
Heh, Noah...
Love the mini ads for Fuzzy Knights!
Funny you should mention my campaign. As a matter of fact I cancelled
four sessions so as to be able to keep up with work. We resume play
this month on the 15th.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Darn! Thanks for posting the link :-)
Allan, I had totally forgotten that lurid tale I wrote. It was a
dramatization of an actual dungeon adventure into the enlarged Castle
Greyhawk that Rob and I co-DMed, of course, and an accurate one too.
The strange rod was a Dirdir laser pistol gained from adventuring
through a gate that brought PCs to the "Pkanet of Adventure" and the
"Carabas" thereof.
Anyway, I have the map of the level, of ourse, and it might make it into
the revised form we need to have so as to have a product that is
publishable. At worst it can be used as a potential add-on module to
the main levels.
So I have saved the story and will see what can be done in regards including the level in the Zagyg's Castle project.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Breakdaddy
Hi
Gary, Glad to see you still lurking about! Do you ever play 3rd edition
D&D or will you only play earlier editions? Also, since you seem to
endorse Arcana Unearthed by Monte Cook, do you get to play this variant
much, and if so, what is your favorite class?
Cheers,
Breakdaddy
Howdy!
Actually, I don't get to play any RPGs much at all, other than to serve
as the Lejend Master for my Lejendary Adventure campaign. Time is
short, and I seldom am away from the computer and work.
I don't enjoy new D&D, but I will happily play original D&D or
OAD&D when opportunity presents itself. In fact, I am working on an
extensive compaign base module for the upcoming Castle & Crusade
rules from Troll Lord Games. It is an
OGL-based
system that aims at coming close to OAD&D, and it that effort
succeeds, then Rob Kuntz and I will be going to work on producing a
version of the original Castle Greyhawk that is suitable in size and
detail for the C&C system and the strictures of publishing such a
potentially massive work. In short, we'll cut the size back to
something in the range of 20 levels, a bit larger than my original work
but a lot smaller than the combined material Rob and I used to entertain
player groups of 10-20 persons several times a week.
This will be a lot of work, as we both used very sketchy encounter
notes, a single line was typical, for "winging' was the favored approach
to all adventures. Quantifyng will eat up much time and space, not to
mention the re-drafting of old level maps to fit the new configuration
we have outlined.
The salient features of the original dungeons will be retained, of
course. If the work proves to be sufficiently popular we can always
supplement the base with add-ons too, just as we did with the campaign
material through opening new split and side levels, placing transporters
into dungeon areas to move PCs to separate adventure areas akin to
those published as separate modules--DUNGEONLAND, LAND BEYOND THE MAGIC
MIRROR, and ISLE OF THE APE.
As for Monte's ARCANA UNEARTHED, I was impressed with the work because
of its faciulity of using the D&D base to present a whole new and
substantially different milieu. I would have very much liked to play
some in it, as I did the
3E
game in the long playtest of the LOST CITY OF GAXMOOR, but that wasn't
possible, as the Good Mr. Cook doesn't live in the Lake Geneva area ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well, Upper_Krust...
If the project gets cancelled, the sole consolation will be that it was
due to a lousy comic book market, not that the product was lacking. It
seems at this time all that's movng well are trilogies. How one can
publish trilogies and complete a graphic novel thus is something of a
poser :rolleyes:
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Krypter
Hello Gary,
I was wondering how you developed the world of Greyhawk. I know it was
undoubtedly an organic growth with pieces being fleshed out through your
games, but later on when the project was becoming commercial, did you
have specific design goals for Greyhawk? I've heard people commenting
that Forgotten Realms is a "high-magic" setting with really powerful
NPCs doing most of the adventuring while Greyhawk is a grittier world
where evil often wins and even the most powerful NPCs (like the Circle
of Eight) promote Neutrality rather than Good. The history of Greyhawk
does seem a lot nastier than
FR.
Was this intentional design or a later development at TSR?
Well...
When I was asked by TSR to do my World of Greyhawk as a commercial
product I was taken aback. I had assumed most DMs would far perfer to
use their own world settings. Furthermore, as I was running a game with
a large number of players involved, I really didn't want to supply
themwith the whole world on a platter. I'll repeathere what has been
told before ;-)
I found out the maximum map size TSR could produce, got the go-ahead for
two maps of that size, then sat down for a couple of weeks and
hand-drew the whole thing. After the maps were done and the features
shown were named, I wroite up brief information of the featyres and
states. Much of the information was drawn from my own personal world,
but altered to fit the new one depicted on the maps.
Whatever came out from TSR regarding the World of Greyhawk up through
1985 was from me, with a bit of material added as filler coming from
Frank Mentzer after I approved the work.
The relatively low level of NPCs, and the balance between alignments was
done on purpose so as facilitate the use of the world setting by all
DMs. With a basically neutral environment, the direction of the
individual campaign was squarely in the hands of the DM running it. The
Circle of Eight came into the setting when it seemed to me that my PCs
were generally too powerful to remain in active play, and they were put
into the mix for DMs to use in case they wanted to keep the setting from
being dominated by Good or Evil, to a lesser extent Law or Chaos and
even true Neutrality. That was done because to my way of thinking
dominamce by one alignment group tends to restrict the potential for
adventuring.
If that doesn't fully answer your question, come on back.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Elodan
Hello Gary,
Based on this I was curious if you've tried HackMaster which is based on 1E/2E.
Sorry if this has been asked before, but I've only just discovered these
threads. I'm also looking forward to the Troll Lord project.
Tom
Actually, I have only read through the player's handbook for the system. After doing that I posted on the
www.Dragonsfoot.org
boards that the system was worth a look, because it had material usable
by DMs with OAD&D campaigns. Frankly, I'd much rather play
OAD&D than get into what started out as a parody of the game, then
developed into a somewhat more serious RPG. To my taste the HM system
isn't an improvement over OAD&D, so there's no incentive to invest
in all the books now required to play it, learn the system changes
necessary to properly GM and play it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Duplicate post deleted.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ed Cha
Gary,
I've noticed you seem to be writing a lot of mega-modules lately. Is
this a publishing decision or just because you like doing them?
Personally, I'm not a big fan of mega-modules unless they're really good
like the ones you did with "Necropolis" or "The Temple of Elemental
Evil". I'd much prefer a series.
Ed
Hi Ed,
There are plenty of short modules around, and when I am writing an
adventure I figure why not add a little more effort and make the work
something that I can use for a longer period of time? I really don't
like module writing all that much, but once I get started on it I get
into the work and have fun, so they tend to grow apace thus. There is
another motive behind this, of course. That is that I don't want to
create a module that is like any of the others I've done, so I tend to
seek further afield for something new and different for most of this
form of writing.
However, I have just sent in a LA "Primer" game campaign-base module for
the Trolls to release immediately after the boxed set hits the stands.
It isn't all that long, contains a village with some role-playing
activity as it's introduction, some combat in that as things do along,
then a couple of relatively short fprays for adventuring outside the
hamlet, and as a capper a rather lengthy dungeon crawl. With that I've
tossed in a goodly number of expansion ideas and adventure springboards
for the GM to use to build a local campaign, and it's all under 60K
words, with three encounter area maps and one map of the hamlet of c.
400 pop. :-)
The introductory campaign-base module meant for the new C&C rules is
considerably larger, a bixed set size likley, but that's because it is
to serve as the platform for a slug of add-on parts meant to come
thereafter, one of which Rob Kuntz has outlined now.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Greetings ColonelHardisson!
As a fan of REH and Conan, I must say that I find no fault in your
analysis of Sprague's handling of the revisions he did. De Camp was one
of my favorite authors, especially when he wrote with Fletcher Pratt,
but his work on Howard's original material left me cold. I found it
inferior to the original writing. I read my first Conan yarm c. 1948
and was captivated.
As for Lin Carter's work, I fear I have nothing positive to say, for I didn't like his style.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ed Cha
I would love to play in a Castles & Crusades game next year at the Milwaukee Gamefest if you were running one, Gary. :-)
Also, can you tell me if C&C will have any similarities to the
pre-D&D games that you played in that wargaming group? I think I'm
on the membership list for C&C at TLG, but I haven't gotten the full
411 from Steve or Davis yet.
By the way, have you heard of the Tom Wham and Jim Ward project, "Planet Busters"? I just read a TLG press release about it.
Felicitations!
The direction of the C&C rules is not my perview, Ed, although I do
get input, so you'll have to see what the Trolls have to say about the
matter.
I have heard that TLG was working with Tom, but with my nose to the
creative grindstone here I don't have much time for delving into those
things that might distract ;-)
Cheers,
gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
On
a module-related note, I recently dusted off my copy of GW1 Legion of
Gold, which you co-wrote with Luke and Paul Reiche. This is the only
TSR-era module that I recall you co-writing---was this effort one that
you worked up from Luke's concepts, or vice-versa? I only know Paul
Reiche from his OD&D books published with Erol Otus; what were his
contributions to the final adventure?
Thanks again for the news on the Black Reservoir Gary---it makes my birthday morning brighter already :-D
Happy Birthday, Allen :-)
I was living in the big place near Clinton, Wisconsin, working in a
little library-study there when Luck came in and told me about his ideas
for a Gamma World module. He dictated a lot of the content of the
Legion of Gold adventure, so I listed him as author. Darned if I can
recall what Paul Reiche added to the work, perhaps some development to
make it a longer one.
At least he didn't screw anything up as happened with one helpful editor
who removed "Mignol Chorts, still fresh in their plastic wrapper," and
"Grey modeling clay,' as well as "Package of firecrackers" from a long
list of things to discover. The idiot left in the C4 explosvive, but
there was no fooler inert clay, and nothing to set off the plastique,
since the flash crackers weren't there. Worst of all, though, no
character was able to find and consume the Mignol Chorts, a Tom Whamism
for Twinkies ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Yuppers, Noah,
I scotched four sessions, a month of time as we play only once a week.
It is the 13th we resume, though, not the 15th. We play Thursday nights
for three to four hours time. When I need to concentrate on creative
work not related to the campaign, which was the case, it is necessary to
stay focused and working, so there goes game play.
Fortunately all is now in good shape, so the campaign can be run without messing up my work schedule.
The animated ad for Fuzzy Knights is a great one, BTW :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottGLXIX
Gary,
I know you aren�t a big fan of psionics. I always thought the psionic
hermit from the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth was a cool encounter though.
I�m curious, did you ever have a regular, or semi-regular, PC in your
campaign that possessed psionic abilities?
Scott
Howdy :-)
You are right about "psionics" in AD&D. The system wasn't really
set up to handle them properly. No player in my group had them, not did
I ever play a PC possessing them in AD&D.
However, in the LEJENDARY ADVENTURE game there is a Psychogenic Abilty
that world well, and my one active character possess that capacity, and
it is very useful much of the time.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hi Gary.
I was wondering what you thought of the "5% principle" combat, saving
throw, and xp charts in Dragon 80. It says it was written by you and
Len Lakofka. I was thinking of using them but was interested in your
opinion on them.
P.S. if a monster has 8+8 HD, like a Balor, does it have 8d8+64 or 8d8+8 hp? What column would I use on the attack charts?
My memory is pretty good, but not
that good! Heh-heh-heh.
Dragon
#80? that's going way back... My copy is archived and there's no way I
can review the material and refresh my memory, so a cogent response is
not possible.
As for the second part, the 8+8 HD, that was meant as 8d8+8 hp, but for
big monsters like demons I was using d10. I used the 9 HD column for
8+8, but one could reasonable use the 10 HD column.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Alas!
It was a unified matrix that had all clases and HD of monsters
together. It was in the Leomund's Tiny Hut section. Oh well
playtesting is the only way to find out how good it works. Supposedly
it gives a slightly better chance to hit for PC's and it gives more 5%
increases in hit probability to non fighters instead of having them wait
3-5 levels to get a 10-15% increase.
Ah, that rings a
tiny bell. I seem to recall that, and I thought Len was being too
generous to non-fighters, for they already have other advantages.
Ok, so a Balor would be 8d10+8 HP or an average of 52 hp, while the
dreaded Pit Fiend is a 13 HD badass with an average of 72 hp, and a
better attack table. Methinks you have a bias towards LE and devils at
the expense of CE demons. Reading some of the stories about how you
stuck it to your players maybe you lean towards LE while you DM? =)
Actually, I was quite TN in my role, unless the party was
being stupid or annoying. Then I would become CE in regards to random
encounters, or LA in regards adhering to the doom that they brought upon
themselves.
Of course the time Rob and I were sharing a bottle of Southern Comfort
as we DMed Ernie' magic-user and Mark Ratner's paladin was more of a CE
exercise that anything else, mainly because I saw it as a chance to
relieve Ernie's PC of the two vorpal blades he had acquired.. I don't
think I've ever been forgiven for that adventure...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mystery Man
Hello,
I'm curious and apologize if this has been asked before; what is your
formula for creating an adventure/campaign? Do start with just a sketch
of an idea and let your players do with it what they will or do you have
a plan? To what level do you flesh out your NPC's before gameday? When
you get stuck for an idea how do break out of it?
That should be enough for now. :-)
Howdy
MM,
Can't honestly say I have any formula at all for running a campaign
adventure or planning a module. When I need to be creative I just sit
and ponder some odeas, try to decide what would be challenging and fun
to play, and then pick some point and begin putting down information.
Sometimes that means an outline of the whole work, other times it's
details of one area from which I build "outwards."
As a case in point, when i did the "Giants" series, I began with only
the hill giants fort, but as that developed, the concept of a larger
adventure came, so that by the time I had finished G!, the springboards
for G2 and G3 were well in mind, and the whole of the underworld to
follow as well.
The HALL OF AMNY PANES module came from considering what would be an
interesting "mini-adventure" that would logically become a year-long
campaign with the characters totally committed to it. So in creating it
I did the backstory introduction, and conclusion first, then worked
through the rest of the material as ideas came to mind.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Grant :-)
Originally Posted by Manzanita
Hi.
Gary - it's so nice of you to take your valuable time to answer all
these geeky questions. I have to ask a couple too, if only to see the
'Howdy Grant' response from The Man.
Heh, and the salutation gets that out of the way, eh?
As for answering "geeky questions," I suppose, but my doing that means I
am an even bigger geek than those posing them. Fact is that I am a
gamer from crown to sole, and I enjoy most things about gaming, so this
is fun for me.
I recently reread J.D. Salinger's short story The Laughing Man,
which features a dwarf named 'Omba.' I couldn't help noticing the
similarity to your dwarf Ombi in G3 and The Gord the Rogue series.
Coincidence?
Sheer coincidence indeed, as I missed the Salinger short story
you note. Back when I first introduced the villainous dwarf I had a
reason for naming him "Pbmi," but darned if I can recall that now, a
quarter-century later. I do recall with considerable enjoyment the
players' ire at not being able to do for him with their PCs, though.
They disliked him so much that I just had to keep bringing him back.
Also, I've enjoyed your numerous modules immensely. There is one,
The Keep on the Borderlands, that I've had the urge to DM lately, as
it's for 1st level PCs, but I've been struggling with its premise. It
just seems a little strange to have all those different monster groups
living in such close proximity in those caves. It just doesn't have
quite the epic sense of so many of your others. I have such good
memories of playing it as a kid, I just wonder if it still makes sense
to you as written.
Thanks
Grant
The B2 module was written to introduce newbies to the wonders
of D&D adventuring. It is not "ecologically correct," but it is fun
and entertaining, packed full of new and different challenges. Just
between you and me, it makes as much sense as most things in the D&D
game such as massive flying dragons that breathe various deadly things.
Those who swallow the camel of the entire concept, then strain at gnats
of particular monster or situation seem to be be losing much of the
basis for playing. However, that sort of thing happens as one becomes
familiar with the fanciful and begin to qualify the experience by
comparison to reality. As you note, modules for more experienced
players have more rationalization for setting and encounters.
The short answer is, if you enjoy DMing the KEEP ON THE BORDERLANDS,
then why not use it? If the players question anything, make up something
on the spot to answer the challenge ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Indigo Rose
I
definitely second that! I'm really excited about the upcoming C&C
project, and if the Trolls are going to be at next year's Gamefest a
C&C demo (or possibly a tournament?) would be a lot of fun, I think!
:-D
Speaking of which, if I may ask, what exactly is it about the Castles
& Crusades project which convinced you to associate with it?
Thanks!
Indigo Rose
Knight of the Woeful Countenance
Hi Indigo Rose :-)
When the Trolls mentioned they were developing a set or rules that would
be close to OAD&D, I just had to get involved. As you likely have
heard, I've been considering doing a publishable version of my original
Greyhawk Castle & Dungeons for some time. The C&S rules should
be perfect for that project.
I am so confident of the matter that I have already begun, written most
of a campaign-base setting module that's titled ZAGYG'S CASTLE,
YGGSBURGH, Part One. It is very large, covers an area the size of a
small state, has a walled town, smaller communities, wilderness areas,
and a lot if information for the GM in addition to many adventure
encounters and springboards for others. I have yet to complete five
dungeon-like level areas that are part of the adventures detailed in the
base work.
Meantime, Rob Kuntz if writing the second part, the DARK CHATEAU, a sort of introduction as to how Zagyg became as he is now.
After that Rob and I will go to work on the upper levels of the castle,
then the dungeons beneath--likely six additional modules, alhtough it
might take more to get in all the best of the old levels.
It is going to be a lot of work, but also a good deal of fun ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by cimerians
Gary,
Can you give us more info on the LA boxed set and other things the Troll
Lords will be releasing? An approximate release date perhaps? I was
very excited to hear about the re-issue of LA on Troll Lords site.
Howdy Cimerians,
The Trolls have a lot of my material on their plate :-D
The LA Primer boxed set isn't all turned in yet. Chris Clark just sent
me his cut-down version of the creatures and magic items list. I feel we
have too many monsters, can't pare more away, but the Trolls will have
the final cut ability if that's so. I believe they are shooting for a
March premier at the GAMA show, release soon thereafter.
Also, will the Lejendary Earth setting be re-released as well in some form from the Trolls?
The remaining three books comprising the "Learth" world
setting should all be released next year. Thereafter I do believe that
Troll Lord Games is planning to put the five parts into hardback
form--likely in 2005. I don't know if it will fit in a single volume,
but i hope so..
I also joined C&C....great to hear about all the things they are planning.
The project is exciting to me, for sure! Although I am not
eager to spend the next two years doing castle-dungeon modules, at least
Rob Kuntz is on board, so the work won't eat up every available
creative minute. We should begin the actual castle ruins and
subterranean levels early next year. Rob is currently working on a
follow-up module to my campaign setting one, his being THE DARK CHATEAU,
a sort of introduction to the characyer of Zagyg. Meantime, I am
awaiting the moster roster for the C&C rules so I can finish my
really big introductory piece.
By the way how is the Hermit adventure going? Any fatalities yet? ;-)
I read through it and its a nice adventure, one I plan on running some-day.
It is a fun adventure that takes a lot of thinking, especially
in the beginning, then some tough combat. Our game session slated for
yesterday got cancelled because so many of the players were unable to
attend. The third session is slated for the Thursday after
Thanksgiving, That are about to enter the Gnome Maze.
No fatalities, yet, but this group is all veteran, and a copuple of them
have played for many tears, LA for five or so, so if they are as clever
as they were in the HALL OF MANY PANES, I don't expect much in the way
of Avatar demises.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by V_Shane
Would love to see the map on that!
My hand-drawn map covers an area of c. 44 by 34 miles extent, with
descriptive text expanding it to a possible 64 by 54. I am hopeful that
Darlene will do the map, as she did the original World of Greyhawk
pair. I put her in touch with Troll Lord Games in this regard.
Anyway, the size was kept relatively small so as to be such that it
could be dropped into a campaign world setting without undue difficulty
;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by khyron1144
Dear Esteemed Mr. Gygax, inventor of my hobby, and chief deity of my pantheon,
How does it feel to be an adjective?
see here
I bet they got what the term means wrong too.
I apologize, if this has been asked before.
Feel free to call me Gary, as I am a fellow gamer, right?
The term in question simply makes me shake my head in wonder. So many
people opining without any actual knowledge to base their assertions
upon is astonishing to me.
I read those posts, and I had to chuckle. Nobody seems to know what
"Gygaxian" means. I sure don't after perusing the lot. there's a
considerable amount of confusion in regards to my DMing style, and not a
few people there blowing hard without having an inkling of what it is
like.
If I set out to kill PCs, how on earth did Tenser, Robilar, and the rest
ever get to relatively high levels? What the whiners don't like are
adventure situations where they lose their PCs due to their own inept
play. My modules don't suffer fools lightly :-D
One poster was quite on target by mentioning running away as an option...
Any advice on how a ferret might level? I gave my brother's PC a
ferret as a sort of NPC buddy. This creates some unusual situations.
Gold is being split two ways between my brother's PC and his Elf NPC
buddy, but monster experience is split three ways. There was enough
treasure in the first dungeon to let my brother's Thief go up to level
four in one adventure, while the Elf went up a level too. The ferret is
lagging by a bit. [this D&D where Elf is a charater class and
there are three alignments].
I'm creative enough to come up with a solution myself, but some advice from the master is always apreciated.
There's not much advice I can give in regards the ferret--cool
little critters, ferrets ;-) I assume you are increasing the
familiars HP and attack chance for it's part in adventuring success. You
might also increase it's AC as it learns to move and dodge even more
quickly.
As an aside, I don't think you should ever allow a PC to gain more than one level from an adventure success.
Hope that served to answer your question.
Cheers.
gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by cimerians
2004 and 2005 could not arrive quicker for me!
LA, box sets, hardbacks, C&C, Z's Castle............I must say, lots to look forward to!!
Whoa! Now I feel guilty not producing faster. I am in the midst of
trying to pare doen the LA game monsters to a suitable size for a primer
set, and it is so hard. So many great crutters, so little space...
The hardbacks will follow paperback core rules supplements, as we don't
want the fans who have the current books to feel we are forcing them to
buy the new editions.
The ZAGYG'S CASTLE project is a really massive one, so I need to clear
the decks of most of the other major undertakings like the boxed set and
revised LA editions so as to concentrate for a couple of years on
completing the castle and dungeon levels. All of this should keep me out
of trouble and not complaining of boredom for some time to come
:rolleyes:
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Indigo Rose
My
husband and I are anxiously awaiting both the C&C game and Zagyg's
Castle, especially after reading all that it will entail! I'm drooling
on my keyboard here! Not pretty, but true... :-# As soon as I
hear that pre-orders are being taken, I'm plunking my $$$ down! There's
not much I'm willing to buy rpg-wise, sight unseen, but Zagyg's Castle
and C&C definitely both make the cut. :-)
Well, Indigo Rose...
I am not sure when the Trolls will be releasing the first of the ZC
material, as I haven't turned anything over yet. As I mentioned, I am
awaiting the monster roster for the C&C rules so as to be able to
populate some dungeon-like areas included in the camapign base module,
Yggsburgh.
Meantime that are working on the dual d20/LA game system HALL OF MANY
PANES boxed set module and the LA primer boxed set. Hmmm... Looks as if
I have gotten them into a lot of boxed set work with my writing.
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Indigo Rose
This
is another project I'm looking forward to. We've already got the
"complete" LA rules, but (and maybe this is just because we're getting
older and our brains just aren't as flexible as they used to be!) we've
had a difficult time wrapping our heads around the different game
concepts. In other words, we keep wanting to refer to AC, hit points,
etc. I'm hoping that the boxed set will be to LA what the old "Basic"
boxed sets were to AD&D back in the early 80's, and I can just ease
my way into the game! :-D If we had a LA gaming group in the area,
it would probably be easier on us, but it's just the two of us right
now. Lots of things to look forward to!
Indigo Rose
Knight of the Woeful Countenance
I know what you mean!
When I write the LA game I purposely used as many new terms for the
established D&D ones so as to assist the new participant to think in
LA game terms, for the system plays differently, and requires a shift
of gears from a class-based RPG to a skill-bundle-based one that is
rules-light.
Surf on over to
www.lejendary.com
and download the free "LA Quickstart Rules" pdf. Just reading it will
likely serve, but it is a complete and ready to play adventure with sic
pre-generated characters included, lots of advice for the new Lejend
Master too B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joe123
Hi Gary,
I understand that you are the author of the rulebooks for Advanced
Dungeons & Dragons (1st edition). I am curious as to why you renamed
the game from Dungeons and Dragons to AD&D?
thanks,
Joe123.
Howdy Joe :-)
The AD&D game was suibstantially different from the D&D game
being revised at the same time AD&D was written, so to distinguish
the one sysyem from the other it was determined that "Advanced" should
be included in the title, dor AD&D ahead of D&D in new concepts
and details. The two systems played quite differently, but came from the
same base.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
That would be fantastic if you can get Darlene to do it.
ken
Serendipity, Ken!
Darlene emailed mr some months back to say "hi," and let me know how
things were going. Shortly after an exchange of such messages, the
ZAGYG'S CASTLE project began to move forward, so I mentioned to her that
perhaps she might be interested in doing the map. So now Darlene and
the Trolls are in correspondence regarding the matter. Hope that they
can reach an agreement ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Hey Gary,
This is a bit off-topic, but do you have any thoeries about the Kennedy assassination?
Jokamachi
Not much in the way of a theory, only that I am
convinced that more than one shooter was involved, and that likely
Oswald wasn't the one who hit JFK.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Particle_Man
This will sound really dumb, but it has been bugging me.
What is the historical/mythic/game balance/whatever reason that monks in
1st ed AD&D were forbidden to use burning oil? Was the oil too
chaotic? What it just to accentuate the different nature of monks?
Just wondering...for the last 21 years...
Return with me now to those thrilling days of yesteryear...
That's what I have to do to try and remember why the proscription was
placed on the class. As I recall, it was both deemed as too Chaotic and
also to serve as a distinction, as all classes were restricted in one
way or another in reagrds to weapons or poison. A monk hurling multiple
pots of oil in a round just doesn't seem right somehow :rolleyes:
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Hiya Gary! I have a question that I'm sure has been asked before, but I figured I'd ask again.
In your original vision for Greyhawk, did gunpowder work? If you had
projected ahead in Greyhawk's history, and worked on a campaign along
the lines of something like the "Greyhawk 2000" article from Dragon a
couple years back, would gunpowder be readily manufactured? Is there
anything that would prevent gunpowder from being made, or if it was
made, anything that would keep it from being combustible, at least
combustible enough to prevent its use in firearms?
Well Suh!
I do not believe that magic and gunpowder technology mix well. It can
be done, as Stanly Weinbaum proved in his post-catyclysm fantasy
novel...the title of which escapes me at the moment. There was a spell
that sset off gunpowder and like explosives at a considerable distance.
Having gunbpowder weapons really moves the game from the fantasy genre
to some other, wierd or science fantasy. Which brings me to the short
answer:
No, I didn't have working gunpowder nor did I contemplate having gunpowder weapons in the campaign.
See my next reply for the answer to a seeming anomaly in my response ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Bregh
Didn't Don Kaye's PC Murlynd pack (and use) a pair of six-shooters?
Related to Col. H's question, then, how did Murlynd come by 'em (or, perhaps, how did he come to be in GH)?
Howdy!
The strange wands that Murlynd used made a loud noise and delivered a
damaging missile, but neither effect was due to gunpowder. These were
very rare magic items devised by Murlynds arcane understanding of
technology and how to make it function magically ;-)
The LA game has an Extraordinary Item known as
Kaydon's Thunderous Bolters,
each weapon having six charges that renew after a relatvely long period
of time. They are not gunpowder weapons, and exactly one pair exist in
my campaign after sever years of play involving about 20 different
players.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Thanks for the quick response, Gary! It's most appreciated. Another question: just for the sake of discussion, let's say you had
wanted to have gunpowder exist in a modern/future Greyhawk setting. Do
you have any thoughts on how it's existence would have come about, such
as who might've invented/manufatured it?
Another question, which I know has been addressed to some extent:
I know Vecna wasn't your creation (I forget whose it was). Did you ever
use the character as anything but the backstory for the Hand and Eye?
That is, did he ever make a "personal appearance" at some point? I never
thought much of the way Vecna was made a god by those who worked on
Greyhawk after you left. Had you ever contemplated making him a god? Or
was he always to remain a campaign "boogie man"? My own thoughts were to
bring him back along the lines of the ancient Acheron wizard in R.E.
Howard's "Hour of the Dragon" (if I am remembering correctly), and have
him come looking to collect him missing appendages. Any thoughts?
And, did you ever have any plans for Iuz's future?
Hi Colonel :-)
Faraer is correct about Vecna. I must admit I love the recent tales
about the "Head of Vecna," though. your thought regarding the use of
Vecna as a "boogy man" is excellent...providing the PCs have gained nis
eye and/or hand. Perhaps he's want to add a few of their appendages and
organs to his own repertorie in the process of gaining his own back.
As for Iuz, I surely did plan to keep him around as an arch-villain! the
players detested him, and would respond vigorously to anything having
to do with foiling his plans. I purposely made him full of hubris and
disliked by most other Evil entities too, so as to have him with a large
target on his back, despite which he would always survive and come back
with new machinations. Wastri is another figure I planned to use in
similar fashion.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joe123
Hello Gary, :-)
How important is the ability of �winging� an adventure? Particularly,
when players take actions the DM did not expect. Apparently, allowing
players true freedom in determining their PC�s action provides them a
better gaming experience. Is �railroading� something the DM should
strive to avoid. If so, then to what extent should the DM give freedom
to the players when they choose a course of action the DM may not have
accounted for?
thanks,
Joe123.
Joe123,
Noting your query, I went back a page and found your earlier post. Sorry, but I missed it somehow.
The opinions of some folks to the contrary, I have always "winged" most
adventures--the exceptions being play-tests of material in a ms. for a
module, and a few set-piece places I developed. All the outdoor
adventures I ran, and most of the dungeon crawls were half or more made
up on the spot.
When extemporizing, the GM must be prepared to handle all manner of
unexpected actions by the players. If they are foolish, I always invent
a number of opportunities for disaster. If the course taken is one
that is clever and innovative, I add in rewards.
Before a party goes off on a likley disasterous course I will try to
deter them from such action--wandering monsters have much usefulness in
this regard.
As for "railroading," there are some scenarios where a bit of that is
absolutely necessary to further the whole of the adventure. This is not
to say that an entire adventure should be linear and force the party
into a situation with a foregone conclusion. The use of a predetermined
outcome should be only to set up an interesting and challenging
scenario where the players are absolutely free to manage the outcome on
their own, that outcome offering penalties for wrong decisions, rewards
for correct ones, large rewards for innovation and creative solutions
;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
It
was probably missed because it was posed whilst Gary was answering
another question, thus ending up sandwiched between his answers. It's
happened once or twice to my own questions. :-)
Gary, I was wondering:
Have you ever Dungeon Mastered an adventure designed by someone else?
It came to me that I primarily know you as an author/DM or (rarely) a
player, but I wasn't sure of what experiences you have of DMing someone
else's material.
Cheers!
Howdy Merric :-)
Right you are. Somehow I missed Joe123's post, but its TCO now.
I have indeed DMed a fair number of adventures using other designers'
material. The SLAVE PITS series, for one, and another I used often for
quick pick-up games was the ABDUCTION OF GOOD KING DESPOT, one of my
favorite short scenarios.
Usually, though, players want to adventure in something I have created,
so I do a lot of winged adventures outdoors or in the old Castle
Greyhawk dungeons, or else use manuscript material I have on hand. To be
absolutely truthful, I usually create new material on the spot for my
own material that doesn't exactly follow what is written down, as
circumstances alter cases :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Poor forgotten Wastri, no one every gives him the respect he thinks he deserves :-)
He and a few of his minions gave one of my groups a run for it a few times.
Ken
Argh!
Forgetting "The Hopping Prophet" is an unforgivable thing guaranteed to bring doen a rain of toads!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Golem Joe
Oh
yeah, like current fans are going to pass on hardcover versions of the
books. I'm with Cimerians. 2005 can't get here fast enough. Now if I
could just finish that cryogenic chamber... ;-)
Evening Golem Joe :-)
Likely not, as having three hardbacks to replace five softcover books is
a good thing. However, nobody will feel pressured to do so, and can
picj up the hardbound volumes at their convenience, even wait until the
paperback books start to fall apart. the latter are very sturdy, and my
three-year-old copy is still in good shape despite frequent use,m some
pretty hard on the spine ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Perhaps it's time to start a part V Q&A thread, as this one seems to be getting rather large?
Yipe!
Eleven pages of this Q&A is indeed quite lengthy. If there's to be
more posed for my response I should think it a fine idea to begin Part V
of this thread... :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ArthurQ
Col_Pladoh, where do you think D&D will be 5-10 years from now?
20?
That calls for some powerful crystal ball reading, amigo!
I have no doubt that D&D will be around in 10 years time. How popular it is then is really something that depends on what
WotC and Hasbro do between now and then to make it what it will then be.
Right now nothing is being done to bring in new players, and if that
isn't rectified, I believe the audience will contract by some few
percent each year.
Competition from electroinic games is fierce, now capturing most of the young potential paper RPGers.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Jokamachi,
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Hey Gary,
I seem to remember reading that you enjoyed wargaming in the early days
before D&D, so I'm curious as to what kind of experience you have
with miniatures. How much effort did you and your friends put into
miniatures at that time? Did you paint them with great detail or were
they simply tokens for you to manipulate?
I played
military miniatures for many years--ancients, medieval, ECW,
Napoleonics, ACW, Victorian, and WW II to 1956. I personally had 40
mm pre-painted medieval figurines, a small contingent of Turkish 20
mm
troops, Brunswick Napoleonic figurines that I painted, and a large
number of US WW II men and AFVs, the latter including many conversions I
did.
In addition I planned and refereed many games in various periods. Our
WW Ii games would sometime last the whole weekend--about 20 hours of
playing time.
Finally, i had a sand table that we would spend hours preparing for a
game, so that the terrain and buildings, if any, looked great.
The spectacle added considerably to the enjoyment of the actual reason
for playing--the exercise of strategic and tactical ability.
Has that attitude changed? What about now? Do you still enjoy
incorporating minis into your campaigns? Is it much harder since
monsters have grown so fantastic in scope? How much attention/detail do
these minis receive from you?
Lastly, I'm curious if you've seen the new minis line from Wizards. It
has displayed a fair degree of success and seems to be pulling in
thousands upon thousands of new minis fans by the week. Do you think
that's good for the game (D&D)?
Sincerely, Jokamachi
I don't usually employ miniatures in my RPG play. We ceased that when we moved from CHAINMAIL Fantasy to D&D.
I have nothing against the use of miniatures, but they are generally
impractical for long and free-wheeling campaign play where the scene and
opponents can vary wildly in the course of but an hour.
The GW folks use them a lot, but they are fighting set-piece battles as is usual with miniatures gaming.
I don't believe that fantasy miniatures are good or bad for FRPGs in
general. If the GM sets up gaming sessions based on their use, the
resulting play is great from my standpoint. It is mainly a matter of
having the painted figures and a big tabletop to play on ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Oops!
I forgot to mention that I spent a lot of time painting and converting fantasy figures for the CHAINMAIL Fantasy game.
We also used to play Napoleonic and WW II naval miniatures a fair amount.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
WotC
are bringing out a new "Basic D&D" set out next year... hopefully
that will help bring people into role-playing, whichever system they
then choose to move to. :-)
Are you enjoying the preparing the Castle Zagyg project?
Cheers!
Howdy Merric :-)
If they make the new Basic D&D a proper introductory product and
puch it through mass-market outlets, it will indeed ba a boon!
As for the
Zagyg's Castle
project, laying the groundwork for the main part of the multi-release
series is demanding but quite enjoyable to me. I have been on hold for
about a month, though, awaiting the roster of monsters to be included in
the C&C rules. I'm not really complaining, though, as I have plenty
of other work to keep me occupied, and have used free time to go back
over the material I've written for the campaign-base module to detail
and polish it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hi Gary---
A friend loaned me a copy of "Victorian German Arms: an alternate
military history of world war two" by e. gary gygax & terry stafford
(Baltimore, MD: TK Graphics, 1973).
It's 76 pages long, about the size of the OD&D manuals (octavo), has
a lightweight, white card stock cover, with a German eagle facing
dexter with a wreathed swastica in it's claws, while the back cover only
has a swastica and the publisher's contact info.
Do you recall how many copies of this were printed? Did you used it in
conjunction with Tractics? Who's Terry Stafford (any relation to Greg
Stafford of RuneQuest fame)? Any other interesting tidbits?
As always, thanks :-D
Yuletide Greetings!
Grodog, you surely do manage to find some oldies. Next you'll be digging up my old "Baku" expansion for Avalon Hill's
Stalingrad board wargame, my first boardgame, the
Battle of Arsouf, or maybe the "Conanomacy" Dippy variant I did... :-o
Terry Stafford was the commander of the British Far East Squadron in the
Ad Hoc Committee for the Reinstitution of WW II, the game directed by a
group of wargamers at Standford U. back around 1962. I was living in
Chicago, met Terry through the International Federation of Wargaming (a
society I co-founded with Bill Speer and Scott Duncan, and Terry
Joined). Thus I became the commander of the Chinese Communist forces in
the short-lived WW Ii recreation (Don Kaye was commander to the
Nationalists, BTW). Anyway, Terry used to drop in during lunch hour when
I worked for Fireman's Fund Insurance Company in Chicago, and we'd talk
military history. One day we got onto the subject of alternate history
and decided to write one where the Germans won WW II. Between us we did
about 30 maps and the text you have in
Victorious German Arms.
Ted Pauls was an active SF fan in Baltimore, published a fanzine,
Kipple,
to which I subscribed--as did folks like L. Sprague de Camp and Jack
Chalker, then about as well-known as I was ;-) When Ted learned about
the ms. Terry and I had done he asked to publish it, and we agreed.
Sadly, the Good Mr. Pauls totally screwed it up, left out all the maps,
lost them to boot! I think he printed 2,000 copies of VGA, maybe it was
3,000, and to the best of my recollection, I think all Terry and I ever
received was a very small advance. My copies of that work are long lost.
About a year ago Lauren Wiseman from SJG emailed and inquired if we
would be interested in having SJG republish it. I got ahold of Terry,
and we both agreed it would be okay. that's the last I heard, so I
assume that Steve Jackson changed his mind.
Terry Stafford is not related to Greg. Intersetingly, though, Greg
Stafford was here in Lake Geneva for a time, a partner with another chap
here and running a metal casting business doing 30
mm
figurines. He left that enterprise about the time I moved back to Lake
Geneva from Chicago, so I never met Greg here. His former partner hit
is big with Bergamont Brass back in the 60s when large belt buckles were
in vogue, and that company is still operating and doing well, having
moved to Darien, Wisconsin where the rent is a lot lesds than spece in
this tourist town.
So there's a long response to a couple of short questions :-D
Holiday best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mirth
I don't really have anything to ask, I just wanted to say that I find all of this history fascinating. Thanks, Gary.
Also, I did have the pleasure of meeting you one summer in Atlanta at
DragonCon back in 1986 or 87 I think (when it was still a split affair
between the Atlanta Fantasy Fair & DragonCon), where you graciously
signed my OD&D box set and my 1st ed.
DMG. I pulled them off the shelf just now to see if the date was inside, but alas...
It was nice to meet you then and it's great to hear these stories now.
Play on,
Jay
Aloah, Mirth!
Glad to be supplying some enjoyment via this thread ;-)
I did enjoy the DragonCons I was at. Sorry I didn't date my
autograph...sometimes i do, sometimes I don't. Too bad about Ed, and
thus a fantasy yarn I wrote for a Fritz Leiber's Nehwon compilation
about Sheelba and Ningauble will never get published. I'ev misplaced my
ms. for it too, a 40K words yarn :rolleyes:
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Holiday Cheer, Jayaint!
Originally Posted by jayaint
Hi Col...
As someone who owned the red-box set, but never really got anything more
out of it than waxing in the numbers on the dice (hey, I was 7) and who
has only played casually and never been to Cons, fairs, etc... I just
wanted to say that I am always glued to these Q & A threads with
you.
Well darn! Why not break on through to the other
side, do some RPGing. then you'd have a great time at cons B-)
Pleased that you enjoy the Q&A threads, of course.
Two questions today:
1. Can you let us in on any more "secrets" about the origins of
different elements of GH? I really enjoyed learning, and have wow'ed
some of my friends by pointing out, that the GH map is Northern Ill,
Wisc. and Mich just turned like 270 degrees upside down.
Actually, most of the singular sinister attitude of mind
expressed in the original WoG work has been revealed--the names of
persons, places, and things drawn from actual persons or puns--although
the website dealing with that has a number of erroneous ones.
Maybe if you have specific questions I can supply something, though.
[/QUOTE]and 2. What do you think about stroytelling based games, like
interactive fiction, or Rpg's with less number crunching and dice
rolling? With your background, I have no idea whether those kinds of
games interest you at all.
Thanks for the great thread and the info.[/QUOTE]
"Storytelling" games are not RPGs. Neither are "diceless" games.
An RPG creates a story, does not follow a script. That's a play,
possibly improv theater. In a real RPG the GM develops a backstory and
plot, sets the scenes, and then the PCs interact with those and by their
actions create the actual tale, the events and conclusion of which are
indeterminate until that occurs.
As in real life, chance and random occurrances must be a part of an RPG
adventure. As a matter of fact you and I do not know what will happen in
the next minute. As is oft quoted, "There's many a slip between cup
and lip." to ignore random events, not allow chance into play, is to
consign the game to predestination. For example, the best golfer might
be stung by a bee at the moment he is about to make an easy putt, thus
miss it. Who knows when a tire will blow out? Can anyone predict with
certainty that a sudden gust of wind won't blow an obstructing object
onto a windshield? throw off the course of a missile?
Nuff said ;-)
Anyway, I am a gamer who will happily play just about any sort of game
given time and opportunity. I run a regular RPG campaign, play cards,
board, and table games now and then, but shun computer games as too
bloody addictive to me, for I am one who needs to be writing creatively
most of each day.
Welcome!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
I
was wondering about the cavalier class. He's pretty tough. You wrote a
good article on why you did what you did when designing the Barbarian
Class. I was wondering what your thoughts were when designing the
Cavalier sublcass.
Holiday Greetings, Mistere29,
the short answer is that I consider well-trained, aristocratic warriors
such as knights and samurai as having been very beadly fighting
machines. The Cavalier class was aimed at depicting a knightly warrior
of most able sort...and they were very tough indeed.
Hope that serves, but if not come on back.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hey, I've offered to fix the errors Gary if you just tell me what they are ;-)
I emailed the fellow who has the website, suggested a couple of
additions and corrections, and the response i received was a ho-hum one,
so I dropped the matter. After all, I know, and the rest is a matter
of no import to me :-D
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
So
they where supposed to be tougher, as long as they where role-played
according to archtype? Did anyone in your campaign play one?
Yes, we had a cavalier character in the Greyhawk Campaign, just about
every one of the classes in the rules, and the same for demi-human
characters. I once played a half-ord cleric-assassin, as a matter of
fact.
I was also thinking about weapon specialization. Did you use it in
your campaign. I ask because the way it was presented seemed kind of
half hearted. It was first presented in mixed topic "from the
sorcerror's scroll" in dragon. I always thought you might not have had
as much time to work on it before UA hit the printers.
Indeed, we played weapon specialization even before i wrote it up in
Dragon Magazine. By the time that article hit a couple of PCs in the campaign were doubly-specialized...
While i'm at it, have you ever played a game of d20. Not dm, mind you, but play in someone elses campaign.
I appolgize if i repeated questions, but i'm new to these boards
Oh, and i'm christian, you can say merry christmas. ;-)
I was a play-tester in of the working draft of the
Lost City of Gaxmoor
module written by my sons Ernie and Luke. I played in about a dozen or
so sessions that lasted an average of six hours each. I determined then
and there that I'd never DM the new D&D system.
As for "can," I think Political corectness is absolute crap, and I
freely speak my mind. If someone is offended, ah well... Life is rough,
and they'll get over it.
Happy Christmas,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dr Awkward
Gary,
This is Bill Walton from The Escapist (
www.theescapist.com) - I've spoken to you a couple of times before.
I've heard tell that you were called as an expert witness in a trial a
couple of years ago, and that the trial had some kind of connection with
gaming. Is there any truth to this, and if so, can you tell us
anything about it?
Thanks, and happy holidays!
- Bill
Yuletide Greetings, Bill!
What you mention is partially correct. I was indeed an expert witness
in regards a trial, but it was about the destruction by prison officials
of an inmate's property, 2E adventure modules he had written. He was
suing the prison for damages.
He won, but... Sadly, the award granted to him was the least the jury
could give. They had no respect for his creative efforts because he was a
felon.
That's all I can say.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Thanks
for the reply Gary. I hadn't seen this book before, and my friend will
be quite happy for the info on its provenance, I'm sure :-D
FWIW, it appears as if T-K Graphics is still in business today, doing
PR/promotional stickers, among other things. Do you think it would be
worth trying to contact them to try to find those maps? Coincidentally,
I'll be in NJ for the holidays, which is a short hop and skip down to
Baltimore...
Well, if you're referring to the site at
http://www.greyhawkonline.com/grodog/gh_anagrams.html
then that page is mine, and I'd be happy to fix any errors you've
discovered; if you found another site, I'd be happy to look it over for
more ideas for additions, too ;-)
Ho Allen!
Ted Pauls died some years back, so whomever is running TK Grpahics, it
isn't him ;-) Many years ago Ted told me he had lost the maps. thanks
anyway.
That is the website I was referring to, yes, and yes, I guess it was you that gave me the luke-warm response :-o
I'll be glad to check the material over again sometime later...when I
have some spare time. For example: Ayelerach is Mark Ratner's Paladin
PC. Bilarro is a name I conjured up out of thin air. Blemu Hills are
only cooncidently close to Blume, and no connectionwas meant. Bucknard
was another name I made up on the spot.
Christmas cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Further to Allen
Oops!
I forgot to post one that is rather glaring.
According to Dave Arneson the "Egg of Coot" was created from the name
"Gregg Scott," the chap who ran the MicroArmor casting company some
years back. Gregg dismissed fantasy games as childish and claimed
wargaming was "manly."
Coot indeed!
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Holiday Cheer :-)
Originally Posted by mistere29
How did you generate attributes in your games?
in 1972 we all rolled 3d6, but later when AD&D made the stats more
meaningful, players would keep rolling until they got more viable
numbers, so then we switched to various systems--roll seven or eight
times with 3d6 and keep the six best totals or roll d4d and throw out
the lowest die.
After all, the object of the game is to have fun, and weak PCs aren't
much fun for most players. Even fine role-players want characters with
at least one or two redeming stats...
Were you trying to up the power of the warrior classes in D&D.
Between WS and Full/Feild plate armor, fighters and cavaliers got a
pretty big got a pretty big boost. If so, why?
Absolutely so. Magic-users were very potent, so it was time to beef up the fighter class.
Anything specific that caused this decision. I know you don't want
to compare systems, but i don't think telling about your personell
experince in a D20 campaign is neccsarilly a comparsion.
Well, after being at RPG activity since 1972, I finally
realized something that should have been evident to me a couple of
decades ago. When I GM I prefer to "wing it" much of the time, and
ignore rules that get in the way of the flow of the adventure. The same
is true when I play a character, prefering to use logic and imagination
in preference to hunting up rules. In short, I do not like rules-heavy
systems. Rule-playing is worse than roll-playing. I can enjoy a good
deal of hack & slash, but even a bit of rules lawyering makes me
want to go and find something else to do.
Additionally, I find no soul in the new D&D game, no archetypes,
just seek and destroy play and too much of the comic book superhero in
characters.
It is no reflection on those who enjoy the game, just my personal taste that leads me elsewhere.
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hi Gary!
I was wondering if you are a gun owner/collector, do any hunting or
recreational shooting, etc? If so what is your favorite to shoot?
Heh, Flex'...
Guess my comment on Political Corectness pegged me, eh?
Yes I own a number of handguns and shoulder weapons. I got my first BB
pistol when I was about 10, a Daisy BB gun when I was 11, and my first
.22 rifle, a single-shot, bolt action Winchester for my 12th
birthday--thanks to my grandfather, for mother was not keen on that. I
loved plinking and hunting, and how badly I wanted a .25 lever action
carbine I used to gaze at in the local Gamble's store is difficult to
express in words. Never did get it. I did get a fine lemonwood bow made
by Bear Archery, though. It had only a 38-pound pull, so my range was
only about 120 yards with a hunting arrow.
However, over the next few years I did add several more .22 rifles, a
bolt-action, three shot Mossberg 16 gauge shotgun, a old single-barreled
12 gauge, and a .32 pistol. The rifles were used for squirrel, rabbit,
and varmint hunting, the shotguns for pheasants, ducks, and geese, and
the revolver for target shooting.
In later years I got rid of the old weapons, added a 7.62 Argentine
Mauser, a 30-30 carbine, and variuous other rifles, shotguns, and quite a
few handguns. Years later, when I used to get death threats because of
D&D I always had a .357, 9
mm,
or .45 caliber pistol handy. If those were too conspicuous, a little
.32, .25, or .22 derringer from Defender Arms was around. Sure glad I
didn't need to use them...
Damned if I ever did manage to line up a buck whitetail in my sights, but I tried a couple of times.
These days my leg injury keeps me pretty much out of what I used to love
to do--hike for miles with or without a firearm. One of the chaps in my
gaming group just returned from deer hunting, bagged a 10-point buck
:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
What about attribute requirements for classes. Did you hold your players to them?
But of course! Usually that meant the player with a specific class in
mind about to create a character would roll up quite a few before one
fit the bill, but that was considered part of the fun
Why just the fighter, or where the other classes getting beefed up too?
IMO
the other classes needed no strengthening. The fighter was played a
lot, and the class had turned out to be the weakest of the lot, lacking
anything potent to make it unique. So weapons specialization came into
the rules.
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Harry Holidays Merric :-)
Originally Posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
That's an interesting balance between the two - no rules and it's not a
RPG, too many rules and it turns into something which more resembles a
board-game or similar where imagination is hobbled by the minutae.
And of course, the point of balance is different for each person and group! :-)
Quite so. Of course the group might well enjoy a game that is an
exercise in amateur theatrics, or a combat simulatuon. that isn't in and
of itself anything to fault, but what they are engaging in isn't an
RPG, for the game form has more elements.
Gary - just wondering: have you had any chance to play in (rather than DM) a game in the past year? ;-)
Cheers!
Bah! One time only, and that for only a couple of hours. I
have fudged a bit and played an Avatar in my own LA game compaign. It is
an exercise in self-restraint and really allows little but combat
participation, so it isn't very satisfying.
During that same time period several persons who were going to come and run a game here have crapped out.
Of course when I am a guest an a convention there's really no time for
me to play. I am there to be seen, socialize, interact, speak and run
games for others.
A couple of years back son ALex and I attended a con in Milwaukee as
gamers only, played in an RPGA-run game of CoC. Alex's PC panicked and
ran off at the end, taking the skraelings off after him, so the rest of
us survived. I am pleased to say that the team voted me the best
role-player, and I aced a lot of the enemy characters too, including
their shaman, but my character ended up with a permanently gimpy leg
O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by diaglo
i
know i offered to run an OD&D at DragonCon which gary wasn't going
to make. he then mentioned going to Biloxi with Chris Clark to me. and
then bagged out on it. :-o
so i'm curious too.
As CoastCon came at the same time as
the GAMA trade show, Chris Clark had to cancel his appearance. As Chris
was my ride there, that sort of made my appearance impossible, eh?
[/QUOTE]are you saying people can't have fun playing the game as written?
i beg to differ. we did for 10+ years.[/QUOTE]
Before you bang you bang your drum too loudly, there are some gamers who
have played D&D since 1972, me amongst them :-D That said, yes, I
am saying that the majority of gamers were looking for more in their
PCs than was developed by the regular 3d6 stat rolls taken in order.
This is especially true when AD&D was published and all of the stats
were given more weight.
But...as a matter of fact I have DMed OD&D, the three-booklet really
original version, at a dozen cons over the past few years. I have
players roll 3d6, record the scores in order. and play the characters as
developed thus. I do modify the rules in regards HPs, have any 1
rolled count as a 2. We have a great time. Of course that's mainly due
to nostalgia on the players' part, and I do my best to make the dungeon
crawl exciting and unusual--encounters such as those with my Old Guard
kobolds.
That your group played OD&D and enjoyed it for 10 years is great,
and I am honored to have written a game that brought all of you so much
entertainment, Diaglo. Clearly you and your associates are excellent
role-players, and the campaign was undoubtedly very well developed and
well-DMed. I know that there are many RPGers still playing OD&D, and
also OAD&D, That aside, a great number of gamers wanted more, and
the success of
3E indicates that change is welcomed still. if it is for the better.
Beside all that, I am an inveterate game designer, and that means I am compelled to ever-tinker with rules :rolleyes:
Holiday best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by diaglo
i
refereed OD&D, not DMed. ;-) i'm still miffed at you for coming
out with Advanced. my players revolted and i had to include some of the
rules from those books to placate them. i never did adopt the other
means of rolling tho from the UA.
i don't punish you for tinkering. but have pity on us little guys. ;-)
Holiday Cheer, Diaglo :-)
I stand corected. Indeed, you refereed OD&D.
Believe me, I know very well that without all the "little guys" I'd be
nowhere, so I have no airs or inflated opinion about myself. While it is
the nature of my thinking to look for different ways to accomplish a
desired end, there was a lot of instigation from my many players to do
that with OD&D. J. Eric Holmes pushed hard for a revision, the Basic
Set rules, so I agreed. When I got his ms. it seemed a good plan to
add in a few of the new rules I was in process of writing for AD&D
;-)
The variations on rolling dice for characters came from me, mainly
because i was weary of watching players roll dozens of times in order to
come up with a set of stats they wanted.
It seemed a logical thing to do, as with allowing the scores to be
ordered as the player desired so as to arrive at stats for a PC they
wanted to play B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
How
much of the changes between the original dragon articals and the final
print version of UA was your doing. A couple changes in noticed.
Happy New Year!
What you are asking is that I recall relative minutia from about 20
years ago. Add to that the fact that I was back from running D&D
Entertainment because TSR was in grave financial trouble. At the same
time that I instructed thet my
Dragon magazine articles be compiled into a work I named
Unearthed Arcana, I was dealing with a bank that was ready to shut the company down. Meantime I was fending off idiotic ideas. For example:
The head of sales and marketing was ready to kill the RPGA to save a few
thousand dollars. I saw to it that he was dismissed. The three outside
members of the board of directors were considering selling
Dragon
magazine, at that time the only part of the company that was showing a
profit. Meanwhile, I was working with an outside investment group
willing to acquire TSR--the only answer that the foolish outside
directors thougtht possible in regards saving TSR from bankruptcy. Their
audit was uncovering gross mismanagement, and I had to work through
that, cleaning up the mess with a pro tem CEO the board put in place, a
fellow who knew nothing about hobby gaming, let alone TSR.
So the points you raise: I recall editing the compiled ms. for the UA
book, but what changes I put in and which were done by others i can not
say.
Because of severe time constraints I put Francois Marcela Froideval and Zeb Cook onto the
Oriental Adventures
book project. Although I had planned to co-write that work with
Francois, TSR needed is immediately after UA was published so as to
continue the positive cash flow from product sales. Zeb took it upon
himself to delete much of Francois' material in favor of his own--which I
found inferior. By the time the ms. hit my desk it was too late for me
to rectify that. In all, the OA work was done according to my outline
and overall direction, but the end product was not what I had envisaged
or anywhere close to what I would have designed. Were TSR not at a
desperate pass, I'd have placed Francois in charge of the project and
had it re-written.
So Cook's work in OA was evident, yes, and as he was mainly responsible
for 2E, a product that lost about 50% of the AD&D audience, your
observation is accurate.
As an aside, the publication of the two new books was sufficient to
bring TSR out of the red, what with the internal measures taken to
reduce waste and expense. With that evident, I sent the investment group
packing, and told the three outside directors they were history as soon
as I could manage that. That was a mistake. I should have dissembled,
and not allowed my ire to be evident.
It is generally impossible to manage a large company and devote any considerable amount of time to creative work.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Vigilance
Gary,
I just wanted to say that I ran the original Temple of Elemental Evil
less than three months ago, and still find it, along with Isle of the
Ape, in my top two D&D modules.
And the village of Hommlet is actually my favorite part of the module.
It reminds me of the European towns my father visited during and after
WWII. All that old world charm, but with steel and hidden weapons
underneath.
I really think no one has ever mastered the art of writing a D&D
module like you, and I wanted to thank you for countless hours of
enjoyment from them alone.
Chuck
Thanks Chuck :-)
About all I can say is that I do love gaming, and likely that shows in my writing of adventure material.
When I write a module I immerse myself into the setting, imagine the
players' characters interacting with the environment and the encounters,
try to anticipate what they will do--the clever and the foolish. To be
frank, I find writing modules a lot of work, but it is really fun, much
like actually playing the adventure with a character.
Anyway, I am glad you have had so much enjoyment from my designs, and I
hope that you'll find some of my more recent efforts good fun too ;-)
Happy New Year,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by med stud
Hi Gary (and merry christmas and happy new year!!)
I was wondering something about the names of Erythnul and Nerull;
Erythno means red or something like that in latin or greek, and nero
means black. Did you name Erythnull and Nerull with that in mind?
Yuletide Greetings, Med Stud,
You are on target with the above. Erythnul was conceived of a bloody, Nerull as dark and against life.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
Well
what versions of the material do you use in your AD&D games today.
That's what i was really interested in. Or do you play mostly LA now?
Thanks for all the info.
Right-o!
My regular campaign for the last six years has been a
Lejendary Adventure
game one. When I DM OAD&D I will use the UA material is the
players are up for that, otherwise not. I have never played the OA
material as written, but I have played in a game run by Francois using
his Oriental rules. In fact I returned a thick folder of his Far East
material to him on a visit to France back in the late 90s.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gez
Of the Origin of Species...
I thought it had been asked previously, but haven't found it in the archive.
What's the origin of the beholder?
Howdy Gez,
I do believe that the question has been asked and answered previously, but it's not a problem to respond again.
Terry Kuntz, one of Rob's brothers, came up with the beholder back in
1974. All I needed to do was a bit of editing to make it a great
addition to the terrible monsters to be found in the D&D game.
Happy New Year,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Whisperfoot
Gary,
I write this not as a freelance game designer of any accomplishment, but
as a lowly fanboy who has enjoyed your work for the past 20 years, so
please don't take offense to my questions.
New Year's Greetings,
IMO any gamer worth his salt is a fanboy of someone. As I have stated often I sure was. shows enthusiasm and dedication :-D
I know your opinion of 3rd edition is that it is overly complicated
with too many things that are too rigidly defined. How do you reconcile
that with the fact that Mythus, a game of your creation, must be one of
the most complicated collections of RPG rules ever committed to paper
and ink? Granted, Lejendary Adventures is a much simpler system, but I
am curious what your thoughts are on this.
Indeed, I wrote the DJ
Mythus
game as a varitable encyclopadia of rules, but the Journey Master was
free to strip the system down to a bare framework, add on those parts
desired, while the expurgated rules played as well as the delux version
with all the bells and whistles. Getting the system to work like that
was a challenge. When I turned over the mss. for the core rules to GDW, I
urged that the
Mythus Prime
book be done first so as to demonstrate that the base system was fairly
simple. When GDW finally published the introductory rules sales really
jumped.
The
Lejendary Adventure system is the rules-light refinement of the concept, and it is as adaptable to rules additions as was
Mythus Prime, only I don't plan to provide complexities and complications, because I don't like to GM or play such games.
Along similar lines, why was the Mythus Bestiary mostly a collection
of animals? Wouldn't the game have been better served by catalog
monsters? When I first purchased that book, I was under the impression
that you intended the primary non-human adversareis to be monsters, but
then the number of monsters in Necropolis clearly challenged that
assumption.
There was the
Phaerie Bestiary
in progress, that work by Dave and Michelle Newton, with some creative
input from me, that was meant to cover all of the fantastic monsters and
races. I believe that the draft of that work was available online at
the DJ fan website for a while, although I can't swear to it. The same
is true for the horror rules
Unhallowed, and perhaps the fantasy science ones,
Chaos Changling.
Necropolis and Epic of Aerth were both excellent books, by the way. I
was able to use the Epic of Aerth for an AD&D campaign somewhere in
the mid-90s, and I'm extremely happy that Necropolis has been converted
to D20. I'm still waiting for the right opportunity to use it, though
I'm sure that Hall of Many Panes (I think is what you're calling it) may
knock that out of immediate contention..
Thanks kindly. I spend an inordinate amount of time researching information for the
Epic of Aerth world setting, and
Necroplois was a like labor of love--a campaign setting with the main dungeon adventure one that was as deadly as the old ToH...
The
Hall of Many Panes is a very different sort of module from
Necropolis,
it being a self-contained mini-campaign where the participants are
committed to long-term adventuring in order to complete the quest and
escape the pocket cosmos. Of course I provide the group with a way out
of it is too much, but veteran gamers are not going to be quitters, and
the range of challenges in the module cover the whole gamut of the game
form, with plenty of exploration and combat because those are the most
popular elements.
In summation, the two modules are quite different, and i hope you'll have much entertainment with both!
Thank you for taking the time to grace these forums with your presence! I wish you well in 2004.
Welcome, and rest assured I am happy to be here with fellow
gamers...even if so far I am the only one in the whole group age 60 and
older :rolleyes:
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
What ever happened to DJ. I heard that tsr got the right's in a lawsuit or something like that.
In between leaving tsr and creating LA what was your system of choice
gary? Did you still play alot of AD&D or did you switch over to DJ?
Fact is that when I separated from TSR I began work immediately on a
horror RPG--played the developing system. A chap named Mike McCulley
joined me in the design, and that game was ready for publication before
Mythus
was. About that time, though, NEC and JVC got interested in the
system, asked for a fantasy game, so that's when I rounded up Dave
Newton so as to get
Mythus complewted on the time table they asked for.
When the new FRPG was introduced at the GTS, a lawsuit was filed by TSR,
they claiming it violated the copyright of A/D&D. Quite a stretch
that, but only a judge intimately familiar with RPGs would know that and
dismiss it. So what followed was a long period of discovery and
depositions that ran up a huge lawyers' bill--far more on the TSR end
than on ours, four to one is likely. Eventually the suit was settled.
TSR paid us a very large sum and they got all the rights to the DJ
system and
Mythus.
I suggested to TSR (Lorraine Williams) that the next time I wrote a new
RPG they just offer me $1 million for the rights to it, thus saving at
least that much money.
Immediately after the settlement, I began working on CRPG designs, and
that led me in a couple of years to the development of the
Lejendary Adventure game system.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Silver Moon
Hello Col_Pladoh,
A "Boot Hill" question for you. In the first Dungeon Masters Guide
there are guidelines for Boot Hill/AD&D crossover games. My
question is, Did you or Buckshot Blume ever play or DM one? I ask
because my group is currently playing our third module in a D&D/Boot
Hill hybrid campaign and we are having a great time with it.
Well, Pilgrim...
The short answer is no. While we did some testing to see that the
suggestions actually worked all right, we never did get to a real
campaign. That was due to Brian being involved in other things and not
having time to devise the basis for a mixed D&D-BH setting.
I really like the idea of mixing magic and Wild West play, and it is
great to learn you and your group have done it and are enjoying the
result :-) I don't know if this is the proper form for a recounting of
your campaign, but I'd sure like to hear more! Maybe an email to me at
[email protected] if you have time and inclination.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by redwing00
Gary-
I'm not quite sure if this question has been asked before as it seems
to be a fairly simple one, but how did you pick the races for D&D?
In 1ed only dwarves, elves, "hobbits", and humans were PC races. I'm
guessing this was drawn from LotR. But in 2ed gnomes came in. What
source did you draw these creatures from.
Howdy!
Fact is that dwarves and elves came from mythology and folklore, the
hobbit from JRRT's work. That mix was selected to attract readers of the
"Rings Trilogy," of course. Later on I added gnomes to D&D to
broaden the choices for non-human PCs, as I did in AD&D. This was
done because a number of players, myself included, were tired of having
so many dwarves, elves, and halflings in the group of adventurers. In my
campaign a party of 12 would have three front rank halflings, a second
rank of dwarves, elves in the third rank, and the fourth rank the
humans--mainly magic-users and clerics.
Cheers,
Gary
'
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Whitey
Let's
rewind time to 1986 - I was eight years old at the time. My friend's
older brother was playing D&D [Palace of Silver Princes,
IIRC]
and I've been fascinated ever since. Thanks for fifteen + years of
entertainment, and for your contributions to the RPG community as a
whole. I have just one question to pose here, out of the thousands
that've come up since then, and have been the root of great RP
experiences - it's a tricky epistemological one, and may not have a
simple answer. Do evil Outsiders or creatures listed as 'always evil'
think of themselves as doing wrong? Or do they think everyone else is
being naive or weak? I suppose Good subtyped beings raise a similar
issue.
Thanks again,
Whitey
Salut!
Semantics can be a problem. "Outsiders" is a prooblem term with me, as I
don't think it appropos in describing creatures and entities of unusual
sort. Ah well, that aside, semantics is a problem in regards to
defining "evil" and "wrong."
In my view those wholly evil creatures are malign and purposefully
wicked. To their way of thinking, "wrong" is desirable, mainly when they
are doing it to others, not being done themselves. Of course they
consider all others not of the same mindset as naive, weak, foolish, and
gullible. "Wrong" is subjective, something the non-evil creatures have
invented, and a weakness connected to conscience, something the evil
ones do not have.
A W.C. Fields line is a working axiom for evil: "Never give a sucker an even break."
That's how I see it ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
Gary, i didn't know you worked in the CRPG field. What games did you work own.
Did you ever play much DJ before you created LA, or did you kind of give up on it when TSR got the rights?
There was a DJ/Mythus CRPG being done by NEC-JVC that I was inputing
on, and had written a comic book introduction for. that was killed when
TSR files its bogus lawsuit. I then did about 30 computer game
proposals, two got optioned and were going forward. The first was killed
by us when new management demanded contract changes that were
impossible. The second was axed when the developer was sold off. That
is when I returned to paper RPGs.
The development of the DJ game system went on for about five years.
During that time I played the horror game for about two years and the
fantasy game for about the same period. It got so that I could turn out a
dozen completed Heroic Personas in a day's time ;-) When we took TSR's
settlement money I did indeed cease playing the DJ system and begin on
new ones for the CRPGs. As I mentioned, that exercise convinced me that
I really preferred a rules-light system with skill-bundles, so the LA
game system was born.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
What's up with
www.egarygygax.com. You got the new domain name but no content was ever moved to the site?
When the old URL was lost to pirates we set up the new one,
www.egarygygax.com but...
I am so busy I haven't the time to devote to the new website, and so it
has languished. There is a willing webmaster, but there's no chance I
can spend much time and effort on the project, so it is in limbo
awaiting something of a response from me. I guess I'd better see about
getting something simple up and maybe a blogging section...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
Gary,
I would like to know something. Rewinding back to 1986 as well (when I
was 12 and I got the basic set), I noticed that you could explore gothic
horror themes with the selection of monsters in D&D. In other
words, some of the monsters are clearly associated with horror (Golems,
vampires, zombies, ghouls, lycanthropes like the Loupe Garou). So it is
possible to play D&D with a high horror bent. Did you think about
this when you put D&D together?
Indeed I did, Sir
Elton. As a longtoime fan of HPL and the horror genre, I included it in
the broad basis for play. This was picked up well by another designer
in the
Ravenloft modules, too ;-)
As a DM I did only one pure horror adventure, one where the PCs were
young Boy Scouts who were lost, came upon a deserted mansion out in the
country. The players had a great time, and Jim Ward then asked my
permission to use the general theme for
The Mansion of the Mad Dr. Ludlow, that being given gladly.
I'd have done more, but there were so many things to deal with that I
vener got the chance. That's why the original genre for the
Dangerous Journeys RPG system was horror,
Unhallowed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
Gary, i read in an old interview
"by creating the village of Hommlet and the temple [sic] of Elemental
Evil to test some ideas I had about random dungeons, and outdoor terrain
so forth."
Could you eleaborate a bit on this. Was the pre-Metzner draft largely designed by the random tables in the
dmg?
Howdy!
The village and main temple areas were carefully mapped before I began
adventure sessions in the area. The random generation was used mainly
in developing the land around the village and some of the side areas
surrounding the main rooms I had done for the temple dungeons.
As a side note, the random tables worked quite well, but they took too
long. I found that it was easier and quicker for me to just bash ahead
as usual and put in whatever I liked at the moment.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Gary, another question from TSR's early days for you.
In the original, separate editions of the Dungeon Geomorphs and the
Outdoor Geomorphs--Walled City, you provided some wonderful examples of
dungeon- and city-based encounters (tricks, traps, monsters, city
businesses and NPCs, etc.). These were all later dropped from the
collected edition of the Dungeon Geomorphs (product 9048, with the red
kid-in-the-candystore cover illustration as he populates his dungeon),
and the Outdoor Geomorphs were never collected/reprinted (possibly
because of low sales/interest?).
Was the material you included in the original geomorphs all drawn from
the Greyhawk campaign? The Walled City mentions the Lake of Unknown
Depths, so that seems a sure fit, but what about the dungeon geomorph
encounters? Also, do you know why your original material from the
separate geomorph sets was not included with the reprint?
Thanks again, as always :-D
When it was apparent to me
that the players would appreciate some assistance in design, the
geomorphs, I simply sat down and drew (and wrote) up the material. I
used some familiar names, but none of the material I did was taken from
anything other than my imagination at the time.
The decision to include what was in the reprint was not in my perview,
so I can't say why Brian or Kevin did as they did. As I recall, I wasn't
receiving any royalties for the geomorphs, so I don't remember sales
figures, but at least initially all the sets did quite well. shops
wanted higher price points and fewer SKUs, though. and thus the form of
the reprinted material.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gordonknox
Hello Mr. Gygax,
I would just like to get your opinion on the "L" series of 1st edition
modules. I really enjoy them, even the lost L3. Did you play in these
campaigns?
Also, have you heard anything on the revamping and resurrection of L4 and L5?
Thank you,
gk
Feel free to address me as Gary if you like.
That said, I am not able to give you a cogent response, as I never DMed the L series, played a PC in only one or two of them.
As you might expect, my main DMing efforts were always centered around
the World of Greyhawk and the various dungeon areas set by me therein so
as to both serve my group and keep on supplying module material.
Writing adventure modules has always been a demanding task to me, unlike
winging like material for active players, putting it on paper is a
chore. Coming up with new and different things, not having one module
like any of the others (I hope) means a lot of extra time and effort.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Hello Gary!
How is HALL OF MANY PANES coming along? When can we expect to walk into
our local game store and be blown away by seeing this grand-daddy of all
adventures on the shelf?
I can't think of a better time to start a Lejendary Adventure campaign!
BTW, how closely is HALL OF MANY PANES going to be tied into the
Lejendary Earth? Will it be easy to use in a homemade campaign setting?
Geoffrey, funny you should ask that just now. I have the 500+ page final manuscript for the
Hall of Many Panes
even now, and am about 150 pp. into its final check and minor edit.
I'll be turning it back to the Trolls in a few weeks, and meantime they
are lining up the interior art, the cover being set.
I am told the product will be launched at Origins (or if it slips possibly GenCon).
The module begins on virtually any world, but it subsumes the pantheons
active on the Lejendary Earth world--mainly the Celtic, but also the
Egyptian. Otherwise, most of the actual play activity takes place in an
off-world location, so placement isn't a problem.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by redwing00
I'm
sorry to bring back up a question I've already asked, but i'm still a
little curious. You answered WHY you put gnomes into the game, but I'm
just wondering WHERE you got them. I know there are gnomes all
throughout mythology, but each description varies from culture to
culture. Did you take the gnome from one particular culture or combine
traits from each culture? Why do you think gnomes would have appealed to
gamers (when you introduced them, since there are already to "short"
races: dwarves and halflings)
another question: you answered in my previous question that dwarves and
elves came from myth and folklore. Again, each description varies by
culture. Which did you draw from? I'm assuming Norse, but I'm not quite
sure.
Thank you Gary!
Happy to respond, Redwing00 :-)
Gnomes in myth were created as one of the four elementals, that of
earth. I took what I recalled from fairy tales and folklore about mine
spirits to create a unique race for the D&D game. Yes, there were
already halflings and dwarves, but i made the gnomes sufficiently
different so as to allow another choice for character race. I have used
it in a PC, he being a gnome illusionist-thief.
Inspiration for the D&D dwarves came from the Norse mythology,
legends, and fairy tales. Elves came mainly from folklore and fairy
tales.
I have read all the Andrew Lang (various colors in the titles) save the
Yellow Book of Fairy Tales, Andersen, and Brothers Grimm fairy tales as
well as many a book on folklore and legends.
Halflings were mainly drawn from JRRT's fiction, of course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by talinthas
hey
gary, i've always wanted to know this- Why did you release the 1st
edition AD&D monster manual before the other two books?
I decided to create the
MM
as the initial part of the new AD&D system because it would be
usable by all the D&D players, and the entry information in the book
would whet appetites for the new rules. It was also the easiest one to
put together, since I had been doing penciled-in new system stat sheets
for all the old monsters, as well as writing up a lot of new ones. I had
a box in my office, and I'd toss the rough stat sheets into it each
day. Mike Carr would collect them and type them up--or have someone
else do it, so in no time at all there was sufficient material for the
MM even as I was developing the whole of the material for the system, beginning on the PHB.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Thanks for the replies on the geomorphs, Gary.
FYI, some folks are talking about Fritz Leiber and his rumored
involvement with ghost-writing D&D rules and running D&D games
over at
Thieves' World/Lankhmar - why do you like them? IIRC,
Fritz and Harry designed the 1975 TSR Lankhmar boardgame, but I've
never heard that either played D&D or helped to write the rules....
Welcome Allan :-)
Thanks for your heads up on regards to Fritz. I went on over to that
thread and posted a couple of messages to set thhings straight. You are
correct, of course, about Fritz and Harry not being RPGers, not doing
any rules writing. Rumors surely do become odd over time...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Manzanita
I
think it's great that your sons Ernie and Luke became active in the
games you created. I'm curious if your daughters ever played. If not, I
wonder if you have any thoughts on that.
By the way, Grodog, when are you going to update your CY175 campaign log on your website?
Thanks
Grant
Well Darn!
Here i thought that most everybody knew that the first two play-testers
for the D&D game were my son Ernie and my daughter Elise. They
played the first dungeon adventurte, were joined the next day by Don
Kaye and Rob Kuntz.
Elise played for a few months, then lost interest. Her younger sisters,
Heidi and Cindy, got into D&D later on. those two used to make Luke
DM for them when he was very young, tell him what treasure that they
found. When he complained to me about that I set him straight, and
shortly after that his sisters quit playing, the greedy power gamers
:-D
As I have often said, I am a biological determinist, and there is no
question that male and female brains are different. It is apparent to
me that by and large females do not derrive the same inner satisfaction
from playing games as a hobby that males do. It isn't that females can't
play games well, it is just that it isn't a compelling activity to them
as is the case for males.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Bob the Reaver
Hello Gary,
Please excuse me if this question has been asked before.
I was wondering about your apperance on the Futurerama television show. I
was very excited to see your likeness on this exellent comedy. I guess I
was wondering about whether or not you had a chance to meet any of your
co stars during the recording. Al Gore Mr Hawkings etc.
A few days ago I belive I read somewhere that Dnd spawned a billion
dollar buisness (the Rpg industry in the past 25 years?). We owe alot to
you Mr. Gygax. I live and breathe the fantasy of imagination's. I
belive it all started with my first set of dnd books. Thank you very
much.
I wish...
The fact is that although I urged the producers of the
Futurama
Show to give me a larger part, make me a regular on the program, and in
any case fly me out to the West Coast, it was in vain. I got the script
and then spoke my lines over a clean telephone line from Milwaukee :-(
Thus I met no one in person--although David X. Cohen and I did spend a
fair bit of time chatting before it was time for me to be recorded
speaking my part.
I had to do a second recodding session a couple of weeks after the
initial one, a new script being furnished because Davic Duchovney was
out of the episode and VP Al Gore replacing him in the role of team
leader. That actually got me a couple of extra lines too :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Melan
Greetings!
Gary, how did TSR release the Empire of the Petal Throne game? Was it
solely M.A.R. Barker's creation (which seems to be my guess - it is too
well edited for a TSR product of that age. :-D ), or did TSR do most
of the rules? Also, what do you think about the system therein as an
alternative approach to OD&D?
Howdy :-)
When Phil Barker got ahold of D&D he realized the system was perfect
for use in expressing a game based on his fantasy world creation,
Tekumel. Phil lifted large sections of the D&D game and was planning
on publishing, but I heard about it and put the breaks onto that. I
informed him that if TSR was the publisher, fine, otherwise, he had
better devise new rules. The Good Professor was happy to agree,so we did
a deluxe RPG, the EPT game that all the guys at TSR really loved.
You are right about the ms. Phil sent it in, and it was near perfect--same with his
War of Wizards game. Those mss. made us very happy, of course B-)
As for the EPT system, I really liked it for Tekumel, but we never
adopted it for our regular fantasy adventuring. As it's been a coulple
of decades since last I played it, more I can't venture.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Bregh
Hey, Gary :-D !
I come bearing a question re: the mechanics and cosmology of the planes
in OAD&D, specifically with regard to how the manner in which
they've been treated by divers designers in numerous products.
[snippage]
My question is this, was this eventual development of the planes,
mechanically and descriptively, in concert with what you envisioned (in
terms of play and setting), or is it the end result of several smiths
distilling a brew, which, while palatable and enjoyed by many, is
ultimately not what "your recipe" called for?
(I believe I know your answer to this, likely from some other board in
time and space, but I ask it again in order to have clarification for
several here who seem interested. Also, I've tried to avoid "leading"
you one way or another. :-# )
As always, your time and answers are most appreciated.
--B
If you assumed that the majority of the resulting
planar material was not what I envisaged, you are on the money. Treating
the many planes named in the
DMG
would be a long and demanding task, and it is one I never got to.
About the closest to an extensive treatment of any one of them other
than the PMP is what I wrote about the Abyss in the Gord yarns.
Skip Williams and I put together extensive notes for a treatment of the
Plane of Shadow, but that never got past the preliminary stage because
of my separation from TSR at the end of 1985.
That's about all I can say, other that I do hope to include a generic
treatment of the cosmos in the Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds reference book
series, but I hope to advise only, not author it, as right now I have
overtwo years of work on other projects that needs be done ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mattcolville
Gary-
Hello! First, on behalf of myself and everyone in my game group, I want
to thank for you your inestimable contribution to the creation of the
hobby we all love. I sometimes like to think we're playing the
game...even this new version...the way you did/would now. I genuinely
feel, perhaps delusionally, that the spirit of the games you played is
transmitted via tradition and convention play and rulebooks and articles
over the years to us.
Howdy Matt,
Welcome, and rest assured I've enjoyed myself a great deal in the process.
My only question for the moment involves the classes in 1st ed.
AD&D and their inspiration. In many discussions about design, I've
referenced those classes and said "If there had never been Aragorn,
there would be no Ranger." Ditto the Thief with the Grey Mouser. It's
presumptuous of me to say such a thing, especially considering you're
right here and I can just ask you. :-) To what extent were the
original classes inspired by/modeled on specific characters?
The Ranger class was originally devised by Joe Fischer, then a
regular in my D&D game group. I published his initial treatment of
the class in
The Strategic Review,
thereafter revised it and included it in the core game rules. Of course
it is apparent that Joe based the class on JRRT's work and Aragorn.
Likely a forester of some sort would have been created at some point,
but it would have been quite different from the Ranger as it appeared.
certainly.
The Thief was based on Jack of Shadows (Zelazny) and Cugel (Vance) with a
touch of REH's Conan, rather than solely on the Gray Mouser. Mouser was
too good a swordsman to serve as the pure model.
What was done was tobuild game characters based on broad archetypes, and
where there were strong fictitional characters of the archtypical sort,
use them as central models.
Ok, I lied, I have another question.
To what extent, if any, would you say politics and war played a role in
your games? My first experiences with D&D were in a Greyhawk game
modeled closely after Glen Cook's Black Company series and I've always
felt A: that Greyhawk was very much a realm in which political realities
could play a part and B: it fit well with the tone of the Black Company
books, of which I do not know if you are aware.
After 20 years of no good mass combat/realm management solution for
D&D apart from things we kitbashed together, I participated in the
core design of such a product, recently released for 3.0/3.5. Did you
have a need for such a thing and, if so, how did you resolve such
issues? Your characters obviously became powerful and influential, some
were landed nobles, yes? How did they rule their realms?
Thanks for your generosity in these threads.
In general the player group in my campaign were not much
interested in politics and warfare. When I played, my PCs I was always
meddling in politics and had a large army, so some warfare was played
out with Rob as the DM. The lands rules by my PCs, that is Mordenkainen
and his followers, were gained by his formation of a raiding force, that
being developed into a standing army. It was supported initially by
raiding and pillaging opponents, then by the resources of the territory
gained by military action. As it was mainly against aggressive humanoid
forces and nomadic raiders, the settled states around his holdings were
happy to support and trade with the newly formed political entity.
Greyhawk was set up to enable both political play and large-scale
warfare; and I agree that Glen Cook's "Black Company" is a good
reference for including such considerations in a campaign. I made a
stab at mass combat with
Swords & Spells, but I believe its system was too abstract for most D&Ders who were not inculcated in large-scale military miniatures play.
As I don't play new D&D I can't comment on the current efforts to provide rules for such warfare.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mirth
:-o I for one would LOVE to see this, Gary. Any possibility of
contacting Skip and tweaking this enough to release under d20 or
OGL? (That assumes that the material is still around and both of you are even interested, of course :-D )
Jay
Well, Jay...
The notes are still in a file somewhere in the basement here, anbd they
can be found, wife Gail assures me. However, in regards to Skip, he
seems uninclined to go forward. I proposed we do that back around 1996,
and at that time he declined. Since then I've heard nothing from him. Of
course I could go ahead and develop the material on my own, but there
is a co-mingling of ideas, so Skip would have a half interest in it. As I
have plenty of other work, I'm not about to do all the design and share
payments with him without his equal input ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
A
while ago, you tried to convince wizards to release the OAD&D
material alondside the new stuff. Kind of like a collectors edition.
Since wizards had new managment now, did you ever try to pitch the idea
again.
Wizards has licensed out the OAD&D system to
Kenzer, so they won't be publishing anything using it. Even if they did,
though, the same problem of co-mingling of ideas exists.
If Skip were to contact me now and say he wanted to go forward, my writing schedule is filled for the next two or so years.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Piratecat
Interesting.
Not to go off on a tangent, but to what extent do you find that rules
drive an adventure design? I'm curious what sort of challenges you're
facing as you match up creative thinking with mandated rules.
Howdy Piratecat :-)
The rules determine what can and can not be done, how things operate
when an the characters interact with the environment. Thus while some
rules are necessary to give form to the material being written, the
fewer the better as far as I am concerned. Having few rules means more
creative freedom, the ability to be inventive in devising new and
interesting places, persons, creatures, and things. It's a matter of
being free to think and design outside the box, if you will. Where rules
are extensive, creating new material for an adventure becomes more
burdensome too, of course.
This is why I have come to regard less as more, and prefer a rules-light system ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary,
I know that Bigby the Mage started out as an apprentice to Mordenkainen
(after, I have heard, being captured by Mordy!). I was wondering, were
there ever any other PC mages that had dealing either with their former
masters or who acquired any apprentices of their own and did these
interactions ever have repercussions in your campaign? I'd be interested
to know if Tenser, Otto or Drawmij (aka Bombadil) ever undertook any
quests for their former mentors, or sent their apprentices on any such
quests.
Thanks! (And I cannot wait for Zagyg's Castle, btw!),
Gray Mouser
(Frustrated Mage but adept thief and swordsman :-)
Hi Mauser,
To the best of my recollection, Mordenkainen was the only PC that made a
habit of capturing and enlisting NPCs in my campaign. Tenser, Otto, et
al. were PCs created by their respective players. I must say that Mordie
was most assiduous in his fair treatment of Bigby, supplying him with
much in the way of magical rewards, treating him as an equal, and
sharing fairly with him, thus winning his loyalty--helped by
Mordenkainen's high Charisma score certainly.
As an aside, when Jim Ward was playing his elf PC, that worthy read a
curse scroll, and as luck would have it the destination for his
transferrence was the
Starship Warden.
The Vigilists discovered the "mutant" newcomer, enlisted him in their
ranks, and requisitioned his Fireball Wand. that device became the most
potent weapon in the group's arsenal. Meantime, the elf gardened,
raising herbs, sought means to return tohis own universe. Jim was not
happy at all, but the rest of us playing in his MA campaign were most
pleased.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Piratecat
Heh - I think Jim mentioned this in a recent editorial he wrote. He's still pissed. :-D
Heh, and well the PCs that form the Vigilists know the evil elf's
desire to recover his wand and leave them, so a close watch is kept on
him at all times. For once Jim is getting the shaft in his own game,
where characters work miracles to gain a tech item only to discover its
damage seems to work mainly against PCs and not his monsters. That wand
of fireballs is a treasure for sure :-)
I love playing MA, and Jim is an excellent GM, but one must take all measures to assure one's PC in his campaign survives...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Noskov
First, I must say that I am truly honored.
This brings a question to mind that I've been dealing with lately.
What was the original intention of Charisma and how was it meant to be implemented in a campaign? [snip]
Thanks
Salut Noskov,
My pleasure to be of service ;-)
As stated in the rules, Charisma is meant to affect the reactions of
characters--whether newly met NPCs or familiar ones such as associates
and followers. Charisma score dictated the number of loyal followers a
PC might have, henchmen if you will. When adventuring with only one or
two players' characters, having a body of loyal henchmen along meant a
lot in regards successfully surviving difficult encounters.
In roleplaying, the Chrisma score of the PC should affect reactions of
those to whom he speaks, is dealing with. Force of personality can be a
very potent tool in gaining what one desires, lack of it causing adverse
reactions. PCs with low Charisma will be typically be treated
derisively and shabbily by NPCs encountered.
In real life think of the popular and charming individual, someone who
is the life of the party, a smooth talker, able to sell ice to Esquimos,
both a man's man and a lady's man. Contrast that model to the loser
who is laughed at, shunned, held in contempt, disliked...one with low
Charisma, in fact.
I think that should cover it ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Gary,
Let me add one more voice to the chorus thanking you for your seminal
work upon which so much of our hobby is built. After managing to work my
way through all five parts of this Q&A, I still managed to think of
a question or two I didn't see answered.
(1) Regarding OAD&D (or, I suppose, OD&D + the Greyhawk
supplement, though I never played that): Why exceptional strength?
Aren't 18s uncommon enough? Why did Fighters need to subdivide the prime
requisite thus, but other classes didn't? Why not continue to scores
19+ instead of subdividing 18?
Thanks for the kind words.
Actually, an 18 score is one in 216, so not particularly rare in any
large population. to make truly heroic strength more rare, I limited the
percentage chance to fighters only, then stepped the linear curve so as
to make the really great human strength rare.
As for 19s, they are beyond the normal range of human potential, Of
course magic can enable such a score, but massive strength of human sort
was, I felt, better reflected by the added d% roll.
(2) Any idea what Tom Moldvay is doing these days?
Not a clue.
(3) I currently count myself among those who favor the Basic Set
edited by Moldvay and the Expert Set edited by Cook (both released in
1981) over most other editions of D&D. Any recollections/opinions
you may have about the development of those sets would be welcome.
Frank Mentzer was the advocate I appointed for the D&D
game product line. He was in creative charge of it, and the selection of
designers to develop new editions of the game was in Frank's hands. If
you wish more details, then he's the chap to ask.
I look forward to getting my group to try out the Lejendary
Adventures Quickstart when the next chance between campaigns occurs. It
looks like good fun. (Though, I think I differ with you decision to
eschew standard RPG jargon. Having played & read numerous systems
besides D&D, I personally find it more of an obstacle to
comprehension than an aid to break from a D&D mindset.)
TIA
Well i hope you have some fun playing the LA game adventure
provided in the Quickstart file. After you have played come on back and
tell me if the jargon change was helpful or not. Some considerable
number of persons have told me that having to use those terms actually
facilitated their grasp of the functional differences between the LA
system and D&D/clone games. Of course once one has mastered the
differences, reversion to old terminology is natural, and I find muyself
using D&D patois quite often when Lejend Mastering; my players
understanding what I say in LA game terms ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Power_Word_Wedgie
Gary,
I sorry if this question has already been asked, but I was wondering if
you have been contacted for input into the 30th anniversay of D&D
book planned in fall 2004. If so, do you know much you will be featured
in the book. Just curious. Thanks.
P_W_W
Howdy Power_Word_Wedgie :-)
I was contacted about contributing to the book, but I passed. As it
stands my writing schedule is booked through 2005. Besides, I've said
about all I need to say in regards to the D&D game over the last 30
years...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dogbrain
Then
why only for strength? Why set up an additional complication--special
case for strength--instead of a simple, unified, and elegant design?
Adding a d% roll to an 18 Strength roll is hardly complicated. It was
done because Strength was the only stat that needed to be increased in
steps by the d% mechanic so as to improve fighters to hit and damage
chances. So that was used because I favor interesting play over any
imagined elegance, that being quite unlikely in an RPG in my view. RPGs
are games, not art, and I don't give myself airs.
Can you imaging the increases of stats going into the 20s needed in
order to get the same result as 18/00? The human norm bell curve of 3-18
down the tubes in a jiffy. Not elegant at all, and simply foolish ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Power_Word_Wedgie
Thanks
for replying so quickly. I can appreciate the fact that over 30 years
you have said your piece. (probably to the point of hearing the same
question asked ad nauseum) However, do you have a recommendation as to a
good source for reading the entire history of RPG and gaming - where
the history, and your comments over the lst 30 years, has been
documented into a central source? Do you have an autobiography. My
concern is that sometimes the history blurs as time goes by, and though
it isn't like putting a man on the moon, it certainly is a historical
event from the late 20th century. I remember seeing like an 8-page
article on gaming posted on the internet abotu D&D a while back,
with comments from both you and Arneson, but I was wondering if there is
more. (Sorry in advance if this question has been asked previously)
Jon Pickens at
WotC
has done a very accurate history ot the D&D game. I don't know if
it's generally available or not, but I can vouch for it being on target
through 1985.
There are dozens of Q&A sessions with me in the hot seat, but they
are spread all over. Silven Crossroads does a short one every month in
fact.
I have a very long bio done, but it isn't a real autobiography. That is a
chore, and I have managed to write only a few score pages to date,
those mainly dealing with my childhood years and family.
Your comments about memory growing fuzzy and inaccurate are well taken.
Someone is working on a history of GenCon, and in speaking with him I
discovered I had forgotten a lot about the early cons after number II.
So I got Len Lakofka involved, and his memory was no better than mine,
although he recalled the names of a couple of people who might have
information that I had forgotten. Unusual events tend to linger in my
memory, bit the routine ones fade, and after the first few years GenCon
became routine...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Whitey
First
of all, thanks so much for answering Whitey's earlier question - not
only was this most kind of you, but it really illumninated some matters
that have been raised in and that are key to our games.
Here's another matter, more a trivia question. Someone asked what the
first ever monster in a dungeon was (going back to the preliminary
phases of the game ages ago) and what its final fate was. If this has
been asked earlier, finding the appropriate post and response would be a
boon.
Again, many thanks.
My pleasure :-)
The monsters first encountered, by son Ernie's and daughter Elise's
characters, were a nest of scorpions in some rubble in the very first
room of the dungeon they entered. The glint of coins was mentioned to
lure the incautious hand into attack proximity, but Elise's PC used a
dagger to poke around, and the scorpions were spotted. Eventually one
managed to sting, but the poison saving throw was made. They next
encountered and defeated a gang of kobolds with a chest of 3,000 copper
pieces. Needless to say, they weren't pleased with the treasure.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jehosephat
Gary,
Greetings! This brings to mind something that I have often thought
about. My favorite column to read in Dragon Magazine is "Up On a
Soapbox". When I pick up a back issue that's the first thing I look
for. I love reading the exploits of Tenser, Robilar, Yrag or whoever
else you would be writing about in the given month. My question is
this, is there ever a chance of some kind of Greyhawk diary or journal
beling released where you collect these kinds of tales. My guess is
that you have 1000s of them that you could choose from. I for one would
love to read that sort of thing. More so if it also contained some
bits of campaign information that showed the early stages of Greyhawk
and how and why it came together in the fashion that it did. I expect
that there would be many others who would be interested in this sort of
thing too.
Sincerely,
Rob
Hi Rob :-)
Pleased to learn you enjoy those old tales of the early D&D
adventures we had. After so long a time it isn't possible to say how
many interesting events have been forgotten, but surely there were some.
However, as with all campaigns, we had far more unremarkable sessions
than interesting ones. I wish there were even scores more to tell, but
my list of springboards for columns is down to a handfull or so.
Fortunately, Rob Kuntz has pitched in, written four accounts of
adventures, and he assures me he has a fair number of additional ones.
When all of my recollections are set down in print, and Rob's essays are
completed, we plan to collect the lot and publish them in book form.
That will be at least two years from now, The volume won't be large, but
hopefully sufficiently so to make it worthwhile for readers.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jehosephat
Gary,
thank you for the reply. I for one will be looking forward to that
book. :-D Right or wrong, those types of accounts are what seem to
get my creative juices flowing and itching to play some D&D. :-)
In fact I am getting ready to launch a new Greyhawk campaign within the
week.
Just this morning I was rereading the account of Robilar's planned
excursion to the moon. I would have payed money to see the look on Rob
Kuntz's face when Herb the Sage presented his giant catapult. Gosh,
that just gets more comical each time I read it.
Herb
thought it was a good idea at the time, rather as some SF writers on
opur world thought that firing a space vessel from a giant cannon to
reach the moon would be workable.
Rob took the whole thing quite calmly, all things considered, the huge
outlay of gold pieces that Robilar had made. However, it soured him on
Lunar exploration, which saddened me, because I was planning on having
thre moon a place like "Hothouse World," with all manner of mutant
plants and people on it, as well as some little sprite-like races
dwelling around the verge of the vast central jungle.
Ain't magic grand?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Rob,
Spot in in regards to having PCs adventure in different environments. I
believe that keeps them, and the GM alike from growing complacent, or
bored.
Ernie's PC read a curse scroll and got sent to Barsoon--ERB's Mars, of
course. He managed the non-magical world very well, became the first
character in the campaign to posses dual class status as a M-U and
Fighter when the character discovered the means of returning ot Oerth.
In all of my campaigns, and in the modules I write, I try to give a
variety of environments and situatiuons is that fits with the general
setting and plot. the upcoming
Hall of Many Panes is loaded with that sort of adventure material ;-)
Speaking of which, I need to get back to my final editing pass on the
ms. Only about 200 pages of the 500+ therein left to read through...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Two
years! Argh! Those tales had really re-energized my desire to play (and
DM), even though it wasn't really in need of re-energizing. I feel like
those stories have given me some fresh and valuable insights into how
to play the game, which seems to be awfully rare after 20 years of
playing. Unfortunately, since I wasn't getting much else out of Dragon, I let my subscription lapse some time ago.
When you do get around to making a book of them, you should try to
include some of the other tales of the early days that have already been
told. Like Rob's telling of the Robilar & Mordie's experience in
Arneson's City of the Gods in Oerth Journal.
I just sent in my 28th and 29th colum essays regarding the old
adventures in the Greyhawk Campaign. In checking my notes, i have only
one more springboarded, but Rob is likely to have a fiar store of tales
to recount, so the zine should be supplied with material through this
year at least. Perhaps I can come up with a few more tales of
adventuring that I think are worth retelling.
If rob owns the copyrights to the account of Robilar and Mordenkainen in
"The City of the Gods" it would be a worthwhile addition to the
contemplated book. So too the story of "Tenser and the Giant's Bag,"
which i have recounted elsewhere. That sort of material, as well as some
possibly theretofore untold stories of Castle Greyhawk, will certainly
be hashed over when the project is ready to go forward.
Another couple of questions have come to mind (and I guess it goes
without saying to please forgive me if they've been covered before):
Before I encountered D&D, the word "dungeon" meant to me merely an
underground cell (or maybe a few cells). Was there precedent for using
the word for a complex or were the dungeons under castles in the games
merely turned into complexes for the sake of having someplace to
explore?
Underground mazes have been treated in mythology, fairy tales, and authored fiction (siuch as
A Journey to the Centre of the Earth )
long before this device was made a central feature in the D&D game.
(My favorite one from fairy tales is the one about the 12 princessess
who danced holes in their slippers every night.) Anyway, the expanded
underground environment featuring dungeons was indeed meant for
exploration, mapping, and as a place for strange encounters.
If a new player in an OAD&D campaign says he wants a character
like the Grey Mouser, would you just advise him to be a thief and accept
that a PC can't easily combine the talents of the literary character?
Would you suggest the dual class rules? Would you make up something
special?
Personally, I've usually opted for the first route. While games and
literature can inspire one another, they are vastly different things.
I've had players, however, that bristle at the fact that the TSR
Lankhmar products had to "break the rules" to accommodate those iconic
characters.
I would advise the player to develop a thief character that
was of his own creation, albeit it one that was modeled after a
fictitional hero. If the PC stats were good enough, I'd then point out
that the character could begin play as a fighter, and then be switched
to thief later on so as to have a dual class one akin to the Gray
Mouser.
Unabashed plug: This difficulty highlights the drawback of a class based
RPG. Because I was unsatisfied with having disappointed players, the LA
game system's skill-bundle base allows for the creation of just about
any kind of character the player (of GM) wants, and at the same time
retains archetypes.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Gray Mouser,
Mordenkainen being a mage was indeed a follower of Boccob, and thus
generally honored Zagyg. The other magic-users in the group took also
did the same. That meant that their cleric would be dedicated to Boccob,
and the fighters and others, wanting the benefits of clerical
ministrations came along for the ride ;-) Boccob was never an active
deity in play, and none of the PCs was eager to have Zagyg intervene...
Rob's original dungeon levels were merged with mine to create the second
Castle Greyhawk, but I have recorded some of my PCs adventures therein
before that merger took place in pages of the
Dragon
Magazine column. While my characters adventured under a fair number of
DMs, Rob was the one who refereed the majority of them. However, as the
group bacame hgher level, much of the action was outdoors.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jehosephat
Greetings Colonel,
I had a quick question, about dice in those early games. I've never
seen it mentioned anywhere, so I am wondering what did you do for
polyhedra dice before TSR was making them (I presume you guys were the
first). I read in an interview that you onced fashioned a dragon out of
a stegosaurus figure in the days before there were dragon miniatures.
So I imagine you could have done something similar with dice. Or did
you just use different combinations of the d6?
Howdy, Jehosephat :-)
Right you are about the stegasaurus converted to a red dragon--it came out pretty well. Other conversins were made from 90
mm
Hauser Elastolin figures (giants), plastic dime store Indians (ogres),
and various monster toys picked up in dime stores. Jack Scruby was
making metal 30
mm orc figures, so we had plenty of those.
As to dice, though, actualy, early in 1972 I got ahold of a school
supply catalog from a company out in California. In that book were what
I had been looking for for years--Platonic solids with numbers on them,
polyhedral dice :-) There was the pyramid d4 (yellow), the usual d6
with Arabic numerals (pine, later orange), a d8 (green), d 12 (light
blue), and d20 (white) numbered 0-9 twice on its faces. All were made of
soft plastic and the numbers were badly stamped, but what treasures!
Just what was needed for interesting new games, thought I, but the set
of five cost $3.
When the D&D game was published, we bought 50 sets of these dice
from school supply company, got a 10% discount, and passed them along to
gamers at $3.50 per set--a break even price--so as to make the D&D
game easily playable. The school supply couldn't believe that we were
ordering so many sets, and when we asked for discount rate on 1,000,
they declined, so we found their source in the Orient and ordered direct
from them.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jehosephat
Thank
you kindly Gary. I remember those dice from my early D&D and Gamma
World boxed sets. Actually, for reasons of nostalgia, it wouldn't be
bad to have a set of those right now. I remember the 4-siders actually
had a pretty sharp point on them. You know if you attacked someone with
them, I'll bet they would do 1d4 damage. :P (sorry I couldn't resist
that corny joke).
As it happens I have quite a number of
the old low-impact dice around here somewhere. The points on the d4
were very sharp but wore down quickly. Rob had a d20 that would stand on
a worn point about one roll in 50 ;-)
Somewhere I lost my d20 with half the faces colored gray. It was my
"killer die" that rolled an idnordinate number of 20s, and the players
really hated it ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Grazzt
I have one of those myself (a "killer die"). Yeah- the players really, really hate it.
Heh,
Right :-) Rob was always looking to get one for himself to get even
with me when he was DMing for my PCs. One encounter Robilar had when he
was about 9th level and AC -4 was with an Evil Cleric and his gnoll
guards. The latter managed to hit Robilar so many times because of my
20s that he had only about 10 HPs left when he finally offed the cleric
and was able to concentrate on the gnolls.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
d20Dwarf,
It is good to learn that there is at least one other person who isn't
superstitious about his dice being touched by others, particularly
players from the group.
That said, I would be none too happy if my favorite ones were absconded
with. I hate it when the opposition I am represenring can't find the
pointy ends of their swords, or use their natural weapons to effect. No
challenge to the characters at all when that happens...and it does
happen!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hmmm, I'm not familiar with this story Gary. Do you recall where/when it appeared?
Howdy Allen :-)
No way i recall the dates or vehicles, but I wrote the account a couple
of times. It was about an incident when Rob was DMing for Ernie who was
on a solo adventure with Tenser, I was there working, but I gave Rob
high signs and thus was playing the hill giant that Tenser met and
conversed with. When we get to compiling the column material I'll do
another account of the tale, and whatever new material i can recall.
Also, Rob does own the copyright on the Oerth Journal accounts,
although IIRC one of them has some comments from Dave Arneson that are
his copyright as well. I'd be more than happy to forward you copies of
them, if you'd like to consider them for possible additions to the
collection.
Thanks for the information. Better the copies go to Rob than
to me at this point. We have no written agreement yet. Rob can review
the accounts and see about getting written permissio for use of Dave's
quotes or edit the material as he deems best ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Silver Moon
Treasures
indeed! A week ago I had been doing some cleaning in our gaming room
and accidentally misplaced the mug-full-of-dice that we put out on the
table for everyone to game with. This brought things to a standstill at
the beginning of the game until I remembered that there might be some
in the back of a drawer inside the figure case. Wouldn't you know, it
was the old chipped-up soft plastic bunch listed above that we had
started out with. So some 23 years after we were first rolled them we
were using them again!
There's much to be said for
results, and those old low-impact dice do generate random numbers ;-)
Not much to look at but they deliver.
Of course I do prefer a d20 numbered 1-20, and in all the contemporary
high-impact plastic dice are a boon, I have an odd mix of old and new,
but my d30s and d7s get a fair workout in most game sessions,
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by talinthas
here's another question for ya, Gary. Could you explain the concept behind Chromatic and Metallic Dragons?
i mean, the evil dudes make sense, what with breath weapons that more or
less match their color, but how did you decide on the five metallics,
and why give them two BWs? and why brass, which is just an alloy of
bronze and copper, instead of some other naturally occuring metal?
Originally there were the five "chromatic" and evil dragons, each with a
color that suited their breath weapon, and a sixth good dragon
patterened on the Oriental model of that imaginary creature. As it was
bpth or different origination and alignment I desiced to empower the
gold dragon so as to more closely resemble the potent Oriental sort. So
it got more of everything, including two breath weapons.
There came a time thereafter when more 'metallic" dragons were desirable
so as to expand the roster of good, Oriental-type ones. Thus all of
them were modeled on the gold dragon template, had two breath weapons.
Logically, with metal value being used as the basis for potency,
platunum (Bahamut) being the highest, then gold and silver, the sequence
should have been platinum-gold-electrum-silver-copper-bronze. However, I
thought bronze looked more potent than copper, and skipped then to
brass--that metal conmveying some not-so-benign connotations.
Somehow having good Oriental-model dragons relate to metals such as
irridium, tin, and zinc, lead, or iron for that matter, just didn't cut
it ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ed Cha
Also, "brass dragon" just sounds better than "tin dragon". :-)
Although that could be a good name for a fairy dragon-type creature. I could also see "iron dragon" as a sort of dragon golem.
Ciao Ed,
Speaking of incredible monsters, such as an iron dragon golem would
likely be, I have heard from wild-eyes players about some absolutely
off-the-wall monsters that include the diamond dragon, the steel toad,
and the arch-lamassu. Perhaps I'll include their stats, as I recall them
from hearing the account, in the compiled essays book of old D&D
game adventure yards that Rob Kuntz and I plan to have published after
we have run out of new stories to tell. Likely a slender book titled
Tales from Zagyg's Dungeon or sime such.
We were planning to add some additional yarns, material published
elsewhere and some new accounts as well. Those incredible monsters
would suit the oberall humerous tone of the compilation.
Too bad I've lost my copy of the article in which I wrote up "The
Ultimist" character class as an April Fools Day joke, or I'd put that
into the collection for sure. If any reader happens to have a copy of
that spoof, please sent it to me at:
[email protected]
The really funny par is that not a few young power gamers thought it
was serious and wanted more details so they could create and play an
Ultimist character :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by talinthas
heh. i'm betting that you can make some nice boots out of that steel toad =)
It was created to be a PC killer for sure. Likely it would make boots out of most anything that it comes across.
There was a time when the power gamers spent a good deal of time and effort creating monsters to kill others of their ilk...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Silver Moon
Gary,
A quick question for you, why don't you have an avatar with your posts?
I would think that an image from your Futurerama appearance would work
perfectly.
Ah, well, somewhere I think I have a screen
grab of my animated likeness from the Futurama Show, but it's not all
that important to me to have some [icture or symbol. Maybe one day,
but..
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottGLXIX
Gary,
I have a question about orc tribes in your campaign. Were the orcs
encountered in the Greyhawk dungeon supposed to be part of one or more
of the orc tribes listed in the original
MM?
As the published version of the Greyhawk setting was detailed the Vile
Rune and Death Moon tribes were placed in the Bone March, and the
Rotting Eye tribe was set in the Yatils, but I've always wondered about
the orcs in and around the Greyhawk dungeons.
Scott
They orcs in the dungeon were of two separate
tribes, but I have forgotten the names I gave them. As near as I can
recollect, one was the Grinning Skull and the other was the Bloody Axe.
they were all cut down or made into vassals by Robilar and Terik, with a
good deal of assistance from Tenser.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
A couple of questions:
In Unearthed Arcana,
the demi-human level limits were revised, allowing higher levels for
exceptional stats and the like. I was wondering if that was one of your
contributions to the book or if it was done by someone else?
Almost all of the material in the UA book was mine, picked up from articles I wrote in
Dragon
magazine. Asto the increase in types of demi-humans and their level
limits, yes. That was of my doing. As human PCs were getting to higher
levels then it seemed a good idea to allow for more potent non-human
characters, while at the same time maintaining the human race as
predominant.
Did you enjoy the third of the Lord of the Rings films?
Sadly for me I have not been feeling well all winter thanks to
the flu, so I have yet to see the film. Looks as if I am going to have
to wait for the release of RotK on DVD.
I'm getting all impatient now for the release of the Hall of Many Panes... I'm very much looking forward to it.
Cheers and (belated) best wishes for the New Year!
You and me both! It now seems likely that the HOMP will not be
released until near the end of the year. I just finished my editorial
check of the 500 + pp. ms. and sent the file back to the Trolls. Layout
and interior maps art acquisition are now ready to progress.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hi Gary,
I was recently rereading your old Gord the Rogue short story in DRagon
#100, "At Moonset Blackcat Comes." In the story you have Gord and
Rexfelis playing "Dragon Chess" and there are rules for the game
directly following the story. I'm wondering of you actually played the
game to any extent (I imagine you'd have to have played it a little in
order to actually right up the rules!). Was it an enjoyable game? I
always thought about constructing a 3-level board and giving it a go but
never got around to it (a shame, that).
I myself enjoy the occasional game of chess, but don't get to play much
any more. Some of my fondest memories are playing a friend of mine to
several stalemates in a row (he would go to chess tournaments on
occasion so I viewed this as an accomplishment - besides, he HATED that
he couldn't beat me! ;-).
Thanks,
Gray Mouser
Howdy Gray Mouser!
Yes, I played the Dragon Chess game--by myself. It came out quite well despite that, and it is a recognized variant on the
http://www.chessvariants.com/ website. Go there and have a look. Some of the fellows there have made a few suggested changes ;-)
I too love chess games, seldom have opportuity to play. Amongst my
favorites are shogi, double chess, and a revised courier game where
there is on the king's side of the board a piece combining the powers of
the K and N, so as to have a real attack threat there.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dogbrain
I
was thumbing through my base Greyhawk material (the original--the folio
folder) and started to wonder: Whatever happened to "long ago and far
away" as the basic tone of roleplaying setting publications? That was
something that I liked about the older Greyhawk stuff. All the
"official" material was presented as a history of a very distant past. I
like that.
These days, nearly everything has this "here and now and here are all
the details in excruciating detail" approach. I liked the more
"incomplete because it's distant history" approach.
Hello Dogbrain :-)
You are preaching to the choir in regards to keeping quantification to
the bare minimum needed to present an interesting and exciting
experience. My reason is because I think that approach allows and
encourages participant imagination and creative addition, those
exercises making the material more personal to the participating group.
That said, sometimes the "bare minimum" is rather highly detailed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Calico_Jack73
Hmmmm... Now you've got me thinking about making up some other dragons using other elements from the Periodic Table.
[snip]
Sorry Gary, I just couldn't resist!
As for metallic
dragons, wouldn't a Chromium Dragon be flashy? The real shifty and
heavy-weight one would be the Mercury Dragon, of course B-)
Actually, there are some serious chromatic hybrids covered in the
Slayer's Guide to Dragons book from Mongoose...although some folks might find a pink (red-white cross) dragon somewhat hard to take seriously ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Calico_Jack73
... I'd like your view on the Paladin class and the features that make is supposedly "Unplayable".
Thank you so much for your input Gary.
First, many a Paladin PC has been played, and that done successfully generally following the rules for the class as written.
Lawful Good does not equate to stupid or foolish, It means the PC must
follow the Law as determined by the deity the Paladin acknowledges, and
thus promote Good according to that Law.
As I have pointed out at times, a Paladin might well execute a group of
captives after they have converted from their former (Evil) alignment to
Lawful Good, for that act saves their sould, prevents them from
slipping back into error.
A Paladin will not normally sacrifice himself, fight needlessly, unless
it is a situation where honor and duty demand that. Such sacrifice would
have to be demonstrably for the betterment of his deity, or else based
on anoath the character made prior to the dire situation.
While in general a Paladin can not lie, that does not mean he must say
anything, or can not answer evasively or mislead--if that is according
to the tenents of his avowed LG deity.
A Paladin played by someone that doen not understand the basis of the
Code of Chivalry taken to the extreme and attached to religion is likely
unplayable, but that's the fault of the player, not the class.
Yes, I have played a Paladin character, but not for long, as I don't
enjoy Lwaful Good characters much--too restrictive for a Chaotic sort of
person such as I am :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by blackshirt5
Mr Gygax,
Why do you think it is that gamers have gotten such a bad rep in the general media as stalkers and freaks?
News media seeks the sensational in order to attract viewers, sell
air-time ads, make money. Initial publicity for the D&D game, that
pre-1981, was not broad, but several newspapers of good repute, such as
the St. Louis
Post Dispatch wrote articles about the game that were informative and positive.
The James Dallas Egbert III case was the turning point. Thanks to the
publicity-seeking DI brought in, and the following ill-informed news
media coverage--sensationalist to the extreme--there was a barrage of
inaccurate stories and further biased charges of baseless sort. These in
toto brought forth suicide, Satanism, and mind-control as supposed
dangers of the game. Add to that the difficulty of the ignorant in
understanding the RPG form, and what can one expect? Certainly the mass
of people are not motivated to put forth any effort to discover the
truth. Coupled with the nature of the people playing RPGs--generally
above-average intelligence, given to imnaginative literature, creative
and non-conformist, interested in technology such as computers, and
often not concerned with social "norms"--that making for an easy target
for cheap shots from "reporters" (you know, that group of intellectual
giants who talk about "honing in" on something, and "ratchet up" rather
than raise; the group that doesn't know that "enormity" isn't synonomus
with wonderful or considerabe and think "momentarily" means in a
moment)--expressions of ignorance can be expected to come from the news
media,
Again, given all that, what can one expect from the general populace? Certainly not an informed and reasonable view of the RPG!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joe123
Gary,
You said here once before that you believe people who play D&D have
above-average intelligence. I�m wondering, what makes you say this?
Heh!
The fact that the entry bar to playing RPGs is above average
intelligence. Consider the amount of reading necessary, the reasoning
called for in understanding the game and the play of it. If one begins
with an audience whose intellect is necessarily above average, the norm
for the participant group will be higher than average.
RPG enthusiasts actually read, often broadly. It is also apparent that
the creative level of the RPG audience is wel above the average.
demonstrable from the output of writing and game creation coming from
it.
Finally, most gamers are college graduates, or going to college and will
graduate. Most are highly literate in regards to computers too ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Gary,
Yet another question. (Haven't you got tired of this yet. :-) )
What are your thoughts on ability score checks in OD&D or OAD&D?
Calling for a roll <= to an ability score on 1d20 or 3d6 or
whatever. (Possibly with modifiers based on difficulty.) Or
3e style: Roll 1d20 + ability score modifier >= difficulty class.
(There's a thread over on Dragonsfoot in which nobody has been able to
find an occurrance of such a thing in anything you wrote, and at least
one person guesses that you thought they are a bad thing.)
Anyone familiar with my latest RPG, the
Lejendary Adventure
system will know the answer to this immediately. Ability checks are
fine, assuming the likelihood of success or failure in the game
environment is approximately the same as one would expect in actuality.
As for their use in my A/D&D material, the Thief and Assassin
classes used them all the time. Strength was tested thus too, as in
opening doors, bending bars,lifting gates.
Mainly, though, rolling to hit is a test of combat ability, right?
Random chance is a very important factor in the RPG, so using logical
checks made with dice conforms to that element of the game form.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
Hi Gary,
I've seen you around some of the old-school-friendly sites I more
commonly frequent (Dragonsfoot, Rob Kuntz's board), but this is my first
contribution here:
Howdy Amigo :-)
That reminds me, I need to visit Dragonsfoot and the two main LA game websites tomorrow!
In stories of the Greyhawk Campaign (which I love
reading, btw), the featured characters are almost exclusively human
fighters and magic-users (with occasional clerics, but mostly as
henchmen/support-types). Examples include Robilar, Tenser, Terik, Yrag,
Mordenkainen, Murlynd, Erac and Erac's Cousin, Otto, Bigby, Gronan of
Simmerya, Bombadil, and on and on. Characters of other classes are much
less frequently mentioned, and when they are it's usually as an oddity
or token (i.e. Terry Kuntz's "Monk with No Name"). The seems surprising
to me because in every D&D campaign I've ever played in thieves
(especially demi-human multi-classed thieves) and rangers at least have
been just as popular as ftrs and m-u's. Were such character-types really
not popular in Greyhawk, or is it simply that the best and most
memorable stories tend to come from the 'early days' before those
character types had been developed, and that in Greyhawk's later years
(c. 1975+) they were common after all?
There were in fact numbers of hobbits/halflings, dwarves,
elves, a few half-elves, at least one half-orc, Joe Fischer's Ranger,
Tim Kask's high-level Druid, Don Arndt's Paladin, and Mark Ratner's too,
etc. I even played a half-orc Cleric/Assassin charavter for a short
time in a campaign run by Brian Blume. That said, the most interesting
adventures seemed to come from the group you mention, mainly becus=use
they were the PCs of the most active members of the early group. After
they became a classin 1975, relatively few thieves were played because
of their guaranteed short life span if caught stealing from a party with
a major PC in it.
That cover it?
P.S. I played with you in "Necropolis" at Glathricon (in Evansville,
IN) in 1988 and am pretty sure I encountered your infamous 'killer' d20
-- it was white, numbered 0-9 twice, and rolled awfully well (for you,
badly for us :-( ).
Heh, and pleased to learn that. It was either my gray or red
"killer die," undoubtedly. It has since sent a large number of
adventurers to their doom when rolled on behalf of my OD&D game "Old
Guard Kobolds." The ninth party of six or more 2nd level characters
fell to them at JanCon last month.
Lest some reader think I always seek to kill PCs, rest assured thatit is
only at cons, and mainly to prove the point that running away is often a
good idea. A second group playing in the original AOD&D dungeons
bypassed the kobolds, went down to the third level, slew many a monster
in the process, and didn't lost a single member ;-)
P.P.S. FWIW I'm actually the "one person" mentioned in RFisher's
question above who guessed you didn't approve of the universal "roll
stat or less on 1d20" stat-check mechanic (since AFAICT that method
never appeared in any of your AD&D writing). I didn't mean to
suggest that you didn't approve of stat-based rolls at all
(the str-based bend bars and open doors rolls certainly prove that's
not the case!), merely that I suspected you hadn't much use for the 'one
size fits all' universal stat-or-less-on-1d20 mechanic that became much
more prevalent once you were no longer at the helm (in the Dragonlance
modules and Survival Guides, and eventually in the core 2nd edition
rulebooks).
That I don't believe that one size fits all in regards to
ability checks is certainly true. That's why I prefaced my earlier post
of approval of the concept as I did. The various checks for thieving
abilities and assassination are also examples of how I view the concept.
Early in the developmental stage of OD&D I allowed non-mages to use
wands, needing to rolll their Intelligence or less on 3d6 to make the
device function. I dropped the concept as being incoingruous with the
class-base of the game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Bloodstone Press
Hi Gary!
I was just reading your post in the "where did trolls come from"
thread. I was wondering the same thing about hobgoblins. I plan to use
them in an upcoming work, and I was researching them. I've read about
Robin Goodfellow, but that made me wonder where the idea of them being
militaristic came from (Robin isn't much of a soldier, he's more of a
prankster, as I'm sure you know� ho, ho, ho!). :-D
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acro...98/roxbur.html Salut!
After noting your sig, I have to say that as a 12-year-old "John Bloodstone" stories in pulp zines were very thrilling to me....
I took a good deal of literary license in creating monsters for the
D&D game. As I needed a humanoid tougher than a goblin but not as
powerful as a gnoll, I simply used "hobgoblin",,,even though its name
indicated a smaller sort of goblin. In short, only the name was drawn
from folklore, and the rest was made up out of whole cloth ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
P.S. I forgot to say, as to Robin Goodfellow, Puck it! (And, BTW, we had
a Joe Goodfellow in my old D&D group, but he wasn't in the least
Puckish...)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by talinthas
dumb question time, gary. How do you pronounce your last name?
Heh, and my branch of the family has dumbly Amaricanized it to sound
like "Guy-gax." The proper Swiss pronunciation sounds like "GEE-gox."
When I am around landsmen I introduce myself as a "GEE-gox." :-# As a
matter of fact, some of the family have changed the spelling to "Gigax"
or "Gegax" on hopes of having it pronounced as it is in Switzerland.
Years ago when I was visiting a Swiss community here in Wisconsin, New
Glarus, an old fellow asked me my surname. When I told him is was
"Gee-gox," he smiled and said, "Ach, a Berner, ja."
My father was indeed born in Seeberg in Canton Bern. i've been to
Switzerland twice, but sadly never got to the family's home canton, just
to Zurich and Basil.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Bloodstone Press
That's
not a dumb question. I've been in vociferous arguments with people who
insisted his name is pronounced "Guy-Jax," and even "Jy-Jax." I
continue to maintain it is "Guy-gax."
Guess we'll finally find out for sure any minute... (anxiously holding my breath...)
LOL!
There's a standing joke amongst my sons and gaming fellows about those who claim, "Jerry Jyjax is a good friend of mine."
Still chuckling,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Ability
check: Roll ability score or less on 1d20. (Or roll ability score -4 or
less on 1d20. Or roll ability score less on 3d6. Or roll ability score
or less on 4d6.)
That is system specific, and not applicable to all FRPGs.
[snip]
I guess what I really want to know from Gary is: When winging it while
DMing, do you use this sort of direct ability check? Do you use it
often? Is there any basic mechanic you fall back on, or do you just
guesstimate the odds (informed by the character's ability scores, class,
level, & situation) and pick a dice roll & target number to
match?
I use what seems logical for the situation, more or less as
you set forth, and then have the player roll for the PC, or do it in
secret of it's something that should not be known.
How about in the LA system: Do you usually have players roll
directly against their abilities or do you figure the odds informed by
their abilities?
Heh, as it happens, skill-bundles in the LA game are called
"Abilities," have a %score for successful use--with various modifiers;
so yes, players roll against the applicable Ability score, or perhaps
one of their three Base Rating scores. I calculate the modifiers
applicable, if any, and pass on the resulting outcome. Usually, though,
the player has to make it clear that the character is actually using an
Ability for it to function. Normal senses being a partial exception. One
might see, hear, or smell something even when not concentrating, so in
such cases there is either no bonus for the check or even a penalty.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by S'mon
&
incidentally the big orcs in JRRT's The Hobbit are referred to as
'hobgoblins' (what are called Uruk Hai in LOTR), whereas the small orcs
are called 'goblins' (LOTR's snagga orcs). Coincidence? :-D
Ho S'mon :-)
I didn't know, or at least don't recall, JRRT using the term "hobgoblin" in his novels.
If he too called larger goblins "hobgoblins," I am quite surprised, as
the "hob" prefix in folklore indicates a smaller version of something.
As I stated, I needed a name for a mumanoid larger than a goblin, that
race having been detailed already, so I bit the bullet and used the
namefor a smaller version of a goblin for a larger humanoid race in
AD&D. If tolkien did the same for whatever reasons he had, then it
is coincidence.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by S'mon
Hi
Gary - sorry to be sceptical, but are you sure you didn't read The
Hobbit and just don't remember? AIR hobgoblins are only mentioned in the
Battle of Five Armies section, as forming the Goblin King's bodyguard.
As a matter of fact I don't recall reading nything about hobgoblins in
The Hobbit,
or I'd have said so. As i have mentioned twice not, "hob" is a prefix
indicating small or little, and disliked using it for the fourth in the
humanoid races I was ranking--kobolds, goblins, orcs, hobgoblins,
gnolls, bugbears, ogres, trolls, giants--but goblin state had been
established before I set about that hierarchy.
It might have been an unconscious thing, but I do very much get the
impression that D&D's goblins & hobgoblins are based off the
ones in The Hobbit, and D&D's orcs are based off orcs in Lord of the
Rings (rather than Celtic mythology, say), so in essence all 3 are the
same monster. Likewise D&D's dwarves' attributes seem more directly
akin to Tolkien's dwarves than most mythological representations, and
D&D elves likewise. And halflings, of course (although Tolkien
didn't invent 'hobbit', despite what his estate claims).
Of course I included names of humanoids that had been used in
Tolkien's works. That was something done purpusefully in order to appeal
to the JRRT fan base. however, goblin armies are hardly unique to his
work. Those critters are written about a good deal in folklore and fairy
tales. I believe that is why the Good Professor switched from goblin to
"orc" so as to be more unique.
I'll wager you are sad about being able to find any mention of gnoll or
bugbear in his writings, so you can point to them too, eh? Heh-heh-heh.
This reminds me of the novice editor for a large NYC publisher who when
appearing on a SF panel with me asked why I had "stolen dwarves from
Tolkien." I set her straight by informing the not-well-read young lady
that I had done my research and stolen them from Norse myth, the same
source JRRT used ;-)
Anyway, it doesn't matter what goblin, hobgoblin, and orc are in
JRRT'swriting, because they are different and not the same in D&D,
are they not?
As for hobbit, I found a single reference to that name, sans any
discriptive material. The hobbits of Tolkien's writing are indeed unique
to his authorship. The D&D halflings are not nearly as unique, as
they are meant to fill in for those gamers who admire hobbits.
Of the D&D Player-Character races, half-orcs are perhaps the
least Tolkienesque in that the ones hinted at in LOTR seem to be sly,
sneaky infiltrators rather than big dumb lunks, although I think he does
have it that the big Uruk Hai/hobgoblins are the result of orc-human
crossbreeding.
That being the case, the proper term for such hybrids is half-hobgoblins, I suppose...
What about elves? The D&D elf has little of JRRT's elf in it. they are shorter and not at all special as he had therace.
Anyway, I have cleared up all such confusion in the LA RPG. Kobolds are
tough and smart and good-looking in a devilish way. Hobgoblins are small
and dangerous, goblins are bigger and more dangerous. Trolls are more
like medieval trolls, turn to stone daylight. There are allsorts of
elf-like races--alfs, lyfs, elfs, ilfs, and wylfs. Orgre are the baddest
of regular giants--those of deital sorts not included, of course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary,
I have a question that has long puzzled me. It's about PC's acquiring Magic-User spells. IN the
DMG (p. 39) it states:
"Naturally, magic-user player characters will do their utmost to acquire
books of spells and scrolls in order to complete their own spell books.
To those acquired, the magic-user will add 1 (and ONLY 1) spell when he
or she actually gains an experience level (q.v.). Therefore, most will
be frantically attempting to purchase or cozen spells from non-player
character magic-users, or even from other player character magic-users."
OK, here's my question. When you say: "To those acquired, the magic-user
will add 1 (and ONLY 1) spell when he or she actually gains an
experience level." do you mean that the PC mage AUTOMATICALLY gains a
new spell in their spell book whenever the rise in levels? For example,
if my M-U is going from 1st to 2nd level do I get to add a brand new
spell to my spell book even if I did NOT find a scroll or spell book in
the dungeon I just explored?
If this is, in fact, the case then how should you handle it when a M-U
goes up levels and gets the ability to cast a spell of a new level AND
gains the ability to cast more spells in a level in which he's already
proficient? For example, my M-U goes from 6th level to 7th level and is
now able to cast 4th level spells AND gains an additional 2nd level
spell.
Sorry for asking such an involved question, but you have no idea how
long I've tried to figure this one out! BUt since I found this site I
figured I may as well go straight to the horse's mouth (so to speak).
Thanks in advance!
Gray Mouser
Howdy!
I left all of your message up here so as to refer to it as I respond.
The M-U going up a level is assumed to do so through training with a
mage of higher level, or at worst the study of arcane lore. In this
process the character gains knowledge of one new spell of the highest
level he is able to cast.
If by advancement the character is also able to casr one or more lower
level spells, he will have to make do with those he has in his spell
books. He does not gain any new ones in those lower levels, only the
capacity to memorize more of them. Thus the M-U character should always
to be seeking the acquisition of spell books (likely with new and
different spells recorded therein) or else scrolls with spells on them
that he can record into his library.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary,
Thanks so much for answering my question! ...
Thanks again!
Gray Mouser
Happy to have been of service, Gray mouser :-)
While I can't berate DMs who play differently, the
DMG
does set forth the basic guidelines in regard to acquisition of new
spells. In retrospect I should have added the details of how the new
spell added when increasing in level was gained, and that would have
served well. Hindsight is so accurate...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Dcas :-)
Originally Posted by dcas
The reference is a bit obscure. [snip]
And from your reference it seems to be in the Trilogy, not
The Hobbit.
While i do forget a lot of things, having read the latter book first
normally, then aloud two or three times for my children, I was rather
taken aback that I hadn't recalled any reference to hobgoblins within
its pages.
Yes. "Orc" sounds much more serious than "goblin," don't you think? He even created a phony etymology for "orc." ;-)
Absolutely! The dictionary has an orc defined as a kind of ogre, and
ogre is a seriously menacing word. In all events, gamers have taken to
"orc" like ducks to water :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Alzrius
Hi Gary!
An off-the-wall question here. A friend of mine just told me about an episode of Futurama
where there was a superhero team of five people: Al Gore was the
leader, with Nichelle Nichols, Stephen Hawking, you, and computer
program Deep Blue, all operating out of a rental van.
My question is, did you do the voice of, well, you, in that episode?
Hi Alzrius,
Yes indeed, that is my voice and cartoon likeness too in the episode. I
had a lot of fun recording my lines...twice The original team leader
was David Duchovney, but when he left Fox, they lined up Al Gore. thus
my lines were changed, and I got to re-record them. As I've mentioned
before, Davic X. Cohen is a former D&D player and DM, a nice chap
that I had a good time chatting with.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well, Dogbrain,
As someone who did cobbling work for a time, I can assure you that
hobnails means not "tough" but "small". were they regular, the one
whose soles they were attached to would be walking on a permenant bed of
nails.
In short, "hob" is a prefix indicating small, short, little, much as in "hob"-bit :-#
And, being a Midwesterner myself, we all know that South Bend refers to a river, not the State of Indiana.
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
[snip]
Actually, I'm looking forward to the upcoming "Zagyg's Castle" module. I
plan on killing several PC's therein if I get the chance to DM a party
or two through it. Just make sure you chain Rob Kuntz to his desk/lap
top/whatever. Faster! Faster, I say!
Gray Mouser
I have about 90% of the large introductory
campaign module that acquaints the players with the locale and allows
the participants to adenture around the place where the castle ruins and
dungeons are located. the GM can place the relatively small area into
whatever campaign world is being used, as it's at most about 3,000
square miles. With the walled town, suburban community, various hamlets,
and all manner of outdoor places to explore, the opportunities to bite
off more than a PC party can chew are manifold. I've l;oaded a large
number of adventure hooks into the work, and when the five dungeon-like
areas are finished, the Gm should have sufficient material to keep the
players busy for months without resorting to Rob's
Dark Chateau addition, let alone the perts to come thereafter that detail the ruins above ground, and the many dungeon levels thereunder.
Because I know many GMs will play the initial part a good deal, have PC
parties well above "low-level" status, we'll add notes on how to beef up
encounters so as to challenge more powerful characters than are usual
in upper level dungeon settings ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary,
Speaking of hobbits, hobgoblins, etc. I was wondering how Orcs
made it into the D&D family of games (and every other fantasy RPG I
can think of off hand). After all, the Tolkien estate didn't want you
to use the term "hobbit" (although JRRT used "halfling" as well,
although to a lesser extent). Any idea why "orc" made the cut but
"hobbit" did not?
Gray Mouser
Heh, Gray Mouser :-)
That's an easy one. Saul Zaents division of Elan Merchandising,
representing the Tokien Estate, didn't want TSR to use dwarf, elf,
goblin, orc, troll, or wraith, etc. besides objecting to our use of
balrog, ent, and hobbit. Because all the rest were in the dictionary
(orc as "an ogre"), and the D&D depiction of those creatures was not
the same as JRRT's they were happy to settle for TSR dropping balrog,
ent, and hobbit.
FWIW, balrog was the only name of the whole bunch unique to Tolkien;
"ent" is an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning "giant." JRRT's depiction of
them as tree-like was very unique and most compelling
IMO.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by S'mon
Hi
Gary - indeed there are many differences between D&D humanoids and
Tolkien's humanoids, and many creatures created from whole cloth as well
as some inspired by other sources. I like the wide variety of
creatures seen in the Monster Manual & Monster Manual II - it's
notable that
IMO
these actually show more variation than the Fiend Folio, even though
that had a multiciplicity of different authors there's much more
duplication therein.
G'day S'mon)
The variety of monster choices, even those in the FF, should be
appreciated by all DMs who are populating dungeons and similar settings.
For other environments, about 10 normal animals, 20 ordinary monsters
and 10 special ones should serve pretty well. Almost all of the
additions I made to the base roster used in D&D were for dungeon
crawls and special encounters in modules so as to keep the players
guessing or to challenge the powerful PCs.
I have to laugh at myself in that regard. About three years back I was
playing in an OAD&D game and a wind walker was encountered. Damned
if I could remember just how to attack the critter effectively, so my PC
ran away, managed to escape while it was busy attacking others.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
I would like your thoughts on posion and level drain in OAD&D.
Do you agree when some gamers say they are too deadly. If not, why, and did those dangers see frequent use in you campaign?
Thanks
No I don't agree with those wimpy whiners who are
afraid of a few living dead :-P There were always plenty of them in
the adventures I ran, and likewise in those that I was playing in. For
example, in one Jim Ward scenario, the first monsters we encountered
were liches attacking us with rods of cancellation. This was likely in
revenge for some of the perils Jim had to face with me as DM, such as
when a vampire had his PC trapped. Darned if Jim didn't roll well enough
to force the vampire to dust-mote form while I couldn't hit his PC no
matter what.
To answer specifically:
First, a cleric or two with a party means the threat is lessened
dramatically. Second, m-us have plenty of long-range spells to deal with
undead. Third, most other PC types have enough armor to make hitting
them pretty difficlt. In general the alert and wary party will not be
surprised by undead, be able to stay at a distance to make touch by the
undead difficult. Wise players know when to have their PCs run away. In
extremis, le=ost levels can be restored by use of wishes and clerical
spells,
Next those cry babies will be moaning about being turned to stone.
Tell the complainers they should be playing a CRPG where they can save
and thus avoid all real danger--ues cheat codes too :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Liche
S? Rod
S
of Cancellation? As in plural? Holy cow, Gary, what did you do to
warrant such a response?!? Running a single lich intelligently is,
imo, more than enough to worry even hardened adventurers. BTW, did your PC's make it out alright?
Gray Mouser
Hi Gray Mouser :-)
Well, I sorta kinda neglected to say that the lot of the PCs involved
were pretty well able to manage such an encounter. Mordenkainen,
Robilar, and Erac's Cousin, amongst the bunch, IIRR. The liches were
destroyed without any loss to the party, andwe went on to loot and
pillage shamelessly...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
How
often did you adventure with a cleric in the party. I ask because some
players seem to think that all adventures are designed so that the
cleric's powers are absoutley neccessary. Usally there is a npc cleric
in every group if players don't like the class.
Generally
the parties I DMed had one or more clerics, or at least a Paladin PC
able to use some cleric spells. My son Ernie's PC, Serten, got to be a
fairly high level cleric. When I was playing I usually took along my own
cleric, Rigby, sometimes playing him as my main PC and not merely a
tag-along henchman. To me playing a cleric is more enhoyable that
playing a straight fighter,
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ranes
Depends on the subject matter and the character. Who can say what a PC
knws and doesn't know aboit the world he lives in? if it's something
that could be known, then there's no metagaming involved.
Also, coming up with new ideas not common to the assumed society should
not be labeled as metagaming is the PC is reasonably inteligent.
Getting to the case of the wind walker, the PC I was playing had faced
one before, also associated with a broad range of knowledgeable,
high-level characters. Thus he (I) should have remembered how to attack
the critter. It was a case player NUMBRAINING, NOT A HINT OF METAGAMING
THERE :-D
Cheers,
GAry
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Omand
Gary,
Here is my question for you. You seem to have a preference for
magic-user characters, yes? Or is it simply my reading too much into
the posted exploits of your characters?
Cheers :-)
The options for m-us are more interesting to
me than are those for most other classes. I have played a good number
of fighters, but I prefer to play a PC that can whip out a spell now and
again. My highest level PC is Mordenkainen, my last PC, created some
five years back, is a gnome illusionist-thief, with about four levels in
each class. I had some fun playing a half-orc cleric-assassin, but when
he was killed the other (Evil) PCs with him simply looted his corpse
and moved on...
In the play-test sessions of the
Lost City of Gaxmoor
module I played a straight fighter, and it was interesting, but I had
to do a lot of improvisational role-playing to make it so, and many of
the young gamers there were somewhat taken aback at such thespianism.
Worst of all, playing in-character, I boasted to an orc chieftain that
he had better comply with the group's demands for the cooperation of his
force in our forthcoming attack on another band in the city...or else.
That gave DM Luke Gygax all the excuse he needed to have the orcs pack
up and steal away, depriving us of their help, and thefeafter our
attacking and looting of the lot :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Calico_Jack73
Hey Gary, I've got an opinionated question for you:
Of all the modules that you've written or played, which was your
favorite and why? Also what is your most memorable moment when playing?
Cheers!
Hah, C_J!
That's akin to asking aparentwhich child is his favorite :-D
Also, most of the time I have DMed, not played modules, so it's difficultto answer in the latter context.
I believe that my favorite modules to DM were the G-D series, sans Q1.
the whole made a good, long connected story with plenty of variety in
location, challenges, and combat.
My favorite short module to play and DM alike is probably the generic
The Abduction of Good King Despot, with plenty of problem solving and action packed into a short scenario.
I must say that most recently I really had a lot of fun running the
Hall of MAny Panes
for my LA group, and because I think it will likewise appeal to D20
fans, it is being done in dual system format. It is a very long module
that took us about a year to finish, but the variety of challenges in it
is so broad that none if us got bored, me included ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
I've
got the New Infinities release of this and it's one of favorite
'one-off' modules as well. As one of the former principals of NIPI can
you shed any light on who currently controls the rights to the module --
the original authors or someone else? It's very ripe for reprint and
IMO
would be particularly well suited for Hackmaster (due to its prescient
mixture of old-school action and problem-solving with abundant humor of
dubious quality).
I can't say for sure who owns the
copyright to the TAoGKD, likely WillNiebling or Russ Stambaugh IIRR. I
agree that it is a great candidate for a reprint. However, as an
inveterate punster, I take umbrage at: "abundant humor of dubious
quality." Of course, if you meant that as being chock full of groaners, I
must concur :-D
...and while I'm here, I suppose I'll ask some more questions about
the Greyhawk Campaign: a lot of stories seem to involve only 1 or 2
players (with or without assorted henchmen and hirelings). How typical
were these more 'intimate' adventures compared to the larger group
efforts -- in your estimation was more play done in large groups or
small groups? Was it assumed that once characters reached a certain
level that they would branch off into these sorts of 'extracurricular'
adventures? And also, how was it decided who would play when -- was it
simply a matter of which players showed up on which nights (i.e. "Rob's
the only player here so I guess Robilar's going solo tonight"), or would
you figure in advance which players should come when and in what
combinations?
Regards,
T. Foster
Back in those halcyon days we played in large groups on
weekends, while during the week smaller parties were DMed by me, or
another of the ones who had campaigns--Rob mainly (and thus he was made
co-DM of my campaign late in 1974).
Adventures with 10 to 20 PCs were fun, if hectic, and few of any of such
mass forays were of memorable sort, other than perhaps for the number
of low-level characters being done for and new one's hastily rolled up.
Because of that, and the fact that the more skilled veterans with
higher-level PCS wanted adventures of less chaotic sort, the sessions
with smaller groups were much in demand. As Ernie, Don, Rob and Terry in
my house or near to it, were family or friends, they came by often to
play, rob more so than the rest, followed by Ernie and Terry, for Don
had a day job and a family.
As I was working at home I did not schedule play sessions, but when a
gamer or two dropped in of a day, I made haste to finish immediate work
and put on my DM's hat. Evening games with the regulars were generally
schedules a few hours or a day or two ahead.
In 1974 the veteran group had doubled in size,and as it was necessary
for me to spend more time working on revising the game, Rob took over
some of those sessions. The "wild bunch" showing up for weekend
adventures was also larger, so Rob and I co-DMed those mass expditions.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Q. Mayhem
Mr.
Gygax, where did vampires level drain come from? Also, I just wanted to
say that it's amazing to me that you are talking with the
rank&file. Like someone else said somewhere, what other hobby is
there where you can talk to the creator?
Ho John Q,
the vampire's level drain came from me. I decided upon it as a way of
simulating that monster's capacity to weaken and make helpless its
victims. Once established, the level-draining attack power made all
undead so able into most fearsome opponents B-)
Of course magical and clerical means of restoring lost levels were
provided--excellent ways for DMs to be rid of wishes and to drain
treasure from PCs hoards and into clerical coffers.
The last special group of gamers to visit me from a distant place,
summer before last, so as to go on a wild adventure across the Flanaess
of Oerth had a run-in with some super-wights that drained one of their
PCs. Luckily for them they were near Veluna, visited a temple there, and
for only about 90% of the wealth they had acquired along the way, those
lost levels were restored. If they'd have had a cleric in their party
they would have been much richer at adventure's end...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ranes
Absolutely.
Now that's reassuring. :-D Not that I ever thought otherwise. I just couldn't resist the opportunity...
Hey, now don't get me wrong! I can get just as caught up in power
gaming as the next guy. When so enthralled, all considerations of what
the PC could or could not knnow about go by the board :-D
If it's not too late, thank you for the game! And thanks for the great Q&A threads.
Not too late at all, for here I am. I enjoy taking a break
from the more humdrum aspects of creative work to answer these
questions. It's only when really into the toils of designing new
material that I find interruptions irritation.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by CombatWombat51
Gary,
I've got two questions about cavaliers and paladins in UA, and it's
awful nice to be able to come to the author for the answers :-)
Hi Comabt',
The questions call for quite a stretch of my memorY, BUT o'LL DO MY BEST.
First, did cavaliers roll d12's for hit points after first level, or
d10's? In the table where it summarizes what hit dice different classes
have, it lists both classes as getting 1d10. But on the cavalier table
for advancement, it says they roll 1d12. And under that, that they get
1d10+3 at first level. So which was the typo? Do they get d10's or
d12's?
The typo is the d12, that's one I have no trouble with, for only the Barbarian was to have a d12 for HPs.
Second, I've always been a bit confused by how to advance their
ability scores. It says that they roll percentile dice at first level,
and afterwards they roll 2d10. Personally, I take that to mean just
that. However, others in my gaming group feel that by 2d10, you meant to
generate a number between 1-100, as percentile dice, not 2-20. Which is
the proper method?
Okay, a pause while I break out my worn copy of UA and have a gander...
No problem with the question :-) For their Str, Dex, and Con scores the
player rolls d% as an addition to each at the beginning of character
creation. For example Str 16 + 48 on d% = 16.48, Dex 17 + 11 on d% =
17.11, and Con 15 + 64 on d% = 15.64. When the cavalier reaches 2nd
level, 2d10 are rolled for each ability score, the total added to the
number following the decimal point. when that reaches 00, a whole point
is added to the score, up to 18.99. If a cavalier had Ste of 16.99 and
went up a level, his Str would be at minimum 17.01 and could be 17.19
with two 10s coming up on the 2d10 roll.
Ok, one more question :-) In the assassin's matrix in the
DMG,
the footnote says that assassins should plan out their assassination.
That gives me the impression that the percentage chance of success is
based more on the whole event of assassination, rather than on a single
attack roll. But in the PHB, it simply says that an assassin can attempt
to assassinate a victim whenever the assassin has surprise. Lastly, the
footnote in the
DMG
says that certain modifiers should be incorporated. Could you give me
some examples of what types of modifiers for what types of circumstances
should be used?
Play of an assassin where a kill was to be made by the PC was
meant to require both a written plan delivered to the DM and then full
expanation and roleplay on the part of the player where called for in
the situation. If those were properly done, the DM would ajudicate the
chance for surprise more favorably. The base chance for surprising an
intended victim being 2 in 6 for the unsuspecting sort, as low as 1 in
20 for someone on guard.
Modifiers are many and rather self-evident, but most apply only in the
context of a planned assassinationas noted above. Of course, if the
assassin is normally around the intended victim, that gives a bonus to
surprise chance, and a greater one if the assassin is a trusted person.
The attack roll might be a check for successfully insinuation of poison
into the victim's food or drink, slipping a deadly scorpion into the
subject's boot or bed, etc.
The straight d% chance roll is meant mainly for the assassin striking by surprise in chance meeting of the intended victim.
Writing rules for roleplay was something that just wasn't done at the time the
DMG was published. Frankly, I fondly assumed that sort of thing would be understood by the readers...
Thanks very much,
Rick, who feels like a giant fan boy :-D
Welcome, and what sort of giant? :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by CombatWombat51
EDIT: One more question! Where in the world did you come up with the title "Grand Master of Flowers"?
Very sneaky! That one got me >:-(
All of the titles for the Monk Class were taken unabashedly from mah
jjong, one of my favorite games. As flowers are honors tiles, delicate
and beautiful, I thought it fitted well with an Eastern aesthetic
martial artist, the object belying his actual prowess.
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Derulbaskul
Dang, you just beat me to the answer.... ;-)
I fondly remember being introduced to a mah-jong set only a few months
after I started AD&D (around 1982). I seem to recall there being
four types of flowers... so naturally I wanted to boost the monk to a 22
level class, and then 23 levels with Xan Yae's "Supreme Mistress of
Petals" title.
LOL!
I can relate to the desire to work up from #4 Flower to #1 Flower, but
taking that into the realms of supernatural entities is a tile too far
:-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Deletion of a multiple post.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Deletion of a multiple post.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
Hey Gary,
Don�t know if you�ve heard this one before or not.
JRR Tolkien died not long before D&D first came out. If he had
still been alive, do you think he personally would have objected to the
use of the term �hobbits� and other things resembling his works that you
had to remove from D&D?
Hoi Boz!
Speaking of pure speculation...
After some thoughtful considreation, I believe that the Good Prpfessor
probably would not have raised an objection. after all, he allowed the
copyrights on the trilogy to expire, and thus the Ace Books release that
caused such a furor.
In another scenario, that of asking permission for use, I again believe
he would have given permission. Why I can't say, other that that what is
written about him characterises him as a generous man not much
concerned with business.
FWIW,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Right Boz,
What a trip to have had Tolkien play D&D, using it as the base of a
rules system for adventures on his own Middle Earth world as Phil Barker
did in regards to his Tekumel world setting!
Thinking of being able to exchange ideas with the Good Professor T. blows me away. Ah well...
Cheers,
gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Agback
...
Anyway, now that I am provoked to write, I have a question:
I have read that you did a lot of experimental play before the first
release of D&D, tinkering with game features until you got things
right. My question is, how systematic was this experiementation? Did you
map out a possibility space and try the combinations systematically to
discover what worked best? Or was it more of an incremmental approach,
in which you started with a design that seemed intuitively right, tested
it, and changed the things that seemed to work?
Regards,
Agback
Hi Agback,
I was as much taken with the prototype of the D&D game as anyone, so
the design approach was strictly hands-on, seat-of-the-pants play and
revise. The process began in the laast quarter of 1972 and continued
through the spring of 1973. By summer I felt the basics were sufficient
to publish the game, and only a few alterations were made between then
and when the work was published in January of 1974. Thereafter,
however, I went back to play-and-revise, so that before the year was out
we were testing the material that was published in the
Greyhawk
D&D game supplement in 1975. In short, I was too busy having fun
playing to be really organized in the writing of the game.
When later on I wrote the AD&D game I used a less chaotic approach,
including a general mission statement I created for my own reference and
a short outline that grew as I progressed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by sluggo the sleazebag
Hello Gary...
I have a class question for you. Do you think a cleric's presence is
absolutely essential to the long-term survival of a party? In the
absence of a divine caster, potions of healing are the old standby (as
are frequent trips to nearby city's cleric for healing/remove disease),
but is it really enough? I ask this because I usually feel obligated to
play the cleric when no one else wants the job, simply to keep things
running smoothly, I suppose.
Am I worried too much about survival?
Sincerely,
Sluggo
Hoi Sluggo!
Gotta love that nick--Sluggo in
Little Lulu comics was a favorite of mine as a boy. anyway...
The absolute need for a cleric in the adventuring party depends on the
campaign. In mine, where there are plenty of undead, the players knew
all too well there was a need for a cleric in a large expedition where
the PCs couldn't sue magical means to depart when faced with a situation
that was likely to bring some unpleasant results.
When small parties adventured--well stocked with potions of healing and
extra-healing--often no cleric would be present, for the members were
high level and had a lot of magical goodies to cover them in crises. for
example, Mordenkainen and Bigby would teleport away in a pinch.
What you might want to do is play another sort of character that you
enjoy, forget being the minder for the group, and see how things turn
out. If lack of a cleric in the party causes difficulties, then go back
to the class if you like,but be sure to get extra rewards for the
services of that needed PC :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
Where did they get the potions of healing, Gary? Were the temples doing a roaring business in them, or were they somewhat common in the dungeons?
Cheers!
Hi Cirrem...err, I mean Merric ;-) (Inside joke from another thread.)
No potions were sold, but I was liberal in distributing them in dungeon
chaches and the like. Many a clerical scroll with various healing spells
on them as well.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Devall2000,
Ken's answer is basically correct. the system base for
Zagyg's Castle
will be the new C&C rules from Troll Lord Games. The original
spirit of the material can bets be presented in a system that is close
of O/AD&D, of course.
I am in process of completing a very large campaign base module for the project, this likely appearing as a boxed set titled
Zagyg's Castle, Yggsburgh.
The material in this covering the land around a town of some 10,000
inhabitants, the town, various smaller communities, and many encounters
(five dungeon-like areas in the lot), adventure hooks for the GM to
flesh out. the text covers all manner of background details for the GM,
so as to set the area in an existing campaign world, and develop the
work through exposition in playby the group adventuring therein. The GM
will know the economics, politics, and society completely, can modify it
easily and make it hos own.
As soon as that is published, the Trolls will follow up with the second part of the series,
Dark Chareau,
a module designed by Rob Kuntz that introuces the Mad Archmage
laterally by revealing his former domicile, that inhabited before Zagyg
became a more-than-human entity.
After the second part is released there will follow about six further modules, each successively detailing
Castle Zagyg,
its upper works and dungeon levels. This modular presentation also
allows for expansion of the dungeons and addition of "side adventures"
as was done in our original campaign, examples of such add-ons being
like my modules
Dungeonland and
Isle of the Ape.
In all, we expect to be busy completing this extensive creative project over the next two years.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Melan
Greetings!
Gary, how do you feel about city adventuring? Were cities a central
feature in your campaigns, or were they more like places to
rest&shop between adventures? Also, did you ever do a writeup of
Greyhawk City... And if yes, is there a chance to see it under some
other name - like "Dunfalcon City" or such?
About one
adventure in 10 was run in a city--Greyhawk or some other. If the PCs
were not seeking adventure when there for R&R, bringing it to them
was no problem :-D
The original map of Greyhawk city was one sheet of graph paper with
colored boxes indicating various places where PC would go--inns &
taverns, armorers, money changers & banks, gemners & jewelers,
city buildings, guilds, etc. That was expanded to two, then four map
sheets, with the thieves' quarter and Rob's Green Dragon Inn shown. I
was working on a very large version some 20 years back, but I abandoned
it as far too detailed.
No version of the city that I designed has ever been published.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Derulbaskul
Gary,
I was 13. Does that explain it? ;-)
Cheers
D
Hi Derulbaskul,
The age sure does. nhot only can I relate through three sons who have
been through that early teen sage, but I can recall my own thinking when
I was age 13.
BTW, one of the column essays I will be writing soon for the "Up on a Soapbox" feature in
Dragon
magazine is ablut my son Luke playing D&D at age 12, the problems
he had with staying in character and role-playing on the part of the DM
(me).
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Gary,
You've said that you and Rob used a sort of "shorthand" format in the
key for the Castle Greyhawk dungeons from which you would wing the
details. Could you give us an example of what a entry might look like?
Since most of us are creating dungeons for our own use instead of
publication, I think an example of how a pro does it could teach us a
thing or two. :-)
Well, RF...
What we used was not 'pro" but simply veteran DM notes to more easily
wing the actual action. Traps and "trick" areas were detailed in regards
to trigger and damage or result from activating a trick.
Monster encounters looked like this: 12 ORCS, 4 with crossbows, 7-12 gp
each, POTION OF HEROISM in hole under water barrel. Will fight until
death.
Depending on the party entering their area, the HPs would be set high,
or rolled, or set low. Likewise, the orcs might have a spy hole, detect
the approaching party, fire through loopholes in the door and wall, or
else be sitting around and possibly surprised.
Special encounters might be more detailed, two or three lines of notes.
Whatever was there was just to stimulate the DM's imagination and inspire something that suited the party for good or ill.
And--let me add to the thanks I expressed before. The more I think
about it, the more I realize what a profound impact you and the gang at
TSR, as well as Marc Miller and the gang at GDW have had on my life.
Since I got my first D&D Basic Set in 1981, role playing games have
been the primary fuel of my imagination. The games challenged me to
understand them. They suggested books to read. They got me to study
history and science (without it being an assignment). They got me to
study probability and analyze rules. They inspired creation of game
mechanics, characters, worlds. I could go on and on.
Indeed, a lot has come out of the original D&D game ;-)
[/QUOTE]The funny thing is that today I'm finding that OD&D and
classic Traveller again are appealling to me more than nearly anything
else available. (Although the new Conan RPG is calling to me...)[/QUOTE]
From my perspective wanting less in the way of rules constraints comes
from being a veteran Game Master who feels confident that good material
comes from imagination and player interaction with the environment that
textbook rules material.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
Hi Gary,
First off I've been remiss in thanking you for your kind (and extensive)
answers to my previous questions, so I offer my sincere, if belated,
thanks now and hope you didn't think I wasn't appreciative of your
answers.
Howdy TF :-)
No need to thank me, and I do not assume that lack of a special note
doing that after I have replied to someone is a lack of gratitude.
Appreciate your thoughtfulness, though!
But now, onto another question :-) Following up on the answer
above (re: Greyhawk City), were the details of the city (including both
the map and other sundry details -- street names, building locations,
description of the city's walls and gates, sewer system, etc.) provided
in the novel City of Hawks
(and to a lesser extent in the other Gord books) drawn from your actual
game version of the city or were they newly invented (re-invented?) for
the purposes of that novel alone? I spent a lot of time and effort
combing through those books back in the day gleaning details for use in
my own games set in Greyhawk City (as an antidote to the bland bland
bland version published by TSR -- talk about disappointment!).
Gratitude and regards,
T. Foster
the city material I included in the Gord novels was either
from my notes, memory, or created to fill in gaps. The latter material
was meant to be true to my vision of the City of Greyhawk, its
infrastructure, places, and persons.
Your combing the books and gleaning details means you are following my
template, but don't let that constrain your own addition to the setting.
Rob was always addint material, and I used to have to consilt with him
about what he had brought into the mix after he had run a city
adventure.
What I am embarassed to admit is that such research likely makes you
more expert than I am in regards to city details, most of which I have
forgotten in the decades elapsed snce I write the stories, the memories
replaced by later stories, adventures and urban settings.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jehosephat
Greetings Gary,
In addition to Fantasy, Western, and Sci-Fi what other genres of novels and/or rpgs do you enjoy?
Also I am feeling a bit nostalgic tonight, thinking a bit about rpgs
that I haven't played in years and such. So there are a few things I
was curious about from the old days. I was wondering, how much
playtesting did you personally do on Merle Rasmussen's Top Secret game?
Also a couple of questions about Darlene Pekul. I first want to say
that I loved her Greyhawk maps. If ever there was an rpg product worthy
of framing and hanging on a wall, it was those maps. So, do you recall
how much role playing she did around TSR in those days? And, do you
know what Darlene is doing these days?
Sincerely,
Jehosephat.
Hi Jehosephat,
As for RPG genres, I'll likely play any sort if I have the time and
opportunity-- wierd fantasy, horror, cyberpunk. I enjoy history and
historical novels, horror, mysteries, and the old Oriental adventure
yarns.
I did indeed playtest
Top Secret, and son Luke ran a short-lived campaign in which I played. I also play-tested and played
Star Frontiers and
Gangbusters.
As for Darlene, I don't recall her doing much RPG play, but I most
certainly do agree that her maps for the WoG were tops! Sheis now
married, living on the East Coast, and considering doing some map work
for my
Zagyg's Castle project B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well Gez...
A long introduction to a short question there ;-)
As the deity under consideration here was an invention of Len Lakofka, I
can't speak to the source for his creative thinking or to the matter of
how her name is pronounced...other than to note that Len said
"Wee-Jaz," with a slight stress on the first syllable.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jehosephat
Well, if Darlene does end up doing the maps, there's yet another reason to give this product a chance. :-D I can't wait.
If she is the cartographer, I am sure Troll Lord Games will make that fact known.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by sluggo the sleazebag
Hi Gary....
Thanks for your prompt reply to my last message. It's nice to see that
you take the time to answer your fans' questions. Anyway, I've got some
more for you...
Welcome, SLuggo, and happy to supply such answers as I can.
What do you think of this so-called "epic-level" play? From what
I've read of your famous characters, I imagine you've had a few
opportunities to explore this particular avenue of gaming.
As presented in new D&D, I don't like epic level play in
the least. The characters have no archetype, are more super-heroes from
comic books that fantasy heroes.
When Mordenkainen hit 18th level he was virtually retired, went only on
special quests. The last time he was played it was against a pair of
ancient white dragons. Before that he was transported with a group of
lower-level PCs to the Starship Warden. However...
At 14th level through the next few above that he played for a good bit
of time in Francois Marcela Froideval's campaign. At those levels
Mordenkainen was a low-level "flunkie" type, as the movers and shakers
in that setting were of high 30th and 40th level. Frnacois had a
complete campaign based on ultra-high level characters, and believe me
it was filled with challenges and a very real sense of danger for PCs of
under 30th level, I should think. there was a lot of roleplay, and the
wrong dialog coming from a chatacter could be fatal...
First off, what do you think are the primary distinctions between
low-level play and the higher-level stuff? Do you prefer one over
another? Also, how can high-level campaigns be tailored to instill a
sense of dread when the characters have already acheived so much and are
rarely challenged at higher levels?
The OAD&D game was written to challenge PCs from 1st
through about 16th level. Above 16th there were few challenges--other
than some combinations of potent monsters or high-level NPCs, or else
very difficult problem solving with extreme penalties for failure.
The typical adventure quest is a matter of scale, low-level monsters,
problems that suit the capacity of the party. Up through around 16th
evel the management of the adventure is simply a matter of scaling up
the challenges the PCs must overcome. When the PCs are about 16th to
18th level, then some very special preparations must be made by the DM
to present interesting material that is logical and will stretch the
capacities of the high-leve; characters in their pursuit of their goals.
The G series of modules were aimed at testing PCs of mid level, and the D
series were for higher level characters. The Drow city of Erelhicindlu
was meant to be a scary place for 16th - 18th level PCs.
When you are running high-level games, do you introduce
Oerth-shaking monsters into those sessions? For example, have you ever
thrown the tarrasque at anyone? What about deities? Does
divine-intervention interfere with the fantasy element or augment it?
Outside of the
Vault of the Drow,
I have run very few high-level adventures. All of my players retired
their PCs from general play when those characters reached the mid-teens
in level. As most groups are of lower level, having a potent character
with a party of lesser sort was not much fun.
I never used the tarrasque (Francois did in his games, also
demi-deities). When wishing to challenge high-level PCs I use a
combination of potent monsters, including demons or devils and tricks
and traps. The encounter with the vampire and succubus in module D3 is a
good example of that.
Divine intervention used properly certainly enhances the fantasy epic,
but the deities invoked should not become the heroes of the adventure,
only elements that add to the whole. If the deities are playing a major
role in the adventure, then there must be those that oppose and threaten
as well as assist the PC party.
In all, I do not design adventures involving a lot of deities, but that can be done. Consider the deCamp and Pratt novel,
The Incomplete Enchanter, in which the giants involved are deital.
Lastly, what advice can you give to players (and dms) who are
embarking on their first high-level campaign? Could you give us a
Mordenkainen (or Bigby) tidbit to illustrate that wisdom?
Thanks again,
Sluggo
As you'll note from my previous responses, I have run very few
really high-level adventures, so I have no more advice to offer that
what has been stated already. After surpassing 18th level, Mordenkainen
and Bigby have adventured alone (with some lower level companions), as
were no suitable challenges for them in cooperation.
To prepare for high-level adventures, the DMmust needs present a setting
where the "masters" of the environment are of tremendous potency,
demi-deities. Their opponents must be of like power, and the main
servants of these overlords need to be NPCs of greater level that the
PCs who will be interacting with them. The monsters presented will need
to be beefed up by the DM so as to be of comparitive level, and above,
with the adventuring characters.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel,
I was just perusing an old Dragon
and came upon your thoughts for a 2nd edition of AD&D. I will avoid
any comment as to my thoughts on the post-Gygaxian 2nd edition and ask
this question instead:
You mentioned in the article the removal of monks to an oriental-themed
campaign setting. When I first read this many years ago I remember
thinking "Yes, that makes sense." Of course, in retrospect, I remember
on of my favorite PC's being a mid-level monk PC. Not to mention the
central role they play(ed) in Greyhawk's Scarlet Brotherhood.
Were you planning on removing the monk element from the Brotherhood or
simply making them an exception to the rule? (Heh, heh, come to think of
it, I'd like to see what would have gone into a 2nd edition "World of
Greyhawk"!).
Thanks!
Gray Mouser
Hi Mouser,
What I was contemplating was a non-Oriental sort of Monk character to
replace the clearly Eastern martial artist one featured. The class would
likely have been a sort of dedicated warrior-spy with a few elements of
the original Monk class, new abilities of more European sort to round
it out. that way the Scarlet Brotherhoob would not have had to lost its
warrior-monk component.
All the notes I had for the new classes are gone, so don't ask for details :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
back in my AD&D days my group liked to stick to the basics when
creating PCs. Everybody tended to be human rather than demi-human, and
we almost never used the sub-classes (which are noted as optional,
anyway). Thus, everybody tended to be one of the following types of
characters:
human cleric
human fighter
human magic-user
human thief
However, of the four the thief always seemed to be the least popular and
the least useful class. Maybe this was because of our gaming style, or
perhaps because we seldom had city-based adventures. My question is
this: How essential to a balanced AD&D party is the thief? While I
don't see how a party could get by without clerics, fighters, and
magic-users, I've long scratched my head on just how essential the thief
is to a party's continued success. To us, the thief always seemed more
non-essential (similar to a druid or a monk) than one would think since
it's one of the four core classes.
The thief is a strong
archetype in fantasy and adventure stories in general. The main drawback
to having one in the party was...theft! Otherwise, we always
appreciated a thief PC being able to scout ahead, check for and remove
traps, pick locks, cimb up where the rest of the PCs couldn't reach
easily, and even pop out of shadows to strike a dangerous opponent for
added damage.
As encounters became more complex and dangerous, the party's thief
became a lot more in demand. Just being able to have a member go ahead,
see what was awaiting, and return to warn the other PCs was often the
difference between success and failure.
Thief characters that prospered understoon that their purloining had to
be kept to a reasonably modest "extra share," or else the other PC would
grab them, turn them upside hown, and shake them :-D Of course when I
was DMing I did my best to encoutrage thieves to be greedy, so as to
give the party problems from within, that seeming logical when they had a
sneaky stealer of wealth along.
When I played a multi-classed demi-human with that ability I made sure to keep on the good side of the non-thief PCs too.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Bloodstone Press
Hi Gary,
I remember reading the 1e
DMG when I was a kid and thinking "Wow, this guy is really smart."
And even now sometimes I read things you say and I still think "Damn. He's so smart."
So I gotta ask, what is your educational background? Ever been to college? If so, what did you study?
Well, I sometimes get too big for my britches, but those who know me are quick to deflate my bloating ego.
I never finished high school, attended junior college in Chicago, picked
up a fair number of English and anthropology-sociology credits amongst
various other classes. As I was on the Dean's list and had professors
pushing me, I was admitted to the U. of Chicago, but I took a job in
insurance instead. Thus, most of what I know came by my own study and
reading, and listening to knowledgeable folk, certainly.
When I was at the Washington School of Psychaiatry in 1984 (IIRR)
speaking to the faculty on creatiity, the concensus was that my IQ was
very high--over 200. Of course, knowing how little I actually know and
can do well, I am flattered but dubious. I have given large seminars on
gaming and had mere pre-adolescent audience members ask me questions I
had extreme difficulty answering, so I know i am far from the Light of
the Ages. I just happen to rest well... :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Silver Moon
I'll
be looking forward to reading that column. I've just started a
childrens game with my three youngsters, ages 6, 8 and 11, and am
finding it a lot of fun but also quite challenging, trying to keep
everything age appropriate. I've found that the trio are all natural
role players with great imaginations. It's also a very different pace
than my regular game, as we spent four-hours of gaming just picking out
their equipment and discussing what each item can be used for!
Good, Silver Moon :-)
Playing games, especially RPGs with your children is sure to build bonds
and help them to grow mentally. As long as it is a group of siblings,
likely roleplay will be easy and come naturally as "let's pretend."
however, of you add outsiders to the group, especially older persons,
your children will likely become shy and constrained in that regard
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jehosephat
Good day to you Gary !! :-)
I have a quick question for you on the art of being a good gamemaster. I
know you have probably answered this at some point in your career, but I
missed it. Do you think being a great gamemaster is a natural ability
or a learned one?
Hi Jehosephat,
As with most things of creative sort I believe that the really great GMs
have a natural talent for it. Most of us are not so blessed, but with
desire and practise and we are able to do a good job of it. I might have
great ideas for adventures, but I do not consider myself to be a great
GM, adaquate usually, sometimes near-great becaus eof enthusiasm, and
now and then pretty dismal.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
i read this about the "r" series of modules. could you verify it?
"According to author Frank Mentzer, these modules are set in the World
of Greyhawk, though at the continent opposite the one in the published
campaign setting. The plan was to eventually incorporate them into
another World of Greyhawk set -- plans that ended when Gary Gygax left
TSR in 1985 (thanks to Brett Easterbrook and Frank Mentzer for this
info)."
Along the same lines, were there ever any plans to release more material
on the world of greyhawk (other than modules). obviously, the skeleton
world concept would preclude detailed setting info, but was there ever
any plans to add new areas, like say a continent for oriental
adventures.
Mistere29,
Yes indeed, Frank spoke truth. As I have said before I did intend to
expand the WoG setting to cover the complete planet. In that regard LEn
LAkofka, Francois Marcela Froideval, and Frank Mentzer were all to be
involved in the shape of the added continents and islands.
No real work had been done on this project, though, when I parted from TSR at the end of 1985.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by CRGreathouse
I
have some questions about monster origins--if you don't mind, Gary.
I'd really like to know where the ideas came from originally: legends,
thought processes, inspirations, etc.
What can you (will you) tell us about the Umber Hulk? They're my
favorite D&D monsters, really. What inspired you? I like the fact
that they look like ordinary monsters, but they're actually intelligent
and have a particular 'culture' of their own.
What about the diobolic heirarchy (Type I, II, ... or their named
equivilents)? Were those designed wholecloth, or did you find
inspiration in particular sources? Dante seems a natural influence...?
Hail CRGreathouse,
Allow me to preface my answers with a brief statement regarding my
reading. From the time I was about five I was read fairy tales and read
them. Soon thereafter I added fables and legends, and by age 12 I was an
avid fan of fantasy and SF stories, reading a book a day. Along with
that I read a lot of mythology and history (fact and fiction), some
Westerns, Murder and Oriental mystery stories, horror, occult, and
action yarns. Later on, in searching for new creatures to add to the
D&D monster roster I devoted a lot of research time to folklore.
The umber hulk a creation made from the whole cloth of my imagination.
they were meant to be a considerable challenge to potent PCs, so they
were given the abilities you appreciate.
The demon types I, II, III, etc. were similarly devised using mainly my
imagination. The devils were a mix of imagination and Dante's writing.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dmprata
Hi
Gary! Before anything else, I simply must thank you for being so
gracious as to field our questions here. I had the pleasure of meeting
you at the Higgins Museum in Massachusetts last year, and you were every
bit as personable and gregarious as you come across on these pages.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for my 21 years of gaming enjoyment!
Well, dmprata...
Stop or you'll turn my head!
OK, that's the end of my groveling . . . ;-)
Whew! That's better. I was afraid I'd have to go out and buy a larger-sized hat
I was hoping you could clear something up for me in regards to
weather in the Flanaess. I only recently acquired the old Glossography
(yay, eBay!), and I was curious about the weather table and climatic
data therein. Was it really your intention to make the place so
&^$% hot all the time? I know you hate cold weather, but, if that
table is accurate, the baseline temperature in the Yeomanry during the
month of Harvester (for example) averages nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit!
I'm not as concerned with the actual table as I am with the
rationale behind it. I had always assumed that the Flanaess was
generally temperate (albeit with an extended summer season). However,
the map of latitudes shows the 40th parallel running through the Shield
Lands, about 400 miles north of where I thought it would be. That
places the Frost, Snow, and Ice Barbarian lands at about 50 degrees
north (which seems far too mild), and most of the south-central states
well into the sub-tropics. Was that your intention, or perhaps an
editing error?
You are spot on in regards my preference for a warmer clime
:-) The seasons in the WoG speak volumes in that regard, and I confess
to a great fondness for a Mediterranean-like environment.
The weather tables were done by another person, so you are actually
preaching to the choir, more or less. While I was quite satisfied with
informal climatology and general information in regards weather, many
gamers wanted more specific systems. Frank Mentzer had a friend with
such data, so that is how the weather tables for Oerick came about. I
must accept the blame for incongruities, of course, as I okayed the
material. Of course, being a DM who always flew by the seat of his
pants, I never used them, so I failed to spot the glitches. When I was
running a game the weather was what I said it was ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
I
know you changed your (and rob's) greyhawk campaign around for
publication. How much of the setting was developed during actual play.
(as opposed to detailed for the published setting. )
Further Greetings, Mistere29,
You are ahead of Rob and I in regards the re-creation of our original
dungeon levels. I am nearly finished with new campaign-base material for
the central thems, the ruined castle and its many dungeons. Rob,
meantime, is devising an introduction to Zagyg, the Mad Archmage. All of
that will take a few more months to complete. When that is
accomplished, we will then turn out attention to the castle and
dungeons.
We will use my original scheme of the dungeons, altering them as need be
for coherant presentation to a general audience of GMs. That means a
lot more text and explanation, for I winged encounters, and as Rob
learned from me, so did he. The major features from the original levels
he and I designed will be included in the re-design of the castle, just
as my original work was incorporated into the huge new dungeon complex
Rob and I created by combining our respective castles. Additionally, as
that complex was explored and exploited, we created new levels and
changed things. In all, the original work was one that was in progress,
continually in flux of change.
We will do our best to make the printed version not only true to the
spirit of the underlying material, but also accommodating for GMs who
wish to have "living" dungeons.
Finally, we will not give all away. Where there are great mysteries
involved, such as the Great Stone Face and the Disappearing Jeweled Man,
we plan to offer the GMs several possible answers :-D Overall, the
PCs adventuring in the dungeons will encounter the same challenges as
faced the original delvers in 1972 and onwards, that Robilar discovered
and Mordenkainen met.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hi Gary---
Any updates on the Castle Zagig project to share? The more juicy details, the better, of course :-D
Hoi Allen!
See the post immediately above this one. I am supposed to be working on
details of a dungeon-like area, one of five to be included, in the
campaign base setting for the
Castle Zagyg
project now. I need to finish off correspondence and board postings,
make a fresh pot of coffee, and get to creative work soon...
[/QUOTE]Unrelatedly, Gary, had you created the ruined monastary from the 1e
DMG example of play and sample dungeon map for the
DMG itself or was it drawn from your GH campaign?[/QUOTE]
The example you note was created especially for the
DMG
and was not a part of the GH campaign. Wherever possible I kept the two
separate so as to have the large group playing in the campaign getting
new material.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by O Brasileiro
Hello my Master, my Lord.
I cannot resist to ask: which is your favorite system? The original D&D, AD&D or the new D&D?
Thanks for the softball, O Brasileiro :-)
My favorite system is my newest one, the
Lejendary Adventure
RPG. After three plus decades of play I have come to most enjoy a
rules-light, skill-based system, and that's what the LA game is. I find
it inspires my creativity in play and in writing game material.
Rules-heavy systems smother my capacity to innovate.
As for D&D gaming, I very much enjoy playing either the first D&D system (three booklets) or else OAD&D. The
Castle Zagyg modules are being designed based on the upcoming
Castles & Crusades rules being done by Troll Lord Games using the
OGL and being as close to OAD&D as that license will allow.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Silver Moon
And
continues to be a great monster to this day! Incidentally, the
plastic/rubber Umber Hulk 6" action figure was my daughter's favorite
bath toy back when she was a baby. I guess we corrupted her at a young
age, as she now loves playing the game at age 11. :-)
Heh, SilverMoon,
Those rubbery toys with metal inner skeletons were actually manufactured
to TSR's specs over in the Orient. As TSR wasn't really set up to be a
toy company, they didn't do all that well, so they are pretty much
collectors items these days.
In all it is good to bring children into gaming by means of interesting bath toys :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Ciao Mistere29,
Actualy, about 80% of the game action in my old GH campaign centered on
the castle and dungeons and in city adventures. Wilderness adventuring
covered the balance of what wasn't published in various modules from
TSR. The dungeon-centricity of the campaign was by popular demand, and
that's why there were so many levels and side adventures based off of
encounters in the depths ;-)
As for your LA game campaign, why not go with what most appeals to you,
what you feel confortable with and have a lot of fun with? This will
generally translate to the players enjoying things, for your enthusiasm
will be contageous.
In my own game I don't hesitate to use a published module now and again
so as to change the pace from my style to that of another--a bit at
least.
Come on back if that doesn't cover it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Schnee,
Don't confuse the RttToH, which I did not write, with the original ToH.
In the latter there are no mechanical bucking broncos or green slime
tapestries. Of course the incautious will find plenty of certain death
opportunities in the original adventure...
Only the most veteran of my group attempted to explore the ToH with
their regular PCs. Son Ernie and Terry Kuntz retreated when they
discovered how difficult and deadly a dungeon their PC faced. Rob Kuntz
with PC Robilar made it to the end, losing some dozen or so orc troops
along the initial route, and when faced with the rising skull of the
demi-lich did the logical thing for his character--scoooped up the
treasure and retreated in utmost haste. Note all of those forays were by
single PCs, Robilar accompanied by flunkies.
A number of large parties of PCs made the journey into the tomb, some
with many survivors, and two I know of defeated the demi-lich. The most
innovative solution was by a tournament group that used the reverse end
of the scepter to touch the crown gained with it in the throne room.
When the skull arose one of the PCs popped the crown on it, another used
the scepter, and the demi-lich was powder. Russ Stambaugh was their DM,
and when he told me what they had managed to pull off, I awarded them
first place hands down.
The adventure is meant to be deadly, kill off all the unwary PCs, and
make the survivors paranoid. It is best played with characters created
for the adventure, not the regulars in a campaign, as the ToH is
unforgiving and often results in
TPK.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Altalazar,
The suit I filed against TSR, Williams, et al. was for compliance with
the terms of the Shareholders' Agreement regarding buying and selling
stock. Judge Reed who presided over that fiasco was clearly unaware of
contract law, so it is a good thing he didn't have to know anything
about games. As i understand it, he was the most appealed judge in the
State of Wisconsin. Shortly after hearing my case election time rolled
around, and he lost his bid for retaining his office. What rankled me a
good deal was that the judge grew up one door north and across one
street from me. He was about five years older than I, and when i was
about 10 years old he and two of his buddies strong-armed me out of a BB
pistol. then sent me and my friend running by shoting at us with a 410
shotgun blast...
The suit filed by TSR against us for the
Dangerous Journeys
game system never got to trial. We were indeed concerned about the
capacity of the judge to understand the RP game form, my legal counsel
was very knowledgeable, felt no normal judge would be able to grasp the
matter. I suppose that's why they insisted we settle out of court, take
the money and run.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Son_of_Thunder
Gary,
Holy smokes!!! This quote from yourself on page two is exactly how I've been feeling lately.
Howdy!
I suppose that enjoy being free to innovate as they run adventures share that sentiment, yes... ;-)
Anwyay, I've edited the quote below so that it reads more coherently, I hope:
"From my perspective wanting less in the way of rules constraints
comes from being a veteran Game Master who feels confident that more good material comes from imagination and player interaction with the environment than from textbook rules material.
At 33 years of age I've found myself going back to my OAD&D
books more than my new edition books. When did you say your hardback for
LA was coming out?
Son of Thunder
Well, despite your tender years it is apparent that you are a
confident Game Master with a desire to have the adventure matter more
than rule-playing does.
Before the hardback LA core rules books are published I want to have two
paperback supplements released, so that those with the softcover
version don't feel they are beingforced to buy a whole new set of books.
As it stands the supplements will be published next year, so that means
the revised hardcover LA core rules books will be released late in 2005
or 2006.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Gary,
I always wondered about Gord's special abilities that you described in
the appendix to the first novel. (If I recall correctly: +1 to
hit/damage w/ longsword & dagger, no penalties for dual-weilding,
was that it?) Are these only there because you were writing fiction, or
would you let PCs have this sort of thing?
The last time I
read that particular book was about 15 years ago, so I confess to no
memory of the special capacities I noted for Gord. That said, they can
be easily explained by sword specialization. ambedexterity, and the fact
that his father was a deity ;-) You can bet your last buck that I
didn't allow that sort of thing for a PC...
Another completely unrelated thing I wondered about recently: In the
early days, when Rob DMed for you, were you typically the only player?
It seems like nearly all of the tales I recall of your PCs don't feature
anyone else's PCs.
Because Rob was kind enough to DM for me when I was working at
home, about half of the adventures I enjoyed were single player--me
playing one or more, usually more, of my PCs. the remainder of play was
with one or more other persons, on occasion a dozen or more, so I can
play just about any way. the tales I recount are generally those of more
memorable sort--easy when only one person is making the decisions and
those decisions turn out very well or most unfortunate...
I was thinking of asking what question you get asked the most. Then I
thought it might be more interesting to ask: What is a question you
hardly ever get asked that you think should be asked more often?
You found just the right question, one that I am interested in answering too!
If nobody has asked, who cares what I think about something not
sufficiently interesting to others to have inquired about? ;-)
Oh all right: Do I enjoy killing PCs when I GM? A The answer is
definately not in the least, especially if they belong to regular
players. there I do all I can to prevent such loss without directly
intervening in players' actions for their characters. However, rather
like playing "giveaway checkers," such a session can be fun and
challenging as a convention game where arbitrary means of having
characters meet their demise are out of the question. The last session I
played like that was at GenCon 2002, and darned if one of the nine PCS
didn't manage to save her PC from death, so the team beat me as the GM.
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by schnee
Ah,
my apologies for not being specific enough. The question I asked was
about the original Tomb of Horrors (wholly contained within RttToH). The
room I mentioned is #21, 'The Agitated Chamber'; it contains the
tapestries and floor I speak of. After thinking about it a bit, I guess
they're traps for players who lose sight of their intended goal -
looting instead of trying to find and slay the great evil.
...
Ah, yes of course. the"mechanical bull" reference
threw me off. The room where the movement will rip the tapestries if
being handled, cause them to revert to their actual material, green
slime, is exactly as you discerned, a trap for greedy PCs who have lost
sight of their mission.
I have a sheet posted for my players that says: "FOCUS: MISSION, GOAL, OBJECTIVES, Strategy, Tactics, Logistics" ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Melkor
Hi Gary,
I wanted to pick your brain for some knowledge of the Surprise and
Initiative systems in AD&D 1st Edition. Here are my thoughts on how
it works, would you mind pointing out there errors and clarifying some
of my points that may be a little off ?
Thanks in advance for your time!
Hi Melkor :-)
Those are some lengthy and very well-phrased questions. Thanks for the latter, as it maked answering easy.
Surprise:
...
Your understanding is correct.
Initiative:
Spellcasting is done independantly from initiative. A spell's segment
determines where in the round the commencement of the spell takes place,
in regards to weapon attacks and other spellcasters.
Spellcasting must be announced prior to rolling for initiative.
...
Yes, as the
spell-caster announces intent first, that means he is commencing the
activation of the spell at the beginning of the round, so initiative
does not affect that.
As for the rest you are also correct.
Other than the above scenario, weapon speed is only used when
simultaneous initiative is rolled after the initial round of combat (A
weapon's speed does not apply to the initial round of combat),
Where initiative is equal the longer weapon strikes first in the initial round.
in which case it determines which opponent strikes first. The
faster weapon speed is then compared to the slower to determine if the
faster weapon gets additional (Extra) attacks before the slower weapon
gets it's attack. If the weapon speed of the slower weapon is at least
twice as much (or 5 factors more) the speed of the faster weapon, the
character with the faster weapon gets two attacks. If it is 10 or more,
the character with the faster weapon gets two attacks before, and one
attack simultaneous with the slower-weaponed character.
We seldom used this rule, but yes, that is correct.
In the case of a weapon set against charge, the initiative is
automatically given to the character with the weapon set against an
onrushing opponent.
The exception to this would be where the onrushing opponent
has a longer weapon--a lancer versus an opponent with a short pole-arm
or spear of 8' or less length.
[/QUOTE]A fighter able to strike more than once during a round will
attack once before opponents with only a single attack. A fighter with
multiple attacks fighting another fighter with multiple attacks uses
initiative to tell who attacks first.[/QUOTE]
Yes, that is correct, but when two opponents with two attacks each are
concerned, the one with initiative strikes first, then the slower
responds, the initiative holder attacks a second time, followed by the
second attack of the slower combatant. A third attack by both follows
that sequence. If only one had a third attack it would follow the last
of the second exchange.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Melkor
Thanks for the response Gary.
I appreciate you taking the time to address one of the "tricky" parts of
AD&D that has left a question mark in my mind for years.
A few follow-up 1st Edition questions if I may:
Groan!
Seeing as how you are so polite, how can I refuse? So even though I am
in the modst of detailing a dungeon level's encounters I'll break for a
bvit and respond.
How many of the rules in the original Unearthed Arcana, Wilderness
Survival Guide, and Dungeoneer's Survival Guide made their way into your
campaigns (Correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression
that only a limited amount of material found in UA was actually written
by you) ?
All of the material in UA was mainly of my creation, gathered from articles I wrote in
Dragon
magazine. virtually oll of that material was used in my campaign, much
of it before the book was published. I never used anything from the
other two books, though, the survival guides.
Did you use Ability/Attribute checks in your campaigns, or did you
assign an arbitrary percent chance to activities that the character
might attempt which were not covered by class abilities ?
If a player wanted a character to do something not covered by
class but otherwise logically possible I would usually have a check
rolled against the associated ability, with a bonus or penalty depending
on the action and the difficulty rating I considered applicable. the
rolls were made on d20 against the ability, as adjusted, a score of at
or under the number arrived at meaninga success.
How did you handle situations where a character of one class (say
Fighter) was attempting to use Move Silently or Climb Walls - Two
situations that when taken literally (i.e. - the Thief can Move with
ABSOLUTE SILENCE whereas someone else might attempt to move stealthily,
and the Thief can climb SHEER SURFACES wheras someone else might climb a
rough cliff, or a tree), would mean that only the Thief could attempt
them, but when looked at in a broader fashion, might be allowed for a
character of any class ?
Generally common sense was applied. A fighter in metal armor
can't move silently, but without that impediment a Dex ability roll with
modifiers for surface and/or footwear, would be called for. Same for
climbing, metal armor makes that almost impossible, plate particularly
so. When climbing or some like activity, was required for a group, I set
a probability for all non-thieves, and had each player roll for his PC.
The check might have been on any die; for example jumping over a
crevass might use d6, a 6 meaning a failure, or a d10 with 9-0 or only 0
a failure. Again, arbitrary perhaps, but based on common sense. the
main idea was to convey the sense of danger with a reasonable chance for
success, perhaps a more than reasonable one for the sake of the game
;-)
How were "Secondary Skills" used in your campaigns ? Did you just
allow a bonus when making an Ability Check if the character posessed a
relevant Secondary Skills ?
Most of my players ignored such opportunities, being contyent
to focus on activities of their PC class. When someone wanted to include
secondary skills I'd allow them to choose from the list or make up
their own. Application was automatic if a simple use, otherwise a chack
against an applicable ability score was made, modified as needed by
difficulty and circumstances.
And finally, in the years you have had to look back upon 1st
Edition, are there any specific things that you would have changed about
the system if you had the opportunity to revise it ?
Thanks again Gary!
Water under the bridge is long gone, and there's little
benefit in analyzing the distant flow. For my current thinking in
regards to FRPG system excellence, I refer you to the
Lejendary Adventure game B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Welcome Melkor :-)
If you want to give the LA system a test, go on over to
www.lejendary.com
and download the free pdf that is available there, "LA Quickstart
Rules." It is a complete product, with instructions, rules, six
pre-generated Avatar characters, and a good adventure for the Lejend
master to run.
Now back to pipulating an underground lake ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Whitey
Happy GM's day.
If anybody should get special kind wishes today, it's you - and if
there's anybody who can really answer this question, it's you.
Beyond 'everybody has a good time', what would you say are the five most
important elements of a dungeon/campaign/quest? You should answer that
as broadly or specifically as you like.
It'll give us something to think about here while we're waiting on Castle Zagyg.
Hi Whitey,
Rather than have you wait for about three years, the likely toime the last part of
Castle Zagyg will be published, I'll take a stab at the five elements that make a game session enjoyable:
1. Good personal relationships between all the participants.
2. Subject matter that interests the whole group.
3. Able GMing, including animated participationby that one.
4. Able play, role-assumption, and roleplaying by the players.
5. A sense of danger from the environment, but knowledge that clever play will likely overcome all hazards,
6. In-game reward for characters played successfully in the scenario,
7. Shared recounting of the adventure at its conclusion.
8. A conclusion that opens the portal to yet more exciting possibilities for play.
There, I went you three better :-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by solomanii
I
just finished re-reading Descent into the Depths of the Earth. One
thing I really like about GG modules is the unbelievable attention to
the treasure. Not sure if you customised each one or if its all random,
but I love the little touches. Instead of saying 1 Diamond and 400pp we
get 143pp, 29gp and a delicate brooch shaped like a small spider.
Did you do this on purpose or was it random?
I also liked how even some of the random encounters and "grunt" patrols
all had unique spells or items and small stories ("the female and male
patrols are competitive").
Its this kind of attention to detail you don�t see so often in modern modules anymore.
Greetings Solomanii,
To cut to the chase, I decide upon the treasure found in an encounter as
I write it. Nothing more random involved than my mental processes.
At times I skimp on that part of things because my attention is centered
on description of the area, the creatures or traps therein, what will
happen to PCs when they interact with those things. In many cases,
though, O'll go back and polish an important encounter area, and at that
point detail things sich as, "There is a small coffer of tortoise shell
hidden in the secret compartment. The box is bound in gold and set with
carved red coral clasped in a center mounting of that metal. this
carving depicting a curled Oriental dragon, the pearl it holds in its
five-taloned claw an actual black seed pearl."
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
Last time i checked there where only 4 pregen characters.
Right you are, and my bad ;-)
I was thinking of an introductory module I had written that had six pre-generated Avatars in it.
Four ain't shabby, though,as two of them are activators--spell-casters.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by VirgilCaine
Mr. Gygax, it is an honor and a pleasure to speak with you.
Do you prefer "high" or "low" magic campaigns?
Howdy!
Depends on the campaign, but i generally have magic available somewhere
in the middle, and as PCs get higherin level, amke it more available to
them as they face more challenging opponents.
What is your favorite character class to play?
I mainly play a skill-based system these days, but when
playing a class-based one I don't ming any of the main classes--fighter,
mage, illusionist, cleric, druid, thief, ranger, or some combination of
those if playing a demi-human. The last new PC I created was a gnome
illusionist thief.
Do you keep up with what Wizards of the Coast is doing with Dungeons and Dragons?
No.
After all this time, do you have a favorite monster you enjoy pitting your PCs against?
Heh, the one i am pitting against the group playing is my
favorite of the moment, or else one I am making up to surprise everybody
;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Thank you.[/QUOTE]
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottGLXIX
Greetings
Colonel, I have a follow up to the spell casting and initiative
question you answered above. When attacking a spell caster, the
DMG
gives two methods for determing if the attack or the spell occur first,
either the segment indicated by the initiative roll, or a method based
on speed factor. What about in situations where the attacker has
multiple attack routines, like an archer, or a fighter with two attacks?
Will the first attack occur first regardless of casting time, or does
the spell caster have the normal chance of getting his spell off before
the first attack occurs?
Scott
Hi Scott :-)
A spell-casted loosing a one-segment spell such as magic missile is
pretty hard to stop. All of my mage PCs have spells of one segment
casting time for tight situations,
The physical attack must occur on the segment before a spell is cast to
disrupt it--unless concentration is required to keep the spell going.
Multiple attacks don't matter, as the first happens on the segment of
the round indicated, then another follows thereafter. So if the first of
multiple attacks occurs before the spell is cast, and it hits, that's
the one that matters most. Of course the second attack might be even
more important, such as one that kills the spell-caster...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
Yeah
but the other 2 are basically fighters. 2 more rougish types would have
been a good idea. That would cover most of the basic types people like
to play
Yes, a Noble Order human and a Dwarf Soldier Order
for their combat capacity--the encounters demand some heavy fighting.
The beauty of the LA game system is that the player is not confined to a
stereotype, so rougish activity can be accomplished as desired, skills
facilitating that oicked up so as to enhance that aspect. However, in
the adventure presented, such Avatars wouldn't be a lot of use.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottGLXIX
Thanks
Gary! The good news is, that was the last question I had for the
AD&D rules. The bad news is, I just started playing DJ and LA, so
that's two more systems I have to learn.
Scott
Whoa!
Talk about the opposite ends of the skill-based RPG...
MythusMage will likely be delighted to expound on the DJ game whenever you present the opportuity.
The place for LA game discussion is over at
www.lejendary.com or on
www.dragonsfoot.org in the LA game section there ;-) You can download a free pdf at either website, The LA Quickstart Rules."
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Yuppers Scott,
Greg knows his DJ rules very well. Creating HPs takes a while until you
get used to it. I got so I could do a dozen in a day, but now I don't
need to work so hard, because the LA game is far easier ;-)
Sometime I'll tell you about the long campaign of Unhallowed I ran, how
the whole player group failed to comprehend the purpose of their HPs'
mission and thus ended up by being devoured by a demon. I hated it :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottGLXIX
Sounds like a good story to hear while sipping some Bombay during Game Fest.
Scot
Right On!
If you are famliar with the KotDT strip where the GM has gone to great
lengths to preppare a campaign covering everythig in the LotR setting,
and the first thing the PCS do is to "waste Gandalf," you'll get the
general tenor of what happened in the campaign I had prepared, but my
players did it at the very end of things. High hopes crushed...
More in July then :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Melkor :-)
ScottGLXIX covered the question you had perfectly. Indeed, the most
favorable number is used by those PCs with more than one possible for
attacks and/or saving throws.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
I'm putting the two together in this post. Sue me! B-) >:-)
Mr. Gygax,
I've been thinking on the benefits of D&D, and I've decided to turn
RPG Activist for a while. I'm thinking that the benefits of playing
RPGs are highly overlooked by the Education Establishment thanks to
Bothered About Dungeons and Dragons (BADD!). In fact, you're welcome to
read my essay. :-D
From the correspondence i have
received from gamers, I have no doubt that there are many positive
benefits associated with participation in RPGs. I ran a survey on my
website asking if the RPG was positive, neutral, or negative in regards
several aspects of their life--social, educational, and work. Over half
said highly positive, over a quarter said moderately positive, about 10%
siad that gaming had no effect, and less than 5% had negatives
regarding it, uners 1% of over 1,000 responses rathe the RPG as hightly
negative. Sadly, the poll results were lost in a server crash.
Back around 1980 I directed TSR to advertise in professional educators'
perioricals asking for the reader to registed with the company if ther
were intersted in learning about RPG modules designed for classroom
instruction, We received over 3,000 requests. In the course of this we
hires a Ph.D in Educational Psychology to assist with the creation of
the modules. Just as we were ready to begin prodiction, the Blumes
canned the project :-(
BADD was a bad joke. The woman who attempted to exploit the organization
she founded had to drop it, ended up being an "expert" speaking to
small town police departments on the "dangers" of RPGs and Satanism.
I'd appreciate receiving a copy of your essay.
I've even gone a step further, and I'm translating the myth of the
Agronautica into an actual adventure module intended for kids. I'd like
to know your opinion on this matter.
Yours,
Elton Robb
My opinion is that your efforts are well-founded. I wish you great success.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
G'day Gary!
Recently on RJK's boards you mentioned that Jeff Perren was initiating legal action against
WotC for their use of Chainmail, since was never bought out (like you were).
What is that about? Is that to do with the Chainmail ESD? Or with the d20 Chainmail miniature game?
Has it been resolved yet?
Cheers!
Hi Merric!
Sorry, but I have only second-hand knowledge of the matter. Someone
phoned me on behalf of Jeff to inquire about some technical matters.
That's all I know, and the nature of the suit and any resolution is known only to the parties concerned.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by O Brasileiro
Hello again, Master.
This one is about the old D&D TV show (we had that for 20 years here
in Brasil). Did someone really wrote any "official" last episode? If
so, can you talk something about it?
Ciao O Brasileiro,
Yes, a 27th episode concluding the D&D Cartooon Show series was
written by Michael Reaves. He had is posted on his websute for some
time, but I don't know if it's still up. It was
IMO the best-written of all the scripts.
Just FYI, the concluding script was ordered by Marvel because we had
reached an agreement regarding a spin-off show. The new series would
have been aimed at an older audience, had the main characters from the
original--no Bobby or Uni--being more self-reliant, the magic items no
longer there. One script for the new series had been approved by me, and
others were being written when the TSR difficulties arose. When
Lorraine Williams informed Marvel that they would no longer be dealing
with me, Marvel and CBS decided to drop the project...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
Heh
- so by the time I heard the story, it was at least fourth-hand! (Jeff
told someone who told you who told someone who told me... ;-) )
Not a problem, Gary. Thanks for the info.
You are most welcome, amigo :-)
Another question, this one LA related!
In D&D, there's a fairly big difference between 1st and 9th level
characters in their power levels; what sort of difference is there
between inexperienced and experienced Avatars in LA? (Inexperienced
being starting out, of course, and experienced being those who have been
played for a year or two).
Would you say that it's a flatter progression in abilities? Similar? Greater?
Cheers!
It is difficult to draw parallels between the class-level systems and the LA game's skill-bundle base, but...
The beginning Avatar is possibly like a PC of around 5th or 6th level in
capacity, settingaside player accumen, of course. Advancement is slow,
gains are generally 1% in one Ability (skill-bundle) per play episode of
four hours of active participation. As a new Avatar starts out with
five Abilities, and there are a total of 34, the player will need a good
deal of time to be highlt able in the initial areas and round out the
Avatar with new Abilities.
Starting scores for Abilities for a human Avatar are in this general range:
1st: 55-60
2nd: 40-45
3rd: 30-35
4th: 20-25
5th: 10
The revised edition of the game, and the primer version coming from TLG
will have a paragraph or two advising how to start play with less-potent
Avatars, so as to approach the lesser capacity of new class and
level-based systems.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Okay Sir Elton!
When I get the ms. copy I'll read and pass along any critique I might have.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by solomanii
Do you use a DM Shield or do you just let the players see all your rolls and whatever they can glean from your notes?
Cheers Solomanii,
I seldom use a screen, but I don't leave notes in view of the players--themap sometimes, but not other written material.
Your second post siad:
And another question that just occured to me quoting you;
"That meant that their cleric would be dedicated to Boccob, and
the fighters and others, wanting the benefits of clerical ministrations
came along for the ride Boccob was never an active deity in play, and none
of the PCs was eager to have Zagyg intervene..."
So did the clerics not help party memebers of different beliefs?
Yes, clerics of deities not honored by someone needing
assistance were generally aided, but at the cost of a "donation" to
advance the work of the particylar faith of the cleric.
The main fun was having clerics of different dieties argue theology, and
debates between one of St. Cuthbert and another of Pholtus always ended
up in a test of which would prevail by a bonk on the head or temporary
blinding. The players had a good sense of humor 8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel,
...
My question is this: Did you experience the same sort of thing when
starting out? I'm sure since you were older and an experienced wargamer
there would be a major
difference at least in rate of PC death, but I'm wondering if, for
instance, the famous Mordenkainen or Yrag, et. al. are all originals or
if he's actually "Mordenkainen III." ;-)
Gray Mouser
I never lost any of my main PCs, although most
of them "died" at least once and were resurrected or wished back to
life by their fellow adventurers. Even though I was over 30 then I did
now and again get a bit rash. Once when the DM was really lousy, Yrag
threw himself on his sword in disgust. Murlynd, Robilar, Tenser, and
Terik brought his corpse back and had him resurrected...with another
person as the DM X-D
A fighter PC of mine in Brian Blume's campaign with a natural 18
strength, 17 constitution and 16 dexterity was killed before getting to
2nd level, lost and gone forever :-( The same is true of a half-orc
cleric-assassin PC of mine, but he got to 3rd level before biting the
dust.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Manzanita
Hey
Gary. It's Grant. You've answered a couple of my questions before.
It's so much fun having you around. Here's another question I've had
for decades & it just occured to me that I could ask you.
Hi Grant,
My pleasure to be posting here. I enjoy the fellowship!
In the original DMG (which I still have and use) it has a sample
combat on page 71. In this, Arlanni the theif uses a crossbow, and
Balto the monk uses a sword, both of which were prohibited to those
classes at the time. The mistakes seem so egregious that I can't
believe they were just an accident. Were you experimenting with
different rules at the time? It was a good combat none the less. Was
it based on an actual DnD event?
thanks,
Grant
To the best of my knowledge and belief, that particular
example was added by the editors, thus slipped past and never got
corrected.
From my current standpoint I would allow the thief to use a hand
crossbow, and with magic swords reduced in power, open the use of that
weapon to clerics, no specialization, of course. However, that ain't
OAD&D.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by sluggo the sleazebag
Hello again Gary,
I have to echo Manzanita's sentiments when I say that it's great to have
you on the boards. You've always been very prompt, humorous, and
forthcoming in your responses and I think it sets a great example for
the rest of the gaming community.
Hi Sluggo!
Happy to be here, for these boards are about the best there are on the
net. the only place where I have about as many posts as I do here is at
the main LA game community boards.
Anyway, I have a few more questions for you...
I'm curious how you handle alignment infractions in your game. Do you
use an honor point system like the one in Oriental Adventures or do you
keep your cards pretty close to your chest, choosing not to inform the
players and simply let their actions (or lack thereof) inform them of
the alignment shift? If you tell them, how do you go about letting the
players know? Is it an out-of-game thing or do they find out the hard
way while attempting to cast spells?
I manage that in my head, keep no notes. A player blatently
playing a character out of exprerssed alignment is informed of that fact
quite publicly before ther group. I believe that is correct, as the DM
sereves as the senses for all PCs. The group would certainly notice such
behavior. If alignment infraction is clandestine, then I inform the
player that the character is drifting towards whatever different
alignment his actions indicate. Of course only clerics would discover
such change when attanpting to cast a spell ot regain one that was cast
or a new one.
My second question deals with the glory days of AD&D. I've read
many of the questions people throw at you about the old modules, but I
can't recall anyone asking this one, so here goes: What do you think is
your most under-rated AD&D module? How about the most under-rated
AD&D module by another author? Also, what about more recent stuff?
Are there any modules out there that appeal to your gaming
sensibilities?
That's a tough question, for I actually enjoyed writing and DMing all the modules in question.
Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth comes to mind. Also the whimsy in
Dungeonland, a module that was great fun if approached in a light-hearted manner.
As for other author's modules I can not say, as I have played only a
handful, What with writing game rules and modules, running my campaign,
and managing bisiness affairs, my playing time was curtailed severely
around the time modules began to proliferate. By then I was playing a
goodly number of other RPGs to test them or because they offered a
refershing inspirational change from pure fantasy.
Lastly, what are your thoughts on Rob Kuntz's upcoming, updated
Maure Castle? I seem to remember you mentioning in a Dragon article that
your characters never explored the lower-levels (something about
petrification and a hasty teleport?), so I'm curious if you'll be having
a second go at the unfinished adventure. As an aside, do you think this
could be Rob's way of bringing Mordenkainen out of retirement?
It will be interesting to see the material when Rob finishes it. He and are will soon be collaborating in the
Castle Zagyg
modules, the material from my original campaign which he co-DMed with
me after the first year or so it was running. As that will keep us busy
for two years or so, I don't know how much time there'll be to adventure
in Castle Maure, but Mordie would enjoy blowing up lost of stuff there
for sure ;-)
It is likely that Rob and I will be co-GMing at least one group of players in an adventure using the
Castle Zagyg
base setting at Milwaukee Gamefest this July. The C&C Rules from
Troll Lord Games being used for the material, that should pretty well
duplicate OAD&D play. The year after we can likely do the same for
the upper levels of the dungeon, and in 2006 the whole of the dungeon
complex.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
2006 before we see Castle Zagyg?
I should have you know Gary, that after waiting 21 years for that
material, if anything untoward befalls you in the next two years, I
fully intend on Resurrecting you. :-P
Heh...
Thought about that as I recalled:
The tusks that clashed in mighty brawls of mastadons are billiard balls.
The sword of Charlemagne the Just is ferrous oxide known as rust.
Great Ghengis Khan and all his band now help to fertilize the land.
The grizzly bear whose potent hug was feared by all is now a rug.
While Caesar's bust is on the shelf, and I don't feel so well myself.
However...
The campaign base setting,
Yggsburgh,
is nearly ready for turnover. it is an area of about 1,500 square
miles, expandable by the GM to around twice that size by using the map
provided and descriptive text. the smaller size is to make inclusion on
the campaign world easier. The settng includes a well-detailed town of
20K plus population, with history, political, military, social, and
economic information, plus several smaller communities, all manner of
geographical features with details and encounters and/or adventure
hooks, and five dungeon-like areas, the third of which I should be
detailing right now 8-D
Rob is working on the second part now, a dungeon-like area that
introduces the Mad Archmage before he attained deital prowess. The
original material for the castle and dungeon levels beneath it will be
revised and detailed using the old maps and encounter notes. that is the
most difficult part of the prohect, as we will have to work from my
model of 13 levels, that expanded ro about 20 by me, then to over 40
when Rob joined forces with me as co-DM. Our mission is to keep the
number of levels presented to a reasonable quantity while covering all
the major places and features of the original models.
This will require approximately five above ground maps and 25 below
ground ones. Maybe two years to execute the lot is a tad optomistic...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Bulldogc
hey gary thanks for the great game. i got a quick question for u
the monks ability to dodge missiles, would that also apply to large rocks tossed by giants?
Hi Billdogc,
Oddly, that's a question that has not ever been asked of me before, and
one that I haven't considered until now. I'll "think in print" now:
A boulder hurled by a giant is centainly a missile. While a lot more
deadly than an arrow, it is larger, not traveling as fast, so it can be
seen more easily. It isn't so large as to preclude moving outside its
path or area of impact.
Now my amswer. Yes, a monk can dodge a boulder hurled by a gaint, or one
from a catapult for that matter. This assumes that the monk is watching
and sees the missile coming at him.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel,
I recently reread the Gord the Rogue series of novels (quite good, btw
although I need "City of Hawks" and "Dance of Demons" to complete my
collection). I really enjoyed them, especially for the image of Greyhawk
and Oerth that they give the reader. However, one thing has bugged me
for low these many years:
How did you come up with the name "Gord" for the main protagonist?
Don't get me wrong, I like the character and think he portrays a thief
character rather well. It's just that every so often I get the urge to
refer to him as "Pumpkin." :-) No offense intended!
Gray Mouser
Heh!
Mouser, I didn't name him Gourd now, did I?
Joking aside, I pondered what to call an orphan left with no name and
raised by a vile old harridan. Then it came to me. She just called him
"boy" most of the time, but when she was irritated or angry she would
thump him on his head and say "gourd," as if he was as stupid as a
vegetable. So the poor lad assumed that name, but as "Gord" as in short
for Gordon, perhaps.
Leena was a really rotten human being...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
That's actually a plot point covered in City of Hawks, so I doubt Gary would want to spoil that for you.
Oops, look like I posted just as Gary did. D'oh!
Hi JRT!
Not much of a plot point, actually, more a detail of how wretched Gord's
life was as a foundling. Knowing how he got his name doesn't reveal the
plot of the
City of Hawks story ;-)
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ErichDragon
Gary,
I wanted to let you know that I ran "The Keep on the Borderlands" this
weekend for some visiting friends and it was every bit as enjoyable for
us in our 30's as it was when we were 12.
I am sure this is an obscure question, but there are three small letter
'g's marked on the Caves of Chaos map. One, in the orc cave is a guard
post, but I can't find any reference for the other two. I had never
noticed it in 20 years of owning/running that module until this weekend,
strange.
Thanks for the great hobby.
Hail!
Thanks for passing that along. When I wrote B2 i aimed at providing an
exciting scenario for as wide a range of DMs and players as I possibly
could. That you and your friends enjoyed it as much after 20 odd years
time between adventuring in the module means that the mark I aimed at
was hit well.
As for the lower case g's on the map, my recollection was that all three
indicated guard posts. I do not have the module before me, so I could
be in error...but I don't think so ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by LordHavok
Hi Gary,
I skimmed through the questions and I hope this hasn't been asked
before, but I was wondering. In all your years gaming, (please don't
take that wrong.. :-D ) have you ever had a session where the people
playing got really angry or even argumentative, either with you or each
other? And if so how was it handled, what happened afterwards, etc. I'm
curious because it's happened in a game I played in before.
Salut LordHavok,
That hasn't occurred in any RPG I have GMed. Not that some players might
not have felt like angrily disputing with me, but I have a certain
force of presence and am an authority figure, so...
I have played in a group that grew angry with the GM, also where some
players grew annoyed with others of the group. No mayhem broke out in
any of those cases, but some players were so disgusted with events that
theyquit the game. I was personally irritated by some young players
having their PCs doing foolish things during a dungeon crawl, and I
silently debated whether or not my own character should fry the lot with
a lightning bolt. but I bit the bullet and was a good sport.
Rules arguments were fairly common when playing military miniatures and
even board wargames. Been in many a dispute with the referee in a minis
game or with an opponent in a boradgame. A good group or opponent will
be calm and rational, so that the point of contention can be settled in
relatively short order, where necessary a house rule established, and
play continue.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by LordHavok
Greetings and Salutations Gary,
Yeah I have gotten annoyed a time or two myself, but I actually was in a
session one time where two of the DM's stepbrothers got into a physical
altercation over one character pick pocketing the other. Push came to
shove, curse to curse, finally the DM reached over and took both guys
sheets and proceeded to ripping them up. As he did he said "Okay a fly
craps on both of your characters heads and does 10,000 hp damage" as for
you two, you can't play anymore.
I thought I'd never stop laughing.
Two brothers playing
Chainmail
miniatures back around 1972 that got into an argument like that. They
ended up whacking each other with the dowels we used for measuring
cannon fire. Their dispute took them out of the basement where we had
the sand table set up, so we simply told them later that both were
banned from gaming with the group for two weeks. They argued with each
other thereafter but never came to blows again.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by LordHavok
Crying
shame huh? I guess some people don't realize what RPG's are about.
Relaxation and a chance to spend time together as either family or
friends...or even to make friends and possible family.
Ho, M'Lord!
Most regular groups are indeed comradely and appreciate the chance for
fellowship that the game sessions offer. I've had many an email and
personal conversation regarding that matter, the lasting friendships
arising from gaming, and even a few happy marriages.
One other question if you don't mind Gary.
What did you think about the D&D movie?
Were it a pure fantasy film it would have been laughably
campy. As it pretended to be something else. it was a wretched disaster.
The special effects were fair. Nothing else in the whole film was up to
that measure, fair. the sets were marginal. The plot, script,
direction, acting, and costumes were awful.
(okay 2 questions)
It's generally assumed by many that most RPGers are young to college
age, but do you have an estimate, or have you ever read about the number
of players (lets say of D&D) there are over age 50?
Getting accurate data for the RPG audience is virtually
impossible bacause the majority of participants are not magazine
subscribers nor active online. The players that are in those two
categories can be measured, but they represent only about 10% of
players, the hard-core fans.
My gut feeling in regards to players age 50 and over is that they
represent no more than about 5% of the total audience, and that's likely
generous. Although the median age of RPGers is certainly older now than
it was in 1980--young players are not coming into the hobby in the
numbers they did then, which is bad, and
WotC
should be spending money to recruit them-the age creep is probably
towards a median age of 30+ rather than the former average of 20+.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Thanks Scott!
I didn't get any email notice of them. I'll go have a look-see now ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
Gary,
I wondering about the nation of Khemet for Necropolis,
or a D&D game on Egypt in general. All three kingdoms seems like a
good setting for Adventure, but which Kingdom: New, Middle, or Old,
would you prefer adventuring in?
Hi SirElton,
Sorry to have missed this post until now.
Using Khemit from
Necropolis and the
Epic of Aerth
world setting is likely a lot less work for the DM that building
something from the historical Old, Middle, or New Kingdom models. For a
Conan-like milieu with appropriate rules I'd go for the Old Kingdom,
while a Classical Antiquity one would fit best with the New Kingdom.
That sort of leaves the Middle Kingdom out,but...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottGLXIX
Hey
Gary. A debate on the rate of fire of missile weapons during surpise
has recently come up on several message boards I frequent.
The rule as written states that missile fire is 3 times the normal rate.
This equates to 6 arrows, or 9 darts in a single segment.
I've always believed that the original intent of the rule got diluted
somewhere between author and editor (similar to falling damage) and that
the rate of fire should be a standard 3 per segment, but certain
weapons, like a heavy crossbow, require special consideration, and must
be handled on a case by case basis.
Scott
Scott,
Another post I missed earlier :-(
When that rule was written a segment of a round was six seconds long,
but I can not but agree with with your assessment. Six arrows is
potentailly possible, but having them arranged for such a rapid rate of
fire is improbable. The same is true for nine darts. Standard rate of
fire, but uninterrupted by any return, is much more logical. The same is
true for special consideration on a case-by-case basis.
In all, application of comon sense needs be applied.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel,
I recently had the opportunity to get all the OD&D books in pdf format! (Yee-ha!, btw. That
really
takes me back!). In these books I noticed that you use the
Lawful-Neutral-Chaotic alignment system. I've heard from other people
that when you first began designing AD&D (circa the
MM) there were only 5 alignments (LG, CG, N, GE and LE) and that the other 4 were added in when you began working on the PHB.
When did you move from the L-N-C alignments to adding the Good/Eveil
component? And when did it become the full-blown 9 alignment system that
was the end result?
Thanks!
Gray Mouser
Yet another missed post, and another apology from me.
When I enlarged the alignment system from the three used in D&D
because chaoric does not necassarily mean evil nor lawful equate to
good, I worked up the nine alignments found in OAD&D as I began work
in the
MM in 1976. A five-alignment system was not used by me, as the various NX slots were integral to the system I devised.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by LordHavok
Well met Gary,
I found a copy of a wonderful book. You may have heard of it.. :-D
Roleplaying Mastery.
You know you ought to do another book like that one. Maybe a
update...include some tidbits you've learned since then..especially some
wonderful true life stories.
By the way...Do you have a biography or autobiography out? I haven't heard of one but that's not saying much.. :-D
Howdy!
There is a sequel to
Role Playing Mastery, that being
Master of the Game published a about a year later. Unfortunately is is very hard to find a copy, for I think it is a more informative book.
As for a bio, I am working on an autobiography in fits and starts, still
mainly recording what I recall from hy childhood. It isn't all that
much fun to write, and with my gaming-related work load being what it is
I wonder if i will ever get sround to completing the bio.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Bulldogc
Gary
I got another question for u. What was going through your mind when
making the crossbow stats? Aside from the monk, there seems to be no
reason at all to actually use one when even a sling is better in most
respects.
What was going through my mind was mainly
historical accounts of weapons. The crossbow was a major weapon for
three reasons: they were easy to make, they could be used effectively by
troops that had little training, the heavy ones could penetrate even
plate armor at close range. Even the heavy crossbow was clearly inferior
to the Welsh/English longbow and the heavy composite Eastern bow, and
the bamboo (very) longbow of the samurai.
A sling can not be used where a flat trajectory is required, and one
employing a sling must have room to swing it. The use of a sling
requires a lot of training too, and specially cast tapered broinze
missiles for good armor penetration. OTOH, the Incas were dropping
armored Conquistadores with their egg-sized stone missiles.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Bulldogc
ah,
yea i guess that makes some sense just a followup to it. can a crossbow
be specialy crafted to take advantage of stronger people to increase
projectile damage?
Bulldogc,
You aren't the first persn to ask me that question :-#
As the heavy crossbows were all cranked or otherwise wound to :-) :-) :-) :-) them, the answer has to be no. However...
A character with considerable strength (as the DM determines) could
probably :-) :-) :-) :-) a light crossbow without benefit of the
usual lever used, so rate of fire could be increased. A very powerful
character might be able to haul the string of a heavy crossbow back with
a claw lever, thus firing it as rapidly as a light one.
FWIW,
Gary
PS. If those stupid smiley faces appear another time, they stay. They
evidently are a computer generated editing of the word "c*o*c*k" as in
what one does to ready a crossbow or firearm for immediate firing. that
not to be confused with a male chicken >:-)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by LordHavok
Greetings and Salutations Col.,
I was wondering something(s). Back in the early years (late 70's-80's),
about how long did it take you to develop a typical module? By this I
mean concept to production. I realize that sometimes you might have had
an idea and it took awhile before it came together but this is all
generally speaking. I remember back then it "seemed" like modules were
coming out like crazy.
Hi LordHavoc,
It took about a week to write B2. The G series I write when taking a break after finishing the
MM, so the three were written in a pariod of about a month. Then I did the D series between finishing the PBG and beginning the
DMG, about six weeks.
I didn't keep track of production time, but if you figure editing takes
about a week per 32-48 printed pages, then layout and art take about a
week each, you won't be far off. Printing time can run anywhere from 10
to 30 or more days.
Another ? I had: Gord the Rogue. I remember reading the books years
ago and was wondering if that was ever a character that you or someone
else actually played? If not, where did you come up with him?
(I know..I know...that's a horrible and typical question to ask any writer. "So how do you come up with your ideas...?.. :-D )
I made it all up out of my imagination, pure and simple. The
only PCs actualy played in the yarns were Melf, played by my son Luke,
and Curly Greenleaf, one of my many characters.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flyspeck23
Hi Gary,
I hope this doesn't get too personal...
What games are or have you playing regularly?
IIRC you play(ed) chess, but what about other games, board or otherwise? Any wargames?
Do you play online? PBEM Chess?
Sorry if this kind of question pops up too often, but I can't find any answers ;-)
Hail Flyspeck!
Don't worry. I won't be offended by personal questions. If they are too
personal I'll just ignore them, with ot without comment ;-)
I have not played chess for about a year. No opponents around. I also prefer playing shogi these days.
Aside from the usual weekly campaign game of LA that I run--and we are
going to alternate those sessions with C&C game ones for a time at
least--the usual games played here are:
Settlers of Catan, Rail Baron, backgammon, senat, and cribbage. We are talking about adding poker to the mix. When I get a chance I enjoy playing
Operation Overlord,
but board wargamers are scarce. We haven't played bridge for far too
long a time, and I hope to get in some play this spring when some
friends return to the area. There are no regular military miniatures
groups hereabouts that i know of, anyway, and besides that I am usually
working all weekend.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mystra007
Gary,
I was looking for plans/maps of the home of the members of the old
Circle of Eight in Greyhawk (mordenkainen, bigby, rary, otto, otiluke,
tenser, leomund, nystul, etc...). I did my research on the net and asked
a few peoples, but all I found is the house of Bigby in "Treasures of
Greyhawk". Then someone told me the best person to ask would be you
since those were mainly your characters. I hope I will not offend you
with this but I would really like some informations on this or
references from published books where I could get some informations
about those peoples homes/stronghold maps/traps/information, please :-)
Ho Mystra007,
The Obsidian Citadel was indeed my personal creation as a player. The
eight (actually nine) main PCs of mine that occupied it were
Mordenkainen, Bigby, Yrag, Rigby, Vram & Vin, Zigby, Felnorith, and
Nigby. It was an octagonal castle with eight wall towers and a central
keep with much space between the outer wall and the inner works because
of the number of troops housed in this fortress. That's about it. I am
not going to scan the maps and written text, with banner illustrations
;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Sir Elton,
You did a fine essay indeed. What you suggest regarding module demand
and new players is a logical result if there is broad exposure of your
article. As I mentioned to you, I was planning for TSR to create and
distribute special educational modules for classroom instructors back in
the early 1980s when the Blume brothers killed the idea just before
launch. It still grates on me...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Onyx
Mr.
Gygax, a question regarding a fundamental of D&D that has always
weighed heavy in my mind (and if it's not one you want to tackle, I
understand :P).
Heh, Onyx...
You surely do dramatize things X-D
This applies only to OAD&D. Later forms of the D&D game I am not responsible for.
Now I think you mean duplication, not duplicity, in the two combat
factors you are so concerned with, AC and HP. If you think having both
is trickery, well, what can I say other than all games are based on the
fallacious, they are not real.
Anyway, on to the basic assumptions employed in those two factors.
AC is the measure of how difficult it is to make an effective attack on a
target subject. One might broaden it by including dodging and
parrying, but those are subsumed in the single number, as is indicated
by the addition of Dex bonus, thus obviating the need for a lot of
additional adjustments and dice rolling. The game is not a combat
simulation, after all.
Hit points for characters are a combination of actual physical health
and the character's skill in avoiding serious harm from attacks aimed at
him that actually hit. This is a further measure of the defender's
increasing ability to slip blows and dodge, as mentioned above in
regards AC. While AC increases mainly by the wearing of superior
protectionm HPs increase with the character's accumulating experience in
combat reflected by level increase.
In combination the two give a base protection and survivability for the
beginning character and allow that base to increase as the character
increases in experience. It does not pretend to realism, but it does
reflect the effects of increasing skill in a relatively accurate manner
while avoiding tedious simulation-oriented considerations and endless
dice rolling.
As someone who has designed a number of military miniatures rules sets, I
could have made combat in the OAD&D game far more complex,
including all manner of considerations for footing, elevation of the
opponents, capacity to dodge, parrying skill, opponents using natural
weapons, etc. Knowing that the game was not all about combat, I skipped
as much of that as I could by having the main factors subsume lessers,
ignoring the rest. It is a role-playing exercise where all manner of
other game considerations come into play, not just fighting.
Oh, least I forget, when magic is mixed into the formula, getting
anything vaguely resembling reality becomes wholly problematical 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Jesse,
I was thinking of how were in a DM-like role when you posed the questions, and that's why I mentioned the dramatic aspect.
No matter what a designer does in regard to managing combat, there is
going to be a number of players who dislike it. With some systems it's
the majority of gamers, with others it's a minority of some size, small
or large. In all cases each system will have its stalwart champions and
vocal opponents. Rest assured that I was not in defensive mode when i
read and responded to you. What I posted was simply the straight-forward
reasoning I used in arriving at the system that I did, and why I did
so.
In the Lejendary Adventure game I used a different method, but one that
is also streamlined and not a step-by-step attempt to re-inact
hand-to-hand combat with weapons generally of the medieval period. As i
mentioned before, when creatures with natural weapons are thrown into
such a calculation, the variables one needs to consider make it a nigh
impossible exercise. Magical elements compound the difficulties even
further.
If you devise a fast-paced combat system that includes the major
elements of actual fighting in armor with the various weapons usual,
including monsters and magical attacks and defenses, hats off, and I
think the gamers will beat a path to your door ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Drifter Bob
Let me first say, it's an honor to have a chance to chat with you Mr Gygax.
Greetings Drifter Bob,
Glad to be here to engage in a bit if discussion with you.
O have not seen "The Riddle of Steel", but from the sound if its name I should suppose it is a combat game rather than an RPG.
There is indeed a need for lethality in a single successful attack when
simulation of actual combat is desired. That is why I have stayed away
from it in the combat systems I have devised for my fantasy RPG designs,
(On the old
Boot Hill
game one could get a character killed in a single exchange of gunfire.)
As combat is the most popular activity in the RPG game form, it is
pretty well necessary to allow for plenty of it, so...
Realism when one deals with magic, fantastic beasts, and all that makes
up the FRPG seems a marginal concept to me. Verisimilitude is another
matter, but the basis for play is improbablity. If the fantastic
premises can be accepted, then quibbles about realism within the forum
of play have more to do with perception than actuality.
When I wrote my parts of the
Chainmail
military miniatures rules (c.1969) I had done considerable historical
research, and my interest in the subject of militray history, arms and
armor, has not waned since...althouh my available reading time has. I
correspond with a fellow who is studying the old fencing manuals, fights
thus. Also last year at this time I was a guest speaker at the Higgins
Armory Museum, and gained a considerable insight into matters there.
...while simultaneously, people outside of RPG's learned more and
more about real period warfare (even though historical fighting isn't
precisely the same as that in a fantasy setting) to such a degree that
there ended up being this big gap, to where today hard core medieval
fencing enthusiasts and weapon nuts are so very critical of any RPG.
They site the 15 lb swords, seemingly nonexistant armor types,
impossible double weapons and etc.
Perhaps they should reconsider the genre. It is fantasy. They
blench at minor things and accept flying, fire-breathing dragons and
working magic, which seems to me quite eccentric, like swallowing a
camel whole, then straining at a gnat.
As you note, RPGs are for entertainment and fun. they are not meant to
be simulations of something, for that something never existed ;-)
Anyway, I was wondering what you thought of specific ideas such as
giving reach advantages to long weapons, allowing the defensive
characteristics of weapons to come into play, allowing combattants to
choose between aggressive, neutral, or defensive postures, giving armor
an ablative or absorbing ability, and etc., with the dilemma of the
natural weapons dealt with by some sort of close combat ("grappling", in
current D&D parlance) mode...
Those are valid considerations, but they complicate and extend
the time needed for combat. Why include them if a simpler system
delivers the same geenral outcome in a shorter period of time?
As for armor, I have indeed gone to a system where it provided
protection that absorbs damage, losing its "health" on the prosess. This
is in the
Lejendary Adventure
RPG. In it there are basically four kinds of armor--cloth, leather,
metal mesh, and metal plate, each in half or full. Well-armored Avatars
in the game are indeed very hard to wound seriously, but attacks do
bypass armor now and then, this reflecting the weak points in any
protection.
As to realism and survivability, I think you can always find good
mechanics if one looks closely at real life. There is some reason why
so many remarkable "heroic" indivudals from history survived so many
battles and adventrues. One of the things they seem to be learning just
very recently in a lot of the Historical fencing groups is just exactly
how effective armor really was. Rivited mail, for example, worn with a
padded coat, seems able to endure attacks from most period weapons,
including longbows and lances. I imagine thats why people tended to
wear the stuff! Nor was it as heavy and bulky as people thought, as you
know.
Hmmm... Yes, I agree with the value of armor, how it protected
well. However, I disagree about field plate being proof against lances
and longbow arrows, or even heavy crossbow bolts at close range. There
was a serious effort to ban the heavy crossbow from warfare, you know,
because it could pierce plate. The French knights fell in droves from
English (Welsh) longbow arrows, and there is an histotical record
wherein examples are cited: an arrow piercing shield, armored arm, and
then cuirasse, pinning the lot to the target sybject's chest; the same
for a rider's leg armor being pierced on both sides, pinning the leg to
his horse. I think this is in CWC Oman's work on medieval warfare.
Somewhere, and I don't recall where, there is a study that shows the
foot-pounds of pressure on a square inch of metal--the point of a lance
being driven at a canter by a man in armor seated upon a heavy warhorse.
Only a deflection could prevent it from penetrating the best of steel
plate. There is also the example of Charles the Bold of Burgundy whose
plate-armor-protected leg was severed, his horse wounded by a single
blow from a Swiss halbred.
Just a few thoughts, I'm not dogmatic about it like some people, I'd be fascinated to hear what you think.
DB
If that's just a few of your thoughts, I had better gird-up
for some essay-lenght replies if you express many of there here 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Felicitations Sir Elton,
I short response to a rather lengthy question.
The dungeon adventure is certainly the favorite of the plurality of FRPG
players. this is demonstrable simply by looking at the success of paper
modules featuring such setting, and the sales and play of like games
for computer-based play.
What you suggest, a loose plot with antagonists developed, assumes that
the Game Master is ready, willing, and able to do the other 75% or so of
the work necessary to make the module into something the group can have
a good time playing. Generally, a GM picks up a module because he
doesn't want to have to expend all that effort to entertain the players
for whatever reason, but usually because of lack of time.
As for dungeon adventures being unrealistic, what about the whole
premise of the FRPG? the dungeon setting is assuredly as realistic as
flying horses, magic wants, spell casting, weird monsters, and heroes
able to use the magic and defeat behemoths ;-)
The story comes from the players interacting with the environment
provided by the GM. If they enjoy the environment, interact well with
it, and eachother, achieve success in the process, the story created
will be one that all enjoy, with or without a carefully crafted villain.
Poor interaction with an environment that has all manner of cleverly
done material provided by the GM results in a dullgame and a "Story"
nobody cares to relate save in derisive terms.
Remember, the GM is there to facilitate the interaction of the players;
characters with the environment. GM direction of what characters do is
not game play, it is scripted theater (of undoubtedly low quality). More
importantly, any "story" that is told comes only after the conclusion
of the interaction, as a story has a beginning, a middle, and an end ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
Heh
Mr Gygax, I'm glad to see that, on the whole, your view on most of the
"complaints" about D&D or even FRPGs in general reflect mine. I
fondly remember answering a rather long tirade about the fact that
nowadays female characters had basically the same STR as male
characters, including lenghty references to biological and sociological
surveys with the simple "Ok, but you're fine with fireballs?", and I'm
glad to see you would basically have answered in kind. Realism in
fantasy can only go so far, eh?
Howdy Barak!
Just so. The only limit I placed on female PCS was no Str above 18. In
actual history female participation in what would be considered
adventuring was virtually nil. i am always amused when history programs
on the tube attempt Political Corectness by featuring the only examples
of female duelists, pirates, warriors, etc. They represent less than one
percent of the whole being considered, and featuring one-armed men in
the same roles would be at least as meaningful historically. Frankly,
not only did society generally prevent such participation, but I believe
most women were generally not the least interested in engaging in such
dangerous and questionable activities.
That said, I never enforced the rule in my own game, for the milieu is
fantasy, and given that, why have a physical power barrier when there
are no others? If any player, male or female, wants to have a female
character that is as strong as any male, there is no reason not to allow
that.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
Then you are quite correct there, Gary. Thanks for the answer!
Welcome,Sir Elton,
I can speak to the matter of a dull story, because now and again I have
spent a lot of time creating adventure material that left the players
quite flat, and nary an interesting tale came from such exercise,
although the lads would grimmace and roll their eyes when the scenario
was mentioned... :\
As one excellent novelist advised, take that part of a story you like
best and throw it away, is it is likely the worst part. Sometimes that
will prove to true in both fiction and module crafting.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Drifter Bob,
To cut to the chase here, for I haven't the time to spare for more point-by-point reply to so long a missive, in
my considered opinion
detailed "realistic" combat rules are a detriment to the RPG, not a
benefit. There is already undue stress placed upon combat as the central
theme of the game form, while it is in fact only one of several key
elements. The designer would better serve the audience by stressing the
other elements than would be dine by spending yet more content space on
detailing fighting.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
That
part can be heart wrenching. I had to revise the current module I'm
working on because it felt like I was writing a novel. :-( So I had
to do a different approach. The Argonautica is fun to read and watch on
screen, but the way I was writing it as a novel, it would be hated by
the community that would buy it.
I had to reduce the story of Jason and the Argonauts to a Timeline for
the DM's reference, and then describe each area as an area of adventure.
The other way I was doing it, I might as well be writing a novel. :-(
Understood!
Now and then I wax eloquent, and then realize how boring it is to me to
read aloud all the story I have put into the adventure, even as the
players grow restless wanting to game, not listen to me reading.
Ah well,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
I keep telling you Gary you need a secretary like me to help out. :-)
Ken
Sure Ken...
If your shorthand speed is at 100 words a minute, and you don't mind
working for a room, board, and $20 a week spending money, you git a jog
O.o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Well, sure. But wasn't the question asking why OAD&D combat wasn't more simple rather than why it wasn't more complex?
Perhaps, but I read it as questioning the doubling up on AC and HP benefits in combat, and not have more realism in the system.
You are correct about the need for keeping combat abstract in the RPG.
Every complication demands more rules and explanations, more time spent
resolving combat, that's fine for a military or dueling simulation, but
not in an RPG where there are so many other things to do besides killing
things ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by sluggo the sleazebag
Hello again, Gary,
If you don't mind, I have a family question for you. From the accounts
I've read, you playtested early versions of OD&D with your children
to great success. I'm curious, how many of them still play D&D? Do
you still DM any sessions for them? Have any of them worked on gaming
publications and, if so, how does their work differ from your own?
Thanks,
Sluggo
Hola Sluggo!
All six of my children have played RPGs. the two eldest, Ernie and Elise
did indeed serve as the first two play-testers of OD&D. Later
daughters Heidi and Cindy played with me as the DM, also with their
young brother Luke as the DM--who they told what to do until he came to
me and I set him straight.
The girls never were captivated by gaming as were my boys. ther played
for a short time only, relatively speaking. In fact I would recruit
Heidi's boy friends to my AD&D campaign when we were living out in
the country, and she got cross at me for having to wave goodnight to two
or three ex-beaux AD&Ding in the living room with me when she was
with a new boy friend going out on a date.
Sons Ernie and Luke wrote the
Lost City of Gaxmoor
D20 module a couple of years ago for Troll Lord Games. It definately
shows the influence of my creative and DMing style. I had a lot of fun
play-testing it. They have no plans for more such design, however, as
Ernie works all the time now, is buying his own house soon, and Luke is
in a job that keeps him very busy and relocating periodically, so he
doesn't even get in miuch gaming.
Son Alex age 17 is still at home/ Heplays mainly computer games,
although he enjoys participating in my LA game campaign on Thursday
nights....when his school work allows it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Edge3343, Congratulations!
With a beautiful bride like that the only thing I can suggest that you
don't know already is this: Pay more attention to her than to gaming
:-D If she doesn't like RPGing, keep your own down to the "one night a
week our with the boys" level until you can win her over to the fold. If
she is already a gamer, you are twice lucky, amigo...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Drifter Bob,
When a search for realistic combat mechanics begins, the challenge of
devising a system that meets the "realism" required (that measure being
totally subjective) that does not extend the time and effort necessary
to resolve the matter becomes highly problematic.
Having rules that require players' characters to do something that the
player does not wish seems to me to be the antithesis of
role-playing--aside from the compulsions of the occasional casting of
magic spells that force such compliance and where saving throws are
allowed.
None the less, individual taste can not be disputed. Good luck in your
quest for the perfect combat resolution system. If you devise something
that meets that measure broadly, it will likely revolutionize the whole
of the approach to RPGs. However, any rules governing how a character
must specifically act in key situations move the game system away from
role-playing.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
...
Gary,
Combat is brought into the foray because some emotions (except fear and
faith) are hard to inspire in a game. I think what Drifter Bob wants to
do is come up with a mechanic that makes this part of the game more
imaginative. Although I don't know how he can do this.
That being said, is it possible to make a successful module around, say, a Gothic Romance novel?
Well Amigo,
Making an adventure based on any novel is pretty well doomed to failure.
Using ideas and plot concepts from novels is workable. I have not read
any gothic Romance novels, bit I have seen s few on the telly. There are
elements in those that one could build into a heavy-on-role-playing
module. A good deal of the romance would go by the boards even then.
What would be left are mainly problem solving and antagonistic roles, i should think...
Cheers, Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Napftor
Hi Gary!
I'm hoping this hasn't been asked in the oodles of posts before this,
but can you shed any light on a chess set supposedly given to employees
at TSR over Christmas in 1984? That is what a seller is claiming on
Ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...EAWA%3AIT&rd=1
Thanks!
Hola Napftor!
Sure I can. I have one. They were sculpted by "Duke" Siefried, and come
in a plasitic woodgrain box with beds for each of the 32 pieces. The
chessboard top lifts off to reveal the men. The two sides are
Good(white) and Evil (black) with different pawns and pieces. They came
unpaionted, with the black men blackwashed.
I don't recall how many sets were made, but the number is small.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Napftor
Thanks!
But I was also wondering if the history was correct as advertised.
Anything else you'd care to add? Just wondering so if I hopefully win
this puppie than I know what to tell others about its past. :-D
Heh,
I thought I had done that ;-) Duke was at TSR then, and he was hoping
to expand the company's lines by adding cast items such as resin play
models for adventure modules and metal miniature figures. The sets were
given out as Christmas presents, yes.
I recall autographing the set in question, and I think it was at GenCon
2000. I remarked that I had just gotten out my own set and played a
couple of games of chess with it not long before.
As for the number, I can't say. There were c. 300 employees at TSR then,
but there might have been an over-run of sets, perhaps as many as 500.
OTOH, the run might have been as small as 300. Either way, the item is
rare, and the pieces look quite good in play.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
I
better stop asking you questions about modules then. The more I ask
about doing a particular genre, the more you show that we are thinking
along the same vein. :-D
Heh-heh-heh!
Don't want to give any ideas, eh?
Be sure and have a look at the next volume in the "Gygaxian Fantasy
Worlds" series of reference books being published by Troll Lord Games.
It is called
Insidae
as a grabber title, but it is simply a very complete guide to plotting
adventure modules. The author is Dan Cross, and he did an excellent job.
Using it and a work of fiction as the inspiration for the module, I do
believe almost any genre and storyline could be crafted into an
interesting adventure piece.
I believe they plan to release the book in early summer. I know they are editing it now.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Sluggo,
Sounds that the other PCs are indeed presuming far too much on the kind
offices of your cleric. In all, the worker is worthy of his hire, and to
continue to do his good work, the cleric should receive both respect
and contributions.
He might explain that his ministrations are limited by his capacity to
inact spells, and those spells are granted to him by his deity. The
latter is quite upset at the disrespect being shown him (or her) by the
other PCs who are treating his (or her) clerical servant as
their
servant. That belittles the deity, and unless attitudes change
immediately, generous cointributions to the priest are made in return
for his services
on behalf of the deity, no more spells will be forthcoming.
If the deity is speaking through the cleric, and it would under such
circumstances, how can the others demure? If they do, they should risk
rather severe retribution.
FWIW,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
...
Someone said he'd help me out with my Argonautica module in getting it
published. I could use more help. Got any advice for somebody crazy
enough to go down this road, like me?
Heh,
While I do professional consulting, I really established the charge in
order to not have to spend my time answering questions like that.
The obvious: The hobby gaming market is a small, niche one, and it is
not growing. The advent of the D20 license had brought a flood of new
publishers into the field, and with the established companies they have
glutted the module market.
The result: Sales of a given module will be in the low thousands if
published by a company with good distribution. Otherwise, they will
likely be in the hundreds.
What more can I say?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottGLXIX
Hey Col.
Can you let me know if my estimation of illusion/phantasm spells is correct?
If a group of characters encountered a phantasmal force pit. The
illusionist is hidden nearby and maintaining concentration on the spell.
All of the players believe the pit is real. One player believes he
falls into the pit and takes falling damage. At this point, the phantasm
aspect of the spell takes over, the effects of this being similar to
the effects of hallucinatory insanity. The player that fell into the pit
believes he�s in a pit. His companions believe he is in the pit. Their
conviction is so strong that they would go through the actions of
lowering a rope into the pit to help their comrade out. The party then
goes on their way, never knowing the encounter was a phantasmal force
spell, and one character down the hit points suffered from the fall.
If on the other hand, one of the party members realized the pit was an
illusion, and conveyed this information to the rest of the party, the
fellow in the pit would realize he was just sitting on the floor in the
hall, and the hit points would be recovered.
Sound correct?
Thanks.
Scott
Ho Scott!
We are in total accors save for the last part.
Any damage believed to have been suffered is actual, caused by the mind
of the victim--think of stgamta for an example. So disbelief after the
fact does NOT mean automatic recovery. The harm done is actual, and it
must be healed as any other damage ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottGLXIX
Hey Col.
Can you let me know if my estimation of illusion/phantasm spells is correct?
If a group of characters encountered a phantasmal force pit. The
illusionist is hidden nearby and maintaining concentration on the spell.
All of the players believe the pit is real. One player believes he
falls into the pit and takes falling damage. At this point, the phantasm
aspect of the spell takes over, the effects of this being similar to
the effects of hallucinatory insanity. The player that fell into the pit
believes he�s in a pit. His companions believe he is in the pit. Their
conviction is so strong that they would go through the actions of
lowering a rope into the pit to help their comrade out. The party then
goes on their way, never knowing the encounter was a phantasmal force
spell, and one character down the hit points suffered from the fall.
If on the other hand, one of the party members realized the pit was an
illusion, and conveyed this information to the rest of the party, the
fellow in the pit would realize he was just sitting on the floor in the
hall, and the hit points would be recovered.
Sound correct?
Thanks.
Scott
Ho Scott!
We are in total accord save for the last part.
Any damage believed to have been suffered is actual, caused by the mind
of the victim--think of stgamta for an example. So disbelief after the
fact does NOT mean automatic recovery. The harm done is actual, and it
must be healed as any other damage ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Grodog and All!
The armorial bearings displayed on the fighter's shield shown on the original
DMG
book are those of a Gygax who fought in French service sometime in the
15th century. As I devized all of the armorial bearings for the states
of the World of Greyhawk, it is likely that when I did that for Fax I
unconsciously borrowed from memory.
BTW, the actual Gygax Family arms are a white goose passant on a green
field with a gold star (mullet) in the dexter canton and a bison horn in
base, IIRR. The goose, "ganse" in Switzer Deutsche, sounds a bit like
the ending of the family name, and it is also alert to danger. The star
was supposedly awarded for the bravery of some ancestor, and the bison
horn likewise, for calling attention to some enemy threat.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
Most authors merely write themselves into a story, but our Gary has to include the family. :-P
Alan, that is true in spades!
The map of the Flanaess is loaded with family and friends names in one or another form :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jupp
hehe
cool, now that you say this, there is an age old childrens song here in
Switzerland called "Gi-ga-gax" that is about a goose mother walking
along the road with its little children.
Too bad I never examined the whole thing more when I was in Seeberg,
Switzerland where I had military service not too long ago. I am sure I
would have seen at least one of those family crests with a goose on it.
There are dozens of Gygax in that village :-)
Heh...
likely so, and as i said, that is where my father was born back sometime before 1900.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by The_Gneech
Greetings, Col.! I hope your health is holding up!
Nevertheless, I retract my question. (^_^')
-The Gneech B-)
Thanks for the good wish--my health
is solid, if not what it was last year at this time. Getting older and
having medical problems tends to do that sort of thing O.o
BTW, i really don't mind dumb questions, because a lot of the time they realy aren't that after all.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
Hi Gary,
I've been reading the reports of your 'new' OD&D Castle Greyhawk
adventures, and notice that you started the players out as 3rd level
characters on the 1st dungeon level. Was this because of the toughness
of the particular dungeon (i.e. level 1 of Greyhawk Castle is equivalent
difficulty to level 3 elsewhere -- perhaps because the inhabitants have
increased toughness/experience due to all the adventurers they've slain
over the years)? Or is it a more general decision that 1st level
OD&D characters are too fragile and that 'modern' players need more
of an initial boost (noting that in most modern games, even something as
ostensibly 'old school' as C&C, that starting characters have
significantly more power than 1st level OD&D characters -- more hp,
better attack rolls, WAY more spells -- typically 4 0-level and 3 1st
level spells vs. 1 1st level spell for magic-users and no spells at all
for clerics)? Or am I reading too much into this and the real
explanation was something else entirely?
Regards,
My campaign group here is playing in a turncated
version of the original dungeons that has indeed been "upgunned" because
PCs have enabled the monsters inhabiting the levels to become better
armed and most astute in their tactics. that said, I made the group
begin 3rd level characters in hopes that they would feel more confident
in exploring lower levels. THAT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO, AND NOW THEY
HAVE ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF THE 1ST LEVEL MAPPED, AND ONLY A 3RD LEVEL
M-U AND HIS GUARDS, A BAND OF GOBLIN SLAVERS, PLUS THE TWO COMPLEXES IN
WHICH THE OLD GUARD KOBOLDS HOLD REMAIN AS ACTIVE ENCOUNTERS.
You are correct about the power of the PCs. I am using original D&D
rules with only some few additions, so HPs and spells are limited
drastically at 1st level. (At the time when those rules were written, it
was assumed a typical adventuring party would have about 8 PCs plus as
many hired men-at-arms ;-)
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Gary---
How about a general update on your current writing projects, and what
books you have in the pipeline, with release dates? Christmas is
coming, and I'd like some new Gygax and Kuntz under the tree! :-D
Not much going on here, actually. I am very slowly developing the upper
works of Castle Zagyg and standing by to prepare springboards for
Alchemic Dream's Light & Dark MMP game. However...
A slug of product is in the pipeline from Troll lord Games,
www.trolllord.com.
This includes the Lejendary Adventure Essentials set, Hall of Many Panes
in dual D20/LA system, part one of Castle Zagyg (the campaign setting),
and new Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds titles in progress of being written. As
well as that I have a half-dozen mss. standing by awaiting the call for
submission.
Anyway, the LA Essentials, HoMP, and Castle Zagyg, Yggsburg, Part One might make pre-Christmas release.
BTW, the Trolls will eventually be publishing my 3-5 player board/card
game, King of England-King of France. No release date set yet, but i
have turned over the complete game ms. to them ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Andrew D. Gable
You
may have addressed this question before, Gary, but there is a
discussion going on about where exactly the lich originated. I'm
inclined to say the lich/phylactery was based on Sauron/Ring and others
have guessed it was based on the Russian Koschei. Where did you come up
with these guys? One of these sources, or somewhere else?
Howdy!
The AD&D lich was inspired by the stories of Robert E. Howard. There
was no model for the monster to be found in the works of JRRT. I can't
say what other sources I drew from when imagining and creating the lich,
for I have read so much recalling odd bits that went into the creation
is nigh unto impossible without spending a lot of time going back and
checking on authored fiction and folklore sources I have--my collection
of books in paperback and hardbound editions numbers many thousands and
they are spread from basement to attic nowadays. As new books come in
the older ones get moved to progressively less-accessable locations
8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dead
Hi Gazza,
After you left TSR, the company released some atrocious Greyhawk
material (for example, WG7 Castle Greyhak). Was this a coincidence or a
retalitory attack against you?
All I can do is speculate,
but knowing Lorrane williams, I would tend to go with the spate of
wretched WoG material being done as retalitory ;-)
Also, after you left TSR, you finished the Gord the Rogue books. At
the end of the cycle, Oerth bites the bullet. Was this your way of
saying that Greyhawk is dead and that fans should turn away from TSR's
version with disdain?
More my way of saying that since T$R had killed the setting
with trash releases, it was time to wipe out the shame by obliterating
the setting. Of course, I left a means of restoring it hidden within in
the Gord story saga...
So . . . in other words, did TSR release the Invoked Devestation
(WG7 and others) and you respond in kind with the Rain of Colorless Fire
(the final Gord book).
Not an inappropriate analogy.
Besides that, what long-term campaigns are you running at the
moment? How many? What systems are you using? Do you have a D&D 3E
campaign on the go?
Thanks. :-)
Basically, I have a Lejendary Adventure campaign
that has been running for about 10 years now. We break from that to play
other systems. We did some C&C game play earlier in the year, and
now the lads are playing slightly modified OD&D rules exploring the
five original dungeon levels of Castle Greyhawk.
No
3E play here as I personally very much dislike the system.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by shock the monkey
Colonel_Pladoh,
I'm glad to hear you are recovering and writing. I've always felt there
is no better incentive for one's health than to have a purpose to keep
you going.
If you don't mind, I have a few questions, ones that I'm sure have been
asked before, but since I can't find any record of them, I'll let fly
with them here:
1) How much of Castle Zagyg has been completed? Are you in the editing
phase and, if so, how many parts of the adventure can we expect to see
in the coming year?
Hi Shock',
The actual castle and its levels are just now being drafted. you can
look for the material in about a year from now, most likely. After that
part there will be a series of collected dungeon levels, each batch
covering deeper delvings.
2) I know this is a touchy subject for you, so forgive me for
asking, but how difficult would it be to convert the series to Greyhawk?
Like many of your fans, I would like to experience your masterpiece in
its original context. Would I be better off placing the castle near
Greyhawk city, or using the city that accompanies the module?
Take a close look at the material in Yggsburgh, then decide
for yourself. With Rob's Dark chateau module added, there should be at
least a year's adventuring therein without the castle-dungeons material.
3) Have you expanded upon ideas originally present in Zagyg's Castle or have you remained true to the original design?
Rather think of the new version is more developed and refined for use by all GMs...
4) I know that Zagyg's Castle has been designed for the Troll Lord's
system, but if you could choose an alternate set of rules, which of the
following would you recommend for your masterpiece: OD&D, Basic
D&D, AD&D, or another more recent version of D&D? Again,
forgive the sacrilige of my questions.
My choice would be original AD&D B-)
5) Now that you're knee deep into the adventure (perhaps nearing, or
having reached the end), have you gained a new perspective over the
module? Can you point to some elements of the adventure which made it so
unique as to be honored in gaming legend?
Heh, and you have attributed far more progress that we have
made in the development of the castle-dungeons area. there remains about
two man-years of design and writing yet to be done.
Thanks in advance for any response. Here's hoping your health improves,
Shock the Monkey
Thank you, amigo, and I'll settle for my health not deteriorating further :-o
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
While you're updating us, Gary, do you have any news to share on the Gord story reissues?
The problems in the comic book field have pretty well put the damper on
the Gord the Rogue illustrated novels. I have not heard anything
positive from the prospective publisher since last spring >:-) When
the new year rolls around i hope to get a final decision. If the
project is dead, then I will begin shopping for a publisher to re-issue
the seven books.
Also, do you any plans to update Role-Playing Mastery and Master of the Game?
The industry has changed a lot since the late 80s, along with the
types of online rpg available (PC rpgs through EverQuest through
MUDs/MOOs/MUSHes/MMORPGs).
No, that would require a publisher asking for such
revision...and a publishing contract. One thing, though. PC games are
NOT really RPGs at all, To whom does one role-play? They are nothing but
seek and destroy missions with a little problem solving tossed in. not
to say that isn't a lot of fun!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by fairylover
Col. PD,
Could you give some insight into the character Bucknard? I suspect (and
fear) that he may have been a more or less "random" name assigned to a
magic item (the ever-so-handy everfull pouch) to give it color. Did you
ever think about Bucknard's background, life or exploits?
FL
Bucknard was an NPC I created out of whole cloth. He
was based on a neighbor of mine when I was a lad, a Mr. Bucknall. He had
a great garden, an apple tree with five different kinds of apples, and
he knew astronomy well, assisted me with my 100 power telescope. He did
use a small change purse, and from it he would extract a small coin to
give to me now and again ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
...And
as I said about this time last year, I've got the Scroll of
Resurrection prepped and ready. We've waited this long, and you're not
backing out now. :-D
Seriously, Gary, keep good care of yourself. As good as living the good life is, it's not the same without papa G.
-Henry
Thanks Kindly, Henry :-)
Just as a general FYI, I was not ignoring this thread. My ISP had some
problems back in late October, and a lor of my email was lost.
Evidentally a tickler prompting me to respond to a post on this thread
was amongst them. Grodog emailed me to pay attention, so here I am!
Now I need to hurry up and clear off a couple of email messages, then go
to lunch with my wife. Gail is taking me to a good Chinese restaurant,
Moy's, in nearby Elkhorn Wisconsin. The hot and sour soup there is
killer!
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
...And
as I said about this time last year, I've got the Scroll of
Resurrection prepped and ready. We've waited this long, and you're not
backing out now. :-D
Seriously, Gary, keep good care of yourself. As good as living the good life is, it's not the same without papa G.
-Henry
Thanks, Henry,
Wish I could use that scroll for my oldest friend, David W. Dimery who
passed away last Monday. Dave was head of advertising for TSR for a
number of years, and the animated spokesman "Morley the Wizard" was his
creation.
Naturally, I haven't been doing much in the way of game work since...
Christmas best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Piratecat
Gary,
it's wonderful to see you back. I'm going to give you Community
Supporter status here - that'll give you a custom title (customizeable
through "my account"), let you search (more useful in 2 months when the
new server is up and running), and a few other things. Please consider
it a small thank you from all of us for your kindness in answering a
slew of questions. :-D
Thank you kindly, Piratecat!
what i do wish would hapen is that the automated notice of poste being
made to this thread would hit my inbox. I searched for the threat on a
hunch, and sure enough, unanswered messages.
Sorry, and I have no idea what is causing the problem. I even turned my SPAM filter off.
Christmas cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BradfordFerguson
Gary,
1) If you could REMOVE one thing about the 3rd Edition D&D rules, what would you strip out and why?
2) Eventually, down the road we will see a 4th Edition of D&D, if you could recommend one thing to
WotC, what would you recommend and why?
3) How did Castles and Crusades work out when your group played it.
Howdy Bradford,
As someone not intimately familiar with new D&D, I do not feel
qualified to comment. If I was overseeing a new version, I would surely
alter the XP system, replace it with something a bit more contemporary,
and thieves would surely gain points from treasure taken ;-)
We played the C&C material for about two months and the crew had a
blast. We stopped because I wanted them to get into my old D&D
dungeon levels, so that's what we are playing now. After they have
penetrated to the 5th level, the bottom of the abbrieviated maze, we
will return to the Lejendary Adventure system.
Christmas best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by warlord
Gary, all I want to say is thank you for giving the world D&D and RPGs in general.
Thank you,
Nick Tschida, D&D gamer for life, age:16
Nick,
Welcome of course. You know that I had a whole lot of fun writing all
that game material and related yarns. I still love the work, but old age
creeping up has slowed me down to only a tithe of what I could formerly
do.
Happy Christmas,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ankh-Morpork Guard
I
can field that one. E-mail notification has been turned off until the
new server. Its supposed to be back once we get the new one, though.
:-)
And I don't have a question, just wanted to say thanks for doing these threads! I've followed them all and love it!
Thanks for doing all this!
-Graham
So!
Well, I will take my complaint directly to the giant turtle then, so expect trouble there on diskworld :-o
Heh, and Christmas best,
GaRY
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frost
Mr. Gygax,
I just wanted to say hello and thanks for giving us such a wonderful
game. I'm greatly looking forward to the Hall of Many Panes. Any
teasers you can toss out about that one?
Take care,
Frost
Howdy!
First of a string of replies I will post here ;-)
Not getting email notice of posts is definately a hinderance! By way of
explanation, since my various health incidents, my energy level is very
low, and I tire out after about an hour of work--likely from the several
midications I must take twice daily. Thus, I am not as active online,
or anywhere else, as I was last spring.
The Hall of Many Panes is in final layout, and I am told Darlene is
working on it. Likely it will be released in the spring. The delay is
because of the changes required to meet the current D20 license.
As for hints, I can only say that the adventure is set up so as to place
the party in the location of the panes, pretty well for the
duration--with a couple of outs possible at intervals, but they are
obviously not desirable. Otherwise, the team will be isolated for the
duration of the quest, and the many places they must go to and win
through to continue on. My group played for a year, and they were quite
skillful in their handling of all but a few of the dozens of scenarios
they had to face.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
Hi Gary,
I've got another OD&D (1974) related question for you. Looking at
TSR's original D&D character record sheets from 1975-76 (as posted
at
The Acaeum)
I see that there's no space on the sheet to record the character's hit
points. Is this just an error/oversight on those sheets, or is it
evidence that (as some people have suggested) character hit points in
those days weren't a permanent cumulative number like they are in later
editions but were instead periodically re-rolled (either at every new
level or every session or perhaps even every combat)? And if hit points
weren't a transient number and were cumulative (like they are now) then
how were anomalies like the fact that fighters go from 1+1 hit dice at
Veteran (1st level) to 2 hit dice at Warrior (2nd level) resolved? Did
the player roll 1d6-1 or what?
Regards,
Short answer. The lack of a place for recording
HPs was an oversight in composition. Everyone I know of kept hit points
as rolled. the additional points rolled by fighters were just a d6 with
no reduction. why take away a bonus? The 2 HD indicated don't say that
there must be no addition...
And the edit is a case of my haste making waste :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Removed post.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Removed post.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Hi Gary -
Here's a question I haven't seen yet, but perhaps it's been asked and I
haven't seen it. Is there a comprehensive bibliography of your work out
there somewhere? It'd be great to see a fully updated list of your
output.
Hi Colonel!
the only such list I know of is one I keep in my long bio--not all
articles but the more substantial works. It is updated by me every few
months, and there's still a lot of material in the publication pipeline,
so i'll have to do that soon. It doesn't have LA Essentials, the Hall
of Many Panes, or additions to the Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds reference
book series that are coming this year. Fact is, I don't think it has the
Castle Zagyg campaign module on it, but I haven't sent the bio out for
some months.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Virel
Gary,
In early 1980's when my group started playing 1st ed AD&D or as you
say OAD&D, we had the following question come up based on the way
the sleep spell is worded. We were unsure of how the spell was intended
to work. We scoured the Players Hand Book and the note in
DMG
on page 45. Most of us assumed this note meant the caster did not get
to specifically pick which of the possible multiple targets were
effected, that this would be determined by level/HD and baring that
randomly. Others insisted the caster could pick and choose who was or
wasn't effected as the caster desired mixing and matching among of the
levels or hit dice involved as long as the total wasn't exceeded.
The caster did not get to choose amongst multiple targets when a sleep spell was used.
Say a sleep spell is cast at a group of ten characters, say four
fighters all 1st level, two clerics both 2nd level, two magic users both
2nd level and two thieves both 1st level. The dice indicate a total of 6
one HD creatures or levels can be effected. All of the targets are with
very close together and with in range and area of effect.
Can the caster specifically select the six creatures or six levels he or she wants to be effected?
No. Six of the 1st level NPCs would be affected at random.
Can the caster specifically designate: one wizard the one to the
right, one cleric the one of the left, two fighters in the front rank he
wants effect but declare the spell will not effect the two fighters in
the rear rank, the wizard on the left, the cleric on the right, and two
thieves?
No.
Or would who is effected be determined by lowest level/HD first in the group until all of the levels effected were used up?
Just so,
Allowing the caster to pick and choose who was and wasn't effect
with in a group seemed too powerful for a 1st level spell to some of us
(DM's) and about right to some of the others (players).
Agreed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dead
Dear Gary,
Have you been proud of *all* of your role-playing creations?
Yes, but with varying degrees of satisfaction.
Were you proud of Dangerous Journeys? Are you disappointed that it didn't fully mature?
Indeed, and the complete, multi-genre series planned for the
system would have been a sum greater than any single part of it, so that
was a disappointment.
Dangerous Journeys was criticised as a very, very complex system. Is this one reason you decided to make LA a simple system?
No, I did the LA game as it was because I had done a highly
complex one, and I felt that the rules-light approach was preferable to
encourage freedom in play.
Was DJ a learning curve for you? You state in the foreword of LA (I
think) that you made the system simple to attract new gamers. Did you
find new gamers a little intimidated by Dangerous Journeys and, thus,
decided to develop a simple system?
I hope to learn something every day ;-) As for intimidation,
most RPGs, even the most simple ones, tend to do that to newbies. I do
wish to bring young people into the RPG hobby, of course.
Do you have a lot more rules in your home campaign for LA than is
published. Dangerous Journeys and the 1E DMG would suggest that your
game was (once) backed up by a lot of rules.
Actually no, and we seldom look at the LA core rules books
when we play. about the only additions coming--outside the addition of
Shamanism & Witchery abilities and all that goes with thatm, are a
few rules clarifications, a handful of new ones, and lots more in the
way of spells and magic items--powers and extraordinary items in the
proper patois for the game. There are new creatures and additions to the
attack rules for them so as to beef of the Avatars' opposition, of
course. Troll lord Games has all of those mss now.
With the evolution of RPGs, do you play much differently *now* in style as opposed to the old days of 1E AD&D?
Actually, I am playing some OD&D and OAD&D recently, and I DM just about as I did over 30 years back.
Do you use miniatures and a battlemat for your LA game?
Not usually. Dice on the table top serve well enough most of the time.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anabstercorian
I'd like to get your opinion on something.
One of the trends I'm noticing - indeed, heavily and gleefully
contributing to - is a whole new level of customizability in character
concepts in
3e
DnD. Wizards, rogues, fighters, clerics are being more or less
discarded in favour of lashers, pugilists, shifters, duelists, dragon
disciples, thaumaturgists, animators, golem sculptors, keepers of epics,
bright sages of the high mountain, dark bearers of the six sinful
secrets, and so forth.
On the one hand, this allows players to generally muck about with their
characters until they're something they're very happy with. On the
other hand, this can do catastrophic things to game balance if not done
cautiously and makes every game of DnD VERY different from every other.
How do you feel about this? Do you think this level of customizability in theme and archetype is good, or bad, for a game?
Heh,
And I believe that the archetype that's central to a character class
system has been lost--along with much more--in the new system. That's
about all I'll venture other than to opine that to customize characters,
one needs to use a skill base.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Can you tell us a bit about those modifications?
Are you playing with just the original 3 booklets, or are you using stuff from the supplements as well?
Any particular reason why you choose OD&D & not OAD&D?
In brief: We are using the three booklets. HP rolls are re-done if a 1
comes up. Fighters add +1 per die, and all PCs add +1 if their Con is
above 14. Fighters add +1 damage for Str above 14. Dex does not affect
AC just missile attacks. That's about it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
Hello Gary,
I'm glad you're back. I got Gary Gygax's Insidae and
your introduction was great! However, strangely, it's the same advice I
got in other books, just written in a different style. The only thing
missing, however, was the promised Value of Metals chart. Is there any
chance of TLG posting the Chart on their website for download?
:-)
The advice in the introduction is for building a campaign world, so it
has many common elements from book to book. that i offered in insidae
was aimed at creating adventure plots, of course.
I wasn't aware that the Trolls had not furnished a Value of Metals
table, as that's pretty standard for the La monetray system. You should
email them about the lack if this doesn't cover things:
Gold: $500/ounce (coin metal)
Silver: $10/ounce (coin metal)
Copper: $1/ounce (coin metal)
Bronze: $10/pound
Iridium, pure: $850/ounce
Lead, pure ingot: $3/pound
Nickel, pure ingot: $30/pound
Platinum, pure: $750/ounce
Tin, pure ingot: $5/pound.
Titanium, pure: $1,000/ounce
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by khyron1144
Hello Mr. Gygax,
...
I recently started rereading my 1e hardbacks and was looking at the
Hammer of Thunderbolts/ Girdle of Giant Strength/ Gauntlets of Ogre
Power combo. It looks like you can add together the damage bonuses for
the Gauntlets and Girlde, even though they both provide a magical bonus
to Strength. It also looks like you add those damage bonuses together
to determine the Hammer's throwing range.
This brings up an interesting question:
In my campaign world there are magical pools that bestow permanent
ability score increases (only usable once per character, only one pool
per ability score in the whole world). What happens if a character who
already has a "giant" Strength from a magic pool gets the Gauntlets/
Girdle/ Hammer combo?
...
Howdy!
So many posts to answer I must be brief.
Right about the cululative additions for the hammer, girdle, and gauntlets. They make a fighter almost as lethal as a mage ;-)
Using magical equipment enhancements is fine, but that is useless if the
increase doesn't add anything to a character because he is already at
or above the level of the enhancement. A giant-sized Girdle of Storm
Giant Strength doesn't add a thing to a storm giant, except maybe for
looking good with a natty new waist cincher...
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by EyeforanEye2
I
been in the Marine Corps now 17 years and some change and I speak for
those who continue to game within the enlisted rank structure. Despite
the fact that D&D is frowned upon by the upper echelon in the Chain
of Command, it is still one of the more popular past time hobbies of
many a junior Marine or Sailor...
As a long time gamer of 27 years, i can only say thank you for what you
have given the world. It was unique and still appreciated today by
many.
Thanks...
A Marine 1stSgt who games...
Well Dang :-)
My son Luke was in Desert Storm with the 1st Armored, and they played D&D there.
Not too long ago I heard from a Marine Sgt. Major who had played for
years, and the young S/Sgt recruiter that called here to talk to my son
Alex (age 18) was also a player X-D
So thanks, 1st Sgt, for the good word. I do believe that the officers would benefit from some RPG activity too.
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
That's such a load of manure that i wouldn't waste time responding. the
fellow is either delusional or a congenital liar. Real spell components
indeed! As if there were real spells... Of course, a legume does
usually produce a gust of wind X-D
The magic is the game is as real as the weapons, gold, and monsters.
Talk about not being able to distinguish fantasy from reality!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hi Gary---
Over on Dragonsfoot, we're having an extensive discussion about when a 1e invisibility spell/potion ends:
- The
PC appears before the attack is physically attempted---hence drawing
the sword, notching the bow, etc. cancels the invisibility and forces
the PC to appear.
- The
PC appears during/after an attempted attack, whether the attack is
successful or not; whether the PC appears in the nanosecond the attack
begins or anytime during the follow-through stroke seems to be the
center of debate. In either case, a drawn sword or notched bow does not
cancel the invisibility, which ends only when the physical attack is
attempted.
- The
PC remains invisible until after an offensive action has been attemped.
This can be in the form of a spell or melee attack (or a pick pockets
attempt??). The PC is invisible throughout the entire attack attempt.
After the attempt is finished, whether successful or not, the PC becomes
visible. If PC attempts an attack but misses, the PC still becomes
visible. Or, after the offensive spell casting begins, the mage will
become visible, whether the spell has any effect or not.
- The PC does not appear until a successful
attack has been made. If the PC attempts the attack but misses, the PC
remains invisible. The original query raised by Paul Stormberg was
whether or not an MU's invisibility would end after his attempted
fireball spell was interrupted by a giant's hurled boulder.
Can you please clarify which option is correct?
Thanks :-D
Option #2 fits the bill perfectly. When in
process of attacking, and that would include picking a pocket, the
formerly invisible character appears, the dweomer of the invisibility
spell being cancelled thus. the action takes place before anyne can do
anything about it, but the attacker is visable and thereafter subject to
counter-measures.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hi Gary---
What's the status of your MMORPG for LA---any news on that front?
The Dreams Interactive team is working on the LA Online game. The delay
is due to lack of major financing, so they are doing "side projects" to
keep the income flowing. There is interest from a major producer, but
such negotiations seem to take forever.
We hope that the beta test will happen this year.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steel_Wind
Hi Gary!
First off, thanks ever so much (may not be important for you to hear, but it's terribly important for me to say).
Secondly, I was wondering if you had the chance to read
George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series, and if so, what you thought of them?
If you have not, (seeing as I think I owe you one), please let me
recommend them. I read so little fantasy these days as I find so much
of it tedious and unoriginal. Martin's works, happily, are the
exception to the rule and a true diamond-in-the-rough.
Thanks for the tip :-)
I am reading a book on Chuirchill's statesmanship and a David Drake SF novel after finishing all the "Judge Dee" mysteries.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nikosandros
Hi,
could you expound on those hidden means?
Thanks! :-D
Yes, but I don't care to. That's my confidential creative material ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by the_bruiser
Wow.
I won't bore you by going on and on about how much joy I've gotten
from D&D, but I do want to say thanks. It's affected my life in
some great ways, including better confidence in speaking,
quick-thinking, responding to interpersonal situations - in other words,
it's been great not just while I'm playing but has indirectly but
meaningfully improved the quality of my life. So, err, thanks :-) .
Anyway, this statement above grabbed my attention. The reasons might be
widely known, so my apologies if I'm asking you to explain something
for the 10th time. I've been playing since the early 80s, and to me
3E
seemed such a clear improvement - standardized task resolution,
clarified magic item creation processes, manageable skill ratings,
ability to take character skill development in unexpected directions via
new classes, linear attribute bonuses, etc. - that I wonder what it is
that you dislike so strongly. Of course, maybe those are the same
things you hate and it's simply a matter of taste? I've heard so many
people talk about 'flavor' in denigrating
3E,
but it's something I've never understood, as to me the DM has always
been the determinant of that largely independent of the system - is this
a part of your thought process?
Please be clear that I'm not putting early versions down, I've loved 'em
all. Any additional color on your above point would be greatly
appreciated. As always, best wishes in future endeavors and on your
continuing health and prosperity.
Actually, I think it
inappropriate to knock new D&D on a website designed to promote the
game. Suffice to say it isn't my cup of tea. If you are at all familiar
with the Lejendary Adventure game system, you'll be able to compare and
contrast. know quite well what I find positive in a RPG and what I don't
enjoy.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Akrasia
Is the Colonel still checking this thread, or is he too busy working on Castle Zagyg? If so, please continue good sir!
(Wipes drool from face at the thought of it finally being published.)
:-D
Heh,
What I am ding mainly of late is spending a lot of time reading and
relaxing--working maybe an hour or two a day. However, I'd have kept up
here, but I wasn't getting any emails calling my attention to poste
being made here.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
Gary had computer problems, a while back, and is still offline, as far as I know.
Steverooo, you said it. I had my desktop loaded with working files, and
that crashed my machine. I was offliine and computerless for two weeks
as my date was being recivered, a backup put into place, firewalls, and
an external harddrive to save everythng automatically. All worked well,
though, and things are in fine shape now--save for the 100-200 SPAM
emails I get daily. My Delete action is well exercised and very quick
these days 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by fusangite
Welcome back Gary! I'm sure I'm just the first of a chorus of wishes for your good health.
Thanks, and i can use all such :-)
I know you're quite backlogged in this thread but, when you get to
it, I'm wondering if you would be willing to comment on how you saw the
Monk class as working when it first appeared in the core rules.
Did you imagine monks living in the same societies as characters of
classes like the Paladin and Druid or did you see the Monks as part of
an Oriental civilization that was separate from but in contact with the
civilization that produced Paladins and Druids?
I must say that I enjoy posting, for it is almost as much fun
as shooting the breeze with fellow gamers in person...and I don't get
out and about much these days...
Anyway, as to the original Monk class, I envisaged them mainly as
wanderers from afar, some few being established in monestaries in the
non-Oriental (or whatever nomer one might choose to describe a place of
like cultures, states and societies). If you ever saw the TV series Kung
Fu, that was rather the model I used for the monk PC as far as general
interaction in the campaign--sans the racism.
So yes, the cultures and societies that produced Monk characters were
quite different from the usual Western/Northern/Southern European
models, but actually covered in the World of Greyhawk setting, for the
far western states therein could well house some small number of such
monastic warrior societies.
BTW, we never had more than about three Monk PCs in my campaign, those
out of some 60-70 players over time, each with around two or three
different PCs.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
A Note for Steverooo
I
noticed in another thread that you were looking for the email addy of
Noj. Drop me an email, and I'll send it to you amigo. Jon is a great
fellow, and he was offline for too long a time. It is good to have him
back and writing adventure material again too :-)
Gary
[email protected]
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Anabstercorian,
Hate to possibly disapoint you, but as the D&D game belongs to
WotC,
I really don't feel comfortable cmmenting on any aspect of it, from
OD&D on through AD&D to the new version. About all I can offer
is that whatever changes you make that seem right for you and your
players are likely fine, but be prepared to alter things if something
new doesn't work out in actual play.
Charisma can be made more meaningful by allowing it to function as a
sort of limited Charm spell for humans and humanoids, perhaps with the
one saving against its effect getting a +1 on the die for each point
below 18 (to 15, or +3) of the character's score.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Well,
first, I just want to welcome you back and wish you good health.
Second, thanks for the info. Let us know when an updated bio is
available, please, if you would.
Y'know, I've been reading through Dave Hargrave's original "Arduin
Grimoire" trilogy of late, and I was wondering what you thought of his
work (assuming you're familiar with it, of course).
Thanks Amigo,
I get to the long bio seldom, about twice a year when I need to supply it to someone for their article or like sort of work.
I never read the Arduin Groimoire in toto, but from those parts I did
peruse I must confess I held in in no esteem...especially the part about
baby fat.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Hmmm...I must've missed that section!
It was in spell components, as I recall from my reading back c. 1979
By the way, I picked up a copy of the Lejendary Adventures
"Essentials" boxed set recently released by Troll Lord. I'm intrigued. I
put off picking up LA when I heard Troll Lord was going to release an
edition of it. From what I gather, there will be a more weighty volume
coming down the pike soon, is that correct? Does this edition vary much
from the original?
The LA Essentials game has the same rules as the complete
system. Only some Abilities with many Powers, and spells for those
Abilities included in the primer set are fewer too, and magic items are
cut back because of space reasons.
The Trolls will be publishing a couple of core rules additions paperback
books--adding game material, not more than a few pages of rules.
Thereafter the five paperback books will be put together into a revised
edition of the Lejendary Adventure game in three hardback books. Before
that happens the supplement on Shamanism & Witchery, fun but
optional to the system.
Also by the way, I picked up the Castles & Crusades player's
book, particularly because I had heard that you'd be doing some work for
that game. It does harken back to D&D of old in many ways, and
seems to be a fine game. I prefer a bit more rules detail in my games
(you shoulda seen the phone-book thick house rules the guys I gamed with
back in the early 80s had for 1e!), but C&C (and LA, at least
"Essentials") seem well-suited for introducing newbs (of any age, but
adults in my case) to RPGs. Anyway, I'm also looking forward to "Hall of
Many Panes" and "Castle Zagyg," both of which sound like they're gonna
be very much to my liking.
Heh, and the C&C rules are about as rules light as the LA
game, and that's why I play it as readily as I do--mostly from OAD&D
memory ;-)
The HOMP is a campaign setting that should take no fewer than 50-70 game
sessions to complete and stretch the players' skills to the meximum.
CZ, Yggsburgh, Part One is a complex campaign setting for even longer
term play. If I can ever get to feeling well enough to pick up design
work again, the whole of the castle and dungeons will be the centerpiece
for dungeon-crawl adventuring, of course. However, the base has a lot
of scenario material, including several dungeon areas.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Krieg
All you had to do was click on the link....but would you do that simple task?
Nooo...Mr. High & Mighty thinks he is too good for free adult entertainment.
You wound me sirree.
*sniff*
And what about lower mortgage rates, prescription
drugs sales, chances to get thousands for helping to free-up a foreign
bank account, and winning national lotteries? Those are opportunities I
pass up daily too O.o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DeadlyUematsu
From
what I've read, a lot of (the more preferable) material written by
Francois Macela Froideval for the 1st Edition Oriental Adventures was
discarded by co-author David Cook. Could you render us a picture of what
this material would have been like?
Correct, Francois material was much better
IMO.
I don't know if it was professional jealousy or simply that Zeb
actually thought his ideas and work were superior, but he ignored a
virtually complete ms. from Francois. It would have needed polish
because of Francois' being a native French speaker. After seeing what
Zeb did to AD&D, I just think his design judgement is low.
Sorry, I can't recall the details after more than 20 years, and I
returned the large three-ring binder that held his ms. to him about a
decade ago.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jester47
Hi Gary,
I was wondering about how much creative input you had in the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon? What were your ideas in that?
The number of fantasy/scifi referenvces in that show are truely
astounding. I recognised things from Dune, the Heavy Metal movie, and
numerous other items. Just wondering how much of it came from your
greymatter.
The best part of the cartoon is the after show
credit roll where I am listed as co-producer. I assisted in creating
some number of the springboards for the show, but i was mainly concerned
with approvals. I had total creative control of the scripts, read and
approved or made change suggestions for all the series.
I got to many of the writers, and they would come up to out place, hang
out, swim in the pool, grab a sandwich from the kitchen, play Chainmail
fantasy miniatures on the sand table out in the old barn that had been
converted to a game room and a couple of studio spaces where they could
set up and write if they liked.
What did you like about the end product? What did you dislike? Was your vision for the cartoon what actually came to be?
that there was any cartoon show was quite a feather in the cap
of the D&D game. That it was somewhat too juvenille--Bobby and Uni,
the magic items that propped up the team--was not much to my liking.
That would have been changed in a spinoff that had been agreed to by
CBS, Marvel, and D&D Entertainment. The final episode for the
original show had been written, the intro to the new show done and
okayed by me, and two more were in progress of creation when Lorraine
Williams took over the company, and CBS and Marvel dropped the new show.
Its odd, when I was a kid running around with the AD&D PHB and
DMG with the new Easley covers, I always imagined you with a beard. The
odd part was that part of what went into that image was the DM from the
cartoon. So I imagined this short (but not that short) guy with a
beard and long hair and maybe balding a little on the top.
Imagine my surprise when I finally saw a picture of you! Was the DM character in any way inspired by you?
If you have answered this already, just direct me to the appropriate thread.
Heh, Aaron... I was once almost 5'11" but I am down about an
inch now that I am an old fart ;-) sure am balding, and the remaining
hair is in a pony tail.
I used to go to the Marvel building about once a month--was there a lot
before the cartoon show got going, so who knows what inspiration the
animators took from that?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ourph
Hey Gary!
I'd like to start by thanking you for including the suggested reading lists in the
DMG
and Basic set books. Not only has the game you created led me to
countless hours of fun and fellowship, it also helped me discover a lot
of great fiction I might otherwise have missed.
One of the authors listed, John Bellairs, mentions
The Collected Lectures of John L. Stoddard in his book
The House With A Clock In Its Walls.
Having recently acquired a set of this lecture series, it occurs to me
that (while not the most gripping read) they would likely provide a DM
with countless ideas and descriptions with which to inspire his own
games (Stoddard's description of the fjords of Norway, in particular,
was outstanding and really drives home how much geography shaped the
Viking culture). I was wondering if you have ever read any of the
Stoddard Lectures and if so, what you thought of them? On another
related note, if you could go back and re-write your suggested reading
list today, are there any new authors or works you would add?
Let me just add that I'm praying that God blesses you with many more years of happy and healthy living. Stay well. :-)
Hi Ourph,
While I have read a lot, I never did read the lectures of the Good Mr.
Stoddard. however, we read a lot about Scandanavia and the fjords in
grammar school, and I even had to do a color drawing of a longship ;-)
About the only additions I'd make to the recommended reading list in the old
DMG would be the names of authors Glenn Cook and Terry Pratchett.
Thanks for your good wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
LOL no different from the rest of us i'm sure. that, and "natural male enhancment", video dating, and casinos.
Heh, and what with the number of solicitations for hooking up with
cheating housewives that come in daily, I am wishing I'd have taken to
the law and become a divorce attorney.
Grinningly,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Krieg
All quality products from fine upstanding companies I am sure. ;-)
I would pay dearly to see the contents of that binder!
I suppose there was more merit than one would at first assume in P.T. Barnum's observation, "There's one born every minute."
There's no chance that Francois will reply to emails, and he threatens
to assail me if I happen to reveal his addy. I'd urge him to publish his
Orientsl material, but that would be done in French, so precious little
help to us here...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ptolemy18
Hello,
Wow, this is amazing. Well, let me throw my coin in the wishing well... ;-)
When I was really young and playing AD&D for the first time, one of
the things I appreciated was the suggested reading list of fantasy
authors. Anyhow, I was wondering, would you say there was any Clark
Ashton Smith influence on D&D?
I always thought of Smith as sort of an enjoyable cross between Robert
E. Howard and H.P. Lovecraft... there's a somewhat Howard-ish element of
swords and sorcery, but the stories always degenerate into everyone
being killed by horrible alien monsters... ;-)
Thanks for your time, and much more,
Jason
Howdy Jason :-)
Yes indeed, I read all the authors associated with the Lovecraft mythos,
including Clark Ashton Smith, August Derleith, Brian Lumley, Robert
Bloch, etc. I recall having several nightmares after reading a
collection of Lovecraft's yarns that included "Pickman's Model" and
"Rats in the Wall."
You might enjoy "The Willows" by Algernon Blackwood.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey Colonel, it's good to see you back on the Q&A thread!
I was just perusing the other threads of the forum and there's a "Write
in the style of Gygax" contest going on. If you want to try your hand at
rewriting a couple of
3e
feats in the style of the originator of the game you might want to give
it a look see ;-) And this brings me to my question: Is it true that
when you first posted here no one believed it was really you???
(OK, that's not a great question but it'll have to do until I have time
to peruse my stuff and think of something to ask! It's good to see you
back, Colonel!)
Gray Mouser
LOL, Amigo!
What is first prize for imitating myself, an autographed book?
Heh-heh-heh...too much like admiring myself in the mirror. While I used
to make faces and laugh, I never was one to spend time preening in front
of a looking glass.
There were a few skeptics here who doubted it was actually me when I first started posting here, but ther were polite about it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey Gary, here's my real question for the day ;-)
I was wondering if the unique monsters that showed up in some of your
monsters were ever sprung on your hapless players outside of their
original settings. I am thinking primarily of the Drow, Kuo-Toa,
Svirfneblin, and even the beasties from Barrier Peaks.
Did these monsters ever make it outside their original confines making
their way to Castle Greyhawk or other such places your players explored?
Gray Mouser
'Mouser, it would be perfect if your actual anme were Harry Fischer :-P
Anyway, while I was never loath to proliferate critters in my campaign,
none that you mention were ever much outside the realm in which they
were introduced. Of course. the vast labyrinth of the underdark means
that drow and the rest might pop up in any subterranean place. I really
liked mind flayers as the disguised evil manipulators of mankind, so
they appeared in several places in my campaign.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by loki44
Gary,
Would just like to let you know that OD&D is alive and well in
Atlanta and glad to hear that you are the same. I joined an OD&D
game last May and it's still going strong. I've been playing D&D
since 1979, though not much in the 90's, and it's been really refreshing
to get back to the roots of the game. There are younger players in our
group who were weened on later editions and they're just as hooked as I
am. Having an excellent DM totally committed to the system helps as
well.
Take care,
loki44
Hi Loki44,
It is good to learn that diversity remains active in the ranks of D&Ders ;-)
It so happens that my youngest son Alex has just made contact with a
group of computer gamers in the area, and they are also fans of
3E.
As he isn't one given to rules heavy RPGs, Alex took a complete set of
OAD&D over to the gathering, and he says that the group were much
taken by the system. It looks as if he'll be DMing the G Series for them
now. As Alex is familiar with OD&D, OAD&D and the Lejendary
Adventure systems, not to mention Metamorphosis Alpha, likely he'll make
a good GM and provide the group with a lot of fun.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
He's not alone. Tonight is the 3rd meeting of my new AD&D/Greyhawk. A good time is being had by all.
Well...
I urged that Wizards retain AD&D and OD&D even as they went into
the super-heroic new version of the game. I am cnvinced that their not
doing so was an error, just as divesting themselves of the magazine
publishing and GenCon were not wise steps for a hobby game publisherm
and that the
OGL and D20 licenses were even more ill-conceived in regards maintaining a vital and consumer-oriented operation.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jester47
...
Its odd, I read the script for the last episode and it was very close to the one I had imagined.
...
Aaron
Michael Reaves did a truly splendid bit of writing
on that episode that was to conclude the D&D Cartoon Show, and it is
a shame it never was produced.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Raloc
...
A couple of short questions. Someone asked if you came up with mind
flayers, I'd just like to second that as they are probably my favorite
creature. I am using them in my current campaign in much the way you
mentioned. Someone also mentioned Futurama, just curious, are you a fan?
The mind flayer I made up out of whole cloth using my imagination, but
inspired by the cover of Brian Lumley's novel in paperback edition, The
Burrowers Beneath ;-)
I watched Futurama often, especially after I appeared in an episode. It
ran here at the time we were usually not watching the telly, rather
having a before dinner cocktail.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mossfoot
Of course I always wondered... "Why a +1 mace? Surely he'd have access to at least a +5 with some special powers!" ;-)
Heh,
Voice talent proposes, the Producer disposes O.o
I did suggest a larger role, regular appearances, above union minimum,
and recording done on location in Hollywood, but all I got from that was
a horse-laugh... In short, they gave me a script, and those are the
lines I spoke.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
I'm going to try my hand at detailing some of the major encounter areas
on the large scale hex map in your excellent D trilogy of modules.
Since I want to be as "Gygaxian" as possible, please let me know how
much credence I should give to the descriptions of Lolth and
Blibdoolpoolp in the AD&D Deities & Demigods book. Did the
authors get these two deities right, or did some misconceptions enter
therein?
As much as I'd like to be able to assist, i fear
my copy of Deities & Demigods is sealed away in the attic, and
there's no way i can recall the stats and description for those two,
Blibdoolpoolp and Lolth.
If you can post the data, or send it to me, I'll be happy to respond.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by replicant2
Hi Gary, great to see you back on the boards, and I wish continued good health for the man who started it all.
On to my question: Could you attempt to describe your creative process
when writing a module or other adventure? Do you picture the events in
your head, like the story line of a novel, or do you create encounters
and locations and build around these?
For example, when you wrote Against the Giants, did you design the giant
strongholds first and develop the drow plotline as you went along, or
vice versa?
I usually begin creation of a module with an
underlying idea. i then sketch out a unbrella plot, then do an area od
labyrinth map, place encounters, then revise the whole as necessary from
what developed as I built from the initial material.
It is a lot of work for me to create adventure material, and it is
something that takes me a lot of time. Unlike some of my associates, I
can't crank out modules quickly.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by The Shaman
No
questions here, Gary, just a heartfelt thank you for the many, many
years of enjoyment, intellectual stimulation, and comaraderie the game
of Dungeons and Dragons has brought my way.
Very best in all things.
Welcome :-)
There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that I surely did have a great time doing the "work."
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Virel
Indeed
Gary, thank you for taking the time to post, share tidbits, answer
questions and giving us the wonderful game of AD&D.
As
i have said before, I am honored that so many people are interested in
what I have to say. Besides that, I enjoy the virtual conversation with
fellow gamers :-D
A friend of mine wanted me to ask about this specific example:
Cias asked:
I understand that, according to Gary's last reply, if a magic-user casts
sleep at a group of enemies, the magic-user cannot select specifically
to affect (or attempt to affect) some enemies while excluding others.
But how does this affect PCs and other allies of the magic-user if they
are near the monsters that the sleep spell is targeting?
For example, There are 5 goblins, 2 bugbears, and 3 1st level PC
fighters all in melee together and the PC magic-user casts sleep at the
goblins and bugbears. Will the spell also affect the PCs or can the
magic-user select groups of creatures, just not individuals within those
groups?
Thank You again for your time.
V
To clarify, as the DM I would allow the spell caster to select
one specific target, and by so doing nerrow the scope of a sleep sopell
to that individual. If ut were used as an area spell, then all
characters in the area would be affected up to the spell's maximum, and
that includes PCs associated with the casting magic-user. In the example
you give, the sleep spell would get the five goblins first, then the
three 1st level PCs, and if more than eight could be affected, then the
two bugbears.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
I'm doing a 'series' on
kobolds over at
d20 Magazine Rack.
(And my blog, but that has politics, so I shan't link to it. :-D ) I
was wondering, what sources did you rely on when creating the D&D�
version?
Howdy Alan :-)
Well, all i worked from was Germanic folklore about the forest "littel
people" called kobolds. All the rest of the material in the game I made
up to suit what i deemed as the needs of it. In short, the D&D
kobolds are mostly the whole cloth of my imagination.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Thank
you for your very kind offer! :-) I've posted the data below.
Please note that for Lolth I've copied only the additional text in
Deities & Demigods that wasn't taken directly from D3: Vault of the
Drow. One mistake I noticed while typing this stuff up is Lolth's
intelligence. Deities & Demigods lists it as 21, but in D3 her
intelligence is listed as "Genius", which would give her a 17 or 18
intelligence.
Okay Geoffrey,
My comments are given below:
LOLTH
Lesser goddess
<what about AC, HP's etc?>
WORSHIPER�S ALIGN: Chaotic evil (Drow) <and others of Evil alignment>
SYMBOL: Spider <in web>
PLANE: Abyss
CLERIC/DRUID: See below <???>
FIGHTER: As 16+ HD monster
MAGIC-USER/ILLUSIONIST: See below <???>
THIEF/ASSASSIN: Nil <nil/13th>
MONK/BARD: Nil
S: 21 I: 21 W: 16 D: 21 C: 21 CH: 3 (23)
The dark elves worship demon lords from the Abyss. The best known
example is the worship of the Demon Queen Lolth. Drow sacrifice both
blood (of others) and riches to her. (For particulars, see ADVANCED
D&D DUNGEON MODULES D3, THE VAULT OF THE DROW, and Q1, QUEEN OF THE
DEMONWEB PITS.) Female Drow with wisdoms of 18 can progress as high as
the 14th level of clerical ability. <Female drow can progress in
clerical level equal to their Wisdom score.>
Lolth is especially susceptible to holy water, taking 6 points of damage
from a splash and 6-21 points (3d6 + 3) from a direct hit.
SPHERE OF CONTROL: Drow <and other worshippers>
ANIMAL: arachnids
CLERICS: non-human only <?>
RAIMENT/HEAD: Drow helm
RAIMENT/BODY: Drow tunic
COLORS: red & black
HOLY DAYS: full moon <dark of moon is better>
FREQUENCY OF SACRIFICE: monthly
FORM OF SACRIFICE: enemies & riches
PLACE OF WORSHIP: underground marble temples <marble? I should think onyx caverns>
BLIBDOOLPOOLP �Sea Mother�
Lesser goddess
ARMOR CLASS: -1
MOVE: 12�//48�
HIT POINTS: 310
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 4-24/4-24
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Insanity
SPECIAL DEFENSES: +2 or better weapon to hit
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 55%
SIZE: L (20� tall)
ALIGNMENT: Neutral evil (chaotic tendencies)
WORSHIPER�S ALIGN: Neutral evil (Kuo-Toa)
SYMBOL: Lobster head or black pearl
PLANE: Elemental Plane of Water
CLERIC/DRUID: 15th level cleric
FIGHTER: 15th level fighter
MAGIC-USER/ILLUSIONIST: 20th level magic-user
THIEF/ASSASSIN: 15th level assassin <???---nil/nil>
MONK/BARD: Nil
PSIONIC ABILITY: III (i. e., psionic strength of 236-265, 3 minor & 2 major disciplines, all attack and all defense modes)
S: 21 I: 20 W: 10 D: 21 C: 23 CH: 11
Blibdoolpoolp appears as a large nude human female with a lobster�s head
and clawed forearms. In general, she hates all humans, demi-humans and
humanoids for driving the Kuo-Toa into the underworld. Worshipers
regularly sacrifice lobsters to her. If a favor is desired, she must be
given great quantities of gems, preferably pearls <or corals>.
There is a 1% chance per every 1,000 gp worth of gems sacrificed that
the Sea Mother will look upon her worshiper�s request with favor. (If
pearls <or corals> are contributed, this chance is 1% per 500 gp
value.)
Each of Blibdoolpoolp�s claws can snap for 4-24 points of damage. Any
creature hit by both claws will be drawn to the Sea Mother�s face to
peer into her eyes. At close range, her gaze causes insanity in
creatures who fail to save vs. spells at �4. In addition, the Sea Mother
can summon up to 3-30 giant lobsters (treat as giant crayfish) and 1-10
16 HD water elementals to her aid per day.
On the most important ceremonial occasions, the clerics of Blibdoolpoolp
sacrifice captured humans to her by drowning. Kuo-Toan clerics can
attain 12th level maximum. For more information about the worship of the
Sea Mother, see ADVANCED D&D DUNGEON MODULE D2, SHRINE OF THE
KUO-TOA.
SPHERE OF CONTROL: Kuo-toa <and undersea humanoids>
ANIMAL: lobster <and crustaceans)
CLERICS: non-human only
RAIMENT/HEAD: shell helm
RAIMENT/BODY: nets
COLOR: pearl
HOLY DAYS: new moon
FREQUENCY OF SACRIFICE: monthly
FORM OF SACRIFICE: gems, pearls, <corals,> humans, lobsters
PLACE OF WORSHIP: underwater shrines
Thanks again, Gary, for everything! :-D
Hope my input is of some benefit!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Ah, perhaps you should put him in touch with TLG. :-)
Fat lot of good that would do, but I'll give it a try. Getting Francois
to do anything other than his graphic novels is a most challenging
task, you see. He dislikes working, preferring to spend most of his time
gaming 8-D
I will email him about this though1
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
...And to answer my burning question... scaly, or hairy?
Heh...
I thought of kobolds as humanoid, but with green complexion due to their
forest habitat and skin that was rough and scaly even though they were
mammalian.
What your kobolds have in the way of skin texture can be quite different ;-)
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mythmere1
I have to just register thanks for the game - I've enjoyed it all my adult life.
If you'd post (even just a "hello") on the C&C message board, just
once, that would be really fantastic. We Castles & Crusades folks
tend to be big fans.
C&C message board (Players Handbook Board) Hi Mythmere1,
TCO :-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
I figured some kobolds had algae growing in their fur. :-)
Well...
In the dark, damp forests, that could well be moss, as is seen on the backs of sole old snapping turtles :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mythmere1
Actually, I do have a question. In the early days just after publishing the first hardback (I don't know if it was the
MM or the PH - they were both out when I started playing, but not the
DMG), how chaotic was it?
The first hardbound AD&D book was the
MM published in 1977.
Things at the office were hectic but not chaotic. We were all crowded
into an old house, a game shop taking up much of the ground floor,
shipping in the former kitchen, inventory on the front porch and in the
basement, and the offices upstairs on the first floor.
There must have been a severe shortage of cash to get out the
hardbacks and the little 1-3 level monsters and treasure books, while
also funding Dragon. How did you manage that? Was new money coming in,
or were you publishing new books with the proceeds of the published
ones. At what point did you realize that the country was going to buy
everything that you could afford to print, and how did you react to the
realization that D&D was going to be a craze of nationwide
magnitude? Fear? Excitement? Repeated glances at checkbook? Frenzied
bouts of authorial effort? Did it affect quality control on any of the
books or products in your opinion?
At that time I was the actual CEO of TSR, and money was tight
because we had to reprint D&D works and produce new material at the
same time, even as we paid employees. Sales were good, so cash flow was
key. We borrowed some short-term cash to produce smaller products, and
raised funds by offering lifetime subs to the DARGON and also to new
game products. While the zine was then a cash drain, the goodwill and
advertising/promition were more than a counter-balance.
It was in 1976 that we recognized that the game was going to be a
growing one, and planned accordingly. I kept long term debt to about the
amount of revenue the company generated in a month, and so the
operation was very profitable. Not many customers were slow in paying,
as they wanted to keep getting restocks and new product, so cash flow
was good.
The main thing that affected quality control was lack of personnel and
the need to get product into the pipeline or face outraged consumers. In
all, I believe we did a very fine job all things considered.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by scadgrad
Mr. Gygax,
As so many have said before, thank you for this game. It has brought me
so much joy over the past 27 years. Additionally, your list of suggested
reading was invaluable to those of us with no peer group to make such
recommendations in the dark days of 1980. East Tennessee in those days
was not exactly chock-full of fantasy literature fans.
You
are welcome, and I am happy to have provided some fun and enjoyment. i
was fortunate to have several close friends who were great F&SF
fans, so little escaped out notice back in the 1950s, and I remained
avidly reading in the genres through the 1960. Thereafter I had less
time to read, did more historical reading as well/
I'm curious about the origins of a few of the original monsters
from the MM; the Gnoll in particular and later, the Flind. I've heard
that these have an origin in fantasy literature, but for the life of me I
can't imagine which series one might find them featured in. As a follow
up to that question, of the monsters in that early tome, and in fact
quite a few beasties of OD&D and AD&D, there are a good number
which were entirely made from whole cloth, name and all. Of those, is
there one, or a group, which you're particularly pleased with? I've
always found the idea of the Puddings to be just wildly imaginative and
appreciate the way that such strange, original creatures have become
part of our shared experience.
I took the general name from a short story in The Magazne of
Fantasy & Science Fiction, "The Man who sold Rope to the Gnoles".
everything else i made up to suit the game ;-)
The flind is not my creation, it was done by a Brit, and first apeared in White Dwarf magazine, then in the Fiend Folio.
And finally, one last question concerning level-draining, the latest
edition makes this setback considerably less problematic than in the
original. Personally, I prefer something closer to the original ruling,
but I'm wondering, did your original players detest this rule as much as
one might imagine (God knows my players always loathed it)? And, was
this simply a very real method of instilling a sense of dread and fear
into the players when confronted by powerful Undead? It always seemed
cruel to me, but boy, it made those encounters tense and perhaps that
was the point all along.
Continued good health to you Sir and looking forward to what you and the Trolls do w/ Castle Xagyg.
How I detest namby-pamby whiners that expect to play a real
RPG without threat of character death or loss of a level, stat points,
or even choice magic items! Without such possibilities, what it the
purpose of play, a race to see which character can have the greatest
level, highest stats, and largest horde of treasure? That is just too
flaccid for words.
As an aside, level draining is less cruel that house rules I have heard about that cause loss of sight or appendages.
You pegged the reason for my adding that to the system. The threat is
potent, yet does not actually kill the PC. There is even a clerical
restoration possible, that costing much in the way of monetary and
magical items likely, thus getting them out of play and giving more
reason to PC to keep adventuring.
That said, when I was playing I dreaded seeing level-draining undead
monsters, and thus they added as much excitement to the situation as
might a death-dealing dragon ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Thank
you very, very much Gary! By the way, my wife says to me, "Gary Gygax
costs you more money than anyone else on earth!" I'm afraid she's right.
What with all your LA, DJ, AD&D, and D&D products (and soon
C&C products as well!) that I buy...
Keep up the good work!
UNFAIR!
What about the amount of entertainment delivered by those same products.
Compare the hours provided by games to the cost and time provided by
going to the movies ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Napftor
Greetings, Gary!
I saw a few posts ago here that you mentioned lifetime subscriptions to
DRAGON. Are the folks who bought into this deal still receiving the
magazine, do you suppose (I know you aren't privy to concrete facts
here, but how about a guess)? And how much did a "lifetime
subscription" cost when it was offered?
Thanks!
--Bret
As I recall a lifetime sub to DRAGON was $300 and a
like sub to game products was $700, about 30 people signed up for both,
a few subbed only to the zine and likewise to the games offer. Each
year the subber would have to complete and return a form saying that
they wished to continue, and there was some considerable attrition that
way.
I can't guess how many were left after 1985, but around then I think
there were only about a dozen or so still receiving the zines and game
products.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey
Gary, I have a question regarding the playtesting of the G and D series
modules. Did you run these modules as part of your campaign or was it a
separate set of adventures that didn't impact the Greyhawk campaign in
any substantial way?
Also, since Q1 was actually not of your original devising, how did you
end the Giants-Drow series for those players who made it through the
modules? Did they end up in the Abyss facing Lolth, face the Elder
Elemental God (and be utterly destroyed, I am sure), hang out in the
Drow's underworld wrecking havok, simply return to the upper world or
something entirely different?
Thanks in advance.
Gray Mouser
By the time I wrote the G and D series
modules, the group of players I DMed for had altered considerably from
that of the early 70s, although Ernie and Rob and Terry Kuntz were still
there. The adventures in the two series were indeed a part of the
overall campaign, and a number of the PCs involved belonged to TSR
employees, including Tim Kask and James Ward. We played in the TSR
building a good deal after regular working hours.
The successful handling of the G and D series didn't really have any
impact on the campaign, save to beef up the PCs. When the lads managed
to penetrate all the way to the Vault of the Drow it was most
disheartening to me. They took one look around and made haste to get
away, so they never did much in the way of wreaking havoc down there,
let alone run into Lolth or the Elder Elemental God.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey Gary, just thought of another question for you :-)
With the popularity of late of the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter
movies which of your 1e modules would you most like to have made into a
Fantasy/Sword and Sorcery movie? (BTW, as long as we're engaging in a
little wishful thinking just assume the movie budget is comparable to
that of the LoTR :-) ).
Gray Mouser
Whew, 'Mouser!
That's a tough question, mainly because all of those adventures were
designed with gaming in mind, not the telling of a dramatic tale. The
fact is that I don't think any of them would serve as the basis for a
major motion picture. About the only writing of mine that might be
viable are the "Magister Setne Inhetep" fantasy mystery novels. and as
they are each around 200 pages long, they would convert to a film script
pretty handily. Thay they were written for the Dangerous Journeys FRPG
system, Mythus, is of no matter, as the few game-specific portions could
easily be altered. So too the world setting, the "AErth."
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh, OK, last question for the night :-)
With all the talk about Kobalds recently, I got to wondering if you
specifically visualized them as dog-like. The picture in the monster
manual appears that way, but I don't recall it being specified as such.
The kobalds in The Keep on the Borderlands,
however, are referred to as "dog-men", and I seem to remember an Erol
Otus picture in a module where they appear somewhat canine (although I
can't recall the module off hand). Anyway, was the dog-like appearance
something you thought of or simply the result of the Monster Manual
artist's (DCS, wasn't it?) imagination?
Gray Mouser
It was indeed Dave sutherland that decided to
give the kobolds a dog-like visage, likely because I had described
gnolls as hyena-like. I had actually originally envisaged them as more
impish ot countenence, but I went along with the depiction, as it made
no difference to the game's play.
Kobolds in the Lejendary Adventure game are very different, and very
potent as either Avatars or non-avatars opposing the player team.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Captain Loincloth
Hello
Gary, I'm someone who recently rediscovered his love for old school
D&D. Really miss the feel of the old game. I could ask you many
questions, but I'll try to keep it short.
First, in the Holmes basic set, there is mention of a "witch" class
being in the AD&D Player's Handbook. Well we all know there was no
witch. Was there originally a witch class that got dropped or was it
entirely a figment of Holmes imagination?
That mention
slipped by me, and all I can assume was that either Eric was planning to
force such a class upon me, or else someone editing the work thought it
a good joke to play. i never had a PC class of that sort in mind for
the game.
Second, was there anything you REALLY wanted to do for AD&D but never got the chance?
No, there wasn't anything critical that was missed by
me...other than a proper revision of the AD&D system. Don't ask
about what i would have done in that regard. The effort of explaining is
not worth it, as such is meaningless.
Third, besides Castle Zagyg, are you planning on doing any more stuff for C+C?
Thanks, and BTW, Sorcerer's Scroll was the best column ever in Dragon,
I'll be running Castle Zagyg this summer (I hope), and Erol Otus drew
the best kobolds of any artist who ever worked for TSR or
WotC.
As the castle ruins and dungeon levels are hardly begun, and
the work to cmplete them will surely take two of us two or more years to
complete, I have made no plans to create anything further for the
C&C game. While I find it fun as a change of pace, I much prefer
designing material for the Lejendary Adventure game ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Gary,
now that I have LA Essentials, you've created quite a quandry for me.
Which will I attempt to force upon my group next: OD&D or LA? They
are nearly equally appealling to me.
If the Trolls could convince Fran�ois to do no more work than to locate a
copy of his work for them, surely they could find people both to
translate & edit it. How nice it would be for us to finally see the
work you've told us about in print as a C&C OA!
Any progress on getting a book of your & Rob's recollections of the early days as published in Dragon & elsewhere published?
Howdy!
funny you should say that, as my group is torn between the two much the
same way, only a three-way split with LA, OD&D, and C&C. We
played in Yggsburg using C&C rules and had a fun time, and now the
fellows are dungeon crawling using OD&D and loving it. As soon as
possible, though, I want to get to a new La game module that Jon
Creffield has just finished and turned over to the Trolls for
publication.
As for the book compiling the humorous adventures Rob and i have DMed or
engaged in, i asked Rob to supply me with more of his essays, but so
far nada... I can't complain loudly, though, for i haven't turned over
any castle or dungeon levels to him ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey Gary, thanks for the answer to my query. Just to let you know, I found a copy of The Anubis Murders
in a used bookstore back in (maybe) 1995. A great read! I had always
been interested in ancient Egypt when I was a kid and found the novel
quite good.
Gray Mouser
Thanks 'Mouser :-)
The Anubis Murders was my first attempt at a mystery yarn, so it is only so-so
IMO.
the next two, The Samarkand Solution and Death in Delhi were better,
with the latter the most exciting from my perspective. Death in Delhi
might make a fair to middlin basis for a film script.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Hey Gary-
Hope Groundhog Day found you in improving health.
Thanks. I
feel pretty well. the problem is that i tire out after about an hour,
and game design calls for extended periods of hard concentration and
work at the keyboard.
My question concerns the original Monster Manual. being the first
hardback RPG book ever published, did you have difficulty securing a
printer for it? Were folks in the industry leery of such an expenditure
for such a relatively new game? Or was it simply an exercise in waving
enough capital in their faces? :-D Also what circumstances led to
Random House being the distributer?
Thanks!
We has the dunds on hand to pay the printer for the initial
50,000 copies of the Monster Manual that were ordered. It was no problem
finding a printer thst could do a stitched binding and school-book
cover material either, as i wanted the AD&D volumes to be as nearly
indestructable as could be managed. Later on the Blumes changed that so
save a nickle or two on each copy printed...as if we weren't making
enough as it was.
Crown books wanted me to write a special introductory game book
exclusively for them. that was a no-go. Simon & Schuster contacted
me about book trade distribution, but they were going to take a year to
set it up, so i wasn't too thrilled. Then I got a phone call from
Mildred Marmur, then the VP of Sub-Rights Licensing at Random House.
they flew me out to NYC the next week and were ready to begin
distribution in a month's time. As the remainder of the deal I
negotiated assured TSR cash flow and other great benefits, i signed my
name up there in their offices on the second day of our meetings.
Having Millie as an advocate was a lot of help in cutting a great deal for TSR. Both of her sons were D&Ders :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
it
might be meaningful to someone who wanted to spend the time revising
the 1e AD&D system the way you would have done it - preferring that
to the 2e AD&D that TSR did - but this would require a lot of
explanation on your part for not too much reward beyond "Thanks!" ;-)
me though, eh, i never had a real problem with 2e. some things seemed
silly and to make not much sense, but i had a lot of fun and was
introduced to the game with that system.
Hi Boz,
Right you are about reward for effort. Especially nowadays, that just
ain't going to happen as time and energy are limited resources.
Surely you have no problems with 2E, as it was your fisrt FRPG ;-) It
did lose about half the AD&D audience for TSR, though, and that's a
fact.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by xmanii
Hope all is well, and finds you in good health.
Been out of the loop for a bit, and was wanting to check your website at
www.gygax.com, and I got some German site. Did you let it expire, or have a different site now?
Thanks for introducing D&D to me and everyone else :-)
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks, Xmanii,
All good wishes and prayers are most apreciated!
The old website got pirated some time back, so we secured
www.egarygygax.com
That said, we've never done anything with it, as i haven't the time or
energy to devote to keeping up such a site. There were a couple of
volunteers, but they didn't come through, so I just dropped any further
effort. eventually we'll probably get something back up, but to my way
of thinking to do a proper job of it demands a lot of input from me, and
a lot of owrk by the webmaster managing the site.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by johnsemlak
FUnnily
enough a couple of those books actually made their way to a game shop
in Moscow Russia. I had been wondering if they were worth getting.
I'll have to finally pick them up :-)
No don't anyone rush to Portal Game Shop in Moscow to beat me to them
Funny thing too ;-) We hope to get the La game translated into russian and sold there in the not too distant future ;-)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Well,
I'm sure you're doing the right thing and not wearing yourself down.
I'm sure the masses clamoring for "Gygaxian Tomes" will understand.
Sweet. So you prety much had them beating a path to your door. Thanks
for that little nugget of history. I always thought it was wierd/cool
that some of my childhood and textbooks were handled by the same people
who did the AD&D books.
Take care, Col.
Sales were burgeoning so as to attract the
book trade, and thanks to sensationalist "news reporting" we got
milions in publicity thereafter. The entertainment industry in
California was also after us from about 1981 on through 1983--that's a
very long time in terms of of desirable film property.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
Hi Gary,
Thanks again for taking time to answer all the questions and put up with
all this fawning (I'm sure the latter is easier than the former ;-)
). Anyway, I've got another OD&D (1974) related question (something
of an obsession of mine because I was too young to play it when it was
'current'):
In issue #2 of
The Strategic Review
in the article on "The Questions Most Frequently Asked About Dungeons
& Dragons" there's a combat example that includes hints of an
unarmed combat system that
AFAIK never saw print anywhere else. Here's the relevant quote (emphasis added by me):
Was this an actual system used in your games at that time or just
something that was created ad-hoc for this example? If the former, why
was this (seemingly quite simple and straightforward) system abandoned
in favor of the much more complicated percentile-based system found in
the AD&D
DMG
(which was so complex that at least in my games it served to
effectively discourage anyone from ever attempting those maneuvers, at
least until we got UA)?
Also, I can't help noticing that both this example combat and the combat
example in the AD&D PH feature large numbers of orcs taking out
superior PC opponents by grappling them rather than engaging in straight
up melee (which the higher level PCs would almost certainly win). Was
this pure coincidence or were these intended as subtle hints to DMs how
such 'mook' monsters should be played -- making up by sheer numbers what
they lack in skill and hit dice?
As always,
Happy to be of service!
We sometimes used the SR system in grappling melees, but most often the
Dm simply weighed the situation and ajudicated without all that dice
rolling. thus, eight orcs getting the jump on a 4th level fighter would
be assumed to overpower him with some loss to themselves--d6 and another
die rolll for each KOed in the struggle, a score of 6 indicating killed
in action.
The more complex system in AD&D was my error, mainly that of listening to those who wanted combat to be very detailed.
You are on target in regards the examples of low-level monsters seeking
to come to grips with a strong PC. Eight orcs will likely be slain by a
well-armored 4th level fighter unless they use their sheer numbers to
overwhelm him.
I now have that happen when pack animals attack characters. Two wolves,
dogs, or hyenas, for example, both successful in hitting the same target
human (or humanoid), will knock him down and put him at a considerable
disadvantage.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Doomed Battalions
Hi ya Gary-
You mentioned in an earlier thread that you would have liked to see a
revised AD&D system, why not go through Kenzor Co. and propose the
revision, I think they hold the license for AD&D right now if I'm
not mistaken.
Scott
Easy!
I dn't particularly care for the direction that Kenzer has taken with
Hackmaster--too frivolous and far too many books required to play ;-)
Now i do like the Castles & Crusades rules that Troll Lord Games has crafted under the
OGL B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
that
it did, true. i have to confess though, i never really understood why
people had such a problem with it. maybe that's because i was not part
of the transition? the rules didn't seem to change in any great
capacity, mostly cosmetic changes it seems to me - it certainly wasn't
the day and night difference between AD&D and
3E
D&D. maybe the animosity of people was because you had no personal
involvement in the change (and didn't want to), or maybe it was the
people who spearheaded the change and/or the dubious activities that
caused you to not be with the company anymore... i just really don't see
that big of a difference between the two editions of AD&D. forgive my ignorance. ;-)
Your guess is as good as mine, but the old saw about if it ain't broken don't fix it likely applies.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
Hi Gary, I've got a couple more for you. This time moving forward a bit, from 1974 all the way to 1977 ;-) :
I was looking through the J. Eric Holmes-edited D&D Basic rulebook
last night (still my favorite of the various 'introductory' D&D
sets) and got to wondering about a couple things:
While most of the rules in that book come straight from OD&D, there
are several spots that anticipate AD&D (some spells, full treasure
types table from the
MM,
etc. -- not to mention that the book consistently refers readers to
AD&D, rather than OD&D, for further info) as well as a few rules
that don't seem to match either edition (10 second instead of 1 minute
combat rounds, initiative determined by Dex score with a die-roll used
only to break ties, use of the magic-users' "% to know spells" table,
etc.). Were these (the latter case) rulings decisions made by Dr. Holmes
on his own (interpreting the sometimes ambiguous wordings in OD&D)
or did they reflect actual thought and practices at TSR at the time
(ideas that were subsequently rejected by the time AD&D saw print)?
Thoughts and practices at TSR? Heh! As it happened, I reviewed Eric/s
ms. and put in the material I was creating for the new AD&D system,
thus making a transition from D&D to AD&D easier for those who
wished to do so.
In short, I was 99% of the creative force in regards to the
D&D/AD&D game until I put Frank Mentzer in charge of the D&D
line.
And also I wonder why, since the book bills itself as an
introduction to AD&D, once the full extent of the rule changes
between OD&D and AD&D (such as starting the AC table at 10
instead of 9, upping fighters' clerics' and thieves' hit dice, granting
spells to clerics starting at 1st level, etc.) were known that the Basic
rulebook wasn't updated/revised to incorporate more of those changes
and remain consistent (especially since the book
was
revised after the publication of the AD&D Monster Manual -- adding
several creature listings (such as giant rats and troglodytes) that were
present in the
MM
but not in the OD&D rules)? Was it simply not considered worth the
effort, or had it already been decided by that point (1978-79) to keep
"Basic D&D" closer to OD&D than to AD&D (i.e. the same
thought process that eventually led to the 1981 revision of the Basic
Set and introduction of the Expert Set as a replacement of sorts for the
OD&D white-box)?
Regards,
The Basic Set was not meant to be AD&D, or an introduction
to it despite what someone at TSR put into the work. There was never
any intention of melding the two games. that should be obvious from the
continuation of the D&D game product line, its direction being
different from AD&D's.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
Another one I just thought of as I was typing the last question(s):
Back in 1988 I played with you at a convention game (Glathricon in
Evansville, Indiana), exploring the Tomb of Rahotep under AD&D
rules. One of the 'house rules' you used in that game (as well as the
'BUC' system for currency/treasure) was to give the characters 'joss
factors,' as later seen in Dangerous Journeys. Were you simply
playtesting ideas for your new system-in-progress, was this a special
one-time-only consideration because of the difficulty of the particular
module (which was plenty
difficult, though I did manage to survive intact -- barely ;-) ), or
was this an idea you thought appropriate for addition to AD&D games
in general? And if so, do you still think it's a good idea?
Just something that's been floating around the back of my mind for the past, oh, 17 or so years...
Easy :-)
As is pretty usual for me I was outting into play-test my ideas for the
upcoming Mythus game. I thought joss Factors were very necessary for the
ToR scenario, of course ;-)
That's the long and short of it.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Thanks Matthew!
Those very kind words are much appreciated, and they and like
testimonials are the best part of sharing my creative work. As i must
always point out, however, at best what I did assisted you in realizing
your potential even as it brought fun and friendship to you and your
comrads.
So all I can add is that I am most hapy to have been of service, and i surely enjoyed the "work" ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Vlad Le D�mon
Les Chroniques de la Lune Noire ?
None other :-) Francois is working on the next book now.
...
1. You have played with Fran�ois Marcela Froideval, right ? Is it true that L'Empire de Lynn is located on Oerth ?
Yes, and yes. His area of Oerth was located to the west, and it included the island of Mephreton.
2. Have you ever played other RPG than D&D, C&C or LA ? Which ones ?
Empier of the Petal Throne, Metamorphosis Alpha, Top Secret,
GW, CoC, Paranoia, Dangerous Journeys (Unhallowed [horror] and Mythus
[fantasy], and a few others, including some I was testing for paper or
computer game publication.
3. In D&D there is Dragons and...Dungeons...why have you choose
to set mostly of the adventures underground ? This is not very
flamboyant and grandiose for great adventurers to crawl in the filth of
tunnels and catacombs ;-) . There is a hidden meaning for this ?
Heh, as if dungeon crawling wasn't the most popular sort of
adventure! Note that mant action films and most computer RPGs use such
settings, whether actual dungeon-like places, caves, or industrial-type
enclosed environemnts. think of the motion pictire Alien.
The meaning is simple, to bring fun and excitement to the players
involved. What better than the lurid tension of a subterranean maze?
4. What is your favorite color ?
The rainbow and all its permutations.
5. What is your quest ?... O.o
Thanks for all...[/QUOTE]
I am consumed by no driving force. I enjoy each day for what it brings.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
Well
...
Normally i wouldn't post this for fear of starting and edition war, but
Boz did bring it up first. I firmly belive that "old timer" complaints
are legimtate and not just nostalgia, as people commonly beleive.
Hail1
Edition wars are the height of foolishness. Who can argue with someone's
personal taste in entertainment of any sort? Disputing which game or
variation thereof is superior is much the same as arguing about what
food tastes best or what color is the most pleasing, is it not?
Over and above that, in general gamers have more in common with each
other than do non-game buffs, so why fight amongst ourselves about
games. Now politics are a different story alrogether >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
...
The final nail in the 2e coffin for me was with all the class-related splat books, however.
TSR was short on sales bacause of the loss of consumer base, so they
tried to make up for that by producing a plethora of unnecessary
products. That simply drove away more of their customers.
Anyway, YMMV, but 2e seems to have meant well (in some respects) but
to have been an experiment that ultimately failed. I didn't even know
about 3e until about a year before the 3.5 revision and by that time I
was well on my way back to 1e, anyway.
Gray Mouser
IMO the revision was mainly malicious, and there's no question it is what brought down TSR.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
don't go blaming me now. ;-)
Well Dude!
As a Chicagoan by birth, I'll not blame you. Mayor Dailey is another matter... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark
Heh, and I recall my father complaining about the Kelly Machine running
the city. After about three-quarters of a century of Democratic rule,
the old days were nothing, eh? give me the days of Big Bill Thompson and
the Everleigh Sisters :-P
You are on top of things, Mark! It was just last evening that I heard
from the Trolls that the final production steps were moving forward on
the Hall of many Panes boxed set. Its release should save me answering a
lot of email...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Not
to start a gripe session or anything, Gary, but do you mean that the
revisions in 2e were doneto basically make things in AD&D less
Gygaxian?
If that's the case then there was a great deal of success in that regard (for the worse,
imho). Additionally, you certainly seem to be correct regarding 2e being the downfall of TSR.
Gray Mouser
It was done so as to remove my name and have a
"derivative" game for which no royalties were payable to me per
agreement. to save 2.5% they wrecked the company...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by foehammerx
Ok Gary,
Here it comes.
I still DM and will always DM your original D&D world. But I
basically consider everything that TSR/Wizards did after you left,
someones personal house rules. So i wonder what would have become of
things had they gone on under your orginal inetentions.
Who knows? i surely can't say...
Is Mord LG and if so why does he strive to maintain balance with his
group of wizards. Or is he manipulting the others to do good under the
guise of mainatining nuetrality.
No. Mordenkainen is Neutral, although he tends to prefer Good over Evil, Chaos over Law.
Vecna, Is he your creation. Is he the first lich, Was he arround or involved with the Twin Caticlisms.
Brian blume made uo the artifacts with the name "Vecna." All
after that was devised by who knows which persons. In any event, as the
term "lich" is found in dictionaries, Vecna could not be the first of
that sort.
Is Graz the father of Iuz?
I hardly think so.
Do you still run games in your original D&D world and if so, IN
YOUR HOME GAME what has become of The overking of the really great
Kingdom?
No, seldom if ever do i run O/AD&D game sessions on the WoG. Once the setting passed from my hands I lost interest in it.
What about The mayor/head of theives guild of the big city?
What about the 8 wizards and mord?
What about the demon ruler in the north?
And the demons witch mother?
See above ;-)
Who do you think is the best game designer other then you?
I don't make that sort of value judgement. It is best left to others.
What about Monte Cook?
He has many avid fans.
What are Immortals of the 5 spheres and what is their relation to dieties?
I give up.
Who is the oldest and greatest power in the multiverse, is there THE ONE?
Depends on whose campaign setting is in question. As for any that i have done there is no such individual.
What do you consider the best source of what actually occurred in the twin catyclisms?
I don't consider the matter at all. That is up to
WotC.
What do you consider your very best Module?
That question is very much akin to asking which os my favorite child...
Is there a better place for me to aquire these answers?
For some of the questions that's quite likely!
PS: Eternal thanks for opening the portal to endless adventure
Think nothing of it. It was my pleasure to share the enjoyment.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tuzenbach
OK,
I've got one. Please forgive me if this has been asked before, but I'm
just too damned lazy to look through all the "Gary Gygax Q&A"
threads.
Tomb Of Horrors: What were you thinking? Don't get me wrong, I love it.
However, this module has got to be the antithesis of dungeons for all
those D&Ders who insist upon "role-playing" as opposed to
"roll-playing". I mean, you play this thing "in character" and you die.
Period. Was it, therefore, your way of indirectly dictating *how*
D&D was to be played? It's been suggested by others that TOH was
just your way of "weeding out" the average, bad, and good players from
the truly great players, if such a thing can even be defined. Well, what
gives?
PS: Congratulations on the creation of The Tomb Of Horrors. All dungeons
should aspire to its scheming level of challenge and thought.
Forget the business about role-playing. It is as boring as rule-playing and roll-playing are when made the focus of the
game.
Notice that I stress game, as that's what is the main operative word in
the description of the activity. The majority of persons engaged in RPG
activity love to go on dungeon crawls, so the ToH was designed to
challenge the best of that lot.
That's the gist of it B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MeiRen
First
off, let me thank you for coming into this Q&A. I've been loving
D&D since I was 12 or so, its exciting to see you here.
Thank you. My pleasure.
Two questions: I'm a student of East Asian History. I've always
been curious, when you wrote "Oriental Adventures", what sources did you
use? What was the overarching theme/idea behind the book? Why did you
write it the way you did?".
Zeb cook wrote the OA book, not me, so you'll have to direct
those questions at him. I was totally occupied running TSR at the time
the work was written and had no time for creative efforts :-(
On a related note, I've always like the historical flavor of the
earlier D&D products. I'm not sure what it is about the old books,
but it does feel quite a bit like Dark Ages Europe. Now that we've got
the OGL, I've been thinking of writing some historical flavored games of
my own, simply as a hobby. (I'm not trying to make money.) Any
advice?
Again, thanks for coming in. Sorry if you've had these questions many, many times in the past!
Alex Lampros, aka "Meigan Ren".
A lot of my time has been spent pursuing history, military and otherwise, of the ancient period and middle ages...
If you develop new games don't be surprised if you can find no players
outside your own group. The audience for RPGs is relatively small, the
number of games available is relatively large, and all require a GM.
Most GMs have no time or interest in learning yet another new system ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Krieg
As opposed to Gary's personal house rules? lol
Just FYI, the best of those are called D&D and AD&D...
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by foehammerx
Hello again Gary,
It appears to me that you are perhaps not comfortable answering
questions pertaining to WoG. I am more curious about the campaign as you
ran it and not the published stuff.
But if its simply a matter of absolutely zero interest in revisiting concepts from over 20 years ago. I will leave you in peace.
It is the property of
WotC, and as such it is up to them to discuss, not me.
What Level was Mordenkainen when last you played him as PC or NPC?
I don't discuss my PCs, as now and then I play htem.
In your home WoG campaign what was the biggest most high level epic extravaganza you ever ran?".
Never did we get into anything of that sort.
Was Orcus the father of IUZ in your campaign? (If not, who?)
No. The parentage of Iuz was not discussed ;-)
[QUOTE]If all your creative works were destroyed and all that remained
was one adventure. Which adventurer would you prefer it be?
Rephrasing a question i have already declined to answer will not get any other response.
Do you have any opinions on Living Greyhawk?
None for publication.
You say you still DM OD&D and AD&D, what world/setting do you use?
I had been using WoG, but of late i have moved play to the Castle Zagyg environment.
Is there anything Wizards has done with D&D that you really liked. (Planescape?,)
No Comment.
And finally heres an important one for everyone reading this. Basically,
what recent stuff do you have out now we can buy. Castle wolfmoon?,
Yggsburgh?, Novels? Kidneys?
PS: Enormous thanx for your time and patience
Chris Clark hasn't gotten to the publication of Castle
Wolfmoon as of yet. He is still working on the last portions of the
Lejendary Earth world Setting--three books yet to some, one of which is
nearly ready.
I have a slug of stuff in for publication with Troll Lord Games (
http://www.trolllord.com/). The most likely items of interest to readers here are the
Hall of Many Panes super module and the Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds reference book series that is still in process of being expanded with new volumes.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by loki44
Huh? O.o What's a kidney go for on ebay these days?
Did you know that a proper steak & kidney pie has three sorts in
it? That is lamb, veal, and beef kidney. With a thick but flakey crust
one makes a lovely supper with a glass of Bordeaux 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Krieg
:-P
Well said.
Given enough time and opportunity even i can come up with something passable O.o
Cheers
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by bolen
I
have a history question for you, Gary. I know that D&D basically
came out of a wargame. At what point did it evolve from my army
fighting your army. To a DM and players who role-played. This seems to
be quite a leap, so how did this happen?
We started
playing man-to-man games around 1968, with several players on each side
and a command figure for each. From there it was a short step to one
figure per player. Note that there was still a lot of stress on hiring
men-at-arms in OD&D, though ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey
Gary, a couple things here. First, my question: when PC's in your
campaign got to higher levels and started setting up strongholds did
they ever engage in large-scale conflicts (viz., fielding armies against
their foes)? If they did was such conflict resolved using Chainmail or did you wing it?
We never got into any large-scale PC force vs. PC force battles in the
campaign. however, Rob was the DM for some of Mordenkainen's roving
forays with several thousands of troops, even city siege attacke. He
winged such, as we both had considerable experience with large-scale
military miniatures battles. That's what I did when a large PC force met
a large NPC one opposed to it.
Also, I want to apologize if my comments about 2e being "de-Gygaxed"
brought up some sour memories. Such certainly wasn't my intention (and I
think the game suffered for it) and I hope I didn't cause any hard
feelings.
Gray Mouser
Not to worry, 'Mouser. You didn't upset me in the least with
those comments. Fact it i am long past being phased by even pointed
comments about my work as compared to others' whether based on some
creative effort of mine or otherwise ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Gary-
Had you not developed and marketed D&D, do you think someone else
would have come up with a fantasy role-playing game (or a roleplaying
game of any other genre, for that matter)? Obviously, Arneson had
something going on, but who knows what would have become of it without
your colaboration. And SPI, etc were pretty cool the idea of D&D,
if I recall correctly. I think I read that Traveller has deep roots as
well, possibly as old as D&D, but I don't know that to be a fact.
Speculation for sure, but in time someone would likely have come up
with the idea for making "Let's Pretend" into a game and publishing it.
When that might have happened is anyone's guess. However, I can say not a
single hobby game company was in the least interested in the idea of a
fantasy RPG.
As for TRAVELLER, it's chief creator told me he sat down with the three D&D rules booklets to design his game ;-)
Thanks again for taking the time to answer these sorts of questions,
all of which must be repetitive and banal to you at this point.
Welcome. Some questions are old hat, some aren't. Rather like engaging in conversation...
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Gary, have you heard anything about the final module in the Castle Wolfmoon series---is it ever going to be printed??
It is in chris Clark's court, so you'll need to ask him. The third part
is larger than the first two adventures, so that's part of the hang-up.
Also, I believe Chris is considering a revision and re-printing of the
initial portions when the final part is done.
I'll send this URL to him in a minute ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
how complete a game is the new Lejendary Adventure: Essentials? Is
there a point (as with the old Holmes-edited D&D basic rulebook) at
which you have to have additional books to continue play? Or could a
group use this boxed set (and nothing else) to run a campaign lasting
years? What has been cut from the three main LA rulebooks?
Could one run your new Hall of Many Panes using only the Lejendary
Adventure: Essentials rules? Or would one also need the three main LA
rulebooks?
The LA Essentials boxed set is a complete game
unto itself, and one can play an extended campaign using it. It has cut
some of the Avatar Orders, Activations (spells), and cretaures in
interest of space.
The Trolls will be releasing my Living the Lejend, campaign base,
module, and creature supplement to the 'Essentials boxed set very soon
now.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by vortex
Hi Gary,
One of the great icons of D&D (and subsequent RPGs) is the
polyhedral dice. The are the backbone of the ruleset and, i think, one
of ther things that make the game stand out to newcomers
Where did you get the idea for using them, and did you decide on the specific ones we use today?
cheers,
Having random number generators other than the d6
or a deck of cards was desired by most miniatures game designers that I
knew in the 1960s. When sometime c. 1971 I discovered the Platonic
solids being sold as dice in a school supply catalog from a company
based in California, I was delighted, and thus came all the new
probability spreads in D&D ;-)
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Virel
Gary, would you share your views on the Illusionist class regarding the following?
...
A) At 14th level the Illusionist can take 4 1st level Mu spell and gains
another at each level. This was for learning spells and for casting. So
a 23rd level Illusionist would be able to 13 1st level Mu spells at
23rd level ability.
That's right, but being able to use
them does not mean that the character has an extra 13 ist level spells,
only the potential to select those spells as memorized ones to use, as
set forth below.
B) At 14th level the Illusionist can take 4 1st level Mu spell and
gains another at each level. This was for learning spells and NOT for
casting. Each 1st level Mu spell took up a spell slot for a 7th level
Illusionist spell. In other words, the Illusionist would take Weird,
Prismatic Spray, Alter Reality (just short of a wish) or a 1st level
Magic User spell like Read Magic or Sleep for a 7th level spell slot.
The casting would be done at the Illusionist given level. ie 14th level
Illusionist casts magic missile at 14th level mastery.
Just so.
C) As B but the 1st level magic user spell is cast at 1st level ability for a 14th level Illusionist.
No, they cast them as if 14th level magic-users. that makes their magic missile use meaningful.
Thank you again, for answer my prior question about sleep.
Happy to be of service,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Akrasia
Good Colonel,
I thought I should mention that my parents are still angry at you for writing the AD&D books and corrupting me at the tender age of 10 (already 24 years ago -- sheesh! :-o ).
Seriously, I cannot express what a huge influence your work has had on
my life. I know AD&D is just a game, but it compelled me to read
quite a bit as a tender child (and learn to use a thesaurus!), use math
skills, write detailed notes, develop problem-solving (and
problem-creating!) skills, and exercise my imagination in coming up with
new worlds and adventures for my friends. At the time it was all 'just
fun', but in retrospect, I see that playing those games served a vital
role in my intellectual development. Plato states in The Republic
that the key to educating young people is to make the process of
learning seem like 'a fun game' and not about 'dry, important
information' (or something like that -- I don't have the book here ;-)
), and AD&D certainly did that for me.
Your
testimonial is most appreciated. While the game was created and purveyed
for fun and entertainment, i did realize it had beneficial effects in
regards learning and creativity ;-)
It is a real pity that, as far as I know, the educational benefits
of RPGs have never been explored in any detail. Was this something you
ever considered in your years involved with RPGs?
Yes indeed! I advertised in teracher's magaznes for interested
ones to sign up for information about instructional classrom adventure
modules using the D&D game system, then I hired a Ph.D in
Educational Psychology, Dr. Don Snow. We had over 3,000 teachers on a
mailing list, and modules for math and science completes when the Blume
brothers decided that my idea was useless. They dropped the idea for the
line and put Dr. don to work on ordinary editing. No need to relate
what I thought of that, but if the tems "fools" comes to mind, I am
understanding.
I am looking forward to picking up the 'Hall of Many Panes' and the first book in the 'Castle Zagyg' series.
I know that you are introducing a few optional rules in the Zagyg book.
Do these rules draw on Lejendary Adventures? How easy do you think it
would be to combine aspects of LA and C&C in a single game?
the monetary system I have therein comes from the La game. the
skills are based loosely on ideas drawn from the LA game system. but
they are different. I want the material to make play easier and less
rules dependent, not more cmplicated, but the class-based system is so
limited in regards to character capacities that I just had to add some
ski;; bundles.
One rather strange question: why is Lejendary Adventures spelled with a 'j'?
So as to be a unique adjective usable as a trade mark.
Anyway, thanks again for everything, and I hope that your health continues to improve.
B-)
Welcone,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by foehammerx
Oh
man Gary, Out of 20 questions i have asked you have only answered 4.
You dont make it easy do you. In anycase, out of 20 questions you have
responded to 20. For that i am most grateful. Thanx indeed for your time
and attention.
Maybe you should ask different sorts of questions... 8-D
Robilar was totally evil. How or why did the other PCs in yours/robs campaign allow this and not seek to end him?
Robilar, Terik, and Erac's Cousin became Lawful Evil.
Mordenkainen as Neutral had no reason to assail them as long as they
didn't cross the line with him. The other PCs of Good alignment in the
game were quite lacking the power to take out those three characters.
Where did Rary come from?
He fell out of the rear end of a horse... Seriously, that was a
weak PC created by Brian Blume, a magic-user that was dropped when he
became 3rd level, Medium Rary--and yes, I am being serious.
Where did Lemund come from, and what became of him?
Why are you asking me all these questions? LEomund is Len Lakofka's PC, so ask him!
Could you elaborate on what any of these guys were
Riggby, Felnorith, Siggby, Diggby (a dwarf), and the elves Vram and Vin.
I can elaborate to the extent that they are all PCs of mine.
Sigby Grigbyson is the correct name, and the main dwarf is Zigby. You
left out Slidell of Fax and Curley Greenleaf. All the "by" suffix names
were forced on my by DM Rob Kuntz because i had so many PCs he thought
they should be identifiable.
What did you think about Robilard and Rary turning evil and all that?
Balderdash made up by someone other than the creators of those PCs, so I think nothing of it at all.
Have you heard Rob Kuntz story on what really happened (It was a Robilar clone)?
See above.
Another PC in a campaign with me got caught using weighted dice to
roll stats yesterday. The worst cheating i ever saw. What would you do
as Player or GM. ?
I would tell him he was a childish cheat, and that there was
no room for such foolishness in a gaming group for which I served as
Game Master, so hit the road and don't come back.
Are you sick of seeing the Patriot win superbowls?
Indeed, I was roting for the Colts to take the AFC, and for the Eagles in the Superbowl.
Were you ever approached to COME BACK or do something with D&D when wizards then Hasbro took over?
No.
[QUOTE]Do you still deal with Rob Kuntz, it would seem only proper that he have a hand in the NEW CASTLE ZAGIG.
Yes, I am in communication with Rob. As for your observation, I concur, as it is far more work than I am willing to do.
Did Mordenkainen ever visit any other published setting?
Metamorphosis Alpha's Starship Warden and Rob's campaign world.
Is there anywhere to get a complete list of everything you have written. Books, games, adventurers, everything. If so WHERE?
Thanx EGG
Read back on this thread, and the answer to that question will be found. I hate to chew my cabbage twice ;-)
Col_Pladoh:
Well Chris...
What can I add?
But you didn't say whether or not you planned to revise
A Challenge of Arm's and
RItual of the Golden Eyes so as to make a nifty campaing series out of them to match with
Castle Woldmoon's multi-parts X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Well, Gary, the flakey crust and the Bordeaux sound delicious!
Other than that... Heh ;-)
Gray Mouser
Spoken (virtually) as one who doesn't find
roast leg of mutton a delicate dish, and spurns a breaded veal kidney
chop >:-)
How about flaming plum pudding or a trifle for desert after the double Gloster, Chesshire and Stilton cheese course?
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Speaking of which... What's your favorite food, Gary?
... Yeah.
Well...
That's like asking what my favorite game is. I am a gastronome but not
above enjoying a tamale ot poor boy sandwich. My favorite cuisine is
Italian (northern at the top) then French (nouville at the botton), then
chinese, next Hungarian, then a bunch are tied--for example Moroccan,
Spanish, Indian, Japanese, British, German-Swiss...
Never guess I am having a glass of wine before dinner, eh? X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Maliki
Just
a simple thanks, for all the countless hours of fun you have given to
me, for all the friends I've made because of the simple game that you
created all those years ago. thank you Mr. Gygax.
Make that "Gary," and you've got a warm "welcome!" :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by foehammerx
Your Patience is staggering Gary,
Not astonishing if you think of my responding as a form of conversation with fellows with a similar interest.
Will the Town of Yggsburg be interchangeable with the The City of
GH, and The New castle Zagig be interchangeable with Castle GH. I was
assuming one inspired the other??
Yggsburgh is nothing like a vast city. It can be placed into
almost ant campaign world, even though its area covers at least 1,200
square miles. If it is placed on the WoG map, the town is some miles
south of the City of Greyhawk.
As for the so-called Cstle Greyhawk module, it is a bad joke, and I shall say no more.
Which of the futuristic settings/systems do your prefer?
Mainly my own ;-)
I heard you say you liked the Castles and Crusades setting which is
d20 compliant. What did they do differently from core d20 that made you
give �em the nod?
D20? Not that I can detect. It is quite similar to OAD&D though...
What world was the old D&D cartoon set on? (WoG?, Known World?)
Heh, as if Marvel would wish to bind the hands of its writers
by adding yet more "bible" material to their requirements. In short, no
world at all save that developed by the stories written for the show.
Did you have anything to do with creating Warduke, Were you pissed when he captured the Dungeon Master?
No, that was based on a toy figure done by Duke Siefried who was then employed by TSR.
As for dungeon Master being captures, I felt not the least qualm and
passed the script back for production without comment other than
approval.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Just one glass? ;-) I'm also one for trying a huge amount of cuisines, though.
Indeed, and I forgot to mention Ethopian cuisine, one of my favorites
but difficult to find. The best restaurant serving it that i have come
across is the Blue Nile in Washington DC.
Really, I've been reading this thread for a long time, but not being
an OD&D player, I never knew what to ask. The things I did want to
know have been asked and you've been vague about (I'm really interested
in Mordenkainen, what a legend!). So I just decided to ask you the
first thing that came to mind.
What about OAD&D? :-o
I don't think anyone can thank a creative mind enough, but we can
try to honor them by furthering their creativity. Thanks anyway.
(^_^')
Heh, well, as long as the creativity is put to useful ends, right!
Thanks for your good words,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Napftor
Hello again, Gary. These threads just keep getting more interesting.
While we're on topic of the D&D cartoon (which I love
and watch an episode of every Sat. morning to this day), which script
was your favorite and why? Same questions for which writer (I'm partial
to Michael Reaves but Jeffrey Scott was prolific and maintained some
good quality as well).
Of course I preferred those scripts
for which I suggested the springboards, but after all these years my
memory of the lot is pretty fuzzy. All of my videotapes of the show are
lost.
I can say that that Michael Reeves unproduced script,
Requim, meant to be the concluding eisode of for the series, is
IMO the best.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
We
do have quite a few Ethiopian and Eritrean restraunts here...I noticed
Thai and Vietnamese where not on your list, perhaps something to add?
Ohh, and there is quite a difference between the leg of the lamb and the kidney of the lamb...but a glass of Bordeux is always tres bien , to bad it is so expensive here in the states
In any case, as always this has been a great Q&A, thanks for this and so much more Gary!
Thai and Vietnamese cuisine tend to be a bit too hot for my taste (and stomach), so they are in my third tier of foods.
Actually, I prefer mutton to mutton to lamb, for the former has more
flavor, but it is very difficult to get mutton here these days.
I also enjoy the top Burgundies of France, and it is sad for us that all good wine is so blasted expensive here O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by trollwad
since
it is a non-wog product, you wont give 'official' guidance on where to
place yggsburgh. but, unofficially, if your fans pleaded for some
potential locations for yggsburgh on the WOG map, where might "some
miles south (of greyhawk)" be?
presumably north of hardby. possibly on the western edge of the marshes
between greyhawk and hardby (since the yggsburgh map seems to have
swampy lake on it), about halfway between those two larger cities?
Then, simply move 'zagyg's castle in the setting to this location rather
than its official WOG setting just to the north of the city and then I
can use your new material and not have to obsolesce my WOG collection?
Thanks
To make a long explanation short, the introductory
portion of the module covers that, placing Yggsburgh on the River Nemo
running some miles distant to a majot city named Dunfalcon that is on
the shore of a large lake...
"This module is large in content but the area of land it covers is
relatively small, a bit less than 1,500 square miles, an area of some 44
miles east and west, 34 north and south. With some inclusion of areas
�off the map,� that size is sufficient for much adventuring but should
be small enough, at most perhaps 3,000 or so square miles if all the
border areas described in the adventure text are included, to fit into
the campaign world, whatever one is used by the Game Master. The area is
likewise suitable to serve as the core for building a complete new
campaign world around it should that be desired, a major undertaking to
be sure, and not a subject for further discussion here."
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
I have to admit I find lam only OK. As for the veal kidney, well I liek veal but not kidney!
Now these I can get on board with! :-)
Gray Mouser
Heh, and I'll bet you aren't a fan of smoked eel then ;-)
A flaming plum pudding is indeed something special, and about the only way to get one is to make it oneself.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Lassiviren
Hey Gary,
Thanks for taking a chance and pioneering a great game and publishing
such great personal iconics and locations, ie WoG, my preferred setting.
Also if you are ever on the west coast there are some fine Ethiopian
restaurants in the Berkley area and all around the Bay area in general.
Be Well.
Welcome, of course.
It has been about 10 years since i was in the SF Bay area. As I recall
there weren't a lot of Ethopian restaurants around back then, but we did
enjoy some excellent Chinese food. Gail, Alex, and I drove up Highway 1
from LA to SF, stopping along the way to enjoy the sights on the way
for my appearance at Berkeley and several game shops, of course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by loki44
Hey,
if you're ever down in Atlanta gimme a holler and I'll hook you up with
some fine Ethiopian grub....and just about any other cuisine you
mentioned plus some, though I may be hard pressed to find Hungarian.
You seem to be a big fan of kidneys, what other sweetmeats do you enjoy?
I'm a tripe man myself. Nothing better than a steaming bowl of menudo
or pho on a cold rainy day.
Well, I must confess I am not
a fan of tripe--save as sausage casing--even though my father enjoyed
them. I like sweetbreads, brains and eggs, and liver :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by alleynbard
There
is a restaurant here in Columbus, OH named the Blue Nile and it is
pretty tasty Ethiopian. If you ever get into town for Origins or some
such thing then I highly recommend it.
Speaking of cons, I understand your health prevents a great deal of
activity but are there any cons you might be able to make in this coming
year?
Appreciate the heads-up for the Ethiopian place in Columbus.
There is a chance that I'll be at the Canadian National Game Exposition
in Toronto at the end of August. That's the extent of my convention
plans for this year.
Most of the questions I would have asked have been answered. I
eagerly await the arrival of Castle Zagyg and I want to express my
thanks as well. I discovered D&D and AD&D when I was 8. It
turned a frustrated and bored child into an imaginative individual. It
taught me a great many things and gave me a place to express thoughts
that had no previous outlet. The whole while my mother was leery, she
believed much of the hideous propganda of the 80's, but I know I would
never have become the socially adept individual I am today if I had not
been introduced to the game. I lanquished in school out of sheer
boredom but through skills that I learned while playing D&D I became
more focused. Today I am a writer as well as a Public Relations
manager for an educational theatre company in Columbus, OH. I now have
an opportunity to help kids like myself become greater than they first
appear. And I account my early exposure to such a satisfying hobby as
one of the foundations this is built upon.
Ack... I ramble. Just wanted to say thanks for all that you have done.
Your good words regarding the benefit of RPG activity are
apreciated! It does seem that a goodly number of participants are
benefited considerably by the game form, that it brings forth their
potential in this or that field B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anabstercorian
What ABOUT OAD&D? I've never even heard of it until this moment. o.O
Really? You've never heard of Original AD&D before this? I think you're pulling my leg X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by broghammerj
As a urologist, I hope you can understand my disdain of kidneys or a least my disdain of eating them.
Heh, and if you were someone who specialized in the liver?
Thanks for getting a kid to read. I'll be the first to say a Gygaxian vocabulary will get you somewhere in life.
I must say that I am very happy to learn that my work
encouraged you to read. As one who loves to do just that, and as a
bibliophile, such information is heartening!
At least now I can really annoy my wife by talking with the creator of the game she loves to hate.
Best wishes on your health. -JB
Uh-oh! That sounds like my first wife. She hated games and gamers alike...
Best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Never
tried Ethiopian. Is it anything like Mongolian? Aside from filling my
D&D kick, I also have a cooking/culinary kick I need to have
filled. I'm always up to try anything new, which has sometimes turned
against me. If you like food and like a laugh,
www.amateurgourmet.com is a pretty good site.
Well, I don't know what fills your schedule so you might not have time, but.
Ethopian cusine is nothing like Mongolian but it is something like
Moroccan. That's about the best I can offer by way oF explanation.
I have virtually no sare time...after answering email and board posts like these ;-)
Oh, and I'm surprised how much response a small comment about Ethiopian cuisine can get. 8-D
That makes two of us.
Yeah, no. I'm relatively new to the hobby. When I have an
opportunity, I read older books so I can get a feel for what D&D
used to be like, but that's about it. I play with older players, but
I'm more into the game than they are. I try to capture the D&D
'feel' when I GM, they just want to roll dice and level. I've started
to get them to get more in the D&D 'spirit' but it's a slow
process...
It'd be more useful if I got paid to do this. We don't all have that luxury, though. ;-)
There is surely a very dfferent spirit in new D&D than in the original games, D&D and AD&D.
As for getting paid to DM, what real gamer wouldn't love that? only a few manage the feat though X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Virel
I felt the Blumes were ID10T errors for a long time...this just proves my long standing view of them is valid - again.
Does anyone know where any of this material could be found?
It was in the archives of TSR. It is a god bet that most of it is long lost.
In my current 1st ed AD&D group, one player insisted her two
children join and play (ages 11 & 13) because she felt it would help
them in school and stimulate learning. The youngest one is quiet a
problem solver for her age and the older one asked for his mom to buy
him a Monster Manuel so he could read about the creatures. He hates to
read and this was the very first time he'd ever asked someone to buy
something for him to read. She was estastic.
I would really like to keep the momentum going with the two youngest
players...but it's a little hard to tailor puzzles etc to them sometimes
etc.
Excellent :-)
This also fit with a long time ago when back in high school, a
friend of mine that hated to read got interested in the game and started
reading... a lot. His grades improved. Imagine that!
Music to my ears!
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
Hi Gary,
Something I've wondered about off and on for awhile and don't think
I've ever asked (or read an answer to) before: how and why did you
decide to use 1d20 as the randomizer for the alternate combat system and
saving throw charts in D&D in place of the 2d6 rolls used in
Chainmail?
The 5% incriment (20) probability curve was used in the WW II military miniatures rules set,
Tractics,
that I co-authored with Leon Tucker and Mike Reese. tucker originally
wanted a 1-100 spread, and Reese had used something like that using two
d6 for one of his rules sets. the desire for different curves was pretty
common by the time I authored D&D.
How much consideration did you give to the fact that the wide, flat
1d20 distribution creates a much more random (i.e. luck-based) feel than
2d6 where ~45% of all rolls will fall in the middle of the range (6-8)
with the extreme high and low ends both correspondingly rarer?
Not much consideration was given, because of flat curve can be
adjusted easily and addition to the chance is lavel, not shifting with
the bell curve.
Was it a conscious decision that such a wide-open random/luck-based
distribution was more appropriate to the feel of a heroic fantasy-based
game as opposed to the more "realistic" historical feel of Chainmail
with its less random (more predictable) 2d6 distribution? Do you find it
odd that for the sake of 'consistency' and 'elegant design' that this
very random 1d20 distribution is now applied to almost every roll in the
game? Or am I reading too much into this?
Regards,
Sorry, but I don't agree with the premise of your question,
that one curve is more luck-based than the other. Requiring a 20 to hit
or to get a given result is about the same as requiring a 2d6 score of 2
or 12, no? It is all a matter of building the mechanics according to
the desired probabilities.
In D&D mutliple hits and varying hit points allowed for the option
of more frequent hits without affecting the end result, thus making the
play more action-oriented and exciting.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
[QUOTE=RFisher]Picking
up this sub-thead about your group's recent OD&D campaign... (Yeah,
other things have kept me from keeping up with my internet
discussions...)
I ask these questions for many reasons. Mainly, I suppose, because--as
someone who started with the c. 1981 Basic Set, Traveller, &
OAD&D--I find the original game intriguing. Also, because I figure
I'll force my group to give the old game a try sometime--& so--I'm
interested in how others--especially its author--play it.[QUOTE]
sure :-)
So, no thieves?
Everyone uses d6 for HD? All weapons do d6 damage?
That's right on both counts. We are playing original D&d
as in the three booklets...only with some few modifications I have
tossed in to make the PCs more viable.
When a cleric becomes a Curate, he only gets to add 1 hp to his
current total rather than a full HD? (Or +2 if Con is >14?)
No, we always played one HD addition per level of character.
[QUOTE]Elves have to declare each session whether they're operating as
fighting-men or magic-users? (I assume they keep two XP totals: one for
each class.)[QUOTE]
The would if any of the players were of elvish race, but all are human.
Anyone playing an "Other Character Type"? A "young" Dragon, perhaps.
Get out!
[QUOTE]I'm guessing you let the players roll ability scores themselves
rather than doing it yourself as Men & Magic indicates. Did you make
them stick to 3d6 in order (with the modifications allowed on
p.10)?[QUOTE]
To make PCs of the sort that are viable and be what the player wants to
play, I allowed them (or optionally me) to roll 4d6 and use the three
higheest dice. totals could then be arranged, as I added bonuses for
Str, Int, Wis, and Dex, not just Str and Dex.
Do you use the weights on M&M p.15 for encumberance, or just wing it?
My group is veteran, and they don't overload, so that's not a
consideration. I pull out those rules only if someone is abusing the
amount of equipment they claim to be carrying around.
Do you ever use reaction rolls? (I've always found them to be one of the most seldom used mechanics.)
Not often, as almost everything in the dungeon is hostile. Reaction is thus a foregone 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
*bump*
I hope Gary's okay.
I hadn't realized all these posts were
here. Likely I deleted a notice that someone had replied to this thread
when in my usual spam-deleting frenzy O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tav_Behemoth
It's great to see you around again, Gary!
I wonder if I could ask you a few questions about the origins of
monsters - please excuse me if these have been answered elsewhere.
No problem :-)
1) Can you confirm that the bulette and rust monster were originally
a plastic toy that you created a creature around in order to use it on
the miniatures table?
That is so, but the name and stats were created by Tim Kask, then editor of
Dragon Magazine.
2) Was your invention of the stirge inspired by the striges of Roman
folklore, and if so do you remember if you encountered them in Thomas
Burnett Swann's fantasy novel Day of the Minotaur or novella "Where is the Bird of Fire" or from another source (such as Ovid)?
The stirge I made up frm whole cloth, vaguely inspired by the myth of Strygea. I haven't read any of Swann's yarns.
3) Were you generally the (uncredited) author of the Creature Features in the early issues of The Dragon?
Durned if I can recall. The best I can offer is to answer on a case by case basis.
[QUOTE]4) Was the displacer beast inspired by the Couatl in Van Vogt's "Voyage of the Black Destroyer"?[QUOTE]
It was Van Vogt's
Voyage of the Space Beagle when i read it...but I suspect the story is the same, yes :-D
I have the highest respect for your bibilomania - after 20 years I
continue to find new riches within the DMG's Appendix N: Inspirational
and Recommended Reading - and tracing these literary antecedents serves
to only further increase my admiration for you as a connoiseur of
fantasy and as a game designer.
Thanks as always!
Thank you very much, and happy you are making good use of the
list! Hope you also enjoy the more recent work of Glen Cook and Terry
Prachett. How I admire Terry's creation "luggage" and the manner in
which he describes it in his novels X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Krieg
I'm starting to get worried that I am going to get gout just from reading this thread!
Gary, back when you were exiled to Hollywood as the media entertainment
head of TSR how far along did plans progress towards the D&D movie?
Were their actual scripts in the works and if so written by whom? Plans
being made for casting or director selection? etc
I had
meetings with many studio heads, and we had a completed script written
by james Goldman. The Blume brothers refused to make the final payment,
so the potential deals we had for producing a motion picture based on it
went south.
About a year later I co-wrote a partial fantasy film script with Flint
Dille. The whole premise was also writen up along wth a "bible." It was
based on the World of Greyhawk, and the action took the viewer into
other genres of fantastic and historical sort. That project I put
together with the crew of Dungeons & Dragons Entertainment Corp.
Orson Wells loved it and agreed to play the main supporting role--the
villianous mage. thus armed, I took it to Edgar Gross, the Executive
Producer for John Boorman. After three meetings, Edgar said Mr. boorman
was definately interested.
Before the deal could be concluded thus, I had to return to Lake Geneva
because of the state of affiars at TSR--it was near bankruptcy due to
mismanagement. In a couple of month's time Lorraine Williams managed to
get control of the compamy. That ended all interest in the film, and at
the same time killed the new spinoff project based on the D&D
Cartoon Show tha was actually moving forward up to that point with new
scripts being written and the concluding episode for the original show
completed.
Sadly,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
[QUOTE=Gray
Mouser]Heh, you got me there. My wife, however, loves the stuff. When
we go for sushi she usually gets eel. I'm a fan of tuna and salmon,
myself.[QUOTE]
Sushi? Why spoil perfectly good
raw seafood with all that rice and seaweed? go for the sashimi, dude!
Of course, when I drag her to Korean restaraunts she's usually there
under protest and so generally orders a koreanized Japanese dish lol.
Gray Mouser
The very few times I have sampled Korean food I found it much
too garlic-ridden for my palet. Much to my wife's annoyance, I am not
very fond of garlic in my cooking as it overpowers almost all other
flavors. so many people spoil lamb by smothering it in garlic :-(
Halved onions are much milder and enhance the meat's flavor
IMO, and that applies to mutton as well as the more delicate lamb.
PS
Sheesh, I just noticed not one AD&D related question here. Hmm, I'll have to think of something. ;-)
I did quite a few OAD&D questions on earlier numbers of this continuing thread...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well Pilgrims...
I recon that answers all of the posts, but if I missed yours, hller at me ;-)
Adios,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tav_Behemoth
...
The remorhaz Creature Feature was Erol Otus's, I believe, since you
thanked him for preliminary work on the monster in the acknowledgments
to the Monster Manual. I'm particularly interested in its possible literary antecedent - Carter & DeCamp's "Lair of the Ice Worm" (published in Conan of Cimmeria)
describes an artic worm called the remorla, which radiates cold whereas
the remorhaz radiates heat. Might you be able to shed any light on the
subject?
Only Erol can answer that ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
About Rincewind's Luggage (A short diversion)
Alan,
Thanks very much for the interesting comments. It makes me chuckle about the D&D influence on the stories, because the
Lejendary Adventure
game will soon have magic items of a sort not dissimilar to Luggage. Of
course I have them as being very rare and coming in varying sizes and
potencies.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
After
considering this idea, what do you think it is that makes the spirit in
each of the games different? Is it just the language of the text?
It is most difficult to pin down what gaves a game soul, and that's a
major part of its spirit. the ability of the game designer and his
dedication to the game are likely main components in giving a game soul.
The way the subject is treated, the language in the text, the rules and
mechanics form the spirit.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by nerfherder
Hi Gary,
It's good to see you posting regularly again - I hope your health continues to improve.
Firstly, I would like to thank you for inventing the hobby that has
given me so much joy over the past 24 years. I really can't
over-emphasize this enough.
Howdy Nerfherder,
It is an honor to get such an accolade.
Secondly, have you heard that you are #37 in this month's SFX
magazine's list of top 50 greatest SF pioneers "the 50 men and women who
have done most to shape the SF & fantasy landscape into what it is
today"? To give you some context, wou were pipped to the #36 position
by Bram Stoker, and came 4 positions higher than William Gibson.
...
Cheers,
Liam
Whoa! That blows me away. Thanks, and I have not seen the
zine, so this is a complete surprise to me. I'll have to go get a copy
and see the exaulted company I am in. Meantime, ming passing alont who
the top few are?
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Krieg
Gary,
it has been very generous of you to go out of your way and donate your
time and effort towards answering the barrage of questions we have
peppered you with over the past couple of years. This is probably a bit
late in coming but...
Is there anything we as a community can do for you to return the favor?
If there is don't hesitate to ask.
Thanks, Krieg :-)
I haven't been kidding at all when I have said it is my pleasure to post
here, much like chatting with fellows. thanks to all of you for
providing such a great forum and such a great community!
Best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey Gary, just thought I'd post a more on topic question for you :-)
Have there been any classes that you did not personally have PC's for?
From what I have read you seemed to favor M-U's (Mordenkainen, Bigby),
Fighters (Yrag), and Clerics (Riggby). I've never heard mention that one
of your PC's was a thief (except for a Gnome Illusionist-Thief). Did
you ever play a Paladin, Assassin or one of the Unearthed Arcana classes (Cavalier, Barbarian, Thief-Acrobat)?
I've played all the demi-human races, so I've had characters in most
classes, but as multi-classes ones. I had a great half-orc
cleric/assassin, but he got wasted at third level or so. I did have a
monk character for a short time too. Never played a paladin.
I have played a straight barbarian PC but no cavalier or thief-acrobat.
By the time those classes got solidified, I had precious little gaming
time...
You should see my Metamorphosis Alpha PCs--all either PSH or human
mutant. the one with triple life leech is great fun when his "brothers"
(Ernie's and Luke's similar PCs) are with him. there aren't even any
vermin alive in an area after that trio hes been operating X-D
Also, any thoughts on a favored class? Personally, I prefer
Magic-Users but as I get older have a soft spot for straight up Fighters
developing, and have always liked Thieves, a la Cugel and my namesake
:-) In fact, my first ever PC was a thief who met his demise in The Keep on the Borderlands :-)
Gray Mouser
PS
Sashimi? I've had it a few times. Quite good but I love sushi!
Actually, I can usually have a good time playing just about
any sort of character. The more complex ones, though, such as an m-u in
AD&D, require in-depth rules knowledge. Thus they are reserved for
game systems I know well and played only when I am in top form.
Otherwise, the less complex sorts, such as a fighter, serve well indeed.
While I love sashimi, I don't care much for suchi because the rice and seaweed detract from the seafood
IMO. My wife Gail agrees with you...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by nerfherder
No problem Gary,
The magazine is called SFX, and the edition is March, number 128 (with
the new Dr Who on the cover). I'm pretty sure you can get it in the US,
but if not I'd be surprised if the editor, Dave Golder
(
[email protected]) couldn't sort out getting a copy to you.
thanks, and I will indeed look around here in the USA for a copy.
The list is indeed exaulted, by and large. Just for grins I've indicated the few persons on it that I know or have met:
48 - Michael Moorcock
27 - Isaac Asimov
24 - Jack Kirby
5 - Stan Lee
Cheers,
Liam[/QUOTE]
Of course I would drop some names, add others. A pair of rather glaring omission
IMO are the names of Robert E. Howard and H. P. Lovecraft.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by eyebeams
Hi Gary,
It's great to read about the rules you're using in your personal D&D
game (and in fact, I hope some enterprising fellow with web skills I
don't have compiles them -- I'd like to try them out!).
My question is: How do you handle non-theiving, non-combat tasks? Do
characters have an AD&D style trade profession, or has it just not
come up?
Heh...
When most of the play is action-based, there isn't much need to check on
non-cmbat tasks. When needed, though, I do have a chack made against a
stat, with such modification as I deem appropriate for the
circumstances.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
I've noticed that Lejendary Adventure avatars start off more powerful
than do AD&D characters, and the avatars don't accumulate as much
power over time as do AD&D characters. How would the orders in LA,
which all have 12 ranks, compare in terms of power to AD&D character
levels? For example:
12th rank avatars roughly equal X-level AD&D characters
11th rank avatars roughly equal y-level AD&D characters
etc.
Howdy Geoffrey,
that's a good question, and by that I mean a tough one. As an Avatar in the
Lejendary Adventure
game starts with about all the Health (hit points) he is ever goint to
have, the only real comparison can be in success probability for an
action. Even there, activations (spell casting) is not certain in the LA
game. The addition od new skill bundles automatically or by choice also
makes it difficult to equate one with the other. Without actual
parallels in many places such a comparison must bE very general. Okay,
I've hedged sufficiently to CMA :-P
12th Rank = 4th level AD&D PC
11th Rank = 5th
10th Rank = 6th
9th Rank = 7th
8th Rank = 8th
7th Rank = 9th
6th Rank = 10th-11th
5th Rank = 12th-13th
4th Rank = 14th-15th
3rd Rank = 16th-17th
2nd Rank = 18th-19th
1st Rank = 20th +
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DeadlyUematsu
Gary,
if you're willing to answer a question about console/computer games,
could you enlighten us on what you think western (i.e. Baldur's Gate)
and eastern (i.e. Final Fantasy) game developers really dropped the ball
on when translating the D&D mechanics (which the majority of RPGs
are based on) to the computer medium?
Well Durn!
Seems I am not able to comment because I don't play any cmputer games.
Before you or anyone else not familiar with why that's so asks, it is
not because I don't enjoy them. It is because it is that I love them too
much. If i start playing I will do nothing else for days and weeks, and
I need to be productive. My youngest son, Alex, is my resident expert
in regards computer and arcade games ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Agreed, with Fritz Leiber thrown in for good measure.
I avoided mentioning what authors I'd add beynd the two giants in
horror and swords $ sorcery. I agree that Fritz is a likely candidate,
and Ray Bradbury and Jack Vance as well as Phil Farmer are also on my
short list.
What about Edgar Rice Burroughs?!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gah! And no Fritz Leiber???? What gives?!
Gray Mouser
See above ;-) I knew Fritz fairly well, and he was a fine fellow. In truth he is not a important to the
shaping of the genres as were Howard and Lovecraft.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Isn't "life leech" a power from
Gamma World?
I've never played MA (although it sounds pretty cool from what you and
others have said). Also, I assume PSH stands for "pure strain human",
which,
iirc, was also a GW race. Was there overlap between these games?
MA was dne before GW, and
IMO it was a much better game. The Blumes "helped" Jim Ward to revise his MA game for GW, and thus much good material was lost.
I know you designed a module for Gamma World, did you do any for MA?
(I'm not even aware if there were any published scenarios!)
No modules were written for MA, sad to say...
[/QUOTE]Oh, and if you want to share your PC character sheets for MA (or
GW) feel free ;-) (re: "You should see my Metamorphosis Alpha PCs.."
:-) ).[/QUOTE]
Thanks, but no. I have them for my use when playing the game--although
it has been almost three years since last I had the pleasure of visiting
the Starship Warden with James M. Ward as Game Master.
[/QUOTE]Man, she's smart :-) BTW, if you really want to enjoy sashimi
or sushi I suggest getting a top quality sake to go with it. Brings out
the flavor. A good Japanese beer will also do :-) [/QUOTE]
Right-o! Cold saki out of a wooden drinking box is not something I recommend, though 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
astounding! :-) i think i will make one of those for the next PC i make. ;-)
Heh, Boz,
You'd never guess that I really had a lot of fun RPGing, eh? Or that i
wasn't one who took myself or my PCs too seriously either... X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by nerfherder
That's the fun of these lists, though - to discuss who they got wrong :-)
The first name that sprung to my mind was John Wyndham.
To be honest, I was surprised to see Gary's name on the list. Not
because I thought he didn't deserve to be, but because I didn't think
that many people appreciated the influence he has had. Kudos to SFX!
Cheers,
Liam
Dude!
Hats off and make a leg when you are soeaking of me. After all,
Sync Magazine ranked me
#1 on their list of the 50 greatest all-time nerds!!!
BTW, John Wyndham, is a nome de plume, no?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by eyebeams
Thank you. Are these checks on 1d20? 3d6?
D20 so as to have a level prbability curve ;-)
I'm thinking I might use a mix of your idea and the AD&D system.
Maybe I'll give each character one "trade." Tasks where that trade
applies are made with a 4d6 (roll under) check. If the character doesn't
have the trade, it's 5d6 or impossible. Maybe at a high enough level
you can choose a second trade or to jump to "Master" level, rolling on
3d6.
You might want to check out
Castle Zagyg, Yggsburgh,
when it's released. I have a skills system in there to make things more
interesting for character class individuals, both PCs and NPCs. It is
very general and without a lot of rules and cases, more guidlines for
the Gm than anything else.
I'm also interested in the idea of using hit dice for checks (kind
of like you did when you talked about orcs grappling a PC). I wonder
what else I could apply that to? Lots of good ideas there.
Most applicable to conflict situation resolution, I should think...
Oh, one more question: The original rules talked about games using
up to 20 players -- not a common thing these days! With that in mind, I
can see why folks had treasure division agreements, callers and such.
Did you run many games of this size? What was it like?
For about six months the typical number of players in an
adventure session in my basement was 18-22 persons packed in. That was
when I asked Rob Kuntz to serve as my co-DM. Getting marching order was
very important. Of course most activity was dungeon crawling, so actions
were just done in order around the table. Be ready or lose your chance!
Stick with the party or else something very nasty is likely to befall
your character away from the group. The sessions were fun but somewhat
chaotic, lacked most roleplay, and surely didn't allow for a lot of
one-on-one time player and DM.
I DMed a con tournament with 100 entrants, and i managed 20 in each
group. I took time to check individual actions there, as it was an
outdoor adventure. Each session ran four hours, and a bit. I was surely
tired when that was concluded, but to the best of my knowledge all the
participants had a good time of it, even those on the teams that didn't
finish in the top spot.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by nerfherder
Hehe!
Since I have no hat, I'll be sure to tug my forelock instead.
LOL!
Be careful there or someone might think you are serious, or worse, that I am X-D
I didn't know that about John Wyndham, but a quick bit of research
revealed to me that his name was John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon
Harris. I just remember as a youngster reading and loving Chocky, the
Midwich Cuckoos, Trouble with Lichen, and The Day of the Triffids.
Cheers,
Liam
I was aabout 15 when I read
Day of the Triffids, and I got so caught up in the tale that it was difficult for me to remember it was just a story.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
...
BTW, anyone know if Vance is still kicking about? I think he was born in
1916 (or there abouts) but I'd like to know if I should keep hope alive
for further adventures of Cugel, Rhialto and company.
Gray Mouser
Vance's SF is great too, and I am hopeful that
he will still manage to get out a novel slated for release a couple of
years back. As far as I know Jack is, thankfully, still with us, but his
eyesight is virtually gone :-(
Regards,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Apart
from that particular treatment od Sci-Fi in a sword and sorcery yarn,
he also did write some straight up sci-fi. Check out this site:
http://www.lankhmar.demon.co.uk/ Well...
I didn't note his yarn,
You're All Alone on any of those lists. I did see one of my favorites though,
Conjure Wife. That one was as believable to me as a teenager as was
The Power,
the story about psychic powers, whose author I have forgotton as
someone swiped my copy of the book. they did a movie based on the novel,
but it was not a good production.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by eyebeams
I see. A d20-roll version of my idea, then, would be a lot like what I've heard about C&C. maybe:
Unskilled: -6 to the effective attribute
Journeyman: -3 to the affected attribute
Master: No penalty.
Actually, -4 and -8 might be better, but maybe a bit hard for heroic characters . . .
Perhaps, then we give starting characters one trade skill (just like in
AD&D) and add either Master status or a new trade at, say, 4th, 7th
and 10th level (I'd keep this low level). I like the fact that a Name
level character might be a master of the trade of his or her youth and
one learned later during adventuring, or four different, lightly known
fields.
Why not have the PCs have to expend some XPs to move up in their skill just as they need them for class level?
...
Thanks for the inspiration, Gary!
Sharing the enjoyment of the creative muse :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
My thanks, and keep 'em coming, as I am positive prayer helps.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Thanks for the answers, Gary. It's a pleasure to be able to learn from the master.
For MUs too? A 5th level Fighting-man, 5th level Cleric, & 5th level
MU would all have 5d6 hp? (not counting adjustments due to Con)
Welcome :-)
Indeed all the PCs got an extra HD per level after an initial few months
of play otherwise, even the MUs. then we always had fighters gaining +1
point to the die roll, and we counted Con bonuses only for fighters.
This general idea was reflected in the varied HD gain used in OAD&D,
with fighters getting d10, clerics d8, magic-users their d4, etc.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Forgemeister
God would never make the rest of us so sad as to take you away Gary.
The thought is appreciated, but I am a realist. I am grateful for each new day of late :-D
...and... I haven't been here for a week and I'm two pages behind!
NO, I don't have plans to revamp A Challenge of Arm's and Ritual of the
Golden Eyes this year. We'll have our hands full with Castle Wolfmoon.
Plenty of time for that if you quit fiddling with those mini-games you crank out by the dozens X-D
...also, for everyone else out there...
I'm about 3/4 of the way through the next Lejendary Earth installment,
after which it goes to Gary for perusal, additions, corrections
etcetera...
But probably by Saturday (sooner if my luck is good) you can start bugging HIM for details.
::evil chuckle::
I am currnetly finding my way through the Kingdom of Chinwu..
Kotugar, Ghortai, The Kalharki Thearchy, and Vantai-nanchi are all that then remain.
There might be an additional use of the
Lejendary Earth
world setting in the future, but one never knows. I would have bet on
the Gord the Rogue graphic novels being a go, but the poor market shot
that project down in flames :\
Then I'll be taking a short haitus while I redraft the new Playin'
in the Streets Rules, and final draft the new micro-game rules for Trade
Wars...
Like I said, mini-game crankin'! Ah well, as they're a lot of fun, have at it!!!
...and then its time for the next Lost City of the Utiss adventure, Hekanaptra.
We're also due for another free downloadable LA Module...
...and again, all of these go through Gary before being sent out into the world... so he'll know about them, just ask :-)
All the LA game projects, right. I wouldn't dream of messing with your own creative work, amigo.
Don't ever change Gary :-).
XXOOCC
Errr... Not even after showering? Oh, I get your meaning now, sorry....
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mark_j
Hello
Gary, it is an honor to be "speaking" with you. I even registered to
this site just for the opportunity. This is my first post, I have
goosebumps just typing this!
Exchanging communications is fun. As for goosebumps, likely there's a cold draft there at your computer 8-D
I am a crusty old (I'm 34!!) OAD&D player who has been DMing
for a group of younger guys in their 20's using 3rd Edition D&D
rules for the past 2+ years. I am currently transferring my campaign
world lock, stock, and barrel to OAD&D because DMing in 3rd Edition
is just not any fun for me, for many reasons.
The reason I am writing is because I have a question regarding touch
attacks, via spell or otherwise. In OAD&D, do touch attack spells
ignore an opponent's armor/shield (thus making the target AC 10 adjusted
by magic bonuses and dexterity) or does the touch attack need to take
into consideration the normal AC of the potential victim (such as when
striking with a weapon)? The only possible exception being the Shocking
Grasp spell which obviously ignores metallic armor, as I understand it.
When I played years ago in high school and college, we simply used the
victim's full AC, but my recent foray into 3rd Edition has clouded my
view. The current group's cleric and I are discussing the matter, but
haven't come to a good conclusion.
Thank you for any guidance you can provide, and thank you for a wonderful past-time.
To make it quick and easy, we always used the target's AC,
except as you note for shocking grasp against metal armor which is the
same as no protection. That all makes sense to me, because a touch means
contacting a bit of exposed flesh or possibly a garment touching the
subject's bare flesh. A shield fends off such a touch, and dexterity
enables better avoidance of such contact.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey Gary, a Lejendary Earth
question for you. I don't have the game itself but I've heard it's set
in a "Lehendary Earth" setting which has the same (or similar)
continents and civilizations as earth does, just with some changes
thrown in. I'm wondering if there's a "Lejendary Earth" Atlantis
anywhere below the depths?
Yes, the
Lejendary Earth
is somewhat similar in land masses to this world, but the continents
are rather different in form, and the eighth is not at the south pole
but to the northwest of the LE world's version of Australia. There is
also a group of large islands some distance off the west coast of the LE
world's equivalent of North America, a sort of Lemuria-like grouping
No, there was never an Atlantis on the LE world, but there are some
large and fertile islands in its version of the Atlantic Ocean.
Come to think of it, was there ever a Greyhawkian "Atlantis"? I
don't recall reading about any sunken continents in the gazateer but
could certainly be wrong about that.
Such a place might have existed to the east of Oerik in the
area that Francois Marcela Froideval had created for his campaign. I
seem to recall him mentioning it, but it's been about 25 years...
Also, does the Lejendary Earth fit in at all with the
Oerth/Aerth/Yarth parallel worlds? (BTW, I designed a campaign world
with the name �rth before I knew you had used that name in the Gord
books! :-) )
Gray Mouser
It can ft in anywhere the GM using it wishes ;-) The history I
have created for the setting has the planet ruled by a strange
non-human race that enslaved humans, then because of mankind's growing
capacity to use magic, lost it all in a long and terrible war.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by eyebeams
...
...Still, I'm worried about it looking too much like third edition multiclassing.
By the way Gary: Was Gutboy Barrelhouse somebody's character, or just made up for the combat example in the OAD&D
DMG?
Having PCs with abilities that qualify for the comic book superhero
role is not desirable in a FRPG, I concur. If you have secondary skills,
be sure to keep them as just that--secondary and not powerful in
application, uncertain in application.
Gutboy Barrelhouse was a name made up for the example ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dead
Dear Gary,
Please help me find inner peace.
I love 1st Edition AD&D to death, but there were two rules in the
game that annoyed the hell out of me and, as a result, I did not abide
by them. Here are the rules:
1) Level limits for demihumans
2) Restrictions on picking up multiple classes (or stopping your
progression in a class/classes). In other words, if you started an elf
fighter/wizard from 1st level, then you were stuck with an elf
fighter/wizard forever! You weren't "officially" allowed to add another
class, or discontinue, say, your fighter class and pursue wizardry only.
[Not to mention the fact that humans could not pick up multiple classes
(except they could dual-class if they had extraordinary attributes; but
only once in their life).]
I don't regret that in the
least. If demi-humans, already given some advantages, were as able as
humans, the world would be dominated by them, and there goes the whole
of having a relatively familiar world setting in regards to what
cultures and societies one will find in control. So a demi-human is
unlimited in thief level only, as that is a class not destined to
control the fate of major groups or states.
As for limiting human PCs to one class or possibly a dual class, the
game is supposed to be about heroic people, not comic book super heroes.
I want to return to the good ol'days very soon and run a
retrospective 1E AD&D campaign but I want to stay as *true* to the
original rules as possible. Now, I know your decision to have the two
rules above was for "game balance", but I'd like to hear from you how I
could possibly describe the restrictions "in game".
If you create a setting with a complete demihuman culture and
varied societies, complete with a long history for that dominant race,
then have them take the place of humans and restrict humand as if they
were a demi-human race. The only unlimited race should be theone that is
dominant on the planet.
Using the elf fighter/wizard as an example: If the player is a
4th-level fighter/4th-level wizard, but (in game) his character wants to
join the clergy of an elven god and become a cleric, I can't just say:
"No, the rules don't allow you to do that." I have to give an "in game"
explanation.
How many people do you know that are able to excell in more
than one field? what some bozo wants to do so as to have a dominant PC
isn't a matter for consideration in regards a campaign. Saying "why not"
is a lame excuse. In a world where magic works, many-ton beasts can
fly, things breath fire, it makes as much sense for a player to demand
that his PC can ivent a spell that always slays his target subject, ot
armor that is impervious to any and all forms of attack.
As to the level restrictions on demihumans, you might say:
"Demihumans just lose all drive for adventure after they've had but the
merest taste of it". This doesn't rub well with me, though, because they
don't get very far before they're restricted. Top levels are, perhaps,
10th. To get to 10th level doesn't take very long. It is just a drop in
the river of time.
So? Maybe the whiny player should take his wannabe PC off to a
game world where everyone is a superhero of unpteenth level with barns
full of magic.
Alternatively, Gary, you could tell me that roleplaying games were
in their early conception back then and your decision to put these
arbitrary restrictions in place to serve game balance (but not resolving
in-game believability) was a mistake.
Either response should put me on the road to finding inner peace.
Thankyou.
Bah! It is a mistake to bow to the wished of munchkins who
whine. If they know the restrictions on dfemi-human characters before
they create one, then they haven't a leg to stand on.
Why are humans more able to rise in level than demi-humans? Because the
gods say so, and don't like pointy eared types with curly-toed shoes,
squat miners with big beards, hairy-footed midgets, etc.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Right answers all the way gary
Ken
Thanks Ken!
Your kind and unsolicited support is appreciated :-D
BTW, give me your snailmail addy again, so I can sent the check as promised.
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dead
The
player is not a munchkin. They like the story idea of a diverse
character. They're not thinking about how much stuff they can slaughter
at and loot to steal at all.
Okay, you know better than I
do. I am left wqith the nagging question: If the players aren't
concerned about power gaming, wish only to create "stories," why should
they worry/express concern about level limits
I'm somewhat at peace now.
Then I did a somewhat satisfactory job in responding.
I'm glad to see your stance on this but I'm gonna stick to my house
rules (which don't create over-powerful, comic-book characters, by the
way). ;-)
Thanks.
It is your campaign, and you best what the participants expect and enjoy.
Novertheless, what I said about level limits for demi-human PCs is
logical in the fantasy cosmos the AD&D game subsumes. without such
limits, using actual human history, myth, and legend becomes
problematical.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
[QUOTE=BigFreekinGoblinoid]
Originally Posted by Col_Pladoh
...
Bah! It is a mistake to bow to the wishes of munchkins who whine. ...
..../QUOTE]
I think I just found my new sig. Thanks Gary!
Darn!
I knew i should have trade marked that line :-o
Heh X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tenkar
Gary,
you're making me want to dig thru my closet to find my 1st Ed AD&D
books. Back in the day my players generally weren't looking to
multi-class unless the group was small and they needed the flexiblity.
That is a good point indeed! When only two or three players generally
adventure it is typically necessary for them to play multiple PCs or
else be multi-classed.
Ah well, it all went down hill with the 2nd edition anyway ;-)
Now there's an observation with which I have no disagreement 8-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by cleaverthepit
ROTFLMAO
davis
Don't applaud...throw gold coins X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Good
points here, Gary. I prefer level limits for demi-humans, and use
either the PHB version or, depending on campaign and players, raise
level limits for single-classed demi-humans by 2 but keep the
multi-class level limits as is in the PHB. I can't recall when I came up
with this rule, but I recently reread UA (which is where I originally
though it was from) but the level limits there seem somewhat different
(especially with all of the subraces added in). I think it was from a Dragon article you penned at some point, shortly before UA came out. You have any recollection of such an article by any chance?
Actually, I don't recall, but your idea of raising the level limit by
two for a single-classed eemi-himan character is reasonable, and upping
it by another step would be acceptable is the character had exceptional
stats.
Anyway, as you said above, with no level limits demi-human races
based on human mythology goes the way of the Dodo, to say nothing of
fantasy literature models. I can't remember off hand any author who has
demi-humans in control of their fantasy world settings. Even JRRT, whose
elves were fascinatingly powerful in the early ages of Middle Earth,
eventually gave way to the world of men. As an aside, I think many (the
majority?) of D&D players think of JRRT when they think of elves.
After reading Three Hearts and Three Lions
and seeing the presentation of elves, dwarves and trolls that Poul
Anderson has I think I have a better understanding of what you had in
mind for D&D races (at least to some extent). Any other literary
works influence you in this area? (And am I even right about it in the
fiorst place?)
Gray Mouser
Indeed, I do not believe that having unlimited levels for
demi-humans can support a humanocentric campaign. without
humanocentrism, there are no sources availabel to the GM to create his
world setting.
As for the depiction of elves, I am not one who looks to Tolkien.
D&D elves are not super beings, not taller or generally more
powerful than humans. I used myth, legend, folklore, fairy tales, and
authored fantasy such as Poul Anderson's works for inspiration in
regards the paramaters of elves. Of course, the varieties develped do
reflect the Professor's work. after all, I desired to have the game to
appeal to his fans.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sanguinemetaldawn
Colonel,
You have written/designed some of my all time favorite scenarios (the
GDQ series, Necropolis, etc), and I look forward to Hall of Many Panes,
and Castle Zagyg/Yggsburg.
Aside from your own, what scenarios and scenarists do you like best (for any system)?
I guess I am looking for a list of recommendations similar to the recommended reading list in the
DMG.
Thanks.
As much as i would like to accommodate your
request, it isn't possible. why? Because being that I create so much I
am usually busy devising aterial for my own adventures rather than
playing modules written by others.
For a one-off I always liked the "generic"
The Abduction of Good King Desot."
the old TSR series that begins with a scenario where the PCs wake up
nude in an underground cavern is one that I enjoyed playing. Sadly, i
have forgotten the name after some 25 years. I think the initial module
was
The Slave Pits of [something or other]. Also fun are the "generic"
A Challenge of Arm's, Ritual of the Golden Eyes, and the upcoming
Castle Wolfmoon.
For the
Lejendary Adventure game my favorite introductory module is Jon Creffield's truly excellent
Lejendary Road.
That's about the best I can supply.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tenkar
Think
it was A1, Slave Pits of the Undercity if i recall correctly. First
module I ever bought. It brought me out of the grid paper dungeons that
I drew for my players and opened my DM eyes quite a bit.
Maybe I'll dig it out and convert it to C&C.
Thanks, and that's it :-)
Nonting much to convert it to the C&C game other than the ACs, eh? the remainder can be winged easily.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anabstercorian
I
disagree. I think that 3rd Edition (however you feel about it) did an
excellent job of making humans in to a dominant species without limiting
advancement, by giving them distinct advantages in the form of greater
flexibility and ambition. Castles and Crusades does a similar thing by
granting them an all-important extra Prime.
I will firmly put forth my opinion that level limits for demi-humans are not necessary to support a humanocentric campaign.
You are free to believe as you wish. My opinion is this: I think
3E
is made for power gamers and relies on seek & destroy for its
appeal, so having verisimilitude in any setting in which the system is
employed is not of much importance. The changes made in
3E simply up the power of humans, making them more like supermen than the older systems allowed.
That said, if you like it, you are not wrong ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tenkar
You are probably right Henry. I would have to dig through boxes to pull these out. Getting real tempting these days tho.
Okay. that sounds familiar, and IIRR, I play-tested that scenario :-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Gary,
Do you think it is possible to put the Keep on the Borderlands
and the Caves of Chaos on the Yggsburgh wilderness map? Where do you
think might be a good location for it? At the risk of sounding like a
fanboy, KOTB is my favorite adventure, whether playing or GMing.
Yes, but the best way to decide your question is for you to look at the
map that is furnished, and also consider the suggestion of adding
terriroty around its verges to expand the playing area. I believe those
modules would best be located to the east (KotB) and northwest (CoC) in
an extension of the hills.
Sorry not to be able to be more specific.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Consider this a freebie. :-)
ken
You are too kind amigo 8-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
Maybe because they don't want an artificially imposed end to the progression of the story?
Surely you jest! An "artificially imposed" end to a story based on a
game full of completely imaginary factors to make it fun and exciting?
That's straining at a gnat and swallowing the camel without so much as a
gulping motion.
LOL
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
This
argument only holds true if you assume that nonhumans are going to be
designed with inherent advantages over humans as a baseline. And even
for that situation, it has always seemed to me like a very clunky
solution to the perceived problem. Why weren't demi-humans designed to
be relatively equal in advantage to humans from the get-go rather than
creating level limits?
If the only difference between
humans and the demi-human races was superficial--size and a few minor
physical traits, why bother to have such races at all? Of course,
fantasy literature suggests there are advantages to demi-human races
too, so that might be a consideration to an able game designer...
And also not about arguably multiclassed characters like Conan? I
can come up with a dozen characters from mainstream fantasy literature
that are best represented by multiclassed combinations, and none of them
are comic book superheroes.
Conan multi-classed? you must have read different REH yarns
than I did. Conan is an archetypical swords & sorcery barbarian, and
his thievery was all by use of his brawn, superior reflexes, and savage
abilities. Besides fighting and stealing, what else could he do that is
worthy of awarding another class?
Bah,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Thanks for the input, Gary. I thought I had the copy of
Dragon at home but apparently not. Maybe it's in storage at my parents, still. The title of the column,
iirc, was something like "The Last Word on Demihumans."
A misleading title, for certain, for here I am having to expend far too much time and effort on the subject >:-)
I agree. Can't recall any mythologies that have elves, dwarves, etc.
as having the upper hand against humans. Nor any fantasy literature,
although I don't read as much of it as I used to.
Just so. The Norse dwarves were like giants in their powers,
and the French fey were as potent as fairies in some fairy tales.
Neither is suitable for inclusion as a character race in a FRPG. The
original gnomes were earth elementals of considerable potency as well,
but i modeled the D&D race after those in fable and fairy tale.
Heh, I remember reading your description of Elves in the PHB and DMG
back in the day and thinking, "Hey, that's not right!" Even by the time
I was, oh, 10 or 11 JRRT's description of Elves had really influenced
my take on them as a race. The differences between JRRT's elves and
D&D elves can be seen rather clearly, I think, in the instance of
the Grugach!. I don't think Tolkien would ever have described his elves
like that. As for appealing to his fans (of which I am one) I do like
the HIgh Elf, Grey Elf, Wood Elf distinctions (although Wood Elves are
probably my favorite in D&D). I found the additions of Aquatic Elves
and Valley Elves (which make an appearance in my homebrew world, too)
to be pretty cool.
Understood. Many a participant loves elves, so adding more
varieties, including the Drow, seemed a good plan. As I was thinking of
detailing the Valley of the Mage, I thought it expedient to introduce
that sort to the game ;-)
And who could forget the Drow? :-) Who, by the way, are quite evil and malicious in my campaign, with absolutely no teenage-like angst about serving Lolth and the other demons :-) )
Gray Mouser
Your treatment of those dark elves is absolutely the way I
intended them to be. While abberant individuals can be other than
steeped in wickedness, the Drow race is EVIL, more so than the
Melnibonean one of Michael Moorcock's creation 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
WHo says you have to stop adventuring once you hit the level limit?
Besides, if they want to keep advancing just take Thief as a multi-class.
Gray Mouser
Well said, but such an obvious thing is
clearly not what munchkins want. How can their PCs be the toughest kids
on the block that way?
Story-schmory! The rap is to kick butt and be all powerful...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
Note the word "progression"?
All powerful elves are really good thieves? I don't buy it.
All powerful elves are not happening. The ones not accomplished thieves
are nothing but wedge-eared tree-huggers who wear tights and prance
around in curley-toed shoes when not baking cookies for Keebler or
making toys for Santa :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tenkar
Just an aside to the multi-class issue:
Multi-classing in the 3rd edition rules is much more powerful then 1st
edition rules. 3rd edition characters get a total some of class traits,
including HP and THACO (or BAB) and the flexibility of using class
abilities from the multiple classes. 1st edition characters had reduced
HP and THACO compared to others of their EX Point totals. This
balanced the advantage of flexibility that multi-classing gave.
3rd edition is a game that runs at a higher power level, which appeals to the masses.
Reminds me of the movie Spinal Tap: "This one goes to 11"
Heh,
I'd describe the appeal as being to the munchkins and power-gamers, but that's just my opinion.
I can state with certainty that the number of
3E
players is less than the number that played OAD&D in its heyday, c.
1983-5, so referring to "masses" is not correct. "Masses" play computer
seek & destroy games ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
i
know there's not much love for 2E, but when we played that i *always*
used the optional "slow advancement" rule for demihumans. that way
there was never an abrupt end, but once you hit that limit, things
slowed down a bit, and in the case of elves, a lot.
Without comment in regartds to 2E, your rule regarding a slowing of
advancement seems well-founded if your campaign world was based on human
culture and society.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sanguinemetaldawn
Although it didn't yield anything useful, thanks for addressing my earlier question.
To Greyhawk specifically...
Were you to run GH today what published material would you use?
Would a simple "all pre-2nd Ed" cut-off suffice?
Some you would exclude even from that?
More you would include?
Thanks again.
I have run little WoG-based games since
1986. when i do run OAD&D sessions based on Oerth i use the original
maps done by Darlene and the books from the boxed World of Greyhawk
set, along with such material as I have that i created specifically for
my own campaign that might apply.
A cut-off at 1985 suffices quite well from my POV ;-)
Actually, there are some things in 2E that aren't bad to add to your OAD&D campaign,
IMO.
Canon can be over-rated. If something outside such bounds makes your game better, then use it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
No,
it's noting that the progression of the game tends to work in a
particular way, until it is arbitrarily stopped because of an odd game
mechanic.
As if all game rules weren't arbitrary, eh? Heh, and so much for you, mister smarty pants... :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
While I fully agree with The Man's description of elves, obviously dwarves should be unlimited in levels. I can accept typos that deny that, including those forthcoming.
BTW, I always thought elves level limitations were a bit high, myself.
What? You think stubby rock-chewers should be more potent than the flighty ones of the forest? I am appaled!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
And that's exactly what I meant by forthcoming typos. Obviously, by "appaled", Gary meant "agreeing".
What can I say. I love dwarves, I hate elves, and I'm human. :-)
Dwarven jesters have small wit :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
Some mechanics are more arbitrary than others. Dwarves get a bonus to Constitution because they are supposed to be generally tougher and hardier than other races. Elves get a bonus to Dexterity because
they are generally more graceful than other races. The rules have a
point built into their existence that makes sense from an internal
perspective. Thus they are not wholly arbitrary.
Au
contraire, those selections are made by the game designer on the
arbitrary basis of his preferences, or what he believes will make the
game more enjoyable to an audience.
On the other hand we have the rule "demi-humans can't advance beyond a certain level in any class other than thief" because . . . of nothing that can be expressed in internal terms. That makes the rule wholly arbitrary.
No, "we" is not applicable. I made that rule because it fitted
logically with the other assumptions I had set forth in the game. All
of the total balderdash was completely at my whim, thus wholly
arbitrary. It is you who are trying to rationalize your whims. To make
them valid you need to write a game system ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Of course. But ion your original quote it was progression of the
story that you referred to, which,
imo, isn't contingent on level progression.
Quit it! You are ruining the story he is trying to put forth as a cogent argument 8-D
Of course not. Elves can reach up to 11th level as M-U's, 13th if
you use UA. That's pretty powerful, imo. I can barely cast a first level
spell, after all.
That's game stuff, not touchy-feely story. Oh, wait, we are
talking about a game here, aren't way? for a moment i got confused and
thought we were lost in making up fairy tales for kiddies and amateur
thespians...
Of course, it's your campaign so you can do whatever you want. I had
similar thought about level restrictions for a while but chnaged my
mind. IMO, the racial abilities demi-humans get and the level
limitations combine to do a fairly good job at representing the picture
of such beings in mythology and literature. YMMV
Gray Mouser
Truer words were never stated, than that. It is strictly up to
the GM and his group to decide what makes their campaign interesting,
enjoyable, and exciting. that's the reason I really hate to get involved
in thses kinds of discussions....other than to devil some folks who
take games and themselves too seriously :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by PapersAndPaychecks
If I can prise the subject of discussion away from demi-humans for a minute or two...
Oh goody!
Gary, I'm working on preparing some 1e AD&D material set in the
Spindrift Isles. I realise that Len Lakofka was largely responsible for
these - but I'd welcome any reminiscences that I can persuade you to
share about how - and where - the material devised by the worthy Leomund
meshed with your own work and that of Mr Kuntz.
Regretably, I can supply nothing of substance. Len ran his own
campaign, and I played in it only a handful of times well over 25 years
ago, the last time c, 1983 when Len and a friend came to visit me at my
house. Rob and I ran games only on Oerik and didn't worry about what
Len was doing, or Francois for that matter. I planned to pick up all the
salient matters later--sometime in 1986-8 when i could get to a
revision of the AD&D game and the expansion of the WoG setting...
Were there lines of demarcation - "That's your bit, this is mine" -
or did you all sort of pitch in and write whatever you felt like
writing?
See above. I also reviewed and approved as "official" all of Len's WoG material for publication.
I'd also like to invite your comments on the "Wish" spell,
particularly its uses for ressurecting dead players. I've heard it said
that Wish could be used to raise any dead character (including those
races which could not be raised through Ressurection) and that no system
shock roll is required - would you agree or disagree?
I would agree with the caveat that the wish would have to be
phrased properly, generaly one that prevented the deadly incident from
having occurred. thus, something like this should be required: "I wish
that our party had not encountered entered the cave in which the red
dragon was laired, thus preventing it from becoming aware of us,
attacking, harming, and killing Alfie the Elf, even though such wish
might mean we are not aware of the red dragon and that might remove from
our knowledge and possession such items that led us to the cave."
Cheers,
Gary
Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh,
enter the svirfneblin! Now those are some gnomes that can give a party
some major headaches, what with their elemental summoning abilities and
all!
I got tired of having only basically good gnomes
hanging around. I thought that the svirfneblin would add some spice to
the otherwise dull race. Of course my gnome illusionist/thief PC was
always trying to do much the same...
And kudos to you! I love Valley Elves, myself. They're rather
limited in my own campaign world and I preserve the outsider aspect of
them. In the lone Elvish kingdom there's perhaps 500 such chaps in their
own communities.
Thanks. It gets pretty demanding to add really interesting new races/sub-races to a well-developed game.
Heh, I never understood people who wanted fantasy beings who were
evil by nature to go through some great, existentialist struggle. Man,
next thing you know Demogorgon will have his twin heads on some shrink's
couch looking for some catharsis. I have news for you Demo: you are evil and your lot is to be set upon by every two-bit PC party that can make their way to the Abyss! Die! Die! Die!
Heh, sorry ;-)
No need to apologise to me for that! I loathe
the self-centered angst-ridden crap that gets passed off as suiitable
fare in a game of heroic action-adventure.
More
evil than the Melniboneans! Yikes! Man, did a certain twin scimitar
wielding Dark Elf confuse things for a lot of people. Even with Elric's
angst and existential suffering you always knew the Melniboneans were a wretched lot.
Gray Mouser
Absolutely. The drow being shunted to the underground was the
last straw in their becoming truly wicked, hating all those who dwell
above. If you consider the sorts of creatures that walk the streets of
Erelheicindlu, that's plain;0
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
But big axes, which is why they hld their own, all things considered.
You misspelled a**es ;-)
Alright, enough jesting. I do seriously wonder about demi-humans
being limited in -all- classes (thief excluded). Elves are reknowned
for their MU, dwarves for their fighters. Would it truly destroy the
idea of human-domination to have each unlimited in their favored field?
Yes,i do really think that unlimited demi-human races will
absolutelt obviate the humanocentric bases for a campaign world...unless
the demi-humans are very few and far between. to have them as an
integral part of the campaign world, one must have them limited in
potential to something less than the dominant humans.
As I wished to have include demi-humans commonly as PCs, NPCs, and in
basically their own racial communitities and state entities as well as
amongst human societies, I limited their potential power so as to make
human dominance a reasonable assumption for play.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by loki44
That
reminds me of a spell question I had. Would you care to comment on the
old Phantasmal Force illusionist spell? That spell was a blessing and a
curse. It was great because it was so open ended that the caster could
be hugely creative, but it always seemed like a nightmare for the DM to
adjudicate its effects in a way that didn't imbalance the game or
squash the player's creativity. Any thoughts?
Phantasmal Force was an old
Chainmail Fantasy Suplement spell, as a matter of fact ;-)
The illusionary force can be of any sort, but it must be a
force--anything from a great swarm of insects to a herd of animals, a
company of knights or a battle of pikemen, a tribe of bugbears or a
flock of wyverns.
The use of the spell does demand an able DM and a player able to
articulate the exact nature of the Phantasmal Force brought forth, what
it looks like and what it will do. Of course the caster will need to
concentrate on the latter aspect unless the action is simple and
straightforward.
In all, the spell is nothing more than an illusion.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
Hence there are no powerful elven wizards with powers matching the
greatest human spell slinger? Which work of literature would that be
drawn from?
Where are there any elves at all in the majority of fantasy literature?
Do get a life and forget about those make-believe twinkle-toed race X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
And
justified based upon their internal consistency. To my knowledge, no
one has ever argued, for example, that Dwarves should not gain a
Constitution bonus, because the reason
they do is consistent with the background given for the race, and
consistent with the mythological and literary background that the game
draws upon. Level limits don't.
As I said before, get a
life and forget about all this silly quibbling. After all is siad and
done, dwarves are so unbelievable as to be completely irrational. They
live underground in caves and drink ale and eat meat. Where do their
supplies come from? Where, outside of my assertion if D&D that they
have a strong constitution, does that "logical" assumption come from.
After all, they might be as fraail as vampires when it comes to
sunlight, and that's why they live underground. Many a fairy tale
portrays dwarves as wholly evil, as are the svartalves of Norse
mythology.
Or, I guess I could just use game systems designed by people who put
some thought behind their decisions. Since the level limit rule doesn't
fit logically, and has all the earmarks of a pasted on quick-fix. If
your reasoning as to why you did one thing rather than another is simply
an arbitrary assertion, then you aren't nearly as astute an individual
as many have taken you for.
You might try putting your intellect to work right here for a
change :-P I am sure you have a keen one or you wouldn't be a gamer...
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by loki44
Yes.
Which work of lit? I dunno. Who said the game has to be strictly
drawn from existing literature? It is redundant to say again, but if
you want elves to be more, or as powerful in your game, then I say uncap
that level limit pronto! I was simply trying to argue the point that
level limits can be justified in my opinion. It's all about suspension
of disbelief and we all have our own ideas of what should or should not
be gamewise.
Absolutely incisive and correct. A game that
is mainly drawn from literature is handicapped and hobbled by its
limited source material. By using literature of all sorts as
inspirational, anD casting a wide net, the resulting game can be as open
to alteration as A/D&D was. that despite later versions so many
people play the basically "dead" OD&D and AD&D game systems
speaks volumes as to the strength of that design method.
That someone will spend hours, and thus pretty much require me to waste a
good deal of time likewise, disputing about the potential of imaginary
races in the game it s testiment to its power to captivate the fancy of
active minds
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dead
...
To say, "No, your demi-human suddenly can't advance any more in levels,"
or, "No, you do not pick up another class for your magic-user even
though he's been training in sword-play for the last campaign year," or,
"No, your elf fighter/wizard cannot stop progressing in fighter and
focus his talants on wizardry" -- to say no to all these things because
"God saideth" lacks creativity to me...
Thanks.
So much for story telling. None of that should have any part in a work of literature.
On the other hand, if you are playing a game, the players should be well
aware of the paramaters of the character classes and races before they
create a PC with which they will PLAY A GAME.
If they want to tell stories, they might try hanging out somewhere where
such people come to hear them, or else take up a career as authors of
same.
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hey Fellows!
I am quite bored with the subject of demi-human level limits, so I'll
not answer any further posts pertaining to that subject for at least a
few days.
Besides, tonight is game night, so I have to get ready to run the
OD&D campaign in which we are currently engaged. Thankfully, all the
PCs are humans 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Ah.
But by who's logic? When designing a game to fit a certain style the
logical consistency is in the mind of the designer, and may not always
agree with the logic of anyone else.
This is a purely subjective point.
Fantasy has its own internal logic that the person perusing it simply accepts (or not) as part of the over all story.
If the 'internal logic' of a given system/method doesn't work for a given person, change it.
Why is this so hard I wonder?
Don't faint, Peter!
For once I agree with what you state, right down the line. Of course this is gaming, not politics :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Davelozzi
Hi Gary,
Just a quick note to thank you for a lifetime worth of entertainment and inspiration
...and more immediately, for putting an end to that ridiculous argument. ;-)
Welcome, and as I am want to say, it is surely a lot of fun "working" thus B-)
As for drawing a line to halt the particular discussion, it seemed the
thing to do because of the growing contentiousness. My being humorous in
replies wasn't effective, so...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dead
Sorry for the derailment. Just asking Gary some Questions and hoping for some Answers.
Hey amigo!
You did nothing wrong at all. Glad you posed the queries :-D
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
No,
that's fine. I gather that by actually reading the module (Yggsburgh, I
mean) I will get some idea of where the 'wilder' areas are in which I
might place the Keep and the Caves.
Thanks. :-)
Heh...
Yggsburgh was a pain in the rump to write because I wanted to include as
much detail as possible for the GM interested in using it as a campaign
base. So there are sections on history, costume, monetray system and
economy of the area, and complete descriptions of the town, its main
locations, and the outstanding geographical areas all with encounters or
suggestions for same.
Yes, I was most delighted wheni finished it O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frost
Amen.
For my group, the only story telling comes after the game.... "Man, do
you remember when we fought those Frost Giants? I can't believe you
fired a ballista at them." ;-)
Correct. The RPG is a
mix of many elements, some or all of which can be featured in a play
session. What the RPG is not is an exercise in story telling or in play
acting. those can be elements of the game form, but they are not the
critical ones. Stressing either is likely to direct player actions or
prevent enjoyment for all participants. A complete ficus on either
removes the pastime from the RPG classification to some other type of
game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Akrasia
And I'll be delighted when I finally get it in my greedy paws... :-D
What is the progress on the other books in the Zagyg series, Colonel?
I trust you won't be disappointed... (hope, is perhaops a better work.)
Rob has finished his add on module, but i have not been up to doing the
work needed to create the upper works of the castle proper, let alone
the dungeon levels below them :-( When my oldest friend died in late
November, it was quite a setback for me.
Anyway, I am feeling a good deal better if late, and I will attempt real creative work as soon as I feel up to it--likely March.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Seeten
I'd
also like to say thank you for 20+ years of enjoyment. Your pioneering
has provided myself and my friends countless hours of enjoyment, and our
wives with countless hours of freedom.
LOL!
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Virel
I
would like to mention to the poster that said they had a player wanting
to play an elven fighter/magic user mulitclass character that then
switches to cleric that Gary has in fact addressed a way to play this
sort of character in UA and UA's errata. The errata was in Dragon 103.
There is character and allowed class/multi-class list that on DM's
option that an elf to be Fighter/Cleric/Magic User, triple class. This
should allow your player to have the character he or she wants and still
stay true to the rules as written if you wish.
I keep a copy of the errata taped in my worn copy of UA just for those
sort of questions and ideas that players come up with from time to time.
Well shucks!
I had totaly forgotten about that. thanks for passing along the information B-)
Regards,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
*Henry pops out the Resurrection Scroll*
We've waited this long. And this is an AD&D scroll too, Buster - no refusing to come back for you! :-)
Seriously, I hope all goes well.
Heh...
I am caught like a vampire, and being resurrected thus will make me vulnerable to the creative work demon :-o
Seriously, I too am hoping that I'll have the stamina I never truly
appreciated before, as i have generally had to put in a tremendous
amount of time and effort to create adventure scenario material.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Not
only that, but a character can be religious in a game with out being a
cleric. Many character I have played, and Dmed have be religious in the
game, but they weren't cleric. If we are looking at it for the story the
character can spend all the time he wants teaching preaching and
exalting his charters god all with out having to have the cleric class.
Ken
Quite true.
While a paladin PC springs to mind, any character class will serve, and
some, such as a thief or assassin, would demand some truly awesome
roleplay to carry off the matter ;-)
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
While thief -might- be a stretch, given the bloody history of most religions, assassins would be -easy-...
Heck, the word itself has religious connotations, after all.
I think a thief would be easy, and the temple of whatever non
goody-goody deity would likely praise his generous contrbutions--all
taken from non-believers, of course ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jasper
What
( most some few none all) {select the one you like} forget is D&D
in any form is a GAME. All games have rules. And all rules don't have to
make sense. The game is not the story. The story is what happen during
the game.
Just like the time me and my brother got my parents, my uncle and aunt
to play Life with us and my Aunt won while Daddy when to the poor house
with 1 kid and Jr went to poor house with 4 girls and 3 boys.
all games and hobbies give you stories to tell. They are only
interesting if they are told in a interesting fashion and to some one
who shares your interest.
Hoi Jasper,
Not much case for disputation in what you state ;-) However, "told"
isn't a necessary part of most games. The critical factors are
entertainment and enjoyment arising from play.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
So
why are you arguing? You don't like or understand the logic, then
change it to fit you ideal. Instead of complaining about why Life isn't
more liek monopoly or payday just change the rules you want and go on.
No answer any one gives will satisfy you because, you have your own idea
of what the solution should be, so use it.
Ken
Ken,
A good suggestion, because sure as shootin', and just like I said, I
ain't about to bother with any more of the demi-human silliness :-P
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
Well yes but on.. Hey! Wait a minute! You are the one who said assassin and thief would require quite an extensive bit of roleplaying, not me! You trickster you.
Heh,
Well, caught with my hand in the cookie jar playing devil's advocate ;-)
Seriously, though, the difficulty in roleplay would most likely arise
from the player's mindset, not in finding a reasonable explanation for
the character to be actively religious.
Speaking of the assassin PC, the Thug would likely get into hot water by preaching Kali abroad, eh? :-o
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
Given the stuff they were on... Would they care? B-)
thugs worshipped Kali, didn't necessarily ue any drugs, but strangled,
robbed, broke the dead victims' bones to make the bodies compact, then
buried them under the dirt tracks that were commin in India then. The
deaths were to honor the goddess...
It does give one some thoughts about the benefits of playing in an
alignment-less system. Something to be said about all sides believing
they are right. Then again, When playing a game,
a lot of people (me included some of the time) like the option of a
black and white world, when one can make sure he's on the right side
with the casting of a low-level spell.
I don't use any alignments in my game campaigns nowadays
because the concept caused so much misunderstanding and confusion; but
actions speak louder than words, and as clearly as words on character
sheets ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tenkar
...
...
If it was meant to be debated one of the "D"s in D&D would have to be renamed ;-)
ROTFLMAO!
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Brentos
Bwahahah!
I love this idea! You've just created a whole organization for me of
religous thieves! This fills a hole in my adventure! My hat off to the
master!
Having been at game design for sbout 40 years
now, I am still amazed at how little I really know, how much just sort
of comes from what seems an interesting idea to me based on what I've
read about or heard, what I imagine i'd have fun playing.
I love questions people have for you regarding how/why things were
created/decided, and become annoyed when they then argue with you about
your choices (it's one thing to question, but to continually pound on
answers already given gets annoying. I've always seen D&D as a
toolbox for running a fun game. When you are good enough to understand
how the toolbox works, you are more then free to tinker with it, just
don't blame the creator when you break it! :-)
Arguing about how a game should operate is useful only in pre-publication stage :-o
It is indeed quite proper to alter any game to suit your taste and that
of your associates engaged in playing it. Some rules additions are so
good they become standard fare, such as placing money paid because of
Chance and Community Chest cards in Monopoly on "Free Parking" to be
gained by whichever player lands on that space. the poorly conceived
game alterations aren't known bercause they are rapidly sent to the
trash...
BTW: I think Knights in chess should go 3-4 squares forward only,
because a horse in real life wouldn't be able to make 90 degree turns.
Stupid creators and their lack of logic! :-)
Logical the move isn't, but what a great concept. Even the
Japanese kept it in part) for the knights in their national game, shogi.
I like the courier chess rule that gives the king one knight's move
instead of castling, and a piece cmbining the moves of a king and a
knight is deadly! Not that i love chess and its variants... B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by McDeath
Hey Col, how often do you post on dragonsfoot? Some of the grogs wouldn't mind chatting with you.
Since the decline in my health I have been pretty scarce over there on
the Dragonsfot boards...even the one regarding the LA game. I'll cruise
by there in the near future and have a look ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
Quoted from previous thread:
That must have been kind of crazy. The most people I've ever see play
at once was 11. This was nearly 12 years ago, back when I first started
playing; I asked the DM if I could sit in on a game and watch to get an
idea of what it was like. And I've been hooked ever since. :-)
Still, not much happened during the session, and I could certainly see
how playing with 20 would be chaotic and have little role-playing at
all. The most I've ever DMed for was eight people at once, and I know
from experience that I wouldn't want to handle much more than that.
Edit: Ugh, I mean to post this in Part VIII.
When my sons Ernie and Luke were play-testing the
Lost City of Gaxmoor module, the player group rasnged from as few as 12 to as many as 25 8-D
My regular group used to number nine, and that's about the top of the optimum spread--3-9 in my view.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
18-22
players, egads! i'd have a hard time concentrating just as a player,
and can't imagine taking on a task like that as a DM... anything more
than 5 or 6 players as a DM is a bit much for me!
Well...
Forget role-playing when you have a big group of players to manage--or
else organize the majority to serve as a Greek chorus X-D
Cheers,
Gary
ADMIN'S NOTE:
This thread has now been Archived and will continue with Part VIII:
Gary Gygax Q&A, Part VIII
-Henry
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
Dude!
I'm on it so that notices of responses will be emailed to me 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
In
1e, Gary, did you ever find the Ranger's +1 HP/level damage bonus to
"Giant-class Creatures" to be a problem, at higher levels? (Sir
Robilar, for example, was a Ranger, for a while, as was Ararat.) Did
this cause problems, at higher levels? Would you change it, now?
Howdy Steveeroo!
First, I must say that Robilar was never anything other than a fighter.
The ranger's bonus of +1 damage per level was very annoying to me as the
DM, but that encouraged the logical addition of damage for the big old
giant class members, so that a couple of solid hits from a member of
same could flatten the cheeky little ranger attacking him.
What the heck, though: clerics beat up on undead, rangers on giant class
critters, and it's all in a day's adventuring. As should any DM, some
of the kicked around thus will have special defenses and offenses
devised to make life difficult for the bully PC ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
Happy new thread, Gary! (wow, part 8... where does the time go?) ;-)
Gary, thanks to D&D you have introduced many of us - of not most of us - to an unforgettable experience:
The use of the d4 as a caltrop.
Many has been the time that I've got out of bed at night, only to
suddenly feel something sharp and painful digging into my foot. If my
mind worked faster at such times, I might have been calling down
imprecations on your name, but as it doesn't the most I can normally
manage is "Ow!" (or some choice swearing).
Could you please tell me if you had any idea what you were unleashing on
the world when you included the d4 as part of the standard D&D game
(and whether you've ever experienced this exquisite sensation
yourself)?
:-D
Best wishes,
Merric
Hi Merric :-)
As the real old timers know, I was always an active gamer since I
discovered there were fanzines offering a forum for one's gaming
thoughts, opinions, and play offerings. In short, I've been balbbering
thus for about 40 years, so it's no wonder a lot of my fellows are
familiar with my name.
The d4 was one of the five Platonic solids sold by the school supply
company in California from which I obtained the first of the new
milti-sided dice that were introduced in the first edition of the
D&D game, I have indeed stepped with stocking feet on one of those
yelow caltrops--also a d8, that being back in the early 1970s.
Thereafter I made a point of picking up all of my dice and keeping them
off the floor.
Cats seem to love to play dith d20s, BTW, and a few were lost that way to various felines that resided in my house.
When I'd leave my dog "Bowser" (a bull mastiff) alone he would get
revenge that included shredding my dice bag and leaving a minefield of
milti-sided dice in my bedroom and in the kitchen...the devil know where
I was sure to go :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
This
is pretty interesting, Gary. Is this a fairly recent development or did
you stop using Alignment (and I assume alignment languages) back in
your TSR days? Any problems rear up when DMing or playing a
traditionally alignment-bound class (viz., Paladins, Druids, Assassins,
etc.)?
Personally, I never had a problem with alignments as I was a big Michael
Moorecock fan (I also thought that the 9 alignment variations was a
marked improvement over the L/C/N triad). I know some people don't like
alignments, or try to use alignments that are some "realistic", e.g., Palladium's alignment system (at least the one it used to use, it's been a while).
Gray Mouser
Allow me to answer in this manner:
When players began to announce their character's alignment to other
participants I shuddered. I suggested that such information was not for
broadcast, that the PCs might not actually think of themselves as
categorized thus, and the alignment categories were meant more to guide
the player in playing his character in the game.
As for alignment language, I assumed that it was akin to Latin in regard
to use. Clerics would be fluent in their use of their alignment
language, the devout and well-educated nearly as able, and at the middle
and lower end of the spectrum only rudimentary communications could be
managed.
Somehow I supposed that DMs would arrive at similar conclusions unaided.
The
Lejendary Adventure
game uses Repute, Dark Repute, and Disrepute as pubicaly known measures
of the characters' reputation. These generally equate to honorable,
shady, and wicked.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh, any memorable escapades with your Gnome PC? What was his name, btw?
I always liked Gnomes, myself. Letting them be Illusionists was a great idea!
Gray Mouser
The gnome illusionist/thief is named Snurri
"Sharpnose." He had a good deal of enjoyment swiping the gains pocked by
a halfling magic-user/thief played by my youngest son Alex. (Durned if I
can recall Alex's PC's name, and he isn't here to ask. Probably the
character sheet is lost after several years of non-use.)
Other than that, the two were active in some rural adventures and
thwarted many the vile plans of marauding humanoids and humans as well.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by foehammerx
Hey
gary, Did you roll up Bigby at first level and play him from the start?
I heard a story which made it sound like Bigy was an npc that you
charmed and later became your PC.
Mordenkainen did indeed
manage to get the drop on Bigby, charm him. At the time bigby was a 3rd
level NE dungeon dweller. By word and deen Mordie brought him around
from NE to N, and thus Bigby became his apprentice. I got to roll the
stats for that character after rob determined he was a loyal henchman of
Mordenkainen.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dead
Hi Gary,
In the back of UA there is an appendix with an example demihuman
pantheon in it. Was this *officially* given the OK by you to become
canon for the Greyhawk campaign?
I've got a feeling it wasn't. I felt that it was only an *example*
pantheon presented in UA and it was only later (after you left) that TSR
decided to make it GH canon.
The latter is indeed the
case, although i did put the "offcial" stamp onriger Moore's demi-human
deities for those who wished to include such entities in their WoG
campaigns.
If this is the case, did you have your own original thoughts on what
the gods of the elves, dwarves, halflings, etc. should be? (And
monsterkind.)
Heh, and in my campaign the demi-humans and humanoids acknowledged the same pantheons as humans did.
Certainly Lolth and Bibdoolpoop are your creations, so drow and kuo-toa are accounted for.
Just so. As a matter of fact, the vast majority of all the
"monsters" in the original D&D and AD&D games are all of my
creation, as i either made them up out of my imaination or else shaped
them for the system they were used in.
Perhaps you envisioned dwarves as just worshipping Ulaa and elves
just worshipping Ehlonna? Or are the gods as presented in the World of
Greyhawk Fantasy Setting just human gods?
I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks.
And so you have them ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by hero4hire
Mr. Gygax,
1st of all thank you for making a great game, and inspiring so many adventures for 28 of my 35 years.
Howdy,
Feel free to address me as Gary, as we are fellow gamers.
My long-term gamer buddies and I (all veterans of OD&D) all joke
about going through those old modules and running past the bad guy to
look for something in his treasure that would be sure to defeat him.
While we overexagerrate this point for laughs it does have some truth to
it.
Was this to get players to try to that very thing? Or perhaps some more sadistic purpouse? *smiles evilly*
Many a monster's treasure was indeed something inimical to
him. why? what else would a dungeon denized do but hoard such items so
as to prevent them from falling into the hands of potential foes? 8-D
Of course they might destroy the items, but that might be difficult,
and it would surely not be an incentive for adventurers to risk their
lives...
After considerable experience, the number of magic-items given to
monsters for regular use was sharply reduced in my campaign, as such
things ended up in PC hands far too often :\
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mossfoot
There
is something immensely amusing about the thought of Gary saying "Dude!"
I can imagine it now... Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson star in
"Dude, where's my game?"
Gary - I just named my cleric and he's awesome!
Dave - Same here, my ranger totally rocks!
Gary - What's his name?
Dave - DUDE! What's yours?
Gary - SWEET! So what you're ranger's name?
Dave - Dude!
Gary - Dude, what's his name?
Dave - DUDE!
(and so on and so forth...) ;-)
Heh....
"Dude" is definately a hang-over from my days out in Tinsletown. My
patois began with hep-cat jargon learned from my early years as a modern
jazz devotee. Such talk was even featured in the old EC publication,
Mad, when it was a color comic book...which I read assiduously, cat;0
Cheers,
Gary
P.S. I used to be quite knowledgeable in regards the hobo vernacular too, even though I was never a bindlestiff myself.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Virel
Gary, will you share the orgin of the the "Kewl River" on the Greyhawk map with us?
Reason I ask is the very first time I saw that word was on the Greyhawk
maps. The "Kewl River" near the Gnarley Forest. This was way back in
1980. Does word Kewl have a history before GreyHawk?
Flip a few letters around and you get "Welk" as in Welkwood Forest also in Greyhawk. Is there some sort of anagram connection?
Or have I just spent too much time looking at Darlenes wonderful maps of your Greyhawk setting?
While I hate to give so prosaic a response, I fear i must.
When i was naming terran features and cities, the name "Kewl" came to
mind and seemed right--short and simple. I have to admit i diidn't think
of it as sounding loke "cool," or being an anagram for "Welk."
So it is one of the non-special meaning/origin names!
A fellow named Zief asked about the city of that name too, and I had to
confess it was a name I thought I had made up that sounded right.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
That's simple, the river is kewl and the forest is gnarly. Which means adventures in the area are bodacious.
(You don't spend 49+ years in California without learning some of the lingo. :-D )
Alan,
I like your answer better than mine O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tenkar
Assuming that the minds of 13 year old DMs would hold up to yours was an ambitious thought ;-)
We kinda glossed over alignment languages in my games. Wasn't really needed, therefore it wasn't missed.
Mia Culpa!
I was so engrossed in creating new material that I too often glossed
over things that needed more explanation so as to guide the younger
gamers.
I still use pencils with erasers on 'em :\
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mossfoot
Actually,
come to think of it, I DO have a question... in your years of gaming
have you ever "converted" people to gaming who otherwise wouldn't have,
or have you simply been fortunate enough to always be around gamer
types? You see, back in Vancouver, I didn't have a gaming group, so I
corrupte... I mean converted my girlfriend, and then her girlfriends so
that I ended up GMing a group of 5 university girls (yeah, I know,
gamer's fantasy come true ;-) ) But the truth is, they ALL had a
standoffish, "I dunno" attitude towards gaming.
It took some time to convert them, but now they're hooked... only
problem is they love their characters so much I can't convince them to
start a new campaign with new characters!
Sigh... women.
Hi Noah :-)
My work has made untold converts to the gaming hobby, but I assume you
mean have I personally made a direct convert by persuasion and the like.
The answer is, but of course!
The most notable is James M. Ward. I was in a local newspaper, magazine,
and paperback book shop when I noticed a chap browsing the SF and
fantasy titles. I brazenly spoke to him, suggesting that if he enjoyed
such adventure reading he should visit out gaming club that featured
swords & sorcery. He did, and the rest is history.
I have never personally succeeded in converting a female to the hobby,
including all three of my daughters. They played and enjoyed it for some
weeks or months, but lost interest thereafter.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
*chuckles* Me too! They blend much nicer with water..
But thats probably not what your talking about. :-)
Peter
Heh!
I've used the Venus line to "paint with pencils"! My aunt was a high
school art teacher, my pal Tom Keogh won a proze from the Audabon
society for an airbrish drawing of a bird and I can draw water as well
as anyone X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Gary,
I have a few multi-part questions, I'm sure you've anwsered them all in
the past, but I'm new around here and my curiosity keeps me up at night.
I think these threads are a great idea and that you're being very
generous at keeping up with them. Thanks for keeping in touch with all
your faithful fans!
And now, on with the badgering:
Heh...
I had heard that at one time you were planning to make a second edition of Advanced D&D by throwing together (with a re-edit) all three monster books into one Monster Manual, and folding Unearthed Arcana and Oriental Adventures into a new Players Handbook & Dungeon Masters Guide.
Is this close to the truth? I'm wondering what kinds of editing you had
been thinking of. Did you personally use UA & OA a lot in your
games?
That's pretty close. The main exception is that I planned to
have the OA book re-written to get in Francois Froideval's material, and
it, along with a expansion of the Oerth, be a supplement to the main
core of rules.
The
Mm would vave been done in two volumes, A-L and M-Z more or less.
I' won't deal with the changes I'd have made as that is meaningless at this point :\
Of the original game (the cute lil' digest-sized box) and the
Advanced game (with it's plethora of hardcovers), did you ever have a
favorite? Do you concider one version better, over all, than the other?
The short answer is no. they are sufficiently different in
approach so as to be treated as separate entities, each enjoyable to
play.
What RPGs do you play most nowadays (including out of print games)? I'm assuming Lejendary Adventures is one of them, maybe Castles & Crusades and old-tyme D&D as well?
You have it, omitting only OAD&D which I DM now and then.
I'd love to play more Metamorphosis Alpha, but I haven't time to create a
new campain setting and run it.
Other designers are working on genre expansions of the La game system,
so i hope to be play-testing fantastical science, science fiction, and
wild west versions soon, with a horror game not far behind. If things
work out, the first of those new offerings will hit the market sometime
in 2006.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by PapersAndPaychecks
Did
I just see a reference to a halfling magic-user/thief? Played by a
Gygax? Please don't tell my gaming group you're allowed to do that,
otherwise we'll end up with a party full of hobbits again...
Actually, reading various accounts of early D&D games, I have the
impression that the "rules" on which classes could be played by which
races, and how high level they could achieve, were fairly frequently
ignored and might be better described as guidelines than rules.
If the Dm allows a hanfling magic-user/tief, who am I to quibble.
That said, most of the campaigns I played in did keep pretty close to
the level limits for non-human PCs. none of the players had problems
with that, although when their characters had reached the end of their
ability to progress, most, including myself, loked for meand to move
them up yet another level ;-) the grey elf was thus the choice of many
a player wanting a demi-human PC with magical ability.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anabstercorian
Gary, you frequently refer to
3e
as 'superheroic' in scale. I'm not about to disagree with you - in
fact, I whole-heartedly agree. The rate of power increase, and the
dramatic increases in power available to a character ("I power attack
Sunder the hydra, for sixty points of damage. I cleave to the next head
repeatedly until I miss." "You chop off every head in a single brutal
swipe." "Score!") make high level characters more akin to demi-gods in
status, like that of Hercules of Orpheus, than merely experienced,
skilled warriors such as Conan or Fafhrd.
Now, I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing - I believe that
power increase should never be ruled out for a DnD character - greater
strength should always be possible through some fashion or another. But
I do believe you may be right that power increases too quickly.
Simply put, what line divides heroic from superheroic power?
There is indeed nothing wrong with superheroic play...in a comic
book-based RPG where the universe assumes such activity and has super
villians and monsters too. The same can be said for a well-crafter
fantasy RPG.
The major appeal of the FRPG is the fantastic, the assumption of a
character role in a world filled with strange creatures, and by dint of
effort building through deeds of action and intellect that game persona
from a lowly adventurer to a renown figure with power and prestiege in
his milieu. there is little satisfaction in such accomplishment if it
isn't earned.
The basis for the D&D game, including
3E and 3.5E is not the superheroic, but the heroic.
IMO,
the new system hands players on a proverbial silver platter what once
had to be earned, and so there is an escalation in character powers and
tose of "monsters" as those who play the new game seek to find the
satisfaction they will never gain from ti because there is no earning of
rank through long play that gives actual expereince and understanding,
grands the ability of clever play, not mere use of gifter powers.
Also, I would like to ask your opinion about a house rule of mine.
It is directly inspired by the OD&D rules Cyclopedia: Purify Food and Water is raised to a 1st level clerical spell, Create Water to 4th level, and Create Food
to fifth. By doing this, and requiring a certain degree of overland
travel, I hope to make simple survival more noteworthy - not a matter of
constant accounting, surely, but a matter worthy of forethought even at
the highest levels of play, because resorting to magic prevents you
from using such dramatic spells as Divine Power or Flame Strike!
Who am I to comment on rules changes used in your campaign?
Actually, the alterations you detail are not going to affect much other
than as you note, so if that makes the game more interesting for you and
your players, great. The change might well affect the ability of some
underground denizens to survive, as low-level clerics will no longer be
able to feed their flock...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
potions
and scrolls, my man, potions and scrolls. and pre-cast spells are
nice, too. i'm sure every DM goes through this experience after a
time... ;-)
Right, Boz!
The propblem with the potion is getting it out and quaffing it off takes
two rounds at least, and the same for getting and reading a scroll. The
good old wand and worn magic items are much faster to use,
multi-shot/use, so the temptation is always there to have them.
Obmi the Dwarf had his boots of Speed and Dwarven Throwing Hammer (plus
whatever defensive items I decided he needed for an encounter,
protection and absorption) and believe me I made sure he had logical
means of evading pursuit :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
i
have the feeling that such a "second edition" AD&D would have gone
over a lot better than the one that actually happened. :-)
Word.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Whisperfoot
Gary,
I'm going to have to disagree with this to some extent. ...
Well stated exposition as to why
3E is a superheroic sort of game (akin to those based on comic books) with like feats and so forth.
That the game assumes the players want instant gratification is well understood.
3E is clearly not designed for the years-long campaign as were its predecessors.
So you are correct, and I was quite mistaken about new D&D X-D
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Hello there, Gary!
I was wondering if you could comment on some of TSR's other games, in
terms of how successful they were on two fronts: financially, and how
well you think they succeeded as a game, in terms of being playable and
enjoyable?
Specifically, I'm thinking about:
Divine Right
Boot Hill
Dawn Patrol
Fight in the Skies
Knights of Camelot
Gamma World
Top Secret
Gang Busters
and the super hero game whose name is escaping me right now.
None of them was a substantial contributor to the company's bottom
line. The RPGs sold more than the boardgames--Divine Right and Fight in
the Skies. I have no recllction of Knights of Camelot or a comic book
superhero game. anyway, none of the RPGs lister was properly supported,
and had they been so I believe they would have performed better overal.
I'm guessing you simply had no time to really delve into many of
these, but any thoughts you care to pass along would be appreciated.
I played all on the list at least once. I played and GMed Boot
Hill a good deal, and the other RPGs I played quite often. The
exception is the Knights of Camelot game that i don't recognize.
Also, and this is an admittedly silly question, do you have a
favorite maker of dice? I myself prefer the old GameScience Gem dice,
especially the d20s numbered 0-9 twice, with "+" with half the numbers.
Thanks again!
As a long-time pal of Lou Zocchi, the "Sage Sarge" from the
days of the Avalon Hill General magazine back in the 1960s, it is good
to see you name his old company as your favorite dice maker. Sadly, I am
not much concerned with the dice i use, and any sort that rols properly
will do regardless of color and manufacturer. All i seek as player of
GM are those that roll results i desire :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anabstercorian
This
resonates with me a great deal. Indeed, one of the very words I spoke
upon starting my current campaign is, "I want you guys to advance before
your characters do."
Just so!
And expert veterans will be plotting much more for their character's campaign activities that increase in level ;-)
That said, Whisperfoot is right - ...
Perfectly so, in fact, as I have noted above with a good deal of satisfaction B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dead
Dear Gary,
How many years did you run your Greyhawk campaign?
From 1972 through 1985, rather sporadically after 1981. I still play it now and again.
Could you please list all the worlds/dimensions that players
interacted with? Murlynd obviously travelled to a Wild West world (was
this just Earth?) and, apparently, there was cross-overs to Rob Kuntz's
campaign setting.
Good grief! I haven't the memory for that as most of such play
was winged by me--such as Robilar's adventures in the City of Brass. We
did WWII, modern city, and a bit of wild west as you note. SF action
was common, and my players loved to go to the Carabas of the "Planet of
Adventure," Tchai IIRR, to fight with the Dirdir.
Did the crashed space craft in "S3: Expedition to the Barriar Peaks" really take place in your own campaign?
sure enough, as my players were involved in the testing of the scenario ;-)
Were there a lot of genre cross-overs in the original GH?
Thanks.
About one session in every 12 would involve somethingfrom
outside the fantasy genre. that was enough to keep things from getting
too staid.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Abisai
Gary,
Ever ventured in video games? Thought of it?
How about comics?
I was involved as designer in three
videogame projects. Each of them went beyond the first stage, but none
ever made full production, each one being killed for a different reason.
(No, I don't care to give details.) We are working towards a MMP online
version of the
Lejendary Adventure RPG now, I am involved with scripting for the
Dark & Light MMP managed by Alchemic Dream, and we are in initial stages of discussion with another group in regards a new online geme.
Of course I have written the premises and some detals for about a score
of other computer games, none of which aroused keen interest amongst the
producers they were given to.
As for comics, I had written one for the DJ system's Mythus game's
module, Necropolis; but the plans to priduce it were killed when TSR
sued. There was also the intent of having the gord novels done as
graphic ones. this has fallen through due to the lousy market for comic
books these days.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh. First "dude" and now "word." Colonel are you cutting a rap album or something?
Gray Mouser
I blame it on me being young at heart, never
growing up...and having an 18-year-old son that does listen to (c)rap
music >:-)
heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
This
brings up a question about Metamorphosis Alpha, Gary. I was under the
impression that the game took place aboard the Starship Warden and that
was its campaign milieu. Is this incorrect?
Gray Mouser
You are quite correct. The Starship Warden is huge, though, kilometers across!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
Quoted from previous thread (for real this time :-# ):
I'd agree. Less than three, there's not enough diversity with PC
abilities that a typical game needs. More than 8 or 9, there's too many
players to really keep everyone focused on the game.
Yuppers ;-) One genius or two very able players can get by, but who to
such a small group if they are not "on" during a session where the
challenges are extreme. Three or more persons tend to cross-pollenate
ideas and the diversity of abilities amongst several characters makes
play easier and more interesting.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Wow!
It was listed as stock #1009 in the 1981 "Gateway to Adventure"
catalog I got in my Basic Box set (Moldvay edited). Same page as
"Warlocks and Warriors" and "Divine Right".
As I don't
like Arthurian legend, it doesn't surprise me in the least I don't
recall the game. It surely made no particular sales success or i would
have remembered it.
The Superhero game was Marvel Superheros, and most of the release
dates seem to be after your departure from TSR, so I guess that explains
it.
Right on both counts ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
So much for his entry in the 1e Rogue's Gallery, then! ;-p
As I have stated before, Brian blume compiled that work, and when
persons would not give him information regarding their PCs, as Rob and I
did, he simp;y made up whatever suited him.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
how pleased were you with Eric Holmes's basic D&D rulebook from
1977? Was it pretty much what you wanted, or did it in places go off the
rails?
Rest assured that Dr. Holmes came to me first to
propose the work, and I was in charge of the ms. when it was turned
over. That is how it came to have naw material quite similar to the
AD&D game--I was writing the PHB at the time, and I wanted D&D
to have some of the new features of the AD&D game.
To cut to the chase, I thought that Eric did a fine bit of editing with the set B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MrFilthyIke
The wife and I both live by that motto. Grow old, but never grow up. You'll be happier.
If only my body could grasp that philosophy...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Bregh
Heya, Gary,
Glad to hear you're feeling better, please accept my best wishes on your continued improvement!
Now, as a point of general interest, I read a post by one of your
OD&D campaign players on Dragonsfoot, where he remarks that he and
his fellows have actually managed to rout (if not completely crush) the
Old Guard Kobolds on the first dungeon level of Castle Greyhawk. I was
wondering if you had any comments on the matter (praise for the players,
lament for the ruin of the OGK), and if you had entertained what
menaces might now come to fill the void left by their passing...
The Swine! >:-)
I refer to my players and their filthy 5th level PCs of course. Picking
on those fine upstanding little kobolds at their level. They should be
ashamed, not bragging and thumping their chests. It took a hold person
the three sleep spells to do the vile deed.
Fortunately, they are adventuring in an abbreviated dungeon level
construction, so the actual Old Guard Kobolds remain unaffected, are
still around to beat the crap out of lower level parties not
sufficiently astute to run away and come back when they are at 5th level
8-D
The party had pretty well mapped the first level, and the only remaining
force there were the OGKs, so I suppose it was inevitable that the poor
little dears met their fate. It gave me some considerable satiffaction
that they dropped the offending magic-user to 0 HPs twice during the
enconter. It was as if the random dice determination for PCs hit was
sentient, knew that he was the instrument of their doom. He dropped 12
of them with his thirs sleep spell...
The thouls awaiting the party on a lower level will wreak revenge for
their depridations above. As they are active in the dungeon cmplex, only
wandering monsters will be likely to be encountered on the depopulated
1st level.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Hi, Gary!
I know that you like to improvise a lot of your game-judging, but I'd
love to hear about how much preparation you usually put into an
adventure before you run it. Do you just make up everything whole-cloth?
Do you draw a few chicken-scratches for a map, then take it from there?
Draw a nice map and write up an encounter key to go with it? How much
detail goes into your notes? If another game referee looked at your
notes, would he be able to puzzle them out (handwriting issues
notwithstanding)?
Most of the time I work with prepared
material, but now and again I will wing an entire adventure
session--mostly when the action is in a community or outdoors. I will
create details for pre-prepared scenarios, though, add to what it
written or printed. My own work is usually a map with key numbers and a
few sketchy notes as to the nature of the encounter, and I finn in the
details when the party gets to the location. If they are able to manage a
very difficult challenge, I really up the ante and then do the same for
the rewards if they succeed in overcoming the adversarial conditions,
whatever they might be.
When I write for publication I add a lot more detail than I do for my own personal use.
Also, as a man who can't help but drool whenever he walks into a
stationery supply store, I'd enjoy hearing about what you write your
notes on. My guess is that it's whatever you have at hand. You mentioned
earlier that you "still" (huh?) use pencils with erasers. But do you
prefer notebooks? looseleaf? graph paper? computer?
I like to use a tablet of lined paper, but if the must strikes
I'll use anything handy for initial notes. when I have run out of
immediate inspiration, I transfer the mess to a computer file, order the
material and neaten it up. From that I usually create an outline, then
go directly to composing the main draft of the work.
Graph paper I reserve for maps and plans. As I keep running out of
it--or have hidden it somewhere I can't find in a hurry, not a few of my
maps and plans have been drawn on plain white copy paper.
I like to use colored pencils to color in my outdoor maps.
Trust that covers it :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Virel
Thanks for the heads up :-)
I would like to ask about your views on the female strenght limits in OAD&D.
After playing for a while with them, as DM I dropped the limits in my
campaign when a female player rolled 18/95 strength for her female
fighter. One half of my long time OAD&D gaming group is female, so I
let my orginal ruling from way back in 1980 still stand. The character
gender ends up being about 50/50 most of the time. It's never been a
balance issue, however it gives up a little realism in favor of
flexibility for players.
Later one of the players and I did a little research (mid 1980's) on
female strength based on the Olympic/world records etc. 18/63 seemed a
realistic limit. Last year I revised the topic and based on the new
records etc 18/76 seemed like a new realistic limit.
When DMing OAD&D these days, at character generation do you keep the
orginal limits for females or have they been changed etc?
I agree that human males can develop greater upper body strength than human females etc.
Your alternation doesn't disturb me in the least. Why I
decided on realism in regards to male/female strength is beyond me.
After all in a fantasy game that doesn't make a great deal of sense. I
suppose I just wasn't thinking the matter through in regards the genre. I
do not have such differentiations in the
Lejendary Adventure game.
As for the actual difference between males and females, I am quite
comfortable with the limits I placed in the book...unless steroids are
taken into account. Males have some 30% more muscle mass, IIRR, and they
are taller and heavier than females. All of that matters in combat.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
I've
always been curious as to how much material Gary uses in his D&D
games (both original and Advanced). Would he stick with the original
stuff, like the lil' brown/white box and Greyhawk supplement for
OD&D and just the first few hardcovers for AD&D; or does he go
all out and use the Rules Cyclopedia and stuff from Unearthed Arcana
(some or all?) or the Wilderness/Duneoneer's Survival Guides?
Short answer: I am not now, not have i ever been, a rules lawyer.
Rule-playing is distasteful to me. The rules I use in any play session
depend on underlying game, the player group, and the demands of the
scenario. As the GM I pick and choose what I think will best suit the
situation.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
Hello again Gary, it is nice to see the time you have taken to answer these many queries.
As a follow up to this, when did you do unique Greyhawk gods, and why?
You mention Norse dieties in the
DMG, and the impression I had of the OD&D cleric and paladin was that they were basically Christian!
The first published dieties for the game were from human
cultures--though some non-human dieties were added for the AD&D
dieties and demigods. The first time I saw Greyhawk gods was in the
pages of Dragon.
So, what motivated you to do your own pantheon?
Well, amigo,
When one "creates" a fantasy world setting that is totally divorced from
our world, it is logical that special, unique deities are needed to
fill it, for clerics subsume deities that are served. Thus I began
adding deities to my campaign early in 1973, and those became the first
deities of the World of Greyhawk.
BTW, as the
Lejendary Earth world setting is a parallel earth, the deities used for it are all based off of those from our mythology.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jhulae
I'll
agree that with less players (three or less), the players really do
have to be "on" (as you say) to avoid disaster, especially in tough
combats or tricky puzzles. And, larger groups tend to have more
'exciting' adventures, because there's usually a lot of action going on.
...
For me that says
it all. I know few players that prefer yakking over hacking, and if as
the GM I don't supply some action situations after an hour, the group
takes matters into their own hands and begins creating mayhem.
As a matter of fact, I have played a good deal of one-on-one
adventuring. I used that opportunity to gather a body of henchmen,
direct them, and thus managed a great number of successful ambushes,
raids, forays, and melees ;-)
Different strokes and all 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
You
know, I still sometimes have to consciously force myself not to try to
fully emulate modules when I'm working on my own dungeons. When I was a
kid, modules were the only example I had to follow, & I didn't
recognize the difference between rough & practical preparation v.
polish for publication. By the time I did, I'd already formed bad habits
that are tough to break.
I don't believe detailed notes
are a bad habit at all! just don't include a lot of explanatory
material that you read aloud. That's for commercial modules and serves
to generally familiarize all persons participating, the GM included,
with the tenor and style of the scenario.
Anyway, if you don't slavishly adhere to your detailed notes, they are a
boon, and such information might well enable you to have your module
published;0
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
cartoon voices definitely count. ;-)
Yes indeed, and I'l enjoy doing more VO work, as I had a blast doing the
Futurama show.
Not only does that sort of work count, but being the co-producer for the
26 D&D Cartoon show episodes is also not shabby, especially since i
got to work not only with the network but also all the great folks at
Marvel Productions B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MrFilthyIke
Thanks for doing the VO for Futurama. That show was, in my opinion, some of the
funniest stuff on TV ever. Having you guess star with no less than the other good
folks in Anthology of Intrest makes it one of my most beloved episodes. EVAR. :-)
Heartening to learn you enjoyed the episode. As I said, I sure had a
blast reading the script, doing the voice over. while I'vE never aspired
to being an actor, I would actually enjoy being a VO one B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Vargo
Gary,
First off, thank you again (I've said it before) for giving us this wonderful game.
Secondly, why did you do the percentile stat thing for Strength, then
continue on up to 25 for all stats? I know some EARLY books I saw (I
seem to remember a Dieties and Demigods precursor) had percentiles for
stats other than strength - what was the evolution of that?
Well,
At first blush I decided that 18 was the maximum for a human, but then
to make fighters more viable, and because the concpt of degrees of
strength in the 18 cap followed logically, I used the percentile
measurement. As for strength over 18, any such ability is superhuman and
must be magically endowed in my view. The 18/% did give the fighter a
real boost B-)
To the best of my recollection, I have never suggested percentile breakdown for stats other than strength.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
amen
to that! we have a guy who loves to call out on the DM "but the rules
say..." when the DM makes a decision... i just want to slap the guy.
the rest of us usually have to talk him out of arguing it, while he
grumbles and mumbles and flips through the rulebooks to try to prove his
point, and then if he finds what he was looking for he brings it back
up again several minutes after we have moved on, and if he doesn't find
it he says something like "but you've let me do that before"
...oy. i'm kinda glad he hasn't shown up in a month or so. ;-)
Shudder!
That calls to mind the incident that occurred when I was giving a
seminar on AD&D to a large audience of dedicated players at a
GenCon. Someone asked me howI'd handle a specific situation, and I
responded. One fellow in the crowd objected, "but that isn't what the
DMG says..."
To that I respnded to this effect: "I don't care what the book says. I
wrote it, and I am not infalable. In the case just before us the
material in the
DMG is wrong--as it is anytime the DM over-rules it."
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
Esteemed
Col. your answer makes perfect sense. Maybe I should rephrase the
question: why the long delay before your dieties where shared with the
rest of the world? And, did you use "real world" divinities in your
original Castle Greyhawk campaign, in addition to Saint Cuthbert of
course ;-)
Okay :-)
That answer is easy. The development of anything akin to a logical
pantheon of deities for the world setting took a considerable period of
time to complete because we seldom dealt with such entities in play. St.
Cuthbert and Pholtus were amusing to the players with cleric PCs so I
spent time detailing them. The balance then followed as I brought into
play evil deities to serve as villians and to frustrate the aims of the
PCs. Only after I had completed the last of the core rules books for
AD&D was there time for me to address growing audience interest in
the
World of Greyhawk
and its deities. When the version of that setting was ready for
publication, the need for a more detailed pantheon of deities was
apparent, so that's when the details were set down. That made Len
Lakofka happy too, for I brought in the deities he had been using for
his campaign ;-)
Cheers.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Does that mean cartoon shows should start trying to find ways to incorporate roleplaying legends?
I'm there, dude!
I wonder if someone could pull off a more adult roleplaying cartoon -- and not offend a lot of people.
As there "adult" cartoons done in Japan, and those shows have
not penetrated the "US market, I'd say there's not much chance for that
to fly.
Cheers.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Actually, what I was really thinking of was the products you use in certain situations, not so much the rules themselves.
For example:
When playing OD&D, do you stick with the original set with maybe the
Greyhawk supplement (or all the supplements) or go with a later set
(like Moldvay's Basic or the Rules Cyclopedia). Do you even acknowledge
any difference in the various incarnations?
We are playing
the three-booklet version of D&D now, and I don't use any
supplements, just rules changes I have made to give greated viability to
the beginning characters.
Or:
When you play AD&D, how much of say, Unearthed Arcana do you
actually tend to use? Are the paladins in your games a subclass of
fighters or cavaliers? That's the kind of stuff I've been wondering
about in your old school gaming sessions :-D
When we play
AD&D i use all the core rules, including the material in the UA
book, or not. If the group is really old school, then we do not use the
UA changes. I can enjoy DMing either way, so the players decide what
they prefer.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by andargor
Just a quick note to say hi to Gary. :-)
Will there be a Part MMCLII? :-D
Andargor
From your lips to God's ear there will be!
I won't mind being around for another couple of decades :-o
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ferox4
Good
morning, Gary. I always wondered why there were such high ability
scores needed to create a Druid, Ranger or Paladin back in OD&D.
What was the thinking behind that?
To assure that
everybody and their pet monkeys too didn't create druid, paladin, and
ranger PCs. Those are the sort of figures that are supposed to be few
and far between. the same applies to the monk class, of curse.
Amen. All you Rules Lawyers hear that?
You aren't going to have much positive response from the audience for new D&D I fear :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ferox4
They
can wag their tongues ad infinitum, it won't sway me from the fact that
this game was designed to be played any way a group sees fit. There are
no rules, there are only guidelines, and, moreover,
...
Cheers, and many thanks for all the fun I've had playing this wonderful game.
Some gamers want more structure than others. We can't fault that ;-)
Thank you for the good words,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
There's that "dude" again! Next thing we know, you'll be rockin' it out with Metallica or something. B-)
I'm down with that...
Well, Gary, I don't like to ask a lot of questions about the origins
of D&D. I like to read the stuff and get its flavor, but I get the
impression that that's what everyone asks you. So I like to ask you different stuff, like when I asked you about your favorite cuisine.
Heh, and as with questions about my favorite book, the answer was general and lengthy X-D
Anyway, I have an Origin of D&D question now. Nowadays, there's
d20 Modern, d20 Future, et cetera. I don't keep up with all the
different varieties. My question is this: How much of this did you
think of at the beginning? When you made OAD&D, did you think, "Oh,
we could make modern-day or futuristic classes too and have a different
setting!"? Did you make plans for that sort of thing or were you
trying to keep it fantasy-only?
The fact is I wanted to be able to mix genres--not use the
A/D&D rules to play other genres, but means of mixing genres. Thus
we had fantasy forces comprised of orcs led by an Evil cleric meeting
and fighting with a Nazi anti-partizan company, and fought the battle
out on a table top. I had PCs sent to the Starship Warden to tangle with
Metamorphosis Alpha characters. No need to go on, you get the idea.
Cheers,
Gart
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Beckett
A
question on past adventures; I'm preparing to run Temple of Elemental
Evil for my group (the campaign starts this Saturday). In the
introduction, you mention a willingness to share the tale of how your
group did in the adventure.
Now, I have a pretty good idea how I'm going to handle this monster of a
module, but I'd love to hear some stories of how the original group
fared (and yes, I know you also say to ask you at a con, but with
expenses, I don't think I'll be making it to one anytime soon, so I
hoped these forums might suffice).
Whoa!
You ask that in direct contravention of what I request in the book...
Fortunately, after more than two decaded have passed since I penned
that, most of the details have been forgotten. Were it otherwise, I
would be castigating you for expecting me to write a long essay to
satisfy your curiosity. Here's what I recall immediately:
After a lot of adventuring fun in Hommlet, and a foray into Nulb, the
team went into the ToEE, explored, fought, withdrew, and came back again
repeatedly. Robilar went in alone, smashed some magically shut gates
with a pillar, and freed Zuggtmoy. Scenario over.
If you would like more details, see me in person at a con when there's a
group reminiscing over a few pints of ale. I'm sure I can thus recall a
few more details and repeating them will then not be a demand on time
and effort :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DeadlyUematsu
Game designing question here, relevant to AD&D...
Say I wanted to emulate the 'child of destiny' archetype, would it be
effective to have such a character start ridiculously weak, but grow
quickly in power (shorter needs of experience) and abilities (class
features)? On the opposite side, what about a 'veteran hero in decline',
someone who is initially very powerful but nary develops in power or
ability (greater needs of experience and fewer class features)? Are
these viable (if not, effective) ways of going about this?
Seems to me those are character development questions relevant to a novel, not to the design of a game...
In writing a novel, you need not worry about any "class", simply
establish the matter in your background exposition and ongoing
revealition of details of the environment, cast of characters, and
through dialog mainly insight into their personality, morals, ethics,
and motives. comments and character recollections are used in this and
sketching out the past history of leading figures in the story.
Finally, the take you have the promising child and fading hero themes is well in hand.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Hi,
Gary! Thanks for answering my previous question about detail and
materials. You only missed one part: if another referee took up your
prepared notes for a game, how much sense would they make to him?
Well blast! sorry to have missed that. If the Gm was familiar with my
style, imaginative, and enjoyed winging play, the notes would serve
well, as they did for Rob Kuntz. Otherwise, they would be disappointing
at best. Imagine: "5-8 bugbears, guard with m s +2 damage, each 10-60 g;
c trapdoor/trap with spikes in NW leads to niche with 1-2 random magic
items."
I have another question for you, this one relating to the early
games in the '70s. How did you deal with "missing" players? That is, did
adventuring parties typically leave the dungeon at the end of every
game session, or did they decide to stop the game in the middle of the
adventure, to resume it the next time the game was on? If the latter,
how did you handle characters for those players who couldn't make it to
the game? Since you've told us that you often had a score of people
crammed into your basement to play D&D, such a solution must have
caused a lot of problems.
Generally, parties left the dungeon at the end of a session so
PCs could get their experience point awards, resupply, and heal. that
was a must i insisted upon for large groups. If the party was of small
size and wished to remain active in any location awaiting the next
session, then the usual manner for managing a missing player was that he
was ill and able only to move along with the others, not do any other
sort of action.
When I suggest to players that the party will want to leave the
dungeon before we wrap up the game for the evening, I usually get
bewildered looks. Such an attitude is apparently not the trend among
gamers today.
Instruct, do not request >:-)
How did you handle this back then? How do you handle it now?
See above, and this is one area where I have not changed much...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by weasel fierce
Im curious as to, in the early D&D games, how much character and
personality did the players put into the PC's ? How much did they differ
in personality, or was the PC mainly a mechanical way to interact with
hte game ?
The main thrust for most players back then was
the action, so a few PCs were unnamed, and we referred to them rather
caustically as "Joe's fighter," or "Bob' cleric."
The core group, the regulars, were much more concerned with developing
their PCs, interacting with each other and some NPCs in character.
How much involvement did you have with the creation of the
Moldway/Cook or Mentzer D&D rules ? Im personally a big fan of
Mentzer's D&D, and still play it from time to
time. My players tend to be fans of a bit more character detail though,
so its mostly AD&D 1 (with some elements of 2nd edition)
Moldvay and Cook worked under the Blumes afgter 1981, so I had little input in their work.
Frank Mentzer worked directly under me. He would sketch out what he
planned, and I would comment. He then would move forward as agreed to,
the creative part then as he saw fit knowing the game and my style.
In AD&D, I wonder about the bard's connection to druids. Where did the inspiration for this come from ?
Historically, bards were a class of druid. We don't know much
at all about what the druids did in their religious practices, but we
know their organization into three branches--the priests, lawyers
(ovates), and bards.
Likewise the Rangers use of magic user spells, as opposed to more
nature based magic. Was the ranger originally intended as something else
than the foresting, robin hood type ?
Ask the originator of the class, Joe Fischer. I polished his
original material for The Strategic Review, and all the readers loved it
the way it was, to it remained in that general form for the AD&D
game.no sense in fixing something that isn't broken as far as most
players go.
Do you have a webpage or similar, where the changes you have made to
oD&D could be found ? Im sure there's a lot of people who would
love to have a shot at "gygaxian" D&D :-)
No, that game is the property of others, not me.
Did you ever have players who wanted to play their character as a
different class than what they had picked ? How did you handle such
situations ?
Yes. I made them create now PCs.
Do you ever use alternate means of earning XP, such as story or
objective goals (i.e. party earns 1000 xp for reaching the heart of the
dungeon, where the artifact lies or some such) or rewards for good
roleplaying ? How much of the earned XP do you recommend coming from
such sources, as opposed to killing and looting XP (traditionally the
main source of experience points)
I gave XP awards for clear thinking, use of spells, clever
solutions to problems, and sometimes for repartee. Determining what
constitutes good roleplaying is situational and subjective. Most other
awards are based on action and easy to determine. Basing XP awards thus
means no players felt discriminated against. Besides, all of the players
scorned amateur theater and loved hack & slash, so it was quite
difficult for me to have them enjoy much in the way of yakking unless i
worked very hard to make a scenario that was interesting to them and
demanded roleplaying that came naturally because of the circimstances
established.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
OH-erth,
orth, erth or oith? How do you usually pronounce many Greyhawk terms? I
usually concider the "O" to be silent (Oeridian being pronounced
er-RID-eean). But then, I didn't create the world, I just like to use it
;-)
Say it as "Oi-th" as if you were from Brooklyn, and
that's the way I pronounce it. That annoys all who take a fantasy world
far too seriously :-P
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by warlord
Mr. Gygax did you invent the RPG?
I suppose that is the case, if you ignore the children's game of "Let's
Pretend" that's been around for a lot of centuries. I can state I am
the author of the first formal RPG...
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Beckett
...
I guess I will have to eventually budget in a con, and Gary's bar tab :-)
That's the proper spirit lad! also keep in mind, the better the booze, the more elequent the tale related X-D
Now I am off to mind another Q&A thread before I pick up where I left off in the developmental editing of a ms.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Wonderful! This is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. I am reminded of Judge's Guild's Tegel Manor, which was published in this very� er, manner.
Back in those days it was common to make the erroneous assumption that
all the GMs who would use a published adventure were able to manage it
by creating details off the cuff as it were.
...
Many thanks for the informative replies! Oh, and will the aggrieved
relatives of the recently-late Old Guard Kobolds be taking their sweet
revenge soon? >:-)
I was thinking about having a division of the Old Guard Trolls come looking for revenge, but that wouldn't be cricket 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tuzenbach
Gary,
Thanks for answering my question about "The Tomb Of Horrors" and
'role-playing' equating to death within such. 'Twas very enlightening.
Glad to be of service.
I was curious about something. What are your views regarding
magical aging, both in 1E and how the rules currently work in
3E?
IMHO,
today's rules governing magical aging are nothing more than the RPG
version of "Affirmative Action" for all races who's lifespan neither
meets nor exceeds 160 years.
Back in 1E, I liked the idea that if the party met with a ghost, it was
OK for the humans, half-orcs, and halflings to immediately run from it
and have the elves and dwarves deal with the foe. That circumstance made
ghosts more frightening and gave long-lived races a certain kind of
"specialness". Granted, 1E held that dwarves and elves could advance no
further than 10th or 14th level respectively, but that's neither here
nor there.
I don't care to make comparisons between OAD&D and new
D&D. I will say, though, that I concur with your evaluation of the
aging effects in the original game, and that human and non-long-lived
PCs were meant to flee opponents who could age them, that being more
fearsome even than level loss!
As for level limits for demi-humans, there was none on the thief aspect,
and in my estimation, and such PC that hit the maximum levels possible
was either playing for a very long time or in a Monty Haul campaign. It
took me five years to work my dwarf fighter, Zigby, to his level limit.
He didn't go on all that many adventures as my single PC, but he was
there getting half experience on many a big-time foray with Mordenkainen
and/or Bigby and the rest.
[QUOTE/Also, back in 1E I was kind of a 'rules-lawyer'.[QUOTE/]
go stand in the corner for an hour >:-)
I had a character who was a Drow (ambidexterity) specializing in
darts (ordinarily 4 thrown darts per round but double it due to
ambidexterity) who always carried a couple of potions of speed.
My view was that if one such potion was imbibed, his rate of fire would
increase from 8 to 16. If the second potion was taken, his rate of fire
would then jump to 32. In fact, I kept this knowledge to myself until
such a time that I was able to single-handedly knock off a
100-hit-point-plus black dragon! Ah, ignorant DM's can be so fun. :-)
Anyway, was it your intention for the Drow's ambidexterity to double his
number of attacks? And were potions of speed cumulative with each other
to a probable infinity? I only ask because I could never find anything
in the rules opposing my theories. And if a Drow lives to be 1000+, who
cares about a bit of magical aging, 'ya know?
Again, humble apologies if these sorts of questions were answered in
previous Q&A's. But if so, just let me know and I'll go look for
them. Thank you!
Well...
I suppose that the Drow ambidexterity would extend to hand-thrown
missiles, so you were not off base there. An ambidextrous character can
attack twice, yes, but of course that means no shield, and a penalty on
the second attack is usual, eh? You were well out in left field though
claiming speed potions were cumulative. I can't blame you, though, as I
have attempted to bulldoze GMs in like manner when i was power gaming
8-D
Realistically, a drow character would care about losing 1% of his lifespan on a regular basis, don't you think?
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by weasel fierce
Did you ever get a chance to play "his" D&D ?
Of course I played in Frank's campaign now and again. His game and style were never radical.
In that regard, I am also curious as to your thoughts on the races
as classes, vs races with classes argument and difference between
D&D and AD&D. I personally like, and can see reasonings for
both, but was it part of the original idea of D&D, or did it just
pan out because the first rules didnt really have a lot of classes, and
the cleric and wizard were not appropriate for hobbits and such anyways ?
As I have said elsewhere, I don't see any real value in
regards my comments on such matters, as the game systems in question now
belong to
WotC. I did what I did and its now water long gone under the bridge. Whatever you do doesn't need valadition from me.
...
I do have a couple of additional questions though (its like taxes, there's always another one lurking)
When did the change of the hobbit / halfling from a warrior type to a
rogue type take place ? More interestingly, what brought about this
change ? Simply differentiating from the dwarf ?
See above regarding my comments on such matters.
AD&D notes that NPC elf and dwarf clerics exist, and such also
made appearances in Mentzers D&D (the gazeteers) but AD&D
prohibited players from having a cleric. (untill UA anyway). What was
the thoughts behind this, and what prompted the change ?
How do you do it at your table?
Ditto.
I know you are a wargamer or at least used to be. What nationalities
or armies do you generally play, when you have a chance ?
I liked any Ancient period force, any Medieval one (especially one with horse archers--and
I still have several hundred 40mm Hauser figurines)).I had Brunswickers
for Napoleonics, but I happily played any command from Austrian to
Russian, English or French. As for WWII I had a fair number of US troops
and AFVs, including a lot of conversions--all lost when Don Kaye died.
Finally, have you ever had Danish beer ?
Cheers!
Yes indeed, and I like Danish beer as it has flavor and some
bite to it. I thorughly dislike all light and American popular beers
with no character, and flavorless pilsners brewed anywhere are not to my
taste.
I generally drink Samuel Adams Bosten Ale, Guniess Stout, Samuel Smith
Porter or Nut Brown Ale, or several of the offerings from a local
brewery, New Glarus Brewing that offer a good ale (Fat Squirrel) and
many special sorts throughout the year.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Three questions, each spaced a bit so as not to strain the brain too much...
I like your pronounciation of Oerth, sounds like Bugs Bunny. What about a
couple of other commonly confusing names: Oeridian and Flanaess? I
usually pronounced them er-RIDI-an and flan-ESS, how's about you?
Close enough ;-)
What's your favorite alcoholic drink (assuming it's safe for you to
drink of course ;-) )? Mine is usually Canadian beer (especially lite or ice varieties) or maybe the odd rum with Coke.
See above regarding beer. I am much given to premier grand cru
class French wines, top of the line champaign included. As for the
rest, as with cusine, my taste is far reaching, running from fine
Armagnac through Rakki to whiskies of all sorts. What I am not much fond
of are the sweet liquors, although I do like virtually all sorts of
rum.
All that said, I can't abide more than a few drinks, and my usual intake
is a glass of wine before dinner and one with the meal. On special
occassions I'll have a cocktail or similar apertif before that and a
digestif after a major dining experience B-)
Big one: I have very few players (if any) at any given time. Should
they each use more than one character, or should I just cut down on
encounter strengths in published adventures? I'd hate to slice the
number of critters in, say, Castle Zagyg by half or more! How many
characters have you allowed a player to run at one time in the same
adventure?
I allow the players to decide the matter. If they enjoy
playing two or three PCs and manage that well, why not? I used to do
that a lot, as I couldn't schedule my RPG time to suit the group, so I'd
have solo-games DMed for me, often as i did other work.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
XP
for repartee? Heh, the influence of Jack Vance is quite obvious here,
Gary. But I'm not sure of Cugel would've gotten much for clear thinking
;-)
Gray Mouser
But imagine the awards Cugel would receive for amusing the GM!!!
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh, true enough. Speaking of Vancian Role-Playing, I was wondering if you've ever played the Dying Earth
RPG? I personally have not, although from what I have read about it the
game sounds like it would be a fun time if you had a group of Vance
fans playing.
Gray Mouser
Hi 'Mouser,
Regretably I haven't had the chance to see, let alone play, the
Dying Earth
RPG. Not many GMs hereabouts, and it's a foregone conclusion I haven't
the time to manage a new game system and run a campaign...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey Gary, I picked up my first issue of Dungeon
last year when Rob published an updated version of Maure Castle. It
credits both Rob and yourself for the adventure but I was wondering if
you had gotten a chance to revisit the place of Mordenkainen's
petrification with said Archmage and his comapanions or if you simply
helped Rob update the manuscript but didn't engage in any play testing.
BTW, the "Swords and Sorcery - in Wargaming" essay was quite good. Glad
they republished it as I was 3 when it first appeared :-)
Gray Mouser
As you likely suspected, I reviewed the ms.
but didn't do any play-testing. Actually, considering Rob's veteran
status, not much of that sort of thing is needed.
Glad you enjoyed the essay. I suppose you weren't much into wargaming when it was originally published 8-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel, I was just thinking. My first D&D adventure in The Keep on the Borderlands
still has a place in my memory. Do you recall your first D&D
adventure? The PC you used? The setting/scenario? How about the first
time Mordenkainen was taken out for a spin? Any recollections there?
Gray Mouser
Well,
My first PC was a fghter named Yrag, back in 1972. Mordenkainen came
into being about the first month of 1973. That's about all that I can
recall with any level of certainly. I was very much engrossed in game
creation then, devising mechanics and writing rules and in between time
making dungeon levels and populating them for the ever-growing group of
players I had continually knocking on the door for adventure sessions.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
A couple of Chainmail questions:
When the combat tables say "1 die per man", do they mean 1 die per man
(20 dice per figure) or 1 die per figure (1 die per 20 men)? (I've known
people to interpret it both ways.)
Read "man" as "figure" and you have it. One die is just that...
[QUOTE]Under Heroes, does "They have the fighting ability of four
figures" mean that they are equivalent to 4 men or 80 men?[QUOTE]
Heroes are used only in Man-to-Man play, so one is equal to four normal men.
I understand that hero v. hero would be resolved on the Fantasy
Combat Table. Hero v. normal forces would be resolved on the regular
Combat Table. (The hero being classed as heavy foot, armored foot, light
horse, &c. as fit the particular hero.) But were heroes & other
things from the Fantasy Supplement ever used with the man-to-man rules?
If so, how?
i am quite at a loss to answer that, as the Hero and all the
other Fantasy supplement figures were employed only in the play of
Man-to-Man games, never in the mass system where one figure equalled 20.
OK, that was three questons...
"I've answered three questions,
and that is enough..."
Cheers,
Gary (alias Charles Dodson)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tuzenbach
Of
course! As a matter of fact, I very rarely assigned shields to my
characters. I always meant for them to have a sort of a roguish flavor. I
mean, if you look at movies like "Krull" and such, NONE of the "good
guys" had shields or helmets or even plate mail. Thus, I tried to follow
suit whenever possible. Armour heavier/bulkier than normal chain I
tended to shun. Plus, there's just so much more you can do shieldless
than shield-burdened.
In any event, the Drow in question was (and still is!) a
Fighter/Assassin. Stealth is crucial. Can't climb walls, move silently,
hide in shadows, etc. shielded.
Only in the movies. while
berserkers might have gotten by with such foolishness, once warfare
became as organized as it had been before the Dark Ages, the value of
armor was fully understood. the Swiss Pikemen had littlesave for front
rank men, but their weapons kept opponents at bay, their crossbowmen
keeping enemy missile units occupied.
Erm, what? Are you referring to the "off-hand" attack? I took the
Drow's ambidexterity to mean they had NO off-hand and, thus, no off-hand
penalty.
Does anyone use common sense? Even an ambidextrous person can't hammer two nails at the same time with equal skill...
Ah, if only that'd been in the rulebooks, I would have had a better childhood! ;-)
The game if for thinking folks, eh ;-)
You mean .01% of his life, surely. There I go again, rules-lawyering
like a madman. Actually, I had only meant for this muti-speed thing to
be a sort of "secret weapon". Afterall, where was he to get replacements
for the spent potions on a regular basis? Hence, it was only ever used
once.
Yuppers, my bad. I had the wish spell in mind, a 10-year aging
effect. and single-use with a year lost would not be a factor to any
adventurous, long-lived demi-human, I agree,
FWIW, I had worked the rules that mulit-speed (and/or haste) would equate to quadrupling the years of life lost. Thus:
1 potion = 1 year lost
2 potions = 4 years lost
3 potions = 16 years lost
Etc..............
Just say NO to over-potioning!
The bottom line was, if you had the years to spare and/or a healthy
supply of potions of longevity/elixirs of life, this was the "secret
weapon" for you. Or for me, anyway. The real tricky bit was figuring out
how to store 9-score darts on your person!
As for the latter, any PC that had such a thing in my campaign
would have been continually besieged with parties of NPC adventurers
and monsters seeking to loot his store of potions.
In regards the darts, as the DM i'd have suggested that the PC with them was in "porcupine mode," darts feathers outwards X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by johnsemlak
Gary
Was it your choice to include references to Baba Yaga in the 1e
DMG? Was it intended for her to be a historical figure on Greyhawk? Was there any particular reason for the choice?
Short answer :-)
I liked Baba Yaga since i was age three and my mother read stories about her to me from
Jack & Jill magazine. So all references to said legendary Russian witch were directly from me. She appears in three forms in the
Lejendary Pantheons work, all of them demi-deital.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh, not that my parents have ever mentioned :-P
I have played both "Axis and Allies", "Conquest of the Empire" and
Avalon Hill's "The War of the Ring." Those are probably the closest I
have come to wargaming in my day. Out of the three "Conquest of the
Empire" was probably the most fun as I really enjoyed the ancient
civilization period it was set in.
Gray Mouser
Those aren't board wargames amigo. Real wargamers have played
Drang Nacht Osten
for a few weeks before giving up, or else know and play 20 Avalon Hill
Company military game titles and have a collection of SPI games (never
played usually).
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
Ah good, we are back to food and drink...
...to link back to my earlier question, I would recomend Newcastle Brown
Ale, not too hard to find here in the States, and from Northumberland,
home of St. Cuthbert and not far from his remains at Durham
I am actually going to be using Homlet (again) in the campaign, and have made this the official ale for our game ;-)
Not only have I had a few pints of Newcastle, but I've enjoyed a
variety of real ales locally brewed in the pubs of Old Blighty X-D
Most of my group have to drive some distance home after a game session,
so we don't get to enjoy much in the way of good brews when we
play...and when I drink alone i prefer to be by myself ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Darrin
Gary,
I haven't really played DnD all that long, I started just a few months
before 3.5 came out. Anyhow, the last game I participated in was
Greyhawk, utilizing 3.5 rules mixed with the old Greyhawk setting. I
was particularly fond of the Flan set of humans, as they were a unique
blend of Native American culture and celtic. I found that the Flan were
the oldest in the Greyhawk Setting, yet they seemed to have the least
information on them. The best I found was the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer,
and even that was skimpin on the details. Why is it that the oldest
people in Greyhawk have the least information? Is there anyway I can
get a good background of them. Also, I noticed that the LGG had samples
of different languages, yet I did not see an example of the Flan
language. Would that be because, like the Navajo, they had no written
language. Any expanding on this topic that you can do will me most
helpful.
Or -- anyone else for that matter.
Lost in Greyhawk, Darrin
I have had no input in regards to the WoG since 1985, so you will need to direct your comments and questions to wizards.
I can say that the Flan were not meant to be anything like the American
Indians. they were of Hamatic-like racial origin, Negroes if you will.
Little is known of them because they were generally absorbed into the
waves of other peoples immigrating eastwards through the continent, so
their culture was generally lost.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dead
Dear Gary,
If you won a million, trillion, squillion dollars and purchasing back
the rights to D&D was just a drop in the ocean, would you:
a) Not even bother buying back the rights for D&D. That's behind you
now. You would use all your money to promote and publish LA.
b) Buy back the rights and personally author the 4th edition the way *you* think it should be.
c) Buy back the rights and act as a consultant/creative director but otherwise focus on LA.
d) Buy back the rights but leave it unchanged.
Also, what would you do with GH if you bought back the rights. Would you:
1) Dump it as a setting. It's seen its time.
2) Dump all material after you left and begin again from the '83 boxed set.
3) Acknowledge
WotC/TSR's "canon" version and take it up from there.
I'm very interested to hear your comments.
Thank you.
X-D X-D X-D
That is just the sort of useless speculation I never waste my time with.
There isn't one chance in a million of anything like that happening, so
why expend precious time and thought energy on the subject? That wont
be hapening with me, as I have so many positive and actual creative
things to work on :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mistere29
Somwhere in the
DMG
is a chart that has age modifers for demi-humans. The gist of it is
that magical aging assumes a human life span. If a race lives twice as
long as humans, for example, then all aging effects are doubled.
Plus there is always the system shock roll.
Considering
the lifespan gor humans subsumed in the game, even an adjusted loss of
longevity for use of speed potion is minimal. As for use of system
shock, I never employed that foe the consumption of potions. In a
magical milieu, only a misbrewed potion would be likely to have ill
effects on the one quaffing it ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MrFilthyIke
Kinda the definition of drinking alone ;-)
Well, I'll usually invite Jack Daniels to join me...
That was one of my favorite tunes of the 80s, of course 8-D
Skoal,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Semah G Noj
Hello Gary :-)
My ex-girlfriend's son and I met you at Milwaukee Gamefest the last two
years and you signed his dice box for him. (He insists that all dice
contained within roll better.) He had a small plastic container filled
with about 100 tiny D6's, which you grabbed and pretended to be about to
roll on the table to see how many 6's would come up. It's his favorite
story to tell other gamers. So if you've done nothing else in this
world, you brought joy to a 13 year old on that day and ensured his
continuing gaming for years to come, and for that he and I both thank
you.
And then I realize I have no question. :-P
Heh,
All right!
cheerio,
Gary
As the father of six children i confess to really liking yinglings. I am
very happy I made the lad's day and gave him something fun to both play
and talk about :-D
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
That's a great link X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
The last time in London, I went to the "Churchill Arms", they pulled a good pint, but the locals came for the Thai food 8-D
I realy enjoy the country pubs, and a pub lunch is a great time for me.
For all who can go, try the Old fire Station in ely for dinner B-)
For those in the Santa Monica, CA ares, try the king's Head Pub for both a black & tan and some pub food.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Speaking of which, your name is still on the PHB. Shouldn't you be getting royalties or something? (^_^')
In my settlement and separation from TSR all those rights were signed
over to them for deravitve works as they defined them. 2E was by that
definition a derivative, so other that a straight reprint of OAD&D
falls into that category.
The short answer is no (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh,
I know! Like I said, I was 3 when the "Swords & Sorcery in
Wargaming" essay was published :-) I'm a young one, I guess, although
when it comes to AD&D/D&D I still consider myself a grognard.
Gray Mouser
Anyone who has playedfor 10 or more years is likely entitled to that distinction ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Gary,
I am very glad to see you're doing well and still plugging away on the
creative front. I look forward to purchasing the Castle Zagyg series as
it is released. :-D
Good thing I managed to get that
done before the health problems struck, as the module is a very thorough
one that took a lot of work to complete. I do hope you enjoy it. with a
capable GM the contents should keep a group happily engaged in
adventuring for many, many months.
My name is Michael and I had emailed back and forth with you a
couple of years ago from AOL (Hint: Red 1/4 was my screen name there).
Anyway, I wanted to say thanks for responding to the emails and really
helping me out, minor though it may seem to be.
That was a awhile back indeed...
Of course, if you need anything edited, my offer is still open.
;-) It looks like that won't be necessary though, because I have most
of the Gygaxian series of books from Troll Lord and they are wonderful.
I cannot wait to complete the set.
What with the aid of o coule of stalwarts and the TLG staff,
and a little after-creation checking from me, things have indeed
improved in regards editing. another set of eyes is always good, though,
and you might want to contact Hekaforge and the trolls.
Sadly, I could not convince my players to try LA as they are set in
their 3/3.5E D&D ways. :\ I did take a lot of your advice from
prior writings though and removed myself from a gaming group where every
get-together was a sparring session with a rules-lawyer. We still get
together with her and her family, we just won't play RPG's there any
more. >:-)
Ah well, I believe they are missing out on the
real FRPG experience, that like the OA/D&D one, but no one can
argue with preference in gaming. If tyou are ever in the Lake Geneva
area be sure and let me know, stop by and we'll play some LA...although
currently the group is engaged in pure OD&D action :-o
I continue to pray for your health and wellness. FWIW, I do hope
someday D&D will come back to its founder -- through (mis)adventures
just as positive as the 80's ones were negative -- so it can be set
aright (in the opinions of some of us grognards!). I still game in 576
+/- CY WoG and enjoy the skeleton you gave us DM's in 1983 . I hope
some pro-Gygax fan hits the lottery as mentioned earlier by dead in his post -- just to wrench D&D away from Hasbroken and put it in safe hands once again.
I can use all the prayers offered on my behalf, and I thank you kindly!
Don't hold your breath in regards to a return of the original game, as
it's most improbable. the C&C system from the Trolls is about as
close as is ever likely to come to the original material.
Okay, here's my question:
When Francois drafted his OA manuscripts, was it in his plans (or yours)
to create a continent on Oerth where the "orient" would exist or was he
seeking to create a new continent/setting to be created all on its own?
I was wondering if Kara-Tur (which was set on Oerth originally,
IIRC,
because I set it east of Oerik across the Solnor Ocean from the North
Province) was an idea created by you, Francois, or Zeb Cook.
Thanks again for creating a fantastic hobby.
Michael / Zudrak
Well Michael...
Francois had a map of a continent and some islands to the east, and they
were going to be added. The "Orient" wes actually to be past them,
closer to the West Coast of Oerik.
Zeb took advantage of my being absolutely engrossed in the business
affairs of TSR at the time--I was doing my best to keep the company from
being forced into receivership, and i succeeded--but he managed to sink
Francois' material and use only his own during that time.
BTW, Len Lakofka had an eastern continental addition as well as the
Lendore Isles, so what Iplanned to so was incorporate Francois' and
Len's maps with Oerik, complete the lower continent below it, and have a
real globe X-D
So much for plans.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Voadam
. . . and his buddy Jimmy Bean.
Would "Just so," be an appropriate response, or would "FAT!" be better?
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MrFilthyIke
I see Skoal, and think of chewing tobacco. Tried it once. Decided being ill
wasn't very fun and went about my business. (^_^')
Wehn
I was about 12 I got the idea that football linemen chewed tobacco, so
when I was playing left tackle I took a chaw and got hit really hard. Of
course I swallowed the damn stuff and was sick for three days. Ever
since the thought of chewing tobacco turns my stomach :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MrFilthyIke
Those two are common companions in adventure. ;-)
I take southern comfort in that...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Too
true. Because of a transfer, a layoff, and a shattered clavicle (ice
hockey injury!), my online life diminished for a few years there. Now, I
feel like it has been turned from stone to flesh!
Good to learn that you've recovered!
A good chunk of your missive cut in interest of time....
I will say that I have recruited every one of my six children to the
gaming hobby, and it stuck on half of them, the three boys ;-)
You got it. Too many of us Christians talk the talk, but I think a
lot of us have to "bring it" if we really want to change the world.
(small tangent/parable) That reminds me of a preacher I heard say that a
woman complained that Christianity doesn't work because of the
suffering and discord in the world. He replied that soap must have
failed because there's still plenty of b.o. in the world. Her response
was, "No, you have to use it." His answer? So it is with Christianity.
We have to use it. :-D (end tangent)
I just read an article regarding the positive effect of faith and prayer in regards to surviving illness and healing.
Oh yeah -- any chance we'll see a reprint of the Gord books? I know
the graphic novels were shelved, but I was hoping to see Gord
re-printed. If not, I plan on finishing my collection through ebay and
Amazon sources.
Michael / Zudrak
the powers that be at
Dragon
Magazine have asked me to pen a gord the rogue short story, and I hope
within the next few months to get to that. When I have, i'll then see
about finding a publisher that would be interested in reprinting all
seven of the books in hardback form. If those sell well, a new paperback
edition can follow.
I had agreed to a deal where the books were to be done as graphic
novels, but sadly the terrible conditions in the comic and graphic novel
market have squelched the arrangement :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, how much of a skeptic are you regarding paranormal stuff (ghosts, psychic powers, astrology, the occult, etc)?
I for one am a complete skeptic. Reality is one thing, and FRPGs are
another. The only ghosts, spells, telepathy, etc. I've ever encountered
have been in fantasy games. If such things were real, why doesn't
someone cast even the equivalent of a mere first-level spell (not to
speak of ninth-level spells)? A ring of invisibility would come in handy
as well. X-D
(Of course, I'm not asking about religious beliefs here.)
Well...
I am not skeptical about poltergeist phenomina and ghosts, because I
have experienced both. Also I have had a psychic experience, cognition
of something hapening at a distance from me, sight from a distance of
about six feet above my head, and two possible astral projection
experiences. The potential of the 90% of the brain we con't use is
unjknown, /eh?
I don't believe in astrology, magic, or any of the rest of the "occult," though. I am skeptical and it is in my view pure hokum.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
You know Gary, the more I learn about you the more it becomes obvious that you are a real class act. Sincerely.
Gray Mouser
That is a very kind thing to say :-)
The fact is, though, that I love children, and I remember well being
just a sprout, so I can still relate. That I have seven grandchildren, a
couple now officially adults, helps a lot too...Just call me "Gaffer"
(^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
I
have been to England a couple of times and did enjoy the pub food quite
a bit. I was just wondering if you'd ever been to the Eagle and Child
(aka "the Bird and the Babe")? It's the pub where C.S. Lewis, J.R.R.
Tolkien and their friends used to hang out. Over in Oxford,
IIRC.
Gray Mouser
Sadly no. My one foray to Oxford from
Cambridge was only for a tour of the place, and we dodn't have time to
visit a single pub :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey
Gary, I was just wondering something about the adventure ideas that you
included in the Greyhawk boxed set (Werewolves of Menowood, the Mist
Golem, Jungle of Lost Ships, etc.). Were any these scenarios ever played
in your campaign? (They seem like a great bunch,
imho, and I have been thinking of adapting a couple for my online game.)
Gray Mouser
We never did play them, and when the World of
Greyhawk left my perview, I was not about to base any work on what was
contained therein, so those springboards are virgin territory.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
... Surely you wouldn't consider retrofitting Gord into Wizards' current "canonical" Greyhawk!?
Heaven Forefend!
Should I actually write another gord short story, it will be set in the
City of Greyhawk and recount an adventure with some shady associate of
his from that time in his youthful manhood.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
...
...
So, did you have any input into C&C? I did not see your name in the
credits, but were you involved at all in its creation. Because it
sounds like this is the direction D&D should go in if ever they want
to do a 4th edition. I love the fact that combat and preparation times
are MUCH shorter. Hallelujah, I can get free of the clutches of
"crunch". :-D
Thanks, Gary.
Michael
Only in the negative, sich as: If you include that
kind of crap in the system I'll write the Castle Zagyg material for a
plain generic one, and that sort of thing. I did muscle in some skill
bundle material that is usable optionally--it appears in the CZ,
Yggsburgh, work. Of couirse, i tend to generally ignore rules these
days, once I know the general mechanics and spirit of a system, who
needs rules? Dire emergencies such a blanking out of memory excluded, as
are carefully prepared adventures for home use or module publication
;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
Wow,
only 10 years? I that would include me, although I didn't start
playing D&D until well into the 2e years, and I don't consider
myself one of the grognards.
No matter the edition,
someone puts in 10 years of dedicated gaming, and is still having at it
and lovng it, that one is a grognard :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Garnfellow
Gary,
Are you in contact with Frank Mentzer? Is he still gaming?
Howdy!
Yes indeed, Frank and I remain in contact, although it has been several months since I last saw him.
Frank is a most successful businessman nowadays. He and his wife Debbie
own a splendid bakery in Minoqua, Wisconsin--about four hours drive
straight north from here in Lake Geneva. He is planning to expand into
other locations this year, likely.
Anyway, he does still manage to do some gaming and online chatting I
believe, despite his very busy schedule. Of course Frank does the
massive Gencon auction--see him there.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
Any chance you would be able to revise the nomenclature in the novels to make them consistent with Greyhawk? I hope
WotC
will not complain if you manage to reprint the first two that were
published under TSR' brand neither will ask you to take off the
references to Greyhawk, like the latter ones.
That isn't
exactly accurate. First, I own all the Gord material, including the two
books published by TSR. Second, there was an agreement with TSR
regarding use of names from their copyrighted work, and the wording is
in the five later Gord novels.
That said, I have no interest in altering the names that appear in any of the seven books.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Gary,
Besides the typical game-related paraphernalia (DM notes, maps, pictures
of rooms a la "Tomb of Horrors" or the Barrier Peaks Expedition), have
you used or do you use other props, etc. to accentuate your
role-playing? I never have, but I was wondering if there was precedent
for it.
Thanks!
I usually don't use any other props, but once in a
while I will slip something in if I think it will liven things up. The
exploding scroll tube is a good example of what I mean.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Please tell me you have a good story behind that. I hope I didn't miss or forget it in Dragon... That sounds hilarious.
Well....
It's nothing arcane, just an actual wooden tube with an end you can rig
so that something about as loud as a cap explored when the tube is
opened. The joke backfired on me, though, as son Alex was aware of what I
was up to, so he rigged the tube before I did. when I went to set it
up...BANG! >:-)
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jodjod
:-o Wow, Gary Gygax...THE guy who seems to be, y'know the father of
the D&D game. Kinda suprised he has time to answer questions on
online forums...he must be the most in-demand DM ever. No questions from
me (yet!) just thought i'd say hi to the coolest guy old enough to be a
pensioner. Ever. :-P
I always thought Albert Einstein was the model for rockin' old dudes :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
X-D
Ah, kids.
Gray Mouser
He comes by it naturally.
I double loaded a cigar of my father's, and it was a good thing for me that I was not around when the second one went off...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary, I have a question for you regarding combat, specifically the charge.
IMO,
it owuld seem that the only people being able to attack/get attacked at
the end of a charge would be the first rank. However, I suppose it
would be possible for the first rank to continue their advance
(supposing they survived, that is) and the second and following ranks
could attack as well. The
DMG doesn't specify regarding this, saying simply that:
The following note on
Melee at the End of Charge doesn't specify either. I was hoping you could give a young, non-war gamer a hand :-)
Gray Mouser
Most RPGs are not meant to be cmbat suimulations, and that is true of AD&D.
A pike charge (advance at full formed movement rate) will have four
ranks attacking the front rank of the defender. They will have four
ranks countering if the defenders are likewise pikemen. Otherwise, the
front rank attacks the front rank, with the charging attackers moving
into space left by wounded/killed drfenders, and second rank attackers
moving up as well to attack still standing defenders.
The rest really depends on the rules being used, return attacks and morale checjs.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ourph
Hey Gary. I hope all is well with you.
I have been pondering over the question of what makes a "good" RPG
player. Not necessarily what makes for a "skilled" RPG player, but what
traits someone should have to make gaming with them a good and
rewarding experience. There are a few obvious ones and some definite
traits which would undoubtedly exclude someone from the ranks of good
players, but I'd be interested in your views (and any tales you might
have to relate) on what attributes a good player brings to the table.
And Frank, since you're here too, I'd love to hear your opinion as well.
Thanks both! :-)
A most subjective question...
About all I care to venture here is that a good RPGer has the following traits:
Extroverted in regards playing
Knowledge of the genre and his character's role
Playing to have fun with comrades
Pays attention to the GM
Knows and enjoys many things outside of gaming
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tav_Behemoth
Frank, it's good to see you here! Hope you'll continue to grace us with your wisdom.
Gary, I wanted to ask you about one of the recommended & inspirational authors in Appendix N of the
DMG: Fredrick Brown. You didn't list any specific works by him, and the writing I know of his is either light comic SF like
Martians, Go Home or mystery novels; neither seems directly relevant to D&D.
Were you thinking of stories Brown wrote in a more sword & sorcery
vein, and if so could you give me some pointers where to look for it?
(On a related note, I just got my hands on copies of the
Swords Against Darkness
anthologies and discovered the Kardios stories by Manly Wade Wellman,
which are a more direct D&D inspiration than the John the Balladeer
tales he's better known for nowadays. Fun stuff!)
Sorry,
But I refuse to go into the basement and search the stacks there for old
Fredic Brown paperbacks :-P Thinking back some 35 years or so, I
seem to recall a book he wrote, a compilation of short stories titled
Nightmares & Geezenstacks.
"John the Balladeer"? Ah, you are referring to Wellman's
Odd John protagonist ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel,
I recently reread an old write up that Rob Kuntz did on Robilar. In it
Rob lists Robilar's race/ethnicity as Oeridian. Did you ever determine
which human ethnicity Mordenkainen and Bigby were? I know the gazeteer
says that pure racial stock in the Flanaess is pretty rare for humans,
but I was just curious.
Gray Mouser
Actually, no, I never really worried aboiut
the ethnic origination of my human PCs. I would assume that Mordenkainen
would be mainly of Oeridian stock and that Bigby is from Flan-Suloise
background.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tav_Behemoth
That's plenty to go on, thanks! What a great title - I can't wait to hunt it down.
If it makes you feel better on those occasions when your basement floods
and you have to go sump it out, keep it in mind that the stacks therein
are a trove of wondrous treasures which will be cherished by future
historians!
Heh...
There are books stacked in ther attic, first floor, ground floor, and
the basement here. Some belonged to distant cousins, some to close
relatives, but the majority are those i have acquired. My wife suggests
the lot might be donated to a special library after I shuffle off this
mortal coil. I think I should have a large pyramid burial with all my
stuff packed inside with me 8-D
Jesting, of course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mark_j
Gary,
I know you are not really keen about answering rules-specific
questions, but I was hoping you would honor me with your input on this
matter:
OAD&D surprise and missile weapon rate-of-fire:
Grognard the ranger is lying in wait for a group of 6 orcs. He has his
trusty longbow at the ready. When the orcs come within short range of
his bow, he leaps from cover and makes a successful suprise roll of 1 on
the d6, giving him 1 segment of surprise. Now for the question: How
many arrows can Grognard fire at the orcs in his surprise segment? Is
it the rate of fire tripled as I interpret from the
DMG
(giving Grognard 6 shots and the opportunity to slay the entire party
of orcs)? Or is the intended interpetation something else?
Thanks for your insight.
Mark
No tripled fire. The ROF for a longbow is 2 per
segment, so he looses two shafts, then might get off two more before the
orcs can respond.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tav_Behemoth
Sounds good to me - you will, no doubt, rise as a demilich if any of these fabulous artifacts are disturbed :-)
Heh...
Actually, I would be far more disturbed if the books are not used for
some good purpose--information, reading enjoyment, whatever ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
That's
a better idea than the funeral pyre a la "Rocket Gibraltar", I guess.
Besides, all those books would take eons to burn out! :-o
Of course, the crying of us gamers that lost said books would last even longer...
So, Gary, how goes the writing of our favorite castle?
It goeth nowhere...
But I am doing well on a developmental edit of the third book in the
Lejendary Earth
world setting series, seeing to more volumes in the "Gygaxian Fantasy
World" reference book line, as well as seeing to various other business
concerns.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wolv0rine
When
the time finally comes (may it be far, far off) I think someone with
loads of cash should build an E. Gary Gygax Museum designed with the
Random Dungeon Generator from the 1E
DMG. ;-)
Now there's an idea X-D A subterranean fun house, where the
"treasures" gained from succeeding in getting past the encounters would
be viewing exhibits with my stuff on display, maybe a pic of the
"victor" doing so as proof of success.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Krieg
Gary, there is an auction on eBay currently for what the purported first PHB ever sold.
The auction claims the following...
Is there any chance that you can confirm the validity of the story & the pedigree of the book in question?
Thanks!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MakeTrack=true
All I can say is that I know Tim Jardini. I'll send the URL of this
thread to my son Ernie to see if he can confirm or deny the
authenticity.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Aw, man. Is that because it's all done? (^_^')
If I am going to be harassed, I'll just forget about the whole thing...
Double heh (heh-heh). :-P
I am a big fan of the GFW reference books. I have 4 so far and they
are great reads -- let alone great tools for the DM/GM/CK. Anyone who
wants some serious assistance in bringing their campaign to life (like I
did) would find them most useful.
My Castles & Crusades PHB should arrive tomorrow. I cannot wait.
My next target purchase is the Yggsburgh resource for Castle Zagyg
(*cough Greyhawk cough*).
How often do you and Rob Kuntz communicate regarding the CZ project?
There will be about 12 books in the GFW series when it's
completed, and all should be as useful to those creating fantasy
material as as encyclopedias to students ;-)
Rob and I have exchanged a goodly number of emails and a few phone calls
regarding the CZ project. Right now, though, things are quiet, as I
need to send along m,aterial and I am not sufficiently energized to
spend the several weeks of intense concentration and long hours of
keybpadring to prepare it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Gary,
First up, I'm a big fan. I've just been reading through some of your old
modules, and I'm gearing up to run my newish players through Keep on
the Borderlands. It'll be interesting to see how these
3e folks handle 1e characters! So thanks for the game, and thanks for all of the inspiration!
Happy to have been of service.
Secondly, you ruined my life! Everyone else talks about how D&D
made them better readers, better at math, better at school, etc. But I
was an A+ student before I discovered D&D. After that, my grades
took a dive, and now I'm ekeing out a "living" as a freelance writer.
Curse you, Gary Gygax! (No, I love you, really. Just don't let my mum
catch you!)
Indeed, my influence on you has been bad if you have ended up as a freelancer in gaming--sure starvation 8-D
Anyway, because we must ask a question, and because I'm a morbid fellow:
What's the most memorable character death you've seen in all your years of gaming?
That's not something i keep track of. To me the loss of a PC
is either well-deserved in the case of bad play or else very sad when
the character was well-played but fate was against that one.
The one PC death I remember vividly is whan my own, Yrag, threw himself
on his sword because of wretched DMing. The direction was so terrible
that I was willing to never play again in a campaign run by that
individual. The two other players with PCs took Yrag's corpse with them,
had him raised despite my protests.
Also, what's up with the Thoul? It's a pretty bizarre creature, and I've always wondered what it's genesis was.
What's so bizarre about a ghoul troll? They just are not in
ther general undead pantheon, if you will, but they make great monsters
that paralyize and regenerate and are much tougher to turn that are
ghouls or even ghasts.
One more: how do you pronounce Gygax?
Asked and answered many a time, even in this chapter of the
Q&A thread, but I'll do so once more. Auf Switzer Deutsch the name
is pronounced as "Ghe-gox." My branch of the family has Americanized it
to "Guy-gax."
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
how far do you think that a RPG can be modified and yet still remain
the same game? I've seen, for example, many published "magic systems"
out there that purport to be able to replace the magic systems in
various FRPGs. So, if someone were using the Lejendary Adventure
rulebooks to run a game, and kept the basic structure intact (combat,
movement, character creation, etc.), BUT replaced LA's entire magic
system with that of another, would you still consider it LA? Or would it
be another game?
Any substantial change--combat system or
magic system--makes the game entirely different in regards its play,
even though legaly it is a deravitive of the original.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
All
of them, which was kind of my point. The Thoul, as far as I know,
debuted in the Moldavay Basic set. At least I haven't found it in my
perusal of the OD&D pamphlets, anyway.
Right, but not the Thoul... :-)
Gray Mouser
Pardon...
The thoul was listed in the encounter tables of OD&D but nowhere described ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by weasel fierce
Of
curiosity, as it appears you have made somewhat of a move from
rules-heavy (or maybe more accurately, heavily defined, such as AD&D
and Mythus), to light and rules-easy (your own D&D game, you speak
of, as well as LA).
Did anything in particular bring around this change, or was it always
there, and you just offered more detail for those who wanted (enough
rope to hang from..)
It is sort of interesting, as I have known many gamers go through
seemingly the same phases. First they play the basics, then they add
tons of detail, options and "crunch", and eventually many fall back to a
"barebones" gaming approach.
Cheers
Ivan
Hi Ivan!
The answer to the above is a general yes (^_^')
I did go from bare bones to much fleshier creations. A good part of that
development was to enable otherrs to manage or feelk happy with. The DJ
Mythus system was the culmination of that, and I never played it with
all the rules. It was designed to function on about 20% of the entrie
mechanics and rules offered.
When I wrote the LA game system I decided to keep it as lean as
possible, leave details desired by one or another GM up to them, just
include what was necessary to generally run the same game system, what
could be applied for the mlst part to other genres as well.
In short, I wrote the game pretty much the way I enjoy GMing or
playing...except for all the combat modifiers that i generaly ignore
even when I am, running a dungepn crawl X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooo........... ............
It seems I HAVE been mispronouncing Gary's name for 17 years.
So... what's my penance? A commensurate amount of time inside the Tomb of Horrors?
Hah!
I say that several hours of listening to my puns and shaggy dog stories
would suffice, but most others would call it cruel and unusual
punishment...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Bah! I scoff!
Nobb of the Shadows, halfling thief extraordinaire, BEAT the Tomb of Horrors. With some minor aid from his boon companions.
* POSES MAJESTICALLY *
He did lose a finger, though.
So your younger brother was the DM, right?
X-D
True story in the vein suggested. My then yougest child, son Luke, was
made the DM by two of his older sisters, Heidi and Cindy. They would
"suggest" the monsters encountered and then dictate the sort of treasure
they found after slaying them. He was about age 7 then, and finally he
came to me and asked if the whole matter wasn't somehow wrong. I sat him
down and explained the correct role of DM to players and their
characters. Both of my younger daughters were most distraught when Luke
took charge, and their PCs fled from the encounter he staged. Sadly,
that pretty well ended their interest in playing too...
Cheers.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
...
So, Gary, how goes the writing of our favorite castle?
I'd missed this post and the one from Sir Elton, but they were called to my attention :-o
There is no progress on the castle upper works and dungeons, for I find
that all of my energy is being consumed by management of routine
business, creative, and personal demands--the latter including email and
board posts such as those made here.
The bright spot for me is that I am able to work several hours a day
now, so I hope to be able to spend a couple of hours a day in heavy
creative effort soon. As I have often stated, writing modules is a
tremendously demanding thing for me, with all my thought and attention
focused on the work in progress.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
Gary,
1st. I was looking through the D&D Cyclopaedia, and I noticed that
gem dragons were a fixture for D&D. Did you like the "old" versions
of Gem Dragons?
Well, as that isn't my work, I can't comment. I never used gem dragons at all, you see ;-)
2nd. I've also noticed that I can get inspiration for campaigns from
anywhere. I was thinking of doing a bibical movie epic-style campaign
(drawing on the worlds of Ben Hur and Ruth, with a lot of influence from Clash of the Titans
[I highly recommend this movie for your five year old, everyone!]).
What I'm wondering is beside literary sources, did you take any
inspiration from Celluoid Films and T.V.?
Absolutely, as the
Isle of the Ape
module should indicate X-D The written word has always been my main
source for inspiration, but I too find it in many places, including
film, television, and real-life experiences.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Uh... I retract my earlier statment. :-o
I'm free Saturdays if you want to dictate over the phone. I type pretty
fast for a guy! That could cut down your keyboarding. Then you could
dictate from your porch while you sip some tea and catch some rays.
:-) Just a thought...
Free?
I am never free, always EXPENSIVE! 8-D
I appreciate the offer, and I once did a lot of dictation, but never for creative work.
If you ever had the change (ill fortune) to be around and watch me at
work on a module project, you'd see how I create a map, indicate
encounters thereon, write some details the latter, then add to map
information, revise encounter details, and so forth. It always amazes me
how I can forget to put in necessary information in each encounter,
even when I have done fo for the first dozen, so that I discover in
checking #13 that I omitted something that should have been supplied to
the GM.
It is so tedious to remember all the minor, but necessary, details. how I
do enjoy winging a dungeon crawl with nothing but a map and the sort of
encounter noted, creating all the other details on the spot!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Gary,
if it comes down to chewing the fat with us, or working on Castle Z.,
I'm sure we'd understand if you needed to get work done. :-D Then
again, I also know how hard it is to stop talking about gaming with
friends and getting back to work, too... ;-)
Well Dang!
Henry, you've caught me dead to rights, having fun instead of a-workin' (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Ebay Auction Item
Krieg,
Here is what Ernie emailed in response to my query:
"Father it does sound like me breaking the rules and selling items before
the chains could have them on the shelf. I liked Tim and would have
thought up the gimmick of letting him have the 1st one sold! You don't
know how hard it was to get $$$ out of Tim's hands and now it has come
around for him as a fine investment (as well as all the play he received
from it). The autograph does in fact look like yours and since we were at
723 Williams St. it would have been just a walk up the stairs to get your
official statement."
As for my part, I can say that surely is my sig ;-)
Consensus: This is the real thing.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Yuppers, only clerics do not have spell books, they pray for their spells.
Quick question about the way you're currently running OD&D: Without concidering supplementary material, and after reading the FAQ from The Strategic Review;
I tend to give every creature (PC, monster or otherwise) a number of
attacks per round equal to their Hit Dice. This gives a Superhero 8
attacks, with a +1 on the last attack, etc.. Do you do the same?
No, as that makes for to much dice rolling. One attack is the norm.
Also: Do all of your OD&D games take place in/around Castle Greyhawk, or have you made many other dungeons (of like size) for your regular game?
I have only the 40 or so levels of the original Caslte
Greyhawk for A/D&D play. I am using seven of them in a separate
format for this particular mini-campaign. In play-testing the
Well of Shadows
LA game adventure, my veteran players found the number of levels, seven
therein, about as demanding and intense as enjoyable. Seven dungeon
levels for a crawl is about twice that number in a formal module, so I
know I have plenty of material to keep the group delving.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
...
Still, I find it ironic that the drow (dark elves) became so attached to
Lolth after that. My question is, did you ever plan a different series
of Drow themed modules after this one?
Indeed, I planed to
use the dwow as villainous antagonists in many an adventure into the
fastness of the Underdark. such is life that sometimes plans gang aglay.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Gary,
Reading some of your old modules recently, I noticed that you very
rarely set out adventures in a plot-based fashion. The 'bare bones'
approach can turn some people off, as it's very different than what the
adventure module eventually evolved into, but in many ways it makes a
module more easily adaptable. I was wondering, was this something you
were thinking of during the design process, or just a fortuitous
side-effect?
Plots are actually the business of the able
GM, not the module writer. thus, I initially wrote the adventures--most
of which have outsold all others by a huge margin--leaving the backstory
and motivation for PC involvement in the hands of the proper party.
More recently, I am writing longer adventure material, demi-campaign
length and longer, so for such mudules I am giving commensurately more
detailed background information.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
This may be a foolish question but...
Why "Col_Pladoh"?
Why not? :-P
Okay, seriously, it so happens that my favorite token in the
Clue
game was Colonel Mustard, I am a Colonel in the Honoroable Order of
Kentucky Colonels, and I am expected to answer questions as if I were a
Greek philosopher holding forth in a forum. Even though I don't take
gaming or myself very seriously, many folks expect me to, so the name is
meant to disabuse folks in reagrds my demeanor.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by weasel fierce
oAD&d question.
Did you ever consider changes to the monk to make him a little more
survivable (AC in particular being a problem), or is the intention that
the massive edges he gain later in play, will balance things out, for
his earlier hardships ?
No serious consideration was ever
given to any changes in the low-level stats for the monk character. As
with many classes, it just demanded some careful and cautious play to
have one survive until they were more viable in regards attack and
defense.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
This
is exactly the reason that the early modules, such as Keep on the
Borderlands, and the G and D series, stand up even today. They are not
tied into a "story" that makes it difficult for the Dungeon Master to
adapt to his campaign.
Truly, those modules should be packaged together as a textbook on
"Dungeon Designing 101." Ecologies, organization of opponents, treasure
placement, general "dungeon weirdness" are all perfectly presented and
would be very instructive for new Dungeon
Masters of any of the "versions" of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, including d20.
Well Gentlegamer,
Thanks for the good words :-)
There is a bit of discussion over on the Dragonsfoot boards about
teaching the art of Game Mastering, GMs being the key to the vitality of
the RPG hobby. I declined to discuss a course plan due to the time and
effort needed to create one of serious sort, including the reading list
for students. Perhaps your suggestion above is the first step towards
creating the latter :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
Esteemed Col.
I have a question which I think you may have addressed, but am not sure.
Recently, the issue of "Mind Flayers from Outer Space" arose in a
corespondance. Was it your intent that these where aliens of that sort.
Has it been alluded to in Expedition to the Barier Peaks (my copy is in
storage) or elsewhere?
And I always face high psychic start up costs on any writting project.
The amount of time I can spend in the office and not write (at least on
that big project) is amazing: though not so amazing when EnWorld is
factored in ;-)
No sir!
The Illithids were not meant to be extra-terrestrial in origination, rather marine and subterranean.
The best way to get a writing project started is to sit down and set to
work without ado 8-D Oops! I just blew the writers' best excuse for
goofng off... :\
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
OD&D again!
I changed my stance on "attacks per round equal Hit Dice" to mean "only
when fighting against creatures with 1 HD or less". Less dice rolling
and it actually seems to have been the norm on more carefully reading
the old '75 FAQ.
Anywho, I was just diving into a game of OD&D using just the 3 lil' booklets when I got confused. In Men & Magic it says your encumbrance affects movement with an example (6"/turn). That's easy to understand. Then, in The Underworld & Wilderness Adventures it says two moves constitute one turn, so a fully armored man can move 12" per turn. Huh? Which statment should be true and how far can one move in a combat round?
Break the turn into two parts, and that gives you a base move of 6",
right? So what's difficult about that :-P An armoored footman moves at
6", an unarmored one at 12", and partially armored ones at 9". That
translates pretty well as above ground movement as 1" = 10 yards and 1
movement turn as 1 minute of time. I reduced the rate to one-third for
underground action because of darkness and cramped conditions.
In all do not treat the RPG as a combat simulation game ;-)
I've received my Lejendary Adventure Essentials
set, but my head's so stuck in old-fashioned class rules that I'm
having a hard time of it. Don't worry, once I've gotten your first game
out of my system for a bit, I'll give your latest one a better try ;-)
The LA gasme system is skill-bundle based and rules light, so it
is the antithesis of any class-based system, but in regards rules it is
more like OD&D than AD&D or new D&D (for sure!)
If you want archetypes in the LA game system create an Avatar that is
Ordered, but if you want free-form character creation, just choose
Abilities (skill-bundles) that are what you want the Avatar to be able
to do. The system enables virtually unlimited character variation.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
That's 'agley', you dog. Yur tipoes is getin wurse. -- yer formur editter
Wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie,
O, what panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi' bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee,
Wi' murd'ring pattle!
[snip]
But Mousie, thou are no thy-lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!
Still, thou art blest, compar'd wi' me!
The present only toucheth thee:
But Och! I backward cast my e'e,
On prospects drear!
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear!
See All!
He, as is typical of editors everywhere, flaunts his nit-picking in the face of all >:-)
Just look at the verses he quotes full of dialectic and anachronistic
words and spellings. Not even a Scotsman could edit them these
days--better chance for them to play tennis :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
I know what you mean. I prefer my dark elves to be unseelie
folks, rather than bad mutha dominatrixes. That's why I was
considering replacing Lolth, or changing Lolth's role, with an unseelie
deity that would be Corellon's Opposite. After I ran it with the
original story, first. :-)
Your call as the DM, but...
The drow are an evil and malign race as originally conceived, and their temper is thus correctly spider-like >:-(
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by twofalls
Hello Gary.
...
What an incredible thing for a man to have been part of, the creation of something that has touched so many so wonderfully.
Bright Blessings.
James Beadle
Hail James!
My thanks for the good words, and indeed the best part of having created
as I did is that the work had so positive an effect on so many people.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
...
You'd have a right to be angry, but anything: module or sourcebook or
otherwise; that falls into my hands is mine to do with as I please.
I have no right to be so much as mildly annoyed by what you find good in your campaign, amigo B-)
All I can correctly state is what original intent was.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Now
there's an idea! I hope the good Colonel doesn't slip any into Castle
Zagyg (unless they were originally present; which I don't believe is the
case) but if he finds himself with any free time and has nothing better
to do a return to the lair of the Dark Elves for C&C would be a
welcome addition!
You have nothing else going on, right Gary? ;-)
Gray Mouser
Short answer:
I'll see about putting in an optional Drow Ambush scenario in the lower
levels of the dungeons. that way all the PCs can be dragged deeper and
sacrificed to Lolth X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
(The casual reader may not immediately perceive this to be a blatant obfuscatory feint.)
Early in our relationship I asked about terminology which arguably
incommoded percipience. Gary's sagacious retort -- that "the readers can
look it up" -- clearly defined the parameters of the campaign: style
would not be sacrificed to specious arguments for marketability. A
hard-boiled EGG you are, to be sure.
Gygaxian erudition may have contributed to the '80s boom in Dictionaries
of Obscure and Preposterous Words, and I must blame (or credit) you for
my study of same. And tho you have not oft employed dialects (certainly
not avoiding same for plebian reasons of political correctness, I'm
sure), they rest in an adjacent etymological niche.
But beware of Scots with cabers... and honor those who created shortbreads.
Gentle Fellows...
I rest my case, other that to add, Beware of Scotsmen, period :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
...
This truly shows the insight Gary had into the nature of the game!
Appreciate the post, and I am sad to say that I did seem to have a good deal of prescience back then.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
i always assumed exactly that, so i never asked. ;-)
Heh...
What else need I add? X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by weasel fierce
Thank you much for your answer to the Monk question, and previous questions I have posted.
A few more to steal a bit more of your work time (Im hoping you work
better under stress, what with all the questions you answer on here :-)
)
One of the interesting, if somewhat mismanaged, ideas of 2nd edition
AD&D was the character kits, offering variants of the regular
classes.
Have you, or did you, ever consider any such elements for oAD&D, or
do you feel it is better handled simply through roleplaying and
character description ?
It is hard to miss the Moorcock influence regarding law and chaos, which
is further strengthened by things such as the temple of chaos, in the
B2 module. Was this intended to be a line to be pursued, with law and
chaos becoming definate elements (similar to Moorcock, or the Warhammer
setting, by GW), or was it just intended as background material ?
What are some of the oddest, or funniest characters you have seen in games you have participated in, or DM'ed ?
Cheers!
Sorry...
I am not sufficiently conversant with the plethora of 2E material to make any informed comment.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by PapersAndPaychecks
How
uncharacteristic to witness Mr Mentzer expressing himself with the
verisimilitude of near-Gygaxian edification! His erudition is not
inconsiderable and his choice of obscure terminology is ecumenical.
But he can talk like the rest of us when he wants to. :-)
You mean when he hasn't his dictionary and thesaurus in hand? X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
"Gary Gygax: Keeping the Drow evil since 1978!" Heh :-)
Death to all angst-ridden, good-wanna-be Dark Elves!
Gray Mouser
Right on!
The Drow are as as sympathetic and caring as wolf spiders >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jasper
How dare you make fun of wolf spiders Gary. We all know Drow are as as sympathetic and caring as IRS agents on audit.
IRS agents prowl about as do wold spiders... >:-(
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I think this analogy is rather apt . . .
Not so, as the Drow have no political agenda, do not desire to do more
than enslave, pillage, loot, and send sacrificial victims to Lolth.
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mythmere1
Hi
again, Colonel. I have a question about Castle Zagyg. Will it contain
the room that's depicted on the front cover of the AD&D Players
Handbook - the horned idol with the jeweled eyes? Or was that room just
invented by DAT?
That particular scene was indeed the creation of the fertile imagination of Tramp.
Have you ever noticed that virtually all of the persons depicted are in
the likeness of Dave Trampier? There is one dweeb-like chap on the back
cover though that has a certain resemblance to your's truly back 30
years ago X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Gary,
Did you happen to catch the show "Icons" on X-Play last night? It airs
on the G4 / Tech TV channel, if you have it. Last night's featured icon
was Dungeons & Dragons. Of course, it is hard to report all of
D&D's history in 30 minutes (less commercial time), but I thought it
was a nice presentation of the story. They avoided a lot of the
messier moments in the history, but it was well-done. Being X-Play,
they related the paper and pencil game to its computer spin-offs,
starting with "Pool of Radiance" and moved up to the present.
I was pleasantly surprised to see them focus on the beginnings of RPG's by shooting some footage of Lake Geneva (it looked icy cold in the film they shot) and showing pictures of yourself and Dave Arneson.
Zudrak
Blast!
Yes, we have the X-Play show on the G4/Tech TV channel here, but i
seldom check it as I want to avoid getting too interested in playing
computer games or I'll get NO work done at all, not even the couple of
hours a day I now manage. Thanks for the precis; it seems as if they did
a better than average job of it.
It is cold here in Lake Geneva, the lake is still iced over and there
are fishermen out there. No cars though, and if we get a week of
above-freezing night temperatures and a strong wind the ice will break
up. Happens around the end of March first week of April.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
And this differs in what way from that of Bin Laden?
How about 100%, as bin Laden is wholly political :-P
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Krieg
Psst....they have those on computers now. ;-)
Indeed, and those I have accessed are pituful in their content. My own
thesaurus has hand-written additions I have made over the years, and
both of my main dictionalries are unexpurgated, one from 1910 the other
from 1930. New words can be picked up in any current collegiate
dictionary ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
...
That sounds like I could enjoy living there. I would love the idea of
being able to play ice hockey whenever I wanted between December and
March. Is there a lot of hockey played on the lakes? Maybe I could
even learn to improve my skating. Ha!
So, Gary, I imagine you do not mind the winter weather so much, or else
you would have moved to a sunnier locale. Is this a correct deduction?
They clear a rink for skating, but there's not much hockey. Last I
recall was when my youngest son, Alex, was playing at around age 10 at a
rink at the edge of town, not on the lake. There's a good bit of
snowmobiling and skiing and snowboarding and ice boating here too.
As for me, I loved the winter as a youth, did snowballing, sledding,
tobogganing, and ice fishing; but nowadays I would prefer living on a
tropical island. I stay indoors and do a lot of reading and what work i
can manage in the time of cold weather here.
On the gaming front, when you write your works and there is art or
illustrations to be placed in the work, how much say do you have when it
comes to the final product? Do you direct the artist at all? Has this
changed much today from how you did things when you were at TSR?
(Remember! Peter B lurks here sometimes!) :-D
Noppers! I don't imagine myself a competant art director O.o About the best I can manage is to say what I like and dislike.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary,
I was just rereading the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser story "Bazaar of the
Bizzare" and was wondering if the fight with the iron statue was an
inspiration for the iron golem. I know the clay golem comes from Jewish
mythology (and the flesh golem seems to be somewhat a take on
Frankenstein's monster) but the iron statue armed with a sword and with
breath weapon (albeit, not poisonous gas) seems quite similar to the foe
Fafhrd faced.
Thanks in advance.
Gray Mouser
You have the inspirational sources for the
clay and flesh golems correct ;-) The iron golem was drawn from Greek
mythology, the bronze one therein, Talos. The breath weapon addition was
from Rob.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
But, isn't that just a political agenda?
No, politics concerns the government, and al Qaidia seeks to force
their form of government on all. the drow simply want to exploit all
8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
Gary, I have a question about the spell sleep.
The target tiers HD and number affected are:
up to 1 4d4
1+1 to 2 2d4
2+1 to 3 1d4
3+1 to 4 1d2
4+1 to 4+4 0-1
How are PCs handled? Would a 1st level PC fall into the 'up to 1' or the
1+1 catagory, and do charters with multiple starting HD (monks and
rangers) go by level or HD?
Thanks,
Scott
Each character level equates to one HD on the table
above, and even if a 1st level character has two HD, the level of the
character is the determinant. So the uppermost range, 4+1 to 4+4 doesn't
generaly apply.
BTW, for a multi-class character, the highest level and half of the
second and third levels are added to discover effective level. In such
hase the uppermost range might apply, viz. 3rd level fighter, 3rd level
thief, = 4.5 which falls into the uppermost rage above.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Thanks
for the info, Colonel. I'm just glad Rob's inspiration for the wip of
cockatrice feathers didn't become standard fare for iron golems! 8-D
Gray Mouser
What about the power to levitate and the
poison sword? those with the fiery breath and the petrifaction from the
whip made that critter really fearsome (^_^')
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Bringing back some find memories, Gary ;-)
Speaking of your Marvellous Adventure, do you remember how Mordenkainen & Company fared against Eli Tomorast, himself? How about against the demon Kerzit?
Gray Mouser
Those were additions that we didn't actually play out. Ain't module writers sneaky? :-P
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Yeah,
I've been disappointed by the paucity of rare and/or archaic word in
modern electronic reference sources. I'd love to get my hands on some of
those old dictionaries.
You can locate them by an online search ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dracuwulf
Hi Gary,
I always thought it impressive how you were able to conjure up scenes
from the depths of the earth, crypts, tombs, underground monasteries,
and so forth. Is it because you actually live under Rome in a catacomb?
If you insist that you live in Lake Geneva, could you reveal some of the
books that you have found useful in understanding and describing such
places?
Heh...
Well, books on architecture, the Parisian and Roman underground, etc.
are a good place to start ;-) Actually, I love books and read just
about any sort when there is time.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Sneaky indeed! Although I do like Tomorast and his "hands." An interesting weapon to spring on PC's!
Gray Mouser
Rob was both an excellent player and DM. Jim
Ward was playing in my OD&D group last night when someone remarked
that it seemed impossible that Rob could have found his way through my
dungeon levels sans map. Jim shook his head and allowed he did it with
remarkable ease until I created levels with transporters and all manner
of other nasty devices to prevent that from happening...which was true.
Anyway, Rob was excellent in creating adventure material on the spot to challenge the players...especially me.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Hello, Gary,
Two questions:
1) Does Zagyg retain the surname of Yragerne in the CZ books?
2) Is Zagyg's history as well-known on Erde/TRoB as it is on Greyhawk or
will he be a more reclusive historical figure? I was wondering if he
was mayor of Yggsburgh at one point a la Greyhawk.
Of course, if you'd rather not divulge this info here and in the module
series instead, that's fine. I imagine I will find out eventually.
:-D
Thanks,
Michael / Zudrak
The answer to all three questions questions is no. That is qualified in the second case by possible development.
In the LA game's world setting pantheons, Zagyg is a deity and trickster
that is found in each one. That is done so as to empower the Lejend
Masters in being as whimsical or narrow as they desire.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I
remember you recounting elsewhere that the origin of such transporters
and so on in D&D was to thwart the near-photographic memory of Rob
Kuntz. Truly astounding!
Heh...
The transporter also has the benefit of making any dungeon level more
difficult to explore and map, thus adding to the challenge involved.
They are also handy devices to move the player characters to such new
and different places as the GM wishes B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Gary,
my girlfriend would like to start using miniatures in our games because
she's so used to boardgames, but the scale always messes me up. In
older versions of D&D, movement was rated in inches (1" = 10'
underground for example) but ground scale is given as 1" equals 3 1/3'
(making a 10' corridor 3" wide on the tabletop) therefore 1" isn't 10'. Argh!
The latest version of The Game has a straight movement rate in footage
with a ground scale of 1" = 5', but we'd like to stick with older games
if we can. The whole thing is very confusing.
Anywho, the main question I have is: Have you ever used miniatures
yourself (for any RPG) and if so, what kind of scale/movement do you
employ?
There is always a problem with three-dimensional
representation using miniature figurines. Even at one-to-one ratio of
figures to actual number, there is a ground scale dilema. If the
figurines are truly to 25mm scale, then one inch should equal six feet
in ground scale. That means a spear can be thrown c. five inches, a
jevalin c. 12 inches, and a longbow has an range of c. 36 inches on the
table top. Time scale must then be set, and it it is in one minute
turns, then movement, once commenced, will be at rates in the
neighborbood of 30 inches at a slow pace, 45 inches quick time, and 60
inches on the run, with horsed figures moving commensurately faster at
the trot, canter, and gallop.
During a one minute period a trained archer can aim and loose at least six arrows.
Realistically the ground scale must be different than that of the
figurines used, and that means time is relative to ground scale as
adjusted by subsumed delays in forming plans and ordering movement or
reacting to what an individual comprehends in the field.
No FRPG I know of is meant to be a combat simulation, so there's really no need to worry about such matters 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
True
enough, but I'm the type who has to thumb through a dictionary before I
buy it, just to see if it actually has archaic terms in it like
"yclept."
Ycore!
You rixel X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
Like "yclept his hands and called it 'archaic'?"
F
That's-a not their a-cake, it's-a my-a cake.
:-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Thanks,
Gary. As for empowering the game referees, what were you thinking?
Rules lawyers run the show today. Just like real lawyers run the real
world. O.o
Happy Easter all!
Zudrak
Aargh!!!
First kill all the lawyers, rules or otherwise, as Shakespeare was want to record some 400 years ago >:-(
We did indeed have a blessed Easter, thanks :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tuzenbach
Continued from here:
Gary Gygax Q&A, Part VIII
Gary,
In 1E, Assassins could use shields while Thieves could not. Given the
crossover of Thief abilities to the Assassin class (climb walls, hide in
shadows, move silently, etc.), what was your justification for this
allowance? Also, I always found this discrepancy a bit odd for all those
Assassins wishing to remain "anonymous" or incognito. "Hmmmm. He's got
leather armour, any weapon of his choice, and a shield. He's not a
Ranger, he's an Assassin!" 8-D >:-)
Speaking of
metagaming....what PC will deduce that an assassin is that because of
his equipment? Now on to something meaningful :\
Of course an assassin could not perform thief activities when equipped
with a shield, but otherwise in regards their assassinations the shield
is not going to prevent success.
Finally, do keep in mind that most of the strictures regarding classes
was to make them separate and unique, each a distinct choice that had
advantages and drawbacks for a game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Gary,
It must be my week to spy things about Lake Geneva.
I was checking the Weather Channel last night for this week's forecast.
They had a segment on about the Lake Geneva Bunny Hop. Were you in
that long line of Easter bunnies? :-)
Zudrak
Heh...
Not bloody likely. I don't mind having fun, but the activity engaged in
was pure foolishness in my estimation >:-( At least the crowd was
in the grand tradition of the tourists that plague this town each year.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Speaking of tourists...
Frank Mentzer came by yesterday, and we had several hours to sit on the
front porch here--the weather being great--and chew the fat. Speaking of
chewing, this morinng I am devouring excellent bakery goodies Frank was
kind enough to bring here from the Baker's House in Minoqua, or maybe
they were from his new Baker's House store in Wausau :-D
Frank mentioned that I needed to get busy and get more modules out,
wouold I care to co-create with him? He was not pleased when I told him
my creative energy is not great, so new material is going to be scarse.
He then asked if there was any of my old adventure material available.
As it turned out there is a
DMG tournament module I created back in c. 1974, ran around 1976 or 1977 at the
DMG con all by myself for groups of 20 gamers per team, 100 total in the tournament.
We are considering Frank fleshing it out for publication as a generic or
perhaps a C&C game system adventure. It is mainly an outdor
expedition and has eight fukll-page maps.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
A
query on the old thread asked about what TSR modules I played other
than my own. the answer is very few indeed. The reason is simple. I had a
lot of work to do at the office, then see to running play-tests, or
play-test new games, and then get in some gaming for fun. At the same
time I had a family of five children to tend to now and again...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
That's funny -- exactly the same thing I was thinking about him! ;-)
Well...
Frank can speak for himself, but from my persepctive it seems as if his
real life affairs take up the vast majority of his time, so not much
writing is likely to come from his pen. He is talking about putting his
lone-rinning campaign on paper though B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jyrdan Fairblade
Good afternoon, evening, or morning Mr. Gygax,
First, let me thank you for the decades of enjoyment that D&D has
given me, in addition to a love of literature and imagination. I'm very
much looking forward to the publication of the Yggsburgh series, as well
as switching to C&C from our current D&D
3e campaign, to getting back to a closer vision of the game as it was when we first started gaming in the mid-80s.
What can I reply other than to say, it was my pleasure?
Second, the actual question; what is your concept of the paladin's
code? That seems to have been a particularly vexing problem in many
campaigns, with paladin's slaughtering baby orcs, or alternately raising
orcish children as their own, attacking thieves for the slightest
infraction, or being guilty of enormous hubris and arrogance (Which goes
against the high charisma required for the class).
that sounds about right. The paladin is modeled on the
medieval paladins of Charlemagne, and they were surely a conflicted lot.
What is and isn't chivalrous and honorable is up to the DM, but
slaughtering baby orcs isn't likely to fall into either class.
Slaughterind adult orcs converted to Lawful Good is likely acceptable,
as it sends them on to a better reward, prevents them from backsliding
to evil ways.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I'm sure this question has been addressed in the many hundreds of posts of this ongoing Q&A:
Will the key for CASTLE ZAGYG include where to place DUNGEONLAND, LAND BEYOND THE MAGIC MIRROR, and ISLE OF THE APE?
Not on your life!
Those are the copyrighted property of Wizards of the Coast. If a GM
wishes to have a transporter located somewhere in the dungeon levels of
Castle Zagyg that takes PCs to such adventure modules, that will be up to him.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by NewJeffCT
First
- thanks to you and everybody else involved with D&D for the last
30 years for giving me thousands of hours of entertainment since the
late 70s.
Welcome, of course.
To take the paladin thing a bit further, we had a lengthy thread on
here a few months back about whether paladins should be chaste/celibate,
as in they do not engage in any sexual activity at all. I had started
the thread because I was wondering why so many DMs seem to require
paladins to be basically sexless when the various Player's Handbooks
dating back to 1st Edition do not technically require it.
When you DM somebody playing a paladin, is this an unwritten part of your paladin code?
I will say that sex/love is not something that comes up every session in
our games, but I was thinking about it a while back when a paladin PC
of mine basically stood guard while the rest of the group was visiting
our game's equivalent of the Castle Anthrax... And, I am also not
saying that the paladin would be wildly promiscuous like a medieval era
Wilt Chamberlin, but I could see a paladin in a committed monogamous
relationship with a follower of the same deity.
Where on earth such a notion came from is quite beyond
me...and beyond the pale. Paladins have no requirement of celibacy, and
those of the troubador bent can be unchaste as well. How they fare with
that is a matter of what deity they honor, of course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
Another
adventure from the author/editor team responsible for The Keep on the
Borderlands, and The Temple of Elemental Evil is good news indeed. If
you go the C&C route, perhaps you could work it into the Yggsburg
wilderness area.
Have you resumed serious development of the upper ruins and dungeon
levels? You know your little olde guard kobolds are just dying to be
introduced to the gaming public.
Scott
Noppers....
Although I am fairly busy with work related to publishing, I am still ducking that really demanding task.
As Rob hasn't been bugging me about it, is slow getting his humorous
adventure anecdotes to me for the proposed book, I am led to believe he
is not itching to get going either 8-D
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
BTW, I'd cast my vote for a C&C venture as it seems quite easy to convert to 1e AD&D :-)
Heh...
What else can I say X-D
The 20 players were each assigned a PC I had sketched out for the tournament.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hey Frank!
Not a peep from you about the enthusiasm for the C&C game base for the
'Quest?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
peep
One can only assume from that response that you are chicken...
:-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by NewJeffCT
I
think it comes from a time a bit later than Charlemagne - possibly the
Templar Knights of the Crusades that aspired to things like celibacy and
devotion to God above all earthly pleasures, though it rarely held true
in actual practice. (To quote Monty Python & The Holy Grail, "I am
Sir Galahad, the Chaste")
I had mentioned it because I have been playing D&D for over 25 years
now and in many different groups and that sort of ideal always seems to
be the unwritten rule of paladinhood.
Well that makes no sense for anyone to do, as the Templars were holy knights and warriors, not paladins.
As for anything serious based on Arthurian fairy tales, I scoff >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
Or made of marshmallow ...
Err...
That went over my head... Maybe I shouldn't have ducked.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
But surely they can slyly be alluded to?
Not very "slyly" after this exchange :\
Point of order: why would we want to sell
WotC's
adventure material when we could sell out own by having transporters
send PCs to new modules we devise for that purpose? X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
...
Having said that, Gary: Is there any part of AD&D that you wrote
(i.e. in the original Monster Manual, Players Handbook or Dungeon
Masters Guide) but would'nt actually use in a game run by yourself?
I know from previous posts that you don't use Weapon Speed, Weapon vs.
Armor Class and Psionics. But what about stuff like age affecting
abilities, or whatever? Do you even play Advanced D&D nowadays? I'd
like to know where your current gaming preference lies; As well as what
games you plan to use most in the future, and to what extent (house
rules, "by the book", etc..)?
Hopfully, this will be a catch-all question to cover many that tend to
come up over and over, and allow you to tend to more important matters
(like family, Castle Zagyg, LA, etc.)!
Generally speaking,
when I DM AD&D, which OI do now and again, the areas you note above
are the only rules I don't use. As I am not running an ongoing
campaign, there's no need to worry about age, save when creating NPCs.
I never did create house rules, but I seldom open a book either. I
create much material and referee on the fly as the players have their
characters interact with the game environment.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Gary,
did you ever work out specific rules for the benefits that the
barbarian tertiary skills bestow for such characters? Or were they to
meant to be loose and adjudicated ad hoc by the Dungeon Master?
Right! As you conclude, the DM was the one expected to manage the tertiart skills of a barbarian character ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Heh...
Anything based on Arthurian legend is bogus. Besides, the majority of
the knights of that make-believe court were far from chaste, let alone
celebate. Consider Sir Lancelot boinking the queen, the king begetting a
bastard son by rape.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
Gary,
how were the AD&D training rules supposed to apply to multi-class
characters? Would a 1/1 level fighter/magic-user have to stop and spend
time training and pay the training costs two times for the character to
reach level 2/2?
Scott
Scotty,
You have it. The multi-class character needs training in each class possessed when ready to rise in level.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
Well
sure. Cash flow management adds flavor to any campaign. If you keep
draining the characters' funds, it provides not only incentive for
adventurous exploration but also a rationale for shoveling more to them.
FM
Aptly put, amigo B-)
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Now you're talking!* Could such a transporter send PCs to Barsoom,** perhaps?
*What if we discreetly email you for the "official" place to place the transporters for DUNGEONLAND and ISLE OF THE APE? ;-)
**Not named Barsoom, of course. A red planet full of hideous multi-armed green men will do.
An other-world locale could be devised for a dungeon transporter,
although they are usual for cursed scrolls only. Perhaps a strange
red-soiled planet with about half the gravity of the normal world for
PCs. There miight indeed be six-limded humanoids and beasts roaming
about there... but then again, the GM can always create such places for
his own campaign, just as my lads used to get sent off to a place a lot
like the Carabas of the planet Tchai where aliens hunted humans therein
who in turn were seeking valuable sequin-like deposits contained in rock
geodes.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Yes, but then Lancelot was a Cavalier, not a Paladin! ;-)
Heh,
You are interpreting the fabulous to suit your veiw ;-) Lancelot was a
knight as was Galahad, the only potentially celibate knight of the
make-believe round table. The only named paladins were the knights of
Charlemagne such as Roland and Oiger.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Merely
giving my translation of certain literary characters into AD&D
terms. ;-) I've always conceptualized the difference between
Cavalier and Paladin as that between Lancelot and Galahad. It rather
fits, don't you think?
And of course, Ogier AKA Holger Carlson was the ONLY literary Paladin that exactly fits AD&D terms. :-)
Who can argue in regards your translating one bit of fantasy into another?...I did that a lot when i designed the game.
However, I would argue that Roland was a model of the paladin, more so than even Oiger.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
Gary, I never came to a conclusion either I liked or hated Unearthed Arcana.
Despite there were lots of great additions to my game, I couldn't like
some parts, such as the Barbarian, and, specially, the Cavalier and his
ability to upgrade his stats.
Do you saw this book as an expansion to AD&D or a compilation of
optional rules? Would you allow any of the new rules in an AD&D game
you would run now? As it appears that many AD&D players find it
quite unbalancing, would you made any revision if you could?
If I would have been at TSR to manage the revision of the AD&D
game, most of the UA material would be in that new edition without many
changes. I DMed many a game with barbarian PCs, and only the mages in
the group were uneasy. As for Cavaliers bettering their stats, as if any
player wouldn't do that for any other character class by use of wishes
and magic items enabling same. Perhaps i was a tad too generous, but at
least the effort to improve the status of fighter-types was open and
forthright. The method offered is like a lock on a dor, something to
keep honest players honest. (How many low-lever PCS have you seen with
stats that average around 16 and have one of two 18s?)
Anyway, all this is absolutely meaningless now, eh? Water under the bridge :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mythmere1
I was talking about the collaboration module, but the topic has moved on. Sorry about that.
No problem. We have the go ahead from Troll Lord Games, and Frank and I
will be working out the details next. I expect the ms. will be turned
over to TLG in the late summer or late fall.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
From The Dragon #65 "Classes to Consider"
No comment...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Akrasia
Rock and Roll! B-)
"I don't care what people say,
Rock & Roll is here to stay!"
BTW, haven't been out to Stanford for some 15 years. A graduating class
had me out to speak to them as a guest, and I made the mistake of eating
meatloaf in the cafeteria even though they warned me O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
The
one thing I love most about the Gaming hobby is the direct interactions
and impacts of the fans talking directly with the creators. :-)
It helps when the creators are fans, too. :-D
Communication in person or electronically does energize me, amigo ;-)
I for one admit to remain a fan of gaming after all these many
years--most of my life, in fact, as I began playing cards when I was
five.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Hey, I gave it a shot! I'll just have to create GG's (Gentlegamer) version of these sub-classes for C&C! :-)
Can't fault you for trying, but that's something I do not envisage I'll ever detail.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
No
lie. I visited my new friendly not-quite-local gaming store yesterday.
Talking about gaming with another person is energizing. It makes you
want to sit right down and argue about rules -- er, I mean play some
games!
As a GM I say you take a dX of damage for discussing rules >:-(
Gary, I picked up the Extraordinary Book of Names yesterday,
completing my "GFW Pentateuch". How would you describe the next books
in the series, "Essential Places" and "Nation Builder"?
Thanks,
Michael
The
Essential Places
book is to cover many of the key locations a GM has a party of
characters visit in the course of play--a list of suggested names, a
floor plan, and lists of who and what's there. We are going to have the
ms. turned over for approval soon.
The
Nation Builder
is a work that provides a blueprint for creating a fantasy state that
suits the campaign and is harmonious with the world it is a part of. It
will enable a whole nation that has verisimilitude when compared to
actual places as might evolve in a world of fantasy sort where magic
works. It too is nearing completion, the author doing a final polish.
Of course there are baout another half-dizen volumes to some after those two, but such details are up to the Trolls to announce.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
By the way Gary, how do you like my Mordenkainen avatar?
Not bad at all, although the garments are clearly for formal dress, not adventuring :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
From
what you know of the game, how well would Lejendary Adventures mesh as
supplimentary material for C&C, particularly in the area of skills
(LJ abilities), powers (spells), and foes (monsters)? I had the
Author's Edition of the LJ book when it debuted but it has passed from
my ownership, alas.
As the
Lejendary Adventure
game is quite the opposite from a class-based system, it is not easy to
convert it to such a system, or material from a class-based game to it.
I have put in skill bundles for the
CZ Yggsburgh
module, though, so as to make the NPCs more varied and interesting,
less cookie-cutter. The system used will be in the work, and it is rules
light as is the LA one.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
That sounds great! Any chance for a preview example of such a skill bundle in C&C?
Have to ask the Trolls about that. Authors propose, publishers dispose ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
If you have access to it, you can find a version of these classes in Gary's Mythus game that you can use for inspiration.
Scott
Well...
Not actually classes at all in the DJ Mythus, but the general areas in question are considered therein, agreed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Then I shall definitely take a look!
How's the weather in Lake Geneva, lately? My kinfolk in northern Iowa are still a bit chilly . . .
Lake Geneva in southeastern Wisconsin is parallel with northern Iowa.
Weather patterns are such though, that the weather is often different
than what is happening to the west of here. Fact is we have had a solid
week of mostly sunny and warm (60s and 70s) days here, with a change
coming tonight--rain and a drop to the 50s, which still is pretty good
for early April. All the ice went out of the lake a week or so back.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Hey Gary,
How many more questions do we have to ask you before we crack your
brain, and send you on a rampage of Killing Us And Taking Our Stuff?
And how do you like MY avatar of Mordenkainen? He's eating chips!
Tell me where you live, do >:-)
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Just a Brief Heads Up:
A note for those living in the general area of Lake Geneva, Troll Lord
Games is planning on holding a mini-con here. Date and place are still
to be established, but when thay are I'll post here if the Trolls
haven't covered it elsewhere on these boards.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
Roland
the model Paladin, and not the Holier then Holy Galahad?? In there best
known forms, both are basically the best Knights the French could
imagine (country of origin not withstanding)
Gentlegamer, good pick on the mystic and savant!!
To bad they will remain mysteries to the end (as I guess will all other
elements of Gygax's 2nd edition). I remember seeing the Mystic cross
refernced in at least one other Dragon article...oh well.
Only one small difference...
There probably
was a Roland, and there
never was a Galahad.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thufur
Any
ideas what has happened to Carl Sargent or is that even in your purview
of knowledge? Am I correct about an auto accident and he is now
unavailable for comment? I guess I'm asking because its good clean fun
reading boards/blogs from you, Frank and Wolfgang Baur, and I think he
would be a great resource if he was available.
Sorry, but...
I have never been in communication with Carl Sargeant, so i can supply no information.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Aha!
My plan is coming to fruition! Don't tell Gary, guys, but when he
comes over I'm going to club him uncoscious, lock him in my basement,
and force him to run games for me... FOREVER!
Ah so...
Clearly you are unaware of my truly bellicose nature and large-caliber handgun :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Well
I don't know about since his stroke,but before that the best Gygax bait
was, good food, good drink, good company, and a good cigar. Well it
worked for me at least :-)
ken
right Ken,
That is still the best way to lure me into a trap (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Gary,
I just found the script for the unaired final episode of the D&D
cartoon! Simply brilliant! I can see just what you mean about the
adventurers becoming reliant on their own skills rather than their magic
items. A new series in the more "serious" tone would have been
fantastic! I first learned the name "Dungeons & Dragons" from
watching the cartoon as a boy, although I had no idea about the game. A
few years later, I came across the Endless Quest books at the public
library, one thing led to another, and here I am!
Reaves outdid humself when he wrote
Requim,
the best of all the scrips done and it was never produced :-( then
Williams took over TSR and ended the chance for the D&D Cartoon show
spinoff. Such is life.
The multiple-choice adventure books were also a lot of fun.
Do you think a modern D&D cartoon would be beneficial to introducing children to FRPGs?
Sure, but it would likely bring more youngsters to computer
games than to paper and pencil RPGs. What is needed for that is more
Game Masters.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
Sidestepping the whole historical author debate...there never was a Conan or a Grey Mouser or a roguish Vancian mage either!
Obviously, but the autors of those fictional characters do not pretend
to any historical reality, albeit their protagonists are indeed based on
human archetypes.
]Surely fiction is as much or more a greater inspiration for fantastic role playing adventure as fact!
surely? How much insiration from such sources have you put
into print? If the answer is little or none, perhaps you are talking out
of your hat ;-)
Or, Good Sir, do you know something I don't ;-)
How much time to you have?
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
*makes a tsking noise*
Garrryyy....
Now how are we going to later put your head in a jar a la Futurama if you aren't around long enough for us to do it? ;-)
Errr...
Life without doughnuts and coffee, cheese and wine, and a couple of cigarillos just ain't worth living (^_^')
At least the wine is approved, doctor's orders that i drink two glasses or it a day :-P
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Not bad, the Vancian-style writing there ;-)
Trying to create comples and multi-faceted Vancian characters using a class based system is hopless, of course.
Ah, and by chance this, my 1938th post, echoes the glorious year in which I was born B-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mythmere1
Glad
you liked the dialogue. I thought mine ended up more strongly
Lyonesse, while Gentlegamer's drew more from the Dying Earth...
Jack Vance is a most talented author, and the dialog he creates for his
characters is always exceptional, especially in his more recent SF
books.
I must entirely disagree that you can't create a Vancian character
with a class system; I have seen it done with the character of Morag the
Glum and Silent. The difficulty is alignment, not class. The best the
player could quantify his alignment was "fickle." This alignment
designation remained on his character sheet for years of play.
I'd have to propose that Vancian alignments would look like this:
Lackadaisically predatory, with amatory and monetary acquisitiveness.
Amusedly vengeful, with musical tendencies.
Perrenially vague, with moments of ardent neutrality
Disagree as you will, i assert that the limited scope possible
with a character in a class-based system forces the player to assume
far too many things not inherant in the game persona he is acting for. I
do agree that alignments as (mis)used in play are more of a handicap
than an aid to roleplay.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Gary,
Since Jack Vance has come up as a topic, I always wanted to ask you
whether you had any direct contact with him. You were describing the
D&D magic system as "Vancian" when Dragon was just a wyrmling, and I
could swear that I came across a reference to "Lord Gygax" in one of
Vance's "Alastor" novels (although now, of course, it eludes me). Just
wondering if he was tipping his hat to you.
And, of course, thanks for the game which has so far provided me with 25 years of entertainment!
Yes. I have indeed corresponded with the Good author, spoken with him on the telephone, but never met with him in person.
the reference to "Lord Gygax" is in
Trullion, IIRR. Jack enjoys unusual names, and so included mine. I scolded him jestingly for not having me a vicious starmeter.
And of course, welcome :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
I
hereby retract my plan to kidnap Gary - I have a marked aversion to
high-calibre handguns. I'm also aware, thanks to Futurama, that you
constantly tote a +1 mace... My +0 skull probably wouldn't hold up.
Heh...
No need to kidnap me. Just lure me off with coffee and doughnuts or good
booze and cigars. with carrots like that a stick isn't needed X-D
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Despite his view on Tolkien, our Dear Gary exhibits hobbit qualities to an astonishing degree! :-)
Ah, those hair-footed pygmies are too staid and set in routnes for me :-P
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
...
"Mad King Zag"?
Could that possibly be a Zagyg reference? I'm very suspicious of it,
followed so closely by "Gray." Was the Good Author familiar with
Greyhawk way back in 1973?
By the way, I must also thank you for listing Vance as an inspiring fantasy author in the old
DMG.
I've been reading his stuff ever since, and have managed to collect
nearly all of his titles (those Alan Wade mysteries exceed my budget).
Hmmm, I suppose he owes you a reader or two.
I suspect the names used were mere coincidence.
In any event I surely do hope that my sincere regard for the writing of
the Good Mr. Vance has added substantially to the audience for his
books. Michael moorcock was once generous enough to credit me with
doubling his readership. I am always happy to oblige in such cases!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary,
I was wondering how common encounters with dragons were in your
original campaign. I know Robilar ended up subduing that family of Green
dragons and,
IIRC,
Mordenkainen had a run in or two with some wyrms but form what I have
read I get the impression that they weren't exctly common encounters
(even for high level PC's). I could be wrong as I don't know the history
of the original Greyhawk campaign as well as some.
Gray Mouser
Encounters with dragons were not common, quite
rare, all things considered. Mordenkainen encountered several over his
years of adventuring, subdued two red ones, the very old Gorki and the
young Porki (thank you for naming them Rob...)
During a wilderness excursion Robilar met one hiding in a cave, the
beast being served by a human flunkie that brought in heroic victoims to
feed it. It was sleeping, but as Robilar entered the cave, the flunkie
shouted a warning, but luckily for Our Hero, his reactions were much
quicker than the awakened dragon, so both it and its treacherous servant
were slain.
On the other hand I has a small one that had a couple of spells that sent Melf packoing, glad to escape with his life ;-)
I posted a pair of dragins on a dungeon level, and those were loosed by
the main adventurers in the dungeons--Tenser, Robilar, Terik, and some
associated PCs who I can't recall.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary, thanks for the info on dragons. As a follow up, I'm wondering any of the new dragons from Monster Manual II
ever made it into your campaign? I really like the Shadow Dragon (I'm
thinking of springing it on my PC's at some point :-) ) and the Cloud
and Mist varieties were excellent as well.
Gray Mouser
Yes, the shadow dragon was encountered--nasty
meeting that the details of which i but vaguely remember. The cloud and
mist versions of dracos wree in an area of wilderness adventure that i
had laid out ofr PCs to get transported to, but that never happened. As
nearly as i can remember, there was only one randon encounter with a
cloud dragon in my campaign.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mythmere1
Glad
you liked the dialogue. I thought mine ended up more strongly
Lyonesse, while Gentlegamer's drew more from the Dying Earth...
Jack Vance is a most talented author, and the dialog he creates for his
characters is always exceptional, especially in his more recent SF
books.
I must entirely disagree that you can't create a Vancian character
with a class system; I have seen it done with the character of Morag the
Glum and Silent. The difficulty is alignment, not class. The best the
player could quantify his alignment was "fickle." This alignment
designation remained on his character sheet for years of play.
I'd have to propose that Vancian alignments would look like this:
Lackadaisically predatory, with amatory and monetary acquisitiveness.
Amusedly vengeful, with musical tendencies.
Perrenially vague, with moments of ardent neutrality
Disagree as you will, i assert that the limited scope possible
with a character in a class-based system forces the player to assume
far too many things not inherant in the game persona he is acting for. I
do agree that alignments as (mis)used in play are more of a handicap
than an aid to roleplay.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Gary,
Since Jack Vance has come up as a topic, I always wanted to ask you
whether you had any direct contact with him. You were describing the
D&D magic system as "Vancian" when Dragon was just a wyrmling, and I
could swear that I came across a reference to "Lord Gygax" in one of
Vance's "Alastor" novels (although now, of course, it eludes me). Just
wondering if he was tipping his hat to you.
And, of course, thanks for the game which has so far provided me with 25 years of entertainment!
Yes. I have indeed corresponded with the Good author, spoken with him on the telephone, but never met with him in person.
the reference to "Lord Gygax" is in
Trullion, IIRR. Jack enjoys unusual names, and so included mine. I scolded him jestingly for not having me a vicious starmeter.
And of course, welcome :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
I
hereby retract my plan to kidnap Gary - I have a marked aversion to
high-calibre handguns. I'm also aware, thanks to Futurama, that you
constantly tote a +1 mace... My +0 skull probably wouldn't hold up.
Heh...
No need to kidnap me. Just lure me off with coffee and doughnuts or good
booze and cigars. with carrots like that a stick isn't needed X-D
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Despite his view on Tolkien, our Dear Gary exhibits hobbit qualities to an astonishing degree! :-)
Ah, those hair-footed pygmies are too staid and set in routnes for me :-P
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
...
"Mad King Zag"?
Could that possibly be a Zagyg reference? I'm very suspicious of it,
followed so closely by "Gray." Was the Good Author familiar with
Greyhawk way back in 1973?
By the way, I must also thank you for listing Vance as an inspiring fantasy author in the old
DMG.
I've been reading his stuff ever since, and have managed to collect
nearly all of his titles (those Alan Wade mysteries exceed my budget).
Hmmm, I suppose he owes you a reader or two.
I suspect the names used were mere coincidence.
In any event I surely do hope that my sincere regard for the writing of
the Good Mr. Vance has added substantially to the audience for his
books. Michael moorcock was once generous enough to credit me with
doubling his readership. I am always happy to oblige in such cases!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary,
I was wondering how common encounters with dragons were in your
original campaign. I know Robilar ended up subduing that family of Green
dragons and,
IIRC,
Mordenkainen had a run in or two with some wyrms but form what I have
read I get the impression that they weren't exctly common encounters
(even for high level PC's). I could be wrong as I don't know the history
of the original Greyhawk campaign as well as some.
Gray Mouser
Encounters with dragons were not common, quite
rare, all things considered. Mordenkainen encountered several over his
years of adventuring, subdued two red ones, the very old Gorki and the
young Porki (thank you for naming them Rob...)
During a wilderness excursion Robilar met one hiding in a cave, the
beast being served by a human flunkie that brought in heroic victoims to
feed it. It was sleeping, but as Robilar entered the cave, the flunkie
shouted a warning, but luckily for Our Hero, his reactions were much
quicker than the awakened dragon, so both it and its treacherous servant
were slain.
On the other hand I has a small one that had a couple of spells that sent Melf packoing, glad to escape with his life ;-)
I posted a pair of dragins on a dungeon level, and those were loosed by
the main adventurers in the dungeons--Tenser, Robilar, Terik, and some
associated PCs who I can't recall.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary, thanks for the info on dragons. As a follow up, I'm wondering any of the new dragons from Monster Manual II
ever made it into your campaign? I really like the Shadow Dragon (I'm
thinking of springing it on my PC's at some point :-) ) and the Cloud
and Mist varieties were excellent as well.
Gray Mouser
Yes, the shadow dragon was encountered--nasty
meeting that the details of which i but vaguely remember. The cloud and
mist versions of dracos wree in an area of wilderness adventure that i
had laid out ofr PCs to get transported to, but that never happened. As
nearly as i can remember, there was only one randon encounter with a
cloud dragon in my campaign.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
Still, I am mildly surprised at your of advocacy for factual
grounding...as impressed as I was with that list of fiction in the 1st
edition
DMG.
To cut to the chase, I am an advocate or reading in general, and
omnivoriously at that. I drew on all manner of non-fictional sources
when creating the A/D&D game, and more than just history too. The
recommended reading list was for inspiring the DM in creating exciting
adventure material, not for creating RPG system material 8-D See the
more extensive bibliography in the DJ
Mythus rules for that sort of reading list.
Glad you didn't take offense at my grouching about Authurian legens. It
is most unpalatable to me, so I tend to become ascerbic >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jyrdan Fairblade
I,
too, can be counted as someone led to Jack Vance's writings by your
recommendations. As a hat fan, I certainly appreciated the outlandish
haberdashery displayed, in addition to plenty of other, more literary
reasons for appreciation. Though, I daresay R.E. Howard (in the original
form, please) and Tolkien remain my favorite classic fantasy authors.
I've always enjoyed the fact that gamers are a pretty literate bunch (as
are most of my friends, gamer or not), prone to seeking out writers
both on and off the beaten path.
While I find the
raw
power of Robert E. Howard's swords & sorcery tales compelling, I am
not in the least captivated by the majority of the Exaulted Professor's
yarns, other than
The Hobbit,
which book I read many times aloud to my children. I am enthralled with
Mr. Vance's character development, exposition, and dialog. His "Planet
of Adventure" quatrology is perhaps my favorite of his writings, but I
am hard pressed to choose.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
The short answer regarding JRRT's work:
I created the D&D game to sell, to get to as many consumers as
possible, and the best way to do that was to include races that were
favored by the many young Tolkien fans. Dwarves are hardly a main
feature of the Rings trilogy, but hobbits, elves, orcs, balrog, and ents
(the Anglo-Saxon word for "giant," of course) were. So I included them
so as to sell the game. Even though I find the Rings trilogy a bore,
found
Bored of the Rings great sport, so what? Gamers are able to enjoy their D&D campaign with as much Tolkein flavor as they wish.
A careful analysis of all the races and creatures in the OAD&D game
will see how small the percentage of Tolkien-inspired material there is
actually within the roster. Of course, I do not count elves as JRRT's
creation at all, they being the stuff of much British folklore, as
Dwarves are Scandanivian and Germanic. Of all that the Professor wrote
about, the hobbits, the balrog, and the ents were all that were uniquely
detailed.
Speaking of bored, that's what this tedious subject does to me and quite a few others I should imagine :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Akrasia
We now have a place that serves very good Thai food, and another place that makes decent crepes. You should visit again!
Thanks for the update ;-)
I don't have much reason to travel out to the West Coast these days, but
who can say? If we do get to the SF area, I will indeed make a point to
visit Stanford once again.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
Still, I am mildly surprised at your of advocacy for factual
grounding...as impressed as I was with that list of fiction in the 1st
edition
DMG.
To cut to the chase, I am an advocate or reading in general, and
omnivoriously at that. I drew on all manner of non-fictional sources
when creating the A/D&D game, and more than just history too. The
recommended reading list was for inspiring the DM in creating exciting
adventure material, not for creating RPG system material 8-D See the
more extensive bibliography in the DJ
Mythus rules for that sort of reading list.
Glad you didn't take offense at my grouching about Authurian legens. It
is most unpalatable to me, so I tend to become ascerbic >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jyrdan Fairblade
I,
too, can be counted as someone led to Jack Vance's writings by your
recommendations. As a hat fan, I certainly appreciated the outlandish
haberdashery displayed, in addition to plenty of other, more literary
reasons for appreciation. Though, I daresay R.E. Howard (in the original
form, please) and Tolkien remain my favorite classic fantasy authors.
I've always enjoyed the fact that gamers are a pretty literate bunch (as
are most of my friends, gamer or not), prone to seeking out writers
both on and off the beaten path.
While I find the
raw
power of Robert E. Howard's swords & sorcery tales compelling, I am
not in the least captivated by the majority of the Exaulted Professor's
yarns, other than
The Hobbit,
which book I read many times aloud to my children. I am enthralled with
Mr. Vance's character development, exposition, and dialog. His "Planet
of Adventure" quatrology is perhaps my favorite of his writings, but I
am hard pressed to choose.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
The short answer regarding JRRT's work:
I created the D&D game to sell, to get to as many consumers as
possible, and the best way to do that was to include races that were
favored by the many young Tolkien fans. Dwarves are hardly a main
feature of the Rings trilogy, but hobbits, elves, orcs, balrog, and ents
(the Anglo-Saxon word for "giant," of course) were. So I included them
so as to sell the game. Even though I find the Rings trilogy a bore,
found
Bored of the Rings great sport, so what? Gamers are able to enjoy their D&D campaign with as much Tolkein flavor as they wish.
A careful analysis of all the races and creatures in the OAD&D game
will see how small the percentage of Tolkien-inspired material there is
actually within the roster. Of course, I do not count elves as JRRT's
creation at all, they being the stuff of much British folklore, as
Dwarves are Scandanivian and Germanic. Of all that the Professor wrote
about, the hobbits, the balrog, and the ents were all that were uniquely
detailed.
Speaking of bored, that's what this tedious subject does to me and quite a few others I should imagine :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Akrasia
We now have a place that serves very good Thai food, and another place that makes decent crepes. You should visit again!
Thanks for the update ;-)
I don't have much reason to travel out to the West Coast these days, but
who can say? If we do get to the SF area, I will indeed make a point to
visit Stanford once again.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Gray Mouser,
Thanks for the kind words B-)
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
i
take it then, it wasn't your idea to have them in Dieties and Demigods.
;-) i've never made any use of that section, myself.
Right you are!
Brian Blume oversaw that particular project.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well Fellows...
As I said earlier, discussion of the pros and cons of JRRT's work, their
influence on the D&D game, are tedious, so I really won't carry on
further discussion regarding the topic.
Some millions of roleplayers were quite satisfied by the presentation I
made in A/D&D, no game since has managed to captivate so many fans,
and I'll let it go at that.
I did not include Vance-inspired creatures in the A/D&D game because
they didn't fit well with a quasi-medieval fantasy game, and although I
found his work excellent, the potential audience for the RPG would not
be particularly attracted by such inclusion. I let it go at having the
whole of the spell-casting system be an inspiration from his writing.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I
have purchased the Lejendary Adventures Essentials and eagerly await
it's delivery at my home. Using the LA rules, what would Conan, Cugel
the Clever, Rhialto the Marvelous, or the Gray Mouser look like under
this ruleset? I am curious as to how the system accomodates more
"tailored" characters.
Whew!
Generating four Avatars based on fictitional characters is a tall order,
and one I can't fill on this board. However, I can respond in part:
A beginning Conan would likely have Abilities of Physique, Weapons, Savagery, Rustic, and Rangng in that order.
Gray Mouser might have Weapons, Stealing, Urbane, Stealth, and Scrutiny Abilities in that order.
Cugel would probably have Pretense, Weapons, Stealing, Luck, and Ranging in that order.
Rialto the Marvelous Ability linup could be as follows: Enchantment,
Alchemia, Creativity, Weapons, Chivalry--I am a bit uncertain as to this
selection, and others might rank the Abilities in different order or
select one or two different ones after Enchantment.
Note all the Abilities are for a beginning Avatar, and as one
progressed, new ones would be added even as existing ones might be
improved.
First ability in the 55 score range, second in the 40 range, thrid in 30, fourth in the 20 range, and fifth at 10 score.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Sorry, didn't mean to imply a request for details on each, just one!
Very interesting . . . I assume none would be Ordered?
Heh...
No need to apologize, for that was what i was doing as a preamble to my response :-o
Right you are about none of those protagonists being of archetypical
sort, Ordered in LA game terms. Also, as most authors deal with
characters who spring full-glown into story action, reflecting any such
figure with much accuracy in the LA game means an Avatar that has
progressed beyond the initial stage, had more than five abilities and
higher scores in those initial ones. Conan's Physique Ability is well
above 100, even as he was presented by REH as a young man (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
...
And though I am fan of both Mallory and Tolkien, I have little doubt
that the average session of D&D is all the funner for not being too
much like either ;-)
Perspecatious indeed.
An RPG is pretty much the antithesis of a novel, and for most players action is the key to fun and excitement.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
Too
true. Often I have found when I am DMing that the solution for a game
session that is in danger of becoming stalled is to simply say "roll
initiative".
Okay, but...
You neglected to add "or die!" after "roll initiative..."
8-D
GaRY
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Sometimes
you remind me a little too much of that mischeivious lil' imp in the
red robe and long white hair from the cartoon. Yeah, you know of whom I
speak :-D
Heh...
More properly, the character in question, Dungeon Master, should reming you of me :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
no... it's supposed to be "roll initiative and die!"
oh, wait, either way is fine. >:-)
Ha!
Jim Ward's PC usual cry to opponents: "Surrender AND die!"
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Would
any of the LA abilities you attribute to him represent Conan's "sixth
sense" abilities? Or would some kind of "psionic" ability with passive
powers be added?
I was afraid you'd ask about that sort of thing... :\
Actually, Avatars are usually given a Knack (beneficial) and a Quirk
(detrimental) by random roll or by Lejend Master choice. There are 100
of each listed in the
Lejend Master's Lore
book, and another 100 Knacks and 10 Quirks to be given for the LM in an
upcoming supplement. Anyway, to the point, special features of a
literary protagonist such as Conan can be replicated by means of
selected, or newly created, Knacks. It is possible for any avatar to
have several of each, even though each human Avatar begins play with
only one Knack and one Quirk.
Additionally, there is a Psychogenic Ability that has many powers, and
intuitive sensing of danger/attack is amongst them. However, a hero such
as Conan needs Abilities of other sorts, not prowess of the mind, so
that is why I suggest the assignment of Knacks to cover such things. One
of his Quirks would be spendthrift and abnother would likely be
womanizing.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Very
interesting . . . I suppose Cugel would have a Knack and a Quirk that
each revolves around luck (good and bad, respectively).
Actually, I assigned Cugel Luck Ability at low score. I believe his main
Quirk would be Gullibility. I am not sure what his primary Knack would
be; likely something to do with a bonus when faced with a
life-threatening situation needed to be avoided.
His Pretense Ability covers his dissembling and glibness 8-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel,
I was wondering how common adventures in places besides the City of
Greyhawk and its surrounding environs were in your original campaign.
IIRC,
you have mentioned that Hommlet was designed as a "base" to introduce
new characters to the campaign but what about PC's going on trecks
across the Flanaess? For example, did anyone ever make it over to Zeif,
Ket or the other more westerly realms or were things pretty much
centralized around the Nyr Dyv?
Gray Mouser
PS
I enjoyed the LA descriptions you gave for various literary characters
(brief as it was). Sounds like you have a pretty cool, adaptable game
there :-)
Howdy Gray Mouser!
You hear about the movement in Wisconsin to allow the shooting of feral felines?
To your question: there was a good deal of outdoor adventuring, and
robilar, Terik, and Tenser traveled all the way from my world's
equivelent of China back to the city of Greyhawk, half the globe's
circumference distant.
When I switched to Oerik as the main continent, most of the putdoor
adventuring took place to the east and up north around the big lakes. A
couple of years back a group from Tennessee visited, and i designed an
adventure for them that would indeed take them from Greyhawk all the way
west of Zeif, looking for a haunted city there. After eight hours
they's not made it much further that Rel mord, so that was the end of
the adventure. Pity...
As for the LA game systemit is adapatable to any desired form of FRG
play, and the underlying system can be altered with little effort to
provide excellent play in other genres, as will be seen in the next
couple of years. The first new one is nearly ready for editing and
layout,
Lejendary AsteRogues Fantastical Science RPG. This is one that I actually used to formulate the mechanics used in the published fantasy game ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
(^_^') Uh, nope.
Ah, from the old "slide down to China" room in Castle Greyhawk, right?
I'll tell you, I've already stolen that idea for my main dungeon and am
waiting for my PC's to discover it >:-)
Just so!
That is too bad about the Tennessee group. I think it owuld be great
fun to go on a "walking tour" of the Flanaess. Did they bring their own
PC's or roll some up when they got their? Did they start at 1st level
or did you let them start higher due to toughness of encounters?
It was indeed a shame thy chaps didn't return as that
promisted when they left. They brought their own PCs of around 8th
level, but one lost a couple of levels to some wights, so they stopped
in Rel Mord to have the clerics there restore them.
BTW, I suspect that they didn't come back because their van caught fire
and was totally destroyed on the way home. They did save their dice.
Cool, I'll have to check that out. I enjoyed doing a bit of Sci-Fi
gaming back in the day ("Space Opera", "star Frontiers", "Gamma World"
and a little "Traveller"), although Fantasy is my favorite gaming genre.
Gray Mouser
The LAR RPG is more like a mix of the 18th century with super
science. The space vessels have sails, fire anti-matter cannpns from
open decks, the crews wearing "vacsuits."
It is a lot of fun :-)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Yikes!
...
Man, I remember having a comic book that had a similar setting waaaaay
back when I was a kid. Can't remember the title but it was by Mike Grell
(of Warlord
fame) and the ships had "solar sales" and the characters had not only
lasers but swords, as well. I thought it was the coolest. I may have to
hunt this game out, Colonel (my wife already thinks I'm a geek for
bidding on oop AD&D stuff on ebay so why disappoint her? ;-) )
Gray Mouser
Close, in the Lejendary AsteRogues game swords
are a main sidearm, but there are rocket pistols and rocket rifles,
needlers, and even some grenades. The only computers are either
mechanical or biological 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
UH, oh! Shades of the mentat from Dune! Darn you, Colonel, just when I thought C&C would be the only new game I would be buying!
Gray Mouser
Not to worry!
TLG will be publishing the LejendaryAsteRogues books and campaign
setting, Kowloon Wharf Space station, so you'll need onlt three core
rules books and the setting package to become the Lejend Master for the
genre X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Oh good. A game/setting that sounds like I can use much litterature material from Simon R Green's Deathstalker novels for.
A good series if your into the Space opera/ Star Wars genre. :-)
Sadly I must confess i am ignorant of the"Deathstalker" novels referred to....
The
Lejendary AsteRogues
RPG is one that can be played on many levels, from nitty-gritty
espionage in teeming cities to space opera settings of all sorts,
including pirates, the hunting of space beasts, exploring for unclaimed
astral bodies in the Trans-Saturnian or nearer Asteroid Belt. It can be
played as a game of fleet space battles, commercial enterprise, or
feature diplomacy and roleplaying. In fact, an ambitious LM with s
sufficiently large and flexible group can cover the whole gamut in the
campaign B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Consider
it a book recomenedation then. That series and the Hawk and Fisher
novels by the same author, Simon R Green. I make the recomendation based
on knowledge of your taste for good literature. :-)
Next book buying spree I have, likely soon, I'll search for Simon R. Green novels. Thanks for the tip :-D
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey
Colonel, I was wondering about the setting for the Lejendary AsteRogues
RPG. Is earth going to be involved in anyway or is it set "A long time
ago, in a galaxy far, far away"?
Gray Mouser
the Inner planets are all nations--Imperial
Venus (think of Spain when it was a world power...with its penal colony
on Mercury), Earth (burocratic nightmare), Luna (rather Victorian
British plus Egypt and India as at the height of the British Raj), Mars
(rather a frontier world like the USA mixed with Swiss Cantons), the
many inhabited asteroids and the new outer planets being free nations,
Uranus and Neptune. Most of the large asteroids and planetary moons are
colonies of an inner planet, and the great space stations are mostly
owned by planetary governments, although some are independent,
associated with asteroids.
The really bad guys are the Venusians, Asteroids Cartels Association and
the system-wide fanatical religious sect known as the Drozabs. Well,
the Trasps, the Trans-Saturnian Astreoid Belt pirates are nasty too.
All grades of gray besides the black, and whatever white the LM wishes
to add as independent asteroid states in the belts or as space stations.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Speaking
of good stories. Whats your opinion, good, bad, or indiferent on the
Thieves World anthologies? Which, btw, have started up again with some
new and several old authors. :-)
I found most of the stories rather unexciting, a very few that were worth my reading time...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Thanks for the info, Colonel. The new game/setting sounds great!
Gray Mouser
Welcome :-D
there is an advanced Terran base on Pluto that has discovered two more
planets beyond its orbit. Of course the outermost one of the pair will
be the place where humans meet alien interstellar travelers planning to
invade the solar system, but that's a later development to be covbered
in a module I should think.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MarauderX
Colonel -
I was wondering what your take was on spell casting in a game design.
Do you prefer the fire-and-forget method as is still in use with many
systems today? There seems to be a growing popularity of a magic-point
system to model movies and the like. There have been several products
that have followed up on the opportunity already. Would you prefer to
see a spell-point system as more of a standard used in the future?
Thanks, and hope you are doing well!
~MX
Heh...
All those familiar with my last two systems will know that I have moved
to an energy point system, a must for any FRPG taht does not use classes
and levels :-o
The
Lejendary Adventure
game even allows the use of the heavy duty sorts of castings by
relatively inexperienced casters, but the veteran ones take the short,
fast-to activate, low-grade ones ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MarauderX
Well, that answers that, and I feel like a moron for asking and not know the Lejendary system. Thanks once again.
No Way, Amigo!
That was a fair question, and no doubt. Not knowing a system of mine or
some other designer is pretty common. After all, a gamer has only so
much time and money to spend on the subject :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Gary, I have received my copy of LA Essentials. Be prepared for a slew of questions on this system!
Okay X-D
But do check out
www.lejendary.com before asking too many here. Likely they'll be answers on the game's main website...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Well now...
Is the comment below the pic aplause or a warning against sexually transmitted disease? 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Elfdart,
After much cntEmplation I have gone back to the original idea of one
main type of die for any weapon. After all, a knife, baseball bat, or
jedberg axe are leathal. As in OD&D, where all weapons did a d6
damage, I have set a d20 as the normal maximum harm deliverable by most
weapons in my new system. 20 is the normal human health number. Deadlier
weapons have a minimum damage delivered of 5 or more points, and a
bonus given on their attack chance.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Without delving into my copy of the Essentials, are there other properties that differentiate the weapons in LA?
Weapons have a Range and Speed Class (addition to initiative roll) as
well as a Precision Bonus (0 to a high of 20, incriments of 5).
A natural maximum number on a harm roll means additional damage found by
rolling a die equal to half of the base one, so if it is a d20, then a
d10 is rolled in addition. If that is a 10, then a d5 is rolles, all the
way to maximum harm of 37 points from one attach.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Grodog!
As a matter of fact the plan is to create entirely new maps, so none of
the areas in the castle and dungeons will ever have been previously
explored. Of course into the new maps will go the most interesting and
remarkable features of the original dungeons Rob and I did separately or
jointly. There will be "side levels" that are difficult to find too.
We plan to broadly theme levels, based on inhabitants or major feature
of the area. To say more rather takes away from the object of the
work--to explore and discover what is there, survive and best the
challenges, and carry forth rewards.
As for the original dungeons we devised, there were a couple of levels
that were pretty much shunned, but to the best of my recollection every
one of the 40-some in the dungeons was explored to some extent. The
prototypical Plant Master's area was entered by one of my PCs--and a
couple of other players' characters too, but I don't remember any names
after 30 years and a single visit.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
Gary,
speaking of shunned areas, you once described to me a 3-way
intersection on the deepest levels. "Monkeying Around" (that lead to the
Isle of the Ape), "Horsing Around" (Rob's centaur level if I remember
correctly), and the 3rd escapes me. It was Fooling Around, or Clowning
Around maybe. I can't remember what was there, but you stated that it
was one of those 'shunned' areas that was rarely visited, or maybe it
was just that nobody wanted to try it after their experiences in the
other two areas. What was the 3rd gate called?
Scott
Heh, yes :-)
the horsing Around area led to a Sylvan area where centaurs were indeed
one of the encounters. I might have that big map somewhere, included it
as an adjunct to the CZ dungeons if it is located...or I am moved to
re-create the woods and meadows.
The third area was identified beforehand as Fooling Around, and it was a
double entendre name. I can't say more, for that would give away the
surprise entailed in visiting the place. I don't mind saying that there
was indeed a jester and A aouple of assistant "Jack Puddings" involved
in the adventure. After the monkeying Around on the Isle of the Ape, all
the high-level PCs put the word out to stay away from that part of the
dungeon level...
Everyone enjoyed gathering nodes of sequins in the Carabas of Jack
Vance's The Dirdir novel--potting off dirdir too X-D They kept the
Dirdir laser pistols as low-charge wands usable by any class and
exchanged the sequins for jewelry that could be sold off on their own
world. too bad i can't include that sort of thing in a commercial
product...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BigBastard
Gary, Just incase you're tired of talking about rules and would like to take a quick break for something completely different.
Do you have any intresting stories from the many game conventions you
have attened? You probably seen or heard a few strange things over the
years. ;-) (Sorry if you found this question annoying.)
Heh...
After so many years at so many conventions, they all sort of blend into one, but...
As a matter of fact there are probable more stories about my strange
behavior told than I have like tales.Those sorts of stories are l;ikely
from my having imbibed way too much liquor at some party or other
(^_^') I've never really been hassled or insulted at a con. The
attendees have all been quite civil or friendly. Of course being stopped
to be regaled with tales about this or that PC, especially terribe
monster, or dungeon get to be highly redious, especially because they
are long and monopolize attention, a no-no at a con.
The year after i left TSR there was a very amusing event, though. I was
to give a talk at Gencon, and Lorraine's minions put it in a corner
where there was no light, no chairs set up, and the location wasn't
properly noted in the program. Despite that about 100 intrepid
adventurers managed to locate it X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel, I was wondering if you could shed some light on exactly what
a jedberg axe is. Is it some weapon that takes its name from the
Jedburgh area of Scotland or some implement of your own design.
Gray Mouser
'Mouser, you have it. A jedburg (proper
spelling) axe is indeed an actual Scotish weapon, a pole axe of around
nine-foot length with a guisarme-type hook, or a gaff-like one backing
the blade.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh, anotehr weapon-type question, Gary. In the original
Monster Manual (as well as the FF and
MM
II) you list the various humanoids as having a specific damage per
attack (for example, 1-8 for hobgoblins) "or by weapon." I was wondering
if you meant the given die-value for damage as an amount of damage
based on the creature in question being otherwise unarmed or as some
kind of default number for DM's who didn't want to bother figuring out
what kind of weapon the creatures were armed with?
the
number given for damage inflicted was a default to use when not wishing
to get into the specifics of humanoid arming and additiopns for superior
individuals in the group.
Also, if a humanoid is armed with a weapon that does less
damage than the listed default amount would you go with the weapon
damage or the listed default damage (i.e., would the said hobgoblin, if
armed with a spear, do 1-6 damage for the spear or the listed 1-8)?
Thanks in advance!
Gray Mouser
Yes, in the case where i had specific weapons listed for the
humanopids I'd use the damage applicable for that weapon, but I'd note
the strength of the wielder, so there might be a bonus. In such cases I
normally have levels for the humanoids too, as all are not ordinary.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gizmo33
Hi Gary,
I have, not one, but two questions about mummies in ADnD that have had me wondering for a long time:
The first is that the
DMG,
the section on "Handling Troublesome Players" recommends "attack of an
ethereal mummy (which always strike by surprise, naturally)". Why
ethereal? Why mummy? Is there an interesting tidbit of gaming history
here? The outer planar rules in ADnD were always mysterious to me, and
I've always wondered whether it was something special about the mummy
that allowed for the physical attack across the plane.
Howdy Gizmo,
An ethereal mummy would not be seen and its attacks would be punishing
but not likely fatal, unlike many other sorts of monsters that might be
names. The only itdbit cnnected to it is an inside joke sometimes used
when someone not partoicularly welcome woulld come around. then I'd
usually remark, "Who has been burning tanna leaves?" As for being able
to attack from ethereal to physical, that's no more remarkable that a
long dead, dried, preserved corpse being animate, thinking, and powerful
:-o
The second mummy question has to do with their connection to the
Positive Material Plane. Did you ever flesh out this idea? Were there
other undead that would have a connection to the Positive plane? Did
you ever speculate on a criteria or reason for this connection as
opposed to the Negative plane?
See ScottyG's post below. It was an error, although I probably
could create a rationale for mummies drawing their energy from the
positive plane is pressed...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
Hi Gary,
For all the balance and rules things going on, I think more people worry
about rules than about playing. What do you think? I've been involved
in a lot of balance debates, and I've got the feeling that this might
be true.
Of course I hold that there is far too much
rule-playing that detracts from role-playing. the rules are supposed to
assist the group in suspending disbelief, assist in immersion in the
adventure, and generally enhance enjoyment of play. Balance should be
built into the system, relatively unobtrusive, completely so in play.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gizmo33
That makes sense for
3E, because
3E
seems to put the positive/negative material planes on the good/evil
axis. But ADnD as I recall didn't really define it so clearly - ex.
creatures like the Xeg-Ya/Xag-Yi seem like mirror images and neither
good nor evil. The one, as I recall, doesn't heal anyone. The later
books, like Manual of the Planes, made Positive a kind of healing
energy, but that was after Gary's involvement (I think). I always had
this feeling in ADnD that the positive material plane was equally
dangerous, and it was conceivable that such energy could power undead.
Perhaps it's just a case of my imagination running off due to a typo? I
was just wondering if there was a design, perhaps abandoned later on,
that explained what postive material energy was in ADnD.
Actually, the negative isn't necessarily evil or inherantly malign.
Consider Osiris, the Egyptian god of the dead and his afterlife world,
the Duat or Tuat. Neither is positive necessarily good ot benign. Using
the same pantheon, consider Ra supporting Set over Horus son of Osiris
and Isis. Osiris put him in his place, though... 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gizmo33
I
have to admit that I'm stumped as to how to glean the nature of
negative material energy from the example of Osiris, but I'll do some
rereading.
As death and shadow are clearly negative, the
association should be obvious. Osiris is a "god with a still heart,"
clearly a negative-force deity.
I could have about a zillion questions, all of the form: "Tell me
everything you can remember about your sources of inspiration
Those are in the main listed in the OAD&D game's
DMG and in the bibliography for the
Mythus game,
and the circumstances under which you developed <insert DnD
element here> and describe how you used it in your own game.
Negative Material Plane, or whatever. I would be very interested in a
sort of "Gary Gygax's Gaming Autobiography". Of course something like
that could always raise more questions than it answers.
That sort of detail is not likely recallable, and thus such a work is quite unlikely ;-)
Speaking of books-
I recall something about a book of gaming anecdotes that you were going
to co-author with RJK based on the material published in Dragon Mag a
few years ago. Do you have any news on that?
No news :\
Rob hasn't gotten any of needed additional material in to me, and I have
been quite busy with other business and creative matters to do a proper
job of nagging him 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BigBastard
Grettings Gary, I was on
www.rpg.net
a couple of minutes ago and someone put up a post asking who Dave
Anreson was. What had concerned me is that as the hobby evolves and gets
new people into it the creators could be forgotten about or thier
importance lessened by new companies that gain control. Being the
creator of the hobby do you have any concerns of being forgotton as the
hobby grows older? Do you think Wizards of the Coast(Hasbro) has a
reposibility to educate the new gamers coming into the hobby of who the
founders were?
Howdy Amigo!
As far as recognition goes, it isn't up to anyone but the individual
concerned to see to that. Generaly speaking, that's why folks want their
name on the works they have created and are published.
The serious student of anything will look into the history of the subject and know the "names" connected to it.
People do forget, though, and no game author should consider his name and work "immortal" eh? 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Hey Gary, I can't recall if this question has been posed to you before, so pardon if it covers old ground. The gnome of
3e
D&D has gone through something of an identity crisis, in my
opinion. Can you tell us what your role was in bringing the gnome into
D&D in the first place, way back when, and what niche you felt the
gnome occupied? The question was prompted by a recent rereading of Lost
Caverns of Tsojcanth and Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun, in which there
is a gnomish enclave deep within the mountains. In the Forgotten Temple
module, in particular, the gnomes seem to be very much like how dwarves
are usually portrayed in RPGs - bluff, serious, perhaps rather grim. Any
thoughts on how to differentiate between the portrayal of gnomes and
dwarves?
Good question, Colonel,
As you undoubtedly know, gnomes were originally the nbame for small
earth elementals, as salamanders were of fire, sylphs of air, and
undines (I think, it's been a long time since I read on this subject)
water.
Despite the origination of the gnome, I meant to make the race more
attuned to nature than are dwarves. The deep gnomes, Svirfneblin, are
meant to be exceptional. The balance of their cousins deal well with
both nature and the subterranean.
Dwarves are miners, forgers, and somewhat mechanical.
Gnomes are miners, botanists, and highly mechanical.
Dwarves love gold and gems.
Gnomes appreciate objects d'art more than gold, although those of Zurich love to keep the wealth of dwarves and others secure.
That cover it?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Sad
a fact as it is, I concur with Gary. Most people have no clue who
Alessandro Volta is, but people still use 9 and 12 Volt batteries all
over the place; there are fewer people today than yesterday who remember
The Honeymooners, but the concept of the SitCom is still alive and
well. Just part of the maturity of the hobby, I guess. :-(
Hi Henry,
There are a few "giants" in history, those whose names come down to over
the centuries. Some are remembered for the evil they did, some for the
good, some for their contribution to the world. We can all name a dozen
or two out of the billions of persons who have lived and died on this
earth. Nothing to do with a hobby or game is likely ro make the cut 8-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anabstercorian
Speaking of "Immortal", what's your opinion of the OD&D Immortals Handbook?
an interesting concept for those who are seeking very high level play.
As a DM I was not prepered to present such a campaign, but I have played
in an OAD&D one where PCs of around 12th level were mere
striplings. The DM was Francois Marcela Froideval, and he did an
excellent job of it, so that I to wanted to move my character up to the
mid-level ranks in his campaign...say around 34th X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Seeten
Here here.
I still have my 1e
DMG, with the Efreet on the cover. Got it at the ripe old age of 6, and have it still.
Long shall live the name, "Gygax".
Well thanks :-)
Seeing as how some D&D buiffs of scentific bent have named a new strain of bacteria they discovered after me,
Arthronema gygaxiana, it seems likely the name will be around, if margnally, for some time... 8-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
Good Col, on the question of Gnomes:
I always guessed they where put in so that there would be fewer hobbit, er I mean halfling, PCs ;-)
Heh-heh-heh!
Those hairy-footed midgets have always been more populan decent, hard-working gnomes. What can I say?
(^_^')
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
...
Now, since we know what you think about dwarven women and beards, the question is begged: do gnomes have big noses?
Did W. C. Fields enjoy imbibing spiritous liquor? "Godfrey Daniel! Who put lemonade in my lemonade?!" X-D
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
Yeah, Immortals is pretty far Out There.
If anyone's interested, we're talking about it now and then on Dragonsfoot.org.
-- da riter
Heh, and noppers...
I spent the day giving an interview, then running the Teeth' module,
Frank, so I am way behind in clhecking email and doing some needed work
in regards to business matters.
I'll email you about some additional map details and the like tomorrow
or Monday. The party (4 only) actually made it to the end and got zapped
then by the biggie :-o Had a lot of fun DMing it as there's so much
to wing X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
I
thought it might be related to animated objects deriving their motive
force from positive energy myself. It seems somewhat inconsistant that
mummies were listed as being animated by positive energy, but then old
school D&D always had some strangeness like this anyway, so I
shrugged it off.
Strangeness in a fantasy creation is a desirable thing B-)
Why some folks want scientific accuracy in a FRPG is qite beyond me.
After all, "There are some things that mankind is not meant to know,"
seems a logical statement when applied to a game dealing with the
supernatural.
All that aside, the "Positive" was just a mistake (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Gary, do you still roleplay? If so -- what games? Do you GM or play?
Heh...
Sure i play, and I've been playing regularly for about 20 years--the
hiatus was when i was in the Los Angeles area and traveled so much.
I ran
Dangerous Journeys, Unhallowed and
Mythus
campaigns until the T$R lawsuit. I thereafter switched to testing a
couple of systems I was developing for use in CRPG designs. One of them
gave rise to the
Lejendary Adventure
FRPG--the game we played last Thursday, the one I usually run for the
group that meets here at my place almost every Thursday to play. Of late
I have been running some OD&D dungeon crawls for them, and last
Saturday I DMed about six hours of OAD&D for a couple of fellows who
were visiting to do a magazine article.
Best of all from my perspective is that Jim Ward has recently joined us, and he will be GMing his new
Metamorphosis Alpha game for us on a regular basis, so that means I'll be playing a couple of times a month! B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Elfdart
I had a house rule:
Only humans, gnomes, half-elves, wood elves and half-Euroz (Greyhawk!)
were allowed, and only one PC in four was allowed to be demi or
semi-human. I got sick of all-elf parties and the stereotypical ways
demi-humans (elves, halflings, dwarves) were played. Edmund Wilson was
right about LOTR showing "a poverty of invention", and watching players
ape that poverty of invention was annoying.
We got back to the humanocentric gaming of the old days. The only thing missing was art by DAT!
No quibbles about that from me ;-)
Someone of the female gender once asked why I wrote from the male perspective. Well duh!
In similar vein, I don't know any actaul hobbits, gnomes, elves, dwarfs,
or half-breeds of those races, so whatever a human might write about
them is going to be from a human standpoint thinly guised, or perhaps
fairly well so, as a non-human perspective O.o
As for DAT, we have tried our best to get Tramp back doing artwork, alas to no avail :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jyrdan Fairblade
That sure looks like Tramp, but he isn't in Cairo any longer...
Also, I've finally decided to pick up Lejendary Adventures, probably
Troll Lords' boxed set. Any words of advice or anything that I should
be aware of before setting out on this course of action? I've been
looking through the official website, so I have a basic iidea of how the
system works.
Thanks!
J
Don't equate the LA game to any form of D&D, so have a
mindset that allows you to think in the new terms used. The feel/spirit
of the game is like OAD&D, but it plays differently.
Check out
www.lejendary.com once you have the rules :-#
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Hey,
sounds like fun. I'm guessing it's been a while since you've played in
a game rather than GM'ed? How many different systems have you played?
I played MA with Jim Ward as the GM last month B-)
Actually, I haven't kept track of the different RPGs I've played, but I
suppose it's about 12 or so, not counting a couple of systems I
developed for computer game proposals I've done.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
I
assume the OD&D game is the one written about over at Dragonsfoot.
When you DMed that AD&D game, did you go "by the book" or just have
the books handy while making it up as you went? I like trying to go by
the book, but the details (like age modifiers for starting PCs, weapon
type vs. AC, etc.) always trip me up. I can't seem to keep all the rules
called for in my head at the same time.
Well...
I consider the rules something to consult when you are absolutely stuck for what to do.
Read them, know the main mechanics, and then play the game so that all concerned are having fun X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey Gary I was recently reading through the
Monster Manual and
MM II, specifically regarding Demons and Devils. Under the entry for Demons the table lists them as receiving full damage from
iron weapons, whereas Devils are immune to such weapons. I've noticed this before, but don't recall having it come into play.
that's correct.
My question is, does this mean that demons are immune to the average
sword made from steel? I assume that a magic sword made from steel
would affect the demon. Also, would both demons and devils be immune
from wooden weapons (such as a club or staff) barring any magical
bonuses?
Yes, only magic weapons (and cold-wrought iron ones) affect
demons. That includes steel ones and wooden weapons, unless one is a
rakshasa, they being subject to wod as other demonic types are to iron.
One last question, did you ever have any PC's who faced demons who
were armed with iron weapons, or did they simply use magical ones?
Gray Mouser
Iron weapons affect demons, and so yes, I have DMed a cleric
PC in a party that used an iron mace to harm a demon, a low level one of
Type I or II, I don't recall which it was.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Maybe you can tell I'm going on a particular train of thought, here.
What sorts of characters do you like to play? Or do you like a wide variety?
I like a variety of different characters when I play, although if I am
doing well with a particular one then I stay with that PC until the
general mission is concluded or a new direction for adventuring is
indicated.
What sorts of tricks do you like throwing at your players? Do you
ever take ideas from EN World or other people? (If so, tell me about
your campaign so I can come up with stuff! ;-) )
The only way I discuss GMing is in the books I write or in
modules ;-) By the same token I do not read other RPGs or GMs material
to purloin ideas. However, i do pick up some GMing ideas from paying in
another GM's game.
There's a brief account of my
Metamorphosis Alpha adventuring posted over in the LA game section of the boards at
www.dragonsfoot.org.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Hi, gary,
We haven't chatted for a while so I hope all is well in your realm. In
the meantime I have to ask: what's the deal with the Hall of Many Panes?
I keep hearing that it's going to be released but then it gets delayed
again and again. Are we going to see it anytime soon? I look forward to
running it in what I hope will be the near future.
The
proper ones to ask are the Trolls, they being the publishers. However, I
am assured that the art has been completed and that the
Hall of Many Panes will be released quite soon.
As for other matters, I need to bounce a couple Greyhawk questions
off you. First off, what's up with the Egg of Coot? Can you give us the
insider's story on that one? No one has provided a satisfactory answer
as to who or what it is.
the Egg of coot is a creation of Dave Arneson's. He has stated
that it was drawn from the name of Gregg Scott, a chap who disdained
fantasy as "unmanly"--as opposed to the micro-scale armored fighting
vehicles he manufactured and purveyed X-D
Also, I heard that in your original Greyhawk campaign the island of
Japan was located on Oerth. Where exactly was it located? Anywhere near
the Flanaess? How about Aquaria?
That is so, but Oerik was not as as it is, rather it was North
America with a Western European flavor east of the Mississippi and
other cultures to the west of it. So Japan was where it is on earth
Anyway, thanks for covering some old ground for me,
jokamachi
P.S. By the way, is Mordenkainen still retired? If not, has he been on any adventures lately?
Welcome.
Mordenkainen has not ventured forth from his citadel for about five
years. The last adventure he assisted with was to deal with a pair of
ancient white dragons. Of course he is still available for action if
there's the proper occasion. I am playing a
Metamorphosis Alpha character now that was created back around 1977, and it is a blast!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Yeoman99
Hey Colonel! Been playing D&D for 24 years now which has been a real pleasure, so firstly my thanks.
I have a question regarding the Doppleganger. All damage descriptions of
this monster give a d12 damage. Given the nature of these creatures how
did you view this damage being done? I imagine that if a weapon was
being used from a previous victim then the damage would be variable. So I
tend to see the d12 damage being from the dopplegangers limb, perhaps
changing into a weapon-like appendage (a bit like the Terminator 2 robot
that was fighting Schwartenegger)
Am I on the right tracks?
Good health! John
Howdy John :-)
Appreciate your good words.
You indeed have the correct concept of the damage from the doppleganger.
the weapon is an extension of the creature, and thus the damage is a
constant.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Hi,
Gary! A situation came up this evening that made me wonder how things
were done back when D&D was new and you had a score of players
crammed in your basement.
My girlfriend is also my GM (ain't love grand?), but I'm not attending
tonight's D&D game. Since I'm usually the mapper, I have the maps of
the levels we've explored so far, and so I scanned them in and e-mailed
them to her, so the players would have the maps for tonight's game.
My questions, therefore, are these: In the early days, who kept the maps
between games, the DM or one of the players? If the character of the
mapping player was killed and left behind, did he have to surrender his
copy of the map to the DM? Or was it just one of those
conventions of the game that a map was kept, and who cared where it was supposed to be?
Thanks in advance for your answer!
Heh, but don't get miffed if your GM happens to be rude to your PC. Love can fly out the proverbial window then :-o
Then as now in my campaigns, as well as those i play in, the mapper
keeps the map. If he doesn't show up for a session, then the others are
stuck for a map. Trailing maps became popular for just this sort of
reason, and I usually make same when I am mapping someplace where I
won't likely need to know thoroughly for game puproses.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tuzenbach
Gary,
Here's an old one, but a good one (I hope! 8-D ). Crafting the rules
for AD&D way back when, what exactly (or approximately, even!
>:-) ) was going through your head as to the differentiation between
the "long sword" versus the "broad sword". Thanks!
It was
the differences between the two weapons, namely a thinner blade with a
thrusting point for the longsword. the broadsword is more of a cleaving
only weapon, altough it can be thrust.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by The Great Bear King
Gary would you check my Nethermancer class (including) revisions to see if it's unbalanced in any way.
Actually, I regretfully decline that invitation...not that I have
plenty of my own work to take care of or anything like that... 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
Ok,
this has probably been asked a BILLION times, but what do you think of
all the newer D20 products out. Sucha as the ones in dragon mag.?
That, and what do you think of the newer D&D editions?
Being a courteous person, one who respects the opinions of the Good
Folks who maintain this excellent website, the preferences of many of
the persons who post hereon, I won't say more than this:
I do not find new D&D to my liking, so I have no comment to make
about the D20 products offered anywhere, save that the few that bear my
name have been done in collaboration with a fellow who does know the new
D&D system intimately ;-)
In short, different strokes for different folks!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Hm, four days since Gary's been here.
I didn't receive email notification of posts here. Ken alerted me to
the condition here, my inexcusable neglest, via one of my email lists.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Inexcusable? It wouldn't be the first time the email notification didn't kick in.
hooray!
Then I am excused...whew X-D
Forging excuses when i cut classes in high school, my usual, was the
work of my dear friend Tom Keogh, for he was most artistic and clever at
such things X-D
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
:-P You sound a bit like my dad. The whole "horray!" thing. :-P (good stuff! :-P X-D )
"Well Son," he noted paternally,
I am surely old enough to be your father, seeing as how I have six
kinder ranging in age from the 40s down to a stripling of 18 tender
years ;-)
I surmise that old farts must like to use ejaculations such as "hooray!" and "yippee" and "by the Great Horn Spoon!" X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
...what's
a trailing map? My best guess, based on your use of them and on what I
can find on the Internet, is that it's a simple sketch with primary
features marked (e.g., "orcs here").
A line going in the direction taken with a note beside it such as "60
feet", a rectangle for a room with the dimensions noted and the
contents/occu[ants, etc. Quick and easy to make, but not a good
depiction of what fills an area ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
You forgot "Od's Bodkins!", and "By Jove!" ;-)
(Which is interesting, because Odin never had a dagger, did he?)
Thunderation!
So I did >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tuzenbach
:-o Erm.......did Gary Gygax just use the word "ejaculations"????? O.o
Heh...
Yes, Beavis, and you got me.
I was thinking "expostulations" when I entered that word... (^_^')
Ah, the shame of it :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Bah, bunkum, I say!
Since "ejaculations" may also validly pertain to "emphatic exclamations
expressing emotion", I profess that I perceive no pernciousness in your
preference. Honi soit qui mal y pense!
Ah but...
Note the reference to "Beavis." In that vein I am culpable.
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
But poppa', What does "ejaculations" mean? :-P (sorry, couldn't help it.) (^_^')
As Henry was so ind as to post this definition of the term, a quiote should suffice :-P
"ejaculations" "emphatic exclamations expressing emotion"
So what do you think of all the "young hudlums"(or whatever
you...er..."kind elders of the community", call us) playing one of your
creations?
To quote what the father of a friend of mine, one Joe Ragont
of Chicago said c. 1954 to him regarding, amongst others, none other
than me: "So you stand around-a on the corner with your no-good-a
hoodlum friends smokin' cigarettes, eh?" (Joe's father was from Naples,
so read that with an Italian accent.)
Of course we wore brown leather jackets with the collar turned up, had
our greased-back hair in duck-tail, and sported pegged pants, long key
chains, and blue suede shoes.
Now who's a hood?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
I
know it's the right age and all, and the place and period, but I suffer
a complete mental disconnect picturing Gary as a Greaser. -- It's like
picturing your parents as teenagers. :-)
Well Dude!
What was every old fart once but a young and likely foolish teen?
As I have a good memory, I can relate well to young people today, even
though their idea of being cool is pretty different from that I reveled
in in the 1950s... And indeed Big Mamma Thornton cut Elvis Presley's
rendition of
You Ain't Nothing but a Hound Dog as cold as Carl Perkins cut him doing
Blue Suede Shoes :-#
You would have loved me in my silver-gray with blue splash weave one-button roll suit :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
Hey,
I got a question for ya'. What do you kids think of D&D? Do they
play it as much as some of the wackos on here (sorry wack-os), or do
they just see it as another game to play from time to time?(My dad
raised me on it, so I love the game quite a lot)
Be Polite to all of Us Fanatics...
As for my children playing, is gin & tonic refreshing?
The first two play-testers for the first draft of the D&D game back
in 1972 were my two eldest children, Ernie and Elise. Eventually all of
the others playes--Heidi, Cindy, Luke, and Alex. These days, none of the
girls play, and the two older boys are unable to get in much RPG
activity beacuse of their work, although Ernie and Luke wrote the D20
module
The Lost City of Gaxmoor. Alex, the youngest of the lot is an inveterate player of RPGs and computer attempts at RPGs >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
Sounds like the life!! So what about the xp and the item creations thing?
Okay,
As for creating items, that was basically what retired PCs of magical
persuation were allowed to do in my campaign. I left that to other DMs
to decide for themselves, but the clear message is that such things
should be discovered by adventues and quests, not created in the magical
lab. Never could much in the way of magical gear be found for purchase
either--maybe +1 arrows or a few healing potions if I were in a most
generous mood.
XPs were not considered for item creation in the original game.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
it sure was easier on the DM that way, but it's a lot of fun for the PC to be able to do this on his downtime. ;-)
IIRC,
2E had "rules" (more like suggestions) on how to make non-artifact
magic items, but everything was such a challenge that it was just about
not worth the effort. ;-)
Pfui!
If t palyer can't find something more adventurous for his mage PC to do
during downtime that making potent magic utems, let that character take
up knitting and tatting. My m-us were always bust re-charging wands and
the like until essentially retired. then they made magic items--usually
by cmbining two or more existing ones gained honorably in questing
>:-(
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
What's the point of creating a slew of magic items in order to go on a quest in order to find magic items????
I can see scribing a scroll or two or brewing a potion before an unusually tough adventure, but come on people!
Gray Mouser
Nota Bene:
Gray Mouser gains the Zagyg Seal of Approvel for his observation ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gizmo33
Since
the chance of facing the Mad Archmage in his dungeon seems somewhat
safely in the too-distant future (HINT, HINT), I'll go ahead and
disagree:
Creating magic items (ex. knitting a bag of holding), hiring henchmen,
building castles, resting to heal wounds, getting a tatoo, etc. are all
fine and honorable activities for adventurers
IMO
during their "down time". There's a natural limit to these activities
in most cases, imposed by the resources required. Seems to me that in a
world with plenty of opportunities for adventure and trouble, there's
enough pressure to adventure that the DM doesn't really have to work too
hard to prod.
Bah!
Zagyg's
Raspberries
are awarded to all concerned with such flummery. If PCs have the
location to house laboratory, forges, equipment, library and the great
amount of time needed for creating magical items then they must be
elderly and retired, not spry and adventuring.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
Hey,
I got a question for Ya, Gary. I have always wondered what your
favorite creature was in the game. (And if it is NOT a dragon, wich is
your favorite dragon?)
For all you others, thanx for the advice. Is there a way I could turn that into a class or race?(the lepricon)
Well, Pilgrim...
Much as with naming favorites if any sort, I have to state I have no
favorite monster...aside from the one the PC team is assailing at any
given time, of course.
This is not to say that I do not develop special antagonists for the PCs
to get to know and fear, loathe, and seek to be rid of. Obmi the dwarf
was my favorite for a time, and of course I made sure that the players
would not be able to have their characters end his career. The "Old
Guard" kobolds were a lot of fun too X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Only when the spirit in question is of high quality and the whole concoction served at the proper temperature.
A Professor once told a class I was in, "Life is too short to drink poor
alchohol, get the good stuff, which at this time of the year is Gin."
After that, I drank less, but better. :-P
Heh...
Advice well taken, I must agree.
However, it is bootless to have champagne tastes on a beer pocketbook O.o
As with a Scotsman who can drink any given amount, I am always up for a
bottle of premier grand cru class Bordeaux or Burgundy, vintage French
champagne, ancient armagnac or cognac, old ports and sherries, top shelf
liquor of any sort, and real ales and similar micro-brewery potables.
As for gin, Bombay Sapphire is about as good as it comes, no B-) Of
course I no longer imbibe to excess, gray hair bringing me that
wisdom...
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
There is no XP cost for items in 1E. The XP value listed is the XP reward gained by the character that gets the items.
Scott
That is absolutely accurate!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
You GOTTA have a favorite DRAGON tho, everyone has a favorite dragons!!!!
Would you believe a gold one? that's so even though Mordenkainen has two red ones in his citadel's subterranean complex...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
You mean that no one would ever rent such things for short term projects?
Rent?
What pilgrim would rent a valuable magic item to a bunch of adventurers? 8-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
As
for the best looking dragons, I must say that I have always thought the
Oriental depictions are tops. Of course, the great interest in drakes
arising from the D&D game has certainly brought to the fore many
excellent illustrations of most imaginative and artistic sort.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
What work do you do now?
I would like to be semi-retired, do little work and mostly read, play games, and watch interesting TV programs, but...
I am doing a modicum of creative work, a few hours a week, a fair bit
more business related labor, and a whole lot of correspondence and board
postings. So I am kept occupied this some four hours a day, seven days
per.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
Sounds good. Hey, if I could be occupied 4 hours a day HERE I would be livin' the life!
All is relative...
I enjoyed working 70 or more hours a week before the health problem.
NMow I just run out of steam ag=fter a couple of hours at the keyboard.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
Health problem?
(Do you ever do signitures? Like on books and things of the sort?)
Yes.
As for autographing, I do indeed have signing sessions at
conventions--the Lake Geneva Game Convention at the end of July and the
Canadian National Gaming Expo at the end of August.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
Do you know of any conventions near OR?
Sorry,
I don't try to keep up with all the gaming cons that are being held. You might try a web search for that.
I can sat that the first GenCon was graced by the presence of one Jerry
white from Portland, IIRR. He brought his "Siege of Bodenberg"
miniatures and castle, causing me to become a deotee of the Hauser 40mm
figurines 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Greetings Gary!
I'll be at the LGGC, with my Efreet covered
DMG, eagerly awaiting your pen! Preregistered last week, and am greatly looking forward to the event.
Cheers!
That's fine B-)
Don't hesitate to bring it and any other treasured item you'd like me to
sign right up to me and let me know you're there for an autograph. It
is always an honor for me to do that...except when I am in GMing a game
or speaking to a formal audience (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
And as summer follows spring, the talk returns to food and drink (or at least drink!).
And speaking of summer, now is the time for cold fruity drinks: daiquiris, margaritas, mai thais. I had a "mangorita" at a Thai place last night...that was good...I could go for another right now...
Right! One must prioritize X-D
I usually drink gin & tonic in warm weather, although a rum drink is
refreshing. When we were in Santa Monica some years back our host
directed us to a saloon near the north end of the beach that served
"Kick-ass Margaritas" that were absolutely delicious...and potent.
Sadly, I have to watch my salt intake these days, so that sort of spoils
the drink for me :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Gary,
It's been fun to read all of your comments of late; of course dwarven
women have beards! How anyone could think otherwise is beyond me!
Anyway, and more to the point, I'm curious to know how you developed the
mind flayer. Did you have any source of inspiration or was it designed
from scratch?
Sincerely,
jokamachi
Happy to answer...
When I was contemplating the denizens for the vasty subterraneal realms I
determined to create some interesting races to populate the underdark.
As with the drow, the Illithids came mostly from my imagination after a
spark of inspiration. For the drow it was the dictionary mention as dark
elves. For the mind flayers it was the cover of Brian Lumley's
paperback book,
The Burrowers Beneath. the thirs race was the Kuo-toans, but they provved to be less popular... Simple as that ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
The
G&T, always a classic, and readily found in any former part of the
British Empire (or actually pretty much anywhere on earth these days).
Ginn is also pretty good with grapefruit juice....there are plenty of
low sodium alternatives :-D
I do enjoy a Gordon's and
orange juice, an orange blossom if you will. A nice Bombay Sapphire
martini, straight up, a drop of vermouth and perhaps a drop of contreau
with stilton cheese-stuffed olives is a good appetizer, as is a gibson
with sweet onions, no vermouth at all.
Don the Beachcomber's that was once in Malibu did a great Navy Grog with
Rum 181 that was a near psychedelic experience, much better than the
Dark & Stormy drinks favored in Bermuda.
Nothing tastes the same as the salt on the rim of the margarita class though :-(
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
And
then, with a mighty roar, the dragon lept toward you and..'OH!!! IT'S
YOU! YOU'RE..YOU'RE...YOU'RE GARY GYGAX!!! CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH!!!
O.o 8-D :-P
I urge no-hesitation in regards speaking
to me, because I've noticed, and been told, that some gamers are
hesitant to approach me for authgraphs or a word ot two--a couple of the
the very reasons I am at the con :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
Was
your origional game a lot simpler than the ones out now? It seems
impossible for one guy to come up with half of the rules we have now.
Short answer: Yes.
If you check out the OD&D game, read the supplements
Greyhawk and
Eldritch Wizardry,
then check out OAD&D, you'll have a good insight into the
development of the game's complexity development, and of the added
complications that came with them.
I am attempting to keep the
Lejendary Adventure
game as rules light as possible, but the coming revised edition will
have a few rules additions and changes, as well a a whole ream of added
"stuff" for the PCs and the GM.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
You GM alot? Any requirment to join your games?
I was the constant GM, but as Jim Ward has recently joined the group,
he takes over periodically to manage those duties, and I get to play
:-D
The main requirement for a newbie with the group is available space. We
have about nine persons now, but fortunately a couple are usually absent
for one reason or another. the table is comfortable for six, seven in a
pinch, but when there are eight or nine, some have to take chair
nearby.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
James M. "Jim" Ward is, amongst other things, the creator of the
Metamorphosis Alpha and
Gamma World RPGs.
Winters here in Wisconsin are pretty dismal, but at least one can game...if the roads are clear for travel.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gizmo33
Aha,
now I know why it was a guy with a fortress that released Zagyg's
prisoners. He must not have liked raspberries or flummery as much as I
do.
You will always be served raspberries when a flummery is presented to me :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Hello, Gary!
The latest Star Wars movie has been buzzing all over the boards here, so
I was curious to know if you've seen it and what you thought of it. Or
do you tend to watch other sorts of movies? I didn't like Star Wars as
much as most, but I did like Kingdom of Heaven.
While I
am not a rabid fan, I have seen all of the Star Wars flicks a couple of
times, and I plan to see the Revenge of the Sith in a week or two...when
the crowds are less dense ;-)
From what I have read regarding the treatment of the Saracens as opposed
to the Christians in Kingdom of Heaven, it is one I'll skip. My first
published game design was the Battle of Arsouf, so I am fairly well
conversant with the Crusades.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
...
That sounds good. Out of curiosity, why are you planning to redesign
the levels? From what I understand, from comments you and Rob have made
before, they're pretty much 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of graph paper, right?
Are you planning to expand/contract the levels, combine existing levels
into larger ones, etc.?
The final (third revision) first
level was 17" x 22", as were some of the "side levels." Also, some
levels were done on 5, 6, or 8 squares to the inch graph paper, one on a
hex sheet.
Otherwise, all the material will be new, with kEy areas recreated on them, just as I said ;-)
...
While I was in NJ, I found an old TSR shipping box that I thought I
had lost years ago. In it, amongst other treasures, were my letters
to/from you and also Rob c. 1987-88. You were still running NIPI at the
time, and Rob was still immersed in Creations Unlimited. Did you
recall publishing a "Realms of Adventure" newsletter after #2? I found
my copies of #s 1 and 2 (which, ironically, I had literally just
replaced the week before...), and was curious about any others you may
have produced. I also found my refund letter for the cancelled NIPI
Necropolis; did you have other NIPI rpg projects that were never
published but that might see the light of day at some point?
As I recall #2 was the last of the RoAs that NIPI produced.
There were a lot of projected products that the chaps who ran NIPI--and I
was not one of them other than chairing the BoD--planned to do. There
was a list of books and various games and modules that never got into
production. I don't have a list, only a hazy recolection of the matter.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Hey, Gary,
For your money what are the hardest monsters to beat? Which of these would you least like to face off against?
jokamachi
Whoa, and that's a loaded question!
What sort of PC class am I playing, what level, and what sort of equipment does that character have?
The hardest monsters to beat are other PCs I should think :-o
I hate to be surprised by anything that can petrify a PC, of course, and level-draining monsters are just plain nasty.
When Mordenkainen and Bigby were laid low by that iron golem that could
levitate, breathe fire, and had a whip of petrifaction and a poison
sword I was at the time personally pretty sure that not much worse an
opponent could come down the pike :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
Hey, thanx all. I didn't know this kinda stuff existed. Nice. Where did you say this guy lived?
If by "this guy" you mean Jim Ward, that's easy. Jim lives in the
county seat of Walwrth County, Elkhorn. That's about eight miles from
Lake Geneva. Do a websearch for the "Beast of Bray Road" for some
interesting reading about the area.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
OK, Colonel, a statement like that just begs for the question: What have you faced that was tougher than the (in)famous iron golem???
Gray Mouser
Not much of anything.
Tougher stuff my PCs run away from in utmost haste X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Okay Jdvn1,
I'll have to pick up the DVD of Kingdom of Heaven when it is released
and see if I concur with your assessment. the reviews say it is slanted
against the Christians, and my son Luke said it was almost as bad as the
hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey
Gary, I was just curious about your experience with Illusionist
characters (I know you have a Gnome Illusionist/Thief PC). Do you (or
any of the players you have DM'ed) have any
memorable/unexpected/ingenious uses of illusions? I've always been
attracted to Illusionists but have never had a lot of experience with
them (either DMing them or playing them) and am just curious if you've
had any stand out experiences with such characters.
Gray Mouser
My PCs have fallen many a time for a clever illusion, and I have similarly duped many a PC thus when I am DMing.
The trick in using them as a PC is not to have the prospective subjects
notice the casting being done, so there will be little reason for them
to disbelieve.
I have had an Illusionist PF use illusions of various traps in a dungeon setting to prevent pursuit or slow attacks.
Other than saying that, I've DMed and played so many game sessions clear
recollection of outstanding examples not otherwise in a module of essay
are not in my easily accessable memory banks :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Ah, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a horrible movie if you didn't read the books beforehand. It's filled with in-jokes.
Luke listened to the radio program version of the HGttG, read the
books, and watched the TV series. He still thought the movie fell out of
the rear end of a horse.
IMO the radio version was far and away the best presentation, albeit I have not seen the motion picture.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh, showing "the better part of valor" to be sure!
It always amazes me the number of gamers who haven't learned one of the
most basic rules of survival when faced with a tougher opponent: Run away!!!
Gray Mouser
Heh...
I might well have named each and every one of my characters Falstaff, or
Sir John Oldcastle in regards to beating feet when things looked grim
in the odds of winning a confrontation department (^_^')
How right you are, though, about the newer players not knowing when to
retreat so as to fight another day! that's how my Old Guard Kobolds came
into being, grew to be a force--killing PC parties that stayed and
fought when it was clear they couldn't beat the little buggers.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Hmmm, I also recall Falstaff was wont to embellish the retellings of his retreats with a healthy dose of heroism as well.
Certs!
After all, the retrograde movement was but an attack in a different direction...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Hey, Gary
I've often endeavored to place Shakespearean characters in my games
(with mixed success, I might add), but just out of curiosity, what sort
of stats would you give Falstaff? How about his level(s)?
jokamachi
As a matter of fact it is much easier to stat
out Falstaff in the LA game system using the skill bundles therein than
it is to give him a class and level rating.
In
Lejendary Adventure game terms I'd give him the Soldier Order Abilities set:
Weapons (64 score), Planning (52 score), Ranging (40 score), Physique
(30 score)--with a fifth ability of Pretense at c. 20 score. As he is
aged and overweight I'd give him stats of Health 50, Precision 50, and
Speed 10.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Wow.
That's the first I've heard of that. I heard some of the radio
version and liked it. The TV series was pretty good, too. Do you know
why he didn't like it? I mean, it wasn't the books, but it definitely
the same style. Also, the screenplay was at least partially written by
Adams.
All Luke told me was that the film was a dog-log
and that he fell asleep attempting to watch it. I'll take his word for
the quality of the production...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
hey
gary, obscure question that i've been looking to get an answer for
awhile... might as well go to the source. ;-) did the verbeeg
giantkin appear anywhere before the Monster Manual II? i've been
looking and asking but noone knows. i know a good percentage of MM2
monsters had previous appearances.
Sure!
As a matter of fact I made up the Verbeeg and used them in some of my
campaign encounters, but they were not in print before MMII as I hadn't
the time to do a modulE that included them. I had thought to have a
mainly outdoor adventure in a woodland setting with the verbeeg being
the lumberjacks, a really big one as their leader, and the lot of them
pretty difficult to deal with on a rational basis.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
didn't they show up in the forgotten temple of theruzdun?
ken
Been a long time since I've gne over that work, Ken, but I don't think so...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
LOL nice. :-) that would have been amusing...
how about the Verme - same question as before.
and one last one - there was a flying version of the kobold called an
Urd that was found in a few 2E books. a number of people have sworn
that they saw it in some 1EAD&D books, and i suspect that it may
have been, but no one has been able to find a pre-2E appearance. any
knowledge of this creature?
I came across the Verme in a
book about East Indian folklore, and to the best of my recolection the
listing in the MMII was its first appearance, even though i like giant
fish in outdoor/underwater adventures.
As for the Urd I can't say, as it isn't a creation of mine and I don't have any idea who created it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
If I were to send somthing to you with the money to ship it back, would you sign it and send it back?
I will do that reluctantly...and if, ond only if, it is a book with a
stamped, self-addressed envelope included in the package. I have no
interest in finding mailing envelopes and going to the post office and
purchasing postage. Signing and putting it out in my mailbox for the
postman to pick up is fine.
Cheers,
Gary
Edit: Email me at
[email protected]
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
It makes me think Gary was the original "No-SASE Ogre" at TSR... :-)
Right!
Expecting the company you write for the request of a favor to pay for postage is going too far >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ratughoth
Hey Gary I just recieved the Lejendary Rules For All Players. Great book but terrible artwork
IMHO.
Did you have anything to do with the production of this book ( artwise )
? Some of the art is of dubious sources ( like Devarre Clarce ). I like
a few of the illus. but come on , some of it is so bad that I just
can't lie.
Editing and layout are not in my purview in reagrds the publication of the LA game books.
Funny thing about art is that tastes vary. Not a few persons have
admired the illustrations. I am rather indifferent to them, although I
do like two of the core rules books covers quite well.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Interesting
take, Gary. I imagine that were it not for his age, Sir John might do
fairly well across the board, but not exceptionally in any particular
area, save that of wit, perhaps. I would, however, throw in a few levels
of thief considering what he gets Hal into. You know, I think a reread
of Henry IV is in order...
Take care,
jokamachi
As to Falstaff's thievery, that's why I put in Pretense Ability. He talked a good game but didn't really deliver.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
Hey, Gary, Why no avatar?
Why bother with that? I don't care about such things. Enough I post here :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Howdy, Colonel. I have a question regarding
The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth for you. I know it's been quite some time since you wrote this module but I was hoping you could clarify a few things for me.
Booklet #2 contains several new monsters (which later made their way into the
MM
II), among them Valley Elves and Cooshee (aka "elven dogs"). The
Cooshee are listed as "normally found only with sylvan or valley elves."
In the wilderness encounters at the beginning of the module there are a
couple that involve elves (oone a border patrol from Perrenland where
there are elf scouts with the human troops) and another encounter with
an "elven warder band." This later group specifically has 3 cooshees
along for the ride.
My question is this: are one or both of these groups meant to be
valley elves?
The type of elf involved isn't specified for either encounter. If I had
to hazard a guess I'd say the elven scouts with the band from
Perrenland would be High Elves from the Quagflow River region (see p. 31
of the
World of Greyhawk
setting). While the Elven band of warders could also be High Elves this
would make their cooshee companions quite an exception. Wood Elves
could be possible but they'd be a far distance from the Vesve Forest and
Valley Elves would be quite a distance from the Valley of the Mage.
Any input on a relatively obscure topic would be greatly appreciated :-)
Gray Mouser
Lengthy question, short reply ;-)
Wood (sylvan) elves are the ones I had in mind. They are found in small woodlands as well as dense forests, of course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey Coloonel, another question from The Lost Caverns... for ya :-)
The module contains several new spells that make their appearance in the Demonomicon of Iggwilv, both Clerical and Magic-User spells. As far as I can tell all of these spells made their way into Unearthed Arcana
except for the 7th level cleric spell "Henley's Digit of Disruption."
I'm wondering if this ommision was an editorial over sight or did you
specifically decide not to include the spell for some reason? (Looking
at the chart of cleric spells, if it was included that would have put
the number of 7th level spells at 13 instead of the current 12. Perhaps
this had something to do with the decision as randomly generating a
number between 1 and 13 would be difficult given the platonic solids
used for dice.)
I also find it interesting as "Henley's" is the only named
clerical spell that I am aware of ("Serten's Spell Immunity" doesn't
count as it was named after a Cleric but is a Magic-User spell! ;-) )
Thanks in advance!
Gray Mouser
A very good question and commentary, yours!
First I must say that I can't recall why I named the spell "Henley's"...
I did not knowling make the decision to not include it. I suspect I
overlooked the spell in the haste of getting the material together for
the UA ms. however, you are correct in that I would not have listed 13
spells, so maybe it was a subconscious decision so as to avoid having to
create three more 7th level Cleric spells. Let's see...
Frodik's Finger of Finagling
Thubbard's Thumb of Insulting and Traveling
and...
Nope!
I can't think of a 16th :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh, thanks :-)
How about "Tenser's Terrible Two-fingered Salute"? After all, since
Serten got a Magic-User spell it's only fair that a Mage get a Clerical
spell ;-)
Heh, and I just noticed that both Serten and Tenser were PC's of Ernie's!
Gray Mouser
That's all very well for you to urge, but i am still stuck on "Henley"...
(^_^')
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Hey, Gary!
I was wondering how much of a new dungeon you create (for your own
DMing, not necessarily for publication) before your players enter it for
the first time. This isn't a level-of-detail question, mind you, it's a
quantity question. Do you just map and key a single level, several
levels, or the entire dungeon all at once? How long (cumulatively) do
you typically spend on this pre�first-adventure process?
I
do the area to be explored before having the team of characters begin
adventuring in it. If i am pressed I'll not complete al the parts of an
extensive work before play begins, but i did all of the separate
scenarios, over 50, in the Hall of Many Panes, before the players bEgan
adventuring in it.
Sometimes I spend a few minutes for session preparation, and at other
times it is an extended time period of days or weeks--usually because it
is something I plan to publish.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TerraDave
rear end of a horse, dog-log, this is getting as bad as the King Arthur portion of the Q&A X-D
...
At least we moved from the horse's rear to what the
dog left behind, and from there if we watch our step we should come out
clean :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
...
By the way, have you ever seen Orson Welle's 'Chimes at Midnight?' It
pieces together every scene in which Falstaff appeared. That is, both
Henrys and the Merry Wives of Winsdor. If you haven't seen it, check it
out; it's quite a ride...
TTYL,
Jokamachi
As a matter of fact I have not seen Orson's
Chimes at Midnight. As a great fan of his directing and acting, I will certainly make a point of tracking down that work.
Thanks for the tip B-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
BEHOLD! Henley's Digit of Disruption! :-)
8-D
That is a rude gesture!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
Yeay!!!!!!!!!
One must always watch one's step when the chips are down.
BTW, I just received an email from someone regarding the
Revenge of Sith,
and he said it was so dull he fell asleep in the death scene. His
particular characterization of the film was "smoking turd"... :-o
(^_^')
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Gary,
I'd have to discount that one. As a Star Wars fan, I found "Sith" to be
one of the better ones in the series. I'd probably place it below my
favorite, "Empire Strikes Back," in entertainment value and plot
development, and as sheer eye-candy it wasn't bad either.
Right!
I plan to see the movie to judge for myself. I have heard that the
special effects were excellent, that the acting was qite poor, bit in
all worth the price of the ticket. However, I do tend to fall asleep in
films that drag... >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Truth Seeker
Kind
Sir, methinks you will not fall to slumber that easy...there are many
things to see in that film, that should not be missed.
And forgive me, it is a pleasure, to see you in good health.
My thanks, Truth Seeker :-)
As a matter of fact they recently upped the dosage of one of my meds, so
I am not quite as full of beans as I was--the stuff takes about two or
three months for one's system to become accustomed to, so I was advised
by a comrade who takes similar medication, and so I discovered for
myself. Anyway, I hope to again get back into being able to work here at
the keyboard for longer periods of time, as I really enjoy creative
work. That demands a lot from me though, intense concentration for
relatively uninterrupted hours so as to maintain continuity and cover
all the bases.
Enough of this wah-wahing :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
ep 3 is a lot more action packed than the previous two, i would say. :-)
So I have noted from critics reviewing the film ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
My thoughts exactly. I only got one because people were bugging me to get one. And I'm here more often than you.
You bowed to pressure...perhaps wisely, as you are a very active poster here ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by TheGogmagog
Gary,
I saw this question over in the rules forum. You have any ideas on it?
I thought if you didn't know there isn't much hope. I'm also curious
about 2nd edition.
Sadly, all of my special D&D
library items were siezed by Loprraine Williams when she took over the
company in 1984. I never got any of those books or games or other items
back.
In short, I haven't the errate material. It should be in The Strategic Review, though, and those are on the PDf, no?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Check out "F for Fake," also, if you already haven't. A very fun, clever documentary...well, part of it is a documentary...
Speaking of films, Gary, have you seen "Frazetta: Painting with Fire"?
Excellent documentary on Frazetta, with recent interview footage of him.
Dang!
I haven't seen F for Fake either, so I'll have to look for that also.
As to the Frazetta interview, is it on the telly?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thufur
Mr. G,
Do you happen to know who came up with the Moondog in
MM II?
Sure do.
That would be me, as is true with the majority of the entries in the
work ;-) It is a play on the term "sun dog," not a creature at all, of
course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Llaurenela,
I don't believe that anyone who knows Lorraine Williams likes her...
We have also been playing some OD&D here of late, mainly dungeon
crawls. there is a distinct difference in the play of OD&D and
OAD&D.
The DJ Mythus game was one of ultimate detail, crafted so that rules
parts could be dropped and the engine would function as well as it did
with them as part of the driving force.
My group is now by popular demand back to playing the rules-light, skill-bundle based Lejendary Adventure game system again.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thufur
Well
then, you are the toast of the town. I had never really read through
it's description until about November, when we were finishing up G1
Steading. Seeing as every requirement for a Moondog's willing service
was fulfilled prior to them getting their arses handed to them, by moi, I
felt that it would be a perfect fit when the party priest cast Implore,
begging for help. What can't a Moondog do? They are friggin awesome. Thanks.
Heh...
...and my prediliction towards making the game a bit tilted in favor of
good over Evil comes through there pretty plainly. Those few who wanted
the tilt to be towards Evil used to send me whining letters all too
frequently :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
The
Frazetta documentary - replete with historical overview, film footage
of Frank at different points in his life, and commentary from other
artists and famous folk who were influenced by him - has been shown a
number of times on the Independent Film Channel. It also is available
for sale; I've seen an entry on Amazon for it.
Okay,
That explains why I have never spotted it in the tube. We don't get the
Independent Film Channel. I'll see if son Ernie does, and see if he'll
record it for me. (I am not one to buy/collect video tapes or DVDs. I do
plan to get some of the CDs of Firesign Theater material I have missed
or from records worn out. As a Sherlock Holmes fan the
Giant Rat of Sumatra is at the top of my list!)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Speaking of plugs...
I will in the next month or so be likely (99%) to be posting a thread
here asking for beta testers for an online game. Those that sign up get
lifetime free pass to the game website. I am mentioning it here, now
because a heads-up is called for consiodering the company ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathal
Does this have to do with Lejendary Adventure? I hope so.
No, unfortunately...
The LAO game is still sEeking financing to move to bEta test.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Any info you can give us on the online game?
Not now. Perhaps, as I said, in a few weeks or less.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jupp
Too bad LAO is still in the freezer. That game did look quite interesting and the folks on the boards of LAO were very friendly.
*starts waiting for the towncryer to announce the news of that new game*
Some development continues with the LAO, and there is about four or
five man years in coding and graphics invested in the project, so it
isn't moribund, merely in need of financing to move it forward to beta
test stage...and beyond. That is being worked on by Trigee's agent.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I'll stay tuned!
Just so.
When the time comes I'll post a new thread for the announcement.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Odysseus
Hi Gary,
I'm interested in what you had in mind , when you created the law/chaos aspect of D&D?
Whenever I think of law vs chaos , i think of the Amber series. Was that
what you had in mind? Or are there other books that inspired you, with
regard to law/chaos?
Also why did you think law/chaos needed to be perpendicular to evil/good aspect?
Cheers,
Odysseus.
As Ken noted, the Elric books by Moorcock were
the inspiration for having the two "alignments." I used them because
neither had a particularly perjorative connotation. As "chaos" became
more closely linked to "evil" in the minds of D&D enthusiasts I
devides to separate ethical bents into the nine alignments used in
original AD&D.
Cheers.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Here's
a good one, Gary: Which would be your preference, if you had to choose
one or the other as a personal maxim? Moorcock's version of Law, or his
Chaos? Did you have a preference for your characters?
Hi Henry,
Despite my Swiss heritage, I tend to be far too much of a free spirit and rebel to favor Law over Chaos in my gaming 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
so you espouse the swiss virtue of neutrality then? ;-)
Heh...
You clearly don't know the Swiss very well.
They tend to make Scotsmen look generous, and they are also very orderly and somewhat mercenary, shall we say... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Hey, Gary,
I noticed that Troll Lords has slated the upcoming (Zagyg's) castle
ruins for a late June release. Are there any tidbits you can share with
us regarding that segment of the great castle?
Sincerely,
jokamachi
The Trolls overlooked the year after giving the month as June. that will be 2007 (^_^')
Yggsburgh, the campaign base, with some dungeon areas in it, will be
releasing, though, although I have yet to check the final map for the
town, so I would suppose it will come in August :\
Come to the Lake Geneva Gaming Convention at the end of July and get the straight word from the Trolls, Rob Kuntz, and me 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jupp
Hehe
yeah we were available in six-packs back then...Too bad that trade stop
in 1815 happened. We were quite successfull exporting ourselves :-P
Imagine today you would get a multiclassed Banker/Chocolatier/Mercenary
Swiss...we wage war while earning money and producing chocolate...YAY
for the Swiss!! X-D
The Swiss pikemen really kicked a
lot of medieval butts,, until the landsknechte fought atop a parapet at
Biacocca and the Spanish developed the sword and buckler tercio.
Yay for the Swiss, but don't cross them...or expect to get a loan without security and paying interest X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Angel of Adventure
Morning Colonel (on the West Coast, anyway),
Please forgive me if you've already answered similar questions on this,
but I want to go to the source regarding DMing the Tomb of Horrors.
I just finished reading thru it, as part of the Return ttToH, and my
other gamin' group even successfully completed that Box Set without any
permanet casualties. (OK, I'm bragging, but trust me, our DM didn't
water it down at all. If anything, he gave it multiple steroid shots!)
Anyway, per the original Tomb, what general advice would you have about
running this? Your advice in the original manuscript is very good, but I
wanted to know if you had any other recommendations based on having
seen this adventure in play over the many years since you first
published. How can I best challenge my PCs, keep them horrified, but
keep them excited to see it all the way thru?
Thanks,
AoA
P.S.: The Agitated Chamber gets my vote for the best room!
To be forthright, it has been a decade since I subjected any players to
the demands of the S1 module. Thus I haven't anything cogent to add to
my original advice. The best I can say is that thinking is required at
all times, and caution will serve the PCs well.
As an aside, I really enjoy the consternation of the party when
negotiating the initial hallway entry, the many pits and the fiendish
maw at the end :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
Hey, leave Mary out of it.
btw, I'll be at the LG con as well.
Frank
That as grasping at a pun as I vave Ever seen... Maw...
The Trolls have you listed as a GoH I believe.
>:-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hola Gary---
I think you missed my last question:
Perhaps "ignored" is a better word X-D
Gary, I have a set of related GH queries for you, and this one takes a bit of a preamble to get going.
I've heard variously among the GH diehards that Zagyg and Xagy were
actually different beings, and that Xagy was Zagyg's evil twin. I don't
recall offhand where I read this, it was likely either in one of your
Q&A sessions with Paul Stormberg, in an earlier thread here on
ENWorld, or in passing conversation with Scotty, Gene, or somesuch GH
grognard.
Xagy is a relative of Zagyg.
Joramy and Xagy helped to create Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous
Nightingale, according to Mordy (he could be wrong, of course....). I've
also read (somewhere) that Joramy was evil in your original GH
campaign, which would explain her willingness to work with Xagy to
create the artifact. In Eldritch Wizardry, Dave Sutherland's image of
Orcus being summoned in the presence of the Nightingale (though no
obvious influence via the Nightingale is shown) is particularly
interesting, in light of Xagy and Joramy's possible evil alignments.
Okay... but all of this is no longer my business. The world setting in question is the IP of Wizards.
Given all of that, my questions to you are several fold: Was the
illo in EW a picture of Ehlissa summoning Orcus, and if so, was she evil
(for some reason, I'd always assumed that she was good, perhaps because
she reigned for several centuries, which---in combination with her
name---made me think she was olven).
I can say that the illustrator used considerable artistic
license not inferred from the item in question or supplied by the one
who devised it for game use.
Is Xagy a different person from Zagyg? What is Xagy's relationship
to Zagyg? Is Xagy also a deity, or is he long dead by 576 CY? If he's
alive, does Xagy oppose Zagyg? Lastly, will Xagy appear in any of the
Castle Zagyg publications?
Yes
A great uncle.
No, not deital and now gone on to his reward.
No.
If that looks as nonsensical as I think it does, I'm sure that Zagig would be well-pleased
I spoke with Tadashi yesterday to see if Different Worlds may attend the LG convention; he's mulling it over....
It was reasonable, so Zagyg was not a little displeased. Mentzer's pun attempt was more amusing O.o
Whoa, and if DW comes all the way to LG for a mini-con I'll be totally astonished!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well Grodog...
Questions such as you posed are warning to all authors of fiction:
Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practice to deceive.
Heh, and people look at me most oddly when after being asked what I do for a living I inform them that I tell lies :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
It's
interesting that the Law/Chaos aspect was used by Moorecock as well as
in the Amber series (which I didn't know about). But let's not forget Three Hearts, three Lions
either. While the Colonel may have been influenced specifically by
Moorecock the idea itself seems to be somewhat widespread in the
literature of the time.
Gray Mouser
Well...FWIW ;-)
If the void were without form and content, then chaos reigned there
until God ordered things. Thus whatever is of primal chaos is malign,
while law is light and order and benign.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
Drat, I'll have to bring an extra shirt.
An official Guardsman Of Helios, eh? Better wear your sunny face.
I'm being pestered to bring baked goods, too.
End of July is our summer peak, so we should have extra.
Hey, have you & Rob been at conventions together, say in the past year or two?
If not, this could be a special photo op. Especially if we get you both drunk.
Word to the wise...
F
Goodies are always welcomed with elan :-)
Rob has been at the past two Milwaukee Gamefests, so no biggie there.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
So.
Yesterday, much to my chagrin, found me bereft of new reading
material. So I went digging for old books to reread. After reading
some Bertrand Russell for an hour or two, I found myself in need of some
reading material on the.. Hmm.. lighter side. So I dug up some TSR
novel. Well, a collection of short stories, entitlted "Realms of
Mystery". Which brings me to this.. Comment, and question.
Now I know that the enlightened require no further proof, but since some
still doubt, any little bit and piece can but help. And so I'll quote
Elaine Cunningham (a woman, btw).
So see, not everything TSR did post-Gygax was wrong! (book was pblished in 1998)
And the question.. Was she as correct in her assessment of female gnomish hair?
Actually...
...this should have been posted on the thread regarding bearded female
dwarves, but what the hell, I am no stickler for propriety 8-D
Gnomes have wispy facial hair, albeit males have a decent beard. As the
author quoted indicates, female gnomes do have rosy, if leathery
complexions, and their visages are generaly devoid of beard and
moustache.
In all, well done Barak!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Hey there, Gary!
There's always been some debate as to whether newly-created AD&D
magic-users check the entire 1st level spell list for spells known
immediately upon character creation, or if they only check spells as
they come across them. I therefore have two questions:
1. How do you do it in your games (if at all)?
2. Which way did you have in mind when you wrote the book?
A spell can be known only when the character is able to use spells.
Thus the check is done when the new PC is seeking to fill his 1st level
spell book. As new levels are gained, and with that added spells, the
player again checks for the PC.
We allowed the player to decide on which spell was to be known, then
dicing to see if it was. When all slots were filled, the process ended
until a new level was gained.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Thanks for the quick reply Gary!
(^_^')
Welcome. Preferable to working...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by med stud
On
Kingdom of Heaven: It's the only movie where I seriously considered
leaving the theater after half the movie. Orlando Bloom cant act and
people in the movie had modern Western morals (which really bugs me).
More reasons for me to see the film only when it is released on CD.
The latter point is particularly well taken. society and culture during
the middle Ages was quite different from the contemporary, certainly. I
rather fell into such a blunder when I initially created the cleric
class in the D&D game. Their influence is completely ignored or
under-rated in most FRPGs. Sadly, I am mainly responsible for that. All I
can do now it to correct my error. I hope I have made ammends in the
"Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds" Volume III,
Living Fantasy.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
I dunno.. Unlike books, I've always viewed movies as having one purpose. To entertain me. I never cared about a movie being accuracte, only entertaining. That being said, I haven't seen Kingdom of Heaven, so I can't really comment on it.
It is clear that you are non-critical in your motion picture viewing X-D
As for me, if something pretends to be historical, then I expect some
close approximation of historical fact, or approximation thereof, just
as I expect a comedy to center on comedic elements, a tragegy on on
tragic elements.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
Oh
yes, and I'll admit fully to that, Gary. In fact, I used to be ashamed
by my non-descrimination as far as movies were concerned. Then I
realized "hey, I'm having fun, who cares?".
Quite so. who can dispute your enjoyment? not I 8-D
I mean, Spider-Man (obviously) was less then accurate, historically. Yet, it's a fun movie.
(^_^')
Spider man being "historical" is a case in point of non-criticalness. I
assume that the film didn't follow the make-believe of the comic books
storyline. As I do not follow the latter, I confess to viewing the film
uncritically in that regard. However, I found the total lack of
"chemistry" between Peter Parker/Spiderman and Maryjane Watson quite
unpalatable, but I enjoyed the movie action otherwise.
...
Books.. Now that's another matter. I know, I'm weird.
:-o Welcome, Dear Fellow, to the club X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by med stud
I
basically want the same thing out of a movie that I get out of a game;
the suspension of disbelief. If a game or movie delivers too many
logical fallacies it just feels stupid and arbitrary to me.
Just so.
The problem for motion picture producers and directors is determining
what will facilitate suspension of disbelief, enhance belief, and cause
the audience to be highly entertained, wish to see the film--more than
once B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ZuulMoG
Tsk, tsk, Mr. Gygax,
Do you have any idea how much trouble your game got me into as a kid?
My parents are devout Witnesses, and it was an uphill battle to get to
play. Besides the whole '25 years of entertainment, lifetimes in
alternate realities, and the accolades of mythic populations', I'd like
to thank you for my mind. Playing every version of D&D from Basic
to AD&D has not only kept my math skills up to date (Alas for ThAC0,
it kept the riff-raff out of our game!!), it also kept me reading.
When kids can be using drugs, having sex with each other, or actually
killing each other with real weapons, the idea that parents can object
to a group of their children sitting peacefully at a table reading and
doing math is...well, it's infuriating, that's what it is. I'd like to
thank you for providing an educational form of entertainment to millions
of kids (and adults, we never stop learning!).
That said, I can't really think of a question... Sorry to spam the thread.
My former wife was a JW, as was I for a time, so I can relate to your difficulties 8-D
Thanks for the good words about the side benefits of playing the games.
Their primary purpose is fun and entertainment, but there are many other
beneficial aspects to them, indeed!
Interesting and useful comments are by no means spamming ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Well in that regard. Kingdom of Heaven was well worth seeing more than once. Certainly, when finances permit, it will become part of my video collection.
...
Ah, but Peter...
I know that you are a liberal, so I must chalk up your being enamored of the film in question to that sorry state >:-)
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
*chuckles*
I am? News to me. I just like a good punch up film. That one and Troy
and others like it are good punch up films. ;-)
You are on my Talk list so I know full well :-P
Btw. Aren't you supposed to be working on Zagyg II? Get to work! :-D
All work, or any work, and no play makes jack. I am not seeking riches X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
Tsk
Tsk, Mr Gygax, sticking labels such as "liberal" in an international
forum such as this! Would elves consider american "liberals" to be
such? I myself was a moderate back in canada, and then I moved to the
states.. Oh but this is getting too political for this board.
Frankenstein (staring De Niro)is still one of the best movies I ever saw
in theater, although it has little to do with what was on t5he screen
and a lot to do with the antics of the two ladies seatred before me.
Yes, I'm easily entertained.
So, you are from the Great White North, ay.
That covers it sufficiently X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Dont mind Gary. He and I are just teasing one another. He's a cool dude. B-) :-D
Yah!
Butt out Barak or else >:-)
X-D X-D X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
And here I was thinking Gary was a stick-in-the-mud. Curses you Gideon, for shattering my illusions!
Actually, he gave me an invitation to go to his house, so I gather he's alright.
And I'm from the great North-East (Qu�bec), which is worse.
See you at the Canadian National Gaming Expo in Toronto?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Whitey
...
...
That's about how the conversation played out. Some of the more colorful
expletives were removed, but what Tom said, was really crucial. So,
it's posted here with the question - what do you think, Mr Gygax?
Basically, can a gamer play just the spirit of a game, or is there
something intrinsic to the rules, that makes playing the rules the
point?
Howdy Whitey...
What you suggest is something I have basically supported since the
inception of the game: the rules are guidelines and the DM should feel
free to do his own thing.
I did attempt to get some conformity in the AD&D system, because I
wished to rpomote large-scale convention tournaments, give cash prizes
(but that was quashed along with my gamer scholarships effort).
So in my opinion you are completely justified in what you think.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
Well I'm -from- Montr�al, but I live in the states now, for better and for worse. :-)
Okay...
...so visit Toronto as a sort of homecoming perhaps ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by orsal
Gary,
you don't know too much about Canada, do you? Suggesting that for a
Montrealer a visit to Toronto would be "a sort of homecoming" is like
suggesting to a San Franciscan that a visit to Los Angeles would be "a
sort of homecoming".
What part of "sort of" didn't come through?
Leaving the USA to return to Canada is indeed a homecoming of sorts,
just as an American arriving in New York City from some European country
is experiencing a homecoming even if he is from somewhere far removed
from that city.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark
Perhaps a thought or two on the passing of David C. Sutherland III when you can, Papa G.?
Yes, although I had generally wished to remain silent. Paul Stromberg's
excellent eulogy says much, and I have sent it to my lists, psoted it
on the
www.lejendary.com boards.
My son Luke emailed me when he got his copy of the notice, recalling how
he and Dave, at Ernie's instigation, used to play rough-house when he
was a very small lad. I have many fond memories of Dave, personal,
gaming, and business related.
I mentioned elsewhere how much I loved his making fun of me in cartoons,
sitting at my desk with a whip in one hand and my finger on the panic
button. Most of my Empire of the Petal Throne gaming memories include
Dave Sutherland.
Although we were not in touch for the last years, I prayed nightly for
him ever since I learned of his critical illness. Ah well, man is an
exhalation...
That's about all I have to say.
Regards,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
A thousand thanks, Paul!
I have long lost those old
Strategic Previews, and it is so kind of you to post those exerpts here for all to see :-D
As an aside, you must have my "Ultimist Class" April Fools joke too.
what a hoot that I received several enthusiastic letters from young
power gamers who wanted more information for their Ultimist PCs...
Thanks also for the copy of your eulogy to Dave. I have spread it around wherever it was appropriate.
I'll hoist a pint to Dave and Shlump too this evening as we work on
completing some game module work in liew of actually playing ;-)
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Gary being carried, desk & all, to Origins II, is hilarious. :-) Who was supposed to be the Elf?
As far as I can recall, that figure was just a generic one, not
representing any of the guys that worked there in the old house at 723
Williams Street.
As an aside, that place got so it was really crowded, so we moved off to
the Main and Broad location that's now called the Landmark Center here
in Lake Geneva. Brian insisted on using the basement (that ran under the
next door building) as a warehouse. There had been 12 lanes of bowling
alleys there, and I wanted to have it a weekend convention center. Ah
well, bitter old memories compounded by Dave's passing :\
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Dave's
art was pretty ubiquitous in the very early days of D&D, or so it
seems to me. In a number of ways, it defined a certain "feel" for the
game. Gary, how important to you was art back then, when it came to
getting the D&D game together? Do you have any favorite pieces from
that time period - namely, the early to mid 70s? Any that you feel
exemplify what you were going for with the game?
Heh...
An art critic I ain't O.o
What I wanted was cover art that would attract attention to the product,
interior illos that were useful to the DM or otherwise
attractive/amusing to the reader.
My favorite artist of the time period in question was Dave Trampier. I
was always after him to quit re-working his stuff, for he was seldom
satisfied with a fine rendition, would keep on and often get a less
attractive end result.
Anyway, I surely to wish Tramp would pick up his brishes and palet again.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Paul J. Stormberg
Howdy Gary,
The guy talking to Gary is Theron Kuntz, dressed in a Robinhood outfit.
Pardon me, maybe, but...I doubt that, as it looks nothing at all like Terry :-P
Having the issues right here in front of me I can say that it does
indeed represent all of the company employees in 1976. They were all
depicted as characteres in the soap-opera strip called "David Megarry,
David Megarry" after "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman".
From left to right we have Mike Carr (note the flying cap and WWI
planes), Tim Kask (pipe and cap), Brian Blume (six-shooters and "50
Gallon Hat"), Ernie "The Barbarian" Gygax (carrying desk), Gary Gygax
"The Commander in Grief" (riding desk), Terry Kuntz (carrying desk;
dressed as Robin Hood), Dave Arneson (wearing "Blackmoor U" shirt), Rob
Kuntz (towing a beholder by an eyestalk), and Neil Topolnicki (in
Napoleonics regailia). In the building are Dave Sutherland and David
Megarry (two voices simultaneous). According to my research that's every
employee of the company circa May of 1976. Dave has other drawings,
"Shlump Da Orc" for himself and David Megarry is depicted as an
intoxicated halfling with loads of curly hair.
http://www.neonramp.com/~stormber/Crew_76.jpg
Futures Bright,
Paul
All that is spot on ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Gary, is this still the way you prefer to play original D&D?
Bonus question: Do you have such house rules for original Advanced D&D or Legendary Adventures?
When I am in the mood I love to fly by the seat of my pants as the Dm for OD&D...or AD&D.
Having house rules would rather spoil thewhole idea of winging it :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DM-Rocco
Okay, two things.
One, the offer still stands that any time you are in the St.
Paul/Minneapolis area, you can take a break as a DM and we will dust off
the AD&D books for a bit of fun so you can be a player. Just try
to give me a weeks notice to gather players :-)
Two, under whatever rules you love, okay, AD&D 1st addition, in your
world famous module, The Tomb of Horrors, I have a question. If you
were DMing and a group of players went into room 27, THE PORTAL OF
SCINTILLATING VIOLET, would you allow the player to cast an anti-magic
shell to by pass the dancing swords?
...
Thanks for the generous offer of hospitality!
As for the animated swords, their attack is impelled by magic but not in
and of itself something that an anti-magic shell would turn aside in my
judgement. Nonetheless, I can't fault your ruling that allowed that to
happen, As for what spells would affect these blades, you have a good
list, and any Dm that thinks another might work is within his rights to
have it so.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
A sad day when Dave passed. His cover of the 1e
DMG is cimple awesome.
Now for the question, Colonel. Is the game module you're referring to
the one you and Frank Mentzer are working on, or something related to
Zagyg's Castle?
Gray Mouser
We toasted Dave on thursday last as four of us worked on getting the maps for YGGSBURGH into shape for a final pass.
The module Frank Mentzer and I will co-author is one that was originally
done for AD&D and will be translated to the C&C game system in
due course. It is not tied to the ZAGYG'S CASTLE project.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by WyzardWhately
Gary,
I've been playing xD&D for over 10 years now. Started with second,
went to third, recently discovered 1st & found I prefer it for a
variety of reasons. You may credit your writing with being the primary
one :-) .
That statement should send not a few of my detractors into frothing rage X-D
1. I found a new meaning for 'gygaxian. "High Gygaxian" is the
language which 1st ed. was written in. C&C also occasionally dips
into High Gygaxian. I saw this in a review of C&C over at RPG.net.
Do real gamers still go to RPGnet? I'll be...
2. You've mentioned that you omit the thief class when you're
running. Why is that? How does the party find traps? Any related
clarifications are appreciated.
Well no, you are mistaking how i play OD&D for OAD&D.
In the original D&D game there was no thief class, and the traps
were not as frequent or complex. A 10' pole in cautious hands and a
dward PC were usualy sufficient to spot most of them.
3. Poison was mostly Save or Die back in the day, as I recall. Did
you have it take effect immediately (it bites him and he falls over
stone dead), or was there a grace period of gradual deterioration, cold
sweats, and such? I'm curious about this, as I wonder if the cleric
would have time to 'fix it.' (I"m also imagining rolling the save in
secret, and gradually applying damage, where the player wouldn't *know*
if the poison would kill him or not. Mwuhahaha.)
As rounds were of one minute length, not much beyond a minute
was given for poison to prove fatal. If a cleric was on hand to
neutralize the toxin, then fine, it was allowed by me and all the DMs I
knew.
BTW, there were a few poisons that did xdx damage, save meaning only 1/2 xdx damage was taken.
4. Have you ever seen the movies "Legend" or "Labyrinth?" Neither
one is properly sword and sorcery, but they're fantasy films that are
very popular amongst the locals where I am.
I have seen LEGEND but not LABYRINTH.
Thank you for your time, both these questions specifically and the
thread in general. I've probably become somewhat insufferable to my
friday night group, as I've taken to referencing The Master Himself
(your august personage) to resolve various disputes, fill in setting
details, &c.
As long as you are doing that with tongue in cheek, in proper Zagygian fashion, I approve 8-D
5. Additionally, any thoughts you have on the True Neutral
alignment would be appreciated. My character leans in that direction,
and I've started taking crap from one of the other players who says no
one would ever act that way (My defense that real people don't throw
Fireballs either has shut him up, but it won't last. I swear this guy
puts more effort into criticizing my characters than roleplaying his
own. Sheesh.)
Che true neutral sees all of the cosmos as a whole mechanism,
the opposing forces necessary to keep the "mechabnism" running as it
should. Daek balances light, death life, evil good, suffering pleasure,
etc. that help?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dyx
Hey Colonel, here's a Greyhawk question:
Is Iggwilve, the mother of witches, the same person as Louhi from
finnish mythology (and 1E Legends & Lore)? (There is supposed to be a
reference for this in your novel the Anubis Murders, which i havn't
gotten to reread yet.)
And how do these two relate to Baba Yaga, the little grandmother?
Someone on canonfire speculated that both might have been taken in by
Baba Yaga and raised as her daughters. (Baba Yaga was known for taking
in little girls.)
howdy!
Noppers, Iggwilv is purely from Oerth and has no connection to Louhi of the Kalevala and Finnish Mythology.
The Magister Setne Inhetep fantasy mysteries are based on the DANGEROUS
JOURNEYS, MYTHUS RPG system, the world setting being Aerth, and so there
is no connection between it and AD&D-based material.
The Russian witch Baba Yaga is well known to me from childhood stories
in JACK & JILL Magazine and later reading, of course. I have her as a
deital figure in three forms in the LEJENDARY PANTHEONS book ms.--Baba
Jaga, Baba Jula, and Baba Yaga :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
Prolly
depends on Gary's mood; he'll relish the gruesome details if he's
irritable. But the angst is all the sweeter 'cause the cleric can't fix
it in time. ;>
As to the last... I think it's still June...
F
Hey Frank!
:-P :-P :-P
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
OK,
so experience is 1 per gold piece worth of goods, I got that. But what
about monsters? If you're still using just the three original booklets
to game with OD&D, do you award 100 XP per monster level defeated
(as insinuated in said booklets), or do you use a more traditional table
from the Greyhawk Supplement or AD&D's
DMG?
Well...
Usually I make up what I think is the right XP award for the defeat of
opponents based on the difficulty of the contest and the level of the
critters fighting the PCs. that can be 10 points per for ist level ones
of maybe 50 per. As a guideline, the numbers in the PGB are fine, of
course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
WyzardWhately,
Not much to add to your exposition, other than to say that Concordant
Opposition is Balance. The Oriental concept of Yang and Yin is good
example of the True Neutral concept.
How I would love ID political parties with the D&D alignments, but that's a no-no :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
I
was just reading a comment from Steve Jackson (of GURPS fame) this
morning in which he noted that most adventuring parties think of
themselves as lawful good but are in fact chaotic neutral. I wonder if
this can be applied to political parties as well. . . . 8-D
Noppers!
Both of the major political parties are lawful. They want more laws and bigger government, more control over the citizens.
Ruefully,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by WyzardWhately
I assume you're referring to the 'no politics' rules here?
Hmm. If you really want to, and it sounds like you do, just email it to
me. I'll post it on my 'blog and put up a link in this thread. If
people want to argue about it, they can do it there.
Sound acceptable?
Indeed I am, and a fine rule it is too ;-)
As for political comments, I'll confine those to my two talk
lists--there's enough heated exchanges there for me to avoid causing
more anywhere else 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DM-Rocco
You should have my e-mail address still if you are interested in coming to play, if not, here it is:
[email protected]
Now that I think of it, I may have given you my old address last time, oh well, cheers :-)
Well...Email addy noted, but...
Maybe we can meet halfway, say in Minoqua, Wisconsin, at the Baker's
House. That way we could get Frank Mentzer in the game too, meanwhile
chowing down on excellent baked goodies B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
ROFLOL X-D
I know, I know...
If I haven't anything nice to say, I should say nothing at all...
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
(Renfield voice-over)
Did somebody say baked goodies (when you say the Baker's House, you've said it all!!). :-D
Certainly superior to a cat fed on birds fed on spiders fed on flies, eh?
And address me as "Master, Renfield!"
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
Sorry, Master! I always serve the Master! (grovel, grovel) 8-D
Then where is Mina Harker?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well, J.C.
In my view you have an imperfect understanding of alignments as they
apply to the game. However, it is a waste of my time and energy to
d9ispute your assertions...profitless on all counts.
I will reiterate that government is generaly based on what? Why LAW, of course.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Halfling
and treant are clear, but what's a balrog in D&D? One of the
devils, I suppose, or perhaps you left it out entirely?
The balor demon, the name borrowed from Celtic mythology....where I expect that "balrog" came from.
I've been wondering something since the good old '80s . . . it seems
to me that your map of Greyhawk and Tolkien's map of Middle Earth hook
up to each other. Your Sea of Dust backs up nicely into his Nurn and
Mordor, with your Sulhaut Mountains becoming his Ered Lithui (Ash
Mountains), and your little lake and river on the Dry Steppes (in 3e
labelled Lake Udrukankar and the Rumikadath River) fitting in nicely a
tributary to the Sea of Rhun.
Is that just me, or did you or someone at TSR intend them to fit together?
There is absolutely no connection. I did the two maps on hex
paper of the maximum sixe that TSR's printers could manage at the time,
free-handing the work so as to get in all the cultural types I thought
would make for an interesting campaign ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Well,
if it helps, I hated 2e and most of the stuff Lorraine put out. It
just wasn't the real thing, so I mostly stuck with AD&D and old
adventures and my own work from 1981-2001.
About half of
the AD&D audience was lost when 2E was published. TSR tried
publishing more product to make up for the smaller consumer audience,
but it was a downward sprial.
But, after much wailing and dragging of feet, I was talked into
trying 3e a few years ago. I actually like 3e and 3.5e fairly well,
though there are more rules and that slows down the game a bit.
My questions: Have you played the latest versions of D&D? Do you like them?
I read the new PHB and
DMG, played some 10 or so long sessions of
3E play-testing the Lost city of Gaxmoor. I did not find the system to my liking, so I have not played further, 3.5E included.
Have you read later versions of Greyhawk? If so, do you like any of
that work? I think Erik Mona, the current editor of Dungeon and prime
author of the Living Greyhawk Gazeteer, does an excellent job with
Greyhawk, though I wish he'd have thrown out more of the non-Gygax
accretions to the setting (especially the Greyhawk Wars silliness).
No, nor do i plan to, as the current version of the world
setting it quite the opposite of what i created it for--an open world
for DMs to freely adapt to their campaign needs.
Since it is a fantasy game, I'll tell you one of mine: you start
writing adventures for 3.5e Greyhawk. Perhaps you come up with the
adventure story, and Erik Mona or the like translates the rules for you?
That's never gunna happen, is it?
;-)
How right you are. I have no creative rapport with the new system, nor the old world setting as altered...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
You
shall not be forgotten while we still live . . . beyond that, I can't
promise, but I imagine the future versions of the internet will keep
your memory around for another century at least.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gygax Heh....
Well there is also the new strain of bacteria,
Arthronema gygaxiana, that might serve to remind some folks of my game jellies and slimes (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
In
my Greyhawk, Perrenland is neutral, because it exports mercenaries to
all sides -- Ket, Iuz, Highfolk, and sometimes Bissel. Normally, the
cantons try to decide to export troops to only one side at a time,
though. It's a weird combo of mostly Swiss (cantons, mercenaries,
crossbows, and cheese) and a little American Indian (Flannae gods, which
in my campaign means American Indian mysticism, nature respect, etc.).
I imagine all Greyhawk DM's have different takes on Greyhawk's many
lands, and that my Swiss part fits what Gary would have done, but the
American Indian stuff is nothing like what was intended. Is that a
correct guess?
As for the inclusion of American Indian
culture in Perrenland, indeed, it is different from what I would have
done. As I tend to favor the Swiss military of the medieval period, I'd
have included Welsh so as to have longbowmen in the battles of pikes,
and maybe some Magyar horse archers as support units too :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Here
here! As a guy who majored in history/poli sci and works with
translating numbers into business decisions, I've got to wonder how much
of my mind's development I owe to picking up the PHB in 1981 . . .
quite a lot, I'd say.
Thanks Gary!
Welcome, but...
My contribution is minimal. It was something that stimulated you to
develop your own potential, rather as might a grammar school teacher
through recommending books whilst directing a course of study so as to
make it interesting.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Thanks so much for answering that. Your map has made and is making for an interesting campaign.
It'll stay on my wall tacked up next to a Tolkien map 'cause I know the
DM is always right, even when the Father of the Game says, "Nah, I
really wasn't thinking that." X-D
Fact is that I have
never compared the three maps in question, JRRT's Middle Earth and the
Oerik pair, so it might seem there is some connection. However, I do
believe the scale of the Middle Earth map is smaller than that of the
World of Greyhawk, so a side by side comparison would not be meaningful.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Hi Gary,
I've a general question regarding many of your creature concepts, as far as how they came about and/or changed over the years.
Kobolds: did they always look like lil' dog-lizards, or were they originally just a lesser form of goblin?
Hobgoblins: I've always known hobgoblins as being "good guys" in a way. How did you come up with them as larger, meaner goblins?
Gnolls: originally described as a cross between 'gnomes and trolls'... How did they become the hyena-men we know and love today?
Gorgons: I would have pictured a hideous snake-lady with asps for hair, but you split the creature into the Medusa (named for the popular gorgon) and Gorgon (an iron-clad bull)? How did that happen?
Hydra: why mention the snake-like original (Monsters & Treasure), then give it dinosaur-like legs?
Troll: I know you like the regenerating, green, rubber dude; but what ever happened to true trolls (of Scandinavian myth)?
Where did the concept for the 'dungeon cleaning crew' come from (some of
my favorite critters by the way)? I'm guessing the old classic horror
flick The Blob but...
Sigh...
Kobolds are humanoid, mainly forest-dwelling creatures that Dave Sutherland gave the canine visage and scaley skin.
I made hobgoblins larger, although the prefix "hob" indicates little"
because goblins had been made too small and weak for challenging
higher-level characters. goblins and hobgoblins are treated in various
ways from mischiveous to darkly malign in folklore. I went with the
latter for game purposes.
Who says a cross between a gnome and a troll can't have a hyena-live
visage? After all, it was me that mentioned the origination of the
species. I just decided it was too bland and needed something more evil.
I dislike hyenas intensly...
You clearly are not steeped in medieval bestiary lore ;-) In that
regard the gorgon is a scaled bull, so rather than having only three
sisters the D&D game had a rade of medusas and a race of gorgons.
As for me giving a hydra legs, where do you see my name in the illustration?
Scandanavian trolls are pretty borinng, and who needs such critters when
they can't go into sunlight? So I used Poul Anderson's model for a more
challenging and fearsome monster.
Because of the large and varied ecology of the D&D dungeons and
underground, it was necessary to have scavengers of all sorts, so I made
up the gelatinous cube, carrion crawler, ocher jelly, etc. There was no
particular inspiration save for nature--amobeas, insect larva, and
imagination.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Palaner
Hey Gary,
I love the concept of evolving media, and D&D is no exception. After
all, it is, what I think, the first game to ever become a medium in
itself. What do you think is (or should be) the future of the
roleplaying game?
Heh,
I seldom if ever engage in pointless speculation :-o
The future of the RPG will be determined by many more persons than me. I
believe the game form will persist into the foreseeable future. It
seems pretty certain that the majority of play will be online, that next
will come the computer RPG audience--when AI makes such games actually
more akin to what the game form is supposed to be--and last but not
least will be the group playing face-to-face.
As I have noted before, the analogy one might use is that of televsion, motion pictures, and stage plays.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
Bah.
You know full well, old friend, that all governments are created and
maintained primarily to Hold Power Over Others, modified only by the
cojoint purpose of maintaining themselves.
And I would maintain that given that primary goal, all government is also therefore Evil...
-- a pragmatic anarchist
No. as the Constitution
originally set forth the enumerated powers of the federal government, it
was not Evil, merely Lawfully Neutral, with those holding high office
basically of good alignment.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
And so we bring to an end this particuler discussion.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
...
Back to gaming, I recently found this nugget, and thought you and the rest of the board might find it to be of interest:
...
In short, they seem like the perfect D&D adventurers, right down to
the 50% sheer luck part being represented by die rolls. ...
Do be careful there!
All of the dice rolling for random results has a probability that a good
player knows and takes into account. Luck is by no means half of the
reason for successful FRPG adventuring in general, although in any given
case it might be a key component, or might not be involved at all. the
same is true of real life successes and failures, of course. Random
events and luck are actualities.
Otherwise, I surely do concur in regards to Fritz's writing about Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Thanks
for the reply regarding creature inspirations. Apparently, kobolds are
goblin-like, and it was the illustration that lead to their current
"reptilian" nature. Facinating stuff!
I actually like hyenas, so gnolls are one of my favorite humanoids. Sometimes I just wish they weren't quite so tough :-)
I agree with the "true" troll being more exiting than the Scandinavian
one. As per Chainmail, one could simply use ogre stats for those.
I have to say I've never heard of gorgons being described as bull-like,
but like you say, I'm not into the medieval bestiary so much as ancient
Greek mythology. The oldest description I know of is "dragon-like, with
faces like hideous boars and snakes for hair". As for the hydra, I
wasn't referring to the illustration, but rather it's description in
Monsters & Treasure.
I've always loved those oozes, slimes and jellies. Great creepy fun!
Hope you had an wonderful Father's Day!
Thanks Oldschooler :-)
Right about the kobolds. they are Germanic forest and mine "spirits," that is goblinesque creatures.
I expect that the first description of the three medusa sisters is
rather more flattering than the one you cite ;-) Anyway medieval
bestiaries seemed as anxious to have a broad repetorie of monsters as I
was when creating the Monster Manual for AD&D.
As for the hydra, to be more useful in general play, the artist depicted
it more like a crocodile or sauracian, and so I went along figuring
there were plenty of snake-bodied critters.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Well,
sure, and I guess I went a bit overboard. 50% random luck works well
when you are an author spinning a tale. But it's too much randomness
and less desirable for a gaming system. :-)
Yes indeed ;-)
Some people discount random events in a game as if there was no uncertainty in actuality... That is, of course, a gross error.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
This has certainly been asked before, but...
In AD&D, why are kobolds "giant class"?
F
How amusing....
All giants are humanoids, and as such they are kin to the smallest of
the specias, the kobolds, goblins, hobgoblins, gnolls, bugbears, ogres,
and so on up the line ;-)
Later mate!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcollins
Hey, speaking of Frank Mentzer...
Gary, I was looking at the "Temple of Elemental Evil" recently and
noticed how many discrepancies there were in the 1987 material (esp. the
outdoor wilderness map), as compared to the original T1 "Village of
Hommlet" adventure. For example, distances between
Hommlet/Nulb/Verbobonc about doubled. The "Low Road" which supposedly
runs by the river from Verbobonc to Greyhawk appears much further south,
with this primary artery running directly through Nulb.
I'm wondering, were there alterations to the geography of T1-4 that you
were unhappy with? Was the main road from Verbobonc to Greyhawk really
running right past the Temple through Nulb?
Water long
passed over the dam. No point in commenting on it now, although I will
say that the high road from Greyhawk to Verbobonc does not go past the
temple and through Nulb.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Palaner
Aha, I return with a host of questions (probably already asked, too). My friends wish to know:
Speaking of a waste of my time... :-P
"What was with all the slimes and molds? Were you cleaning the refrigerator when writing the Monster Manual?"
Actually, I was reading silly questions when the idea came to me.
"What's next?" Let's assume he means after Castle Zagyg.
Logging off and having lunch most probably. As for creative
projects, I have mentioned often that I am not doing much new work, but
that I have many mss. yet to be edited and published. Also, I have
various editing projects and some other business to keep me busier than
I'd like to be in the summer months.
"Did you freak out when they started blaming D&D for witchcraft and suicides?"
Baseless assertions from hysterical and ignorant people dd not
phase me. The death threats were something of a bother, though,
although I didn't stay locked ayay, lose any sleep.
"What do you do when your DM sucks ass? For that matter, what do you do as a DM when your players want to be the DM?"
This is a simple matter--don't play or don't run the game
session. Then find a new GM or become the GM in the former case; in the
latter replace the obstreperous player or players with those who know
how to behave when engaged in an RPG.
"If, instead of writing the "Player's Handbook," you had written
"The Battle of Evermore," would you have gotten laid more or less often
in the 70s?" - A humorous jest. ;-)
I don't recall running into many gamers when I was living out ibn Beverly hills, hitting the night spots there... X-D
"Why did you give the hydra 6d8 hitpoints? This seems really out of
balance with other mythical creatures, in particular the wyvern, several
of the dragons and the gorgon."
Because I felt like it. Why do you question my jhudgement?
Actually, the hydra has 5-12 HD in the OAD&D game system, so I really don't know what this is all about >:-(
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
I didn't want to do this, but its sooooo simple and yet sooooo argued about
:
In this thread, we've been discussing using Magic Missile against
opponents using Mirror Image. I'm sure this issue has come up in
countless other threads and campaigns as well.
Magic Missile Vs Mirror Image
Technically, Magic Missile (targets creatures) should not be able to
target Mirror Images (because they are figments). Yet many of us have
played that they do, and have so for many years- unaware of the
technicality.
When it came up in your games, how was that conflict adjudicated? Do you allow spells that "target creatures" to target
illusions of creatures? What about things the caster erroneously
believes to be creatures?
Nowhere does it say that a magic missile can't be sent against an illusion as its target.
The ability to cast a magic missile doesn't make the one so doing able
to determine if a target is illusory, partly non-material, a reflection
in a mirror, or for that matter protected by some magical device that
absorbs the energy of the magic missile. The missile unerringly hits the
target desired to be struck by the caster as the caster perceives that
target. If there are mirror images, the migic missiles will dispell
those illusions when they hit them, make the real target apparent if
there suffieient missiles being sent forth.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
Mina? MINA!! Oh, @#$%!!
(Quickly slinks away to avoid being beaten!!)
Don't be frightened...
Aside: It reminds me of the broken battlements of my own home in transylvania.
..they are creatures of the night, count on it.
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcollins
Gary, thanks for the response.
As a follow-up, I'll send out a "thank you" as I'm just now finishing up
a few months of playing your "Isle of the Ape" adventure, and it's been
a lot of fun. (Got to use several of my old dinosaur models and a
to-scale King Kong toy along the way.)
One question: I know lots of current players who strongly dislike the
very concept of "random wandering monsters". It seems like few designers
use them nowadays; there was a recent cartoon about how every
wilderness expedition has exactly one encounter on the way for dramatic
purposes, regardless of distance traveled. (
http://www.giantitp.com/cgi-bin/Gian...tscript?SK=145 )
When you were running classic D&D adventures, did to stick precisely
to the time and probability of random encounters as written? Or did you
free-hand it more, for dramatic and narrative effect?
Fie
upon the girlie-men that are averse to having encounters with random
monsters! No wonder the current generation of RPGers die in droves when
faced with real challenges in adventure scenarios :-o A bunnch of
coddled PC wimps expecting to power-game over everything. >:-(
Whenever time passed, players were dilatory in acting for their PCs, or
they persisted in doing something both time-wasting and pointless we
would check for a wandering monster encounter. That at least gave
something interesting for the DM to do and entertained the less
sedentary PCs of players desiring something active to do ;-)
The short answer is indeed we always employed random encounters, and I still do.
Pfui!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcollins
Well,
in fact my players did die on the "Isle of the Ape". (Lost to madness
& imprisonment in the "Spheres of Thought", actually.) :-)
Here's a follow-up to my follow-up question, now that I'm cogitating
about this adventure. I'm not sure if you actually ever ran it in its
published configuration (search for the Crook of Rao), but when I ran it
I did wonder about the following:
- How did you ever deal with the initial combat with some ~300
barbarians of varying high levels in AD&D? (Personally, I had to
jury-rig a set of mass-combat rules to handle it.)
- What was your expectation for how PCs would succeed at the adventure?
(My players never got any clues about the 3-part ritual, and to my
surprise were led by the map handout directly to the "Spheres of
Thought" after battling the initial natives.)
Actually,
IIRR the PCs from my campaign popped in, surprised the natives, and
offed the main leaders quickly, so the mass fled from them. Then the
lads ventured past the wall, got a look at things, and got out of there.
I don't recall how they managed it, but they left, returned to attack
the shaman and his guards, and eventually some of them faced Oonga...one
getting trashed thus and the others escaping. Again, they knew they
were seeking an artifact, but damned if i can remember if I had defined
it as the Crook of Rao then. The module was published about three years
after the last excursion by any PCs from my campaign, but the fellows at
TSR play-tested it before it went to the printers.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Infernal Teddy
Hi Gary, greets from Germany! I know this has probably been asked before, but I hope you'll still answer this short question...
In Dragon 315 Jim Ward talks about the origins of the Greyhawk setting,
and is quoted as having said: "He had the whole world mapped out". Does
this mean you have material about the rest of Oerth hidden in your
basement? if yes, is there any chance in hell of us seeing this
material?
Yours, The Infernal Teddy
Yes, I had a sketch map of the
remainder of the globe, to the east, west, north and south of Oerik. I
had planned to have Len Lakofka and Francois Marcela Froideval do parts
of the entire world, but that was coming after 1985.
So as far as things now stand, there is no remainder of the WoG beyond the original two maps i did.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
Thanks for your time and thought, Gary!
And now I am late and my head hurts...
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
After the whole
Head of Vecna debacle, I doubt very many will be clamoring for this artifact. :-)
Debacle? I'd say amusing farce is a more accurate description of the
matter. A tale to be told and retold amidst gales of mirth!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
Okay, here's one I always wondered about (and I can't be the only one in the Universe):
Where are all the Metal- :-) :-) :-) :-) ters in the (A)D&D Universe(s)? I mean, with all of those blasted (or Magic Missiled) Rust Monsters running around, how is it that there is any metallic ore left on any of the (A)D&D planets, unless something's making it?!! :-P
Pish!
The scrap from iron battleships would feed all the Oerth's rust monsters
for a century, that without considering automobile junkyards >:-)
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Llaurenela
...
Llaurenela
Thanks :-) I have copied and pasted the errata to a file.
I was not responsible for printing at the times when the fourth and later prntings occurred, so I can't comment.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Odhanan
Good morning Gary and everyone!
That's really interesting to read. I know Francois Marcela Froideval for being co-founder with Didier Guiserix of the magazine Casus Belli in France, and knew he was playing with you at some time.
Indeed, I know Didier and his wife too, have been to their apartment in Paris.
Was Francois playing Whismerhill at your game table (I am not even
aware if you know that character name)? I heard this was his character
at some point before making it into the Chroniques de la Lune Noire comics series, but do not know if it was you or someone else who was DMing.
Yes, Francois was playing Whismerhill (aka "Wimpmirill"
acccording to my son Luke) with me as the DM, also rob Kuntz and some
others likely.
Another related question, but this time regarding T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil.
It is specified in the introduction that Hommlet and its surroundings
were designed for and modified by actual players of Greyhawk. It is also
indicated that many of the followers of these PCs made it as NPCs in
the module.
My question regarding this: Do you remember which NPCs were originally
followers of the PCs you mention? Any specifics about these player
characters or anecdotes of these game session worth sharing with us?
If i had a list of names I might be able to assist, but I can't recall without such memory refreshment.
]Edit - last question: There is a character that appeared in Casus
Belli who was called "Gros Bill" (Big Bill). This was "the" powergamer
collecting magical items and optimizing everything for efficiency in the
game, and it still remains today the translation of "munchkin" in
French. Gros Bill seems to have been one of the players at your game
table. Does it ring any bell?
Thanks!
But of course. I met Gros Bill in Paris and gamed with him in
Francois' campaign, DMed for Gros bill and other of Francois group at
the time :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
You know, there is just something kinda cool about TSR having an address (albeit old) on Sage street.
Heh,
That was the residence of Donald Raymond Kaye, born 27 June 1938, one month my senior, and a friend of mine from age 6 or so on.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Not
to contradict Gary, but I think Roger Moore or Erik Mona somehow found
that map, or something similar. It was a map of Oerth that included
countries like "Erypt" and I think "Zindia". I can't remember who they
got it from, but apparently it survived the barbarian hordes of She Who
Is Only Occassionally Named.
It was discussed years ago (1996-1999 era) on the old AOL discussion board about Greyhawk. Erik got his job with
WOTC and now Paizo by being a superfan on that board . . .
Do not be misled! that map is spurious and has nothing to do with any creative addition to the Oerth that I planned.
the claim was bandied about but no one making it ever asked for verification from me.
I have frequently denied its authenticity on public boards.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
We may need to amputate! :-D
Peter wants the Head of Vecna...a likely great improvement in regards political temper :-P
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Might look great on my mantle next to the original Darth Vader mask we have. :-)
Bah!
If the head fits, wear it :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Just wait, he's going to start with the in-vecna-tive next. ;-)
Keep an eye on it and give me a hand when I do B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
That's
all the chit-chat for today folks. Tonight is gamning night here and
the team is outside Yggsburgh recruiting soldiers for the town's chief
enemy...and now they realize it, so what they'll do is going to be
interesting X-D
Vheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Tell us how it goes, though!
Well...
Desite having reservations, notingthat some unknown mEn are following
them, the team has managed to recruit a "free company" of over 200
soldiers with 10 serjeants and 20 corporals supplied by a "fortuitous"
joining of one Lieutenant Pauncefot Slaunce. The team have ordered
sheilds, short spears, and tabards for the company, currently being
drilled in 20 squads of 10 men each. the ordered equipment should arrive
in a week.
What they will do once the men are equipped is a good question. there
are two squads of trained archers, 11 (counting their corporal) each
with crossbows and bows.
They are encamped on the green opposite the Outs Inn and attracting a lot of attention....
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
gary,
have you ever asked anyone at TSR or
WotC
to see if any of those materials remained after LW left? it's possible
that she was spiteful enough to take them away to destroy them, but
it's also possible that she took them away just to hold them in some
storage room somewhere that you couldn't get to them.
or, do you feel more like, "eh, that's all in the past, no point in revisiting it now."
As much of the old archive material seems to have gone south, likely
all of my former possessions went along with them. No one has
volunteered and books with my name in them, or signed to me by the
author, since Lorraine departed, so I will not bother myself about it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mighty Veil
I
find myself watching the D&D movie on TV. Never watched it before.
Half-way through I can honestly say this. I wish I had woke up earlier
to catch "Man Who Would Be King" instead. Awful movie. So now I find
myself Googling up the D&D cartoon. Looking at a fan site's stats
for the show's characters. This has me wondering something after the
previous talks in the previous pages on alignments.
Gary,
So what was everyone's alignments?
I'm guessing the kids were NG. DM was LG. And Venger was CE?
As an aside, the second D&D movie is a good deal better than the first ;-)
Such a consideration never arose, it not being important in the minds of
the producres and writers. As I never thought of them as actual D&D
characters, their alignment never occurred to me either.
I would say the Dungeon Master was more NG, and Venger more NE than not.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Mighty Veil,
I am not privy to the l;icensing arrangements that Hasbro made for the new D&D film.
As for alignment, it is a handy,if very compartmentalized, means for the DM to use in handling motivation and behavior.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
So, my questions are these:
1) What happens when someone is possessed? Should I just treat the effect as a "Magic Jar" spell?
Yes, that is basically what happens to the possessed individual.
2) Can all demons and devil possess someone or only certain types (presumably the more powerful ones)?
It is up to the DM, but I'd say that those of 5th rank or above can attempt possession as if casting a magic jar spell.
3) Do you envision Daemons and Demodands having this ability, or is it limited to the creatures already mentioned?
No and yes.
4) The DMG mentions that a "Protection from Possession" scroll works
even for dead bodies. I'm assuming that a possessed dead body would be
animated and function under the influence of said possessing creature
(and be able to be turned by a Cleric as a "special" on the turning
table).
your assumption regarding dead bodies, and animals for that
matter, is correct. they can be turned by clerics as "special." I'd vary
chances depending on the strength of the possessing entity, but all
will be difficult to turn.
5) Just out of curiosity, would you think it owuld be possible to
possess an intelligent sword since it has its own poersonality?
No, the sword is possessed by a spirit. that spirit would have
to be dislodged/destroyed, and then the possessing entity would be
stuck in the weapon...not a desirable thing for any demon or devil.
Sheesh, that's a much longer question than I originally thought! Hope you don't mind and thanks in advance for the help!
Gray Mouser
All of the above FWIW, 'Mouser 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Ah,
that's pretty interesting. I guess I never thought of an intelligent
sword in those terms before, though it makes a lot of sense. As a follow
up, do you envision intelligent swords' spirits being pre-existing
creatures which were bound to the sword or as being somehow
"constructed" or created when the sword is originally enchanted?
I believe they are from existing sources, mostly elemental or
elementary. A truly evil sword might be possessed of the spirit of a
demon or devil...surely Stormbringer was :-o
On the opposite side, a truly good one might have some upper planar spirit entity imbued within it.
Heh, actually, Colonel, your answers were quite helpful as I've been
looking for an official answer for some time now (and don't give me any
guff about IP and not owning the game any more, either! ;-) ).
Gray Mouser
No guff but a matter of fact. The game belongs to Hasbro, and what I say has no official standing whatsoever.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Your first point is well taken, Hasbro does indeed own the D&D brand.
As far as your say not being official; Well, you're just plain d*mn
wrong. To thousands (if not millions) of gamers around the world, it
doesn't matter who owns the name, you'll always own The Game. You
created it and too many people count your opinions on it as LAW.
I guess you've not been to RPGNet :-o
In regards to OAD&D, I suppose I am as well versed as most in
regards the mechanics even though I haven't played the system as I did
back through the mid-80s, have dabbled maibnly since 1986.
Your opinions on things long out of print are very important to a
lot of people, so don't be afraid to anwser questions you don't think
matter. If they didn't matter, they wouldn't have been asked you.
Afraid? Not bloody likely. Reticent and lazy, perhaps :-P
When it comes to OOP material, Habro/WotC simply doesn't care (i.e. we can't get such anwsers from them).
Oohhh, I feel much better now. Hope I didn't sound too harsh, Colonel; My venting valve just gave way :-D
In my seldom humble opinion Hasbro.\/
wotC
doesn;t give a tinker's damn about the whole system, save as a cash
cow, or else they would never have done what they did, including
divestature of GenCon, the Dragon magazine, and not producing modules. I
will leave the new game to speak for itself.
Do check out the C&C game....and maybe Lejendary Adventure too ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thufur
I so want to go on a rant about
WoTC and Hasbro.
Instead, the terrasque. I asked you a while ago about the moondog and you mentioned most of the
MM
II creatures are yours - if so, where did you come up with the idea for
the terrasque? Did any of your campaigns have to deal with it? Is
dropping green slime on it the only tactic that works?
Bah! >:-)
I said MOST, not ALL! X-D
Actually the terasque is the creation of Francois Marcela Froideval, and
if there are other ways to wipe one out, he alone is likey to know.
What a brute! *Take your choice in regards the subject of the last
statement...)
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Could a company that didn't do all this remain solvent?
You can't be serious...
Of course such a company would bE solvent, for the fans would surely
support it. hoiwever, it wouldn't likely meet the bottom-line demands of
a big publicly held toy company such as Hasbro.
TSR got into trouble when it stopped serving the needs of its consumer
base. In 1982 it made over $16 million gross, with about 25% of that
pre-tax profit, and long term debt was about $1 million--easily payable
with an average month's receipts. at that time DRAGON was not making any
profit. GenCon paid for itself, but dislocated production for a week or
two. Adventure modules were profitable SKUs.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
Yeah, and why all the hate?
...
You mistake disgust for hate.
As the one who created GenCon, the game, DRAGON magazine, the World of
Greyhawk, and the basis for the RPGA I am qualified to make comments, am
I not?
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Llaurenela
If
you are not a munchkin, with all perfect numbers across the board and
every possible feat etc added to your character and you don't whine when
a character gets killed off, then I would not take anything you
mentioned as being directed at you.
There is nothing wrong with the current edition, if you like a rules
heavy game with everything defined and spelled out. On the other hand if
you like to let you imagination roam free and you like being able to
roll up a new character in under 5 minutes and be ready to play as soon
as the ref (DM) can fit you back in the game then try Original Dungeons
and Dragons the way it was played back in the mid 70's and the way
thousands of people still play. To each his or her own. To my mind 3.0
and 3.5 take so much time and paperwork that there is too little time
left to play. I like rules lite fly by the seat of your pants. I find it
more fun. If you have fun playing the current edition, then continue to
do so. The fact that some of us may wonder how you can have fun doing
it is not your problem and we don't think about it except when someone
brings it up anyway, we are too busy having more fun with the older
version. :-P ;-) B-)
Llaurenela
Thank you kindly :-)
No more need be said,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
And you can do the same thing with Castles and Crusades. ;-) *shameless plug*
Even more soul and spirit is found in the
Lejendary Adventure game system!
*Completely shameless plug :-P *
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Devall2000
Gary,
How often do you or did you drink during gaming sessions? I read an old
post recently where it sounds like you were drinking whiskey and used
the occasion as an opportunity to take away two vorpal blades from a PC.
>:-(
I drink a beer or two every now and again during a session. Although,
there was that time we played until 5 in the morning where I had more
than 2.
BTW, I liked what you had to say about Nut Brown Ale. I've considered
buying it in the past while looking around for something and intend on
getting it the next time I see it in the store. I didn't see it this
evening so I decided to get some Hefe-Weizen.
Finally, is it still possible to get the LA Quickstart PDF off of
www.lejendary.com? I've looked around a little but haven't seen it.
thanks,
Jamie
I seldom have so much as a beer during a game
session, but indeed Rob and I shared a good deal of Southern Comfort
when Ernie and Mark Ratner had their unfortunate encounter with
Fraz'urblu, and Erac lost his two Vorpal blades, aylerach the Paladan
his two-handed Holy Sword... that sessin was a laugh riot for Rob and
me, a sad day for the players 8-D
Anyway, red or brown ale, porter or stout, beats those pale beers hands
down as far as my taste goes B-) New Glarus does a number of good pale
brews, though.
As for gettig the LA Quickstart pdf, just email me, and I'll send you, and anyone else who asks for it, a copy by return email:
[email protected]
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
And there it is again.
Keep it to yourself, GG.
Thank you for your unwanted opinion.
Take your own advice.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
Ah, Pish-tush, Sirrah! Very few of ANY of those, on Oerth! :-P
As if the iron ore fouind on Oerth is less than that found here....
:-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
Good luck with your current work, Gary.
Well how kind.
With as many projects going as I have going, I can use all the good luck I can ger.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Well,
yeah, I can be. That's why I asked. Vertical intergration went the way
of the dodo in the movie business, and it seemed to do so in the gaming
business. It's a different era.
Right....
And that's why there are conglomerates such as hasboro, eh?
Get serious, amigo. Good business practices differ, and hobby games are a rather specialized field NOT being served by wither
WotC or Hasbro,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Well,
...I mean, do chess players sit around denigrating checkers players,
and wonder how said players could possibly be having fun? I doubt it.
If chess players deign to noyice them at all, you bet they disdain then :-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
I don't think that many were left behind. ...
As a matter of fact approximately 50% of the AD&D audience left the game when 2E was released.
I'd say that qualifies as "many."
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Absolutely.
You're in a unique position to so comment. You also are in a unique
position in that you are so closely associated with the game, of
whatever edition, that your word carries a lot of import. When they
object to your dismissal of the game they like, it is a sign of their
respect for you, if you see what I mean. They don't like thinking the
patron saint of gaming dislikes their game, and, by extension, them.
It's kind of an emotional reaction.
Heh...
I don't judge anyone by the games they favor playing, other than to
decide whether or not I'll join them at the particular one being played
:-o
I confess to getting grumpy about politics, as that's a serious matter fortunately not discussed on these boards :-D
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
I think he was replying to Gentlegamer, not you, GG ;-)
Gg, not GG, eh? Well, if so my apologies are in order, although I did enjoy making the ascerbic retort >:-(
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
*grin* What do you think Gary? Should I repost my short essay on the lousy job security and short carreer's of saints?
to the contrary, sir!
As a "saint" I am a nonesuch, and the essay in question does not apply to me :-P
Cheers Peter,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
By the way, Gary, happy Independence Day, if I don't get chance to post again after that spate of postings I made above.
The blamed email alert didn't make it through, but I checked this thread suspecting there'd be a spate of postings here :\
Likely we won't be doing anything special on the 4th other than staying
home and grilling some elk steaks I have just purchased, wash them down
with some good New Glarus Fat Squirrel ale. In an hour or so we are
heading to our friend Joe Martin's abode for some convivial company--he
always invites a score of folk to his soires--so that'll be the "doings"
for the holiday weekend.
So to the point: I am hurrying through these replies so as to get to the
party, have a cocktail, socialize, and eat some of his grilled goodies!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
I agree with everything ColonelHardisson has said.
And relatedly, I used to have great respect for Gary Gygax. I defended
his game from many detractors through the quarter century I've played
it. I've explained who he was to many new gamers.
But today, reading the last couple days worth of his (and other's)
posts, I've lost all respect for him. It's like a child hearing Santa
say that he actually dislikes modern toys. I'm actually, truly saddened.
Damn, but I shouldn't have read this thread. He's left a bitter taste
in my mouth.
Quasqueton
Oh say it isn't so!
Am I breaking your widdle heart because I am saying what I think rather than what YOU think i should say. Get a life.
It is my considered opinion that there is noting "modern" about new
D&D, and its experience system is an antiquated clunker, so i see it
all ias just a rehash of the old systems with more rules with a comic
book superhero overlay, no longer based on archetypes.
There is no disputing personal taste in regards pastimes, games
included. I do not belittle or denigrate anyone that enjoys playing new
D&D, but because I do not that it doesn't mean must agree with their
choice and not say why I do not like the system. If i am asked I tell
the truth.
I am not a silly plaster saint, nor am I seeking to win a popularity contest. I tell it like i see it.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
I gotta say in EGG's defense that NEW ≠BETTER.
Was 1Ed AD&D perfect? No. Was 2Ed? Nope. 3/3.5? Not even close.
My personal favorite system, HERO? Perfection isn't in its pages
either. In fact, when HERO toyed with the Fuzion rules a while ago, I
couldn't stand it. Does that make me less of a HERO gamer? Not in the
least. Does my rekindled love with its 5thEd release make me a waffler?
No.
So he doesn't like the new stuff. Big deal! If one system worked for
everyone, we'd just have one system with thousands of campaign settings.
Instead, every few years, someone re-invents the wheel (creates a new
game system) or tweeks an old one.
Ragging on the OG (Original Gamer) for not liking D20 is like picking on
someone based on their use of a Windows or Mac PC- idiotic.
BTW: My bet is that if you showed Santa a copy of Grand Theft Auto, or
all those action figures lines that are derived from thinly veiled 30
minute commercials, he'd shed a tear like the Native American in those
1970's environmental awareness commercials.
not that i need a defender...
Nonetheless, I must say, well put.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Whats sad is that people can't be entitled to their opinion, and others simply respecting such entitlement, anymore. ;-)
Is no one allowed to state their preferences without others taking it personal?
Unless there is a personal attack involved in stating the opinion, how right you are!
As a matter of fact I try to not state my opinions here because not a
few of my fellow gamers equate any dislike of a game to an attack on
them personally. however, i am not going to ignore direct questions or
dissemble in regards what i truly think. That isn't me...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Amen. There's a lot of noses being bent out of joint by their very owners here. O.o
To continue beating a dead horse...
A pity that 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JRRNeiklot
And
I, on the other hand, applaude him for stating his opinion when asked,
regardless of how many people he pisses off. People shouldn't ask
questions they are not prepared to hear the answer to.
Just so.
I am not going to ignore posts that are asking an honest question, nor will I not speak my mind.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
[QUOTE=ColonelHardisson]Sure they're allowed, but aren't people also allowed to respond if they disagree,
especially
if said opinion is posted in a public forum? I mean, that's the point
of message boards, isn't it, to make statements or ask questions and get
replies, no? [/QUOTE}
Good sir, perhaps I am laboring under a misapprehension, but I thought
this was a question and answer thread, not a place for qwuibbling--of
which there is currently an inordinate amount in evidence. Thus I shall
not respond further to the remainder of your comments.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Well,
I do too. That's the point of this thread, and the reason I participate
in it. That said, I don't think Gary wants to simply preach to the
choir. After all, he
is posting here, the biggest
3e/d20
fansite on the web. He has to expect, if not welcome, dissenting
opinions. How interesting would a thread posted to only by "yes men"
(and no, I'm not talking about anyone here, so relax, I'm just making a
point) be?
As a matter of fact I was asked to past on this
thread, and i do it as a favor as mucg as for personal enjoyment from
fellowshiping with other game fans.
Of course I don't expect concensus with my personal opinions. Neither do
i expect to be attacked for having and stating them here.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
...
Agreed also, but again, the reverse is also true - OG's slapping down
3e fans as supposedly not really playing D&D is also idiotic.
New D&D is a very different game from O/AD&D, and there's no possible debate regarding that.
As the original author of the two systems from which new D&D
springs, I must concur. the new version is not in the spirit of those
games. That new D&D is played and enjoyed my many gamers means it is
unquestionably a good game in its own right, but it is "D&D" in
name only when compared to its progenators.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
In all fairness to EGG, he hasn't said anything here lately he hasn't said all along since
3e
was released. Given his history with D&D, and having it basically
taken away from him and taken in directions he disagrees with must be
galling.
Thanks, but...
It isn't galling to me. it is disappointing in that the soul and spirit of the original creation is totally lost.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Ugh,
y'know, it used to be a truism that one should never get into a land
war in Asia, and this is also true of an Edition War involving D&D.
I'm trying to be fair and reasonable about both sides of the argument,
but maybe I'm doing more harm than good. I'll hop out of this thread
except as a reader so as to avoid the possiblity of anything I post
further fanning the flames.
By the way, Gary - I just bought a very nicely preserved copy of the 1e AD&D
DMG;
my copy is stored away across the country, and falling apart, to boot.
The new copy looks pretty close to brand new; the colors on the cover -
the Sutherland picture of an efreet fighting a trio of adventureres -
are still bright and vibrant. As I paged through it, I was again struck
by just how useful a book it is, even today. One of the truly great
books of the RPG hobby. Great work.
Falling apart!
Whoa, and you must have been really hard on the old
DMG
to have it do that. the school book binding, stiching, made the early
printings nearly indestructable. I used to test new printings by
throwing a book across the room, sit and stand on it, open it and toss
it around, fold it back so the covers touched, etc.
Sadly, the expensive binding process was dropped so T$R could make a dime or two more profit from each copy sold >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Wow, talk about a thread high-jack. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the Gary Gygax Q&A thread, right? If people want to go an extended
debate about different editions, people who defend/bash different
editions and whether people have the right to express their opinions
then perhaps someone should start a new
thread. As it is I have very little interest in reading such debate in a
thread that isn't devoted to it. So what do you say? Start your own
thread and have a ball so people can get back to actually having a
Q&A with EGG.
Gray Mouser
Damn!
I wish I'd have read your post, Gray Mouser, before I responded to so many of those before it 8-D
So, RIGHT ON Brother!
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
Heh,
Be very thankful you guys don't frequent Gary's Political Talk lists.
;-) If you get miffed at what version of D&D Gary endorses, I'd
hate to see some people's reactions to his political leanings. 8-D
It would bring out the Nancy boys in full fury....
...and I am an outspoken Christian too :-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
That
seems a little much. What would have Babe Ruth thought about how the
game of baseball is played today (I'm a baseball nut :-) ). As much as
the game has stayed the same, things have also changed quite abit. Most
players today have better nutrition, work out facilities, catered
"everything" - they don't want for much! They get paid alot more than
players back in the day (inflation and cost of living included). The old
players actually had second jobs to make ends meet. They had to take
long train or bus rides to get to the next city. Blah, blah, blah.
Anyway, I'm sure that the Babe would have some few choice words for the
players that whine today about "this, that, and the other thing". "In
our day, we had to..." I think you get the point.
Its hard to compare players from different eras. Whether its baseball,
football, or D&D. Things change. Everyone has their own opinion
about things, obviously. If I found out Gary didn't like some of my
favorite music groups, I wouldn't stop listening to those groups. I've
known Gary for over three years now and played both LA and D&D for
the same amount of time. He's a great guy and alot of fun! Very
inventive and has a very sharp mind! Do we agree on everything, I doubt
it. But we do agree on one thing - Have fun and enjoy the game! That's
what it is, a game. Nothing more, nothing less. But, it is a great game -
no matter what version!
:-D
Heh,
Well, I know we areee on more than having fun gaming. You aren't a
whiner and don't have your head where the sun doesn't shine X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
I agree. Gary is much too left-leaning for my taste. ;-)
Now that is a low blow! :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jason Rulesreader
Hello Gary!
Can you tell me any information about scrubby miniatures? I think thats what they are called.
Also, could you fill me in on what miniatures you guys used back say circa 71-74 for the fantastic supplement of Chainmail?
Answered on the Dragonsfot boards, right?
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
To all:
If I missed responding to a post here, sorry. Holler at me, and I'll
make amends. What a chore hurrying through all the lively comments and
trying to do justice to each! Stimulating but demanding, and I
am trying to finish and go off to have some party time X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Well, I said I was gonna sit back and read, but since your replied to me directly in a number of posts...
Yes, I know you were asked to post on this thread. Matter of fact, I was
around when these threads started a few years back. It struck me that
you were always up for vigorous debate. I, personally, have endeavored
to remain civil and to address topics that directly relate to you. I
don't think I've strayed from that intent, but apparently others,
including you, think differently. I'm sorry if I misunderstood the
intent of these threads as they are now, what they have evolved into
since they first started. If you wish them to remain simply threads in
which fans can ask questions related to relatively non-inflammatory
subjects - opinions on campaign elements, the history of the game - I
can understand that - and I don't mean that in some snide, backhanded,
internet passive/aggressive way.
Not at all my good Colonel!
I took no umbrage at your messages, and please do not mistake my
responses for anything other that responses of courteous form to your
many posts.
I don't feel I've attacked you; hell, I'm a fan, as I've said
countless times, so why would I? I did feel like replying to some things
you wrote above which I felt needed replyin' to. If you would rather
just post your opinion and not have a discussion about it, I can respect
that, given the venue - after all, it is a Q&A thread, not a debate
thread. I'm sorry you felt attacked. That wasn't my intent in the
slightest. It's just that when someone says saying with which I
disagree, I feel the urge to say something, regardless of the setting or
the person who said the thing I object to; I don't like to be seen as
"quibbling," but rather addressing points as i see them. Regardless,
apologies to you and others for my misconduct if I have offended. I only
ask honest questions.
Nor did I say you had. I merely mentioned the matter because
there was a rather hostile post or two, and in responding to you I
mentioned the matter as a general comment.
In all events I do not believe you own me an apology, and I offer mine
to you for possibly making it seem as if you were somehow out of line.
Anyway, one last thing - that DMG. It did, indeed, get a lot of hard use over the course of 25 years. That should be indicative of how much I enjoyed the game.
Absolutely! I mentioned the sturdy binding of the book as a
measuring rod for readers to use in assessing your employment of the old
DMG :-o
Regards,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
wow. I wouldn't have expected such a juvenile response from the esteemed Gary Gygax. Reinforces my feelings.
Quasqueton
Post a purile message, expect a response in kind X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
:-D Your potshots continue -- and reinforce your disrespect for
someone that doesn't like your game. That sounds juvenile to me.
Remove the plank from your own eye...
Gary defends his position on the game, his views, and his opinions and
you have a problem with that. It sounds like this is not the thread for
you -- unless you like stirring pots, trolling, and being a nuisance.
Do you have something constructive to add to the group or should we ignore you from here on out?
-----
Patryn feels slighted because of his inference that EGG views
3e
fans as untrue D&D fans. Why should he care what EGG thinks? Just
play the freaking game! If it is so important that Gary needs to
approve your game, then write out a letter explaining your position with
a dotted line that reads "I approve this gamer and his game, E. Gary
Gygax". If he signs it, that should sort it out. If he doesn't sign
it, go play GURPS.
How true!
No gamer needs me to validate his or her choice of a system that brings
them enjoyment. As a matter of fact I do not believe the choice of an
RPG is a meaningful measure of a person's worth...
As for stirring the pot, sometimes that is good ;-) Observce the sudden influx of posts here :-o
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
Or Dangerous Journeys!
Side notes about chess & checkers:
1) The queen's full-board range of motion is a relatively new addition
to the game. Originally, she could only move 1 space at a time. The
chess we're used to is like...14thEd Chess. I wonder if the original
players ever got pissy about the changes?
One space on the diagonals, properly ;-)
The last change in the game of chess was castling added around the time
of Ruy Lopez, possibly by thet very person, but I can't properly
remember. It was in the 15th century IIRR.
Taking en passant came before castling.
Likely there were some who preferred the game without the new rules, but
there is no real analogy between chess and the D&D game changes,
unless one compares D&D to chess and the other games, AD&D and
new D&D to chess variants.
2) While there are computers capable of playing Grandmaster Level
Chess, to date, no computer has beaten a Checkers Grand-Champion...and
yes, there are such things. (Of course, I don't know that there are any
programmers TRYING to program computers to play checkers at a
Grand-Champion level.)
And now...back to your regularly scheduled Gary!
I believe the assumptioon that computers are not being probrammed to play grand master level checkers is likely the case...
U must wonder about programming to play GO :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mhacdebhandia
Exactly.
I admire Gary Gygax for creating fantasy roleplaying, and I read these
threads because I'm interested in his reminiscences about the early days
of the game, but I could not care less whether or not he'd like the
games I play.
Far as I'm concerned the only opinions that matter are those of the people who play with me.
Most pragmatic and unarguable!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Devall2000
Gary,
I've been curious about how often you restocked your dungeon levels. If
a party cleared out a couple of levels and went back to town to heal up
and re-equip, could they count on having to clear out the levels again
or was it just an issue of random encounters in the areas that had been
cleared?
When the setting was in constant use, we never
restocked, just drafted new side and deeper levels, as it was assumed
that the depredations of the cruel PC parties kept the monsters away in
fear and loathing 8-D
As far as Castle Greyhawk went, did the kobolds go about the business of retaking dungeon levels as soon as the PC's left?
The kobolds and others came into the place when expeditions of
PCs were few and far between. The kobolds and the goblins made a pact
to pretty much divide up the upper works and the first level of the
dungeon between them, cooperating to fight back the other denizens.
Incidentally, I remember reading somewhere that the lone surviving
PC from a party was captured by the kobolds(I think) and asked to be
taken to the leader. The PC was a mage and had one spell left which
happened to be charm person. Upon meeting the leader, he cast the
spell, and the kobold leader failed his save miserably. It sounded like
the PC befriended the head kobold and started calling the shots after
that. What's the current status of that situation?
-Jamie
That is essentially correct. A female magic-user made common
cause with the goblin chief after successfully charming him, assisted in
arming and equipping the goblin forces, but when more PC parties began
to riad the place I determined that she took what was available and beat
it. No sense in rishing one's life on behalf of goblins for no more
than a heap of silver.
The goblins were pretty well wiped out from their upper ruins holdings,
and seeing the force of the PC parties assailing the place, she slipped
away.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Were
I to ask Gary if he likes Parcheesi, Mouse Trap, Chutes & Ladders,
Jenga, Dark Tower (oops!), Dungeon!, Life, Backgammon, or Trivial
Pursuit, chances are there's going to be a game he doesn't like.
[sarcasm] If it's Parcheesi, I'm out of here. [/sarcasm]
Hey!
I have a lot of fun playing DUNGEON! now and again, trying to make a tour of all levels without getting eliminated.
As for backgammon, I've had my clock cleaned by expert players, aand
realize there is a lot more to that game than rolling dice and getting
lucky results.
I am not bad at Trivial Pursuit--I get chosen first for a team most of
the time--but my amigo Chris Fisher makes my knowledge seem that of a
piker. He plays with a team in the annual national contest. (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
that really ought to be everyone's shared opinion... ;-)
i mean, i might feel a little better if gary didn't dislike the changes
in D&D so much after his departure from the company, but he (more
than anyone) has a right to his feelings, and his feelings don't change
the way the game is handled by the company that owns it nor do they
change the way anyone but he and those he games and associates with (and
those who live by his opinions) will game. i will never be unthankful
to the man for coming up with the game and the sheer amount of work he
put into afterwords. it would not have been the same then or now if not
for his love for his creation.
Thanks, Boz!
The lengthy and hard "work" was that, but I confess to loving it. after all, I am THE game nerd X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mighty Veil
"Be
very thankful you guys don't frequent Gary's Political Talk lists. I'd
hate to see some people's reactions to his political leanings. "
I'm actually curious to this list
There are now two talk lists because of some internal squabblings ;-)
[email protected] [email protected]
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
there
are undoubtledly better places to discuss that. perhaps, if you are
fortunate, someone will send you a link in a Private Message.
Or even post them here 8-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mighty Veil
Personally
that's what I like most about the D&D/D20 system -- the XP! I
always felt Star Frontiers and Marvel should of had an XP system similar
to 1E. I don't remember Top Secret anymore. Those being the TSR games I
had tried.
What do you mean by super-hero vs. archtypes? I read something on this somewhere by someone. I forget who and the essay.
This isn't the place for my critique regarding how I believe experience should be given out.
If you reallly wish to have the benefit of my current thinking on the matter check the system set forth in the
Lejendary Adventure game.
The same applies basically to commentary on
3E.
however, I will say that the original character classes were
established on archetypes, and the new system has done away with that
basis, mainly by the feats and prestige classes, the result making PCs
more akin to comic book superheroes rather than historical human
archetypes.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Hello, Gary,
I hope all is well with you. I have a few Arneson related questions if
you don't mind. I'm curious if you've had a chance to check out Dave
Arneson's recent rerelease of the Blackmoor campaign and, if so, what
you think of it.
Things here are going reasonably well, thanks :-)
And as I am stretched trying to keep up with the work I should be doing,
I have not had an opportunity to so much as glance at Dave's new
material.
There is also a release of Castle Blackmoor scheduled for September
that touts itself as the first dungeon crawl ever created for D&D.
I'm curioous, were you a participant in that first dungeon crawl? If so,
what do you recall about it? Do you think it will draw the faithful to
see what got it all started back then?
without seein gthe material I can't say. Of course whatever it
is, it wasn't created for D&D as the game wasn't written until I
did that late in 1972 ;-)
It would seem that with Castle Blackmoor and Castle Zagyg on their
way, the nostalgia for 'the good ol' days' seems to be stronger than
ever. It must be nice to know that people are still interested in your
creations after such a long time has passed.
Dave has a leg up on me, as I havemn't been able to make much progress with the castle and dungeon levels >:-)
Anyway, I'm looking forward to Hall of Many Panes and Zagyg with
much interest. Hope they come off the press as smotthly and as timely as
possible.
All the best,
Jokamachi
The HoMP is all finished and on the shop shelves I do believe. I have two of the boxed sets here.
Darlene is putting the finishing touches on the maps for Castle Zagyg,
Yggsburgh. Menatime the Trolls are editing and laying out the text,
putting in the illustrations. they hope to have it ready for GenCon, but
my map ocrrections might have bollocked that up 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ranes
Hello Gary,
That remark tickled me, because it reminded me of a conversation I had
with a gaming buddy over twenty years ago. He was a big comic book fan,
as well as being a great gamer. One day, he prevailed upon me to play a
superhero game (I can't remember which) but I was having none of it. I
had fond memories of reading Spider-Man when my years were still in
single digits and that's where I wanted to leave it.
"But in a game of D&D you're basically playing a superhero!" He
argued. I thought he had a good point, too. Still never got me to play a
comic-based RPG though.
Howdy!
The comparison is innacurate, I think. the same could be said of
virtually any RPG where the character is assumed to be well above the
average person. There is a much different temper behing the two genres,
of course, as there is between each different RPG genrs.
Sorry to get all anecdotal. Can I make amends by returning to the
point of the thread and asking you a question? Please forgive me if
you've answered it already and I missed it.
If you were to run a game (of anything you like, of course) for a
hypothetical group of players uncontaminated by previous exposure to any
published modules, which one would you most consider refereeing again?
Thanks
Happy to answer.
for a quick one-shot adventure I love the Abduction of Good King Despot
If I have a group that is able in AD&D, I'd take them through the G and D series with great relish.
A newbie group of gamers used to classed-based systems would be mete for the Yggsburgh setting.
A group wanting to try their hand at skill-based gaming would find me LMing the
Lejendary Road module by Jon Creffield.
If I had such a group that was experienced, needed to be amused for many sessions I'd plunge them into the Hall of many Panes.
The choices are made based heavily on my familiarity with the material to be presented to the player group B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by A'koss
Hmmm,
I'm not sure I buy that (and I apologize in advance if this is getting
OT). BD&D characters and AD&D characters are very much like
superheroes as well. High level character could destroy entire towns of
LL foes, fall from orbit, possess superhuman attributes, etc. You
certainly have more options and "powers" in
3e
to be sure, but I certainly wouldn't call the early edition characters
"historical human archetypes" by comparison. They're all geared towards
representing
mythological and fantasy archetypes anyway.
Just my 2 bits.
A'koss.
Pardon,
That is parsing words. The mythological and fantasy archetypes are very
human, quite mortal save for some of their magical attributes, mostly
gained through brave deeds. Robin Hood, Lancelot, Sir Roland, and the
host of examples in fairy tales told by Andrew Lang, even Fafhed and the
Gray Mouser and Harold Shea are very much human, within normal human
mental and physical bounds. Conan has marvelous strength, bit is is at
best preternatural.
Superheroes are generally superior species or mutats, or else rely on
fantastic science to be vastly superior to all but others of their ilk.
Their purpose is different from the fantasy RPG norm as well, although
in fantasy one can move to any extreme and remain within the bounds of
the genre. The main difference is the miindset of the game and those
that play.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
I think the main difference here lay in a matter of focus.
Temper of the game design, mindset of the players, focus of play. that is an excellent addition, thank you very much!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Gen Con still look's easily doable. The Lake Geneva event may be a bit sticky though. :-)
Excellent news indeed. I am delighted, for I feared my mucking about
with map corrections and additions would make the Gencon release
problematical.
Thanks,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by bolen
Hey Gary
Got a couple of questions for you
Howdy Bolen!
I am about to supply a couple of answers :-D
1) are you going to gen con next month (hope so)
My son Alex is slated to be at GenCon with Troll lord Games, but I am attending only two events this year:
Lake Geneva Gaming Convention here at the end of this month.
Canadian National Gamine Expo in Toronto at the end of August.
2) I have been curious about this for a long time. (correct
anything I get wrong please) D&D started out as a miniatures game
which evolved from controling a group of soldiers on the battlefield to
one person going into a dungeon (right?). At what point did it stop
being a game of one player against another and evolve into Roleplaying
where a DM controls the environment and creates a story. That would
seem to be a huge leap and it could not have happened over night.
That's essentially correct, the game being
Chainmail
using th "Man-to-Man" rules. What with command figures and the rules,
individual figure play was not startling. When heroes, superheroes, and
wizards were considered in the "Fantasy supplement," the concept of a
player with but a single figure on the table born. I would use my point
buys to take a superhero in magic armor, with a magic sword, backed up
by a wizard with fireball spells. The superhero would assail the mass of
enemy troops, and when they gathered round to attack him the wizard
would drop a fireball on the lot. The superhero was very likely to come
out unscathed, much to the fury of my opponents.
I personally would buy a book where you (and maybe some of the other
originators of the RPG field) discussed how this evolution took place.
(and even what you think of it today and where it should go tomorrow)
Well, with what's above, and what I ahve passed along
regarding the initial and final drafts of the game that became D&D,
the story is pretty well told.
Dave Arneson's focus on underground play, using maps, and his suggestion
of having a Hero be able to work up to Superhero status were most
helpful.
Dave Megary is generallly not sufficiently credited for inspiring
things, for his DUNGEON! game, based on the CHAINMAIL work, predates
D&D.
3) I heard that you were going to revise the canting crew by Troll
Lord games. Is that true and if so can you give details?
No changes from me, but I believe that the Trolls plan to
re-edit the work and add more illustration. There might be a few words
added to the dictionary of Thieves' Cant, but as far as I know that's
it. Only the Trolls know for sure :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by A'koss
Eh? Nothing I've pointed out here contradicts the
RAW...
All I'm really saying here is, from the average man's/soldier's
perspective, what's the difference between a 15th level AD&D
character and a
3e one? They're both effectively demigods/superheroes to his eyes.
Cheers!
A'koss.
How about this:
A 15th level PC in AD&D requires years of gaming, and when arriving at thay level the character is generally retired.
In new D&D arriving at that level takes a mere few months, and that
PC is nothing compared to the half-dragon/half-vampire multi-prestige
class one that the kid next door stomps around the campaign world with
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
With
all due respect, Col., I suspect that has more to do with the campaigns
than the system. I remember back before I was cured of Munchkinism
(1979-81), PCs in our campaigns would gain 2-3 levels a session. Soon,
the very gods trembled at our footsteps...
In fact, I just ran a 3Ed campaign where the first magic weapon wasn't
awarded until 3rd level...and it was the only magic item the party had
until 5th level. And this wasn't a low magic campaign. (Lets just say it had things in common with the Slave Lords modules.)
Of course poor DMing can account for many anomalies. that said, it is
the game rules that tell. If one follows them, then progress in AD&D
is slow, in new D&D rapid. the team spirit of AD&D is gone, as
the emphasis is on individual progress in the new game. Experience is
aimed at seek and destroy power gaming. Of course, AD&D wasn't much
better in that regard, but a revision shuld have corrected that flaw ;-)
Anyway, a debate of this sort is profitless, and hereafter i shall refrain from further comments in regards such matters.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by bolen
Thanks for the quick reply but I still am wondering
It still seems a large leap from a game where you point buy a gladiator
and I point puy a gladiator and we roll dice to see who wins. To a game
where you had a DM creating a story and you had goals to accomplish as a
group and there was no Wining or loosing (although I guess dying is
loosing X-D and incidentally you did a good job of killing my party
when I just took them through Necropolis)
At what point did you the DM and player quit being opponets and fit into the roles we see them today?
Sorry!
I had assumed you were familiar with military miniatures. In most such
games players are represented by a command figure, supplied with a past
events history, the current situation, an order of battle, and
objectives leading to mission success, the goal of play. The manner of
execution is left to the players, of course.
In short there is a story and a "quest" concerned with most miniatures
games. In miniatures campaigns, there are many scenarios, each possibly
altered by the results of past actions. Furthermore, such campaigns
usually involve economics, political intregue, building, and
considerable planning.
In many of the games I played the Judge/Referee would also command some
or all of the opposing forces, although sometimes he would be less
directly involved and mainly ajudicate disputes, bring in occasional
random events.
All of those are part of the PRG form. so the imagined leap is more like
a hop when one considers children;s games of Let's Pretend and Cops
& Robbersas much of the basis for the game form's foundation 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by A'koss
...
... And let's be honest here, didn't we all experiment playing
"dragonmen", vampires, lycanthropes, githyanki and other exotic monster
characters in AD&D? ;-)
Cheers!
A'koss.
Never happened in any campaign I ever ran, and none of the DMs I knew allowed such stuff either. O.o
Of course there were those young power gamers who took my April Fools'
joke character class, the Ultimist seriously and asked for more details
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by bolen
thanks for answering :-#
Most cordially welcome, sir!
And now as the sun is below the yardarm it is time for a refreshing
libation and a bit of casual reading on my front porch B-)
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by A'koss
Whoa, I didn't realize I was such a rebel AD&D player! :-P
All I can say is...
AARGH! Blasphemy X-D
I once allowed someone's subdued and charmed ogre servant to become a
werebear-ogre after it was bitten but survived a fight with a werebear,
and that was pretty much the omega of that sort of thing 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ranes
...
Thank you, governor, for such a considered response.
...
All the best.
Welcome certainly!
I coulf have expounded further biut thought I should give my fingers a rest and your eyes a bread :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JRRNeiklot
Bah, I still play 1e.
...
As far as falling
damage goes I revised the damage to 1d6 per 10' per 10', so that it went
1, 3, 6, 10, 15 d6 at 50' distance. All the munchkins howled at the
progression...as if the Law of Gravity doesn't dictatE accelleration of a
falling body 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ranes
Oh,
I just have to respond here. I do agree in as much as I think the
attainment of high level should be a reward for those who invest a long,
long time playing. In my current campaign (which has slowed down this
year due to that darned RL thing), my players have taken three years to
achieve 7th level. The rapid advancement paradigm of the new edition is
the one thing about it I don't like. As other posters have pointed out,
this can be metered by careful DMing, my definition of which amounts to
high PC mortality.
Of the core rule books are adhered to,
they being assumed to dictate what is "good DMing, then rapid
progression and Epic Level PCs with superheroic feats and all that goes
with them are the norm.
As for reward for gaining high level in AD&D, this is a function of the accolades given by the DM and fellow players ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by A'koss
...
Oh, if you think that was blasphemous, the jedi knight AD&D class I
created would probably have had me burned at the stake. (Keep in mind
though we're talking about a kid who was in his mid-teens at the time -
be merciful! :-o ).
Cheers!
A'koss.
But of course!
At least I wasn't forced to listen to you extol the merits of the
"really cool new class" as I have in regard to many similar creations at
various cons. At such events the spirit of camaraderie prevents me from
being brutally frank >:-(
When my sons Ernie and Luke were DMing the playtest of the
Lost City of Gaxmoor
we played from noon until 7 PM on Saturdays. The number of players
varied from as few as 12 to as many as 24. The majority were eager and
enthusiastic young teens. I was, of course, the old man of the party,
with a scattering of 30- and 40-year-olds levening the youthful band.
The whole of those young gamers had a great time playing the
3E
game, and because of that I didn't mind the rule-playing that
prevailed. However, it was impossible to not mentally compare and
contrast that group with similar ones Rob Kuntz and I ahd DMed in the
70s. The only difference in reality was the rule-playing in lieu of
occasional thinking by the contemporary band of heroes. The level of
enjoyment was the same, and the after game war stories were as if they
sprang from that earlier decade.
Enough of this rambling!
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
They run like scared rabbits when the odds are against them, is how. (at least in game)
Im sure there are those who would rather be a dead lion than a live rabbit, but me, Id rather be a live lion. X-D
Absolutely!
All of the sensible players in my campaign knew well the strategic
retreat, and my own PCs were often winging their way away from danger
8-D
Quoting Monty Python was usual: "Run away! Run away!"
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Llaurenela
Gary,
Thank you kindly good sir!!
...
And another
thanks to you for the account of the OD&D game campign. I suppose
you know that I had been playing pretty much the same sort of campaign
as a break from the LA and C&C game systems...but we are now back to
the LA game, playing in the C&C-designed Castle Zagyg, Yggsburgh
setting. Anyway, the OD&D rules are meant to have house additions,
because they are sketchy, and the DM is there to be the judge and
referee, write statutes as needed for the group ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Exactly. Their choice of ice cream, fudge, or salt water taffy works much better, I understand. :-)
Whilst I much prefer a creme brule or a Napoleon B-)
Heh-heh. Like moths to a flame, so do posters rush to a flaming post. I think that's an ancient internet proverb...
Yuppers! About the only topic likely to draw more attention is one dealing with sex X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Barbarian sub-class, Unearthed Arcana.
Not to mention magic-users and the monk class...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by A'koss
If
you go back to my earlier post, the point was that all versions of
D&D are very much magic gear oriented. This works great... for
D&D. However, loads of magic gear (and even just significant armor)
is not indicative in many (though obviously not all) of the mythological
and fantasy fiction we grew up with. How does a bare-chested barbarian
with no magical healing an AC 6 survive to high levels? Robin Hood &
his Merry Men? The Three Musketeers? Lightly armored rangers in LotR? A
Hyborian Age jungle fighter? Like I was saying, the game isn't really
geared to handle a lot of the settings it drew inspiration from. At some
point you could add enough house rules to make it work, but at what
point would you be better off with another system?
Cheers!
A'koss.
As a matter of fact...
Protection has always been a major factor in combat.
Lightly armored troops in historical battles suffer a lot of casualties.
An FRPG features heroic personas that are not meant to become casualties
of confrontations, so of course they are given armor, magical
protections too in order to remain as active characters in a campaign,
fight and slay their enemies, armored or not.
In a system designed to manage another genre, say fantasy science such
as that of ERB's Barsoom it is possible to create systems that
facilitate unarmored protagonists fighting and surviving hordes of
opponents. That was done neatly by Brian Blume's 3d6 combat mechanics om
the
Warriors of Mars RPG.
To fault the original A/D&D combat is to entirely miss the whole
reason for the game. Fortunately millions of happy players did not make
such a mistake :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by A'koss
...
...
However, if I wanted to run a game in Conan's Hyborian Age, Middle
Earth, Mythological Greece, play one of Knights of the Round Table,
Robin Hood, Three Musketeers, etc. or something in that vein, you
probably wouldn't use D&D as a foundation.
Cheers!
A'koss.
With the exception of Conan's setting, I agree.
Even there one would have to scale back the magic, but having armor is
usual in REH's tales, save for Conan and a few other of the lesser
protagonists, and the Barbarian class covers that pretty handily.
I don't think it's the armor or the magic that's the main problem in
translating the D&D game to such settings but rather the classes
themselves and the combat system, for that was devised for balanced hack
& slash favoring the PCs in the long term.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Redwald
Hi, Gary --
Just thought I'd drop a note to thank you for your ongoing participation
in this thread. Now matter how fun you might insist it is (and I
believe you :-) ), I'm afraid I'm compelled to consider it a
considerate gesture on your part, as you tolerate slavering fanboys and
acerbic detractors alike -- at least enough to stick around :-) .
Fortunately, after reading all 9(!) of these Q&A threads to date, I
find that most people fall pleasantly in the middle.
Hail
Redwald, and rest assured I am pleased and honored to be here exchanging
comments and quips. As I've just finished making 10 deviled eggs to
take to a BBQ to be held later today regardless of the drizzling skies
here in Lake Geneva, I have a few moments to respond to your post. then O
plan to have a cigarillo and read on the front porch...such a demanding
day X-D
They haven't come up lately, but I thought I'd let you know of
another respect in which your presence here has paid off in an
intangible yet real way -- thanks to the accounts of the Gord the Rogue
novels presented here, I've recently ordered them online; all seven
books from three different vendors. I never had the sense to pick them
up when they were in print in the 80s. Four have arrived already,
including the first three (for the thread readers, those are Saga of Old City, Artifact of Evil, and Sea of Death). This is fortunate for me, as I'm taking a transatlantic flight soon and will need some reading material.
As I read through the "Judge Dee" mysteries in the spring, I
am now working on the "Sharpe's" Napoleonic Era historical novels. When
those are finished I plan to re-read some of my favorite Vance yarns
again, and more "Nero Wolfe." As i work so much with fantasy, it is good
to have a change of genre :-)
The book to read after
Artifact of Evil is
Night Arrant, then read
City of Hawks before
Sea of Death, and i hope you enjoy the read. the tales are sheer adventure with little or any message anywhere therein :-o
I should get to my questions --
With the graphic novel adaptation plans a victim of the vicissitudes of
"market strategy", do you think there's any chance of seeing the Gord
novels republished, perhaps in some sort of omnibus edition?
It is likely that Troll Lord Games will begin publishing
hardback versions of the seven "Gord" books beginning in the last part
of this year.
If not, does the idea of net-publishing them as PDFs (or, heck, even plain text) appeal to you?
That isn't worth the time and effort...
[QUOTE]Thanks for your time and I hope you are having a pleasant
Independence Day. Now, I'm off to enjoy some buffalo steaks with the
kinfolk. :-) [QUOTE]
I have some elk steaks that are pending the grill on a day that son Alex isn't working.
(I've got to give props also to the adventuring writeups of
Christopher W. Page and Brad Solberg, who, years ago, posted to USENET
some tremendously entertaining "old school" accounts of adventures
through the Tomb of Horrors and Temple of Elemental Evil. These guys were real curmudgeons, playing "by the book" with only a few house rules, and limited usage even of Unearthed Arcana.
Both Page and Solberg credited the Gord novels as being influential
upon their gaming style and backstory. Their messages can still be
found via Google Groups.)
Perhaps one day when I am seeking some diversion I'll root up
the URL, as you make their accounts sound interesting to a chap such as I
;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Yeoman99
Hi Gary,
I have read the Sharpe books, and was suitably impressed with Cornwell's
latest offering "The Last Kingdom" set in era of Alfred's defense of
Wessex...gripping stuff. You may have commented previously on Pratchett -
I find Discworld great for comic relief - does it make your reading
list? On the other end of the scale I enjoyed the Memory, Sorrow &
Thorn trillogy from Williams for its storytelling.
Excuse the rambling, all too easy with adecent malt whisky.
Good Health
John
As an amateur historian of Anglo-Saxon england, one
who favors Wessex, the Cornwell novel sounds interesting, and I will
probably pick it up.
Pratchett's "Discworld" series is amusing, and I love Rincewind and Luggage :-D
For characterization and dialog I favor Vance.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I just started Saga of the Old City, and of course, Artifact of Evil is next.
I have the following other Gord the Rogue books:
Night Arrant
City of Hawks
Sea of Death
Come Endless Darkness
Dance of Demons
What is the definitive order for reading the series?
Heh!
Just as you list them, but
City of Hawks can be read before
Night Arrant without any problem.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Deogolf!
Actually, I could relate the tale of your heroic action that saved the
whole party in the HoMP, it being quite unusual for your Avatar, but
then the saituation was unique, eh?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well Dang!
Back in chicago in the early 1940's we used wooden swords and garbage can or
peach
crate lits reinforced with cardboard shields to have "wars" against the
"enemy gang" that were at the north end of the long alley that ran in
an L-shape on the 4100 block of Kenmore Avenue. Out gang was in the
middle of the block on both sides of the streets--the Pirates on my
side, the east, the Indians across the way. Of course we'd team up is
any "strangers" came around >:-)
My older brother was in high school, had some big friends, Jack Markam
being the largest at around 6'4" and near 300 pounds. when cleaning the
basement as was his usual Saturday chore, my brother put Jack in my old
baby carriage and wrecked it, so mother had him take it out to the
trash. thus came into possession our War Wagon.
I had gleaned a rug pole from the alley, that being about 9' long and
around 2" diameter...a marvelout lance! I was elected to ride in the
sprung baby carriage, and armed with the lance, two of my pals serving
as the team pushing the vehicle, and another couple of stalwartf
flanking it to right and left, we forayed up to the dogleg in the alley
where the "enemy kids" held sway. They spotted us porming up, got their
shields, swords and rocks ready, and formed up to drive us away. The war
wagon was too much for them, though. We were at least 50' from them and
charging when the lot of them broke and ran for it.
That bloodless defeat ended their challenging our right to ranging the
alley even though the war wagon was soon gone with the trash pickup and
the mighty lance lost who knows where.
The defeated forces made the circular park across from St. Mary's of the
Lake their new domain, but they didn't challenge us in armed combat
again X-D
The year after that we got into a serious fracas with a big gang of boys
from further north, there were at least 30 of them to out dozen, but
that's a whole different story, and the main reason my father decided to
move from Chicago 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
Err, yeah, sorry about that. I could have been clearer. :-#
G-little-g constantly harps about how I (and others) are not actually
playing D&D with my (and our) friends in every thread in which it
arises. Given that I'd come to ask for a little more clarification on
your own views, it was something I really didn't need to be reminded of.
I thought you were rallying to his defense - which on the surface made sense, given the disgust you'd previously mentioned.
Sorry again for the confusion!
Heh...
Allow me to make one thing clear, just in case ;-)
I am not prone to take actual offense at most anything relating to
gaming, save a personal insult. I will return jibes and make caustic
comments, but all in the spirit of fun. As a matter of fact I am not
much given to thinking of myself as sacroscanct, not do I hold grudges
against those who disagree with me :-P In all, I view all gamers as
fellows.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by med stud
Heh
we had those stick wars as well but we added fire wood as throwing
weapons. One team had their fortress up a steep cliffside (maybe 15'
high) and the other side stormed up. It ended when one of us got a stick
1" under the eye and another one got unconcious from another stick.
;-)
Quite!
Children do not consider the possible ramifications of their battles with sticks and stones.
The big battle I mentioned ended when the toughest kid in our band
dropped the leader of the attackers with a clinker thrown that beaned
him on the forehead and knocked him cold.
Alter on here in Wisconsin we used to use BB guns, slings, slingshots,
and sharp cane limbs in our childish "wars." In the winter when things
degenerated it was rocks in snowballs and iceballs... Nobody ever was
seriously hurt, whether that was sheer luck or some busy guardian
angels... :-o
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
But, of course, master! Whatever you say! ;-)
As it was one of my crowning moments in the adventure, I can pat myself on the back for that one!! :-D
That instant correct decision indeed saved the party, for surely most would have dies instantly otherwise. good show B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
No
matter where I lived (I was an army brat), our mock-combats used ranged
weapons almost exclusively. In Tacoma, Washington, it was little rocks
(!); in Stuttgart, Germany, it was Horse Chestnuts, either stripped of
their outer casing, or with spikes intact (!!); and in Dallas, Texas, it
was "spear grass"- a plant about 6-14" tall that, when plucked, had a
hard, dart-like root-ball that if thrown, could draw blood at ranges up
to 25'.
We were nuts.
Indeed, a sort of "spear grass" grows around
here, has characteristics as you note, and served as a close-range
missile weapon in rock fights. The horse chestnuts here aren't nearly as
fne a missile as are green walnuts, those being larger and heavier, but
the kids nowadays can't find much countryside with such trees so as to
engage in throwing them at each other X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Horse mounted combat with saber vs lance more or less comprised my 'teen' years. B-)
Certs!
None doubt that claim, I am sure...
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Since
in the discussions you remember you and others pointed out how much you
didn't like "old" D&D and had left the game and only "returned" for
"
3e," I can't help but point out (by way of clarification) that "
3e" and "3.5e" are not D&D, but part of the d20 System rules set. I don't understand why it upsets you so much.
Quite so!
New D&D is a different game than were D&D and AD&D in their various editions.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
...
...
So, when you weren't DMing D&D (in whatever flavor your preference
at the time was), what other games did you or your gaming group prefer
to run? And, if you've got more than a couple moments, what was it
about those systems you particularly enjoyed?
Speaking for me...
I was always happy to play just about any RPG somneone else was GMing. My favorite was
Metamorphosis Alpha,
as I love the mix of whimsey and menace embroidered into the science
fantasy basis. Of course I played every one of the other RPGs TSR
published, and enjoyed them all, especially
Boot Hill. My son Luke ran a brief campaign of
Top Secret, but quit as the game wasn't properly supported. We also played
Paranoia,
Traveller, and CoC when there was a willing GM.
Frankly, with a good GM, with or without other enthusiastic players, I
just love to have at roleplaying--or just about any other game. That's
why I don't get invlved in computer games or play online, as I'd do
nothing else X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
...
BTW, I have a question for you regarding the World of Greyhawk setting. I
was just perusing the encounter tables in the glossography recently and
noticed that a fait amount of them include results for "Men, Cavemen"
(areas such as Blackmoor, Sterich, Valley of the Mage, the Barrier
Peacks, Crystalmist Mountains and Jotens, the Clatspur Range and Yatil
Mountains, the Hellfurnaces) and even a "Use Plestocine Conditions
Encounter Table" (Sulhaut Mountains).
Did you envisions these as the WoGH's "Lost World" type areas
(particularly the Sulhauts)? I noticed they were fairly spread out on
the map so it could also have been simply considering the Cavemen as a
less developed subset of humans. Also, did any of the OC's in your
campaign ever encounter their Neanderthal brethren or any Plestocine
creatures in the WoGH proper (not, for instance, in Isle of the Ape)?
Gray Mouser
Yes, I had the Sulhaut Mountains as the "Lost
world" setting in my compaign, although we never did much of anything
there as events kept the PCs bust elsewhere. (I wanted to do something
fun with the 'Rift as well, but never got there. when i was using the
pre-WoG map for my world setting the West Coast of North america was the
Plestocine region inhabited by savage cavemen and their contemporary
fauna.
Otherwise, I did consider that subhuman cavemen were a not uncommon peril to encounter in remote wildernedd areas ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gizmo33
It doesn't matter how far you've fallen, it matters how fast you're going when you hit the ground. ...
No, what really matters is that a fall of 10' can be lethat, and one of
30' onto an unyielding surface is deadly about 999 times out of 1,000.
It is ludicris to argue physics in a game based on pure fantasy, is it
not?
Thus, I assert with assurance that a falling damage formula of 1d6
cumulative per 10' fallen fits the game system most properly, with a
cutoff at 100' even though terminal velocity hasn't been reached. So a
fall of 100' earns 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10 d6 damage; a mere 55d6 that
might all come up as 1s, and a generous DM might allow a saving throw as
well to halve damage ;-)
Cheers, Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Admittedly I've only read half of REH's tales so far, but didn't Conan always use the best armor available to him?
Hmmm...
As I recall Conan was often fighting in little more than a loin cloth
and didn't worry much about what armor was around...or favor any
particular weapon either.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by orsal
...
...
Gary, if you were writing the AD&D core rules all over again, is there anything you'd change?
sure!
But it doesn't matter now, does it? X-D
For how I'd write an FRPG these days, just take a look at the
Lejendary Adventure game B-)
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Yeoman99
Heh, even the qualified histrorians would have to support Wessex - but then that's my birthplace....
...
If you are near Weston Supermere, drop me an email,
and I'll put you in touch with a comrade of mine living there who is
looking for other roleplayers :-)
[email protected]
As for the rest, playing knights is good clean fun, even at the expense
of a chipped tooth. think of some of the alternative mischief that the
lad could be up to these days :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
The Ultimist class was published as a satire piece in Polyhedron about twenty years ago.
That might be so, I don't know, but if so it was a reprint from
The Strategic Preview,
a freebie house zine we used to print up on the company copy machine
and distribute to mail order and shop customers. I think only three or
four were ever published. Dave sutherland did most if not all of the
illustrations for the zine.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by WyzardWhately
Yeah, I know that. I was wondering if it's scanned in anywhere on the web, or if someone has it as a file.
I don't have so much seniority that I can dig into a box in the closet and find such things, you see.
Paul Stromberg is the one fellow I can think of that might have such information at his fingertips.
Sadly, my copies are long lost...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
I can show you video. ;-) Reenactor days in California at a lil event we put on at San Pasqual. Dragoon's vs Mexican Lancers.
Pish!
Reinacting isn't the same thing as was being discussed now, is it?
:-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Why not? I came out with the same number of bruises, stab wounds, powder burns, bludgeons and horse tramplings methinks. ;-)
Maybe adult supervision?
What do you think?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jyrdan Fairblade
Salutations again!
In the spirit of procrastination, I've got a two questions, if you've the time, one from the past and one for the present:
Regarding the TSR D&D ampersand (the fire-breathing dragon), do you
know who created it? I just got a tattoo of it and figure that I should
know the provenance of it.
Good Day :-)
The design was done by a professional advertising firm at the behest of Kevin Blume as nearly as I can recall.
I just finished reading the Lejendary Adventure Essentials boxed
set, and am reading the Gazetteer. Judging from the LA Essentials set,
it seems to be relatively difficult for most of the Alfar to qualify for
an order. Now, since orders represent in part archetypes, is it safe to
say that the Alfar races function as archetypes, in lieu of orders?
Kind-of like the OD&D dwarf, elf, and halfling races?
Possibly, but i consider the Orders more of a human archetype,
vocations and professions recognized as such by the dominant human
societies of Learth. So the La game's archetypes are that, but
practically more akin to professional and vocational societies, guilds,
brotherhoods, anf fraternal organizations. thus one gets the archetype
and a practical game application of having same ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
*chuckles* Any answer to that is going to be highly subjective and open to definition. X-D
Come, come!
It is axiomatic that liberals must always engage only in supervised play
activities--and thus the current vogue in some quarters of "play dates"
for their progeny...
Wiggle out of that X-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
...
Im an expert wiggler. ;-)
That depends on what the definition of "expert" is...
Actually, I agree, and give you a tip of the hat, especially for the
comments regarding "adult," for all gamers at least know that's a highly
subjective term in regards to attitudes and behavior.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I've
never seen the article myself, but I remeber Skip Williams giving this
info on the origin of the class when eager players asked for "official
rules clarifications" on it in the Sage Advice column. :-)
Skip's information notwithstanding, there was no
Polyhedron
when I created the spook character class, and I don't think he was out
of high school at the time, nor even thinking about working for TSR :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
*grinz* An expert: An "X" is an unknown factor and a 'spert' is a drip under pressure. :-D
Well....maybe?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by VirgilCaine
Ah. I understand now.
Heh...
So would you care to spend the night free of charge at Procrustes' Inn?
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
:-P :-P :-P
Some folks just don't handle the truth well 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Fascinating . . .
I'm guessing part of the problem (with why we don't get modules anymore from
WOTC,
just "crunch" and other useless crud) is that they are thinking the 2nd
Edition financial model. That was all about "add-ons" to the operating
system of the game (Complete Book of Postal Employees) and about lots
and lots of settings (Birthright 37th Age!). Trouble is, that stuff
divides the small audience into tiny shards, instead of getting us all
to buy and play Hommlett.
What can I say?
My manner of operating TSR differed radicaly frm that of the Blume
brothers who took over management of the company and ran it into the
ground. Then Lorraine Williams directed things so that it was, to the
best of my knowledge, at least over $30 million in debt when
WotC
acquired TSR. I do believe that the method of doing business by Wizards
is not one that best serves the D&D game audience or the game
itself, but time will tell.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
caltrops, yay! :-)
Spiked armor...bah!
Actually, the Romans did actually use spiked armor when fighting the
Carthiginians at Zama. They armed light footmen with axes, clad them in
spiked armor, so that the elephants they were to hamstring would not use
theit trunks to grab them. This battle is as well the only one I know
of in which the Romans used chariots as a war weapon, having lancers in
them to attack the enemy elephants.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
So,
what I'm seeing there, is that spikey armor is a historical evolution
to combat larger-than-average foes that have a tendency to pick up
human-sized foes? :-)
I never knew that - but it's an interesting bit of ammo to have the next time someone complains about "dungeonpunk." :-D
Thanks for that - and for your answer to my earlier question, Gary!
Not quite!
Many a force fought elephants and spiked armor was not employed. The
gates of Indian fortresses were spiked to prevent elephants from pushing
them down, but no spiked armor.
Maybe picked, trained soldiers in a disciplined Roman army could get
away with being clad in spiked armor, but elsewhere it is a hazard to
wearer and friend alike, especially in any close-quarters environment
such as a dungeon. Worse still would be in a wooden building or a
forest.
In my considered opinion, spiked armor is the worst sort of dungeonpunk,
worse that multi-buckled designer leather costuming passing for armor
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
A heads up:
Harold Johnson is having a memorial gathering at 6 PM (it has just
begun) for Dave Sutherland at the Cactus Club here in Lake Geneva--the
same place where one was held in memory of Dave Dimery who was in charge
of TSR's advertising during the heyday of the company.
Anyway, do whatever you think appropriate in Dave Sutherland's memory. I am heading there in a couple of minutes :-(
Salut!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
I remember you saying that while you greatly enjoyed playing
Metamorphosis Alpha, you felt that Gamma World was somehow lacking. I
played 1st edition Gamma World quite a bit back in the early 1980s, but I
never played Metamorphosis Alpha (though I own it and have perused it).
After comparing the two games, it seems that they are virtually the
same except that MA is set in a starship and GW is set on planet Earth.
What is it about Gamma World that you find lacking as compared to Metamorphosis Alpha?
Actually, the rules are different, but so are the latest rules for the MA game.
The "soul" of MA did not translate into the GW game, and the settings are quite different, so that affects overall play.
I must add that I contributed to the GW game, all of the riding beasts
therein being of my invention, as is one of the tables of random finds.
About the best I can suggest is for you to actually play MA with an experienced GM...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Dave Sutherland has gone home . . .
Amen, Brother.
The gathering was quite large, saw a number of people U hadn't talked to
in years, and it is likely that a perpetual scholarship fund for an art
student will come out of it. Dave would be very pleased :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
I agree; you don't! :-D
Tell Us O Light of the Ages,
What immutable truths will you deign to impart upon such lowly vessels?
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Aelryinth
Mr Gygax, a little history help if you will...
The rakshasa in the original Monster Manual can be killed instantly by a
shot from a blessed crossbow bolt. Assuming this is based on
historical Indian mythology, where did you find this weakness? It seems
the original Ramayana story line has Rama using an arrow or spear to
kill Ravenna, and I know someone who is interested in hearing where you
got this particular weakness with crossbows from.
Thank you!
==+Aelryinth
Heh...
That was covered earlier, here I think, although it might have been on another board. No Matter.
I was a fan of
Kolchack, the Night Stalker,
when it first aired, and sure enough they had a rakshasa as a monstrous
evil on that show. I liked the idea of the demon being destroyed by a
blessed wooden crossbow bolt, that being akin to the stake through a
vampire's heart, so I went with that in the
MM.
Nowadays I'd be less prone to allowing so easy an answer to the threat
of a rakshasa, although not many adventuring parties are equipped with a
crossbow and blessed bolts.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by scadgrad
Gary,
Wow, yet another Night Stalker fan. Man I remember that being one of the
only shows that actually frightned me as a kid. I thought the Rakshasa
and the Doppleganger episodes were both truly frightening. Of course,
were I to see them today, I'd probably not think so much of them; the
lens of nostlagia and all that.
Care to comment on how Castle Zagyg is progressing at this point?
As a lad I was terrified by the events depicted in
She, the
Return of Frankenstein, and the old
Ghost of Dracula films--that I snuck away to see. When I walked home on a winter's night after seeing
The Thing, I was keeping well away from the darkly shadowed bushes along my route (^_^')
As for the CZ project, the Yggsburgh maps are all done, and the Trolls
plan to have it for a GenCon release. I have not been sufficiently well
to work the long hours necessary to do the castle and dungeon levels,
though. that project will demand long daily hours of intense
concentration that I am not yet up to managing.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SpiderMonkey
This
isn't so much a question or a game-related comment as much as it is an
opportunity to say thank you, Gary. I picked D&D up when I was
younger, and it opened up a lot of doors for me, particularly with
reading and history. I'm now studying English Pedagogy at the Masters
level, and I suspect that if it weren't for D&D, I might not have
gotten interested in reading and writing at all. I still play whenever
possible, and it has probably been one of the more defining aspects of
my life for the past 18 years. So thank you, for that and for things
like this thread; it's an unusual and welcome gesture from an industry
personality of any sort, let alone the progenitor of an entire genre!
So...er...how 'bout 'dem Packers? :P
Your kind words are
greatly appreciated. It is always heartening to learn how my work aided
someone in focusing their potential ;-)
As someone born in Chicago, I am a Bears fan first and foremost, and I
recall their glory days in the 1940. We lived near Wrigley field where
they played then... I have a guilty secret, though 8-D I have watched
and rooted for the Packers since Bart Starr was the QB, and if the Bears
can't make the playoffs, than I am 100% behind the Pack. I am wondering
who they can get to step into Favre's shoes, although he might have
another few good seasons, he is getting old for a football player.
BTW, having been in Bear's regalia at a Bear-Packer game at Lambeau
Field, I was impressed with the general goodwill of the Packer fans
after their team really spanked the Bears :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
Well,
I'm no expert on the marketing of RPG by any stretch of the
imagination, but from reading the bits on the background of the various
D&D settings that was presented in Dragon 315, I got the impression
that TSR spent a great deal of time during the 2e era trying to come up
with the next Dragonlance. ...
...
The DL novels and
modules were indeed a windfall, but the main problem at TSR after the
release of 2E was loss of core audience. That is what caused the
downward spiral.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
Yes,
though from what I understand it wasn't a loss that happened all at
once, but in several places over the years. There were those who first
didn't bother to to move on to 2e, especially since TSR for a year or so
continued to support both editions of AD&D, from what I understand.
Then there were those who were disappointed by a number of mediocre
2e products and sort of trickled out of the audience. Finally there was
the group that was angered about TSR's aggresive lawsuit policy, though
I'd guess they were probably a small number of gamers that didn't have
the impact the other two groups did.
To the best of my
knowledge and belief, the problem began with the release of 2E, as it
sold at only c. 50% of the number an OAD&D core rules book had done.
Plainly put, about half of the audience for AD&D was gone at a
stroke.
Later flooding of the remaining audience with books that were not always
of first rate value simply pared away the base audience still further.
T$R chased a diminishing audience with an increased number of products,
hoping to make up in quantity of different SKUs sold what was lacking in
volume from a smaller number. In the publishing business that is a
hopeless plan.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
you win! ;-)
Not al all...if your PC has plate armor. The steel kneecap will bend and break spikes :-P
Unlimbering a spiked codpiece would also be quite a trick X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sanguinemetaldawn
...
...
This I think is a sensible backdrop for consideration of "Spiked Armor".
...
...but the wearer of such armor would have to worry about accidental injury both to himself, and his fellows.
A fine historical example in regards the scale armor.
As for spiked armor, falling down on turf or being driven into a tree or
wooden structure of any sort would be tatamont to a death warrant for
the wearer.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Heh, I was born in 1972!
then your nickname should be Youngschooler ;-)
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
If I may ask a BIZ related question...
Did you/do you find that big retailers pay less per unit for game
product than do the little guys? That is, if I find GAME: BOOK 1 at Mom
& Pop's Fun Shop for $40, and the same product being sold for $30
at big company Booksonline.com, are they both basing their
prices on the same per unit cost from GAME's publisher, or is
Booksonline.com usually getting some kind of bulk purchase discount?
If so, what do you find is the usual discount?
As I am not privy to the sales policies of
WotC/Hasbro
I am not able to answer your question. I can comment on discounts in
general, of course: Anyone that buys in great volumE generally gets the
highest discount, as they accept a vast order, warehouse it, or have it
shipped to multiple locations simultaneously. In printing, high volume
of a run lowers the cost per unit dramaticaly, so big customers mean
lower prices for all concerned.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
It's
true, I'm physically still a pup; but my screen name is an idication of
my soul, not my heart. The best game I've ever played (and ever will)
is your Dungeons & Dragons (c. 1974)!
That reminds me, in Monsters & Treasure, magic swords are indicated
as the only items with intelligence. Is that to say they are all
intelligent? If not, how often should swords with this intellect come
up?
Thanks kindly :-)
Most swords are not impued with a spirit intelligence. You can use the
table in the M&T booklet, or figure that one in 10 has some form of
intellect, and that one in 10 of those can communicate by empathy,
speech, or telepathy. Whatever suits your DMing style and campaign will
do!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I'm
only 27, but since I'm immune to "chronological snobbery," I usually
think of myself as an "oldschooler," too (and not just in gaming).
Heh,
Most of the "chronological snobbery" comes from the low end towards the high end of accumulated years :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Quite
true! I use the term as C. S. Lewis originally coined it: discounting
what came before simply because it came before. Best described as an
obsession with the present and "fadishness."
Can you say LA/Hollywood?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Hey Gary,
Where, if anywhere, would you put Gaxmoor in the World of Greyhawk?
Seems like maybe the frontiers of the Great Kingdom -- Bone March or
Medegia.
I think I know where to put your Castle when it's done . . . ;-)
I hadn't thought about a placement on the Oeridian continent, but
Haakon, I agree with you that it needs to be in the east around the
Great Kingdom. Bone March is an excellent choice.
If you have the short intro I did for the module, the encounter with the
gnoll raiders, that fits will with bone March or Medigia as well.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by trollwad
Actually
where would you put yggsburgh if you want to keep greyhawk as is?
somewhere in the cairn hills to the south not far from the swamp?
Heh...
Well, Yggsburgh it at a river junction, there's a large free city
westwards at the mouth of the River Nemo, there are lots of hills
around, mainly northwards, and there are some marshes near to it also,
so your suggestion seems appropos ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
I
worked with Ernie on Gaxmoor. In the playtest/in the original
background info, Gaxmoor was set on the western edge of Veluna, an area
that could be reached with relative ease by the pre-migration Oeridians.
...
Heh, Scott...
Surely that placement was quite unofficial, for certainly the product is generic D20 and not one approved by
WotC for use on the World of Greyhawk X-D
That said, I think it fits best in the Great Kingdom's eastern verge,
there being a good deal of "ancient history" surrounding that place.
Whatever suits the DM concerned is best, of course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Quite
right. Campaigns and battlefield conditions, one would 'pick up' bits
and pieces. Momentos of fallen comrads can fit in here as well. Aragon
with Boromir's bracers is a good example.
Better still...
Actual warriors would strip the captured and dead foemen of armor so as
to improve their own. The Vikings were well-armored thus. Hovever, it is
logical that the "upgrading" would be as cmplete as possible,
discarding lesser protection for greater. So mixed sorts of armor would
be rather rare I should think, save for hill bandits and their ilk.
FWIW,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jester47
Hi Gary,
How is the health? Will you be spry enough to grace us with your
presence at the big Con (Gen Con) this year? I understand that you are
supposed to keep travel limited, but I had to ask...
Best wishes and good health,
Aaron.
Hi Aaron,
Thanks, and I am feeling quite well, just lacking my former level of
energy. the fact is that I am enjoying relaxing and reading a lot, but I
do hope to be able to do more creatively in the future. that remains to
be seen, as currently I can't manage more than a couple of hours of
intense work before having to kick back and rest.
I will not be at GenCon this year...maybe in 2006.
I will be at the Lake Geneva Gaming Convention here at the end of this
month, July 29th - 31st, and at the Canadian National Gaming Expo in
Toronto the 26th - 29th August.
That's it for this year.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jester47
Colonel,
...But apparently his vocabulary and good demeanor are legendary. ;-)
Aaron.
Would you believe
Lejendary?
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Yet more punishment from the Col.
;-)
Pure corn, I know, but puns always a-maze me X-D
BTW, have you seen the
Hall of Many Panes? I manage a few in there....
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
My dad's noted more than a few.
His comments. "If this is an indication of the dudes sense of humor, he sounds like a cool dude to talk too."
Boy, has be got the wrong vampire! X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
. . . straight from the Colonel. :-P
Glad you lent an ear to that allusion. Shucks, you'd have been shocked if I stalked you :-o
Who is the father of all jokes?
None other than Pop Corn!
Aargh...
Garty
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
Uh,
oh! He's warming up for tomorrow! O.o I better butter him up some!
He's been known to pop off a few "old maids" now and then!
Don't get salty with me, use such cheesy additions, or I'll bag you!
:-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
One must get salty when dealing with those completely crackers, tis symbiotic. :-D
...Peter asserted crisply.
However, that failed to deter Gary from bending him about as if he were a pretzel.
"Take that, you peanut!"
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Gentlemen, gentlemen, surely these chips on your shoulders are not worth the Ruffled feathers! You should Chex your feud at the door, and Lance all festering boils that give the harsh feelings that are normally Nacho styles.
Are we Wise to this advice, now?
The above brought to you by the Uneeda Pun Company...
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Perhaps the Col should get a Clue since he obviously can't cut the Mustard. :-D
Clearly you are not a professor in punnery, more a weak, scarlet woman,
preening like a peacock for cooking up a few pale game jokes that would
turn most readers green...but not with envy :-P
I could hall in some location puns, but a study of the topic prevents me
from going that far--too wrentching, and I think I've given the
competition enough rope, even though my predominance at this sport is a
lead pipe cinch. thus I am going to lounge about now.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
All right...all right...
I will refrain from delivering more punishment, but I refuse to promise no shaggy dog stories.
Anyway, I have a dinner engagement that I need to get ready for soon 8-D
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
Methinks he's been hangin' out with John Barley-Corn, too much! :-D
A good one. If I was sure you had the proof of that I'd take the fifth... X-D
Bottoms up,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
As much as it Panes me, know I have not yet seen your latest "haul" of encounters.
Anybody running it at the LGGC?
There are spronkled
throughout the work some considerable number of puns, one whole
encounter based on them, that the GM can work to enhance his enjoyment
of the play if so desired. If the group enjoy such word play, the GM can
slip in his own. If the group suffers, the GM can work my puns for all
they're worth and blame it on me as he enjoys the sour expressions and
groans X-D
As the HoMP is a campaign-length module that should take a year or more
to play through, I doubt anyone will be running it at the LGGC, although
there are a few of the adventure panes that are great for one-off
play...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
...
BTW, my take on the GK is that it's something like the Holy Roman Empire
-- so, claims to ancient grandeur, lots of messy little territories and
feudal patchworks, and probably lots of robber barons (tolls every 10
ft, like the Garden State Parkway) if you have to move around there.
Can't argue with that take in the least, and I have been on the Garden State Parkway--highway robbery >:-(
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
There
are 11 toll plazas over 172.4 miles (about one every 15.7 miles) --
each 35 cents. That's only $3.85 to travel the whole distance of the
GSP. A similar distance on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is over $10. Also,
when compared to the PA Turnpike or I-95, the GSP is driving heaven.
Ah, but the frequent stops are the main thing. Better pay more, within
reason, at one place than have to stop at all those toll booth "plazas"
>:-(
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mighty Veil
I'm on chapter 9 of "3 Hearts and 3 Lions". I have to ask.
Why did you decide to create the Cavalier when you had the Paladin
already? To give none humans and other alignments a knight class? I
remember paladin became a sub-class after. But how exactly then did you
envision the paladin and cavalier to be different?
Heh...
The cavalier class was created mainly because all noble warriors were not in the same stamp as Sir Galahad and Roland.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
paladins weren't really supposed to be knights... thus, the cavalier. ;-)
Well, not the typical knight anyway (^_^')
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
..."John Barleycorn must die". A reach, I know... 8-D Oh, well, I'm "so glad we made it"...
As for me, I have seen to many a dead soldier bottle of John
Barleycorn. Just as did the old NRA of FDR's making, I do my part X-D
Kampai!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Gary, a question has arisen in another thread that you may be able to shed some light on...
I've noticed that in the earliest D&D works, D&D was a "fantasy
game" or a "war game", with players taking on "roles." By 1977/78, it
was full-on referenced in the core books as a "Role-Playing Game".
Do you have a rough idea of when the term Role-Playing Game became the
common parlance around the TSR offices, and who really started the
reference of "Fantasy Wargaming" with "Role-playing"?
Similarly, you used "hack and slay" for gamers who mainly fight their
way out of problems, but do you remember when you heard the term "Hack
and Slash" used more often?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Henry :-)
Role-playing was common parlayance at TSR in 1976, but who coined the
term is something I don't recall. It seems as if it just was there one
day, and everyone took to it naturally. Of the term "playing the role"
predates role-playing by a long, long time.
To the best of my knowledge "hack & slash" was a term coined by
fantasy authors/fans as a put-down for action-based yarns such as Robert
E. Howard wrote--and I still love. I believe that "hack & slay"
better describes the RPG activity concerned with dungeon crawls and seek
& destroy missions common in CRPGs. I do not mean to belittle the
entertainment value of such play when I use the term.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Amy Kou'ai
Hey,
Gary -- this is something that I've just been curious about, though I
haven't followed the thread in its entirety so possibly you may have
answered it in some previous part, but:
What's your preferred way to roll for stats?
Howdy :-)
As a DM who wants the players to be as pleased as possible with the
process. I typically allow stat rolls of d46, taking the three highest,
and allowing the totals to be arranged in whatever order the player
desires.
In regards to HPs, I typically say re-roll any 1, and I agree with the
initial GD being at the max--a good way to assist in survival of
low-lEvEl PCs B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
Oh scholarly senescent sloth:
In certain early TSR works if the 1970s, you sometimes wrote a Foreword, sometimes a Foreward, and sometimes a Forward.
Was there a hidden message in such variations?
-- ye nagge
Sure!
Lazy, shiftless, good for nothing editors, do your petty work and be
quick about it. Them who can't put ideas together can clean up the
spelling of those who can :-P
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
d46! :-P
Thank you. That qualifies you for an editorial position somewhere, I should imagine X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
hey, if you can find an actual d46 that might be worth some money! ;-)
D4 followed by d6 gives a range of 1-24 :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
I
prefer tolls to taxes (why should someone pay taxes for a road on which
he might not even drive?), and NJ gas taxes are nice and low.
I concur...
...but that is political, and so forbidden hereon 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JRRNeiklot
I would agree if tolls replaced taxes, but they seldom do. You end up paying both.
Errr...
I'd love to discuss the politics of that, and I do agree with your statement, but this isn't the place ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
You'll
want to subscribe to Gary's talk list if you want to talk about
politics (like getting screwed over by the State) or religion (like how
people down South think free highways are the 11th Commandment).
Anyway, Gary, how are the roads supported in and around Yggsburgh? Taxes or tolls? or a combination of the two?
Well amigo...
The Trolls are likely to hate you for asking that question, as I do not
specifically deal with the maintenance of roads, and now U am wishing I
had wrtten a couple of paragraphs on that ant the upkeep of the streets
in the town too.
Yggsburgh has plenty of tax and monopoly income to cover the repait of
local roads. Away from town it's not done unless there's a washout
somewhere. In that casr the Lord Mayor or nearest concerned noble will
see that repairs are made.
In the town proper the streets are repaired by the street cleaning
department. In the outs the Lord Mayor requires property owners fronting
the way to keep it in good repair, with the town seeing to the main
roads where they have no adjacent landowner.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Ho Zudrak!
I sent off an email about an hour ago adding the material about road
care to the entry regarding the Yggsburgh Street Department. No reply as
yet.
Darlene is putting on the final touches (my corrections of my own sloppy
work) on the town map, so the whole long project is about in the
proverbial can, as they say in the motion picture business 8-D
Now I had better go and check the trolls website, as they didn't mnention the new material to me...
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Emergency vehicles, delivery trucks, and the like use the roads . . . all benefitting you . . .
Small type doesn't avoid the proscription of political discussion, amigo >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
There is no controlling legal authority.
;-)
Heh, and tell that to Morrus or one of the moderators :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Even better,
IMO. :-) My post was pretty much thinking out loud. O.o
Sure, and Steve at TLG is up to his butt in production alligators, but
what the heck, publishers need some flogging now and again X-D
I wonder if Peter will rib you for tinkering with the mss. like he
ribbed himself for continually tinkering with his own artwork. ;-)
You know, for "liberally" adding to CZ. Ha-ha! *ducks*
He should, as should Darlene who is getting the short end of
the stick. I did promise to buy Darlene and her husband Vincent (if you
saw the TV show about Nostradumus' 500th birthday anniversary, Vincent
appeared therein and did the narration) dinner for all ther bother I
have been with my tinkering.
On a more important topic, how've you been feeling?
Quite well thank you very much. My main complaint it lack of
energy for long-haul projects. After a couple of hours work I get tired
and need to kick back and goof off for a like period. I am doing a lot
of most enjoyable reading though B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hi
Gary, I was wondering recently about how you handled Material Spell
Components in your Greyhawk Campaign. I know some DM's simply ignore
them. On the other hand, I seem to recall an article in Dragon
some time ago about purchasing them in a "magic store" (a concept I
don't particularly like, much like the ever-popular "Mage's Guild", but
that's another story ;-) ). Personally, I assume that most
spell components are covered in the monthly living and level training
costs except those that are rather expensive, e.g., diamond powder,
gems, etc.; basically anything that the PHB or UA lists as having a
(usually exhorbinant) cost.
Did you ignore them? Stick pretty much by the book? Require PC's to role-play their acquisition?
Thanks in advance.
Gray Mouser
Ho 'Mouser :-)
Spell compinents are rather a niggling consideration for the most part. I
do assume that the common sort are acquired easily during
non-adventuring time at various shops such as the apothecary's or a
spell components dealer--there would be such places in large communities
in a magic-active milieu.
As you note, the more costly and difficult to obtain components are meat
and drink for special adventures--or a fine way to strip mages of
precious treasure so as to have powdered diamond or corrundum gem powder
such as sapphire, ruby, etc.
If a group really enjoys shopping and hunting for strange items, the
spell components are there for the DM to use as reasons for such play.
Otherwise, they can be pretty well a side consideration that needs arise
only for special quests.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh, another Spell-related question, Colonel.
In Uneartherd Arcana
you list the value of standard spell books as 500 Experience Points
"per spell level contained therein" (p. 79). Does this mean that if a
spell book contained 5 first level spells it would be worth 2,500 XP? I
assume that's the case, as a scroll with a like number of 1st level
spells would be worth 500 XP.
there is no value listed for travelling
spell books, however. Would these tomes be worth the same as a standard
spell book or, perhaps because of their less sturdy construction, they
would be worth a lesser amount of XP.
Gray Mouser
Salut!
Yes, a 1st Level soell book (traveling or not) with five spells in it would bring 2,500 XP to the magic-user gaining it.
I value traveling spell books using the same base as regular ones. All
such works are miniaturized and made of very sturdy materials so as to
withstand the wear and tear of being caried about on adventures. Of
course the number of spells in such smaller volumes will typically be
less than the main spell books, so their XP value will be lower.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
OK,
here's my final spell book question (of the day). UA states that
standard spell books can contain "up to 36 cantrips, 24 spells of
1st-3rd level, up to 16 spells of 4th-6th level, or up to 8 spells of
7th-9th level" (p. 79). Travelling spell books, on the other hand, have
the following capacities: "nine cantrips; six spells of 1st, 2nd, and/or
3rd level; four spells of 4th, 5th and/or 6th level; or two spells of
7th, 8th and/or 9th level" (p. 79).
Now, does this mean it is possible for a spell book to have spells of
various levels in it, or does each spell book have to be dedicated to a
specific spell level (like the 1st level spell book a beginning M-U or
Illusionist acquires from their master)? Also, if spells of various
levels can be contained within a single book do these levels have to be
of the groups listed above (i.e., 1st-3rd, 4th-6th, and 7th-9th) or
could they be from any
level (e.g., a spell book containing spells of all levels from 1st to
9th)? If this last is the case, how would you figure out the number of
spells a book can contain given the number/level restrictions?
I know, a complicated question and one that probably has an obvious
answer, but this has been bugging me recently as a certain M-U/Thief in
my campaign is always on about finding a mage's spell-book (and when he does it's sure to be trapped, perhaps with a [i]Symbol of Death[i] >:-) ).
Gray Mouser
PS
Oh yeah, did any of the Greyhawk PC's ever find an entire spell book as opposed to just picking up spells form scrolls?
Lengthy query, short reply ;-)
There is no reason a mage couldn't have a spell book with varying levels
of spells. The mu-thief you mention could indeed find a trapped spell
book with a symbol of death--but that would be a device that lessened
the number of actual spells the book was able to contain.
Greyhawk Campaign PCs have indeed found both traveling and normal spell books--rarely, but on several occasions.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Thanks for answering my questions, Gary, I appreciate it.
However, there is one thing I'd like you to clarify if you could. Since
you give limits to the number of spells contained in each spell book by
the spells' level, how would you determine this number if the spells
therein were of various levels more then the 1-3, 4-6, 7-9 groupings?
E.g., could a standard spell book that already contained 5 ninth level
spells (a great find, indeed) contain an additional 5 sixth level
spells, or would this violate the level limit for the spell book?
Hope I'm making sense here.
Gray Mouser
Heh, and I'll quote yor earlier post:
"UA states that standard spell books can contain "up to 36 cantrips, 24
spells of 1st-3rd level, up to 16 spells of 4th-6th level, or up to 8
spells of 7th-9th level" (p. 79). Travelling spell books, on the other
hand, have the following capacities: "nine cantrips; six spells of 1st,
2nd, and/or 3rd level; four spells of 4th, 5th and/or 6th level; or two
spells of 7th, 8th and/or 9th level" (p. 79). "
A spell book can hold 8 spells of 7th+ level. If 5 are inscribed, that
means it is at 5/8ths capacity, so it could indeed contain 6 additional
spells of 4th-6th level, or 9 of 1st-3rd level.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
LOL
I guess it's better to "get it right the first time" -- a phrase
uttered often by my father whilst I was growing up. (^_^') I did
not catch the Nostradamus show, but I knew Darlene's husband is an
historian.
A good motto to adhere to, that, but sometimes being expeditious takes precedence (^_^')
How long before the Trolls just hook you up to some sort of
mind-meld machine and go looking for all the ideas, memories, and RPG
goldmines you've got bouncing around in your head? :-o I guess
they'd hook up Mr. Mentzer next to edit you. :-P
Someone is actually working along those general lines in reagrds my memories...
Hooking Frank up would assuredly keep him occupied X-D
Oh, you mean my posts. ;-) Just kidding, of course. It's
heartening to hear you're able to pretty much do what you want during
the day. I am sure you'll get the endurance up to tackle the long-haul
projects. Putting up with the likes of me and Peter on various boards
has to be getting you in "shape". 8-D
Responding to posts, and some of the email messages I receive, is recreational and social.
Delving into a long project where all must be connected and fit
correctly for me means keeping one's mind fixed on that work
continuously until the work is completed. In all that means no less than
six or more hours a day, seven days per week, until concluded.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Thanks Gary, that's actually quite a bit clearer now!
Gray Mouser
PS
No wonder my namesake never made it as a mage, this stuff's troublesome ;-)
Careless of me not to go the extra step or two to make sure the matter was crystal clear in the first place :-o
Having met Harry Fisher, the chap that Fritz Leiber used as the model
for Gray Mouser, I suspect the reason for no progressing in magical
ability was more do to revels and adventuring than other reasons ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh, I see. So how close was Fisher to the Gray Mouser in your estimation?
As for the Gray Mouser's ability (or lack thereof) at magic, his
disintegration of the mages in "The Lord's of Quarmall" is one of my
favorite episodes, especially since they were the wrong mages X-D
Gray Mouser
I met Harry once only, and for only something
less than a week's time. Physically, the good Mr. Fisher matched the
description of Gray Mouser, he having been a ballet dancer in his prime.
Mentally he was keen and sharp-tongued to match, quite the opposite of
the more laconic and easy-going Mr. Leiber, his dear friend. Harry was
also ascerbic of wit, outspoken, and demanding. He was flamboyant in
dress and at times in speaking. He loved to imbibe and have fun, so at
Gencon X his room was party central. Fritz retired early...even whrn he
was my house guest after the convention was over.
That's what I can pass along.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
So when are the Trolls releasing that as a T-shirt?
"Yggsburgh Street Department" or perhaps "Yggsburgh Street Walker"....
Framk, how many and at what price do you believe you could auction off
at GenCon? Based on your advice, I'll see what the trolls have to say
X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Nonsense!
We will look smashing in pumpkin orange and black bowling shirts. After all I, at least. am rather rotund...
Pity the LGGC isn't slated for all Hallows Eve.
BTW. the opening pun on the rock group is absolutely intentional :-o
(^_^')
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey, looks good, but how about a real
troll button. You know the kind... "horrid carnivores... loathsome...
thin and rubbery." Did I leave any descriptives out? ;-)
Gray Mouser
'Mouser...
Just wait uintil you see pics of us in those bowling shirts. Speaking of loathsome... >:-(
Bah!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
To hell with that! Get 'em ready for the end of the month!!! They should be the official t-shirt of the LGGC.
Better by far than than what the "Staff" must sport at the event.
BTW, all that are planning on reveling in hilarity at the Troll Lord
Games pumpkin shirts, we plan to have an "open porch" at our house on
Thursday night in liev of the usual RPG game session. convEntioneers
welcome, but BYOB :-P
The addy is 316 Madison Street.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
Wow,
that's fairly lenient. While I've nearly always allowed the 4d6
method for stats, I'm usually strict on hps. In my games, a player
always rolled for 1st level and kept the roll, no matter how bad until I
switched to
3e. I've always ruled that the player gets whatever he rolls when he levels, even if it's a 1.
Well, Orius...
After long years as a DM I have learned that the group enjoyment is
enhanced if players have PCs they are satisfied with and don't have a
better than even chance of having to crerate a new one several times
before attaining 3rd or higher level...unless that play badly. strating a
1st level character with maximpm HPs helps survival chances a good
deal, and re-rolling any HD that is a 1 does the same. After all, the
PCs are supposed to be most exceptional individuals B-)
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Slogans?
"Your trash is our business"
"We sweep the night away"
"Keeping the streets from becoming ill-manured"
Heh...
Good work Zudrak.
I am now ready to wear a T-shirt saying "YGGSBURGH STREET DEPARTMENT, We sweep the night away."
Maybe "nightsoil"?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mystery Man
Sigh
that brings back bad memories, those were my highschool colors. Our
football uniforms looked rediculous. :\ Opposing team fans would bring
signs like "Smash the pumpkins!" and the like.
Indeed!
Orange is generally an unfortunate hue for a fotball uniform, and that is said considering the Chicago Bears.
I trust your team fought fiercely, impressed the opponents with their
prowess, despite the possible resemblance to being Jack-O-Lanterns 8-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Damn,
it's stuff like this that really makes me wish I was able to attend.
Well, that and seeing Gary dressed as a pumpkin, of course 8-D
Gray Mouser
Such costuming is not remarkable for me, as I
have little pride regarding such matters. Have you seen that dreadful
video wherein I am dressed shabbily as a seedy wizard leading the parate
of costumed conventioneers at GenCon 2000?
X-D >:-( X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Argh. Turns out the kids will be along with us, or my wife and I would surely be there.
Children are dear...but surely a handicap at a gamer get-together :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
True
enough. The initial plans called for leaving our 2 boys with out
in-laws while were went to the Con. But, those plans have fallen
through, so I'll be bringing the whole crew.
Great for the
kinder, and surely memorable for the parents, but somewhat restricting
the things one can do. good thing this isn't a SF con with hall costume
contest, bar gatherings whereat all the lacivious songs are sung as
booze is swilled by the gallon.
My wife is still talking about how badly Robert Asprin outdid me in vulgar ditties and quaffing of alcohol. >:-)
(^_^') X-D (^_^')
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Uh,
no, I must have missed that one, I'm afraid. I can only hope that
someone has posted the footage on the web somewhere for all our
enjoyment ;-)
...and to my chagrin assuredly...
The upcoming Convention sounds like it's going to be fun. It's too
bad I'm going to miss it (actually, I've never been to a gaming con of
any kin, despite having played since 1979 or there abouts).
Gray Mouser
Please! You must make every effort to attend a convention.
Nothing like them. If you want large, go to Gencon...and there's a
chance I'll be at the event in 2006. For more relaxed and intimate
enjoyment, plan on a local con or next year's Lake Geneva Gaming
Convention--fun, fellowship, and new friends to :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
*chuckles* According to the folks that work with him, he hasn't slowed down any. B-)
>Gary crouches and slinks away hoping to pass unnoticed..."< 8-D
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
I still think we'll manage a great time in LG. Wife and kids poolside, me chucking dice......
And RE: Mr. Asprin. Outdo you at vulgar ditties....mmmm....sounds like quite a feat.. :-D
There's plenty around the LG area to amuse youngsters, including a
water park (Timber Ridge), a hotel swimming pool at the con site, a
local beach, and a couple of miniature golf courses. Boat rides and a
petting zoo are also options.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by med stud
Time for an extreme tangent: Our (Scandinavian) trolls, in myth at least, ...
As is said here in Wisconsin, Uff da!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hey!
Quit trolling this thread >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Quick
question for you Gary: When you first started playing Chainmail, do you
remember what scenarios/battles or armies were easiest or most fun to
play?
Plus (off topic): I am SO going to Sweden whenever I get a chance! I do
work for Molnlycke (in a roundabout way), maybe I can stow away on a
shipment or something 8-D
We played all sorts of
scenarios--Vikings vs. Saxons; Turks vs. Austrians, Crusaders vs.
Saracens, whatever. All were fun. the rules are pretty easy and few
argyments ever occurred.
I have some close fellow gamers in Sweden. They came to the German con
in 1999 in Rothenberg to play in my campaign--"The Five Crazy Swedes."
good gamers and nice chaps too, so we had a lot of fun.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Pre-LGGC Get-together at My Place
Reminder!
We are having an "Open Porch" this Thursday evening, 28 July, for all
planning to attend the Lake Geneva Gaming Convention over the weekend.
There might be food left...Gail plans to have a smoked turkey, potato
salad, baked beans, hamburgers, and hot dogs there for as many as 20
persons; but do bring your own favored drink as I refuse to allow her to
bring in a quarter barrel of beer.
BTW, if you are the Beloved Fellow that gifted us with the bottle of
Chambouille Musigny 2001, bless you! That was one of the best wines we
have ever enjoyed. We shared it with friends, and they agreed as to its
being of grand cru savor.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Whisperfoot
Hey Gary,
Your old friend Gord the rogue woke me up the other night. He snuck into
my bedroom and put a dagger to my throat, threw some icewater in my
face, and went on to tell me how he's been on vacation for way too long
and can't stand it anymore. He's got a whole new world to explore with
that hot drow wife of his and he wants you to pick up his story where
you left off.
When he left, he told me that if he has to ask again, it will be
painful. Please Gary, save me from this guy and give the man something
to do. Please!
Well Put!
Dragon
magazine is asking me for a Gord the Rogue short story, and I might see
about it in the autumn when the weather turns chill here. Meantime,
Troll Lord is planning yo do a hardback reprint of the whole series of
Gord books cming this winter.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
I'm not the person who sent that wine...
However, I was recently buying some and the sommalier told me that the
vintages of 2001, 02, and 03 were particularly good. I went with his
suggestion and picked up a German White from 02, and I must say that it
tasted like a wine with another decade under its cork.
Some of the best from those years are already going for over $1K/bottle.
Get 'em while you can!
Good show!
I do not particularly care for sweet white wines, save perhaps for a
Chateau Yquem or a four azu Toaky or perhaps a trokenbeeren auslese for
desert--and pardon any spelling errors do :-o
Dry French wines from Bordeau or Burgundy top my list, and I will note the years mentioned, thanks ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mighty Veil
...
Hey yeah. Don't suppose you have the stats of the characters from the D&D cartoon handy? ;-) j/k
Now there's a concept... 8-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
AD&D: Why were the modifiers for Strength score different for to hit and damage?
16 Strength was +0/+1 - to hit/damage
18/51 Strength was +1/+3
18/00 Strength was +3/+6
Etc.
There were also magic weapons that had different bonuses on to hit and
damage. "This weapon gives no bonus to hit, but gives +2 to damage
rolls."
I've always wondered about the reason for the difference.
Quasqueton
As Haakon1 pointed out, Strength enables more
damage from a successful blow, but it doesn't as effectively guarantee
such a success.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Nice! Any ideas of the time line of the possible short story?
As for the reprints, are the Troll Lords planning on keping the
character and place names as they are (being changed in the latter
volumes due to contractual problems with TSR), or will they all be
standardized throughout the books?
Gray Mouser
Likely any piece I write will be Gord in the
City of Greyhawk. I haven't gotten to any initial planning as yet, so it
might end up being just about anything rtelated to Oerth.
The reprints will be just the same as the paperbacks--the first two with Greyhawk names in them the ithers without.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Rakin
Wow this thread looks way over my head, but I'm going to take a stab at it anyhow. I just have a request for some advice...
It seems that somehow I have been mistaken for Ann Landers O.o
Okay, I'll stop ribbing you and give this advice: To encourage
role-assumption make it important that the players "know" their PCs and
be rewarded for that knowledge by Dm lauds and even some extra XPs where
that is apropriate. to encourage roleplaying, do a lot of it while
DMing, and whenever a player responds in kind, make it clear there is
approval and let all the group see it--but make it both entertaining and
fun, with some humor in it that all can share.
Finally, stop worrying about yourself--your DMing--and just have fun. That will improve the performance of the best of DMs B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well Dang!
My thanks for all the warm birthday anniversary wishes, Dear Fellows :-)
I wasn't so sure I'd be making it last year around this time, but I feel
most chipper of late, but I lack the considerable energy I had in the
past, so getting real creative work done is a chore. I poop out after
just a few hours, while I need to be able to work around eight to 10
straight, six or seven days a week, to accomplish such projects.
Flexor the Mighty:
Was the Italian wine you enjoyed a Lambrusco?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by KRBourgoine
Happy Birthday Gary! So this is where you have been hiding.
I am coming to the Lake Geneva Trolllord Con for which i am arriving
tommorow midday. I look forward to finally getting a chance to meet
you.
Offers still open for that gathering at your abode?
Kerry R. Bourgoine
Hi Kerry!
Good show, and yes. We are having a pre-Lake Geneva Gaming Convention
"open porch" at our place on 316 Madison Street* on thursday evening.
There'll be food, but it is a good idea to BYOB. Haven't the foggiest
idea who will show up, but it should be a lively gathering :-D
See you on the morrow then,
Gary
*Madison street is a N-S one only two blocks (west) of the main N-S
street in town, Broad Street--then Cook and then Madison. We are a block
and a half north of Main Street and the Library Park and Lake. The
school parkk is accross the street from us, The place is a light yellow
victorial with a large, glassed in front porch with a gazebo.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Here's wishing many more happy returns of the day, Gary!
Don't push yourself too hard -- we'll wait. ;-)
Just so,
I'll be doing articles and short stories soon, I believe, and then from there I can see about module design.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by KRBourgoine
Great i will be there!
too bad i didnt find you sooner, (i did send an email), i was offering
to take you and Gail out for a dinner at a place of your choice while i
was in town.
Was the least i could do.
offer still stands if you have the time, i flee back to NY monday night.
Thanks...
Likely the evening meals during the con will be caught with a bunch of
others at a pub--the Next Door Pub in fact, a Pizza joint much beloved
in the original GenCon (Lake Geneva) days). So maybe a drink, eh? Who
can say... ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
My folks and I are going to try and make it there in time. Depends on what time we get into the area. Its a fair bit of a drive.
But if we happen to miss it, my dad said to pass along his thanks for
the invite and assorted polite noises as the brits do. :-)
Jolly good, what-what?
Carry on and pip-pip!
Bertie Wooster
Col_Pladoh:
Cheers Llaurenela!
Your efflusive birthday wished are most appreciated.
A pity you aren't in the neighborhood so as to join our gaming celebration here :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Rakin
Haha,
sorry for the simpathy post, I should of known better. I had a really
great session last night and I feel better. Expect to see more lively
posts in the future as long as it's invited.
Hey!
All GMs suffer a bit of performance anxiety now and again X-D As a
matter of fact I always do after playing with a really good Gm, but then
I just have at it anyway,m and if I am having fun the group joins in
;-)
Thanks for the words of wisdom and the self esteem boost, it was
something I needed. I'm going to give some of your advice a "go at it". I
want to sadly admit that I haven't picked up a book in the greyhawk
setting and I'm itching to do so now. Although I'm not new to the
fantasy scene, I'm not old to it either, I'm just trying like mad to
catch up to older folks. :-D Any suggestions for a great first
greyhawk read. Thanks.
Not to plug a product of mine, but have a squint at the
Castle Zagyg, Yggsburgh
work when it's released by Troll Lord Games...at Gencon hopefully,
although I kept messing around with the maps so it might not make the
show O.o It is something I believe will be a great tool for GMs and
provide a lot of enjoyment for the players in the bargain.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Right Henry :-)
That's the basic material I use when having a group adventure across the Flanaess :-D
For a smaller setting though I am unabashedly recommending the upcoming "Yggsburgh" work.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by The_Gneech
Very good, sir!
Jeeves
Oh what I would give to have Jeeves in my service!
If you read Kyril Bonfiglioni, his anti-Jeeves "Jock" is also a worthy
treasure for the shady character--and Bonfiglioni obviously read
Wodehouse X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Any preview you can give regarding the skill system you devised for that work and C&C?
It is a very general and rules-light one sumilar in some ways to the "Abilities" skill bundles in the
Lejendary Adventure
system. One gains them by expending XPs. the number is fairly small,
about a dozen. Maybe the Trolls will post a sample on their webpage.
I'll ask them...although they are all headed up here to Lake Geneva for
the con that starts here tomorrow, so it will likely be a while 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by The_Gneech
Everyone needs a Jeeves! ;-)
Alas, I'm not familiar with Kyril Bonfiglioni or his work ... but for
what it's worth I do read quite a bit of Rex Stout, Wodehouse's old
pen-pal, and highly recommend it!
-The Gneech B-)
Heh!
I am a great fan of Nero Wolfe, and I manage a decent impression of him
in regards to cuisine. Gail gets cross when I ask "Fritz" to prepare
something decent for dinner, and usually say crossly in my Nero Wolfe
voice, "Take it away, it's chicken!" when she serves that sort pf
poultry.
BTW, you will likely enjoy the Bonfiglioni novels. Have a look at his material.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Rakin
Thanks a bunch and i will be looking foward to it.
Despite my miserable hand-drawn prototypes and many changesm, the maps for the
CZ, Yggsburgh, work by Darlene are just splendid :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Gary,
Are you all having fun so far? *sniff* Wish I could be there at the LGGC. :-(
Happy gaming,
Zudrak
Thanks All...
The many email messages and cards wishing me well on my birthday
anniversary are greatly appreciated. Thanks also to those who popped in
here for the "Open Porch" and brought a gift. Much obliged for such
thoughtfulness! I did share up the bakery goodies and even sme of the
booze...but by no means all X-D
The Trolls loved the convention, broke even on costs, and they assure us
that there will be a LGGC II. In fact they are bringing their families
up a couple of days early to enjoy the area.
The good lord willing and the creek don't rise we'll have another "Open
Porch" get-together here at my place on Thursday night before that
event. Don't know what we'll do for space, as we were at near-capacity
this year, but we have a large side yard :wink:
Can't guarantee space for kinder though, as my wife deals in antiques
and the place is not child-proofed...son Alex being age 18 X-D If we
go to a side-yard portion, then kiddies will be welcome, although likely
bored to tears by all the adunts and gaming talk...
I was just hanging out with the gamers most of the time, although I was
the tour guide on the school bus for the "famous TSR locations in Lake
Geneve." On the Saturday of the con I ran an LA game on the porch for
seven players, and all said they had a splendid time of it--they played
very well indeed. Then a bunch of us went for pizza and beer at the Next
Door Pub out on the north end of the town--that's where we went during
rthe first GenCons, and was a TSR hangout back in the day.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
...
...
So, how "realistic" were those numbers from way back in the day? Is it
something you made up to fit the kind of milieu you wanted, or did you
first base the human mining rate off of research, and then modified
accordingly? A combination of both?
Enquiring minds want to know!
Thanks in advance,
Heh,
Well, although I do have ancestors that were Cornish miners, I didn't consult them when I did the table in the OAD&D
DMG. Basically, it was a bit generous for hard-rock mining, about correct for softer sedimentary stone...I believe (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jo�l of the FoS
Bonjour Gary,
(happy Bday, if a few days late, and wishes for a long happy life)
This is my first post in these lengthy saga � ask Gary � threads (which
I�ve read in total, took me about a week!). I learned many trivias from
early D&D (and on dwarven female beard�)
I had no ideas about you and your private life before reading these. It
seems we share the love of a good drink � French cru class� (ah, Cos
d�Estournel�), and of course Sam Adams (have the same opinion on
ordinary beer � it simply shouldn�t be called �beer�).
Hope your eyes recover from the workout.
there can no longer be any question about all female dwarves having hirsuit cheeks and chins, right?
Remember! Lips that touch liquor shall never touch mine. My liquor that is >:-(
Heh, and anyway, if you ever see any New Glarus beer or ale (preferably) give it a try. Excellent micro-brewery fare those.
Been D&Ding since 1981, so first, many thanks for creating this
amazing hobby. I now game with my friends (ongoing campaign since 1987)
and now with my kids. Thanks for those precious moments.
My question: I understand from the timing of your departure from TSR
that the Ravenloft setting was launched after you left. So I guess you
were not involved in this at all? (Or in the original I-6?). Bonus
points for your opinion on the setting :-)
Regards,
Jo�l
It is good to read that you are bringing up your progeny properly X-D
I was still with TSR but had little imput in the corporate affairs when
the Ravenloft materials began publishing. i was out in the Los Angeles
area much of the time from 1982 through the end of 1984.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh, Wodehouse is one of the few authors that gets me laughing out loud when I read him :-D
Gray Mouser
Indeed!
I recall with great fondness evenings when my Grandmother Burdick read
Wodehouse aloud to my Grandfather--his eyes were tired from his legal
work, he being in his 80s then. Much mirth and laughter.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jo�l of the FoS
Hello Gary,
Well, I cheated a little by reading only your posts � providing me with
the question and answer. I read quickly but I don't really have those lenses of speed reading.
Ah for the days of my youth when I read 500 plus wpm with a bit over 90% comprehension!
It clears the matter indeed. Lorraine can sue me because I asked ;-)
A name that will never darken gaming again, after her debacle, eh?
I�m going to NC in a few days, and Boston and NY before that, and
hunting gourmet wine and food stores, so I�ll be looking for that. Which
state is it made?
New glarus is a Swiss community some 40 miles west of Madison,
Wisconsin. Being mainly of Swiss descent, I make a pilgrimage there
annually for some down-home food.
And a good bitter ale over any other type of beer, indeed! If you go
to Qu�bec, try the St-Ambroise (micro-br.) � a very good quality Indian
pale ale-type beer.
toronto in less than a month, but no plans to visit
Quenec--although i work with a computer game company based
there--Alchemic Dream. Maybe they'll bring some St. Ambroise to the
games expo...
Heh, what are parents for ? ;-) When my daughter was 4, she could
tell the various breath weapon of chromatic dragons :-)
Excellent! X-D
Another question, if I may, on roll-playing vs role-playing.
From personal experience and reading, it is my understanding that
D&D went from roll playing to role playing with time. As the early
books were 99% roll-playing mechanics, while role playing was introduced
much later.
Am I wrong? Was it important for you from the start?
Jo�l
One can not effectively teach or regulate roleplaying, save by
example and GM fiat. We tended to get into character in regards game
play, and did some yacking instead of hacking whenever the situation
seemed to call for it.
So you are not really accurate in your assessment, as you'll note when
youy read my brief essays about the more amusing adventures I DMed or
participated in.
A rule book for roleplaying would be a work dealing with amateur thespianism, you see :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jo�l of the FoS
Ask them to bring you the best 6 pack you can find from Qu�bec : 3
bottles of St-Ambroise and 3 of Bor�ale rousse (red). Amazing stuff. Or
better, give me their address, and contact person, I'll bring them the
six pack and make sure you get it.
Sounds great to me! My
contact at Alchemic Dreams is Aurelean Merville, and the address is
21051 Succursale St. Marc, Shawinigan, Quebec.
That is cool about Qu�bec, we are part French (and love French
wine), part Brit (the love of port wine and good quality beer).
Excellent, French wine, British port and sherry too, along with their beer and ale...and maybe cheeses from both :-o
I have to say that my daughter is now amazingly proud that the
creator of the D&D game said something good about her :-) She
wants you to know the monster book is one of her fave one.
As the father of six children, three of which are girls, I am
most happy to be of service to all children, Greatest thing in the
world, those B-)
�yacking instead of hacking� :-)
Ok, sorry for the misconception. I was under the impression that the
first D&D books were not saying much about role playing. It is
probably from my own experience then (I play mostly with engineers, the
best optimizer people I know!).
I have to admit I didn�t these essays you mention. Can we find these online?
Jo�l
Hacking is far and away the favorite occupation for RPG players.
the misconception is logical, as little effort was made to encourage
roleplay and conversation. As with traps, we rather assumed the players
would be astute enough to figure out on their own when it was
appropriate to attempt conversation.
The series of generally humorous essays was run in
Dragon magazine around 2002-3.
Rob Kuntz is completing a series of his own similar tales, and when he
has done so, I'll expand on my work a bit and we hope to publish the
compilation as a hardback book, possibly through Piazzo, although we
haven't approached them on this yet.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Ciao, Francisca,
Indeed my eyes were distended when James M. mentioned that security
band--a command bracelt for sure. The Vigilists, out faction on the old
SS Warden have a command ring, but alas, we are now on the new starship
O.o
the con was just great, no? Please do come back for next year's
show--and but in anytime. I am there to meet all my fellow gamers who
care to make my acquaintance ;-)
Ernie just dropped in so I must close.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Yes,
had a great time. I am hoping to arrive early next year, hoping you
see fit to offer up some more "front porch" hospitality.
--Rich
Heh...
A number of the chaps with families are bound to bring them next year so
that thay can enjoy the charms of Lake Geneva, a true tourist trap with
plenty to amuse women and children not enthralled by the lure of
gaming.
Gail does plan to have another "Open Porch," likely spreading out to the
side yard as well if the weather is clement. All there should pray that
the weather has been as dry as this year so that the mosquito
population is minimal. That way some Yard Guard and bug candles will
make the place reasonably safe and enjoyable.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
My
family enjoyed the beach quite a bit on saturday. Whether they come
next year remains to be seen. That's good news about the open porch.
there is a good water park at Timber Ridge, so the kiddies can be amused even more than is provided by the beach here.
One of the fellows on Dragonsfoot just volunteered to bring some bottles
of the red wine vinted in his area, so there'll be a wine tasting next
year here on the porch ;-) If only i could convince Francois Froideval
to come over from France with some choice bordeaux and burgundies...
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Uh
oh, if these EN-oids begin to show up I may have to break out something
more their speed - mountain dew spiked with MD20/20, coca-cola and
muscatel, thunderbird mixed with Slurpees, etc. X-D
that sounds pretty much like what my crew prefer to drink during game sessions,,,leaving out the cheap wine X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
gary, someone posted this in a thread that i started. any insight?
Nql is whatever DMs want him to be. I never developed that partoicular
demon. Considering the name, I should think he would have powers of
inibriation, sleep, and a false sense of security X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Hmmm,
gaming beverage choices can be amusing. I generally stay away from
Coke, even though I love it, because gaming gets me wired already -- I
generally can't sleep until 2-3 am after gaming as it is! Lamely, I
tend to drink Diet rootbeer -- which has no nothing in it. Sometimes
I'll go with Newcastle Brown Ale or Strongbow Cider . . . British stuff
seems more medieval to me.
One of my fellow gamers likes to do about a six-pack of Rainer (local Washington State lager, not as good as Bud
IMHO), another likes ridiculous quantities of Mountain Dew (like 40 oz.), but most are a reasonable mix of decent beers and soda.
As we've gotten older, we've moved from pizza and chips to carrot sticks
and what we call "Scooby snacks" (a type of health food oat cereal).
Once in a while, we'll go with Iron Rations -- Oberto beef jerky, Carr's
Water crackers (close as you can get to hardtack), and dried fruit.
Yummy! ;-)
Most of the time I drink water to keep my
throat from being parched from all the talking, eat nothing because
there's many a snack I keep munching if I start. Most of the chaps who
play in the group enjoy a soft drink and whatever snacks are
around--always some it seems, including White Castle "Sliders" now and
again.
On special occassions I will indulge in a g&t, whiskey, or ale/beer while I GM, but that's raree indeed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
Like all-butter pie crust in 1"x4" sticks, each with some cinnamon sugar on top.
Dude!
Yumm! Those pie crust cookies you make at the Baker's House are addictive :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jo�l of the FoS
Great
news. I got an email back from Aur�lien, he said no problem to bring
you a box. So I'll get in touch with him after the 22nd (when back from
vacation) and I will bring him ze Qu�bec beer :-)
Jo�l
That's great! As we are driving, carrying something back will be no problem either.
I do hope you'll make a LGGC so I can regale you with some of the local brews from New Glarus :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Notice! The pie crust cookies fail to bear a warning label, however:
WARNING! Eating these might be habit forming as they are so delicious.
:-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
I dislike self-promotion on Gary's board (and we'll leave it at this, eh whot?), but...
But me no buts!
I demand more cookies for this ourtageous thread hijack X-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Rampant coruption. Dudes always trying to get dough out of people. :-D
That's no half-baked observation. It's sweet, so takes the cake, and I'm not buttering you up by saying so. :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
To say the yeast, ya always rise to the occasion. :-P
Guideon Thorn added tartly...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
You doughnut know how much your inbread punning senselessly pains me... X-D
Sadly, Frank refuses to make and purvey doughnuts :-(
I apologise if my humor causes you to have hot, cross buns. To me
there's nothing better than a stollen pun, although you think it cruller
than called for.
(^_^')
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Uh oh...he's on a roll! :-P
No loafer you. When it comes to punning you are a hard man.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Hi Gary,
I just got done on a George Romero movie binge - Night of the Living
Dead through Land of the Dead - and I was struck by some of the
similarities between Romero's zombies and the D&D Ghoul. So I was
wondering, did you pull any inspiration from Night of the Living Dead?
The D&D ghoul was inspired by the Lovecraftian critter of that name
and my own imagination. they first appeared in play in c. 1970 in the
Chainmail Fantasy Supplement table top games.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Thanks Gary! I got another for you.
Did you ever have much contact with Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone,
original founders of Games Workshop? I figure probably not, but it
would be cool if my three favourite old-school gaming personalities got
together at some point.
X-D
As a matter of fact I met Ian and Steve in the UK back in the 1970s,
personally selected them as the exclusive distributors for the TSR game
line thereafter. Those two worthies stayed with me in my home in the
early 1980s, and I still get Christmas cards from Ian. (I have lost
track of Steve, sadly.)
When at my place they both helped me clear poison oak from the trees
around the house. I didn't realize that I was virtually immune to the
irritant sap, but bith of the poor chaps got back to England and
suffered the itchy red bumps in profusion, and gave me what for (^_^')
BTW, John Edwards of Jedko in Australia was there too, and he could
mimic my American and Ian's and Steve's British accents and made jest of
the lot of us.
As an historical aside that has never been mentioned before, I wanted
TSR to merge with GW, that enterprise getting a quarter interest in the
new enterprise formed from merging the two companies, but Ian and Steve
were charry of the Blumes. I couldn't come right out and say that I
would surely vote with them against my erstwhile partners, so there went
that.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Hi Gary!
Now *that* is an interesting footnote in the history of gaming. My my,
how much different would the industry be today if that had come
about.......
Quite so.
Ian and Steve were both very bright and hard-nosed businessmen that were
dedicated to success. Had they comprised a part of the Board of
Directors of TSR, voting 25% of the shares, it is likely that all the
debacles that followed in 1983 and 84 would not have hapened.
Such is life...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
If only it had came to pass, oh how I cvan imagine it.
Ken
Indeed Ken...
I was sorry that didn't happen. I suppose i might have leveled with Ian
and Steve in regards to my concerns to the capacity of Brian and Kevin
to continue to run TSR, but I was too loyal to do so. When those two
sold out to Lorraine Williams, I truly regreted my decision :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
No good deed goes unpunished, eh?
Well despite the mishandling in the 80's, I've still enjoyed your
creations. No matter what *could* have happened, I know what *did*
happen: me and countless others enjoy your work greatly.
Actually,
That is why I kept on creating after the sordid business at TSR, and am
still at it to as great an extent as I can manage. I too am a gamer X-D
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
In the words of the Black Adder: "Oh, bugger."
Gray Mouser
Gotta love Black Adder :-D
I actually told Ian Livingston about the reason for my plan, but that
was long after he and Steve had left GW. Ian said had he known my
reasoning, had my assurances, he and Steve would have agreed.
Oh, bugger O.o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh,
my online game sometimes reminds me of the illustrious (mis)adventures
of the Black Adder. Of course, they don't need Baldric, being quite
capable of pulling off both the coniving and the misfortune on their own
:-D
Gray Mouser
Heh-heh,
Quite a typical lot then, eh? the beauty of having a good droup is that
on any given day at least one of the bunch will have the good sense to
avoid the disastrous, thus manage to keep the campaign going. Having
been the one leading to misadventure not a few times, i really do
apreciate my fellow players intervention at such times :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by VirgilCaine
No, it isn't. The Steve Jackson referred to is a Brit, and was the co-owner of Games Workshop back in the 1980s.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by VirgilCaine
Oh.
Indeed...
...and very different the two chaps with the same name.
British Steve, shall we say, was a quite and rather unassuming fellow X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
...
OK, here's an actual question for you, Colonel. What are a few of the
memorable spots of trouble you got your fellow players into? :-D
Gray Mouser
Actually, the situation and players' PCs'
reactions to it tend to get the characters into trouble--usually despite
sometimes obvious warnings of some sort, veiled usually, from me. as
the GM. Of course, in the role of an adversarial NPC of any type I am
likely doing my best to bring them to grief.
The outstanding instances of that, including my own PCs' gaffs, have been pretty well covered in the
Dragon magazine column.
The veterans of my LA game group are likely to hang their heads if asked
what happened to them in the "Gmome Maze' when adventuring in
The Hermit
module. They lost a lot of good Avatars there, and all because of being
thoughtless. spoiled my night too, for that ended play in the setting
:\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Greetings Gray Mouser,
I am awaiting more material from rob to fill sifficient pages to warrant
a book. when he has sent me a dozen or so such yarns, I'll add some
more material, and they we'll seek a publisher ;-)
When Rob and I chatted at the Lake Geneva Gaming convention at the end
of last month, he said he hoped to get to the writing task soon...
Character deaths are not much to be desired in a campaign, and when they
are lost en mass to sheer neglect of caution it is generally calamatous
8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Hi,
Gary! I was wondering how many rooms tend to appear on an average
dungeon level that you devise for your games. I tend to have 20�30 keyed
areas on any given level, on a letter-sized five-squares-per-inch piece
of graph paper. How 'bout you?
Anyone else should pipe up too!
The number of encounter
areas I have on a level depends on the overall setting, but 20 on a map
with four lines per inch is about as spare as I'll go so as to avoid
tedium in exploration. With careful planning one can work in a lot of
encounters without the place seeming like a fun house. Take a look at
the "Old Time Dungeon Crawl" in the
Hall of Many Panes for an example of this ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Good news about the compilation project, Colonel. I hope Rob is a quick typist! ;-)
Speaking of the LGGC, how did things go? I haven't seen a write up of it
here or at dragonsfoot and was curious as to how things went. Did you
run an AD&D or OD&D game or an LA session? Any memorable gaming
sessions?
Gray Mouser
Rob is not as slow as I am these days, but more I can not assert X-D
The LGGC was a smashing success--an ideal mini-con of relaxed fun with
many "name" persns there as regular folks just having fun. I don't
believe there was a single complaint, and all the attendees played games
and enjoyed themselves.
We had an "open porch" party in the thursday evening ot the cn, and
about 20 people showed up- Gail had prepared too much food, so there
were leftovers here for several days after.
I schmoozed around with folks on Friday and Sunday, answered questions and signed autographs, played a couple of short games.
On Saturday I was the tour guide for those who wanted to see the
locations of TSR during its history. We went in a yellow school bus, too
big for easy pull-over stops for my extended descriptions of things, so
we rolled along. When the group got back to the Cove i spent about a
quarter of an hour completing my spiel. All seemed pretty well satisfied
with the tour.
I then had seven gamers over to my front poech for an LA game adventure session, which the all seemed to enjoy greatly.
We then went to the Next Door Pub--the scene of much old GenCon revelry--with the Trolls for pizza and beer.
The Trolls were delighted with how the gathering went, and the next LGGC
is going to be held in early June next year, possibly with a second one
following in the early autumn.
I for one surely had a great time ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
O.o :-P :-P :-P
Thus spake one of those who went like a sheep into the pit :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by serleran
Now that is good news, Gary. Veyr happy that the mini-con went over so well.
The event was great fun, and all there that have communicated with me agree it was so :-D
At some point in your gaming lifetime, have you fleshed out, played
through, or otherwise used each of the 1001 adventures in Volume I of
Castle Zagyg?
I am a devoted gamer and dedicated creative guy, but no. I haven't had time to play out all of those adventures.
As a matter of fact I have created two new ones along the Menhir gills
road for the LA game group of Avatars I have playing in the Yggsburgh
setting. (They played C&C game PCs in some early tests, and not I
want to use the system I like best, so we've switched to the LA game.)
The team is currently in the throes of combat with a brangle of hill
trollkin, some 300 or more of them, and things don't look too good as
their newly-formed company of infantry spearmen have taken heavy losses
and would break if not surrounded by the enemy. There is hope if they
play their Avatars well, and the Noble and Enchanter Order PCs show up
and perform as they ought to. We shall see on Thursday night...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
Baah-baah!! :-D
Better show up for the game on Thursday, or else your Avatar might becme Trollkin food :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Yep.
I had a great time, and plan on attending as many LGGCs in the future
as I can. Good call on the June date, that will certainly make it
easier for me to attend, given that I am very busy during the months of
July and August.
Great :-D
The Trolls are looking at an October date for a second con, maybe one with military miniatures included...
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
Ever try the theatre??
X-D X-D X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Ciao!
As the principal reason to play a game is entertainment, whatever best
provides that for the group engaged in play of the game is what is best
for those concerned. What more can be said in that regard?
It needs be noted that the GM is a part of the group and needs to be
equally amused and entertained, perhaps a bit more than any ohter single
person therein because of his efforts on behalf of the players.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
So, I was wondering... what was the first ever monster killed by a PC in D&D?
A giant centipede, with the 1st level PCs played by my son Ernie (fighter) and daughter Elise (cleric) B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Hi, Gary,
It took me a while to get back to that initial question, but I
appreciate the answer nonetheless. How about a follow-up? Of all the
mosters that you have created for this game we love so much, which one
surprised you the most? By that, I mean, which one had the greatest
impact on the game and adventurers alike?
Lastly, are there any creatures that haunt you to this day? Any that
killed any of your beloved characters? Creatures you wish you HADN'T
created?
Sincerely,
jokamachi
Rating the impact of monsters is pretty well
impossible. Consider dragons and drow, then think of orcs and giants.
Impossible to determine which are more meaningful in the many, many
campaigns that have been run, are being consucted now.
I enjoy playing the part of any challenging monster or NPC, making the
players feel their PCs' are in dire peril, for that is entertainment. Of
course as a player I am anxious when faced by such a threat to my PC
:-o
About the worst monster I faced with Rob's iron golem that could
levitate, breathe fire, and was armed with a whip causing petrifaction
and a poisoned sword. that critter did for both Mordenkainen and bigby,
and only a wish restored things >:-)
Two outstanding mosters in my memory of past adventures with me as the
DM are the pair of black dragons that were loosed by the PCs on a level
of Greyhawk Castle and Obmi the dwarf NPC that all the chaps got to
really hate X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Greetings Seekers!
Just got my copy of James M. Ward's spanking new fantasy yarn
Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe.
It's a hardback from Tor, and I urge you to pick up a copy right away.
Jim is an excellent writer, and this is surely the first of what I trust
will be a long and successful series about the hero, Halcyon Blithe.
One reviewer likened the story to a cross between C.S. Forrester and
J.K. Rowling!
Check Amazon of you buy online.
Pass the word around, do ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
As
ever, your memory astounds. I couldn't tell you what the first monster
killed in my first ever game was, and that was only 16 years ago! (I
can tell you that the whole thing ended in a
TPK at the hands of a white dragon because I was so eager to fit in every monster in the game...)
I was surprised it was a giant centipede. I thought maybe a kobold, or a
goblin, or maybe a rat of some kind. I was hoping for kobold, as I
have a soft spot for the little fellows...
I recall the adventure fairly well as it was my first as a DM.
Later in the long session of exploration, the two itrepid adventurers
came upon the lair of several kobolds, slew two and the rest fled. They
found an iron chest filled with coins...several thousand copper
pieces--that was too heavy to move. A big disappointment, that, for the
centipedes had been nesting in a pile of refuse in which there was
located a nice peice of jewelry X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
Hey!
Barren Trolls are pretty scary! Especially when your surrounded by them
and your an ecclesiastic and you can't hit jack-squat!! :-D ;-)
funny you should mention that...
My LA game group just concluded the second session against a brangle of
Barrens Trollkin, and neither of the two Ecclesiastic Order Avatars were
ablt to effectvely hit those little beggars X-D Fortunately for them
there were some other, able, fighters there, and an Enchanter that did
some nasty things to the jarl leading the 300 nasty little Alfar. the
Trollkin managed to slay a bit over half the company of newly recruited
soldiers the Avatars are leading, though, taking somewhat worse losses
themselves, and losing a jarl and fouir chiefs which was too much for
them so they ran away.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
It's so cool to know that . . . wow, I'm such a geek! (^_^')
You're a geek?
Here I am telling about the matter... 8-D
(^_^')
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by The Druid Merlin
Pardon
me, but when I think of paladins I don't just think of knights in
shining armor on horseback, I think of Patton driving his tanks through
Africa and the Alps. I think of Patton slapping the shell shocked
solider and calling him a coward. I think of Patton praying on his knees
and swearing like a stable boy. I think of MacArthur disobeying Truman
because he thought that Truman was timid before Communism and because he
felt that he would make a better Commander in Chief. Remember there's
requirement for sanity. These are just my opinons.
Stated as a true non-fantasy buff >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Gary & Frank, I'd be interested if either of you dropped in on
this thread & gave a little background on the original purposes of the RPGA & any other thoughts on the subject.
I'll yield the floor to Frank on the thread you have going. The RPGA was his mission when he was brought on board TSR.
As the one who conceived of the organization and managed to have the TSR
board of directors approve it, I will say that the purpose of the RPGA
was to promote roleplaying in general and the TSR RPGs in particular--he
who pays the piper calls the tune. Of course I wished to reward loyal
gamers too, and so amongst the other benefits of the association I got a
scholarship going. Sadly, the Blumes put an and to that before a trust
fund could be established.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
my favorite AD&D modules of all are your D trilogy of modules (Drow
and Kuo-Toa!). In the modules as published, they are set under the
Sulhaut Mountains in the World of Greyhawk. Where were these adventures
set before you published them and created the World of Greyhawk as
published? Were they in America? Another continent? And where exactly on
the continent?
I wrote the D Series after the G ones, and
both were set in the Flanaess, for by that time I had finished the
world settng. It was easier for me to use it, what with the complete map
and all :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steel_Wind
Hi Gary!
Me and a bunch of the guys in my gaming circle (who have for the most
part been playing since the 70s) were thinking of coming down to the
Canadian National Gaming Expo in Toronto this coming weekend to get your
autograph - thank you in person and generally freeze up like Ralphie
about to ask Santa Claus for a BB gun ("And what do you want for Xmas little boy? A football? Ok. Get him out of here")
Do you know when you'll be appearing at the con? The posted schedule is - shall we say - less then exact in that regard.
Thanks in advance.
Howdy Steel Wind!
We'll be rolling in on Friday in the afternoon sometime, and I'll be at
the Troll Lord Games booth, 919 according to my information, a good deal
of the time. I have a couple of seminars and a final D&D game round
to DM on Sunday, but otherwise I'll be autographing there--and likely
run a scratch LA game Saturday around 1 PM for up to 9 players.
Be sure and stop by, and don't be shy about greeting a fellow gamer :-D
I do love that show about Ralphie and the BB gun for Christmas. As a kid
growing up around that very time, I wanted a Red Ryder model from Daisy
very much. Mother refused, so I mowed lawns the summer I was 10 and
bought a slightly less expensive Daisy lever action BB gun for myself,
kept it hidden from plying parental eyes for the whole of the year, and
it was revealed only the following spring, when fate allowed me to keep
it :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Hello Gary! Sorry if these issues have been addressed elsewhere, as always:
I ask this out of genuine interest in the original GH campaign, not
nit-picking: a paladin saw fit to consort with Erac's Cousin?
Soul-selling Erac's Cousin? Or was this prior to his change of heart?
(Despite the absence of the possessive and "Cousin" in your post, I
assume we are talking about the fighter/magic-user of that nameless
name.)
What caused you to leap to such a conclusion? Ernie
had several PCs including Tenser, Serten, and Erac. As I recall, it was
Erac that was adventuring with Aylerach in the case in point, not
Erac's Cousin, the unnamed and unnamable X-D
And an unrelated question for you: shortly after "Isle of the Ape"
appeared (1985?), I clearly remember reading a catalog listing for
another upcoming very high level adventure of yours, something to do
with the Shadowland and ... a wedding? Am I deluded, or was a project
meeting that description in the works at some point? And what became of
it?
Shadowland was a module that Skip williams and I were in
process of writing when the trouble came and I left TSR. I suggested
thereafter that we complete the wotk, but Skip demurred. No more need be
said...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by the black knight
Hiya
Gary,Have you played much of the Castles and Crusades system? If so,
how does it hold up to other systems like OD&D? Do you prefer one
over the other? I have been tempted of late to try the C&C system
(especially with Castle Zagyg imminent), but I suppose I'm waiting for a
definitive statement on the system's worthiness. Any advice or
endorsements to share?
Thanks a bunch,
TBK
I find the C&C system about as close to OAD&D as is possible under the
OGL.
Attack and armor are the D20 mechanics, but that's acceptable, even
though i am so used to the old ACs and THAC0 that I prefer the latter. I
have added some skill bundles in the CZ book, so in all I like the
system.
I would slightly prefer OAD&D for the castle, but that can't be. The C&C system is enjoyable...and supported ;-)
Of course I prefer the skill-bundle-based, rules light LA game system
when I am GMing, and I am using it now for the Yggsburgh adventures my
gaming group is engaged in.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Gary, thanks for the clarifications (and the astonishing response time!).
Hmmm, somehow I never realized that there was a PC "Erac"; I thought
"Erac's Cousin" was the only character with that name. My mistake :-o .
Erac was a most able PC that had many exploits when adventuring. He met
his end alone on a dungeon level of Greyhawk Castle, but his remains
were recently recovered and so Erac is Back...if Ernie wver wants to
play him again (^_^')
Yet another casualty of that time... I'll honor your closing remark and pry no further on that subject. Cheers!
Yuppers, ask Skip why Shadowland never went forward alter we
collected all manner of notes and created new monsters to inhabit the
plane.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Not when one is trying to aspire beyond the common nerd... ;-)
I can see his point...
Now I must low,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jo�l of the FoS
Good news!
I gave Aur�lien the box today ;-) So expect some good beer this weekend. Make sure to chill 'em and enjoy!
There are 7 beers in the box - 3 Bor�ales, 3 St-Ambroise, and another.
So I'm now able to say I shared two six packs with Gary Gygax :-)
Enjoy! And have a safe trip to Toronto.
Jo�l
Great!
Actually, Aur�lien emailed me to say he was bringing goodies from you, Jo�l :-D
Wish you could be there in person to share them with me...If you can
make the next Lake Geneva Gaming Convention, Jine next year, and
possibly another in October, let me know, and we'll tip a few of the
varities of New Glarus Brewing ales and beers B-)
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Argh!!!
Is my memory correct that it was geared towards very high level,
similar to "Isle of the Ape"? Did any of your shadowy thoughts from
that project make it into "City of Hawks" ('87)?
The module was for high-level PCs, 12th and up IIRR.
As the work was collaborative, I have not used any of it elsewhere.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
[QUOTE=jwright]Gary,
First of all greetings - I am new to this board (just discovered it) and
also to Wisconsin - I moved here last year to teach theatre in
Manitowoc. I missed the Lake Geneva con because I heard about it too
late and wouldn't have been able to go this year anyway because I'm
still finishing a dissertation (aagh) but I will certainly be there next
year.[QUOTE
Howdy!
My oldest grandchild is a post grad and off at NYU this year on a full
scholarship for theater. His brother just just entered Wheaton where he
plans to get a degree in education.
The next LGGC will be in early June, and I do hope you can make it.
...
That brings me to a couple of questions -
First a setting question - I have always loved Greyhawk and am under the
impression that as originally conceived it was somewhat of an alternate
Earth, like a reversed European continent attached to an Asian
continent. Was this the case or was it meant to be a completely
different world from the start? I am just now looking into LA and it
seems the world setting here is also Earth-but-different, and I am
wondering if the intentions are similar to the original envisionment of
the WOG.
While I did mix cultures of earth-like sort, I did not plan
Oerth as an actual alternate earth as did for the "Aerth" of the Mythus
FRPG or Learth of the LA game.
We can likely fit in one more player for the LA and Metamorphosis Alpha
game sessions here on Thursday evenings from c. 6:30 until 10. Just
email me, and I'll confirm the next game...we miss a few sessions, such
as tomorrow when I am off traveling to the Canadian National Gaming Expo
in Toronto.
[email protected]
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Hey Gary,
We know about the first ever dungeon (and might I add that I am eagerly
awaiting Castle Zagyg), but I was wondering if you could relate to us
the tale of the first ever dragon (in D&D terms of course). It's in
the name after all! (Don't worry, I won't ask you to regale us of your
first ampersand, though feel free if the whimsy takes you.)
It was an unnamed red dragon converted from a plastic stegasaurus. It
appeared on the top of my sand table at 330 Center St. here in the first
CHAINMAIL Fantasy Supplement game c. 1970.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
My keybord is furschimmled.
Will respond here after I get back from Toronto next week.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
And
besides incorporating Shamanism, Swashbuckling, and Witchery, have the
errata been incorporated? % Ability for Kobold/Wylf Extraordinary
Ability use when lacking the underlying power? Which Abilities cover
literacy, swimming, climbing, etc? Fixing of errors (such as the
Banderlog King Armbands/Bracers of Titanic Physique power/price
discrepancy? Whether INT is divided by 5, or 10? All the mistakes in
the ExItems tables? Whether Trollkins have certain Abilities as
Restricted, or not?) What's been fixed?
Shamanism & Witchery will be a whole separate book--large at that.
The balance of your questions can best be answered by the Trolls :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Wow...Gary Gygax AND Frank Mentzer are here? Dang...I'm extremely glad I joined this site!
Pardon me while I slip into Adoring Fanboy Geek Mode (tm)
Gary:
Never had the pleasure of actually meeting you face to face despite the
number of GenCons I've been to, but I, too, want to chime in with the
hearty "THANKS!" for your contributions to those of us who love to use
our imaginations in our spare time! ;-) I've been a D&D player
since 1978, and show no signs of slowing down. And, of course, all four
of my kids play, as does my wife! Again, thanks for providing me with
years of fun, enjoyment and imagination exercise!
...
OK, I'll calm down now....
Heh,
Think of me as just another fanboy of RPGs who can't resist writing a lot (^_^')
I do appreciate the chance to be around all my fellows :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mighty Veil
(I am surprised no one has created "Gary Gygax Q&A, Part X" yet)
Hey Gary, I doubt you'll read this until you get back from TO. How was Toronto?
Please see this thread:
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.ph...84#post2530184
I was reading an interview with you from a year ago. What did you mean by saying the following (quote below)?
Gygax: I've looked at them, yes, but I'm not really a fan (talking about 3e).
The new D&D is too rule intensive. It's relegated the Dungeon
Master to being an entertainer rather than master of the game. It's done
away with the archetypes, focused on nothing but combat and character
power, lost the group cooperative aspect, bastardized the class-based
system, and resembles a comic-book superheroes game more than a fantasy
RPG where a player can play any alignment desired, not just lawful good.
I understand and can see your point of view on most of your points. But there was one maybe you could expand on?
"It's relegated the Dungeon Master to being an entertainer rather than master of the game." That has to do with how the many rules are written, but it really doesn't belong here ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
i have to disagree with that statement as well, especially with the way I and those in my group run the game. :-D
To be sure, Boz ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
*wry smile* Course the statement 'the way I and those in my group run the game.' is indicative.
...
Right, Peter. In all this is a topic that is inappropriate here
IMO 8-D New D&D buffs are fellow gamers, and I signed a lot of their books in Toronto without a qualm, of course B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jo�l of the FoS
I also think
3e is run like a video game, especially the "actions" in battles ;-)
I liked the casting time of spells and the strategy in planning your
moves with this concept. If you were a mage, you were looking for short
casting time when in front of an ennemy warrior. Now, a wiz has more
power as he can cast nearly any spell in front of a warrior. The
opportunity thingy is fun, but still wiz are advantaged.
Jo�l
Hey Joel!
Thanks so very much for the fine sampling of brews from your neck of the woods :-D
Aurelien and Philippe of Alchemic Dream delivered them intact, and we
enjoyed the Eau Benite with Jamiacan food--I had goat curry, and the
beer made it much better. More after I sample the other two :-o
My regards to your gaming team, and email me personally of you wish:
[email protected]
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
Didn't we have the edition wars in this thread already?
Don't blame it on me,
I'm not guilty can't you see X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mighty Veil
(I am surprised no one has created "Gary Gygax Q&A, Part X" yet)
Just wanted to stress this comment in case a MODERATOR happened to read the new posts here...
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
wb, dude.
Had to go thru Chi on the return, eh? But doubtless too fatigued to revisit the olde haunts...
I like Toronto a lot. In winter you can go all thru downtown without going outside, hotel to mall to restaurant and back.
Take care of the leg and rest up.
F
Hi Frank!
The ferry was booked until the late night crosing, so we swung around the lake...actually faster than the water crossing.
My leg was indeed most painful from the walking I had to do, but the con was worth it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Gary,
I just want to say that the more I read Hall of Many Panes, the more I
like it. It really harkens back to your earlier work for AD&D. I'm
specifically thinking of the EX "Dungeonland" modules, and the various
planar gates found in the Demonweb Pits.
By the way, you mentioned a "cheat sheet" for HoMP; how might one go about getting that item?
Also, I'm looking forward to Yggsburg very, very much.
Thanks Colonel :-)
Glad you are enjoying the HoMP. The Trolls were going to put up the
"Cheat Sheet" as a free download on their website until a reprint of the
module was sone with the material in the box. they seem to have
forgotten, so email me, and I'll send you my file on same.
[email protected]
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Gary, will you go to Gen Con again, or is the Lake Geneva thingy in the summers the place to meet you?
Howdy!
There is only a slight chance I'll make GenCon 2006.
It is a sure thing that I'll be at (both of) the Lake Geneva Gaming
Convention(s) next year. If you come, make it on Thursday and drop by
the pre-con porch party at my place X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Gary,
...The demon lords and demi-lich, however, seem out-of-proportion with the difficulty level of the overall adventure. ...
Thanks again!
Hi Anson!
When at the Expo in Toronto I signed several 'Tsojcanth modules even as
their owners told me how much they enjoyed that adventure. It was indeed
designed to facilitate expansion by the DM so desiring--as was D3,
Vault of the Drow ;-)
The high-level monsters were included in case similarly tough PCs were
allowed to explore the place. the DM was given free rein as to how to
present such adversaries, for I could not know just how strong the PC
party would be.
We never did have any characters above c. 12th level adventure in the caverns, so they met no demon lords.
If that doesn't cover it, fire back :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Thanks
Gary, that does cover it quite well! I'm thinking of taking a stroll
through WG4/Forgotten Temple next, as S4 was such a rewarding read.
IIRC, my players never entered the lower temple or dungeons, instead returning to the Caverns.
If we ever meet, I'll be sure to have my well-used copy of S4 and a pen!
And here's to a speedy recovery from your leg troubles!
Hi Anson,
The
Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun
was done with as much melodrama and pathos as I could muster for a
rotter such as I envisaged that oneto be. A few DMs really appreciate
the mood of the module, its underlying implications. I specifically
selected the unusual art to enhance the "different" aspect of the work. I
say all that for your benefit when perusing the material.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Hiya, Gary,
Hope you're doing well. Forgive me if this is the umpteenth time it has
been asked (I looked over some of the other questiions but had not found
it), but I'm curious to know how the work on Zagyg is coming along.
Last I heard, both you and Rob had finished parts one and two, but it's a
long road and I imagine there's still a ways to go. Have you hit the
halfway mark or is it already behind you?
Howdy!
I long ago finished the Yggsburgh setting, spent a good deal of time
polishing the town map and adding some details this summer, and Rob has
completed his adventure module
The Dark Chateau
that fits in on the campaign base map. that said, nothing has been done
in regards the castle and dungeons. My health is not up to long-hour
work days of continuous sort, such being necessary for me to create the
material in question. Meanwhile rob has been busy, was married, and has
yet to supply me with his amusing D&D game tales so as to flesh out
the ones I have done for
Dragon magazine and make the lot into a book.
To the point, I am hoping to regain energy and be able to begin the
creative work of capturing the best parts of our old dungeon levels in a
new and usable-by-other-GMs format by late autumn. If I am still not up
to working long hours, I plan to turn the whole over to Rob, with my
further input as to what goes where on the levels, and what sort of
"ecology" there should be, then do developmental editing of his
material. That I can do with less immersion, so as to be able to work
for shorter periods of time, not the usual 10 to 12 hour stints, seven
days per week I need when writing an adventure from scratch, so to
speak.
My real interest lies with the inner castle and how much of it is
tied to Yggsburgh. Did you incorporate elements of the city into the
module, or have you tried to keep the castle independent (some might say
'pure') of the city setting? As an old-timer with great interest in the
mother of all supermodules, I'm eager to see it in all its original
splendor, but I wonder if it is a harder task than it sounds.
The town of Yggsburgh is a setting unto itself, even as it is
also an integral part of the surrounding march. The same is basically
true of all the other locales in the area of the campign, and such
additions as each GM might choose to create for his campaign. Thus the
castle and dungeons are separate and "pure", will not be missed when
using the campaign setting or require the campaign setting to be used,
all the while forming a natural part of the entire
Castle Zagyg work.
It is, as you suppose, a very major undertaking, the restatement of some
50 or so upper castle and dungeon levels into a module usable by other
GMs, with clear and easily read links between levels, fully detailed
encounters, instructions as to how some of the "mysteries" of the
material can be managed according to the desires of the individual GM.
rob and I both DMed on the fly, made only short and often cryptic notes,
and thought very much alike, so handing the "castle" back and forth as
co-DMs was never a problem. The old material would be basically unusable
my most others, of course, encounter notes consisting of only one line
from which we created reams of information out of whole cloth on the
spot; so we need to do a lot of re-working and explanatory material even
as we reduce the sprawling levels into a more managable and publishable
form. As we do that we will most assuredly retrain all of the best
material--map ideas, encounters, oddities, and so forth within the
revised level plans.
I have outlined the whole of the castle and dungeon levels, and the
total is still most substantial, as the Trolls have nboted in their
descriptions of the coming additional parts for the work.
As for the rules themselves, I am one one paycheck (or Christmas)
away from picking up the collector's box for C&C and seriously
thinking about running Zagyg in its 'original hybrid' form. I have heard
that you thought to include additional rules for the C&C system in
the back of the Yssbvurgh release, so that has me thinking as well. Let
me ask: does reinventing a rules lite system based on OD&D take you
back to those days when you were creating the first supplements for the
white box? What have you learned about game design since then that has
made your task easier (or harder)? I read the alternate rules for armor
damage and I thought they were awesome, but I wonder if creating a rules
lite system is too much of a temptation for creative minds to 'add
infinitum.'
My current preference in rules is best expressed by pointing to the
Lejendary Adventure
game system. That said, the LA game, being skill-bundle based and
without classes and levels, does not suit a dungeon setting with
prigressively more difficult and dangerous levels as one explores deeper
into the complex. So I added some skill-bundles to the C&C system
to make the classes available less stereotypical, add depth to PCs and
NPCs alike, and likewise brought in a few of the LA game concepts I
enjoy to liven up the whole.
What is difficult for me to to be somewhat confiend by the class-based
system in regards to creating all manner of things that I am now used to
doing with relative freedom and ease through the rules-light LA system,
so I hybridized C&C for the setting and eventual castle-dungeon
development X-D
Anyway, good luck with the remainder of Zagyg. I know it must be
exciting to finally be putting it out after all these years, not to
mention nostalgic for you to revisit the scene of so much good fun.
Anyway, here's hoping the home stretch is enjoyable and speedbump free.
Best wishes,
jokamachi
Thanks!
Actually, I have been using the old dungeon levels in both OD&D and
OAD&D p-lay at many conventions over the past years--even ran my
group through several of the oldest upper levels just this spring. thus I
am well in tough with the material and the "feel" needed to re-do the
whole in depth. The only problem is my lack of energy for extended
creative effort as mentioned above.
It does concern me considerably, certainly, as I know so many of my
fellows are eagerly awaiting the dungeon levels. The Good Lord willing
and the creek don't rise, the lot will be done as soon as possible.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Rakin
Hey Gary,
I was wondering do you have a favorite "adventure catalyst", you know
something to get the adventure started? I'm not necessarily looking for
ideas so don't give me you best, just your favorite if you have one?
And I apologize if you get this asked of you a billion times a year
ahead of time. :-P
Hi Rakin,
Actually, I have no standard ones that aren't the usual stock in trade
of GMs everywhere. Typically, I inform the team that their renown has
reached the ear of so-and-so, thus cuasing that one to want then to do X
for him or her. Otherwise, they are assembled because Y threatens them,
or they have heard of the fabulous Z and wish to acquire/destroy it.
Sometimes, I suggest the adventure is being undertaken because they are
bored with the humdrum affairs of the ordinary and seek adventure. Of
course, having some friend or relative kidnapped is always a good
adventure hook too ;-)
Whatever suits the campaign, the players, and the GM's fancy serves as a
lead in to the adventure. When I create a module I always try to have
the hook included as general as possible so as to be mutable to meet the
above.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Rakin
Cool
thanks for the reply. One of my favorite, although it's kinda far
fetched, is the ole every player unkown to each other ( I guess this
could only work for a first adventure for a campaign) have the same
wierdo cryptic dream and all wake up together on a forrest floor or some
such setting. This leaves a good hole in the plot to try and find out
what they all have in common or what's so special about them that
they're the ones that we're "magically" transported to this wierd
location. You can also use this to drop hints thought the campiagn on
why they are linked and fianlly one day when you're feeling chipper
they'll find out. Pretty lame huh? :-P X-D
Actually...
That intro is quite appropriate in a magic-active, deity-involved milieu :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Angel of Adventure
Hey Col,
There is a thread under the General RPG Discussion forum that rates your
S1 mod. There seem to be a few naysayers there that believe it can
only be won by cheating or extreme (perhaps Lotto winning) luck.
>:-(
Please smite them with a story of how some non-metagaming players took
down Acererak and his crypt by virtue of their skill. Thanks for
writing this one, too. No one has surpassed this one in terms of
originality or terror. (As I mentioned in that thread, the mod also
improves the gaming skills of those that survive.)
Thanks,
AoA
Well Amigo...
What I say about nay-sayers is, pluck 'em! They can express their
opinion, and so what? I don't need to defend anything. Some hundreds of
thousands of PCs have adventured in the ToH, and not many have made it
successfully, so it is most demanding of real skill.
You can quote me from this post, if you like, for we ran the module as a
tournament at a Spring or Autumn Revel, or a Winter Fantasy con here
back in the day. There were, IIRR, eight teams, and one of them
absolutely obliterated the demi-lich by using the crown, putting it on
his head, and touching the "wrong end" of the scepter to it. Russ
Stambaugh was the DM for that team, and he asked me if that would work. I
was astounded at how clever the players had been, said so, and gave
them the top spot for their innovation. Again, as I recall, several of
the other eight teams made the cut, destroyed Acecerak. those were
veteran dungeoneers, of curse.
Ernie playing Tenser didn't go for the situation and cleared out. Rob
playing Robilar made it to the end, grabbed all the loot, and didn't
bother fighting the demi-lich--not much profit in that by his
estimation, not with all the treasure in his bag of holding. I have run a
party of local gamers through the ToH, and they made it with the loss
of a couple of the PCs. It was many years ago, so I do not recall player
names and details--way too many gaming sessions under my belt in the 33
years I have been a GM for such recollections...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Angel of Adventure
Seriously,
for that speedy reply! I hate to hear that something as challenging,
thoughtful, and fun as S1 would be discounted as a mere lottery's chance
of survival. Thanks for this mod and all your contributions to gaming.
While S1 isn't your only great one, it will always stand out in my
mind as being my favorite.
Thanks again,
AoA
Welcome, Amigo :-)
As a matter of fact there are always whiners...and sometimes I do that
too...so it's nothing over which to get one's undies in a bunch X-D
When the complaints come from really able authors and/or players I pay
attention. Otherwise, such railings can be discounted as personal
preferences...or simply sour grapes :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
[I],,,
Yes, that is creepy stuff indeed. "I thought we were here to fight norkers...?"
That is the effect I was aiming for, yes...
...
Just my thoughts. Any of them anything close to what you had in mind?
Not that I want to ask someone to explain a joke. (Speaking of which:
"Teldroll Storis"??? Shouldn't he have been a bard?)
Yes, your observations are not unlike what i was aiming to engender.
Sorry for the terrible pun, but I can not resist including them, slipping one into even in the most serious of works X-D
Something that always bothered me a bit about this one was that PC's
needed to take the role of T's priests and act out his rites to gain
the treasure. I suppose this is a simple enough question -- the
treasure is there, what are you willing to do to get it? But I didn't
see the potential for characters to be clever, yet true to their own
allegiances, and win the big prize. It seems to rule out success by
groups containing paladins, good clerics, etc. I'd be curious to hear
your thoughts on that point as well.
Thanks for producing such a thought-provoking work!
The vile evil of Tharizdun is such that the adventurers must
be comprimised to some extent in order to gain any real material reward
from his temple. the truly benign party that refuses to yield thus to
gain riches should be rewarded by special XPs. Likely i should have
stated that, but when I wrote the module I was still making assumptions
regarding the perspicacity of the vast majority of DMs that would use
the adventure material...as if they could read my mind :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
I love this reply. It really says all that needs to be said.
Well, nobody said I was particularly tactful, but at least there's no doubt about how i stand on most matters >:-(
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by NojBad
All whiners and wieners should be dispatched to the Hall of Many Panes there to learn the error of their ways!! :-P
Jon
X-D
Howdy Amigo!
Did you see the thread regarding the HoMP? There were some very odd
comments therein, including one that asserted that PCs should be making
decisions, not players...
Who says gamers can't lose touch with reality? (Aside from me who used to say that 8-D )
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
"Whiners and Wieners"??? Brilliant!!!
::runs off to file copyright paperwork on a hot new RPG:: B-)
Can't copyright that, but perhaps registering it as a trade mark will serve...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
I think that's the difference.
You made it through with no PC deaths, sure, but it still looks like you had something like an 80% casualty rate.
I've never played in a game in which the number of NPC tagalongs ever
approached those numbers. In fact, it's usually just the PCs. Thus,
an 80% casualty rate doesn't mean "The redshirt steps through the door
and dies, yet again." It means, "Bob, Jim, Betty, and Paul, start
rolling new characters."
Perhaps Bob, Jim, Betty, and Paul
should learn to be more thoughtful and cautious in the play of their
PCs if they value them, eh?
As I stated above, when the ToH was used as a tournament, several groups
won through to the end, and at least one of them did so without a PC
loss.
The module is for higher-level PCs played with skill. As for PC losses,
that's what clerics and wish spells are for, restoring such game
personas to life. As a matter of fact, my very best PCs have had to have
such ministrations done on their behalf to remain viable :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
But did they also have the 20+ retainers which, I'm led to believe, was fairly standard "back in the day"?
If so, how many of them made it through?
Absolutely not.
The tournament was for groups of single PCs played by actual
participants in the event. I can't recall the number per team, but I
suspect it wes eight.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Gary,
thanks as always for a thorough and quick reply. As mentioned
previously, I wasn't confronted by this obstacle when I ran the
adventure back in the day, which is fortunate, as I considered the word
of a published module to be sacrosanct back then (I was young). Were I
to run it now, I would build in some type of mechanism for the PC's to
further seal/obscure the temple (and reward them for this) or maybe
somehow allow the possibility to blow the treasure out of the cyst
without bowing to T. Characters who choose to eat from his tree, of
course, get what they deserve.
Thanks again!
Understood...
Back then I made many assumptions regarding the DMs, mainly based on
what I knew and thought. Only by geting a lot of feedback over many
years have I come to realize that there are times I need to pass along
the reasoning behind some of the material I present. Sadly, even now I
sometimes forget to do that or blithely assume the information is too
obvious to state. (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Hmmm,
maybe this should be moved to a "Retainer's rights" thread...?
"Although I receive a fee, I will not be tasked with jumping into the
fiend's maw to check his tonsils"?
(To go hopelessly off-topic, I love the way "Lost" knowingly brought back the red shirt concept.)
As a matter of fact...
My relatively veteran group of players had their Avatars do precisely that in
The Hermit
module. The only exception was a n Ecclesiastic who stayed true to his
ethical values and so escaped doom 8-D Needless to say, I was most
disconcerted, for I was liberal in hints against listening to the fiend.
The concensus was that all of us, palyers and me as the Lejend Master,
were not up to par that night.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
Well, yeah!
One of the main reasons for which people are claiming to dislike ToH is that it is an unabashed meat-grinder of a PC-killer.
whiners incapable of good play, by and large, is my response. Who says one can win them all?
Gary - and Frank - have said that this is pretty much bollocks,
because anyone who's playing intelligently and well can make it through
without any PC deaths at all! In fact, they've offered several
instances of anecdotal proof that it can be done.
What I'm trying to determine is if they're being a little intellectually dishonest.
I've got a theory that in these examples, sure, no PCs were killed, but over 40 characters
(including various torch bearers, men-at-arms, sages, etc.) were lost
their lives in breaching the Tomb. They just happened to not have the
mystic star of PC floating over their heads.
In other words, it's not a PC killer if you play intelligently - where
"play intelligently" is defined as "hire /summon lots of cannon fodder
to poke and prod at anything remotely dangerous looking before you let
the PCs anywhere near it."
EDIT:
Whereas those who seem to dislike it may have a more PC-centric view of
things. The PCs are the heroes, the PCs are the ones risking their
lives, and therefore it's the PCs who should be (largely alone) fighting
and trapping and sleuthing their way through the Tomb.
For reference, I've never played in *any* game, in any version of the
rules, in which we had anything approaching the number of hirelings or
PCs that Gary has indicated was pretty standard, back in the day (i.e.,
10+ PCs, an equal number of "trusted cohorts," several armed retainers,
etc.).
And as i have said several times now, there were groups of
players that played through the module with absolutely no losses--only a
few, whilst others llost some of their team.
For goodness sake, Mordenkainen and Bigby have been lost in adventures,
as have virtually all of my other PCs, and I don't whine about it. As a
player I assume the risk of death is always present in a really
challenging adventure, and do what I can to plan for some sort of
recovery of the lost PC, make sure my team mates will assist, as I would
assist their PCs.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Well
from reading the info on fighters and such in the 1e PH I think it was
assumed that high level Fighter types would have retianers, followers,
henchmen, men at arms, etc. So I think that the disconnect is the from
gamers that have never played in the old "style" so to speak. I know
I've read several oldschool adventures where they note henchmen for
pregen NPC characters listed in the module. I think it is assumed that
high level characters would have henchmen to command on adventures, and
that they would fall in battle often. If you have some 4th level
fighters travelling into a tomb with thier 11th level Fighter Lord then
there will inevitably be losses among the lackeys.
P.S. I hate the term "intellectually dishonest" just come out and say "Liar".
Quite so...
...especially when the number of actual PCs involved in the adventure is limited and the perils involved are great.
In point of fact, having "flunkies" along in such missions is only
common sense. The PCs involved pay for that by gaining fewer XPs in the
adventure.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
But
I'm not calling them liars. Gary and Frank say that, on multiple
occasions, there were no PC deaths. I'm giving the benefit of the doubt
that, in fact, no PCs met their death in a given number of ToH runs.
However, there might
be a bit of behind-the-scenes shenanigans going on whereby "No PC
Deaths" means "Thousands of nameless NPCs died so that the PCs didn't
have to."
In other words, "No PC deaths" may not be the whole story, and concealing the rest of the story might be intellectually dishonest.
EDIT:
Heck, "No PC Deaths" could, in fact, mean "The PCs entered alone, fought
and puzzled their way through, and won the day - all without a single
PC death!"
Given other sources, however, I doubt it. But I'm leaving open the possibility that I'm wrong.
Give it a rest :-P
Robilar did venture into the ToH with a dozen of his orc bodyguards, but
the lot were wasted in the entrance passage--I placed the pit traps
knowing Rob's thinking and so got an orc in each and every one. Robilar
tossed the last of them into the demon-mouth sphere of anhilation, then
ventured on alone throughout the remainder of the module, got to the
end, and as I said before, looted the treasure and fled without
confronting the demi-lich.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by trollwad
by
my count, there are seven religious establishments in yggsburgh. If
you use the greyhawk deities, which ones might be logical 'fits'?
btw, I like yggsburgh
Actually, in my play-testing I used
Norse/Teutonic deities for the religious affiliations of the various
temples and such in the town. (that's because
WotC is the owner of the Greyhawk deities, of course...)
It is heartening to learn that you enjoy the setting, and if things
develop as I hope, I plan to expand Yggsburg's information to detail
each block in regards to what and who is located therein. I have a
number of people ready to undertake this work, and all we need to begin
is a nod from the Trolls ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
I wasn't.
IIRC, you steered the conversation away from it when it started becoming unfriendly.
Heh...
I was just using the opportunity to recall an old Fats Domino tune that was popular when I was a youngster :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by the black knight
Wow,
you have some real balls, Patryn, suggesting that Gary has been
dishonest, and on his own thread no less. Why not drop the euphemistic
dance and just call him a 'liar?'
You know, seems to me that anyone can play this speculative game. In
fact, I'll give it a try and suggest that perhaps it is YOU that has
some shenanegins going on, like maybe you're harbouring a deep seated
desire to lash out at someone who has given joy to others through his
creations. How's that? Have I gotten the hang of it?
Likely Patryn has not experienced the fun as most of us have, so I say cut him some slack. I can deal with it ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
I'd hate to see Gary's thread locked so lets try not to get too nasty here.
On another board I won't name the exchanges would be considered friendly banter... X-D
Hey Gary, if I am using Greyhawk City as environs for CZ, do you
think I can still get good value out of this volume since it doesn't go
into the castle details much from what I read?
I just wish I could give you a potion of longevity to insure you could
finish the series and treat gamers to your stuff for many many years to
come. I tried to make one for you by mixing Jim Beam, Khaluha, &
Guiness stout in a vial and let it cook overnight at low flame....well
it took me a week to see again but I'm not deterred in the least.
Well, the River Nemo could be considered as the Neen, and the
Urt river likewise one seen on the World of Greyhawk map. there is also
the City of Dunfalcon some miles west to Yggsburgh.
The area covered by the Yggsburgh work is up to about 3K square miles if
the GM expands the map himself so as to take in the demesnes of the
three hostile nobles and the borderlands. That is a miniscule area
considering the Flanaess, and yet within it there are hundreds of
adventures--given and postulated. The cultural and social information in
the work are manifold, meat and drink for the GM inclined to develop
detailed material for the campaign.
We will get to the castle and dungeon levels, although it seems unlikely
that I'll be able to take the lead due to my health--too little energy
to sustain the work load necessary to produce such detailed effort. I
worked 70 or more hours a week continuously for a long stretch to
produce the CZ Yggsburgh volume. Howerver, I have outlined the
castle/dungeons, we have the original material, and I can develop work
that rob generates therefrom so as to assure it is consistant with what
I, and he, did way back when, only more detailed so other GMs can
utilize it.
Okay?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
I've
just remembered my own experience when playing Tomb of Horrors (the
adventure brought to you by the letter "O"): I used a pre-gen character
my DM presented me with - a kender rogue.
I am very happy to say that he was stripped of all of his equipment and
left to die a lonely death in some corner of the dungeon. Some PCs
deserve their fates, and any kender played by me can't suffer it soon
enough (or so said the other players... :-D )
Now, with Necropolis moving towards its likely gory end (although one or
two of my players are quite accomplished), I think it's time to start
investigating the new EGG adventures. Time to start badgering my FLGS, I
think...
Cheers!
Heh, Merric...
As a mater of fact the team almost bought the farm when playing through
the Hall of Many Panes, but a usually cautious and retiring Enchanter
stepped to the fore with alacrity and saved the lot with a well-chosen
Power activation (spell), and to the good guys won the day and went on
to complete the lengthy and perilous quest to rescue the Hero-Bard
McGregtim from the clutches of the malign deities.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
Final comment on this bull...
Sir: this was not a conversation. You alleged fictions as facts, cited
other unfounded allegations about a different game (a thousand miles
away) as 'supporting data', waved various "might have" and "unproven"
innuendos, and challenged us to debunk you with truth.
Tactically this would be assaulting an entrenched position, and is to be avoided.
If you truly wished any conversation you would have encouraged such with
questions, rather than digging trenches for a battle of your own
design. Sorry, I don't have time to indulge you.
We now return you to Gary's scheduled dialogues...
In other words...
Why bother with shovelling away a lot of horse manure, right?
(Especially when I have been doing that >:-( )
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by the black knight
Hi, Gary,
I apologize for stepping in. It's just that I rate that module as one of
the all time best out there and hate to see people dismiss it as
anything less than a great work of role-playing. In any case, it won't
happen again.
Sincerely,
TBK
No need to apologise, amigo :-)
I just wanted to avoid a pile-onto sort of situation.
We are all fellow gamers, and in that respect have more in common than not, likely B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Grimstaff
Hi, Gary! Congrats on Yggsburgh, its a great book.
Three quick items:
1) Third party publishers are, of course, very common nowadays. What was
your take on Judges Guild, anecdotal or otherwise, back in the 70's?
I have always been favorably inclined to granting licence to produce
support material for an RPG. Hoiwever, in my thinking it is absolutely
necessary that the licensed works be thoroughly reviewed by a
knowledgeable developmental editor-type person before granting the
publication of the licensed work, that bearing the trade make name of
the system.
This was not adhered to with the JG priducts, so I found their quality uneven, sometimes questionable.
2) There have been rumors of WotC dropping Greyhawk as "default
setting" and farming it out for third party. Any take on that? Would you
or the Trolls want to grab it?
I have not heard that.
As TLG has expended considerable effort in developing their own world Setting,
Erde,
I an not sure they would be interested in licensing the WoG--cost and
potential return analysis would need to be carefully considered,
especially since the setting has been so altered by
WotC and Living Greyhawk.
3) In your stories of the old guard, it seems like magic users,
fighters, and clerics were pretty well-represented, but I rarely hear
anything about thieves, assassins, or rangers. Any cool old-day
characters of this ilk?
As a matter of fact, there were not many well-played thieves,
assassins, or rangers in the group that Rob and I DMed. My own half-orc
cleric/assassin (heh) met an untimely but well-deserved end before doing
anything remarkable. My last-created PC is a gnome illusionist/thief,
but he is only of 3rd level and hasn't been played in many years now :-(
In short, I can't recall anyting especially noteable in regards to those sorts of characters in the games I Dmed or played in.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
:-D :-D :-D ;-)
From an eyewitness to the debalce 8-D
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Ok, I think you convinced me.
Fine, but do look it over if possible before purchasing. Don't want any unhappy buyers ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
Thanks. That's what I was asking. :-)
Happy that I finally managed to get the correct information yo ouu, amigo :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
...
...
Everything else I've posted is a reaction to others claiming that NPC, Hireling, etc., deaths aren't important.
...
That you've never
heard from me as a player or as a GM. Hired men-at-arms or like follwers
can be relatively inconsequential in loss, but never henchmen or
associated NPCs. To a PC of strong Good alignment, any such loss should
be lamentable.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
...
That sort of opinion strikes me as perfectly fine - and expected! - when
coming from an Evil Overlord or Twisted Archmage or Goblinoid Warchief,
but a bit incongruous when coming from the guys who are supposed to be
the Heroes of the story. :-)
In point of fact, did the
"heroic" generals blench when sending troops into battle knowing that
losses would be horrendous? Considering recorded history, I think not,
and many of those very persons are surely regarded as heroic...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by trollwad
GG
said "Well, the River Nemo could be considered as the Neen, and the Urt
river likewise one seen on the World of Greyhawk map. there is also the
City of Dunfalcon some miles west to Yggsburgh."
On the map, it is easy to see how the Nemo could fit the Neen. What I
dont get is what might you make the Urt (the Ery)? Dont those two
rivers meet up in the mistmarsh, not far from greyhawk. I always
assumed Yggsburgh should be somewhere in the cairn hills to the west or
southwest of the mistmarsh. What do you think is logical?
What the devil is the "Mistmarsh"?
Indeed the Urt could be the Ery, but again, Mistmarsh? Never heard of it.
>:-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
S'funny. I was thinking the same thing.
There is the Great Leech Marsh east of Bigfish Lake in the Eastmark,
but that's a long way from the confluence of the Nemo and Urt at
Yggsburgh 8-D
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Patryn of Elvenshae
You
think not? From personal experience (and, admittedly, a very small
sample size), the admirals and generals I've talked to had quite the
opposite opinion. Yes, they were willing - and did - order people to
their [probable and / or actual] deaths, but they did not do so
callously. Their men and women were not "Red Shirts."
Anyway, this is starting to smell like an alignment discussion, so I'll
just thank you for the information and bow out until the next topic that
catches my eye. Thanks again! :-)
Callously or not,
the cannon fodder was sent into the battle, eh? The scruples of the
commanders made no difference to those who died.
The "Great Conquerors" had few if any qualms of the sort you mention.
As a point of order, who says that PCs need be of heroic stamp? that's a
matter for the players to determine, they and none other, most
assuredly.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Now
watch as the greedy PC runs into the dungeon and rousts out the poor
defensless critters, who are minding their own business, and violate all
their property rights.
*tongue in cheek* :-P
Only the most liberal of tree-hugging PETA members play PCs that are not Neutral Greedy 8-D
Of course, such persons prefer dicless theartical performances to actual role-playing...if remorseless plunders :-o
X-D :-P X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Akrasia
I ordered CZ 'sight unseen' online -- I knew it would be excellent.
It finally arrived today in the mail (albeit with a dinged corner,
courtesy of the postal service) and it looks simply amazing! I can
hardly wait to spend some hours this weekend reading through it. I even
brought it to the pub tonight. :-)
Dude!
The material should prove worth the price (and then some, hopefully), but to read whilse enjoying a libation or two? :-o
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jwright
Greetings again!
Sorry to join the forum and then disappear - we are from Louisiana so
have been a little preoccupied with making sure family and friends are
ok. They are!
Surely that's understandablem and great to
learn your family and friends are well. I have kinfolk of a sort in
Hammond, and I have not yet been able to learn how they are doing. We'll
house them up here in Wisconsin if they need a place.
Later influences on Greyhawk material in 2e and 3e gave names to
lots of the specific regions that didn't have names on the original
folio or box set editions - "Mistmarsh" was the name given, probably by
Sargent or Moore, to the wetlands area around these rivers SE of
Greyhawk. One of the things I loved about Greyhawk was that as a
published setting it wasn't so specific and allowed us to find our own
heroes and villains - I'll be honest I never heard the names
Mordenkainen (sorry Gary :-( ) till I was much older and so they
weren't a part of my teenage Greyhawk campaigns.
As I suspected...nothing of the actual world I devised for DMs >:-)
Now to my geekdom questions:
1. I was wondering about the S3 Barrier Keeps module - I honestly don't
remember who wrote this, but was it meant to be a variation on the "City
of the Gods" from the Blackmoor campaign?
I authored the Expedition to the barrier peaks, and it was a downed space vessel as noted, nothing based on any other work.
2. I am curious about the history of Robilar in your campaigns -
I've heard that he actually did turn evil in the real campaigns (I had
been under the impression this was a 2e/3e change to Rob's character)
and if so if you remember the game and circumstances it happened in?
Thanks alot!
"Maddog" Wright
Robilar did become Lawful Evil around 1976 or 77 for some
reason that was unfathomable to me as the DM. Erac's Cousin (played by
my son Ernie) was also LE, so those two were quite a fearsome
combination in the campaign.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by trollwad
...
Gary and Frank, ...
...
Thoughts?
This is hardly the place to dis the new system.
That said, have you ever heard that the camel is a horse designed by a
committee?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
That sounds like an interesting bit of roleplaying!
I've seen adventures that balance short-cuts open to evil/greedy PC's
and rewards for valorous actions of good PC's for single encounters -
e.g. the opportunity to steal an item (and benefit from its use) while
its owner is unaware, versus later being in good standing with that
owner and able to ask for a useful favor - but usually they don't span
the overall adventure. I think writing "alternative victory conditions"
gets complicated quickly if each (or even several) encounter along the
way have the potential for significantly different outcomes. Trying to
do much more than leave that type of balance in the DM's hands might be
more trouble than it's worth.
Indeed, such ethical issues are difficult to make rules with which to ajudicate.
With the LA game system it is relatively easy in regards writing
adventure material, however, as there are clear guidelines as to
awarding Merits (XPs) or taking them away. In addition there are points
of Repute, Dark Repute, and Disrepute. Finally, The GM is always able to
set up additions to random rolls to enhance chances of success, award
penalties to lower such chances if the PC has been misbehaving.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
...
My Friendly Local Gaming Store (FLGS) doesn't have Yggsburgh yet, but
they said they will get it as soon as possible, because "Anything Gygax
writes, we buy it." :-D
Well Dang!
That's heartening. the next step is to have all the customers say the same thing X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Whistling happily . . .
What'll PROBABLY happen is that you and Erik Mona (Mr. Dungeon Magazine
and Mr. Current Greyhawk) will sit down. You will show him the error of
his ways in accepting some of the not-so-good changes to WOG made the
2nd Edition era. He will show you that his own adds to the WOG were
much more intelligent. You will tell him but 3.5 e is wrong for this
that and the other reason. He will go off with Monte Cook and Rob and
whoever, and come up with 4 e, which will be the synthesis of 3 e-ness
(rules that work the same way across everything) and AD&D ness (not
so rule bogged down that it becomes boring).
You'll be totally healthy, and with Rob and Erik and maybe even Dave
Arneson for a little on Blackmoor, you'll create a Renaissance of WOG.
With WOG rules that are compatible with: OD&D, AD&D, 2nd
Edition, 3.5 e, the new 4th Edition you just made in my fantasy, LA,
Castles & Crusades, Hackmaster, Gamma World, Star Wars, GURPS, etc.
I'm holding my breathe, because that's going to happen any day now! :-P
O.o
Like sure...
Erik Mona is a good fellow, but his view of the perfect RPR and world setting is likely not much similar to mine.
As for Rob, he will need to have his D&D tales completed, and have
fnished the Castle Zagyg dungeons with me before he casts an eye towards
the WoG 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
Erik
Mona is likely forced to either accept a lot of the changes that have
happened, or not write greyhawk at all. given the choice, it seems he
accepted the limitations. i remember back in the old days of 2E, he was
definitely an advocate of skipping the From the Ashes changes and such.
I suspect you are correct in that assessment, Boz ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jwright
Gary,
Is Castle Zagyg set in a particular world? (I will order it when I get
other C&C and LA stuff - when I finally get paid lol!)
"Maddog" Wright
The area of Yggsburgh, "The Eastmark," is a
generic setting. The Trolls will say where it might be well-placed on
Erde. For the LA game's Learth I suggest somewhere on the borderland
between a Tenoric Pantheon state and that of a state with another
pantheon recognized--Olympian likely. The location needs to be one where
rivers flow west.
It will fit into the Oerth's Flanmaess too, most likely X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Clangador
Gary,
What percent of Castle Zagyg is straight out of Castle Greyhawk?
All of the good ideas ;-)
The maps are to be redone so as to make sense to all GMs, and the
encounters are being written with all the needed information, not just a
few crypric notes.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Clangador
Good
to know. I guess what's I'm getting at is this. I've read the original
Castle Greyhawk had all kinds of weird stuff in it. A museum from
"another age," a bowling alley for 20� tall giants, the Machine Level,
the Bottle City, plus the gates to the EX modules and Isle of the Ape.
I've also read about the running man somewhere and the big stone head.
Stuff like that. Things that would be of interest to those of us who
read about Castle Greyhawk in The Dragon and would get a hoot out of
encountering something right out of your original castle.
Some of that is in the original dungeon, and yes, that is the sort of special encounter that will be included.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
i think those two Castle Greyhawks may be two completely different animals. :-)
The machine Level was in Rob's dungeons, not mine or the one we
co-designed. I am not sure of the blttle level, but i know it isn't
mine. the rest of the things mentioned are indeed features from my
original castle. Of course there won't be transporter gates to existing
modules, but we will probably have them with suggested destinations.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Just 'cause our world is not a perfect world, why can't WoG be? :-)
How about
:
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
:-o (^_^') 8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hmm, any suggestions where Yggsburgh might fit best on Oerth, Colonel? ;-)
Gray Mouser
You might take a look at the area around theconfluence of the Neen and Ery Rivers...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hmm,, but that would put it right near....
Hey, Colonel, a question for you regarding your recall of Greyhawkian
geography! How good is your recall of the details of Oerth (the Flanaess
but also of other portions)? I know it's been a long time since you
were involved with the official setting but given your length of play in
Oerth and the constant questions about it do you find recalling
geography easy without recourse to the maps?
Gray Mouser
Fortunately, I have the maps, although one is beginning to fall apart... >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jupp
According to CZ1 Yggsburg lies north-east of Dunfalcon (hint?) along the River Nemo (Selintan River?)
Either that or you could just replace the free city of Greyhawk with the free city of Yggsburg :-)
Yggsburgh is a town, not meant to be anything like the Free City of Greyhawk. It is smaller and not near any huge lake ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sanguinemetaldawn
Greetings Col,
I have some questions about the weapon details on pages 26-27 of 1E Unearthed Arcana.
As AD&D is now the IP of wizards of the Coast, I do not make any
comments on the system. I'll make exceptions where the answer is general
and not specific to the rules proper.
For the length listing, does that include the hilt/grip? Especially
the Two-Handed Sword....its listed at 6'. If that is 6' of blade, that
strikes me as monstrously unwieldy.
Also, the table lists the Bardiche at 5' and the Battle Axe at 4'. I
always imagined the Bardiche as a Pole Axe, and longer than 5'. Am I
just plain wrong? Maybe I should be thinking of something else?
The lengths were entire, not just for the blade, and a
two-handed sword was gripped on hilt and lower blade. They were unwieldy
for all but very strong men, and even then if the wielder missed likely
he was dead.
A bardiche is not a long poke arm, but rather a short one, and the blade
of the weapon is typically about two or two and a half feet long otr
even longer. It is not an axe but rather more of a cleaver-type weapon.
For the Space Required listing...
Is that radius or diameter? Was there a particular way you expected it
to be used? Generally we wouldn't bother with this except when crawling
through narrow tunnels or the like. How was this used when miniatures
were employed?
It was ignored. The AD&D game was not designed to be a
cmbat simulation, and the information should likely have been omitted.
For the weapon To Hit modifier versus Armor Class...
One thing that has frustrated me is the way the same modifer applied to different armor situations...
For example, a Lucern Hammer recieves a +2 against AC 4.
But AC 4 applied to Chain + Shield, Banded, Splint, and Bronze Plate.
This seems like a highly varied situation. Was this essentially a
simplification?
See above :\
Also, how did you arrive at these modifiers?
Was it a matter of personal knowledge and research plus some educated guesswork?
Something else? Any references you'd recommend on this?
My roots are in military history and military miniatures
gaming. I read a lot of books about arms and armor, and then used
educated guesswork based on a few solid historical references regarding
the efficiacy off weapons versus armor and vice versa.
In all, I included the details because of insistance of some avid
palyers that were in touch with me, regretted listening to them, for the
RPG is not suited to combat simulation.
Finally...
There are a few weapons that unhorse or disarm on the right to hit roll.
For example a Guisarme would dismount a rider if it hits, and the Ranseur would disarm if it hit an AC 8.
1) Was the player required to announce they were attempting a disarm or
dismount? Was choice required for the intended effect? (damage or
dismount but not both?) Was the result an automatic side effect if the
conditions were met?
The latter. that is the advantage of the pole-arm
2) Were these hit results supposed to account for AC versus Armor type?
For example, the Guisarme has a -3 to hit AC 1. Now lets say a third
level fighter is attacking a horsed opponent wearing Full Plate (no
shield) with a Guisarme and rolls a 19. Normally this hits, but after
weapon versus armor type is misses.
Does this mean that the opponent is unhorsed but takes no damage? Or is the attack considered a total miss?
As I noted above, we never used the weapons vs. armor type adjustments.
Thanks for dealing with so many questions.
Welcone...for such as my answers are 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Like Coke Classic and C2, we'd have Greyhawk Classic and Greyhawk2?
One of the greatest marketing blunders in history made good before it was too late...
The consumer audiences in question are somewhat disproportionate, of course X-D
As much as I would like to see Greyhawk reunited with EGG, why would
EGG want to pay for an IP that was originally his to begin with? It's
awfully close to IP kidnapping. That of course is just my opinion.
YMMV. ;-)
As soon as CZ: Yggsburgh arrives at my FLGS, I will continue to stick
with my 1985 GH material and add in CZ there, per Gary's suggestions on
location. I'll continue augmenting the Dungeon magazine GH material as I
have since restarting my campaign in 2000. I simply change it to 576
CY and throw away the bits and pieces that don't fit.
The outlay and effort for the return are likely the major factors. Of course, I'd also hate to distress a lot of Hawkers too.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Good to know. (^_^')
How's the health? Has the doctor prescribed the "fun" meds yet that
play with your tastebuds? :\ I recall you saying something to that
extent on an email or post a little while back.
Bah!
The medication isn't yet available, but all too soon, likely late this
month or early next. I have a slow, efficient metabolism, so likely it
will reduce my food intake desire to that of a proverbial jaybird, make
all food rather tasteless in the process, even as it will remove all
pleasure from having a cigar >:-)
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
I
imagine then, Gary, that you will mostly be eating bread and drinking
water since there's no sense in eating filets or drinking wine. I hope
the side effects are mild while the meds do what they are supposed to
do.
Now that summer is giving way to autumn, do you find that there is more
or less time to write and create? Or do the Bears and Packers steal a
little bit of your time?
I'd like to say I'm an Eagles fan, but I just can't get into football like I do hockey. (Go Flyers!) :-D
http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/banner...ingonthefl.gif
As I have little energy to remain doingf concentrated work for a period
of more than an hour or so, I make the most of the situation by
reading. As the weather cools and darkens here, I'll read less and
indeed watch the tube--both Bears and Packers.
Those pursuits don't keep me from working, lack of capacity to sustain suych activity does.
Cheers,
Hary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
I
pray that you get some of your reserve of energy back then. Not
necessarily to just work on things, but so you can do more each day.
(Sometimes the printed word fails to say what I want to say. Blasted
poor vocab skills!) Have the physicians given any indication that your
endurance or concentration will return?
At any rate, I hope my point was conveyed clearly O.o .
Thanks :-)
I feel quite well, but I tire out all too soon, so that I need to stop
creative work and kick back. There is no advice from my doctor as to the
matter, but I am advised that the medications I take are the principal
cause of this flagging energy. So i am bust an hour, then go off and
read or do something that is not taxing for an hour, etc. I also need to
sleep anout nine hours or even 10, each night. That combines to make it
nigh impossible for me to undertake a serious creative project.
On the positive side, I have days when I can manage to wotk several
hours without needing a break. If I can combine those into a regemine,
then I can get some work done.
Of course, I confess to rather enjoying a lot of relaxing reading
time...and spending a good bit of effort communicating by email and on
board posts such as this X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Gary,
as much as I'd like to see a certain Castle finished by your pen ;-) I
also have to say that life's too short to waste it on grinding yourself
down. I hope you're enjoying it with good family time, good friends,
and good fun. I also hope one day soon to get my time and money straight
to come up and visit.
Heh,
And how well I agree (^_^')
so I am making notes of all the "must" encounters in the castle levels
and dungeons so that if I can't be involved in the creating of them on
the intense basis I'd prefer all of the interesting things will be in
them nonetheless B-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
As
much as I'm thankful of that, I just now envisioned seeing a finished
castle Zagyg in X years, with you as a posthumous credit, and it's
creeping me out. 8-D
Cheers, and good health!
Just imagine me there in spirit in such case. Sadly, none of us are here forever, eh? :\
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Nod,
it's creeping me out too, but in a cold chill of respect way of "Wow,
Gary really really cares about his work and his fans. What a trooper."
Be well, Gary.
Heh...
Of course I feel a lot of camaraderie for my fellows especially those that are gamers :-D
That's why I post a lot on boards, and invite peole to place to am or
party before the local onvention here in Lake Geneva B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
::Sigh!:: I LOVED my 1e Spetums!
"C'mere & let me clean out yer ears! I have just the Bohemian
Earspoon fer ye!" (Also gets everything between the ears, too!) :-P
THEN, mean ol' Gary added the Ranger weapon requirements in Unearthed Arcana, and I hadda wait levels and levels to gain proficiency (GM wouldn't let me do that, without it)!
Just wanted you to know, you bolluxed me up, Gar! (U'm sure that makes yer day!) :-P
Indeed...
I do like to crimp effort to take advantage of a system. One chap here
was planning to create a "Barbarian Prince" Avatar wth Chivalry Abilty
as hiis second one. I explained that barbarism and chivalry were quite
opposites, and at best he could have it as a 5th, default at 10%--the
foundling pronce raised by barbarians. He was not pleased...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
A Chatty FYI:
Son Ernie held a game afternoon at his place Wednesday, and Dennis Harsh and Tom Wham joined in. Dennis won the
Gangsters game, then went on to edge the three of us out in a game of
Puerto Rico--a most interesting design that. It is hoped that Ernie will will host similar gatherings as regulrly as possible :-D
We gamed last night, with a couple of newbies to the LA system sitting,
Tony from Washington DC, and Joe from Washington State. They came to
join the regulars in turning tail and running away from an Ogre with
three warhounds--Ogres are about the baddest of monsters in the LA game,
so it was a wise move. I do believe a god time was had by all.
Fridays my wife (Gail) and I go out for lunch. Today was no exception,
and we had a goot time driving around a bit afterwards on a gorgeous
September afternoon in southeastern Wisconsin. We agreed during that
excursion to take son Alex and grandson Mike Gygax (now age 16) wth us
for a visit to New Glarus when Mike arrives early in October. Great beer
brewed in New Glarus, a good restaurant for Swiss fare, and a local
meat market that vends excellent sausage and cheese.
Now I need to get back to partitioning up the areas of the Town of
Yggsburgh for treatment in detailed supplemental modules if the Trolls
like the idea of a building-by-building, many NPCs and
adventures/adventure hooks treatment of the cmmunity via such
sector/quater works.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
From the isle of Cryprus, no doubt. (Sorry, lo blow, I know, your Type O.)
And later thou writ: "I'll read less and indeed watch the tube--both Bears and Packers."
I may switch to Bears, the way the Pack's going. When both of their Guards left, all the unruly prisoners started rioting.
Hm, now why did I drop by... OH yeah:
Why name the Castle 'Zagyg'? Why not 'Nitid Asturina' (q.v.)?
F
Groan!
A former editor of mine would have to be here >:-(
So I don't check my spelling, so what?! >:-)
Why "Castle Zagyg"? Better than "Castle Fronkenstein" of some such, eh?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
[QUOTE=mythusmage]Cypric
Utterances: From the uttermost hoariness of your jest I'd have to
account you akkad. Potted at that. (Really obscure reference. :-)
)[QUOTE
I might sumer-up your ancient allusions as wretched.
On Football: TV's on the blink, so I didn't catch the local game.
I'm hoping the Chargers gave up on the traditon of disappointing their
fans on opening week.
and speaking of wretched, the Bears and Packers both fit that description yesterday.
BTW, Frank, think you'll be doing any districts for Yggsburgh?
He has not signed up, and we are nearing a full creative roster for the project...
Update: Was it Gary's half-baked ideas that led to your choice of vocation?
I put my dough on not geting a rise out of Frank with that sort of bun...err, I mkean pun.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
As may be. But what if they had been half-assed?
:\ O.o :\
Two former editors is more than a body can bear :-o
Questions of divided donkeys are beyond me...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Cheeky Kitty.
Now that will fundamentally pain him 8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
A Horse divided cannot stand, doubly so for asses.
Perhaps a minor bifrucation... 8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
Divide Equus Emperum!
Divided Horses Rule!
But can one change them in mid-stream?
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
The only thing that keeps me from saying that Gary has entered his second childhood is the fact he never left his first.
Indeed! And all gamers are undoubtedly pleased that that was and is the case :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
We *really* need a :rimshot" emoticon here.
Pish & Tosh!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Well, as they say, you can lead a horse to water, but if you can get it to float on its back, then you're REALLY onto something!
My seahorse does that a lot X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
My favorite T-shirt: "I may grow old, but I'll never grow up".
I'd still be wearing it to cons, but my teenage son stole it. So instead
I wear my Origins 78 T-shirt and watch other gamers go "What the heck
is THAT!?!?" X-D
Good show!
Sadly I am not able to fit into my D&D "Come visit my dungeon"
T-shirt these days, but I have it hidden away from son Alex...who has
purloined my Jane's Bar T-shirt over my loud protests :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Yes,
Origins 78 (I had wondered why they didn't just call it Origins IV) was
a riot, although it was during the days when I was a heavy-duty
wargamer, setting up my tent on Avalon Hill, and listening to the
grizzled veteran wargamers complain about "Those rezzin-frezzin
roleplaying gamers, messing up the convention!"
As opposed to years later, where the grizzled veteran roleplaying gamers
complained about "Those rezzin-frezzin card game players, messing up
the convention!"
Et cetera, et cetera ;-)
Heh!
As I recall I made Origins I through III, but then attended no further of them.
As an avid board wargamer and military miniatures buff too, I could
never understand the provincialism of others complaining about one form
of play or another.
I recall an RPGer looking at me in shock when I was discovered in the
basement of a MDG con site playing Napoleonic miniatures rather than
D&D :-o One of the former LGTSA members quit and wouldn't speak to
me because of the Chainmail Fantasy Supplement games I used to run, and
the early rap on GenCon was that it was all miniatures with little
board wargaming.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Clangador
But can you ride it?
Yes indeed, but no matter how I nag it doesn't have the horse-sense to obey. Nonetheless I never let up on it.
:-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
I would give a slap on the haunches, and send it on it's mare-ey way then. Sorry to saddle you with such low-grade punishment.
I bridal at such tacky horse puns, for shoe! So I'll nail down a few
obvious ones to prevent a bit more of such ne-ferrious stuff. Maybe this
will call a halter to equine puns, although likely it will start a race
in which the loser will be sulkey. This isn't the place to show coltish
humor.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
You won't make a foal out of ME with your un-bridled jokes! My mane goal is to keep myself stable during these exchanges.
I am the pun stud, and I'll make asses out of those who think to make hay in this pasture. It's a cinch!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
And yet he trots out more. Perhaps we need to determine who can go the distance with a gallup poll? :-P
I'll swing on that gait...canter stop me, as I am too fur-along.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Re-using puns gets points off, don't cha know. BTW, this will be my last post in the race for horsey funnies...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Time to reign it in, ...
Not in MY court! That would be precipitious :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
....meanwhile,
somewhere out there, the toxic fallout from all of these puns is
choking some poor, innocent, unsuspecting E-bay user. >:-)
Yeah, I'm ready to call this pun-war quits. But let it be known for the
record that one of my lesser-known nicknames is Attila the Pun. Should
the call sound again, I shall take pun in hand and prepare to do battle.
>:-)
Well, you won't have to go to the Punjab to
find an opponent ready to deal out punishment to a whole pack of cards
that assume they are jokers in punnery, but who in actuality are easily
trumped to simply lost in the shuffle, for most are not playing with a
full deck.
Ducedly clever word play is amusing :-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
With the change in pun topics, I'd say you were all Jacks of many trades.
As master of this thread I say we should give a break to those who have
suffered us to weave such terrible puns out of whole cloth. Frankly, I
soon have to leave the computer to get ready for a social obligation
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Gary has pulled rank and shows off his Kingly Hand. We'd better deal with it.
Yuppers!
It is a sure bet that this thread has gone to pot. I'll wager that
non-punnsters would rather see spots, or go blind than read more of
these tricky metafours and fives.
Now I am really heading off to dress for the rip-roaring 50th annual class reunion (^_^')
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by NojBad
Heh,
I was more generous and allowed just such a "barbarian prince"
unordered Avatar some years back in one of our early campaigns. His
name was Clannarg Tyg and he packed a punch in combat with a combination
of Savagery, Physique and Chivalry.
IIRC
his background set him up as the son of a hill chief who had been taken
hostage by a Mirsylvanian noble. Taking a shine to the savage young
warrior the noble taught him some of the knightly ways. Death comes
even to combat monsters like Clannarg though and he was killed by
spiders long ago.
Jon
Well Amigo...
I will allow someone with Savagery to have Chivalry as their fifth
Ability, or an Avatar with high Chivalry to have Savagery as a fifth
default one, but never with both amongst the four chosen Abilities.
That's surely logical as the two Abilities are just about diametrically
opposed in conception.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hey
Gary, I was flipping through an old issue of Dragon and came across the
name Theron Kuntz on a wargamming article. Is that Rob's brother or
somthing? Just curious.
Theron "Terry" Kuntz is Rob's older brother, his PC being Terik ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gutboy Barrelhouse
Hail, Good Colonel:
My question is about the provenance of IOUN stones. As far as I've seen,
the earliest appearance of IOUN stones in Mr. Vance's work is in Rhialto the Marvellous, which bears a copyright date of 1984 - and IOUN stones predate this in D&D.
Did IOUN stones start in D&D and were later borrowed by Vance?
Or was Rhialto written before the copyright date I have?
Cheers,
GBBH
Ioun stones are absolutely the creation of author
Jack Vance, and they were used in the AD&D game by his express
permission--which he generously gave to me. Of course had the fabulous
items in question been created by me, I would have gladly permitted Jack
to use them in his writing, but that is not the case ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
It's
good to see that nobody got surrey over the matter. Though much of the
word play was hackneyed. Mayhaps certain parties could be further
coached in the art?
Still it's nice to see that this stage has passed without unseemly incident, for I'd hate to see tongues a wagon on this.
Too bad punning is not a gig that pays well.
Shay-m on you Alan, for returning to such stuff when it was put to bed. You should be whipped for it.
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
Stated up for original original D&D. :-)
Gary has long been an science fiction and fantasy fan, starting from his
days as a boy. He was active in fandom at the time, and did correspond
with a number of the leading lights of the day. I believe Fritz Leiber
played in a few games, and Jack Vance showed an interest. As a matter of
fact, Jack played an active role in the design and development of the Dying Earth RPG.
Jack and Gary get to talking about Gary's new game. The subject of magic
items in D&D comes up, and Jack offers to allow the use of his ioun
stones in D&D. They hash out the stats and Jack writes a few lines
of text. Their efforts makes it into issue 4 of The Strategic Review under Jack's byline. Thus is a D&D staple born.
My point? The big names in science fiction and fantasy are approachable.
It's a tradition that was established long ago, and largely arose out
of the fact most science fiction and fantasy writers were once fans
themselves. And a large number are still fans. Say hi, strike up a
conversation, but refrain from gushing and acting like a fanboy. Who
knows, you might get Fred Pohl involved in your Heechee RPG project.
:-)
Well said!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey
Gary, hope this post finds you doing well. I have a question that was
formulated partly due to the recent discussion regarding the location of
Yggsburgh and Greyhawkian geography. I was just wondering if you've
ever run any adventures in your campaign that took place in or around
the Nyr Dyv. Given the rules for underwater combat and spell casting in
the
DMG I would think that you might have used the Lake of Unknown Depths as a place for play-testing!
Thanks in advance.
Gray Mouser
There were indeed plenty of underwater adventures in my AD&D campaign--and since then (see
The Hermit for an example), but the action on the Nyr Dyv was confined to ships, the reason quite inexplicable now that I consider it.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Hope you have a great evening!
Thanks, and surprisingly, despite being surrounded by a bunch of Old
Farts such as I am, we did have a good time...quite unlike being in
school with the same bunch O.o
Fact is that I decided to show up for the banquet the class is having this evening X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
You don't have to be such a cab about it.
Handsomely put.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Fare enough.... ;-)
Hackneyed stuff 8-D
Quit encouraging me in this unseemly behavior >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
I can't believe that I forgot the most classic taxi reference of all:
Groucho Marx (as Rufus T Firefly): You can leave in a taxi. If you can't
get a taxi, you can leave in a huff. If that's too soon you can leave
in a minute and a huff!
Groucho Marx is amongst the greatest of comedians B-)
Next pun topic: Cheese!
Is that binding? I fear some of them would be rather smelly...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
...
I tell you now, I Camembert any cheesy puns. Curdle you refrain from such?
Cheese puns are gouda fun. I edam up!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
I
must agree. It is my swiss that people refrain from cheese puns, for I
chedder at the thought of the rinding halt this could cause the boards.
The most classic cheese related pun I know was done long ago by Ben Franklin:
"Jack eating rotten cheese did say,
'I like Sampson my thousands slay.'
'Aye,' said Roger, 'so you do,
And with the selfsame weapon too.' "
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
What have I done? I've created a Muenster! :-o
For which none are likely to port de slaute you...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
It's a Gouda thing these puns don't grate on my nerves. If they did, I would get Feta up and stop Postel-ing here.
No, most of the fellows here are bricks about it all :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
[QUOTE=Zudrak]Edam it. Knockwurst it off.
...QUOTE]
Speaking of which:
Charlemagne mustard his Franks
To assault and pepper the Saracens with relish,
But they couldn't catchup.
Some think that pun is the wurst,
But I think it is a wiener.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Maybe
we should add bread too, that way we'd have a full sandwich! No loafing
around, you crumbs! We're the upper crust! I just hope that, by adding
bread, that this thread won't go a-rye.
Now that wasn't half-baked.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
Wheat a beefy string of puns! You hams are slinging the humor so swissly, its chapping my buns. Whatta bunch of turkeys!
With meats, breads and cheeses in play simultaneously, the font of bon
mozzerellas will be virtually ceaseless. Of course, there will be bad
ones sandwiched in there.
I'd better limburger up my brain & tongue if I intend to supply mostly gouda humor- I don't want to focaccia all this up!
Is that a wurst k�se scenario? If so you are on a roll...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
There really are some things we oat not do. But, a merry fellow who American.
That's barley a pun, Alan.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
So
where did the underwater adventures take place, Gary? I read a write up
some time ago of an excursion to Castle Greyhawk where the party
encountered a subterranean lake (and were pursued by a pteradon,
IIRC). Was this the main underwater environ or were there others? Anyone ever make it to the Elemental Plane of Water, for instance?
As long as we're on the subject of water-based adventures, were there
any memorable monsters for such excursions? Any Sahauagin (sp?) lurking
about that the PCs ran into, for instance?
Gray Mouser
Actually, the PCs ddn't submerge much on the
water level of the castle's dungeons. there was a pool with nixies in
it, a transporter to an underwater adventure, and various outdoor
adventures where most of this sort of thing took place.
The encounters were the typical mix of critters, including one where I had a dragon turtle. Sahauagin weren't included, IIRR.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
Should be "With meats, breads and cheeses in play simultaneously, the fontina of bon mozzerellas will be virtually ceaseless."
-sincerely, not the Management
Now that makes me green with envy, blu-s my mind.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Clangador
I've never been able to "get into" puns. But, they do have the ability to drive me mad. O.o
As is with the case for my long-suffering son, Luke X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Clangador
I share his pain. ;-)
And now for something completely different.
I was looking at Rob Kuntz�s auction of the Castle Greyhawk Bottle City
Level original manuscript. (I froze the page if anyone wants to look at
it,
Click here.)
The map is huge and there are only eight pages for its write up. Grodog
commented that when you and others wrote up your original dungeons, the
descriptions tended to be sparse and you fleshed them out as you took
people thru them. He also commented that large portions of the dungeon
would be empty, so you don�t have to detail those areas. (I know this
isn�t one of your levels, but it�s the only reference I have to an
original manuscript of this nature.)
So, my questions are, how much detail did you put into your dungeons before you took people thru them?
After you took people thru them, did you make note of any details that
you added during play to further the design of the dungeon?
After a party went thru it, did you make note of monsters slain, and
treasure looted to adjust the level for the next group that went thru
it? Or, did you play it again exactly as you had written it for the next
group and chalked it up to it�s a game, it doesn�t have to make sense.
Very glad to see Rob get so generous a price for his creative efforts way back when :-D
As to your questions, I usually made one-line notes for my duneon
encounters, from around 20 to 25 of same for a typical level done on
four-lines-to-the inch graph paper--a few more on five-, six, or seldom
used 8-line graph paper. the other spaces were empty save for perhaps a
few traps or transporter areas and the like.
I did indeed create details for the PC party on the spot, adding
whatever seemed appropriate, and as Rob played and learned from me, he
did the same, and when we were actively co-DMing we could often create
some really exciting material on the spot, if you will.
When the encounter was elimiated I simply drew a line through it, and
the place was empty for the foreseeable future. I'd give Rob the details
of any session he was not at and vice versa, so we winged all of it.
Sometimes a map change and encouunter kkey note of something special in
nature was made, but not often. We both remembered things well, Rob very
well and when necessary something was made up out of whole cloth for
the sake of continuity of adventuring.
When new maps were made it was often nearly impossible to have the
stairs and other connections line up with other maps, so a note or two
and "fudging" served p[erfectly well. this was particularly true of the
means of entering and exiting lower levels from secret locations
surrounding the castle ruins.
Now you understand why the Castle Zagyg project is such a major design
undertaking. If we handed over the binders containing the maps and the
notes don't think even thge ablest of DMs would feel empowered to
direct adventures using the materials...unless that worthy was someone
who had spent many hours playing with Rob and me as DM.
I have laid out a new schematic of castle and dungeo levels based on
both my original design of 13 levels plus sideadjuncts, and the "New
Greyhawk Castle" that resulted when Rob and I combihned our efforts and
added a lot no new level too. From that Rob will draft the level plans
for the newest version of the work. Meantime, I am collecting all the
most salient feature, encounters, tricks, traps, etc. for inclusion on
the various levels.
So the end result will be what is essentially the best of our old work
in a coherent presentation usable by all DMs, the material having all
the known and yet to be discussed features of the original work that are
outstanding..I hope 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
(playing a piano naked)
Not with ME as your audience :-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Just in case some reader here thinks it odd to create on the fly as Rob and I usuall are want to do:
The main difference between formal creation of material and doing it as
one serves in the role of GM is spontenaity, that allowing the material
created on the spot to beter suit the player group ad the situation at
hand. Otherwise one must set forth the material to be played and recite
it more or less verbatim, forcing the group to its mold. the creative
demand is muc the same, but the free-style method usually allows fo more
enjoyment b all participants.
I recommend it to all GMs able to manage such playing style :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Well,
not everyone can manage that style. I can (poorly!) and I have found it
more to my taste than working from extensive notes. I usually lose
track of extensive notes anyway, so if I work on the fly I at least spare my players the bother of waiting for me to find something. ;-)
Heh...
Seems to me that you doth protest too much, and despite meaning to use
prepared material resort to winging it so as to keep the game lively and
enjoyable. In short, it seems you can do it pretty well X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Now, why'd you have to go and drag my forefathers into the fray? >:-)
Would be cheddar if you paid fromage to them, but not like so:
Of course, old Ewart was a bit of a blow-hard.
I think it best if I ignore puns for a time, or else I'll have angry villager gamers storming my abode...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Clangador
I
don't think it's odd. It's just not the same play style as running a
canned adventure. I find what you guys did when the game was young very
interesting. Do you use the same format when running tourny adventures?
When running a tournement we always used prepared material so as to
have as much continuity as possible between GMs managing the competing
groups. Inly in a final round was any innovation allowable...and used
;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
I
for one don't consider it odd to create on the fly. In some cases, it's
a necessity, particularly if the players aren't forbidden from
venturing "off the game board". In my current campaign, I had designed
an ancestral keep which the characters would need to explore. In the
deepest undercellar I put a fault line on the floor that plunged down
into a 320' deep chasm. I didn't flesh it out because I thought, "No way
are they going to be so insane as to deviate from their pressing task
just to check out some stupid deep fissure!" So I just made a notation
that a "bunch of grimlocks" dwelled down at the bottom, and left it at
that. Didn't even write up their stats.
Sure enough...guess where they went? X-D Some people think SOP
stands for Standard Operational Procedure. When I'm running D&D, it
stands for Seat Of Pants. In my humble opinion, any DM who says that the
players' characters can "go anywhere and do anything", had darn well
better be able to create on the fly. >:-)
Yes
indeed! While I do often go with prepared material, especially when I am
not feeling realy full of energy, the best game sessions are often
those in which SOP was in fulll swing.
GMing on the fly is more demanding than is using prepared material,
one's own or a published module, but the players generally really get
into an extemporaneous adventure, as they are integral to its formation
and direction.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I'm just glad the old puns were put out to pasture.
Now don't start nagging about old puns...
Damn! I've gone and done it again :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Agback
I
agree, and that applies equally to adventures/locations/encounters that
are prepared in detail as to ones that are made up on the fly.
Can't disagree with that.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sledge
Recalling
my early days with the Keep on the Borderlands (okay I know this isn't
early to everyone here, but when I finally got that box I was in
elementary school, so it's early, got it?) there was quite a bit
explicitly spelled out for the dm to just add as desired. My map from
the cover had a few areas I even penciled in as I went.
So I would say that until 3rd edition here I considered on the fly to be
the only way to go. Now I still do it mostly on the fly and throw in a
few prepped things and plundered materials to fill out stuff.
So don't let anyone tell you that anything but the seat of the pants is normal.
Interesting :-)
Of course most of the long-time DMs will have much experience in winging
it even with modules, as that was assumed to be the normal way to run
adventures for the first 10 or even 15 years of RPG play.
I suspect that newer GMs are more used to the hand-holding modules, prepare like material for their own campaigns.
That isn't all bad...as is the current notion amongst players that every
encounter they meet is defeatable, that their PCs won't meet an
untimely end unless they are ready to think carefully...or have their
team flee in haste ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hi Gary---
Unrelated to the Yggsburgh and CZ focus of late (I'm glad to hear that
you and Rob are continuing forward with the project!), I have a couple
logistical questions about Tsojcanth for you. In particular, I've been
trying to piece together how best to show the relationships between the
Greater and Lesser Caverns, as well as all of the little
nook-and-cranny-style extra entrances, exits, chimneys, and what-not
that you crammed into Iggwilv's mountain :-D
I have some maps online at:
Do the maps roughly capture how you imagined the levels looking in
relation to one another? If not, do you have any pointers on how to
revise the maps to better reflect the environment?
Also, did you even design an underwater level for this module in your
home games? You hint at it several times in the adventure that it seems
like you'd already designed such a level, but perhaps cut it out of the
published version due to time- or size-of-book considerations or
somesuch.
Thanks!
Howdy!
I looked at the rough maps, and they look all right, pretty well along the lines I had envisaged ;-)
I did not do a formal map, but I did have some adventuring upon an
underground "sea" which was associated with the Lost Caverns. Not having
an actual map allowed me complete freedom to innovate.
Cheers.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Actually, I have no information regarding the Good Mr. Sargent, so I can not be of any assistance. Sorry.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Not so, my comment was meant ingest. :-P
(unless you have shrink wrapped copies of the original boxed set laying about, then I might be reaching for a pitchfork....)
You will go on
ad nauseum. I can't swallow any more puns, even if done for a lark >:-(
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
I think it's really a matter of how experienced the DM is. ...
If you add self-confident and well-grounded in fantasy and history, I can not disagree ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Thanks :-D
That makes perfect sense. Was the underground sea an area that Iggwilv
used, or more of a hidden sub-level? If the latter, surely Iggwilv must
have had some other lairs then, since there's no living quarters, guard
posts, conjuring rooms, laboratories, etc. in the Greater or Lesser
Caverns.
How's the underground sea differ from the Black Reservoir beneath Castle Greyhawk?
Well, Iggwilv could be anywhere it seemed a good place for her to have
living or other sort of quarters :-o If the party were sufficiently
strong, they could indeed have an encounter with that lovely lady...
X-D
As for the underground sea think of it more as what would be encountered
from further explorations in the D# module, part of the great
Underdark. The Black Reservoir level is tiny compred to the former body
of water, and the reservoir is filled with large supporting pillars
too...although the sea monster dwelling in its waters doesn't mind the
obstructions 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tav_Behemoth
Col.,
if the mists of wonder-crowded memory allow, could you confirm or deny
some speculation about the origins of the mind flayer?
In an interview with Planewalker.com, Charles Stross said that his idea
for the the githyanki & githzerai, that they had been bred as slave
races by the mind flayers, was inspired by Larry Niven's
World of Ptaavs.
He suggested that whoever created the mind flayers (which I assume to
have been your eminent self) might have been was inspired by Niven as
well.
The similarities between Niven's
Thrint,
or Slavers, and mind flayers are that both are powerful telepaths &
mind-controllers with tentacled faces (see Wayne Barlowe's
interpretation). Knowing the depth of your reading in SF & fantasy, I imagine you might have read Niven
World of Ptaavs
back in '66 or so -- especially since I've been told that, back in the
day, there was so little of "the good stuff" being published that fans
could & did read everything they could get their hands on. And I've
seen some evidence that Niven was in the minds of early D&D folks in
the form of a cool old Erol Otus booklet of creatures and magic items
that featured a Slaver disintegration rifle.
Any link between this great D&D monster and the great Known Space
universe would, of course, only increase my admiration for your
syncretic genius.
Well...
No need to speculate, for I can set forth the process in a few words.
Larry Niven's writing had nothing to do with the creation of the
Illithid race for the AD&D game.
I happened to be thinking of devising a new terrible race if creatures
inimical to humans, and my eye fell upon a paperback book authored by
Brian Lumley,
The Burrowers Beneath. The cover illustration was of a bipedal monster with a head resembling a squid or an octopus. Voila!
That was a perfect model for an underground-dwelling race of fiendish predators on humankins, and thus the mind flayer was born.
I made up all the details of the race, of course, they being a form of AD&D monster.
BTW, the drow were inspired by no more than a dictionaly listing for the
name as "dark elves," and i made up the kuo-toa out of whole cloth so
as to have another underground race on distinctly non-human sort.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
I get a kick out of finding out behind the scenes stuff like this. Thanks, Gary!
Incidentally, for the longest time, whenever I saw an illustration of a
mind flayer, the phrase "Cthulhu fthgan" would run through my head ;-)
Welcome :-)
As a matter of fact I have been a fan of HPL and those who developed his
mythos for some decades now, so you were on target B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Indeed, Alan,
The circle of those who wrote in the mythos originated by HPL was
generally close. Even those at the fringes seemed to have been careful
to stay within bounds and not add anything that was antithetical to
Lovecraft's vision.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
I'm
a big HPL fan as well. And speaking of that circle of writers, I know
that often times HP and friends would insert slightly altered versions
of each other's names into their stories as the protagonists. For
instance, one of Lovecraft's stories has "Robert Blake". ;-)
Naturally, I can't remember offhand which one it is.
I just about plotzed when the Deities and Demigods hardcover book came
out with the AD&D stats for the Cthulhu mythos. Every once in a
while I just couldn't resist sticking in a Mythos creature in one of my
AD&D adventures!
Robert Blake is none other than Robert Bloch, one great guy and a fine writer too who is missed by more persons than me alone.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by VirgilCaine
Robert Bloch?
While we're on the subject of monster origins, where did the Rakshasha come from?
Hindu Mythogy and
Kolchak, The Night Stalker in combination ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by VirgilCaine
Just as I thought. Great show.
Cable has a channel that has Kolchak re-runs...Can't recall which it is, naturally :-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
No comment from me about D20...
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Alan,
either works with me. As another fan ot Farmer's "Created UIniverses"
series, I used gates generally, although Iggwilv is capable of
transpirting herself to various known locations without such aid.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jo�l of the FoS
HPL
fan here too. Before reading this thread, I was sure Illithid�s
appearance were greatly inspired from Cthulhu. Interesting mise au point
;-)
Back on the "page before" of this monstrous thread, i.e. planning for a
DM (no, not the puns!), I also like to keep my adventures as much free
form as possible, and react to the players decisions and mood to keep
the game interesting. Doesn�t mean I do not plan my games, I just put on
a paper a list of possible encounters, interesting NPCs, adventure
hooks, cool optional links between things, etc.
Jo�l
Right!
The GM should always have a plan in mind even when running the session by the seat of his pants. However...
At one of the mini-cons TSR used to sponsor--Spring Revel, Autimn Revel,
and Winter Fantasy--I promised a group of MDG gamers there assisting in
running events that I would DM an AD&D session for them on Sunday.
Hurriedly leaving my house early that Sunday morning I grabbed the
folder of maps and notes I had prepared for the special session.
When I sat down to run the game I found I had a folder of memo copies
about some company business. Oops! I just winged the next four hours,
and only one of the group suspected that I was doing that. When I told
them after the session ended what a gaff I had pulled, there was nary a
complaint, for the adventure had been a good one...whew!
(^_^')
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jo�l of the FoS
*lol* That's indeed more complicated for the DM to make a good job :-) (especially after a couple St-Ambroise ;-) )
But still I think most DM should be able to improvise from the plan
/scenario as often as possible. The job of a DM isn't to follow a
scenario, it is to entertain ;-) So the DM should always keep the
players on their toes by mixing calm moments and rushing encounters, as
he see fit for the game mood.
I don't understand experienced people complaining about a bad adventure
they bought. If you don't like parts of it, well change it, or make the
game go faster to the next cool parts.
Jo�l
Agreed on all counts!
I seldom enjoy a libation when GMong unless the group wants a wide-open
rip-roarer, and even then I have to be in the proper mood for same :-o
As for creative improvisation, I do that both ways, some play-test
material navermaking it into print, and a lot of new material created on
the spot comes into play when i am using something written, regardless
of the author, me or another ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I'm shocked to here that Gary Gygax can wing a pretty good AD&D adventure.
:-P
Well, I do get a big "Duh!" for that, don't I? 8-D
As I made up all of the stuff I did winging it, it is rather obvious
that I should be able to do so or nothing would have been done, eh?
:-#
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
As
a bit of brief commentary, I think the measure of a good RPG system is
one that makes it easy for the GM to "wing it" if needed or prefered.
With that statement I have complete agreement. the system should
facilitate free innovation and intuitive play seem natural. That's a
tall order when dealing with fantasy and magic.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy!
I thought I should mention that I am currently coordinating a group of
18 (we need one more to completely fill the 19 slots) designers that are
now at work creating modules detailing the entrie tonw desctibed in
Castle Zagyg Yggsburgh Part I.
This is an exciting project, but it is keeping me pretty busy. My
reading time has suffered accorfingly, and it took me a full week to
finish Churchill's
History of the English-Speaking Peoples, Vol. I. I am about to begin a two-volume history of the Old Northwest, even as I maintain my regular study of the
Bible,
then go back to reading fiction--fantasy, SF, and "Nero Wolfe"
mysteries--for a while. I have about 25 books in the stack to be read.
So. now back to email, board posts, and hopefully a bit of history reading :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Chaos Sword
Hi Gary
As I was growing up you were one of my biggest influences. I have played
since the late 70's and continue to enjoy this game that you created.
Many thanks.
Humbly,
Chaos Sword
Heh...
An influence for the positive I do hope 8-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Omand
Gary,
First, a thanks for the creating the genre and the game we all still talk and play (in whatever form).
Now a question. I know that you did not write the module White Plume
Mountain, but did you have any input into its design? Did you run your
gaming group through it? If so, do you have any tales about White Plume
Mountain to share with us?
Thanks,
Cheers :-)
when i determined that TSR needed some
in-house designers, I put out a call for applicants, and Lawrence Schick
was amongst the few I considered, eventually hires. The work he
submitted with his resume was
White Plume Mountain. On the strength of that I put him on the payroll, and we proceeded to publish the adventure.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Levi Kornelsen
Gary;
Apologies if this has been asked before...
There has, in the past, been some amount of debate concerning your
writing style in gamebooks. Your admirers have often stated that they
greatly enjoy reading your work, including the extensive use of unusual
phrases and words, as they can learn and expand their vocabulary while
they read. Other pundits have, with equal regularity, tended to reply
that they find this to be a less-enjoyable way of writing, with varying
degrees of vitriol and varying levels of reasoning involved.
I'm curious; do you have anything to say on the topic?
I write as I write, what more can I say.
I can, however, add, that my versions of the D&D game have sold more
copies than those not authored by me, and that many of my adventure
scenarios are called "classic" and spin-offs of them written and
produced with considerable sales success. Can the detractors of my work
point to such acceptance of their notions of how RPG material can be
better written? X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Levi Kornelsen
Point.
And, thanks for the quick response!
Welcome :-)
To elaborate as a matter of fact...
I regularly hear in-person and in email and letter communications from
fellow gamers how much they appreciate the style of my writing, how much
it has assisted them in various ways. The most frequently cited work in
this regard is the
DMG.
I don't expect to please everyone, of course. that's impossible, as I note in one of my sigs:
"He who publishes a book runs a great hazard, since nothing can be more
impossible than to compose one that may secure the approbation of every
reader." Cervantes
Of course I sometimes use this one:
�The envious only hate the excellence they cannot reach.� From a letter
to Thomas Jefferson as quoted by Dumas Malone in his six volume work,
Jefferson and His Times.
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I suppose you could say where you learned your vocabulary.
I've always assumed it was from reading extensively in dusty old tomes,
rather than from being an English major at the University of Wisconsin
or something.
(In my case, I got an 800 Verbal 'cause my dad's an English professor
and my mom's an editor; they met in grad school, both studying English.
However, people look at you funny if you use professorial diction in
quotidian settings, so I generally tone it down to a plebian level.
That said, I liked Gary's writing far better than the 2nd Edition
written grade 6 reading level stuff. ;-) )
My
parents, particularly my mother, encouraged me to gain a command of
language. She read to me, and encouraged me to read on my own--I
preferred being read to, but it soon became evident to me that to get
all the reading I desired I'd have to go it on my own.
Later she would challenge me to compete against her in the
Reader's Digest "It pays to increase your word power" tests, and I hated to lose as at first I did regularly.
Many of the friends I associated with also had large vocabularies, and
so it only seems natural to me to use the best word one knows to
describe or convey information, the one that best conveys what is meant.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by w_earle_wheeler
Is there an official or current Gary Gygax bibliography available on the web?
A quick Google search uncovered a few lists, but they appear to be incomplete.
I don't believe that there is a complete one. Even the one I have
compiled is missing most of the early article and other work I published
in various gaming and like fanzines, and likely some are lost.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Drkfathr1
Hey Gary,
I love reading these threads, and I love how you remain an active member
of the community. Plus, I'd like to say thanks for creating a game that
finally allowed me to use my creativity and imagination in a way that
nothing else ever had.
A sharing, of course. As with
putting my imaginative ideas onto paper for others to use in creating
their own worlds of adventure.
I finally have my first question for you!
I've noticed that in recent years (though its probably an old problem),
that a lot of DM's/GM's/Gamemasters seem to need everything presented to
them in a tidy little package that spells out every tactic, every
thought, and every possible action of the NPC's, but when it's not, they
consider a product to be "bad design".
Would you agree that the problem is more "bad DM"?
Personally, I find products like that to be very DM friendly, because it
allows me to run the encounters according to my own style, and
according to the style of my players.
Not surprisingly, I concur with your assessment.
This is not to belittle the GMs and players that want so much direction.
It is more a matter of their lacking the proper encouragement and
training so as to be able to use their own creativity, imagination, and
innovation when they play.
In all, there will always be those who find more enjoyment "going by the book."
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
To
differentiate, from now on all products that would be considered poor
in design by the type of GM's to which Drkfathr1 referred will now be
sold with a free clothespin with a piece of string attached, so that the
buyer will know which products lead them by the nose. >:-)
Now, now! Be kind.
Make that a bit and bridle, and I can endorse the concept X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Whoa...!
I seem to have ridden more than I should have. I'd best saddle down
and remove the hoof from my mouth. For those that were offended by my
bray-zen remarks, be assured I was only horsing around. There are two
neighs of refereeing an RPG and I much prefer the seat of the pants
method: You have the reigns of the campaign in hand and can go wherever
the dogies (PC's -- rather crude analogy/pun, I know) want to git
without falling off your mount and re-trotting to your library of books.
All I can say to that is that you are cinch to spur on and ride those
who hold the other view. You were surely feeling your oats when you
wrote such inflammatory fodder.
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
I think this old nag is lame.
That's for shoe, but keep plugging anyway :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
time for the glue factory!
Hide me from the glue factory. I refuse to hoof it there.
Cherers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Hey there. Edena_of_Neith here. Greetings and salutations to you, Gary.
I have a rather frivolous set of questions:
Have you read my humorous post on drow? (my first post in the thread
in this forum titled: I Must Protest. The Drow are not like that!)
If yes ...
... did you find it humorous?
What is your reaction to my blasphemous portrayal of the dark elves?
(After all, they are your creation, and I have argued they must be gentle, loving, shy, and demure people. :-) )
And (HORRORS) does such a drow society, or a drow society similar to that described, exist anywhere on Oerth?
Indeed,
I read it and found it amusing, an obvious spoof.
As to the existance of such a community, no, I never contemplated a
similar community of Drow dwelling on the Oerth. That would be rather
akin to herbivorous spiders...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Aww.
My mom used to read to me too, some of it near-fantasy like "The Wind
in the Willows". Those are some good parenting tips, I think -- I like
her making vocabulary into a competitive game.
That
competition aided me greatly in comprehendng many of the books I decided
I wished to read, such as Poe and some old history books in
grandfather's library.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Gary,
It's so much fun to read your responses to these questions and reminisce
about old times of older editions and such. Until recently, I never
paid much attention to these Q&A threads because they were so long!
But I've been going back and reading them and there is a wealth of
interesting information. Anyway...
Howdy Airwalker :-)
Glad to provide some reading entertainment, of course.
Speaking of that, an old associate, Bill Speer, one of the co-founders
of the International Federation of Wargaming (with Scott Duncan and me)
just sent some old black & white pics form the first IFW gaming con
out in Malvern PA in 1967, and that was a revelation. Now most everyone
depicted looks like a kid to me...(just as I look like an old fart to
most everyone) X-D
I know you don't particularly care for WoG much anymore, but perhaps
you could deign to answer a question about lost lore from a diehard fan
of the richest campaign setting. It is my understanding that you were
at some point working on a supplement that detailed the city of Stoink
in the Bandit Lands entitled The Wasp's Nest
or something like that. What ever happened to that supplement and is it
possible there are still remnants of the work that was done on it? The
Wasp's Nest is one of my favorite locales. Thanks!
Sadly...
All of my notes and the Stoink map were purloined when Lorraine williams
took over TSR. Thus I am a loss to add anything, other than to say that
I had much fun devising and having the PCs adventure in Stoink, "The
Wasps' Nest" as it were. The whole place was designed for feloneous
activity, double-dealing, and thuggery. It saddened me a lot to have to
forget further development, as was the case with Shadowland and a couple
of areas of the Flanaess I had hoped to ser adventure modules in--the
Rift, Scarlet Brotherhood, and the jungles of Hepmonoland in particular.
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Gary
- Did you see the D&D 2 movie on SciFi? I thought it was far
closer to the game, and a much better movie, than D&D 1. I'm
guessing you had no involvement in either movie, and maybe haven't seen
'em?
Anyhow, both movies are like "fan fiction" of homebrew campaigns, not official TSR/
WOTC
IP everywhere, but D&D 2 has a lot of 1st Edition references -- the
party veterans mention in passing Jubilex, the Barrier Peaks, the
Shrine of the Kuo-Toa, and the Ghost Tower of Inverness. :-D
Indeed, I had the misfortune of seeing the first D&D movie, nothing to do with it.
The same is true of the new, second movie, but thankfully it was much
better I thought. The producers gave me a private showing, and then had
me do a spot on the DVD version commenting on the film, so I had
"something" to do with it--answer questions after the fact. I really
liked the thief character in the new one :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jdrakeh
Dude - he's in the first D&D movie ;-)
[Edit: My bad. I guess that was Dave Arneson.]
Oops!
Right. It was Dave Arneson, and he would have been disturbed had you not remembered it was he is in that movie, not me ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Hmm going to have to rent the DVD so I can hear your comments
Ken
I suspect the producres hoped you'd BUY the DVD because of my appearance X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Well I have to see it first before I buy it, then send it to you for your autograph. :-)
ken
Good plan...
Better to bring it to the LGGC and have it autographed :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Will do, already put my request in at work for next year to make sure Maggie and I can make it
ken
that's just excellent, Ken.
There is plenty for non-game-nut family members to do here in Lake
Geneva too. A number of fellows are bringing their families simply to
have them enjoy the local attractions.
So see you and Maggie again after some years time this coming July :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Say,
Gary.... Have you had the chance to check out the "word play game"
topic here? Not only is it hysterical, I'd guess it would be right up
your alley, given your love of punnery and wordsmithing! ;-)
Thanks for the heads up, but I am sufficiently busy right now so as to
avoid getting involved in more 8-D Coordinating a group of 19
freelance module designers is keeping me well amused...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I will. Though I might have bought it anyhow.
You know, I even gave half a thought to seeing D&D 1 again, just to
find out what the heck role Arneson played, but . . . no, definitely no,
on full thought. :\
Heh...
Someone told me that Dave was in the background as one of the assembled mages or whatever in the big audience hall.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Soel
Hello, Gary!
I don't know if you've covered this question before (very likely, I'd
guess,) but I would like to ask you about your initial inspiration for
coming up with differing distinctions for the fiendish creatures.
Mainly, what caused you (taking an assumption it was your idea to do
this,) to separate the classical demon into demons and devils and
others?
I can understand having a hell, but I guess another part of the question is, why were other lower planes of existence created?
Thanx in advance!
Howdy Soel,
The separation of demons and devils followed rather naturally from the
use of the alignments. Demons in mythology are typically depicted as
being brutish and chaotic, while devils are more orderly and cunning, so
there you have the distinction.
The lower planes were a drawn from mythology as well, those being the realms of evil, the evil dead, and whatever was malign.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
Ha! That's what Blockbuster is for. :-)
Still, I do admit that hearing your commentary on the film does give me
an added incentive to want to watch this movie. I always enjoy the
interesting commentaries.
As a matter of fact I was very
hesitant about being included in the extended DVD, turned down a trip to
the West Coast to see the movie and give an interview. After speaking
with the producers, I agreed to having someone come here to my place.
After i viewed the new film I was quite agreeable to giving an
interview, as it was much better than the first D&D movie.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Dagnabbit...I
missed the movie. Oh well...since it's on the SF Channel, it should be
repeated like, what, 58 gazillion times? :-)
Don't get
all het up about seeing it, as the first one was pretty marginal. If it
hadn't been "D&D" it might have become popular as a campy bad
fantasy film, but...even Jeremy Irons seemed to dislike being in it,
played Boris Karloff playing Jeremy Irons playing his part:\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Gary, this is Edena_of_Neith. I have another relatively frivolous question. I hope these questions are ok within this thread.
I am a fan of Stephen Donaldson and his Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever (First, Second, and now Last Chronicles.)
If you have read any of these books ...
In 1st and 2nd Edition terms, what classes and terminology would you
employ to define the Lords and Loresraat? The Woodhelvenin and
Stonedowners? The Haruchai (normal monks are not so strong.) The Ramen
and Raynhim? The Giants? The Waynhim, Ur-Viles, and Cavewights? The
Lurker of the Sarangrave?
And, in an attempt at humor here ... if Thomas Covenant showed up on
Oerth, in the Flanaess, and started with his usual 'This place doesn't
exist! The Flanaess is a dream!' and yet his Wild Magic started
affecting things, how would Mordenkainen and your other PCs react?
(Let's even say that Vecna, Acererak, Iuz, or even Ivid, played the Lord
Foul here.)
If you will allow, I have more questions of this type to ask, later on.
Howdy Pilgrim!
Your questions are quite acceptable, but...
As I am not a fan of the author in question I regret I am unable to gove you any useful response :-(
I am reading about the "Old Northwest" currently, so if you have any
questions about Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, or Wisconsin around
1800 to 1840, fire away X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by sinecure
If
Wisconsin became a state in 1948, and thereafter the Chippewa,
Menominee, Oneida, Potawatomi and Winnebago tribes were displaced, given
the extensive hyperborean winters, how did the state's heritage
influence the creation of D&D?
Err...
The last portion of your question is a non sequitor to the leading
statements 8-D I can say that my maternal family settling in Wisconsin
in 1838 supplied me with many an interesting tale of "frontier life" as
told by my grandfather and grandmother. To the best of my knowledge the
Potawatomi made regular summer encampment in the Lake Geneva area
through about 1920.
Actually, the abandoned ruins of the five-story, red brick insane asylum
(Oak Hill Sanatarium) that still stood here until c. 1958 were more
influential in inspiring the D&D game than was the history you
mentioned--the place had tunnels under it and "secret rooms" created by
the boys who haunted the place. Such places were needed, for the police
took a dim view of us being in the building.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Q. Mayhem
Rock on B-)
A number of my firends really enjoy the Donaldson novels, but I could not get into them. No reflection on them or me... ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ed Cha
Wow,
this is the ninth Q&A with Gary and it has like a bajillion
replies! I wonder what the total count of replies and views are for this
series.
If only I were receiving $10 per post here I'd not be wanting for fine wine, champagne, even cognac and Cuban cigars... X-D
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Random insane babblings inspired by the idea of sanitarium inspiring D&D:
Hmmm, now I have a Metalicca song on the brain . . . which reminds me of
them writing two songs about HP Lovecraft . . . which reminds me when I
was living in Madison, somebody claimed Lovecraft was from Wisconsin . .
. I figured Massachusetts or metro NY based on his settings. Why would
a guy from Wisconsin right about coastal Massachusetts? On the other
hand, he clearly wasn't from Antarctica, and he wrote about that too.
I do believe that HPL was from Down East, Massachusetts. His cadre of
fellows who picked up the themes of his work were from all over,
however.
If Lovecraft was from Madison or Lake Geneva or something, then
southern Wisconsin would have to a be weirdness magnet (an old GURPS
rule), and Wisconsin's just not that weird. O.o
Arkham
House, the publisher of the "Lovecraftian" books is in Wisconsin, it
being begun by the renowned horror author August Derleith, a native of
Wisconsin, unless I am mistaken.
Wisconsin is a weird place in many respects, a center for the
Spiritualist movement of the early 1900s, and other unusual things. For a
most disconcerting experience read
Wisconsin Death Trip.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
The
author is a decent fellow and rather interesting to talk to. Especially
when he gets into his wide array of travels. I just couldn't get into
that series either. I have no real idea why? The story just seemed to
plod on.
Sadly, I have never had the pleasure of meeting
Mr. Donaldson. I generally like a more positive and upbeat sort of
story, or at lease one filled with blood and thunder :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
more than the hivemind, probably. :-)
That is the buzz... 8-D
(^_^')
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jo�l of the FoS
Yep,
from Rhode Island. He lived in New England all of his life, with a few
trips outside this area (a few of them in Qu�bec by the way).
Oh, and yes, I met him Summer of 2004. Here's the link to this memorial meeting:
http://www.fraternityofshadows.com/S...PLovecraft.htm (see at the bottom, after a review of HPL's work).
Jo�l
Excellent Joel!
HPL departed the year before i was born BTW 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I'm sure you're not -- now it finally makes sense, how this mistaken theory got started.
Wisconsin took over from Arkham, having Arkham House not too distant from Gary's house X-D
And I thought the only weird thing about Wisconsin is that they call liverwurst "braunsweiger", and soda "pop". :-P
Liverwurst if from Brunswick, properly Braunscheig, so we are correct in calling it by its proper name.
Also, anyone who knows anything knows it is soda POP, abbreviated as "pop," of course.
Now go and have a drink from the bubbler >:-)
>:-(
Gary
X-D
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Yet another random reading recomendation.
Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrel by Suzanna Clarke
Methinks, Gary and all, its a most enjoyable book. Magic mixed in the Napoleonic Era and full of dry humor.
I have about 30 books to read this autumn and winter, so... right now the
History of the Old Northwest
(Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin) in two (large)
volumns is puting me to sleep, but I will finish it >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wolv0rine
It's
so nice to see someone ELSE who knows these things. I can't count how
many times I've had this conversation with someone. :P
Oh Dear...
That means that there are at least two if us boring and tedious fellows here now 8-D
Shall we play a game of tiddly winks? X-D
To tell all, not only did I have a 30mm force of Brunswick Napoleonic
figurines, with the command figure waving aloft a braunschweiger
sausage, but my mother actually bought me a game of tiddly winks when I
was about nine years old, and I got pretty good at tiddling my winks on
the formica kitchen table top.
Cheers,
Gary
P.S. The sausage, made from a piece of plastic sprue, had a yellow band,
and I used an Oscar Meyer "wienie whistle" to order my troops into
battle. Somehow the stuffy and overly serious Napoleonic Wars miniatures
buffs I played with found that offensive, a sort of lesse majestie to
their devotion to playing with toy soldiers O.o
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wolv0rine
While
your knowledge of braunschweiger far outstrips mine, and I cannot even
remember tiddly winks (although I'm certain I had such a game once), the
story is absolutely hillarious. :-)
My only question is, did you also sing "My commander has a first name, it's O-S-C-A-R"? ;-)
Tiddly winks consist of larger "tiddles" and the "winks", discs that
one causes to fly up by pressing the "tidle" upon the edge of the "wink"
so as to cause then to soar into the cup and score a point. It isn't
actually a bad game...
Would I had thought of that refrain, I am sure that my wargamer cohorts
would have fled the field in horror. Damn! All I did was was sound the
four notes that were used in the old commercials, each representing the
words, "Os-car Mey-er" X-D
It seems Fortuna also resented my levity, for all too often the morale
check to advance against the enemy failed, and my Brunswickers advanced
to the rear rather than against the foe :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henrix
This
seems to be a recurring tendency among Nap buffs, and the reason that I
have still never played any Nap miniature games - the aficionados are
too darned boring and serious!
It isn't only the
Napoleonic buffs--although when one group ranked its members by titles
such as "General of Division" and "Marshall" I thought that
overboard--one of the members of the Lake Geneva Tactical Studies
Association quit, wouldn't speak to me, because of the Chainmail Fantasy
Supplement game play I encouraged on the sand table. To me adding
fantasy figures to the toy sloldiers usually used in play seemed quite
logical. X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
*chuckles*
I'm going to have to pass this one onto my dad. He's nuts about the
game of tiddly winks. Ought to bring the game to LGGC and you two can
have at it. :-D
Well, I am in for a thorough trouncing
when that happens, as I haven't played the game since I was around 10,
so that's something over a half-century, but I'm game nonetheless B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
ROFL! X-D
That's just perfect, and I'm sure it's historically accurate. After
all, strange Germanic warrior-folk barbarians often use their iconic
foodstuff as a rallying symbol. (cheeseheads!)
Hey!
We Cheeseheads are all in Wisconsin. Germanic warriors are Krauts! X-D
Say cheese,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
DANE
county, Lake GENEVA, or Green Bay, it's all a bunch of Norse pantheon
types to me. Which is why there's so much beer and brats.
;-)
Well, how about the Dutchmen that...
Ah, never mind, I see what you mean ;-)
Milwaukee did attract a lot of Polacks, though X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by orsal
Dane
County actually has nothing to do with Denmark -- it was named for an
early settler, Nathaniel Dane (I might be misremembering the first
name). The Danish part of the state is Racine -- Dane County is
Norwegian (and Stoughton still has the world's largest Syttende Mai
celebration outside Norway). But you're right, the beer and brats are
due to the German heritage, and the lutefisk to the Norwegian.
So pass the lefsa and patatascarv (sp?) ... and the bottle of glug X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well...
Polish girls are generally good looking, and Polish food is pretty good, but I can't polka for shuckens, never could.
One of my uncles married a Swede, the other a Dane, so I got a fair bit
of Scandanavian fare, especially on New Year's Eve when I learned to
like pickled herring...eaten for prosperity in the coming year. I still
do that X-D
Glug is a hot mixed drink with some sort of spices added that has a good
bit of alcohol in it. I haven't had it in years, but it isn't bad on a
cold winter night.
As for Vietnamese, well, I have a son-in-law that is Chinese-Vietnamese,
and I enjoyed summer rolls last night for dinner courtesy of that
worthy B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
'Round here, if you can do the chicken dance, you're in like flint. ;-)
<Shudder!> :\
What more can be said?
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Come, come!
Saying that the the chicken dance is no worse than the electric slide or
the macarena is akin to various comparing the odor of different piles
of excrement >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
Most of native Wisconsinites already have a natural resistence to the cold. The +4 is for all you outsiders!! ;-)
Not to mention humid smmer heat...and mosquitoes the size of hummingbirds :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
They actually do battle with stirges when it comes to the food chain! Plenty of yummy blood to go around here!! O.o
Well...
Perhaps thanks to Flatlander tourists >:-(
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
Ah, yes!! We'll take their money, but not their attitude!! :-P :-P
Except towards DA BEARS!!!
:-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
oh no, you're absolutely right, the chicken dance is far more insidious.
at my wedding reception, i OKed my wife to play the cha-cha slide (she
insisted), on the provision that there absolutely be no chicken dance,
hokey pokey, or macarena. ;-)
:-o :-o :-o
He wrote "hokey pokey >:-(
Aargh!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wolv0rine
It's
all about innoculation, I tell ya. After years working as a
videographer, I'd attended enough weddings and receptions by the time I
was 20 to be completely immune to the idiocy and sanity drain of the
Chicken Dance. :-)
Now the Macerana et al, those are just sick and wrong.
\
How about The Tennessee Wig Walk? :-(
Ugh!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Olgar Shiverstone
Col Pladoh, sir!
Forgive me if this has been asked previously. What was the original
form of the demoness Zuggtmoy in your campaign? Was she as described in
the printed
Temple module, or other form?
And if you've seen her recently revised form (as in the ToEE computer game or on the cover of Dragon 337, as discussed in
this thread)
what are your thoughts on the "New Zuggtmoy" vs. "Classic Zuggtmoy"?
(Not to mention the possible discontinuance of the crone form, formerly
known as "Diet Zuggtmoy".)
No need for me to look at any other's take on the Demoness Queen of Fungi, the Zyggtmoy I created is the ONLY true exposition
IMO. That is the depiction presented in the ToEE, of course, and later in MMII (IIRR).
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
zuggtmoy would definitely make me go on a diet - a mushroom-free diet, that's for sure.
Hey!
The shaggy manes and puffball mushroms here are really tasty. Just
finished our fourth big puffball the other night, had it with steaks.
The shaggy manes are better still, but then muct be picked and eaten in
about 15 minutes time or else they begin to spoil, so we don't get those
often.
Zuggtmoy was quite disturbed that we dined on some of her progeny X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
The Col. statted the stirge as he did originally, because he knew nobody would believe the stats for the Wisconsin mosquito.
In case you didn't know, California mosquitos are proof positive tofu
and yogurt are inadequate to sustain life. Fleas bully California
mosquitos.
X-D
Excellent Alan!
I suspect it also has to do with the alfalfa sprouts consumed out there >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Well, that IS what it's all about, Gary.... ;-)
Not if you are a bow-legged chicken or a knock-kneed hen :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
unfortunately
not. as far as i know, her only appearance before this recent Dragon
article was in the module in which she first appeared. gamers have long
memories. ;-)
Well dang!
I MEANT to include the charming lady in a monsters tome, I swear (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Re: the Chicken Dance
No, 'tis true. I can't explain it, but the Polish folks around here love the chicken dance! It is sort of a polka, after all. It is embarrassing, but I can put up with it as long as I can walk to the Polish butcher to buy kielbasa. ;-)
Not even the best smoked kielbasa can make me view the chicken dance as acceptable behavior >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
I suspect Otto the Mage was Polish...
Actually, I had Otto the Mage as a jolly Bavarian...as Kuntz is of German heritage X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
And that is why I consider the most horrific Christmas item I've ever seen to be "Chicken Dance Elmo". :-o
I wonder if that company also does a "Cuddly Jason" and a "Snuggly Freddie"?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Considering
my wife's and my tastes towards horror, those two would actually not be
so bad! X-D Anyone who'd ever give my kids a Chicken Dance Elmo
would get the rare chance of seeing me in action, swinging a baseball
bat. And I'd destroy the doll too! ;-)
:-o
Actually LOL!
:-D
Gary (A fan of the Lovecraftian horror style)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
Greetings sir,
Just a few observations, followed by a question:
Stephen King has told us in his "On Writing" book that it is a little
disheartening to think that, in the minds of many readers, his finest
work was
The Stand,
especially considering the fact that he wrote it over 20 years or so
ago. I, however, like many of his "constant readers" would contend that
there is nothing finer than his reality sprawling epic,
The Dark Tower, thank-ee sai.
Now then, Mr. Gygax, I'd like to remark that having been a fan of yours
since I bought my DM's Guide in 1981 ( a mere lad of ten, I was), I can
say without a shred of doubt that, despite all your remarkable
publications through the years,
Castle Zagyg by Troll Lord Games is your finest work. Ever.
I also believe that Gygax and the C&C system is a match made in the
Seven Heavens. It seems to fascilitate your brilliant creativity without
overshadowing it with the rules bloat of 3.5e.
To my question: Zagyg, of course, was originally created for the
Greyhawk setting. The demi-god himself is listed in the WoG
Glossography. I'm wondering how it is you retain the right to use the
name "Zagyg." Is it because it is an anagram of your name, or do you in
some small measure have a bit of legal leeway in using some of your
past creations?
Either way, I love CZ, and I plan to use it for many years to come. One day it will be as worn-out looking as my original
DMG.
I salute you for, sir, for mentally and creatively aging like a fine
wine! As far as the physical goes, well, we'll let Mrs. G. be the judge
of that! :-D
--Ghul
Many thanks for your kind words :-)
I am, in fact, currently coordinating a group of 19 freelance designers
in a project to create as many mosules, each detailing one section of
the Town of Yggsburgh, each module to include many adventures and
adventure hooks, of course.
That said, I am still wedded to the Lejendary Adventure RPG system as my
best work, and I am jkeeping up with it too despite the other efforts.
Anagrans of my name are exclusively my property according to my
settlement agreement with TSR, so that is how I can use Zagyg, or Zagyg,
as well as Yrag ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Wait, you guys think Flatlanders are people who aren't from Wis-gon-sin?
When in went to college in the NW corner of Massachusetts, I was taught
that Flatlanders were people who weren't from Vermont/ other New England
rural mountainous areas (I grew up in a woodsy, hilly part of NY with
stone fences and deer, and knew how to make maple syrup from the tree
and what stuff you can eat by the side of the trail, so I didn't think I
was one).
You could tell Flatlanders because they had SUV's (especially green
ones), had skis on the roof or slowed down to look at leaves, and drove
too fast in the snow. Regular folks drove regular cars or cheap old
trucks, at "regular" slow pace in the snow so they wouldn't crash, and
didn't generally ski.
Ahem, wait we're supposed to be talking D&D . . . ummm, Flatlanders are rogues, the regular folks are barbarians?
Flatlanders are as you describe them...and they talk funny too. Betcha you talk funny X-D
Actually, Flatlanders consider the locals as slack jawed villagers,
while the locals think of the FLatlanders as stupid outsiders whose only
saving grace is that they are spending money.
There is merit in both views.
Incidentally. my maternal family came to Wisconsin from Upstate NY,
after landing in Rhode Island c. 1642. The terrain is rather similar,
although Upstate NY has more rygged hills than is common in much of
Wisconsin.
Terrain is a factor in RPGs, of course :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Yes, and if there were an LA version of Yggsburgh that would be just ducky.
As a matter of fact I am now using the CZY setting for my LA game
campaigm, converting on the fly, and it is pretty easy. I agree, though,
a formal conversion would serve a lot better. Sadly, I haven't the time
to undertake suich a task for the foreseeable future. (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Ah,
well, perhaps some kind soul will take it upon himself to stat out the
NPCs and monsters and such for CZY. After all, it is a great setting
even if one never delves into the Castle's dungeons.
Indeed, and if that is done likely the results will be posted on
www.lejendary.com :-D
Dungeon delving works fine using the LA agme system, but the GM can not
arrange the levels as easily as is possible with a
character-class-level-based one. so in that resp[ect there is more
planning and thought necessary to develop a progressively more dangerous
and demanding series of dungeon levels.
Maybe one of these days I'll find time to work up an essay on how to
accomplish that. In part creature selection is a factor, but other
considerations are necessary.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Edena_of_Neith here. Hey there, Gary. Another frivolous question from Yours Truly! :-)
And you have come to the right person for a frivolous answer X-D
I never played the super-module T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil.
But I finally obtained a copy (long ago) and had a look at it.
I saw, therein, a super-dungeon with 10 or so levels.
And I thought ...
One mage with a Rock to Mud could take out the whole place.
How?
He, being 10th level, casts Rock to Mud. This liquifies an area of 20
feet by 20 feet by 20 feet per level. So a 10th level mage could
liquify 10 of these 20x20x20 foot cubes. He could thus liquify an area
of rock equal to 60 feet x 60 feet x 20 feet with the spell.
He throws the spell on level 1 of the Temple of Elemental Evil, liquifying the 60x60x20 foot parcel of rock.
Most everyone and everything (except undead and the like) on level 2 drowns as a good part of level 1 melts onto them.
The mud then roars down the stairs into level 3 and wrecks the place,
drowning half the monsters there. It flows down further stairways to
become a real annoyance on level 4, a slight annoyance on level 5, and
everything below level 5 is probably wondering what in Iuz's name just
happened?
It is possible that some of the major structural support of the place
goes, creating cave-ins that bury more of the Temple, and perhaps
causing a cascading effect.
The mage then departs via Teleport, and (cautiously) returns the next
day to continue the procedure, until the entire Temple is destroyed.
If there are two or more mages of 10th level or higher present, the
destruction of the Temple of Elemental Evil via Rock to Mud is
accelerated.
Of course, the 10th level mage probably took the time beforehand
(having long planned his attack on the Temple of Elemental Evil) to
prepare Scrolls with Rock to Mud written many times on them. Thus, his
initial attack involves many Rock to Mud spells, most of level 1 of the
Temple is destroyed, and the mudflow drowns most everything below level 1
right off the bat (assuming, the entire Temple down to level 10+
doesn't collapse from the sheer weight of the mud!)
This form of attack could also be used against Castle Greyhawk and other dungeons, it seems to me.
And it seems to me this tactic - although bad as far as retrieving
treasure goes - is quite good for destroying an enemy target with
minimal risk to the mage and his party.
-
My questions are:
Would this tactic work?
If yes, how would Mordenkainen (when he was 10th level) pull it off?
If no, then why wouldn't it work?
If yes, have you ever used this tactic or a variant of it?
If yes, have your players ever used this tactic or a variant of it?
Yours Sincerely
Edena_of_Neith
My players know better than to try something sure to incur wrath >:-)
Such tactics are a matter for the DM to manage, and as one here is how I would handle an attempt of this sort.
"Sorry, Flubspell, but your Rock to Mud casting seems to fizzle out when
it contacts the stonework of the temple. golly, I guess the builders
must have imbued it with some fort of protection from this sort of
assault on its integrity..."
"Oh, by the by, it seems that you are now turning a ghastly gray color.
It seems as if yout attempt has invoked a curse of some sort, as you
feel quite weak and not at all well..."
I'd use the same sort of response if someone tried that with any
important campaign setting. To stop the rules lawyers from their shrill
protests I's write up a few spells to cover
constructions--anti-disintigration, anti-rock to mud, etc. Also a few
retributive spells to be activated and aimed unerringly at any spell
caster attempting to bring down a stricture by that sort or obvious and
predicatble tactic. Just because such spells are not included in the
standard roster doesn't mean they don't exist.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathal
Why didn't you drop CZY right into Lejendary Earth and keep going from there? Are you taking a temporary break from Lerthe?
Me abandon Learth? Never!
The objective is produce a version of my original campaign that is as
close to what was used then as is possible now. The LA game isn't built
to facilitate progressively more demanding dungeon levels according to
PCV level, because there are no levels in the LA game system ;-)
Dungeon crawls work fine with the new system, but they are not the same as in the class-based, PC-level sort of game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
That
bit is the same as Vermont. As for talking funny, I find a lot of
similarity between upstate NY, western MA, southern Vermont, southern
Wisconsin, and western Washington State in the accent. Southern
Wisconsin is probably the most different, but it's still in the
"Standard American" accent zone between the central-southern Illinois
butternut/copperhead stuff ("we have to 'may-zure' the damage to the
'ruff' after the tornado, to get the 'INsurance' to pay out") and the
northern Wisconsin accent (like the movie "Fargo")
Accurate, and Chicagoans say "the-ay-ter" for theater.
Most Wis-can-sinites north of Madison have the near-Canadian accent, don'tcha know.
[QUOTE]That's probably because so many New Yorkers historically spread westward at more or less the same latitude.[QUOTE]
Yes, although a fair number did end up in California...
It's debatable whether I'm from upstate NY. My hometown is only
about 40 miles from NY, and 10 miles from the Atlantic. So, the City is
sure we're upstate (and the accent is), but upstate thinks everything
south of Albany is the city. And since we border on Connecticut and
have close links to them, I think we're New England.
So you are one of THEM... >:-(
X-D
But rugged hills, we've sure got those. Terrain-wise, it's
definitely Appalachia, from the Green Mountains, the Berkshires, the
Taconic mountains, and even on the other side of the Hudson in the
Catskills and the 'Gunks. But somehow, without the country music, it's
just the Appalachian Trail that's officially Appalachian about it.
(^_^')
Right pretty for viewing, no fun at all to have to tramp
over. about all we have hereabouts are the gravel hills left as
terminal moraine desposit. Some of those knobs are relatovelt steep,
though, and most difficult to clamber up. Thankfully, I haven't been
moved to do such things for some years now :-o
As for RPG tie-in . . . in the late 80's an illegal animal collector
who was nearly caught once let a komodo dragon loose in our town . . .
we got some weirdness overflow from NYC that day. The experts said it
would die over the winter if it wasn't caught, but nobody should
approach it. So, my two D&D friends and I grabbed some sturdy
quarterstaves and went on a dragon hunt, sadly with no success. And if
we had been bitten -- you probably would have gotten the blame! :-o
hunting a komodo dragon armed only with a staff is brave to the
point of foolheartiness. My friends and I would have dared it only with
our bows...or maybe out rifles and shotguns.
As for blame for injury, likely D&D, and I as well, swould have been fingered (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Every
weekend, I go to my FLGS -- the one that said anything Gygax makes,
they will get -- and look around to see if the "new stuff" ever shows
up. They've got Gaxmoor, Canting Crew, etc. But nothing newer.
So my stupid question: what's name of the book(s) I'm waiting for, and
who makes it for what game? I think it's Castle Zagyg and Yggsburgh,
and will be from Troll Lords, for Castles & Crusades. Are they in
print yet? Do I have the names right? :-#
Not a bad question at all!
The latest of my creations are all from Troll Lord Games--Hekaforge is slow getting out the balance of the
Lejendary Earth world setting books :-(
Anyway, go to
http://www.trolllord.com/ there you will see all that I have had published for the last few months including"
Lejendary Adventure Essentials game boxed set
Hall of Many Panes LA and D20 game boxed campaign module
Castle Zagyg Yggsburgh Part I campaign setting and adventures for the C&C game
...and much more ;-)
The Trolls have a batch of my mss. and I am working with a slug of freelancers to produce many more modules and reference books.
(Really I am semi-retired, but they just don't believe me when I claim that 8-D )
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Levi Kornelsen
Sir;
There have always been, and always will be, folks doomsaying in the RPG
industry, even when things are great, and people saying things are
fabulous, even when sales are bad. Given the lack of information that
folks have in relation to things like sales numbers, profit margins, and
the like, this is pretty inevitable.
However, it seems likely that one person who'd likely have an intuitive
handle and good general guess on how things are sitting right now as far
as industry peaks and slumps would be yourself.
So, sir, in that regard, how do you think the industry is doing as a whole right now? Any insights?
Heh...
Could be you are correct in your assessment of my capacity, although
there are many who would dispute that. Be that as it may, I will opine a
bit in regard to your query:
The audience for paper RPGs is at best static, and likely to decline a
bit due to attrition, for the only sizable publisher in the field,
WotC
(cum Hasbro) is not actively recruiting new young players through a
basic game offering and advertising for such customers. Meanwhile there
is stiff competition for players and their custom from computer and
online computer "RPGs" and all manner of other entertainment forms.
The RPG market is small and overcrowded with product, games and
accessories alike, so the prospects for any new publisher are dim, as
dim as they are for many of the small ones now extant.
I think that if D&D goes into a 4th edition the marketplace will be damaged.
This is not to say that I see the end of paper RPGs, only that that I
view the market as a small one that is very unlikely to grow larger,
much more likely to contract somewhat unless there is a concerted effort
to expand it. At best I do not envision the audience as growing to a
size beyond that of what must be considered a nich one--say a maximum of
10 million active participants in North America if there is a consumer
advertising push of considerable sort.
I do not anticipate such a marketing campaign being launched, but I would surely welcome that effort.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathal
I
agree, unless they create a basic game---something more along the lines
of C&C---and an Advanced game for experienced players. Make it
modular, and eliminate the howling advocates of "light" versus "rules
heavy" game systems by offering both under the same brand name. What a
novel concept, eh? ;-)
I urged something similar to Peter Adkison way back when, but my suggestions fell upon deaf ears. Since then the position of
WotC seems to have hardened further, so I rather doubt such a step will be taken.
Pity that...
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
...
Don't get me wrong, I like dungeons, and I like making them, but I think they just work better with low level PCs.
Or with high-level PCs whose players are not power gamers seeking to
become demi-gods or greater, rather playing the game in the spirit in
which it was meant ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
(considers Gary's post above)
Rats. Another evil plan by my characters to take over the D&D worlds foiled. :-D
I don't get to wipe out $60 spent by the DM and 10 to 20 hours (or
more) of preparation on his part with a single spell. Nuts. It's
totally unfair. It's unfair, I tell you! Unfair!
Clearly you understand why I opined as I did ;-)
Anyways ...
The tactic I suggested (using the Rock to Mud) caused me to ask: what
could I do, if my characters had a castle, to protect against it
(assuming a DM used such tactics as the Rock to Mud tactic.)
The first thought that came to mind was Wall of Force.
So ...
Just how powerful is Wall of Force? How much damage will it take
before it collapses? I have had to make a lot of arbitrary rulings on
this, since the spell is not invincible but it is very powerful.
Now, I'm curious on your take.
For example, let's say a Wall of Force cast by a 10th level wizard has
1,000 hit points? An 11th level wizard would create a Wall of Force
with 1,210 hit points? A 12th level wizard would create a Wall of Force
with 1,440 hit points?
- Perhaps a 6 dice fireball removes 6 points, and a 30 hit dice
fireball 30 points from the Wall (plus the level of the spell in points,
plus the level of the caster, in points) ?
- Spells and items that fire other spells that inflict dice of damage
(Cone of Cold, Lightning Bolt, etc.) would inflict 1 hit point per hit
dice of damage on the Wall (plus the level of the spell and the level of
the caster, or the level required to create the item plus the level of
it's spell plus the level of it's user) ?
- Other types of spells (enchantment, illusion, wild magic, etc.)
successfully deflected by the Wall cause it to sustain hit points of
damage equal to the level of the spell (plus the level of the spell and
the level of the caster) ?
- Innate spell-like attacks cause 1 point of damage to the Wall per
spell level equivalent, plus the a number of points of damage equal to
the hit dice of the monster?
- A weapon hit, does no damage, except for it's magical bonus, counted in points of damage (a + 3 sword does 3 points.) ?
- A stick of dynamite would do 1 point per hit dice of blast damage?
(So, your typical stick of dynamite would do 6 points of damage.)
- A firearm would do 1 point per hit dice of damage caused (including
the area effect attacks of weapons like gatling guns, mini-guns, etc.) ?
- An energy weapon attack (such as a lightsabre, plasma cannon,
phaser, whatever) would do 1 point of damage per hit dice of damage
caused?
- Disintegration attacks would down the Wall, without harming what was behind it?
- The Wall would lose, say, 1 point per ton of impact (that is, a 100
ton locomotive running into it would cause 100 hit points of damage. A
100 ton dragon flying into it would do likewise) ?
- The Wall could hold up 1 ton of weight per hit point? Doubling the
weight beyond that would inflict 1 hit point per round on the Wall?
Doubling the weight beyond that would inflict 10 hit points per round?
Doubling the weight beyond that would inflict 100 hit points per round
on the Wall? Any weight beyond that would cause the Wall to instantly
collapse?
What is your take?
I've been wanting to ask THIS question for many, many years!
Edena_of_Neith
What you posted seems sound and logical for the game system,
so it should fit in your campaign if you do not wish to employ the more
cavalier method of foiling such attemopts as I suggested >:-)
In short, I have no problem with such rules as you post above. You went
to a good deal of effort to set them forth, and it shows.
Considering the weight of solid stone, though, the one-ton weight limit
is likely too low. A cubic foot of stone weight around 170 pounds...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
I think possibly
WotC
is using their miniatures game as a way of recruiting newer players. At
least that seems to be part of their strategy. I do give them crdit
for one thing though: they actively conduct market research. That's
something that wasn't seen in the past and ended up hurting the hobby.
From what I understand though, the majority of their customers tend to
be in their mid 20s or so and have more disposable income to buy gaming
products than teens, so they tend to market to those customers.
Teens have plenty of disposable income, as proven by clothing,
entertainment, and music sales to that age segment ;-) They don't have
$100s a month to expend, but they have enough to buy $50 games for sure.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Haakon1,
That sounds like me, born in Flatland, summered in Wisconsin and removed there when I was age 8.
Not much of Lake Geneva has made it into mt fantasy writing, but nearby
Elkhorn made in into Gamma World, and I have a horror campaign written
up in part that's based in LG and the surrounding area.
While none of us were woodsmen, save Phil Gray who became a forest
ranger, we did a lot of, hiking, hunting, and camping. Deer are the
largest game animals hereabouts, and only a few coyotes slink unseen
through the night.
Back to the World Series game now B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
D&D Basic Game:
...
It has been selling quite well at my FLGS.
So where is the advertising to push the game? Are they doing TV
commercials? Color ads in any periodicals aimed at teenage males? If so,
I stand corrected. If not, sales by osmosis don't cut the mustard when
it comes to enlarging the audience.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Lake
Geneva is still an okay place, nothing like it was when I was a lad,
and from what I have been able to garner, LG in the 40s and 50s was
nothing like what it was earlier, say in the 1900s through 1930 when all
the millionaires summered here.
That said, the plpace has some charm remaining, there is still some
excellent gaming, and some fine creative authors around here.
Come on and see for yourselves when the next Lake Geneva Gaming Convention rolls around next July.
See you at the porch party here ar my place on the Thursday before the con :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dead
Dear Gary,
What is the name of the world that Yggsburg is set on?
I
designed the Eastmark to be sma;; enough to fit on most campaign worlds,
so the global situation is left in the able hands of GMs ;-)
If Yggsburg is a town of 22,000 residents, how many residents would your vision of the City of Greyhawk have?
In my campaign the city was over 100,000, a metropolis.
I was thinking of starting a new Greyhawk Campaign but I didn't want
to use the TSR City of Greyhawk. Would Yggsburg be a good alternative
or would it be too small?
Thank you
Yggsburgh is not meant to be a replacement for the City of
Greyhawk, it being smaller in population than what the former was
depicted as having.
Note that there is a large city downriver to the west of Yggsburgh...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JoeGKushner
What
about sales by osmosis at Toys R Us? While many D&D core books and
similiar books are found at Borders, this is the only D&D item I see
at Toys R Us.
That isn't proof of anythiing more than the
brand name recognition of D&D. Having space on a shelf does not
equate to actively seeking to enlarge the audience for the product there
at Toys R Us or any other consumer outlet, does it?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
Mr. Gygax,
In the Castle Zagyg: Yggsburgh book, the knights of Yggsburgh are all
classified as fighters of various levels. I was wondering why this is.
Shouldn't they just be standard C&C knights?
The decision to make them fighters was made by the Trolls, not me. Take the matter up with them >:-)
Also, I'd like to mention my Yggsburgh placement in Greyhawk. As
you have helpfully suggested in another thread, I will be placing it
between the Neen and Ery rivers. "Neen" and "Ery" are the official
names listed on most maps found throughout the Flanaess, but for the
locals of Yggsburgh, the names Neemo and Urt are used.
that is strictly up to you, as the material you mention is the IP of
WotC ;-)
Also, Dunfalcon = Dyvers. Since Dyvers is about 300 miles west (of
course, not by the flight of the crow), it only makes sense that road to
Dunfalcon is in fact the road to Dyvers (despite the fact that
dun-falcon in name seems to imply grey-hawk). And again, this would be
an instance where locals of Yggsburgh refer to a city by a name not
considered "official." For sake of verisimilitude, perhaps there are
several Dyvers residents who refer to the city by the Yggsburgh
designation.
Literaly translated, dun = gray and a falcon is a type of hawk...
IMC, Yggsburgh would have a strained relationship with the City of
Greyhawk, relishing in its independence from the metroplis north. It is
like a sort of sibling rivalry, and because of this, Yggsburgh traders
and merchants actually enjoy a better business relationship with the
more distant Dunfalcon, or Dyvers.
Any thoughts on these assertations, esteemed father of the game?
--Ghul
Were there a Yggsburgh on the World of Greyhawk, I would agree
that there would be no love lost between the two communities, although
the smaller town would want to keep well clear of the larger city in
regards annoying its neighbor.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
Mr. Gygax,
In the Castle Zagyg: Yggsburgh book, the knights of Yggsburgh are all
classified as fighters of various levels. I was wondering why this is.
Shouldn't they just be standard C&C knights?
The decision to make them fighters was made by the Trolls, not me. Take the matter up with them >:-)
Also, I'd like to mention my Yggsburgh placement in Greyhawk. As
you have helpfully suggested in another thread, I will be placing it
between the Neen and Ery rivers. "Neen" and "Ery" are the official
names listed on most maps found throughout the Flanaess, but for the
locals of Yggsburgh, the names Neemo and Urt are used.
that is strictly up to you, as the material you mention is the IP of
WotC ;-)
Also, Dunfalcon = Dyvers. Since Dyvers is about 300 miles west (of
course, not by the flight of the crow), it only makes sense that road to
Dunfalcon is in fact the road to Dyvers (despite the fact that
dun-falcon in name seems to imply grey-hawk). And again, this would be
an instance where locals of Yggsburgh refer to a city by a name not
considered "official." For sake of verisimilitude, perhaps there are
several Dyvers residents who refer to the city by the Yggsburgh
designation.
Literaly translated, dun = gray and a falcon is a type of hawk...
IMC, Yggsburgh would have a strained relationship with the City of
Greyhawk, relishing in its independence from the metroplis north. It is
like a sort of sibling rivalry, and because of this, Yggsburgh traders
and merchants actually enjoy a better business relationship with the
more distant Dunfalcon, or Dyvers.
Any thoughts on these assertations, esteemed father of the game?
--Ghul
Were there a Yggsburgh on the World of Greyhawk, I would agree
that there would be no love lost between the two communities, although
the smaller town would want to keep well clear of the larger city in
regards annoying it, giving it cause to declare hostilities.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Mentally scheduling . . . yes, that sounds like a good idea.
Sounds good to me. The LGGC is slated for early July as far as I know.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Ok, gotta ask this.
Did you read any of the IRs (here, on ENWorld) ?
If so, what did you think of our chicanery? :-D
No, as I am really swanped with work of late...despite my proclaimed semi-retirement.
Point me to them with a URL and I'll be sure to read same and comment there or here ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Note that the website for the LGGC in 2006 is down, so that's why I didn't state a firm date ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Orius,
Of course the DM can not be so arbitrary as to prevent the PCs from
using power gained through long and arduous adventure. However, that
isn't likely to make them demi-gods that can simply change thestone of a
castle or dungeon complex into mud, eh? Allowing that would be bad
Dming in most cases ;-)
I was referring to the latter case you state, in general. I just think
it better to prevent such abise up front that to have it used and then
mess up some quest the party must complete :\
Now I am off to play boardgames with Ernie and company!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JoeGKushner
Well, it depends on how that product got there. If
WoTC
actively pursued Toys R Us to place it there, then yes, that's active
no? As a starter boxed set, it would make sense and allow Toys R Us to
decide if they ever wanted to expanded beyond that, perhaps even to the
miniatures which might be a natural fit as Heroscope is also sold by
them.
Sorry Amigo,
WotC
pushing goods to their supply chain in no way equates to consumer
advertising to enlarge the base audience, aprticularly amongst young
males. The fact is that you have supplied no evidence of consumer
advertising, and what I said appears valid. I say appears because
someone might have evidence of a large and wide-spread consumer
advertising and marketing campaign to capture new players for
roleplaying. After all TSR did a lot of that... ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
Actually, I found the information rather vague X-D
When I was at TSR and in charge of advertising and marketing, we had
print, radio, and TV ads. Print ads in gaming magazines are not going to
bring in new customers o0f course. We advertised in various comis
books, SF magazines, and
Boy's Life amongst other periodicals. the TV ads were fairly effective, I add, as were aseries of ads we did in
New Yorker.
In short, I am not impressed with
WotC's efforts to expand the audience for the D&D game.
Nuff said!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Do
you recall any details from the TV ads of those days? I remember the
comic books, the magazines, and I've heard about the radio ads ("Morley
the Wizard") from Diaglo here at ENWorld, but the TV ads I saw nary a
one - were they limited to the midwest?
If anything, in my school, it was not the ads that got people playing -
it was the devil-worshipping that was supposedly going on! X-D
Oh, to be a "bad boy" game again... :-)
Heh,
And indeed the best advertising came from the sensationalist journalism
and ranting attacks launched by "experts"--ban something and it will
sell out in a hurry X-D
As for the TV ads, I have a copy someone sent me. The late Dave Dimery
was VP of Advertising at TSR, and he would know for sure. The best I can
manage is a recollection of buys in spot markets in various states. I
am sure they were not confined to the Midwest.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
I
think I see your point, Gary. What's the use of having shelf space at
a, say, Toys 'R Us, if you're not also provided the mass audience with
reasons WHY they should be buying the stuff? After all, there's zillions
of things at Toys 'R Us, and as a rule, most people I know go to a
place like that in order to pick up a SPECIFIC thing, as opposed to a
"Gee, I have some free time, I guess I'll go to this toy store and brave
the hordes of screaming children in order to browse around and possibly
find something I might want to buy." Most parents I know (including my
wife and I) don't go to a place like "Toys", as a for instance, unless
we absolutely, positively HAVE to. :-)
You have it.
"Push" gets product onto shelves. "Pull" is the result of some sort of
advertising, commercial or grassroots, word-of-mouth sort. Media hype
against something results in a good deal of the latter sort of pull, but
that ain't happening with D&D any more, so commercial advertising
is required to call the attention of potential new customers to the
prodyct.
Of course having large displays in stores results in some number of
impulse purchases, provided the product is well presented. The new
D&D box is that,
IMO.
However, to get a steady stream of new customers steady advertising to
the desired audience is a must. That should be evident from the number
of cmmercials with which we are bombarded everywhere--especially TV and
radio.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JoeGKushner
Interesting.
What do you feel that a store's duties are then? One of the reasons
people say that the hobby is dying is massively infeffectivly run
stores.
That is quite unfair to stores, including specialist game shops.
On the other hand, electronic stores, like Amazon, do a damn fine
job of trying to match their inventory to you're previous selections and
preferences.
True, they are good at moving merchadise that someone goes on
line to view. No problem with electronic memory of customers and their
previous purchases ;-)
Do you think that the places selling goods, including D&D, have
to make this pull effort happen or does it all have to happen at the
"manufacturing" end?
FLGS surely must do their best to offer friendly service from
knowledgeable staff, make customers feel welcome, and well-served.
Having a place to play games and placng special orders are a part of
that.
Most stores have no interest in doing more than taking customers' cash
for goods that buyers pull off shelves and take to the checkout counter.
Not a few game shops are of that bent. That's why they love hot items,
reveled in the popularity of CCGs. No effort, just ring up sales ;-)
That said, the publishers and manufactures are the ones responsible for
creating consumer pull for goods. That is why we see so much
advertising--to get customers into stores and asking for certain brand
name products. Mass market publishers even do it when they have a
big-name book they want to market and make a million-seller.
Excellent products will have word of mouth pull for a time, classics
will retain it for a protracted period with some relatively minor
advertising to remind consumers. Examples of word of mouth pull include
D&D, Settlers of Catan, and recently
Ticket to Ride. the standard family games with protracted word of mouth pull are
Clue and
Monopoly and a few others. The
D&D
game in a boxed version would fall into the latter category save for
the fact that it requires a specialist, the DM, to make it run properly.
That's why it needs more advertising push to prospective consumers, get
potential DMs to pick it up and decide they like it. Then the new DMs
create word of mouth pull for the product.
Ads online are generally a "preaching to the choir" activity as far as
D&D is concerned. This isn't so for the other RPGs that lack the
name recognition and participant base that D&D has.
Only a pubisher with sales such as
WotC has can affort to do much consumer advertising other than online.
Life ain't easy for RPG publishers O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
So then, it sounds like the solutions would be:
1. On the FLGS side, have people behind the counter who are willing to
expand at least some effort at promoting stuff in a favorable light, as
opposed to have some brain-dead yutz who just wants to sit there on his
duff and ring up a sale, but can't tell you the difference between
Paranoia and Call of Cthulhu.
2. On the gaming company side, keep an eye on ways to propagate the
hobby, perhaps making it more accessible without diluting the original
product.
3. Also on the gaming company side, coming up with products that don't inhale air sharply helps too! ;-)
4. Again on the gaming company side, work with FLGS and also local
gaming groups in the orbit of said FLGS's, to promote the products.
5. On the gamer's side, we need to keep an eye out to recruit more
people into the hobby. For those of us who reproduced, make it a
generational thing ;-)
Have I missed anything?
I also have a few opinions I've formulated about this, but they're still
sort of swirling around in my head, not quite taking shape yet. Maybe
later.... :-)
All of that is god business for merchants
serving the public and for publishers. That will hale to assure the
consumer base doesn't wither away.
To grow the consumer base the both shops and publishers must advertise
and get such free promotion as can be managed. That keeps the shop in
business, and if the publisher is doing it's best, there will be a
growing number of consumers patronizing retailers...at worst new ones
replacing those lost for all the reasons usual to a shrinking
marketplace.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
Y'know,
as long as I've lived, I've never seen an ad for (A)D&D, outside of
a gaming mag... I've never seen one for Monopoly, at ALL.
WotC
has done TV advertising for D&D, on some teenaged cable channel, as
well as on the Sci-Fi Network, during the D&D II movie...
Sales of Monopoly and D&D both seem to be up...
Monopoly
is, as I mentioned above, a classic that needs no advertising.
Retailers do that for Hasbro so as to attract customers to their
business.
I was not aware of the cable TC channel ads for D&D. Good to leanr that there were some. A lot more are needed,
As for sales being up, well, the general trend in hobby gtames is south, not north.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Really? I used to see them advertize AD&D on tv all the time in california back in the late 70's or so.
That was TSR. As I said, we did a lot of consumer advertising to grow the audience base for the line ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
That seriously cool cartoon was one of your best 'advertizements'. :-)
Naturally I liked the Ranger and the Thief the best.
Indeed, the cartoon was excellent advertising for the D&D game :-D
Now tell the truth, Peter, It was surely Bobby the Barbarian and Uni that were your favorites X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Well...unicorns can be nice. Grilled in a light barbeque sauce anyhow. >:-)
We all notice you have nothing rude to say about Bobby X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Now
I am going away for the day to accompany Gail to Milwaukee--she wants
to do some antiquing, and has cozened me into the foray by a promise of
Chinese dim sum.
Avante!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Back from the Milwaukee jaunt, and had a good lunch at the New Hong Kong Buffet in the bargain, but I failed to find a copy of
Ticket to Ride Europe...
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
*assumes lofty pose* I am never rude to children of any age. :-D
Then why are you so rude to me, eh? :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
LOL! Bud, you ain't seen me when I am actually deliberately being rude. :-D
Oh My stars!
You mean it can get worse :-o
X-D X-D X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Yup. But ya really really have to be an uncool dude for it to get worse. B-)
>:-(
Me? I'd never qualify as being uncool, 'cause I am a gamer O.o
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
I
was playing D&D and AD&D before the cartoon was made, but I
didn't keep up with the gaming community or industry back then.
Therefore, when the Unearthed Arcana
appeared in Toys-R-Us one holiday shopping season, I was taken by
surprise. I looked inside and saw barbarians, cavaliers, and acrobats.
"Hey!" I thought. "It's just like the cartoon!" I made my father buy it
for me right away.
Thanks :-)
Your reaction to the UA book based on viewing the cartoon is another good example of "pull" from promotion.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Heh.
I would most certainly use that Rock to Mud spell. I wouldn't have
asked if I wouldn't have tried the tactic. I say: All is fair, in love
and war and gaming! :-)
Heh, and I wasn't pointing a
finger and fault-fnding. My players try all sorts of imaginative and
generally underhanded tactics, and so do I when I am playing, not GMing
X-D
If I were DMing, and the PCs Rock to Mudded my Temple of Elemental
Evil, EVERY monster in the place would come up and attack (undead and
elementals do not suffocate, and elementals can easily open paths of
egress for everyone else.) The mage isn't there anymore? Ok, go sack
Hommlet and torture the people there until the culprit is named! It's
Crystal Ball time after that. Then teleport to the mage's location and
... but the mage went to the King of Verbobonc for protection? (The
King of Verbobonc: Do you know what you've done? Why the High
Necromancer himself had come before me, threatened me, the King. What
daring! What outrageousness! What arrogance! What innocence! ...)
Why allow the players to mess up the campaig setting?
Anyways ...
Your Chromatic Orb spell from Unearthed Arcana was a favorite of mine.
We know it was an Autokill spell at 12th level, if the mage could hit
with it (and the dreaded and immensely popular elven fighter/mage,
always could ...)
We know it was dropped in 2nd Edition AD&D.
I also know that, sadly for me, only one of my characters ever got to use it at 12th level! :-( :-D
Did you have Chromatic Orb as an Autokill spell in mind when you put it in Unearthed Arcana?
Was Chromatic Orb the way you wanted it to be, when it was published?
Do you still think of Chromatic Orb as a noteworthy spell, worthy of being in the Player's Handbook??
Yes to all of the above.
If you were to put Chromatic Orb in the PH now, would you keep it
at 1st level or raise it's level? Keep it for illusionists only? Alter
the spell characteristics?
Edena_of_Neith
I'd have to consider that seriously, something I haven't
contemplated. My quick and dirty answer is keep all as it is but move
the spell level up to 3rd ofr Illusonists.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
(serious)
...
I view myself, as DM, as a servant of the players. I exist to cater
to them. If they are not having fun, I feel like a failure.
That much is so, as the DM is there to provide entertainment to the players.
The only problem with this approach is ... it can cause a nervous
breakdown. Trying to please other people, much less a whole crowd of
other people, is an awfully hard thing to do.
I've never run a game, period, where at least one player didn't end
the game in misery. I'm afraid that my approach to DMing is just
inherently fatally flawed.
But I don't know of a better way. I really don't. Honestly, I don't.
You are surely a very consciencious DM, maybe too much so.
First, you are at least as important as any other participant, so you
must have fun too, or something is wring.
If you aren't always having fun, likely someone, or several someones, in
the group is causing a problem. Weed out such person or persons, and
you and the remainder of the players will likely find the game sessions
are uniformly enjoyable.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gordonknox
Hello Mr. Gygax,
Could you talk a little bit about the Lost Caverns?
What was the driving force behind this module? Why so many new monsters
(not complaining, big Behir lover here)? What role if any did Caverns
play in your world? Last but not least, how did you come up with the
name Tsojcanth and how do you pronounce it?
Thanks
gk
Not much to tell here, but I'll try ;-)
I devised the adventure to entertain my best players, give them a
"di9fferent": sort of dungeon crawl. The new monsters were created
becasue the players characters were familiar with most other creatures
from long adventuring successes, knew how to deal with them accordingly.
As to the name, I always ttry to invent new and interesting names for
special adventures, the place or some antagonist. Tsojcanth is
pronounced fairly easily bu dividing the name into two parts,
"Tsoj-canth"--TsOddJa-canth.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Beale Knight
I
have to echo Edena's sentiments here. When I designed my campaign world
I designed it to BE broken by the players. Not easily to be sure, but
certainly possible. I told them this up front, even asked them to break
it. That's how I'm going to having my fun, seeing what they can do,
watching them try wacky stuff, and having the powers of the world react
accordingly. If the players try things that aren't well thought out,
they'll pay the price, but I'm all for letting them make wholescale
changes in the campaign world.
Of course PC are supposed
to defeat the antagonists, solve the riddles, and succeed in the quests.
That should be understood by all,
What is absoilutely counter to the concept of the game is the PCS
destroying a significant part, let alone the whole, of the campaign
base. That is not only vandalism, but the mark of bad DMing in my view.
To allow such a thing to happen after the DM has worked long and hard to
create a place for adventuring is just plain wrong.
The KotDT comic strip has used this as a theme in a number of their
stories, because laughter comes form discomfort. Ruining a campaign is
not really amusing at all.
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
To Gary Gygax from Edena_of_Neith:
(quietly)
... Edena_of_Neith
Okay!
As I am swamped with work, and I want to watch football this afternoon, I confess to not reading carefully, but...
Funny thing, in the Town of Yggsburgh project of which I am the
coordinator, where the community is being detailed by 19 freelancers
writing as many modules, one of the designers indeed plans to include
steam power being developed by gnomes :-o
Actually, I have no real problems with that, as Archimedes invented a steam cannon for use in the defense of Syracuse.
I do have problems with high-pressure boilers and high-quality steel
production rolling mills for producing steel rails, so no locomotives
and railroad tracks.
Of course each GM can judge for himself what is or is not permitted in
the campaign. I enjoy a good deal of levity to counterbalance the menace
and violence in the setting.
That said, is there some special area you wished me to cmment on, or will that suffice?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
Well, I don't anything about
WotC's
marketing strategy, but my guess is that they are handling things
rather conservatively, and so not spending money on a broad TV
advertising campaign. While bolder measures may very well be needed to
build up the gaming community, I think over the short term they're more
concerned about losing money like TSR did before it went bankrupt.
TSR's loss of money had nothing to do with its successful advertising
campaign, The losses were from bad management outside advertising and
promotion.
It is poor busness not to advertise and promote your product, especially
when it is relatively evident that the audience for your product is
static, likely shrinking.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
Chromatic Orb appeared in both the Complete Wizard's Handbook and the Wizard Spell Compendium in 2e.
As I never played 2E, I will take your word for it X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Omegaz
Hi Gary,
Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us.
Heh...
Such as it is, eh? O.o
I was wondering what your opinion of the D&D movies was? Do you
think they've done anything to help grow the rpg audience? I thought the
first movie was pretty wretched, but the second is getting good
reviews.
Sean
As the first D&D movie was like something that fell out of
the back end of a horse, I was reticent about having anything to do
with the new one. When asked about being flown out to the West Coast,
wined and dined, given a private showing of the new D&D movie, I
remurred, as I said I would feel obligated to say something nice even if
it was a dog log, so they sent a couple of chaps here to Wisconsin, and
when I saw the film I was pleasantly surprised. The new movie is much
better than thefirst one, and I enjoyed it. I believe most other fantasy
fans will likewise find it entertaining. So I agreed to be interviewed
for the DVD version of the film, and you'll see me yattering on the
second disk :-o
The first film was such that it's effect on the potential audience for
the D&D game was more likely negative than positive. That is,
prospective players would be turned away rather than drawn to the game.
This is not so in regards the second film. It is no epic as were the
LotR trilogy of movies, nor as captivating as the "Harry Potter" films,
but it was exciting and portrayed the D&D experience reasonably well
and faithfully. If seen by fantasy fans they might well be motivated to
pick up the D&D game and gve it a try. So overall I would say that
it is a good promotional vehicle.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
a
wise man once said, "you can please all of the people some of the time,
and you can please some of the people all of the time, but you can't
please all of the people all of the time."
if you're trying too hard to make other people happy, then *you* might
be missing out on *your* fun, and that's defeating the purpose of
running a game.
Correct Boz,
You said much what I suggested in my response to him ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
Yeah! Why, those PCs are always
messing up your evil plans! Best to keep the pesky adventurers out of
your worlds, all together! Why, they might even expend one of their
weapon proficiencies on a Spetum, or a Ranseur, or... even go BOHEMIAN
on you, and select an EARSPOON! Such advantage takers cannot be
tolerated! :-P :-D
Oh please!
Don't get up on a high horse here, dude >:-(
There is a big difference between defeating the obstacles the DM places
before the adventuring party and the players ruining the campaign.
You seem to suggest that the DM should allow the latter, and that is sheer folly.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
On
expanding the audience, I noticed with approval that my FLGS carries
"The Idiot's Guide to D&D". It does a decent job of explaining
what's going on for complete newbies. It's possible that with it, and
the PHB and
DMG and a module, someone could teach themselves to play without the usual helpers.
I think that might expand the game, mostly because it could lower the
intimidation factor for new players. This particular FLGS mostly sells
non-RPG stuff -- Warhammer, board games, puzzles, etc., and their
audience is a mix of 8-40 year olds, with the younguns sometimes crying
for D&D, with apparently knowing what it is.
While I
have seen some very mixed reactions to the work, I suppose it is a minor
aid to the promotion of the D&D game, especially if found in many
bookstores where non-RPGers will possibly pick it up.
That said, it is not the same as consumer advertising to a wide audience of viewers/readers.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Beale Knight
...
I see messing up the setting as a step in and part of changing it.
Destroying ala KotDT is *not* the style I'm encouraging. I'm pushing the
players to have their characters change the world, not destroy it, and I
expect things to get a little messed up in the process. I just don't
want a static world where the pc go adventure, come home, go adventure,
come home, and nothing really changes because of it.
That's is a truism for all campaigns that are dynamic. The GM lays out
the initial backdrop for the adventuring, and the interaction of the PCs
with that setting then develops events, often in a direction not
anticipated by the GM, but surely as valid as any other result of sich
interaction.
What is not permissable is the descruction of the campaign base by the
players' characters, even if the possibility were inadvertantly
presented to them by GM error--Lord knows we all make plenty of those :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
i
recently ran the first of the Against the Giants modules. in it, the
PCs did astoundingly well until they met up with Nosnra - the PCs fled
when half of them were killed, and returned to the nearby dwarven town
to recuperate, resurrect, and plan. of course, it would be silly to
think that the giants would just wait there for them to come back and
try again, so Nosnra gathered up all the giants he could find in nearby
lands and went to assault the city with siege weapons. :-D the PCs
managed to incapacitate the cheif in the resulting battle, but their
initial failure caused much death and destruction in the dwarf city -
the dwarves were none too happy that their "champions" had brought the
fight back to them. ;-)
Boz,
That's what I would rate as excellent improvization :-D
What has astonished me is than no group I know of has ever attemptet of
impersonate young giants in the G1 adventure. I set it up so that could
be done and would likely be effective too...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JRRNeiklot
When
I ran AGtG, my players tied a frontal assault, whipped the hill giants
pretty badly, but a goodly number of them went through the portal and
were posted at the entrance to the frost giant citadel, along with the
frost giants, and the players got their asses handed to them.
Sometimes a frontal assault is a no-no. :-)
Yes indeed,
I set up the scenario so as to reward stealth and surprise, punish the bull-rush.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
(considers all of the posts above)
Based on your posts, I doubt you'll care much for the IR. I'm afraid
that in this particular case, the entire campaign world was altered
beyond recognition pretty quickly. My question at the start set the
precedent (the Canon Forgotten Realms setting would have had to have
altered massively in the first place, for my first post to be the
reality in
FR) and the other posters took it from there. I doubt you'd approve.
Honestly, my approval, or that of anyone else doesn't matter if you and the players had a good time ;-)
Please remember what I said before: the question was not meant to
start a game, nor did it take itself seriously. It was meant entirely
in frivolty. I was depressed, and asked a nonsensical question.
The actual Canon
FR
Setting is heavily controlled by the deities and powerful NPC forces
therein, and they would never permit anything close to the situation
that my first post indicated, much less the situation that followed.
Yours Sincerely
Edena_of_Neith
Heh, and I don't take gaming play seriously, save as seriously
enjoyable. (I do take game writing seriouslt, as I always try my best
to provide something that my fellower gamers will enjoy, have fun with.)
Of course you can alter any seting to suit tour group, and as long as
you don't hold it up as the only true way, no one can say you nay.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
Oh please is right!...
No horses, here, Gary (previous puns hotwithstanding). I put smiley faces at the end, and everything.
>:-)
Smiling high horses are nonetheless high horses.
I call 'em as I see 'em >:-(
Only to you...
As it should be in a Q&A session with...me.
Destroying Eggsburgh, yes. Destroying the Temple of "Elemental
Evil", or Tomb of Horrors? No. If it had been done the first time, the
current evils would've had to occupy some other place. After the PCs
had defeated the evils, destruction of their old haunts would be
logical, and wise.
It depends on the desires of the DM in regards to anything
destroyed, and if the DM regards the object of would-be destruction as
instrumental to his campaign, then such demolition is out of the
question :-P
But then, I'm sure it comes as no surprise that we don't agree! :-P :-D <---(MORE Smiley faces!_
Probably not as much as it might appear on the surface, for we are talking about two different things by and large X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
While
I've never seen the child impersonation myself, I did see someone
impersonate an Adult giant before! In a North Carolina ENWorld Gameday,
the party facing the Steading killed a giant at the door by stealth,
then used an Enlarge spell and the giant's furs to have one of the
burliest party members impersonate a grown hill giant. (That spell lasts
a heck of a long time in 1E!) He used this ruse to both lead and corral
the hill giant kids (where they were attacked and killed), and to
approach an amorous hill giant subchief's woman (drunk and half-asleep
in the bed anyway) so he could pull a Lizzie Borden on her. Nasty, but
definitely different. :-D
It is always amusing and informative to learn how players use their ingenuity to accomplish missions ;-)
Mordenkainen taught all of his apprentices the enlarge spell for such
possibility...and to give them a healing sans cleric X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
You didn't miss much. >:-)
So many an OAD&Der has assured me :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
What's
even worse is destruction by the publisher of the campaign base that
the PC's very well could have succeeded in saving . . .
What I have in mind is the 2E version of Greyhawk, "From the Ashes", in
which it was assumed the Giants of G123 succeeded in conquering and
massacring Sterich and Geoff. Our party killed Lloth and WON the war to
save our homelands -- took us two years of gaming, but we did it, the
last mission before we retired our few surviving characters and broke up
as a gaming group. I'm still pissed at TSR 13 years later for saying
we failed. Orc-heads! >:-(
Lesson: Never, ever "update" a campaign setting.
That is
the result of someone in authority at the publisher not understanding
the material, not caring, and just bulling ahead regardless of the
audience.
The World of Greyhawk setting was crafted to allow for individualization
by DMs, of course, and so was as non-specific and vague in places where
the DM was likely to have created his own material. I did intend to
expand the world and do some area specifric modules--mostly at the edges
of the Flanaess, but that wasn't to be...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
if i (or a lot of other folks around here) owned
wotc, that wouldn't be so. ;-)
Were that the case likely I'd get conned into writing more WoG
material, even though I prefer the LA game system and it's world setting
these days--old and lazy, that's me (^_^') Even so, I am a sucker
when it comes to wheedling from fellow gamers 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
Too bad. While I didn't care much for most of the Gord the Rogue
series, the parts about the Sea of Dust/Death were my favorites. I
would have loved to have seen more on the surrounding areas, and the
"Unknown West".
No author can possibly please all
potential readers, eh? I fully understand, because there's many a highly
regarded book/author that leaves me cold. Different stroikes and all
that.
And just because you see a horse, doesn't mean it exists... Maybe
you've just been visiting John & Jack too much, again! ;-) X-D
As a matter of fact, I do believe your statement above proves my point B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
You accuse The Master of The Game of sullying his good reputation with John and Jack? A pox on thee!
Now, if you had said a Martell or Delamain Venerable, I could understand it. ;-)
Those are certainly more like it, although my very favorite is Goldschmidt & Rothschild.
I won't likely refuse a tot of eight-year-old or older single malt Scotch either, with a few drops of water to open it up.
It isn't fair to have champaign taste on a beer pocket book, especially when good beer costs so much these days X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
Mr. Gygax,
With the above words in mind, I have a nagging concern about my Yggsburgh soon-to-begin
campaign. As you have mentioned in this and previous threads, you are
overseeing the development of 19 freelancers working within the setting.
I was wondering if you could let us know which locations are going to
be developed. I'd potentially like to utilize what these freelancers
develop, but if they add depth and detail to an area I have already
developed in _my_ version of Yggsburgh,
the work of the freelancer will unfortunately go unused. In other
words, can you tell us which places we can safely develop, the places
that will go largely be "non-specific"? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
--Ghul
Actualy, all of the town is being detailed. Each
sector is about four blocks in extent, mapped by block, so all you need
to do is skip the module that covers an area where you have developed
things--or use those parts of it where you have not detailed anything
for your campaign. These modules are by no means mandatory, so all can
be ignored. OTOH, they do all the drudgery work for the Castle Keeper,
include adventure scvenarios, and a slug of adventure hooks for the CK
to use.
I plan to use the lot, alter some entries to suit my own ideas and the needs of my group.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
...
...
Now then, both Doug Niles (Dungeoneer's guide) and Kim Mohan (Wilderness
guide) both mention many months of work on their respective volumes. I
was wondering, were you in on the intitial development of these
products? Do you deserve some credit for the materials used in these
two volumes?
--Ghul
Actually, I had no input into either book. I was
out on the West Coast running the D&D Entertainment Corp. per the
decision of the T$R Board of Directors. I returned in the late autumn of
1984 because of the financial straits of the company.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
...
...
Don't forbid it outright, find some way to mak it a less than optimal
solution within the world in question. One is being arbitrary, the other
is being a rat bastard.
Pretty much what I suggested in regards having such spells rebound on the caster and inflict damage of some sort ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
There's another consideraton, who says they're going to let you? You'll get away with casting Rock to Mud
on the temple once, maybe twice, but after that the BBEG's going to be
looking for you. And to show you what a complete rat bastard I am, I
don't give anyone an absolute safe haven. You don't take reasonable (and
some unreasonable) precautions it will kill you. You are not playing
the hero in a story, you are playing a common schlub in a very dangerous
profession. A profession that kills the stupid and the complacent.
Indeed...
And add "overweening" to the list of likely targets for elimination :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I
like the not-so-filled in aspect of Greyhawk. In particular, it's
amusing to speculate about what really goes on in the Land of Black Ice,
the Sea of Dust, the Valley of the Mage, etc. Much more medieval for
it to be unknown.
Obviously I agree with that approach :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
So
wait, if one of us buys the rights to D&D (or perhaps just
Greyhawk) and gives you full creative control, you might be conned into
fixing it for us? Cool. Now all we have to do is get rich! X-D
Most likely so...assuming that there's a decent royalty attached to that X-D
As a matter of fact, if that happened I'd wager Len Lakofka would return.
My main problem would be finding someone to translate AD&D into the new system, whatever its number would be then O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
I went into my FLGS the other day and happily noted that next to the
"Ticket to Ride" game that has been sitting there these past months
(possibly not always the same set) is now a "Ticket to Ride Europe".
:-)
The only question is whether I should buy it myself, or persuade a friend to do so.
I'm feeling lucky at present - I have many friends who enjoy board
games, rpgs and other games, and who have the time to play them with me.
Cheers!
Howdy Merric :-)
Tom Wham enumerated several features of the
Ticket to Ride Europe
game that made it better in play that the US version, so I'd go with
the former if you are getting only one of the two versions.
Today is boardgaming afternoon ar Ernie's, and I am up for another session of
Ticket to Ride, but if there are only three of us it will be
Axis & Allies D-Day.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
...
...
Gary, what was the climate of the Flanaess and Hempmonaland like,
during the latter times of the Suel Imperium and Baklunish Empire?
And what was the climate of the Baklunish Empire, like, during that time?
Certainly it was 2 degrees F. warmer and average annual rainfall was
two inches greater. The warmer climate and additional rainfall enabled
the production of more food crops to support larger populations, more
armed troops.
Or maybe it was the opposire X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
This Just In!
Seeing as how this was brought up here a bit earlier:
Sad news...
With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at
the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important
person, which almost went unnoticed last week. Larry LaPrise, the man
that wrote "The Hokey Pokey" died peacefully at the age of 93. The most
traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put
his left leg in. And then the trouble started.
Shut up. You know it's funny.
Gary (who just received this from a "friend")
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
You are an evil, evil man. >:-)
Why thank you kindly!
That's a perfect reaction to my post X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
*groan*
Another excellent response.
Such make the heart of a punster glad X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
The author of that is one Cookie "Chainsaw" Randall, a sportscaster and radio personality at
KGB FM here in San Diego. He's part of the morning crew trio, Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw. You can write him at
[email protected] and let him know what you think of the joke.
Thanks Alan!
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
Thanks Gary,
But of course :-)
Okay, so the town of Yggsburgh is going to be developed block by
block. Gotchya. So how about Yggsburgh's environs? Take the Bald
Hills for example. Besides the Zagyg adventure references listed, there
isn't a lot of detail, which is great, because it allows me to further
develop the area to my own tastes.
Assuming the town detail modules are well received, I plan to
have "The Outs" detailed in two to four modules, but that's it. The only
other modules will be adventures set n the East Mark, such as Rob
Kuntz's
Dark Chateau.
I'm actually thinking of basing my group in the town of Garham.
That way, much of the Town of Yggsburgh will be unknown and largely
unexplored by the players. Sure they may have gone there on occassion,
but at least it will allow me to best take advantage of Yggsburgh as it
develops under your masterful guidance. Of course I always tinker with
published materials, but that's to be expected of any half-competent
DM/GM/CK or what have you. :-)
Right, and that is why I did as much detailing of Garham as I
did, assuming some GMs would find it a good place for basing campaign
action. Cloverdale is another option of the PC party has a fair number
of demi-humans. If the PCs are interested in becoming leigemen, then
Stonewyck and servicfe under Sir Alec is possible. A lot of options for
the inventive GM.
Of course I agree with "tinkering" with published work. I do it to my
own printed material, so as to suit me exactly, as I write more
generally for publication.
One thing that bothers me about
CZ:Yggsburgh
is the notations on Darlene's beautiful map. I think marking numbered
encounter areas sort of spoils the idea of me ever showing my players
this map, which is a shame because I love Darlene's work. But I can see
my players now:
"Hey, I want to go explore encounter area #33 in Wild Mead, let's go!"
And sure enough they will find some goblin bandits there up to no
good. I would have greatly prefered a map that I could actually share
with my players. The numbered encounter areas should have been only
listed on the small b&w map inside the book,
IMO. :\
But all in all, I'm loving CZ. Keep up the great work! Take care.
--Ghul
I very much agree that the encounter numbers on the map are a
detriment. The Wise Publisher decided to put those in on both maps as an
aid to the Castle Keeper. That's is a boon in Gming, but maps sans the
numbers are needed for the players.
I spread my map put for the players, but when they head for a number
tyhere's nothing there--the encounter moves, and I spring something
different on them before they get to the indicated location or after
passing it by.
Anyway, most pleased you are enjoying the CZY work :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
EVIL!!! This is Evil!!!
...just finished sending it to a friend, too! ;-)
Heh...
A kindred spirit in the love of puns, shaggy dog stories, and the like, I see X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Oh absolutely!
One of my favorite stories involves a local bakery. The place burned
down quickly, and witnesses say the fire started quickly, possibly the
result of a sudden explosion. When the fire investigators checked it
out, they found the cause...
...it was a Napoleon, blown apart.
Why dos a hand grenade thrown into a kitchen call to mind a French Emperor?
Because there it is, linoleum blown apart.
Groaningly yours,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
:::clutches head in both hands and screams::: :-o
Oh 'Smurf...
You
must come
and play here in one of out Thurdsay night RPG sessions--hopefully one
where my son Luke is playing too. He hates puns, and his expression (
>:-( ) when I loose a round or two of them is absolutely priceless
X-D
BTW, James M. Ward is currently GMing his latest Metamorphosis Alpha RPG
for us, and we are haveing a great time despite Jim's evil machinations
:-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
I'm curious, and if you don't mind my asking... who (or what) are you playing? :-)
Happy to oblige :-)
Jim set us up with a backstory about universal conscription, with each
player being himself, but in the best physical and mental shape even due
to special medical care, diet, drugs, and so forth. Thus we each rated
out own stats based on that point in time when we were at our peak--not
much change for son Alex who is 19.
Of course our unit was mistaken for a special forces one, sent to cryogenic sleep storage aboard the Starship
Warden
by military SNAFU. So were awakened by system error after 305 years,
not knowing anything about where we were, or about the advanced
tecxhnology that surrounded us.
As it happens, I had my character take big chances, used a mental
training headset to gain the ability to use telepathy, and I made the
rolls, barely. So now "Corporal Gary," who is dressed in and has the ID
wristband of one Brigadier General Green, is able to read minds and
communicate with others mentally. We just fought our way out of the pod
that containes the whole of our still cryogenically stored unit--bloody
malfunctioning computers, rebellious robots, and vile independant
androids compoundng the difficulties--and made it into the starship
proper.
Jef Burklow (aka Otto von Grunwald) is going to write up a summary of
the night's adventure, and post it on Dragonsfoot. He is "Private Jeff,"
now dressed and IDed as Colonel Tan, who has, sadly, been altered by
medical robots into an android in the process of removing cybernetic
neck implants that happened by malfunction of a gunnery chain in a
second, small Orbship, the two vessels we commandeered to escape the pod
as they are radiation-proof and have excellent armament.
You know I had a lot of fun playing! X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Please no more puns...I can't take much more.
X-D
That is the same as waving a red flag to a bull, encouraging the very thing you dread :-o
Of course punsters love to hear the groans and see the expressions of
utter dismay ( >:-( ) upon the faces of their audience. You are a
part of a perfect audience for such "humor" B-)
Note the restraint I am excersizing, although I am bound to slip in at least one small pun...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Gary-
It'd be my pleasure, if I'm ever out in that neck of the woods ;-)
that is a real invite, not a "Drop by sometime," sort. We always
welcome a fellow gamer here ;-) I am listed in the Lake Geneva phone
book, so it's easy to find my place, and we play on thursday nights from
6:30 to 10 PM
James Ward, eh? Now there's a name I haven't heard in a while! Outstanding!
Indeed, Jim lives in nearby Elkhorn. He'll be at rockCon this weekend with Tom Wham and a host of others.
But back to puns here...there was this book, that came out in the
late 70's, which dealt with puns. I forget the name! But one of the
unforgettable points the book made was to paraphrase Mae West's
observations about sex: "Puns are only really good when they're bad!"
Is that Lederer's
Get the to a Punnery!?
And speaking of bad puns, I have a repertory of long and awful puns and shaggy dog stories,
In our group, we've re-instituted the Pun Fund... a quarter for
every out of character pun. The proceeds go towards financing our
Christmas party, or summer BBQs. We even used to have the War Story
Variant. We charged .50 for every war story that bogged down the action.
To wit:
ME (as DM): OK, as you head down the hall, you see 6 gnolls, led by a gnoll shaman.
PLAYER 1: Does the shaman worship Yeenoghu?
ME: That's a safe bet.
PLAYER 2: Speaking of Yeenoghu, I remember being in this game where
Yeenoghu basically trashed our party. I mean, we're talking party kill
here. Before I died, I spat in his eye and said "Stupid demon!"
ME: Thank you, that interlude had absolutely nothing to do with the matter at hand....that'll be .50 please.
PLAYER 1: Oh I remember that game! You played a Ranger, and I played a
Gnome Samurai. You know, if Yeenoghu had dominated your Ranger, and my
Gnome had to jump on him in order to grapple him, would that be "Gnome
on the Ranger"? ::begins to sing to the tune of Home on the Range::
ME: That'll be .50 for continuing the story, and .25 for the awful pun.
At this rate, our Christmas party will be virtually paid for by June.
PLAYER 3: Gnome Samurai? Wow...talk about a Sawed-Off Shogun!
ME: TWENTY FIVE CENTS PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now...on to business. Aside from the gnolls, you see a sundew!
PLAYER 1: What's a sundew?
ME: It moves across the sky and gives forth heat and light! ::rimshot::
PLAYERS 1, 2, 3: That's a quarter!!!!!
Great stuff! X-D
I fear it would be me, and Jeff Burklow that would be the principle
contributors to such a fund here, though. The other players are prone to
demand a return to gaming when the puns start, those spoilsports never
adding fuel to the fire 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Gary
Thanks for the invite! I'd absolutely love to! I've learned that
sometimes I never can tell where I'll wind up, so...if I'm in that area,
you can bet I'll be in touch! By the same token, if you're ever in the
New England area, we play every other Saturday from 230 to 1030! ;-)
Just drop me an email or something, and we'll take it from there. And
THAT is an official invite as well! :-)
Invitation
noted with pleasure :-) I have no idea when I'll be Down East again. We
were out in Massachusettes at the Higgins Armory Museum and then at
Jumpgate (Hector Diaz is one of my favorite people!) in New Hampshire in
2003. Gail managed to tour us into Kennibunkport so she could have a
lobster luncheon...
I just might be at I-Con on Long Island in April. that's problematical
but an outside possibility. It isn't New England, but a lot closer than
Wisconsin X-D
Failing that there is the Lake Geneva Gaming Convention (and out pre-con
porch party) being held in June this coming year...and possibly an
autumn repeat...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deogolf
I'm
not sure if it's because we're afraid of keeping the punnery going on
all night or the fact that we probably wouldn't be able to keep up with
the "Big Guns". I'm usually good for a couple here and there, but it's
more fun to sit back and listen to all the miserable puns!! :-) :-P
"Miserable puns"?
All punsters will surely comisserate with me over such opprobrious
language, even though they would likely enjoy seeing non-pun-lovers in
misery or any other state :-o
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
hey, at least you didn't have to be Mr. Pink. :-)
Or Corporal Fuchsia... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
You mean Mr. Pink-O, the Mutant Commie Traitor Spy! ("The Computer is your friend!")
Watch out for red (or pink) anmdroids aboard the starship... :-o
Cheers
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Oh, the Higgins Armory rocks... I love that place! :-)
Yes indeed, and I really enjoyed myself.
Jeffrey Forgeng is a most knowledgeable chap regarding European medieval and Renaissance martial arts too B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
or Colonel Pladoh? ;-)
Acdeptable...as would be Colonel Mustard, although i prefer the rank of Birgadier General X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Isn't that bragadier :-)
Ken
Perhaps in your case, amigo... :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Generally,
it's best not to say things like that around here. Surely, the Colonel
will PUNish us all now, and I don't mean by sending us to the Brig, my
dear.
Ah...Frigate!
I don't want to do any brig puns--to sloopy.
Now noting that Bragi is a Norse deity is another matter. That's why I can forgive Ken for his temerity.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Laurel Wolf
Hi
Gary, My Husband and I were just reading this thread and saw that you
live in Lake Genevia. We Live in Antioch and play every Friday night
from 7 to Midnightish. We would love for you to join us some time. My
Husband has been a gamer for over 20 years and I just started to play. I
would love to have an opportunity to be able to talk to the creator of D
& D just as I am starting to play. If you could make it on
November 11th that is my birthday and I am making a Mexican Feast for
everyone it would be a great present to have you join us if you can.
Thanks for such a great game that my husband and I enjoy together.
Laurel Wolf
Hi Laurel :-)
Far off, exotic Antioch, eh? X-D That is pretty near.
The fact is that on Friday I have lunch out with my wife, then we spend
the evening together--unless she or I have work that must be done.
Thanks anyway, and holler if you two would like to come up and play some LA or MA here sometime :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
2,000th reply! :-)
Gary, what could the original Magic Missile - as you conceived of it - do to non-living objects, if anything?
The envisaged effect for a magic missile when impacting a non-living
(other than undead), energiless target was a fuzzle. Sort of llike a
spark that sizzles a bit and does out leaving only a bit of scorched
surface behing to mark its passing.
I got the idea of the spell from the film
The Raven with Boris Karloff, vincent Price, and Peter Laurie. So too the shield spell.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
Man,
I could picture it now. Watching out my window, awaiting the arrival
none other than Gary Gygax for night of gaming a Mexican feasting. And
here comes, EGG, pulling into your driveway, gets out of his car with a
bottle of scotch in one hand and bag of books and dice in the other.
I'd probably scream like a teenage girl who just won dinner and movie
with Eminem ... but, er, my tastes tend to differ from those of the
typical teenage girl.
--Ghul
LOL!
About the only time anything close to that has happened to me is when in
the past I have been mistaken for Gerry Garcia. On one of those
occassions a teenage girl followed me around, even after I carefully
explained to her that I was not said rock star. About then my wife
showed up and shooed the young lady away 8-D
In a restaurant some folks were all excited that Gerry Garcia was dinind
there, and the maitre de, someone who is a friend, explained who I was.
That did not impress the other diners in the least (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Which is one of the reason they are some of my favourite spells.
Ken
Thank you Dr. Craven X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Now I need to be at work developmentally editing an LA game module designed by the clever Canadian author Greg Ellis ;-)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Hey, thank you Gary. I haven't seen the Raven, but I'll check it out. :-)
Is it ok if I ask you concerning some of the other spells you invented?
Sure, and fire away :-)
No guarantee I'll remember what, if any, inspiration lies behind any given spell though.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
Once read a write-up from a group where the DM envisioned
Magic Missile
as producing some form of fire arm, the exact type depending on how
many missiles the magic user in question produced with each casting. It
started with a single shot pistol and worked its way up to some type of
automatic rifle at the higher levels. This in the day when
MM had no upper limit to the number of rounds, required a to-hit roll for each shot, and successful hits did 1d6+1 in damage.
We all know that there is one magic missile per two levels above 1st, no limit to the total number, and that they always hit.
The missiles spring from the caster's finger and dart unerringly to
strike the target subjetc(s) regardless of any evasive attempts on the
part of said target(s).
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
Now that's the case. Back in the early days ...
Are there any other?
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by diaglo
yes. yes there are...go read Supplement I Greyhawk. ;-)
diaglo "who still plays OD&D(1974)"
No, you go and read the OAD&D
DMG :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by diaglo
rolls to hit
2-7 hps of damage.
2 missiles (which appeared as arrows according to the text) for every 5 levels.
1 at 1st, 3 at 6th, 5 at 11th, etc...
just saying is all.
That's not OAD&D O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by diaglo
no, that's Greyhawk written by some guy named Gygax in 1975.
i think he goes by Col Pladoh here....
cheers,
diaglo
Heh...
Then you should also know that I replaced the quoted material with that
found in the AD&D game's PHB in regards the working of the magic
missile spell.
>>Casts 14 d4 missiles at diaglo, each unerringly hitting for an average of 2.5 points of damage X-D <<
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Why do I feel like I'm watching a Episode IV fight between Vader and Kenobi? X-D
Feel the power of the Dark Side, Henry...
(Sorry, but I just had to get that in before diaglo could X-D )
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by diaglo
but... doesn't the PHB say... 1d4+1... not that i want to take an extra 14 hps of damage...
(^_^')
Oops! I forgot that in the excitment of sending those darts of force at you O.o
So take 35 + 14 HPs of damage, and no shield spells, Broaches of
Shielding, or Rings of Spell Turning allowed, or I'll have to follow
Flexor's suggestion and use
The Force to choke you >:-(
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Actually,
you're more the Kenobi in the scenario, Gary, and the young padawans on
the sidelines are marvelling at your and the '74 veteran's fencing
skills...
OK, enough of the messy metaphor. :-)
Ah...
I see. That's a skill deeloped perforce from dealing with so many
players and fans over the years. Those devils are always trying to get
the best of me >:-)
Heh,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by diaglo
give in to your doubt...
diaglo "really a good little devil" Ooi
Oh-oh!
He really is Darth Vader! :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
ooh, burn! ;-)
More like a burn on me, as I meant the PHB, not the
DMG :\
That'll teach me to answer posts here when I am otherwise working on developmental editing O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
OK, then, Emperor Gary and Darth Diaglo. :-)
This is getting worse and worse...
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
I'm scared...
As well we all should be. After all, the game is dangerous, mind altering, isn't it?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
:-)
Walks in with his 2nd level spell, Gemidan's Paralytic Missile, from the Waterdeep City of Splendors Boxed Set.
Locks. Loads. FIRES!
A bolt of greenish energy fires from Edena's fingertips, and unerringly (just like Magic Missile) strikes the target.
Only one missile is generated, and it inflicts no damage; instead, it paralyzes the target.
The target is entitled to a saving throw versus spell, for HALF DURATION.
Since Edena is at least 3rd level wizard (or maybe higher!), the
paralysis will last for at least 1 round ... 1 minute, in this case,
even if the saving throw is successful.
Helpless targets may be slain at the rate of one per slayer per round (quoting from the 1st edition
DMG.)
So, Edena now walks up to the target, and ... being a Good character
... merely takes away the opponent's weapons, spell components, and
anything else of interest. He then lectures him for the next 5 hours on
the beauty, wonder, and joy of being Good aligned (poor fellow ...)
(Yes, Gemidon's Paralytic Missile actually did exactly what I described.)
With the power of Gemidon's Paralytic Missile (better than Power Word
Stun, no? :-D ) Edena the Wizard Jedi ends this destructive
conflict, and brings order to the Galaxy! :-)
As I said in my last post...mind altering X-D
Of course I won't mention the dream I had the other night where I
commanded a force of African Elephants and bulls, ran at their head and
subjugated an exotic palace and its manifold inhabitants by a mere word.
Oops!
I just mentioned it O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hey!
I just realized that this thread likely has greater readership that the
local paper here in Lake Geneva does. Maybe I can sell adveritsements
after my sig... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
When
we first attempted the infamous Tomb of Horrors (your creation, Gary
:-) ) my character was the only survivor of the battle against
Acererak.
We all learned the hard way what Acererak could do to you simply by
rising up and looking at you (I won't go further, since I would never
spoil the surprise for those wishing to attempt the Tomb and the
destruction of Acererak! :-D )
Ok, this attack of Acererak: if it is a spell, what level would it
be? If it's over 9th level - and I'm guessing it is well over 9th level
- then does Acererak have access to 10th, 11th, and higher level spells
from the Arcane Age that existed in the days of the power of the
Suloise Imperium?
If the attack is an innate spell-like power, the same question
applies: what level is it equivalent to, and if higher than 9th does it
come from the Suloise Arcane Age?
Yours Sincerely
Edena_of_Neith
Indeed!
The demi-lich is a terror. Roblilar assessed that at a glance (a few
words of my description), scooped up the treasure, and ran away.
I envisaged the the terrible power Acererak possesses as coming from the
nether planes deity he served, not from any human source. It is cleaner
assuming such, for then there is no lost lore of super magic to be
discovered.
that said, I do believe that 10th level spells, even 11th and 12th, are
appropriate in high-level campaigns. such should be available only to
mages of 19 or greater Intelligence at 20th, 22nd, and 24th level
perhsps.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
Sure. Drop a line to Zeitgeist or Goodman Games and see if they have anything new to . . .
;-)
Hey!
I had in mind something larger such as Capital One or the like X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
The
idea is a capital one, but the chase of money that ensues leaves you to
discover that lucre is not everything, even for a Citi dweller such as
yourself. Trust commerce to show you the bankability of that fact. :-)
That just plain excellent Henry :-D
If I wasn't working I'd pillage my brain to attempt a comeback, but...
So, what's in your wallet?!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
*opens wallet, moth flies out*
;-)
Perfect!
Capital One would view you as a likely customer. I
must see to soliciting an ad from them :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JoeGKushner
You joke but who would have thought that we'd have advertisements in the bathroom on the men's hand dryer twenty years ago?
Sad but true...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
(loved those Capital One commercials ...) :-)
Gary, since you gave the answer you did above, I wish to ask three questions I would not have otherwise asked.
We know of the Prismatic Spells: Prismatic Spray (7th), Prismatic Wall (8th), and Prismatic Sphere (9th.)
In Dragon Magazine, they introduced Jaran's Prismatic Sword. It was
9th level. I disagreed with that assessment, thinking it should have
been higher. What would it have been in your game?
And (rather obviously) Prismatic Plate Armor (or, just plain Prismatic Armor) comes to mind.
What level would it be?
If there is Prismatic Sword, perhaps there is Prismatic Bow (and
Arrows) or Prismatic Bolts (1 bolt per level!) What level would this
spell be?
Incidentally, in 2nd Edition they created spells of 10th, 11th, and
12th level. But the increase in spell power was not linear. It was
exponential.
In the case of the above questions, I am assuming (hopefully
correctly) you go by a linear approach, so no analogy to the 2nd edition
spells is drawn here.
Those are tough questions for which I have no ready answer.
I don't recall the Prismatic Sword and its powers, so I can say only
that and non-mage-use item involving the prosmatic magical effects would
be quite extraordinary and difficult to forge, as the basis is Illusion
coupled with the Plane of Radiance and Light.
While I do go with a linear progression, I don't think that would apply
to prismatically charged items. If they could be made at all, I believe
that those of considerabole power would be akin to artifacts in reagrds
their level.
Of course I am not actually setting about the description of any such items, just offering suggestions off the cuff ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Jaran's
Prismatic Sword (or Blade, not sure which at the moment) created a
sword that only the mage could wield. It automatically inflicted all
the damage of a Prismatic Sphere if it hit (10 damage + 20 + 40 + save
versus death, spell, wand, breath weapon), each and every time it hit.
It lasted 1 round (minute) per level.
It also blinded all beings of 6 hit dice (or was it 8?) who looked at
it and failed their save (including the mage's allies, if applicable.)
A powerful spell!!
Thanks for the comments. I was just curious. Fortunately for my
characters, no NPC out there started firing Prismatic Arrows at them!
:-)
Whoa!
That Prismatic Sword is a blasted artifact that a deity along hould weild :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Yeah. It was sorta the AD&D lightsabre, as it were. The ultimate weapon.
It was in Dragon #241.
Thanks again! :-)
Edena_of_Neith
A suitable weapon for munchkin power gamers everywhere X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Gary,
is this just pure theoretical musing, or have you thought through
spells over 9th level at some point? What might they be like? Given
that one well-known character of yours is a mage of greater than 20th
level (although I never saw him statted-out with an Int >18)... I
had always accepted 9th level as the far end of the OAD&D spell
power continuum given the absolutes of the all-powerful wish, the no-save temporal stasis, and the godly-morphic shape change.
And is a 20th level m-u now an archarchmage?
In all the
intriduction of higher level m-u spells requires the same for all other
spell-casters, and commensurate magic items and monsters of considerably
greater power as well.
As the system isn't mine to alter, I have no plans to undertake the task, or to comment on how I would manage it.
I can say that a wish spell is hardly "all-powerful." Rather it is a
likely disaster when employed by an over-weening PC. When I DMed I loved
to have a wish used by the PCs,, and any error in its phrasing,
including trying two wishes in one, made its intent go awry. All able
DMs saw to that. Mordenkainen used wishes only in extremis to bring back
associates that had met their end.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
Wasn't
the AD&D light saber called a wand of force? Introduced in
Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun. It's one of those items many of my PCs
would have liked to acquire, along with an original holy vorpal sword.
Scott
Bah!
The Wand of Force is not all that deadly, and there is no "Holy Vorpal Sword," except in your mind, perhaps X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well...
I tried to have my players take their PCs into a "strange articficial
tunnel floored with a trio of steel ribbons," whilst chasing an Evil
Wizard that dabbled in technology. They heard strange rumblings and
wailing sounds--all muffled. Then they found a place where they could
ascend a to ledge about three feet above the tunnel floor, and on it
they were assialed by a band of club- and knife-armed youths whom they
defeated rather handily. After that they retreated the way they had
come, passing back through the portal of glowing energy that had taken
them into the tunnel.
It didn't take them long to realize that they were in the NYC subway
during the infamous blackout--that caused by the Evil wizard escaping
them, and that once above-ground their odd appearance would have brought
down the local constabulary, of course. I had such plans for mayhem
too... :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JoeGKushner
If this has been covered before, can someone point me to it?
Gary, what are your feelings on "classic" settings being shaped to the
3.5 crowd like the boxed set of the Wilderlands or Blackmoor? Do you
think newer players get it or will the main crowd be those who cut their
teeth on older books, both fiction and gaming?
This must be tough question day 8-D
Frankly, my exposure to newer players of the D&D game is quite
limited, for mostly it is the old hands, the grognards if you will, that
are in touch with me.
The initial buyers of "classic" settings will in the main surely be the
veterans, recognizing the name, recalling past adventures, or talk of
same, and picking up the work as much for nostalgia as any other reason.
If many of those purchasers are DMs with younger groups, they wlll then
have the opportunity of converting the newer players to the "old
school" material of the setting, likely do a good job of it, being
veteran DMs. So the overall acceptance probably hinges on that.
In short, your latter suggestion that the "main crowd be those who cut
their teeth on older books, both fiction and gaming," is correct for the
first purchasers, and if their enthusiasm is considerable, then the
newer players will be attracted to such products.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hail Edena_of_Neith!
Good stuff in that post, and amusing to read :-)
As for the backfill regarding Acererak, there isn't any...at least none
that I care to share. The whole setting, Acererak included, belongs to
WotC, so they can provide details.
As a matter of fact I didn't actually do much in the way of background,
leaving that open so that when I brought Acererak into some yarn before
he became a lich, ater a demi-lich, I would have more creative freedom.
When that opportunity went away back c. 1987, I smply shelved all such
projects, forgot about the matter, as pursuit of it would be otious.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Fair enough!
Sorry, I didn't mean "all-powerful" in the game-breaking, greedy-player
way; more that it's the spell to call on when you have a problem without
other solution, which I believe is the same usage you're citing from
Mordenkainen's experiences (although I see how my post doesn't spell
that out... "spell that out"... ouch). Perhaps "spell of last resort"
would have been more accurate.
In my personal OAD&D experience, parties were of low enough level that a wish was extremely rare and never used in such a way as to invite a DM to create his own Arabian Nights tale in the interpretation.
Hail Anson Caralya!
Thanks for the added insight and the unintended pun B-) Indeed, your
explanation is very much the way I regard the wish spell.
In my campaign magic items granting wishes were quite rare and after a
few hilarious times where the incautious PCs misused them, all such were
saved for desperate situations. without potions of longevity,
Mordenkainen will not use a wish spell, and there are only two
item-cointained wish spells in the whole of the Obsidian Citadel's magic
repository.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jyrdan Fairblade
Forgive me if I've missed this somewhere, but I've a question regarding Castle Zagyg: Yggsburgh.
I just got the book yesterday, and it looks to be an amazing resource
and wonderful written. But one of the things that struck me is that, in
addition to the similiarity of name, the map of the city bears a bit of a
resemblence to my current residence of Pittsburgh. Three rivers, a
point, and bridges.
Now, am I just seeing things, or was that intentional?
What?
With all the grief I went through in grammar school learning to spell
Pittsburgh, Allegheny, and Monongahela I should replicate that place of
youthful misery?
While I am serious about the spelling, I jest otherwise X-D
As a matter of fact, the resemblance is coincidental, as I have been to
Pittsburgh only once in my life. Great football town though...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
Not
saying the wand of force was all that deadly, as compared to the other
item discussed, just that it fit the description of a D&D light
saber, and in OD&D (the Greyhawk Supplement), all vorpal blades, and
swords of sharpness too, were listed as holy swords.
Scott
Perhaps the light saber resembles a wand of force, as the former predates the latter, no?
And why do you keep referring to OD&D
Greyhawk Supplement when we all know that OAD&D essentially replaced it?
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
Speaking
of football, being a fan of some of the more fabled NFL teams,
Steelers/Bears, and Steerlers/Packers are games that don't happen often,
but they're some of my favorite match ups, especially if both have good
teams. That last victory over the Pack wasn't pretty, but I'll take it.
The last time I remember playing the Bears, we were being pummeled. I
turned off the game. Several minutes later I had missed the 20+ point
comeback victory.
Scott
Heh...
Back in the 1940s my father used to root for the Steelers because they were so bad. It seems them days are gone forever X-D
I am a Bears fan, although I don't hate the Packers--got to enjoy their
fine play when Bart Starr was their QB. This year the Pack is pretty
bad, and the mediocre Bears will likely win the division. Ortman is
improving, so I believe if they keep him as their starting QB in 2006
the team will be a serious contender.
Watch out for the Colts!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
I wasn't sure on the dates, but I have wondered on just what came first.
I'm an OAD&D player for sure, but having played a few paladins, the
dream of possessing a holy vorpal blade is just not that easy to give
up.
Scott
LOL!
When Erac with his two (honestly gained) Vorpal Swords and the Paladin
Aylerach with his +5 holy Avenger two-handed sword accidently freed
Fraz'urb-lu. he carried them to his Layer of the Abyss, and all three
weapons became useless hunks of iron.
I honestly think that som Ernie and Mark Ratner have never forgiven Rob
Kuntz and me for that adventure run back in the days of us playing
OD&D and the
Greyhawk supplement... 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
LOL,
having talked to both Ernie and Mark regarding that adventure, I can
say you are correct. I think Ernie's e-mail started out, "Oh Scott, you
are bringing up some painful memories...".
Scott
O.o
I am conflicted (^_^')
As a DM I say to the players :-P
As a father and friend all I can offer is :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Gary, thanks as always for a quick reply!
Would that repository be Treasure Table III from the
DMG?
Cheers!
Heh...
Always fun to take a few minutes to communicate with fellow gamers ;-)
The magic hoard in the Citadel is large...and sadly mostly of very low
level. Poor Zigby the dwarf lost his +2 shield in the frost giant jarl's
ice caves and had to accept a +1 replacement from Mordenkainen :\
This is not to say that Mordenkainen, Bigby, Yrag, and Riggby don't glow
like bonfires when a detect magic spell is played upon them...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Speaking
of wishes, I've always wondered how people worded wishes to raise
ability scores. A wish can only raise a score a certain amount depending
on how high it is, so what did a player character say? "I wish to be
stronger"? "I wish I had a 16 strength"? "I wish to raise my strength
score"? The first is in-character, but wouldn't a character be more
likely to say, "I wish to be immensely strong," or something like that?
The pharsing of wishes is a matter of some consternation on the part of
most players, that due to the devious and malign nature of most DMs... I
have had some hilarious times "fulfilling" the wishes of PCs in my
campaigns.
You are correct abot players using PC-held wishes to increase stat
scores, and I am amongst the latter group. As with most cautious players
a good knowledge of the DM's mind is a prerequisite to uttering a wish
and having it come out anywhere near the result desired.
For instance, a reasonable DM being in charge, a whish phrased thus is
likely to succeed in gaining a point of Intelligence: "I wish to have my
mental ability increased so as to emulate the most intelligent sane
living human being of benign ethical and moral compass, this increase in
my own intellect permanent and not detrimental, harmful, or
incapacitating to me in any way."
Not perfect but difficult for a reasonable DM to pervert ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
I'm back. Hey there, Gary. :-)
Mordenkainen the Magnificent, your character, lives in the Obsidian Citadel, correct?
What is Mordenkainen like? What does he do to enjoy himself in life?
How long has he lived? And does he plan lichdom? :-D
Why doesn't Mordenkainen go and remove Ivid and free the peoples of Aerdi from the tyranny of the Fiend Seeing Throne?
Why does he choose neutrality instead, and why did he form the Council of Eight?
I realize you did not produce the From the Ashes Boxed Set, or I would
ask: why didn't Mordenkainen bring back Tenser and Otiluke, and
proceed to teleport down to the Bright Desert and fry those two
traitors, Rary and Robilar?!
And why is the Obsidian Citadel way up in the northern Yatils? It's
COLD up there, in the northern Flanaess (no magic to moderate that
climate!)
Howdy!
All that stuff you mention has nothing to do with my PC, save for
descriptive material and what relates to my play in Rob Kuntz's campaign
;-)
He built a fortress that eventually became the Obsidian Citadel, an
octagonaly-walled castle, in which he and his associated resided with
various military forces.
I envisaged Mordenkainen as around 30 year of age when he began
adventuring, so that would make him around 80 years of age now
(considering campaign time)--although he has quaffed a number of potions
of longevity preiodically, always when a wish was cast, so likely he
appears more like a vigorous 50.
He does not plan to remain as a lich, not at all his style.
Because he knew and associated with characters of varying alignment,
Mordenkainen can to view the opposing alignments as necessary parts of
the cosmos, rather akin to the concept of yang and yin. He is likely not
a True Neutral any longer, as he leans away from Evil and Law.
That's it in a nutshell.
What others have done with the names is beyond my control and has no
bearing on my PCs of the same name, or on other persons' PCs whose names
were also acquired by T$R.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
G'Day Haakon1
The military of the Citadel was extensive and included a lot of Western
horse archers. As I haven't had opportunity to play on such a scale for
amny years, I would assume that the number of troops has shrunk
considerably--attrition, settling down to civilian occupations, or
leaving for active service elsewhere.
If the appeallants convinced Mordenkainen and his seven fellows that the
attack upon their lands was a danger to the stability of the region, he
would likely have agreed to assist against the invaders. Of course the
cost of feeding the army from the Obsidian Citadel would have been
rather onerous on the lands they traveled through, and some looting and
pillaging would have occurred by an army of some 10,000 cavalry and such
infantry as were deemed necessary... :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
10000
troops? Wow-za! That'd win the war right quick, in my campaign. I'll
have to find a way to work this into the game. Luckily, the high level
characters only play once a year or so (players from 3 states have to
get together), so there's plenty of time to cogitate. B-)
Moprdenkainen started out with hired men-at-arms and mounted serjeants.
As we encountered and defeated bandits and their ilk, we enlisted
willing volunteers. When we ran int nomads and slew all their leaders,
the rest threw in their lot and joined our company--more like a division
by that time.
Keeping thelot of them fed and in loot was a real challenge, and to
balance the bad we made sure to wipe out all the evil we came across so
as to remain neutral.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Stupid, lazy question . . . who played Tenser?
I'm remembering an adventure by Roger Moore, where the PC's went to Tenser's castle on the Nyr Dyv. Fun stuff.
Heh,
Tenser was played by my son, Ernest, "Ernie the Barbarian" in an earlier
incarnation. Ernie also player Serten, Eran, and the dark and malign
Erac's Cousin.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Howdy Gary, hope life is still swell so far and your gaming is more fun than ever!
Bah! I played a big railroad boardgame, a sort of 18XX-type, with
Ernie, Tom Wham, and Russ Ingram yesterday afternoon...and I came in
dead last by about seven victory points. It was fun, though, nonetheless
:-)
In looking at your spots in old issues of The Dragon (c. '75+),
you've always held that there should be two D&Ds: the newer "Law
Schick" AD&D rules for tornament and comparitive play, and the
original game as a toy for the "inner game designer" in all of us to
tinker with.
I have no quarrel with that at all!
Lately however, I've read you saying AD&D should replace
OD&D, in such that the original rules should always give way to the
newer Advanced rules by matter of fact (seeing your above
conciderations on Magic Missile and Holy Vorpal Swords).
You've also stated before that both games are completely different from each other and maybe can't be compared anyway.
Actually, I was speaking only for myself, not urging anything
on others. When I play OD&D I lay the oldest version with only a few
house rulkes changes to make the new PCs more viable.
When I play OAD&D, I use those rules, and no mix of D&D in them.
They are different games, play differently, and only adventures from each can be compared
IMO.
[QUOTE]Today's difficult question: How do you currently see the roles of
the original Dungeons & Dragons game along side the original
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game? [QUOTE]
I see then as separate games to amuse and entertain those persons who
most enjoy them as vehicles for RPG fun. I do not view either as
"superior" or "inferior," and now and then play both as noted, although I
really prefer the
Lejendary Adventure system to Gm and to play.
Bonus question: When playing either of these games these days, does one see more play than the other?
For a quick dungeon crawl I like to use OD&D. For
something more detailed go to OAD&D, and more recently the C&C
game.
When I am really up for gaming, though, I break out my LA system material...or beg Jim Ward to GM his
Metamorphosis Alpha game :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by oldschooler
Thanks
for the quick and insightful reply. I wish I lived in Lake Geneva,
you'd have a hard time keeping me away Thursday nights!
You'd be welcome, but that would be a bit of a drive, eh? And this
Monday morning we are playing boardgames at Enie's house--h is working
on Wednesday, so we had to switch day and time. Tom Wham seems to have a
near inexhaustable supply of new and different ones for us to have a go
at ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Edena :-)
SuStel hit the nail on the head
IMO.
What you need are a lot of LE humans in the mix, for they are the worst
of the worst, if you will. For "color" I like to add in renegades from
otherwise Good races--dwarves, elves and halflings of malign and wicked
sort.
The detailing of the humans dwelling in the area should bring a lot of life and substance to it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
for LE dwarf-kin, i think you mean duergar not derro. :-)
The Derero are evil and dwarfish, but not like Dwarves per se.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mythusmage
Think Greys with an attitude problem.
Derros first came on the scene when the most popular point of origin for
ETs with Venus, there were stray Nazis on the Moon, and penguins were
not what they seemed. Your basic Lovecraftian pastiche as presented by a
second rate hack who simply couldn't get the joke.
...
Alan!
How unkind to Richard S. Shaver :-(
You mean to tell me that you don't believe there are Derros infesting a
subterranean realm below us, influencing us with their evil ray
machines, kidnapping our women? :-o
I am at a loss...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Ah,
now, for some reason I'm not surprised you're a connoisseur of the
Shaver Mysteries. Next I'll come to find out you're an avid listener of
Coast to Coast AM...
Oops! I have never heard that radio program...
I did used to listed to The Transcribed Gold Coast Show and the Arbogast
Show--both vaguely akin to material done by the Firesign Theater X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Coast
to Coast AM is the radio show that Art Bell hosted until he went into
semi-retirement. It's been hosted by George Noory since then, with Art
hosting during the weekend (but increasinly less so). The show discusses
everything from conspiracy theories to, that's right, the Shaver
Mysteries. Any given night might find a discussion of ghosts, ghouls,
demonic possession, alien abduction, or less esoteric - or perhaps I
should say less supernatural - subjects such as the future of ham radio,
testing and development of new medicines and/or weapons, or current
world politics. Somehow it all fits into the show's format. A great
show, very fun, often creepy, and always interesting. The only problem
is that it runs late at night - live, it comes on at 10 PM on the West
Coast, 1 AM on the East Coast, and runs for the next 4 hours.
Thanks for cluing me in. My prime sleeping time... X-D
Maybe I can find someone hereabouts to record an episode, although I
can't envisage spending four hours listening--too much to do!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
That
makes sense. What do to do with the conquered or rescued is often an
interesting question, especially since I like to DM the "village in
trouble" scenario quite a bit, and occassional set ups like "the
mongrelmen aren't evil, they're just scared of the beholder". So, among
the more interesting things left behind by my PC's is a little outpost
fortress inhabited only by a firbolg giant and a blind human
basketmaker . . . that's what happened to my version of Troll Lord's
Dzeebagd, admittedly quite different in its details from the original
module. Someday, I think the PC's will be awarded a feudal fief of all
the messed up little places they "rescued". ;-)
Quite so.
In many instances the ones saving a place, or otherwise beinging law and order to it, become the overlords, one way or another.
Of course that is a mixed blessing. They gain tax income and have
resources, but at the same time administratve tasks that demand much
time and effort.
Not a few wise players have their PCs decline any such awards in order
to remain foot-loose and untroubles by any demands other that
adventuring X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
You
did that with active characters? We've done that with retired
characters, who then becomes quasi-NPCs (the player still "owns" them in
a general sense, but they're mostly background like any other NPC).
Did you running the villages/frontier post as an active, role-played
thing, or as off-line downtime between adventures? I think some of my
players might really enjoy that, but others would be very bored. Best
as a downtime thing, for the most part?
All of my play was
in group fashion, with the DM right there, and indeed most of my high
level PCs were "retired" for use by the DM, by me on special occasions.
The non-adventuring activities were managed by me creating the details
in writing and having my DM, rob Kuntz, approve them. Of course when we
became co-DMs of a unified campaign, I did what seemed reasonable for
the NPCs.
With so many players, so diverse a lot of them, continuity was a
problem, so the Citadel of Eight became more of a campaign law
enforcement device. Mordenkainen's plans for s separate state in the
Flanaess went by the boards at that time, so the "retired" status became
general with those PCs--Mordenkainen, Bigby, Yrag, Riggby, and Zigby
the Dwarf (who had topped out in level), Felnorith, and the Elves Vram
and Vin (also topped out).
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
What about Siggby Griggbyson. He is a member of that famed group isn't he, or is he some sort of lesser member?
Scott
Yes indeed, Siggby Griggbyson is a member of the
Circle of Eight, as is the m-u Slidell of Fax and the nomadic fighter
Nigby. Siggby is the righthand man of Yrag, and Nigby the lieutenant of
Felnorith (of the Many Swords), while Slidell is Bigby's former
apprentice, now his righthand man.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Thanks.
It sounds like we do "retired" characters the same way. I like the
idea of doing non-adventuring stuff as individual player write-ups with
DM approval. Probably email.
For me it was a matter of handing the material to Rob when he came to my place, or I was over at his gaming.
Plans for a separate state? Oh, how interesting. Another plot idea, should they invite Mordy into the war. X-D
I dropped the idea because of the amount of work needed to set it up
and go forward, too much like an historical military miniatures campaign
without established facts. Too many unknowns that would demand
preparation and then attention on an ongoing basis.
If ou wish to include the forces of the Obsidian Citadel in the
campaign, they you will have to run them, as I haven't the time--if I
get started then I'll want to manage things, what with being a gamer and
all. Assuming there is a good reason to become involved, some imbalance
in the offing, and there is funding and reward for the troops, then I
can supply you with list of the troops available. You can take it from
there.
Of course I will not count whatever happens as actuality in regards the force ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hail Fellows!
May you all enjoy a great Thanksgiving day :-)
We plan to play at least one boardgame tomorrow as well as have a family dinner.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcollins
Happy Thanksgiving as well!
I'll just point out that Mordenkainen must have bulked up his forces in
recent years, because as of the "Sorcerer's Scroll" in Dragon Magazine
#37, p. 11 it was written that he he had:
Indeed, Mordie
and his pals did a good bit of adventuring after that old essay was
published. There are contingents of dwarves and elves in his force, as
well as numbers of infantry of all sorts there at the citadel.
The number of light cavalry has increased dramatically, and there are also heavy horsemen in the army.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Haakon1,
About all I can add is that a computer can run regular A/D&D combat
rules for an army and have the results done in real time. Care would be
needed to manage morale rules, for those would be critical to outcomes. A
programmer with good knowledge of military miniatures could do it
without much trouble--aside from the time needed to enter all the data.
When I run mass combat I fudge the action using a d6 for every 5, 10, or
20 men on a side. Mounted troops add 1 to the result. Much tougher
units can have a +2 to their dice. 5 wounds, 6 kills. Wounded men do not
count in the next round's combat rolls. Morale depends on what sort of
troops are engaged and what leaders they have there with them.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
Gary,
several of your PCs started out as NPCs/henchmen. How did you handle
thr transition? When did Bigby go from being Mordenkainen's
henchman/apprentice to a full fledged PC? When a figter character that
started out as a henchman became a lord, would he still be considered a
henchman, could he attract followers of his own?
Happy Thanksgiving all!
Scott
Actually, when I needed a PC of less potency than
one of my main characters, I would have that one's "master" send him out
to adventure on his own. As the leige lord of that character never
demanded and share of treasure gained by the "apprentice," the
relationship became more familial, eventurally that of equals, with the
former vassal-type respecting and deferring to his former master in many
things.
My DM didn't mind, as that kept the most powerful PCs on the sidelines much of the time.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Baramay
Hello
Gary. I have a question concerning the resurgence of Greyhawk material
in the Dungeon magazine. Eric Mona has shown a strong commitment to
supporting the works of those who have come before him and trying to tie
up any conflicting sources. What do you think of this? On a side note
I have the Dangerous Journeys books and found the attention to detail
fantastic. When it was cut short I was very dissapointed. Are there
any companies you would suggest that are printing similar quality
products? Thanks for making yourself available to all of us gamers.
Mike
About all I can say in regards to
Dragon magazine is that Erik Mona is a good fellow, and one I respect.
The
DJ Mythus
system was my last fling at rules heavy gaming, and since then I have
done a 180 and truly advocate rules-light work. This does not preclude
informational detailing in adveture settngs though. You might wish to
have a look at
Castle Zagyg Yggsbugh,
a town of over 20,000 inhabitabts and regional campaign setting (c.
1500 sq. miles of area) with adventures and adventure hooks for the
C&C game. We are now in process of creating modules that detail the
town's 19 sectors for those GMs that do not wish to do that for
themselves from the extensive material provided in the book. The wok is
being published by Troll Lord Games.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Oops!
It just came to me that Erik Mona has asked me for a Gord the Rogue
short story, but so far I am unable to deliver same due to a lack of
inspiration. Yes, even I get the fabled "writer's block" now and then
O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Just do what the rest of us do, Gary: Read the newspaper, and mix and match plot points. :-D
How about the
National Inquirer?
Of course having so much ediing work to see to does sort of dry up one's creative juiced >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well...
How about
:
"Gord and Elvis sighted gambling in Las Vegas"?
"Gord is a victim of alien abduction"?
I...can't...go..on...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Gary, did you intend that Prismatic Sphere be usable only for defense?
Absolutely intended as a a defensive spell. If any player suggested his
PC was sticking a hand or head outside the sphere, regardless of the
direction, I'd allow any spell cast against the sphere to penetrate it
where flesh replaced its surface ;-)
I won't comment on the part where the workings of magic seem to be misunderstood X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
'Cause it's magic. X-D
That, sir, is precisely the correct answer B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Yah, tha's it... What Mythusmage said X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Just meant as humor. Obviously, no mage and his party sank due to a Prismatic Sphere! Not in any game I was in, at least.
OTOH, it is a possibility for a party of annoying PCs X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tav_Behemoth
O venerated Col.,
Howdy Tav :-)
I was dipping into the AD&D Fiend Folio recently and noted three tiny races of your creation -- the
jermlaine
I'd long been a fan of (Descent into the Depths of the Earth having
been one of the first books I bought with my own hoarded allowance), but
the
booka and the
killmoulis were new to me and, I feel, unjustly overlooked.
For those who do not know, I made up the jermlaine based on the gremlin, an older version of it if you will.
It seemed to me that these pint-sized monsters -- minimuses or
midges, as per your jermlaine nicknames -- might have been developed for
a campaign arc in which tiny opponents played a large role, perhaps
even the heroes-shrunk-to-rat-size adventures that reading Leiber's Swords of Lankhmar inspire so vividly.
Can you share any insights about the origins of these monsters or moments in which you remember them being used in a game?
The booka and kilmoulis are "fairie folk" from books of
folklore from which I devised the creatures of the same nemes for the
AD&D game.
I had a side adventure area akin to the
Isle of the Ape, Dungeonland, and
The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror set up for my campaign. I titled it
A Midsummer's Night's Nightmare.
It was populated with all of the British-based monsters such as the
booka and the kilmoulis, as well as many sorts of "little people" as
commanded by Oberon and Titania (don't mess with them!)...and Puck too
was a most dangerous encounter.
Sadly, all of that has been lost, and after 20 years I have forgotten the details 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tav_Behemoth
Yet
another incentive to build a time machine big enough to fit your
campaign notes - or perhaps even a younger version of yourself! It'd be
worth any amount of paradoxes and ruptures in the space-time continuum.
Or maybe a better system of filing here so as to not lose such materials O.o
As a matter of fact I have lost a town map for an
Lejendary Aventure sourcebook hat was done onlyabout five years ago. Admittedly, there isome hope of finding it... (^_^')
Merry Christmas,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Bullgrit
Mr. Gygax,
I'll get straight to some questions:
How did you decide/settle on using the 6 ability scores of D&D:
Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma?
[Any bets on how many people comment on the order I've listed them here
compared to how they've been listed through the years/editions?]
The six attributes used seemed to cover the spectrum of what a human
consisted of in general manner. They seem to have been on target, as
there hasn't been a change in them for some years... X-D
Especially with Charisma being almost universally regarded as a
"dump stat" through all editions, did it have more relevance in your
games (and how you envisioned everyone else's games)? Did your games
stick to (or even use) the reaction adjustment and henchmen limitations
given in the book rules? Or did you give Charisma more (unwritten)
weight in character interaction?
We did indeed use the reaction adjustment for charisma as
stated. That was used considerably when a PC was meeting and seeking
negotiation with an NPC. No added rules were needed, only the DM's
determination of what the PC's charisma would come into play. Persuation
is pretty well a self-evident factor in interpersonal dealings.
[/QUOTE]In the 70's, how often did a given PC play in your campaign? For
the rules as written, how often did you expect people to play the game?
I've read where you've said you ran games nearly every day of the week.
Was this for different PCs, or did the same PCs play multiple times a
week. My underlying question is whether you expected PCs to rise X
number of levels in a year. Did you set the xp tables (both for awarding
and for leveling up) so the PCs would reach ~X level in ~52 game
session, whether those 52 sessions came in one year (once a week) or in 3
months (thrice a week). I know you probably didn't work this up as a
calculation, but I'm wondering what your general intent or expectation
was. Did you consider a PC rising to 10th level in 52 game sessions fast
or slow or about right?
Thanks.
Bullgrit[/QUOTE]
There were well over 60 different players that participated in in the
game sessions that I ran, and that's one of the reasons that I had Rob
Kuntz join me as co-DM. Many of them, the "regulars" numbering around a
dozen, were there seeking daily adventure sessions, while the majority
of the others showed up to play on weekends. sometimes there were over
20 D&D gamers ghathered in my basement.
I expected no particular number of game sessions from anyone. The
"regulars," on the other hand, expected to play many times a week.
Eventualy, the occasional players dropped out, or became regulars
replacing others of that ilk that left the campaign, as the ones that
played more frequently we of higher level and dominated the action.
The number of XPs given to rise a level was initially intuitive, later
on based on th play of my campaign group. I think that 52 sessions to
reach 10th level is about right if the time per session is about four
hours. Longner sessions would reduce the number accordingly.
Merry Christmas,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by orsal
Gary
-- in terms of game time, how long on average between adventures for
the PCs in your Greyhawk campaign? In other words, if it took 52 game
sessions to get a new character to ~10th level, how much older would
(s)he be?
That's impossible to answer 8-D
If play was intensive dungeon crawling, the 52 play sessions might take
up only a few weeks of game time, with several adventure sessions being
the continuation of a single day of delving. Also, when magically sent
to another location time was generally different, and one reappeared in
the original place with only a fraction of subjective time while away
having passed in the home universe. Outdoor adventures might consume
months of game time, of course.
The latter posed a problem for players used to adventuring as a group
when they were not with the others on an outdoor foray, so the regulars
would often seek their fellows on such jouneys.
To answer in geneal, the time span for 52 adventure sessions was generally anywhere from as many weeks to two years or longer.
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
Gary,
it seems like you would often be DMing for parties with a wide range in
levels. with Joe Newbie coming in and playing with Ernie and Rob, who
have been playing daily for a year. Did you run different sessions for
different level ranges, or did you mix the new PCs in with the existing
group?
Scott
Scotty, just so!
Whenever possible I ran the less-experienced players alone or with
lower-level "flunkie" PCs of the veterans of the group, giving them a
chance to get full XPs instead of the half limit if played in addition
to their "masters."
The newbies actually often preferred to be along as assistants to the
high-level PCs, even though I had by then developed the "XP shares by
level" method, where all levels of the party were added and the total
XPs for the adventure divided by that number and then shared up
accordingly--multi-class levels counting as half-levels added to the
main one (for instance a F/MU/T of 4-4-5 would have 9 share levels
[2+2+5]). Then Robilar and Tenser were involved, the kills and loot were
usually great.
Christmas Cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Yuletide Greetings!
I responded on the thread.
Frankly, I believe it is possible that there was such an expenditure,
but I was not there. It might well have been buried in the books and
slipped by when outside investors audited TSR before making an offer to
buy out the Blumes.
Christmas cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcollins
Gary,
it was interesting to see your comments on this page because I've
recently been working on a program of just that sort. Of course you're
correct that there's a lot of leeway for how the morale rules get
instituted.
Another key aspect is exactly what the assumed "formation inside a
figure" is. For example, if a single figure in 1:10 scale represents a
line of 10 men, or 5x2 rows (my preference), or a 1-man wide column --
since it determines how many can attack an opposing formation in one
turn. What's your expectation for this?
Christmas Salutations!
Having written a fair number of military miniatures rules for tabletop
play, the form that a figure takes depends on the figure to troops
represented ratio--1:10, 1:20, etc. and the class/stand mounting of the
figures. Skirmisher-types are likely in a single rank or at most a
double one with a broad fron assumed. The same is true of cavalry,
although the front varies by class of horseman, while infantry can vary
according to their class and fighting style/training. A pike figure
would be four ranks of five men in 1:20 scale surely, with mounting of
figures close in blocks of at last four for Swiss or Landsknecht
pikemen, larger stands for less well-trained ones.
Yuletide cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Yuletide Greetings :-)
Happy to discuss military miniatures anytime...same for military history.
As for Gord, he isn't at all like you suppose X-D
Christmas cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Merry Christmas!
Gary, you've mentioned before that you might like an avatar of your appearance on Futurama. Here's a couple for you, sized for this forum:
And a Merry Christmas to you, Gentle Gamer :-)
Thanks, and the second of those two screen grabs looks fine to me. The first is being used on another board.
Yuletide best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
So,
were Uhura, Gary, and Al Gore all recorded by the actual people? I
never can tell on cartoons when the guests are "real" or not.
Happy Christmas!
Indeed, the voice in the Futurama episode is my own. I did the VO
recordings at a studio in Milwaukee over a clean line to the West Coast
to the studio where David X. Cohan and company were working. I suspect
most of the others involved in the skit did the same.
I suggested that they fly me out to their location, but no luck... X-D
Yuletide cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Doomed Battalions
Hi ya Gary-
Since you might be on good terms with Eric Mona, it would be cool if you
submitted an adventure to dungeon magazine, even if it was submitted in
1E AD&D format, I'm sure the Dungeon staff would be happy to
convert it to
3E(3.5). Perhaps a Queen of Spiders sequal or an addition to ToEE would be cool too.
Scott
Christmas Cheer!
Heh, and I have committments for creative work through 2007, besides
that a stack of requests for adventures, and a few irons in the fire
that might extend the committed-to projects well beyond that. Thus,
unless I can clone myself repeatedly, the chances for that happening are
Slim to none...and Slim just left town X-D
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Christmas Blessings!
Sadly, I didn't even get to meet David X. Cohen in person, no, although we chatted a bit before the VO work began.
As for three versions of the D&D game, that is exactly what I urged
Peter Adkison to do before new D&D was launched. From all the
evidence I can see there is little doubt that all three versions of the
game would be self-supporting.
Maure Castle is Rob Kuntz's campaign ;-)
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Hiya Gary -
I finally got a chance to buy a pdf copy of
Gary Gygax's World Builder,
and I have to say I'm pleased as punch with it. I've always loved the
various lists and random tables for dungeon dressing and the like that
were in the 1e
DMG,
and to have an entire book of this type of material is fantastic. I'm
exactly the type of reader this book was aimed at. Well done!
Christmas Cheer, Colonel :-)
Thanks kindly!
My co-author, Dan Cross, and I began to exchange lists of items and thus
the idea for the book came into being. We are saving additions that
have come to light for a revised edition if one ever comes about...
Anyway, it is heartning to hear from another lists and tables buff. I
love to think hem up, but I am exceptionlly boring during such
process... X-D
Yuletide best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by nyrfherdr
Col_Pladoh,
Your Christmas well wishes have inspired me to share a story.
I've been playing D&D since 1978. I gamed with my brothers and when
work and college life took over a few years in, we would all play over
the Christmas holidays. Christmas and D&D are tied to happy, joyous
good times for me and my family.
I still play with friends and now my son has joined the chorus.
I just wanted to take a moment during this happy time of year to add my
thanks (amidst all the others) for this wonderful game we play.
Thank you Mr. Gygax. I appreciate your creation and the wonderful memories it has made for me.
Merry Christmas
Game ON!
Nyrfherdr
Yuletide Best Wishes, Nyrfherdr :-)
Thanks for the kind words, and do feel free to address me as Gary, as we are fellow gamers after all.
Family gatherings during the holidays and playing games then does strike
a chord.Back when I was a lad we had to settle for toy soldiers up on
the floor of the attic, or else games of cards, chess, Monopoly, Clue,
and Big Business. As we had a large house, there was always plenty of
room for my friends to join the gathering too :-D
May those good memories remain ever green!
Christmas cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Colonel Hardisson
Pretty obviously I enjoy making up lists and tables--I recently did one
for miscellaneous small junk found in dngeon areas--something over 500
separate possibilities when a few useful and actually valuables items
are included.
Speaking of lists, most of the "Gygaxian Fantasy World" reference books
series is so themed, wworking on details of some aspect of detailing a
fantasy world, and that's why i enjoy creating such works or
developmentally editing them B-)
There were a number of whimsical books dealing with folklore done back
in the 1960s, and I made use of several when creating AD&D critters.
I don't believe that I ran across
The Book of Weird, though.
Yuletide best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Elfdart
Did you ever use Katherine Briggs' Encyclopedia of Fairies? Unlike other such tomes, it includes a number of actual stories about the fairies, goblins, bogeys and other critters.
I've used it for 20+ years and still haven't used everything in it.
Happy Christmas!
I have at least one of Katherine Brigg's books somewhere in the book
archives in the basement here, but darned if I can recall the title.
IIRR, the book of hers I have is well illustrated and is based mainly on
the folklore of the British Isles.
Yuletide best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Elfdart
Merry New Year to you too!
Heh...
Black Annis and green hags are indeed worthy monsters for FRPGs!
Being here and able to look forward to 2007 makes if a joyous time X-D
Christmas best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
How futuristic! We're all glad you're here and looking forward.
At the end of long meeting yesterday, the exec in charge, from Ireland,
had a joyous yuletide line that struck me as perfect for the season of
people getting excited about "Happy Holidays" versus "Merry Christmas".
He said, in a sort of mumbling aw-shucks way: "Thanks everybody. For
those of you who celebrate it, have a happy Christmas. And everybody,
have a good break and a good New Year."
Where's the reindeer emoticon? O.o
Merry Christmas!
I suppose I am not sensitive to offending others, especially the
Pollitically Correct, to whom I say, in so many words, get lost >:-)
X-D
Yuletide best wished,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Hey
Gary, I've got a question about your Gord the Rogue novels. Gellor was
one of my favorite characters in Saga of Old City, but unfortunately I
don't have a copy of the book anymore. I seem to remember him being a
bard. Anyway, what were his origins (i.e. birthplace) and where did he
head off to after parting ways with Gord? I've just finished Sea of Dust
(the 3rd I believe) so maybe Gellor comes back, but I'm curious.
Happy Christmas :-)
Likely I did have notes with that sort of detail, and perhaps they still
exist somewhere in the mountains of books, magazines, and papers spread
from attic to basement in this house... the older the work in question,
the more deeply buried the clues regarding it (^_^')
Not many authors make extensive notes regarding supporting characters,
or about anything else that doesn't fit into the immediate story to be
told, for such material tends to become set in stone and limit the scope
of possibilities for new tales. (I once asked Fritz Leiber for details
of Pulg and got much the same sort of reply as I make above, and he
added that his fans knew more about Lankhmar than he did ;-)
Yuletide best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Precisely
what I thought you'd think. ... Hmm, pay taxes for people in funny
outfits to ride around in carriages and make silly speeches, in
exchange for freedom to say "Merry Christmas" . . . seems like a fair
trade to me. :-P
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Yuletide Cheer :-)
All of that seems quite reasonable to me, but the UK needs something like our 1st Amendment to the Constitution.
Cristmas blessings,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Thanks
anyway, Gary. I've always liked using Gellor in my home campaigns. I
suppose I'll just come up with his background myself. Seems to me like
he'd have a lot of friends in Urnst so he's probably from there.
Happy Christmas :-)
Indeed, that is very much the sort of thing I wished to encourage with
the WoG setting--DM adapatation of the material to suit the campaign
being run!
Yuletide best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Seeker95
I
find that most people who discover I am not a Christian appear
perplexed at how to greet me from December 15th until on or about
December 27th. ...
Happy christmas!
;-)
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ridureyu
Merry Christmas!
Gary,
Yesterday I was trying to call a friend to tell them that I got a 4.0 in
my first graduate semester, and through a strange twist of
Twilight-Zone fate I accidentally dialed YOUR phone number. When I
realized who it was, I laughed and wished you a Merry Christmas, you
laughed and said Merry Christmas back.
First off, I won't give out your phone number - that's unethical, and I know what it's like to have complete strangers calling.
Anyway, by coincidence I had been contemplating registering on this
forum and asking you if you would like to conduct a short interview for a
research project that I have been working on for quite some time. I
just didn't have the guts because, well, you're the guy who INVENTED
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, and all.
And then, yesterday, somehow I discovered your phone number while I was
trying to dial Dr. Greer (his nyumber doesn't even resemble yours.
Weird).
So, would you be open to any kind of interview, or anything of the sort?
Either phone or e-mail would be all right. If you want more details,
just ask.
(P.S. the call seriously made my day.)
Yuletide Felicitations, Ridureyu :-)
Having a 4.0 grade point average is enough to get most persons rather exuberant and less than careful when dialing.
Of course I recall the incident well, and I thought it unusual that a
chance wrong number would recognize my name, as that doesn't happen
often in the real world. I was more often mistaken for Gerry Garcia than
recognized as the chap that wrote the D&D game.
Anyway, I have no problems with giving an interview. Email me to set up a
good time via telephone. The balance of this week is out, and sometime
early next week I am doing a voice over for some folks, so likely the
best time will be late next week.
[email protected]
Christmas best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Gary,
a quick note in case you don't get back to these boards this week: I
hope you and the family have a happy holiday season, and may you keep in
good health.
Merrie Christmas Henry :-)
Thanks, and may you and yours be blessed now and in the New Year.
Yuletide cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ridureyu
...
...
As far as game-related questions go:
I remember hearing that you designed certain monsters in the game after
dime store dinosaurs. I, like a lot of people my age (mid-twenties),
actually hd those dinosaurs when I was a little kid. I remember the
ones that probably inspired the Rust Monster and the Bullete, but I'm
wondering: Which monsters in all were inspired by those figures? if
you remember?
Merry Christmas!
Yuletide Felicitations!
Many dime store figurines were made to do for fantasy monsters when we played
Chainmail Fantasy miniatures back in c. 1970, as no one made metal ones based on games then.
In addition to the rust monster and the bulette the owl bear came from
that pack of weird figurines I found and converted to the FRPG monster
roster. There might have been another, but I can't recall all the
critters in that mix O.o
Christmas cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
:-) Happy Holidays, Poppa G! :-)
Yuletide Salutations Mark!
We will have a relatively quiet Christmas Eve at the home of Joe &
Marie Martin-the syndicated cartoonist chap that does so many different
strips that he's listed in the
Guiness Book of Records. Christmas Eve is wife Gail's birthday anniversary, so we'll be with about 20 people for the dual celebration.
Most of the children and grandchildren won't be able to make a dinner on
Christmas Day, so likely only three, or maybe six persons will be at
our place then. A day of rest is not bad X-D
Christmas cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Ah! At last another person who celebrates Lady Day! ;-)
Yuletide Greetings!
"Lady Day" is Billy Holiday in my book B-)
Christmas cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mordelack
Gary,
How you been sir? I have been trying to email you but all the messages are returning undelivered.
Were you able to get the package i sent via snail mail?
Kerry
Christmas Blessings Kerry!
The book arrived safe and sound the other day. Are you emailing me at the proper addy? I got over 100 messages this AM :\
[email protected]
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Christmasy thoughts of plastic dinosaurs past . . .
Hmm, the owl bear looks like the plastic giant sloth I had, standing up in a sort of hugging position.
Thinking rust monster + plastic dinosaur makes me think of the one that
was like a turtle, with a club for a tail. But I doubt I'm right on
that one.
I'd be amazed if you can remember the specifics of all that!
Christmas Blessings!
there might have been something skin to an ankylosaurus in the pack of monsters. Blamed is I can remember O.o
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
You're
used to being blamed. I just had lunch with an old friend who was
telling me when he was growing up and wanted to do D&D, he told his
parents it was a storytelling and imagination game, about fighting evil,
and they said, "You're sure it's not that evil devil game?" He said it
wasn't, so they got it. :-)
I wonder if the stegasaurus is in the
MM? I'll have to go look. I'm sure there's no illustration of it, because that I'd remember.
Yuletide Felicitations :-)
Story-creating game is believable. Story-telling the RPG is not, for that's the role of fiction authors X-D
As for stegasaurs, I used a plastic model of one to create what was
likely the first miniature figurine for table-top fantasy gaming. Two of
the tail spikes became horns, and wire and auto body putty extended the
tail, gave it a nasty barbed point too. Cardboard wings of bat-like
sort completed the basic form, and then I painted it in shades of red
save for an underbelly that faded from orange to yellow. The latter I
studed with sparkle "gems" ala Smaug, and the gamers loved it's
appearance, feared it's 9" long cone of fiery breath (made from red bond
paper).
Christmas cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by StupidSmurf
Hi Gary!
Just wanted to pass on to you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God Bless!
-JT
Thanks so very much :-)
A Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year to You and All!
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
Mr. Gygax,
I've got a question based on two observations about AD&D1.
1- In looking back through some old official D&D adventure modules, I
see the treasure awards were usually very high -- many thousands of gp
worth of treasure (not counting magic items).
2- The AD&D1 rules called for some pretty hefty training costs to level up.
My question:
Which came first? Was the confiscatory training costs an answer to strip
away all that treasure given in the adventure modules, or was the level
of treasure given in adventure modules increased to cover the cost of
training?
Thanks, and Merry Christmas.
Quasqueton
Yuletide Salutations Quasqueton :-)
Gaining lots of treasure is something I always favored. To keep it
moving I encouraged players to have their PCs hire many retainers,
troops, build a castle, etc. When that failed to keep them seeking more
wealth the trainig costs and other cash-draining devices were added into
the game.
Christmas cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
My
dad and I used to spend much time with wire mesh and paper mache, sand
and glue, and much model railroading tree's and such to put together
many a diorama. At the time I was more into the war gaming miniatures
and had scads of WWII soldiers from various nations. Easier to come by
these days, but somehow much more fun back then.
Most of those around at the time were into large scale war games of all sorts.
Paper and dice just seemed a logical extension of a hobby I was already in for nearly as long as I remember. :-)
Happy Christmas Peter :-)
Yes indeed! We used a lot of model railroad scenics on the old sand
table, including LifeLike grass to complete the setting. Tops from spray
cans and the plastic covers of MiniTanks could be used to make
excellent bunkers, the guns from scrapped miniatures such as the M10/M36
or artillery pieces. Cottage cheese carton tops were used to cut pieces
from to make welded armor plate additions to M4s, while sandbags of
auto body putty and track pieces cut off scrap AVFs added to the extra
armor. I had several M36B1 I converted using M4 hulls and M36 turrets,
and several of my M8s has nylon stocking "wire mesh" over their open
turrets.
My favorite conversion, though, was my Duke of Brunswick command figure
for Napoleonic miniatures. I used a Scruby "Mounted Prussian Officer"
figure, painted it up in black, gave him a chest full of medals and a
monacle, then added a piece of Airfix plastic sprue to his raised hand,
As it was pinkish-brown, and I painted a yellow band around it, the
appearance was like that of a giant Oscar Meyet braunschweiger sausage.
When he advanced ahead of the Brunswisk troops I played the Oscar Meyer
"ta-da-de-da" on a little plastic "weenie whistle"--those being given
out as promotion back in the 60s.
Oddly enough, the "serious" Napoleonics buffs found that offensive 8-D
X-D
Yuletide best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
*chuckles*
Quite by accident my dad and I discovered a process that makes a very
neat looking burned out building. Towit any kind of aresol spray of a
dark colour sprayed on stirofoam buildings. The burned and disolved look
was rather realistic. :-)
There is a friend of ours, Charlie Lemmons, that works in the Fort Knox
museum who had seemingly hundreds of thousands of the tiny 1/4th inch
high wargaming mini's. I recall visiting his house where he had a wall
covered in shelves full of those things. Mostly 'napoleonic' war in
scope.
I never could take the 'serious' buff's seriously. Not with all those brightly painted toys to play with.
Merry Christmas :-)
Heh, and Happy Holidays :-)
The Airfix, I think, "Houses under Construction" set made excellent
destroyed buildings when a soldering iron and some black spray paint
were applied to them.
I learned about styrofoam (sp.?) melting quite by accident, but we used it only for hills and ridges.
As for the serious miniatures types, they surely didn't like it when I
called the games "playing with toy soldiers," but they couldn't ever
take a joje well anyway... :-o
Yuletide best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jo�l of the FoS
Hey!
Merry Xmas, and I wish your holidays to be free of cheap beers :-)
Jo�l
Yuletide Salutations :-)
Now that is a most generous ho9liday wish, and one that my wife assures
won't happen when she picks up New Glarus brews at the store!
Merry Christmas,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Yuletide Felicitations Gray Mouser :-)
You have the differences between demons and devils I envisaged well in hand.
Demons are also unpredictable, not prone to follow instructions save
through fear and force. A major one might well not cause death and
desituction, but rather do something wealsome on a whim...or be
exceptionally cruel.
Devils are far more predictable and orderly in their evil activities. Of
course they too are subject to force and fear, but they need not be
supervised continually to be assured of their acting as instructed,
because their own nature is regimentation and obedience to those more
powerful and malicious.
Christmas best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
infighting
among the devils is probably rare insofaras combat-type encounters;
their infighting probably involves a lot more espionage, subterfuge,
sabotage, and diplomacy. ;-)
Christmas Day Felicatations :-)
Just so, Boz!
Plotting and intregue, machinations to discredit one above so as to move up in the hierarchy, but don't get caught!
yuletide best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Durn!
I was totally unaware that your wife wasn't well. Surley great that she
made it out of hospital and was home for Christmas--for her, you, and
those lovely kinder :-)
My prayers for her full recovery.
Happy New Year,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Rakin
Hi Gary (or anyone else),
I just recently purchased what I needed to play the C&C RPG game
and let me tell you I'm somewhat excited to dive into it for it seems
far better than that other table top game that will go unmentioned, that
I currently play. I just have one question for all you gods among
tabletop RPG's, how do you handle spells that are CT 1 (1 round to
cast). PLaces in the book it mentions interupting these spells with
damage and the such but the books make it sound like the spell should be
announced and go off at the same time (the init. roll of the caster)
Ive left a post on the Troll forums asking a few opinions and at best I
got back a few ways to handle this. I have an idea on what I want to
do, but I wanted to know what the best of the best is going to do.
Thanks in advance. :-D
Howdy!
I parsonally handle spell casting in the C&C game as I did in OAD&D.
How about you setting forth your proposed mechanics for comment?
Happy New Year,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Rakin
Hi Gary (or anyone else),
I just recently purchased what I needed to play the C&C RPG game
and let me tell you I'm somewhat excited to dive into it for it seems
far better than that other table top game that will go unmentioned, that
I currently play. I just have one question for all you gods among
tabletop RPG's, how do you handle spells that are CT 1 (1 round to
cast). PLaces in the book it mentions interupting these spells with
damage and the such but the books make it sound like the spell should be
announced and go off at the same time (the init. roll of the caster)
Ive left a post on the Troll forums asking a few opinions and at best I
got back a few ways to handle this. I have an idea on what I want to
do, but I wanted to know what the best of the best is going to do.
Thanks in advance. :-D
Howdy!
I personally handle spell-casting in C&C the same way I did in OAD&D.
How about setting forth the mechanics you wish to use?
Happy New Year,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
:-(
All the material on Google is sans text...lost in the crash I assume.
Haakon1 was the last poster that I know of, but that too is lost.
Such is life on the internet :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Kryndal Levik
Actually, it's not- click on "Cached" and you get the full post. I tried it with several, and it worked like a charm.
Oh good!
I didn't do more than glance at the blank spaces and assumed the worst O.o
Now all the text appears normally...and I notice that there I am at 3233
posts, so a bunch must have been lost, temprrarily perhaps, from here.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tuzenbach
Gary,
In that you possess astute, sage-like abilities, this question struck me
the other day as being highly "askable": When you were forumulating
D&D in the early 70's, did the concept of "The Internet" ever become
something you foresaw? :-o
Heh...
Would I were so astute :\
About the best I can claim is to have recognized in 1978 that computer
games were going to be important in the future, and urge my fellows at
TSR to get the company into the field immediately. That was done, but
not logically, and soon TSR was out of the field even as computer
fantasy games were becoming really popular.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
what are your views on giving gaming stats to deities, and to
avatars/player characters killing deities? Have your views on god stats
and god killing changed over the last 30 years? I understand that you
are hard at work on Lejendary Pantheons for Lejendary Adventure. How will the deities be presented in that work? (And when can I buy a copy? :-) )
Deitial types are placed into 15 ranks in my LE world pantheons. those
that are in the highest ranks are not really deities but quasi ones such
as minor demons, so indeed a powerful character could kill one of 15th
rank or even of 14th or 13th, after that the power of deities becomes
much greater. At the minor deity level it is about impossible for any
mortal to harm them, and above that, in the major and higher ranks, the
most potent human is akin to a mosquito.
Messing with even a minor deity is most likely to end up very badly for a PC...
I give suggested stat spreads for all 15 ranks of deities, including
Health (hit points) and protection as well as special powers likely. It
is up to the GM to manage the rest.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Gary,
I hope you're doing well. I know this question has been put to you
before, but for the life of me I can't recall your answer (someday I
hope someone sifts through all the various "Ask Gary" threads here and
elsewhere and collates your answers so you don't have to keep answering
the same things over and over). So pardon this re-asking: what was the
inspiration for the D&D gorgon? The gorgon of Greek myth is what
ended up being the medusa in D&D. Was there a mythological critter
like the bull-like, petrification-breathing monster in the 1e Monster
Manual?
Hi Colonel!
Not a problem at all. Indeed, that question has been put to me before,
but I am not sure if that was here on this website. Anyway...
The scale-mailed bull model of a gorgon came directly from a copy of a
medieval bestiary, the title of which I do not recall, but it was and
probably still is in the local (Lake Geneva) public library. I was happy
to use that model, for it added another fearsome monster to the roster
for DM use :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Thanks
much for the quick and courteous reply. I had a feeling it was
something like that. Medieval bestiaries and heraldry are rife with
unusual critters. I'm glad that someone with an interest in such stuff
designed D&D in the first place.
Heh...
But no one liked the opinicus... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hi Gary!
Just curious, not that this is really a game related question per say,
but, has any particular piece of art/music ever played an influence on
anything that you've ever designed (module, supplement or novel)? If
so, what type ?
Also, me just be an inquisitive individual, what type of music do you listen to most frequently?
Thank you so much for your time to answer such mundane queries, extra apologies if this has been asked before. Ciao!
Howdy John,
Two pieces of artsy-craftsy sort have engendered short stories--"The
Five Dragon Bowl" from a Chinese plate, and "The House in the Tree" from
a series of collectable miniature houses.
I listen to classical music mostly, but I also enjoy Spanish guitar,
modern jazz, old r & b (1950s), and blues, even some country &
western and opera now and again.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I'll bite . . . what's a opinicus?
Sounds like an opinionated quasit to me: Smite Evil time!
(Opps, I think that's 3.x rules . . . it blends to together after 20 years of AD&D and 5 years of
3e.)
X-D
The opinicus is a chimerical creature that is part cameland not
particularly fearsome. Check your dictionary, as most will have a
description of it. The critter was used in some heraldry, as was the
peryton,, a similar chimerical beast, I velieve.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
That reminds me of a pre-crash topic . . . Boot Hill. I think I asked naively if you wrote it.
I should just look it up, I know, but my Boot Hill materials are in NY State, and I'm in WA State. :\
Boot Hill was a whole lot of fun for me and my friends, in the original and 2nd edition. ...
In the first edition campaign of BH I usually played the Mexican
rancher and bandit Quinto Villa Lobos with a gang of four compadres--I
converted 10 Airfix figurines so as to have the five characters in foot
and mounted form, cmplete with sombreros and a couple wth ponchos.
When the second edition was being prepared I played ruthless rancher,
Mr. G of the Rockin' G spread, I eventually had over 40 hands, a hired
fast gun, an Indian tracker, and several Mexican vaccaros who bought
cattle south of the border and saw to it that my half-iinterest in three
border cantinas was properly repaid. The whiskey flowed freely for all
my boys as I built and operated a distillery and eventually ran a stage
line too so as to move my whiskey around to the ehole area.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tuzenbach
So basically, Al Gore can boast about inventing The Internet while Gary Gygax cannot. 'Tis a sad world, indeed! :-P
:-o X-D :-o
Life is so unfair... O.o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Phanboy
Hi
Gary, I'm trying to figure out the origins of the saving throw. How did
this mechanic come about, and Where did the name come from, I get the
saving part, but why throw, and not roll?
Thanks!
It is a term taken directly from military
miniatures gaming. Some rules allowed potential kills to be saved in
case some number were rolled on a d6, and everyone called that "saves"
or "saving throws."
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
At
least on the bright side, there've been a number of good computer games
over the years that have been based on D&D and AD&D. Perhaps
not as good, but it's proven to be a good license, even if occasional
bombs came out of it.
According to experts,. most of the computer games of fnatasy and like sort borrow at least something from the A/D&D game.
That's is why I am mentioned as being so influential in computer gaming ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tuzenbach
Actually, this particular beast made it into the 1E Monster Manual II. Whether or not any DM actually used it is anybody's guess!
Heh...
...and guess who wrote it up and ;ut it into MMII :-P
LOL,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Phanboy
Hey
Gary, One more completely unrelated question, any plans to voice the DM
for more DDO modules? Do you play? if so What server and character?
Howdy!
I am always willing to entertain offers for me to do voice over work, but there are none pending.
I avoid playing computer games on my PC and/or online, as once I start
doing so that is all I want to do. My work and family suffer
accordingly.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Garnfellow
Greg
Costikyan recently had an excellent online article that traces the rise
of computer games, and there he gives the influence of D&D its due:
The Revolution Began With Paper (^_^')
I remember Greg and Erik Goldberg wher they were in their teens...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel,
I was just reading the Devils entry in the
MM
II and there is a section entitled "The Hierarchy of the Planes of
Hell," in which you list "the dukes of hell as well as some of their
foremost henchmen." The entry consists of three lists; the name of the
dukes, the name of the devil they are in service to, and thier command
or position. A few of the entries are marked with a (F) which obviously
indicates that they are females (Baalphegor, Lilis, Lilith, etc.) but
there are also some dukes that have an asterisk besides their name (*). I
have been unable to locate any text in the
MM
II that explains the meaning of this mark. Names marked with an
asterisk include: Alastor, Baalberith, Baalzephon, Bel, Bethage, Fecor,
Furcas, Goap, Herobaal, Nexroth, Zaebos, Zapan, and Zimimar.
Any chance you could shed some light on the meaning of the asterisked
entries? Does it have anything to do with the statement that "In general
the dukes are equal to a weaker arch devil, although some are but
little stronger than a pit fiend or are, in fact, actual pit fiends"? In
other words, are those marked with an asterisk the weaker pit fiend
variety dukes?
Anyway, thanks in advance!
Gray Mouser
It has been a long, long time since I write that, but what Boz mentioned rings a bell.
Of course the assignment of status was a generally arbitrary one on my
part, based on some study of popular demonoliogies, so the DM should
feel completely free to alter such designation as is seen fit.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Luckily, you are the only gamer with that problem. ;-)
I think "never role-play alone" is up there with "never drink alone", for avoiding addictions.
Bah!
I see my son Alex wasting far too many hours to believe that initial
statement, and refer you to the game known as "Evercrack." X-D
Actually, my wife threatened to leave me because I would sneak out of
bed to play a computer game at 3 AM, was doing no productive work at
all... When I get a special boardgame I might blow a week, but a
computer game can eat up months :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Does anybody have the Gary quote that used to be in a sig around here?
Something about excessive timidity or foolhardiness both being
harbingers of death in such a setting? It was a goody. I think it was
Henry's, but I could be wrong.?
Noppers!
That wasn't me asking about the quote. I seldom quote myself... X-D
Cheers,
GAry
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Don't
check out computer war gaming . . . you could seriously spend about 5
years playing "War in the Pacific". I played about 1 day of it
(December 8, 1941) and decided I should wait for more when I'm retired.
A game with ever aircraft and ship in the Pacific Theatre, even
Merchant Ships . . . that's too cool to play! Someday, I'll figure out
where George H.W. Bush is -- I guess he was still in Yale on that day,
but presumably he shows up in the replacements eventually, along with
John F. Kennedy. The generals and admirals are all real names. You
can fire Nimitz and put Halsey in charge, if you want. B-)
That sounds much like the game planned by some students at Stanford, the
Ad Hoc Committee for the Re-Instuttion of WW II.
It was multi-player with participants all over the USA and elsewhere
too, but it broke down because of work load--no personal computers
around to assist back in the 1960s. I was the Chinese Communists, BTW,
while Don Kay had the Nationalists. and out Economic Commander was in
Milwaukee. Later on the boardgame
Drang Nacht Osten had the Russian Front in battalion scale IIRR. One of my old wargaming chums was caught up in the play of that monster :-o
As for firing, I do believe I would relieve Halsey before I did the same
for Nimitz. "The wohole world wonders, where is Task Force 34? 8-D
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
You can always make up more quotes though. :-)
Actually, I can blather on in print, and others can lift the banalities and use them as quotes X-D
Hah,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Nice
stuff! Thank you so much for the response! :-D Any composers/
artists that are particular favourites? Do you ever get a chance to
listen to any contemporary composers, and if so do any of them appeal at
all? One of my favourites is Phillip Glass ( Liquid Days/ Soundtrack
for Candyman/ Glassworks).
I tend to most enjoy the works
of composers from the time of Mozart an through Saint Saens and Deliebs.
Some of the scores for films are interesting, although unless prompted I
can not name the one or two composers that I most enjoy.
One other question, if I may be so bold: a friend of mine is going
down to Cuba, and he said he could bring back some cigars for me, which,
of course, I would like very much! X-D Now, I believe you do or did
enjoy cigars (being somewhat of a connoisseur,
IIRC
from a much earlier post discussing wine etc) and as I'm not
particularily well informed in this area, I was wondering if you might
be so kind as to perhaps suggest/recommend some cigars. Your
enlightenment would be much appreciated! Thank you so much for taking
the time to answer my queries. Cheers! :-)
Sadly, I do not
have a source for Cuban cigars, so I am quite ignorant in regards which
brands are especially outstanding. Screenwriter James Goldman was a
frined of mione and most knowledgeable in this area, but Jim passed away
some years back, so I can not tap his expertise.
All I can suggest is if you do not regularly smoke cigars have your
friend get you long, thin ones, not the big torpedoes such as Winston
Churchill enjoyed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
I just recalled that my father used to smoke Cuban cigars with the Romeo y Julieta brand.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tarek
That's
because the list of devils in the Monster Manual II originally appeared
in a series of articles in Dragon, wherein the designation of the
asterisk is explained. You may be remembering the articles in Dragon
too.
Now spill the beans so that no one has to search the
old zine copies to find out. Does the asterisk mean the devil was a
jumper-up Pit Field?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
Hello Gary,
When rolling up a Lejendary Adventures
avatar, can the "additional ability" (the one that starts at a score of
10) count towards those abilites required for Avatar Orders? For
example, I rolled up an Ilf that I'd like to be in the Mage Order:
1st Ability: enchantment
2nd: aracna
3rd: weapons
4th: hunt
5th: stealth
If I use the additional ability on "learning" will that start my character as a 10th Rank "Master Magician"?
Hoping to try this character out at the LGGC! :-)
Oops!
While the 5ifth (or later) beginning Ability is often required to be a
member of an Order, this is not the case with Alfar.
Better check the rules for a Wylf Avatar. One must begin with the following:
Ranging @ 60% of Health
Scrutiny @ 50% of Precision
Stealth @ 70% of Precision
Two Abilities of player's choice are added @ 100% and 80%.
The added Ability @ 10% can not be Arcana, Chivalry, etc.
In short, Wylfs, as with most other non-human Avatars are not meant to be Ordered.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
Hi Gary,
Are you wiffling me? I said Ilf and not Wylf! :-P
I'm using the Essentials boxed set, but I do also have Lejendary Rules.
Okay, so then Alfar are all Unordered avatars?... Back to the drawing
board! ;-) Love this system, BTW! Still think I want to make an Ilf
enchanter of sorts.
--Ghul
(^_^')
Sorry, but somehow I read your
Ilf as
Wylf--probably because son Luke and others in my group have had outstanding Wylf Avatars. Of course Ilf Avatars must start with:
Hunt @ 60% of Precision
Stealth @ 50% of Precision
Weapons @ 70% of Precision
I usually encourage players taking Ilf Avatars to have Rustic as their
10% default Ability, if at that percentage it adding two points to
Health Base Rating and affecting any Health-based Abilities.
As noted, Ilfs are not good candidates for Ordered Avatars.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by The_Gneech
Greetings, Gary! :-) Your name has been invoked in the
What If D&D Had Come Out Before Lord of the Rings?
thread, so I was wondering if you'd like to opine on the subject. (As I
said in the thread, my own theory is that there's so much pre-Tolkien
pulp in
D&D, that it wouldn't actually be that different, except possibly for the race selection.)
-The Gneech B-)
PS: On your recommendation, I tried the Cyril Bonfiglioni book; I found
it to be a mixed bag. I really enjoyed his writing style, but really
didn't want to read what he wanted to write about. This is a problem
I've encountered many times, alas!
I'll visit the thread and offer my opinion after I respond here, thanks :-)
Sorry that you weren't taken with the Cyril Bonfiglioni book(s)--I
assume you picked up the trilogy. They are rather campy, granted, but as
I read mystery and spy fiction I didn't mind the subject matter. My
patience is tried when reading books that have little action or suspense
coupled with a banal or depressing theme.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by The_Gneech
I only read the first book (Don't Point That Thing at Me);
it started out as a fun little caper and then wandered off into
explicit torture and so forth. Being a rather dull PG-13 preferrer,
'twas not my cuppa, as they say. :-)
-The Gneech B-)
Hmmm...
I don't recall the torture scene as being particularly graphic, nothing
like what is referred to "horror fiction" these days but is more akin to
bloody sadism. The passages were short and meaningful to the iverall
story and plot also. Maybe you should have kept on reading...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Hi Gary,
I've just been reading some old issues of The Dragon, and getting into
the serialised novel The Gnome Cache, only to find that it disappears
into the ether, unfinished! Assuming that you are the Garrison Ernst to
which the tale is credited (who else could it be with such an
idiosyncratic style?), what happened to the rest of the story? Why
didn't it appear in The Dragon? How does it relate to Oerth - official
or not? And, why were those giant toad riding folk chasing that dwarf?
So many unanswered questions!
- Nathan P. Mahney -
Howdy!
Garrison Ernst, a/k/a Ernst Grimbold here.
Tim Kask didn't like the story of the
Gnome Cache,
so he dropped it. No biggie as far as I was concerned. the yarn was
only my second attempt at writing a novel, and I wasn'f all that happy
with what I had produced. The story was loosely based on the world of
Greyhawk, but the adventures were not drawn from any actual play of
D&D.
The giant toads are the steeds of the followers of Wastri, the Hopping
Prophet, certainly of Oerth and the pantheon of the Flanaess.
As for the conclusion, I can not recall where I had the tale headed, and
the ms. for the story is missing--possiblly buried amongst stored
documents here, otherwise truly lost.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Orius,
Can't quibbke with what you state above...although I suspect there are
those who will not agree that the the Baldur's Gate series is the best
ever ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tylerthehobo
Hiya, Gary,
I just wanted to drop an "Attaboy!" your way, after reading the new Gord
the Rogue story that was released with K.R. Bourgoine in the pages of
the Dragon 30th Anniversary issue. Great stuff! I hope we'll be seeing
more of our favorite rogue of Greyhawk? I think before the server
crashed and we lost some of this thread you had commented that there was
a potential for more stories, and also possibly an omnibus of the Gord
books - that still sound plausible? (Or am I completely misremembering
the thread? ;-) )
Good Afternoon :-)
Thanks for the good words. Indeed. K.R. Bourgoine and I are going to
discuss springboards for further Gord the Rogue short stories at the
Lake Geneva Gaming Convention, 9 - 11 June. the next semi-planned tale
is one where Chert joins Gord in his adventures.
Troll Lord Games is in process of readying to publish the seven Gorn
novels in hardback. If a sufficient number of short stories are written
hereafter, likely they'll be compiled with s few new ones and "At
Moonset Blackcat Comes" to make an eighth volume.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Last
night after our game we went out to dinner . . . one of my friends told
me in the computer gaming magazine "Penny Arcade", they had a cartoon
about a computer gamer telling his friend: "This new D&D Online is
like totally stealing ideas from World of Warcraft Online. How can they
get away with copying elves and dwarves and all?" X-D
X-D
I had a young female editor from a major NY publisher that was on the
same panel as I at a con ask me how I could steal dwarves from Tolkien. I
said:
"Young lady, I'll have you know that I stole my dwarves from the same source the professor did, Norse mythology!"
Tha audience laughed heartily, and she was basically silent thereafter.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Crothian
Hello Gary, I hope things are still going well for you.
In the Hall of the Fire Giants King was there any particular reason for
placing King Snurre near the beginning of the module? I'm running it
for a group that had never played it before and they were caught by
suprise at that and inquired about it. I figured the best answers is to
go to the source. The giant series of modules is very good and even 25
years later it is a great experince to share with people. Thank you
for that.
It has been almost 30 years since I wrote that adventure, but...
Thinking back I most likely did it so as to offer a really major
challenge to the adventuring party early on. While I didn't mention it,
when I DMed the scenario I had King Snurre move to another area and set
up an ambush with his flunkies when the PCs returned loaded for bear to
get him. I recall Jim Ward's PC used a magic jar spell to take over the
queen, and the party were nost eager to get poor little Obmi X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hello Gary!
How are things? Very well I hope. Gary, I was just wondering, do you
have any plans in the forseeable future of perhaps visiting up here in
Toronto? Personally, I do know there is a big sci fi con at the
convention centre here in downtown, which of course attracts a lot of
gamers. Thanks so much Gary. Ciao!
Howdy John,
I was a GoH at the Toronto event last August...
The only con I plan on attending this year if the Lake Geneva Gaming convention about five or six blocks from my house X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
Poor little Obmi? Yep - you're definitely a DM. :-)
By that stage, was Obmi a recurring villain for your players? I seem to
remember you writing in Dragon magazine that Obmi had turned up before
with some unusual (and frustrating) device.
Cheers!
Heh...
Well, yes! Obmi originally was encountered in the dungeons of Greyhawk Castle. He will appear in the
Castle Zagyg
module series. Obmi appered with one KEEK, an evil elf, in the Gord the
Rogue series...and son Luke unknowingly played out one of the novels'
scenes, just as I had envisioned it :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Thanks
Gary! Too bad for me I guess! If not for weddings and such, I'd be
there in a shot. Pretty sweet for you though (and the people at the
con!) Anyway, maybe next year I'll be able to make it to LG. Here's
hoping!
Funny you should mention weddings. My daughter
Elise is getting married on the Saturday of the LGGC, so I'll be basent
for about two hours thta day :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by KRBourgoine
Gary,
What are your thoughts on the final publicated version of "The Return of Gord"?
:-D
KRBourgoine
Howdy Pard!
The editing of the story was about average in terms of
destruction...nowhere near as bad as what Mongoose did to what Creffield
and I wrote for them. The positive side is that the yarn can eventually
be published in generally uncut form.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dagiz
Gary -
Wanted to say thanks for writing another Gord story - those books and
novels were the first ones that I ever really read and what my dad used
to get me to read. I still have them on my book shelves (my wife wishes
I didn't). So thanks for the novels!
anyways, I was curious to see how you balanced out realism vs. fun,
making sure that there was a degree of believability without it getting
too tedious?
Thanks!
You need to thank Bourgoine for the latest Gord tale. He was the one that encouraged its creation and took the lead.
As for crafting a yarn, that's a good deal akin to GMing an adventure
for a group of players. If you know your genre and its parameters, then
the task is one that is a matter of common sense. Adventure, excitement,
and danger are usually more important than actual verisimilitude in
short stories. In novel-length tales all that and a good deal of
character development should be developed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hey there Gary
These are some pretty standard questions I suppose, and no doubt
have been asked this before, but I have not been fortunate enough to
have heard the answer. So, apologies for the repeat of query :-) What
I was wondering was:
From a player's perspective, what is your favourite AD&D character
class? If you do have one, for what reason is it your favouite?
Howdy,
I usually play a magic-user, fighter, or a multi-classed
demi-human--such as an illusionist thief--when I play OAD&D. I don't
mind playing a cleric, druid, or ranger though. It is just that I began
RPGing when class choices were more limited, so most of my established
PCs are fighters, or magic-users. When I am tired, I always opt for a
fighter, when feeling full of vinegar I prefer a mage.
I do realise you have doubtlessly DMed countless games, but bearing
that in mind, do you have a particular type of plot/story that you enjoy
creating/running the most? (eg mystery, espionage, hack'n slash)
No special favorite plots or stories, just something that has
adventure, exploration, mystery, and problem solving in addition to the
action.
Which have you tended to do more of: play or DM/GM? Which do you prefer?
Thanks Gary, for taking the time to consider these wacky questions of a fan. Thanks! X-D
Since sometime around 1975 I increasingly served as GM. That holds true
today when i seldom get to participate in another role. Thus I now
prefer having a player's role to that of a GM's. Otherwise, I enjoy both
aspects of the RPG, but to be a good GM one must sometimes be on the
other side of the proverbial screen ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zudrak
Gary,
Obmi has to be my favorite NPC ever. In the 80's, he drove the PC's
bonkers (<-- it was the 80's!). When we resumed gaming c. 2000, I
brought him out in an old castle/dungeon of my making and once again was
my favorite weapon at my DM disposal.
In this dungeon, he was working at a bench when he was approached,
feigning to be slaving away. Strangely, nearby was a sliding glass door
which looked out to a forest. He stabbed the fighter as they were
talking and fled out the glass door. The party of four pursued him, not
knowing they were running into "The Repeating Forest", which would
repeat itself every 200'. Thus he doubled back on them using its
repeating feature and escaped via the sliding door.
My wife will still mention him from time to time whenever we discuss
gaming. Bravo on such a great character that really knows how to get
under the PCs' collective skin. >:-)
X-D
That is much how I regarded the cherished Obmi as the DM, how my players felt about the hated dwarf. Worse still...
Son Ernie had Obmi in his campaign, and who should I be playing but
Zigby, my dwarf fighter. How I wanted to catch and trash that vile,
filthy, fleeing runt after he popped my PC with a dwarven throwing
hammer. Irritatingly, I could not find him in the maze he used to make
good his escape >:-)
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
So did anyone ever actually catch Obmi and gain vengeance, or is he still out there somewhere?
:-o
Obmi got caught in the
Hall of the Fire Giant King,
laid low, but of course I had his remains recovered by a hidden
henchman, a wish used to restore life to the valiant fighter against PC
tyranny and depridations. X-D Thta is how I could have him appear in
the Gord series without a qualm. His fate therein is another matter, but
assuredly there is a parallel world Obmi around to assist the
malign...I mean
magnificent opposition.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Ah,
there's nothing like bringing a most-hated (by the PCs, anyway!) NPC
back to life after your players have done him in. Gets the old hatred
flowing, and makes normally level-headed and cagey players really easy
to lure into the simplest of traps!
How true...
...and how straight-forwardly devious X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by zakon
Hmm...what to ask...
Did you ever plan to have "specialized" classes like the assassin or acrobat, or did they just crop up?
Also, why did you cap the levels on every race except human?
Howdy!
The assassin is an archetype, not any more specialized than most of the
other classes. The thief-acrobat was an attempt to make the nimble
swashbuckler of many a motion picture the same. So to the point, I did
indeed plan those types of characters.
Your statement regarding level limits is not wholly correct. There is
usually no level limit on non-human thief class characters. As the
fantasy worlds for RPGs are ruled by humans, not other races, of course
humans must be superior. Campaign worlds are humanocentric because all
GMs are human, of course, and actually developing a milieu in which some
other race was predominant is a poser, a creative task I would not care
to undertake, as it would necessarily take decades, if it could be
properly depicted at all,
IMO.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Hey Gary,
I was wondering about the various named spells (Mordenkainen's Faithful
Hound, the Bigby's Hand spells, etc.). Were these spells that were
actually researched by the respective characters during the course of
play, or did you just assign them to the characters on a whim?
Heh...
Rather a moot question. As the author of the AD&D game, the arbiter
of the Greyhawk campaign from which much in the underlying game sprang,
and the player whose PCs they were, or for whom some of the name spells
PCs I was DM of, you are essentially asking what hat I was wearing. All
of that came from one source X-D
Indeed, Mordenkainen has a few magic items that are non-suches, as do some of the old Greyhawk PCs of other persons.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by zakon
Why
was Rary called Rary the Traitor? I remeber reading something that
referred to him as that. On a similar note, do you know of anywhere on
the 'net or some other place I could get a hold of what went on in those
games? From what I've pieced together, it seems like a
very...interesting game (Trail of displacer cloak rags and elven tears,
Lol)
Well...
As a matter of fact I have no solid idea as to why Rary was even
mentioned by TSR. That PC was one that Brian Blume created early in the
D&D cycle, a magic-user that Brian wanted to work up to 3rd level so
as to introduce him as "Medium Rary." O.o When he gained that level
Brian quit playing that PC, pretty much dropped out of regularly playing
D&D in fact.
To get a knowledgeable answer you'll have to seek out the ones responsible for the make-up PC and why they named him thus.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
Heh. While still dumb, she would have been better off asking why halflings were so close to hobbits.
Ain't that the truth X-D
Of course I purposely made them that was so as to annoy the Elan
Merchandising folks--Hairfoots, Stouts, and Tallfellows... 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hi
Gary, I was wondering, what prompted you to name the Greyhawk campaign
Greyhawk? Does it have any particular signifigance or did it just sound
"right" to you at the time? Also, is the Blackmoor presented therein the
same as Arneson's ( as I recall it was a supplement for OD&D) or
just a coincidence, or something else altogether? Thanks for your time
Gary. As always, much apprecitated! :-)
A lot of far-ranging questions there... :-o
I settled on Greyhawk because I happened to admire Chief Blackhawk of
the Sac & Fox Indians that inhabited and fought the settlers in this
area. As hawking was a much beloved medieval hunting form I did indeed
consider the name as fitting.
The Blackmoor on the Oerick maps is certainly not the same as Dave
Arneson's campaign setting. I liked its ring, so put it onto the map as I
was making up names for the various states.
The
Blackmoor
supplement to OD&D was indeed done by Dave Arneson, editorially
develped by Tim Kask. Before it was Greyhawk, after it came
Eldritch Wizadry.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
So why Greyhawk, and not Grayhawk? Why the unpatriotic support of spelling from across the pond?
Why not be different? :-P
Actually, it just seemed better to spell it that way at the time... :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Speaking
as the author of Keak's converted statistics for the Living Greyhawk
campaign, I am quite interested to hear you mention him as he is one of
my favorite GH villains. This actually brings up a fairly silly question
however which several of my friends and I have debated. Was it intended
to be pronounced "keek" or "kee-ack?"
Obmi is also one of my favorites. Thanks for inventing such lively (and
deliciously evil) characters! You might be happy to hear that the names
of both still strike terror and hatred in the heart of hundreds of LG
players.
Salut!
My pleasure to have struck a chord with Obmi and Keak.
As "keak" means to to cackle, it is pronounced as a single syllable, keek.
Finally, considering the number of persons that read the Gord novel in
which they appear, the number of G# modules sold and re-sold, I do
believe somethink like hundredsof thousands have been introduced tio
those villians and despised them :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Because as unpatriotic as you may think it is, it's the right way! :-P
Ahem!
As a descendant or Noah Webster on my maternal, maternal side of the
family I must object to that baseless assertion. Curb such statements,
as the question of proper spelling is in the gray area. I do believe
America English has a larger number of speakers than any other form, ay?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Welcome to my parlour,
Said the spydre to the flye.
O.o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
Mr. Gygax, you are indeed a cunning linguist, pond sides be damned!
--Ghul
:P
Heh...
Fact is I have a good deal of respect for England and its peoples,
British history and tradition. Winston Churchill prevented the loss of
WWII back in May 1940 by refusing to negotiate with the Nazis as some in
the UK wished, the French did in fact.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
ING
(I'm not Gary), but I've instead heard that "Wee Jas" is a (Gaelic?)
way of saying "little Janice," rather than the "ouija" story. Only Gary
can answer with certainty. :-)
Missed the original post, Henry,
Actually many of the Suel, Wee Jas included, were the creation of Len Lakofka, so that is chap to query B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Ah,
sorry Gary and Nathan P. Mahney, :-# I was just joking around! I
thought the goofy little face at the end of my statement cleared that up
:\ . No harm or offense was intended, I apologise profusely to any who
were directly or indirectly hurt by my post.
:-o
And my X-D before signing off didn't tip my hand, show that I was just being silly?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
I'll
take this occasion to once again flog a book you recommended yourself,
Gary - Poplollies and Bellibones. I consider it now to be the "Rosetta
Stone" of Gygaxian writing. Words like "keak," "fonkin," and "hoddypeak"
are defined and used in sentences in this nice little book. I've
noticed Barnes & Noble selling it in their discount sections lately,
so anyone who doesn't have it yet may still have the chance to avail
themselves of it.
Right-O Colonel!
It is a fine little book filled with many interesting lost words :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
LoL, I didn't notice it til it was too late :-D ! Ah well, as long as we're all clear! :-)
Sure thing!
About the only part of gaming that I take seriously is the fun to be had B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
this in from Len Lakofka by an email message to me:
"Weejas is phonetically like the Parker Brother game oijas or however
you spell it. It has nothing to do with any existing language."
there you have it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
>:-(
It seems to me that smeone misspelled "Asses"...put an h in it :-P
X-D Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JustaPlayer
I
can take a stab at this if you would like. Late in Greyhawk way after
Gary left the company, Rary who was at the time part of the Circle of
Eight. He ended up betraying the circle and killing a number of it's
meber who have since then been replaced.
Of course there was never a Rary in the actual Circle of Eight as I created it ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by AZNtrogdor
Hi Gary! :-)
On the episode of Futurama, in which you guest starred, you would
constantly role dice to decide what you would do next. My friend thought
it was a great idea and for a month last year, he would role dice
whenever making a decision (I personally don't know if the dice really
were affecting his decision or if they were just for show). I was
wondering if you ever role dice to make decisions in real life? :-)
X-D
No dice rolling, no coin flipping, no cutting of cards or casting runes :-o
That was just a plot device in the script to underscore the use of
random event/encounter tables in the game. As I have noted, David X.
Cohen was a DM back in the day.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
As
a french-canadian, I do have to quote that. As many english people, if
not more, wished to make peace with Hitler as french citizens resisted,
under De Gaulle. In fact, Lord
Halifax came very close of being PM of England, in which case he would have most likely made some sort of peace.
Absolutely!
What a great thing it was for the world that winston Churchill was as he was.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Agback
Gary, I guess that like me you will be saddened by the fact that Jack Vance is ill and no longer writing.
I just wondered what you make of his more recent work. The Lyonesse trilogy, the Cadwal Chronicles, Nightlamp, Lurulu, etc. are very different from the work that went into the inspirtion of D&D, but I like them better than The Dying Earth, Eyes of the Overworld, Cugel's Saga, Rhialto the Marvellous, The Dragon Masters, The Last Castle and so forth.
I enjoy almost all of Jack's writing very much, and indeed i am most sorry that age has caught up with him. I loved
Nightlamp, but the last novel he wrote was not amongst my favorites. I just finished re-reading the
Demon Princes and
Planet of Adventure :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Agback
Did
you know that Hitler had a plan to restore the Duke of Windsor as king
of England? There is even reason to believe that the Duke was not
entirely averse to the idea. In 1940, as the French were collapsing, he
refused to leave Paris. Churchill sent an 'aide de camp' and a
'bodyguard' and orders that said in effect "General the Duke of Windsor,
you are an officer in the British Army, and your post is as governor of
Bermuda. Go there now with this escort, or come to England under arrest
and spend the war in Pontefract Castle (if you know what I mean)".
I have read a bit about that. There were a fair number of Nazi
sympathizers amongst the British nobility as well. Of course hitler was
most charismatic...
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Nightlamp
was my first encounter with Vance's writing, and I enjoyed it. I'm
currently reading the Dying Earth books, and enjoying those even more.
When I first encountered the writing of Jack Vace I preferred his
fantasy. After long acquaintance with his work I believe that I enjoy
his science fiction more. Whatever the genre, though, I do love reading
Jack Vance prose.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
And clearly a prime example of 18 Charisma, in AD&D terms! :-)
In reading about Hitler it is evident that he could influence almost
anyone that spoke with him, even if that individual was quite opposed to
the ideas being proposed by Hitler. He was also a master showman and
manipulator.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Well,
given the smaller scope of the Living Greyhawk campaign, I was just
adding a few more to the mix. I am certain that there are more than
that. :-)
That is excellent, as Obmi revels in being reviled by thousands...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
I'm
sure you've been asked this before, but who was in the original Circle
of the Eight? Also, if you don't mind me asking, what was the Co8's
original mission? Was it always about neutrality or was there some more
deviant goal in mind?
IIRR after al these years:
Mordenkainen
Bigby
Yrag
Felnorith
Sigby Grigbyson
Zigby
Rigby
Vran & Vin (counted as one)
The purpose of the association was to hold and expand the terrirory that
they had, and to keep Neutrality paramount therein. So perhaps
expansion fits your criterion above ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey
Gary, I was wondering how common extra-planar advantures were/are in
your Greyhawk campaign. Besides various demi-planes (such as in Isle of the Ape)
did you ever send any PC's to any of the inner or outer planes outlined
in the PHB? What about Mordenkainen and crew, did they ever adventure
in the Abyss, the Nine Hells, any of the elemental planes, etc?
Gray Mouser
Such adventures were rare indeed in my
campaign or those in which I played. Most off-world action took place in
strange and distant lands, ofter in other universes. My players went to
the Carabas to fight the Dirdir now and then, to Barsoom, etc. but I
didn't send them into elemental planes or the nether realms to
adventure, as none were sufficiently powerful to survive such journeys.
Of course Robilar did get carried into the Abyss by Zugtmoy, and Erac
and Ailerach were taken there by Fraz-urb'lu. none of those unfortunates
roamed about there though, and eventuaqlly escaped to return to the PMP
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
O.o
Not powerful enough? Gads, man. If Mordenkainen, Bigby, etc. weren't strong enough to survive an extra planar trip who is?
Mordie is nervous aboard the Starship Warden, and even with his most
powerful associates would not feel confident of adveturing in the Hells
or the Abyss. Maybe if he was a demi-god and his companions were all of
at least quasi-deity status...
Heh, I didn't know Robilar got way laid by Zugtmoy. She's tricky,
eh? Did Robilar, Erac and Ailerach encounter any figures of note there
(besides Z. and Fraz-urb lu, obviously), or was it mostly lesser demons
and other sundries? I sure would like to get the chance to drop some
PC's in on Juiblex, myself. Sadly, they're currently getting smacked by
some hobgoblins :\
Gray Mouser
The Demoness Queen of Fungi was not so clever, robilar was
brash. He tossed a pillar through the door sealing Zuggtmoy into the
chamber in the ToEE. She got a look at the handsome adventurer, noted
his evil aura, and as a reward for freeing her carried him off to the
Abyss as her body servant. I did no go into details there, but
eventually Robilar convinced her of the imcompatability of a lawful evil
servant in her realm, so she sent his back to the PMP.
Erac and Aylerach (I never can remember how Mark Ratner spelled that
PC's name) accidentally loosed the demon from imprisonment in the
dungeons of Greyhawk Castle. He was so delighted at having duped them
into doing so that he took them with him when he went home. Again, I did
not have detailed adventures there--as both players were hardly
speaking to Rob and me after the game session. Eventually the
incompatability of LKawful Good in the Abyss brought the demon prince to
a decision point: slat the pair or boot them out. The dice roll called
for the latter.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey,
Gary, thanks for the additional info about your players "escapades" in
the Abyss. If anything was learned I would assume it was not to be too
helpful to demons (even unintentionally!) as their idea of a "reward"
doesn't seem to be so great. Especially when dealing with the Demon
Queen of Fungi, I suspect X-D
Gray Mouser
X-D
Just so!
Of course I had the demons laughing hideously as they carried off their respective victime to be their "cherished slaves."
I do believe that son Ernie has never forgiven me for the loss of his
two Vorpal Swords, these turning touseless hunks of iron in the abyss.
Also, Rob was rather upset when his main PC was likewise treated,
Robilar's orc henchman Quij, made a poncho out of the Flying Carpet he
was guarding due to the long wait and cold nights, and eventual seige of
his castle as word got out that Robilar had freed the evil from the
Temple of EE...
8-D
Gary
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
...
Seriously, though. I assume that there was at least a smattering of
thanks given the fact that the PC's in question could've simply been
slain out of hand X-D
Gray Mouser
No.
As usual the DM was reviled, went unappreciated. Without having the
stories to relate, both of those excellent adventures would count for
nothing >:-)
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hi Gary!
One of my favourite modules you created (that I have run several
times, with great success amongst my fellow gaming comrades) was the
great Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun.
What I was wondering was, what inspired the creation of such a nasty
fellow as Tharizdun and such a awesome scenario? I loved all of the
imagery created in that tale, particularly the Black Cyst area. Did you
have control over the presentation of that module (cover, artwork,
layout etc) ? I was quite fond of that too, finding it to be very
evocative and quite well suited to the text. And, did you ever have any
plans to do more with Tharizdun or was it just a one off affair (as it
obviously turned out to be! :-D ) Thanks Gary, much appreciated, as
usual! :-)
Howdy John,
Actually the muse strick, so I devised the darkest evil entity I could
envision, then devised the supposed tomb scenario to see how players
would have their PCs react to it. Only a few felt the strangeness of the
place, the sadness evoked by the loss of horrific evil. I did indeed
control the art direction of that module.
Of course Tharizdun became the chief antagonist in the later Gord the
Rogue books,threatened to conquer and tyrannize the universe...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
...
Ah, I was unaware of that, as I have not been fortunate enough to read
those books, having instead read you very excellent "Role Playing
Mastery" and sequel "Master of The Game", both thoroughly interesting
reads. At any rate, thanks for devising such a fantastic scenario, which
has indeed greatly affected all of my designs and ideas in pertaining
to temples, tombs and ancient evil histories, and campaign style.
Jiust in case...
Troll Lord Games is in process of readying the seven books for reprint
as hardbacks. I am not sure when the first will be released, but I think
it will be in the late autumn of this year,
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Hey, Gary.
Have you read/seen Da Vinci Code? How much of pop culture do you follow? What books and movies do you like?
Heh...
As a Christian I scoff at the foolishness of the whole matter, book and
film. It is insulting to the intelligence of anyone knowledgeable in
regards the subject. In short it is preposterous.
I read quite eclectically--mainly history, historical fiction, mystery,
fantasy, and science fiction. Jack Vance is my favorite author, but I
can happily read the stories of Robert E. Howard's "Conan," Robert van
Gulik's "Judge Dee", Rex Stout's "Nero Wolfe," C.S. Forrester's
"Hornblower", Bernard Cornwell's "Sharpe", and so on.
I mainly enjoy action adventure films. Just saw
Aeon Fluxx
on DVD (we have a big screen TV and surround sound) and was
disappointed in that I thought the animated series that was on MTV years
back was far better. The new
King Kong was better that the de Laurentis abomination but much inferior to the original. I want to see
X-Men 3, and I hope to go to the theater with my youngest son, Alex, soon. Of course I enjoyed the
Lord of the Rings trilogy and love the "Harry Potter" flicks.
BTW, although I mostly watch the History Channel, Discvery Channels,
Science Channel, A&E, and the Military Channel, I do usually watch
Fox News and have been hooked on
24,
watched the last two series and intend to tune in next January when the
show airs again with new episodes. I tune into the SC Channel now and
then but the new
Dr. Who hasn't grabbed me.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
I
always wondered, why all the re-writes on the Gord series? Stuff like
whether or not he buried the "old woman" who raised him (in the first
version he leaves her body in the street, in the second he returns to
bury her), his origins (guttersnipe to Bastard-Prince of the Cat-Lord),
etc. I know this was Post-T$R, but why the changes to the tale?
Heh...
There were no re-writes at all ;-)
Changes? No way. I consider them elucidations of partially detailed
scenes as viewed from a different and more comprehensive perspective.
The information relayed in
City of Hawks is revelation that supports the overall storyline, elements therein that would have been incongruos in the initial two novels.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Valdur
Gary,
Glad to see you're still active in the gaming world and communicating
regularly with fans. I hope you are able to do so for many more years.
Thanks :-)
As I am semi-retired, don't do as much creative work as I did
previously, I have more time for posting on boards and to my email list
groups.
Without getting into a religious discussion, how did you feel about
the accusations and attacks on D&D by religious groups back in the
80's ? Were you ever contacted by any of them in a sincere effort to
find out about the game or to discuss it? Has time changed your view of
the situation any?
Only one such group contacted me personally, whichever one it is that published the magazine,
Cornerstone.
the young lady that interviewed me was very sincere, polite, and
reasonable. Although the subsequent article was not favorable to the
game, it was written feirly from a basically fundamentalist position,
did not attack me personally, rather came near to praising me with faint
damns X-D
Otherwise, all of the so-called mental health advocates and their ilk stayed far away as well.
All of it was a load of rubbish, of course. either the detractors could
not tell the difference between make-believe and reality or else they
were cynically exploiting the ignorance of others in order to gain from
attacking the game.
On a lighter note, I thoroughly enjoyed playing Necropolis using the
3 edition D&D rules. Have you published other adventures that are
3e compatible and/or do you plan to write more?
The only other D20 adventure modules I have done are dual system with the LA game. You might find
The Hall of Many Panes
an interesting campaign-length one for your players, although some
adjustment in what is encountered might be necessary when having D&D
PCs exploring therein. I no longer enjoy rules intensive systems,
prefer rules-light skill based games, and the module worked perfectly
for about a year of play using the
Lejendary Adventure system. I had the D20 sections added because I know that a number of
3E fans wanted to have a go at the module.
You might also have a look at
The Hermit module, another dual system one.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by KaosDevice
Dear Col_Pladoh,
You are my hero...can I have your autograph?
:-)
X-D
Actually, I am quite pleased, feel honored, to provide my autograph to fellow gamers whenever I am able to do so ;-)
Seriously though, I was curious, have you read Ken Hite's most
recent article about where the game industry should head? What do you
think about it?
No, I haven't seen the article. Shooting from the hip I
believe that the paper RPG field would most benefit if the one company
large enough to manage the challenge went all out to recruit new, mostly
young players. The grreatest competition for in-person gaming are
computer games, including online ones. Of course paper RPGing is a niche
market, not expanding currently, and very much suffering from
overcrowded retail shelves, as there are too many games and support
products being produced for the number of consumers.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Larcen
Hi Gary. I am so happy to see you still here chatting and answering questions. B-)
Rest assured I am happy to be able to do so! X-D
I would consider it a pleasure and an honor if you pop over this to thread and cast your vote:
Help me choose a name for a card game!
...and then come back here and tell me what you voted for. ;-)
Okay, although none seemed great, as they did not convey what the game
was about, I voted for Mythic, assuming there would be some magic and
myth involved. As I once raised Rouen ducks, they look like big
mallards, I just couldn't get into that name for a title, although with
the right artwork it could be very interesting.
P.S. You ever going to return to Higgins Armory in MA, or anywhere
else in New England? We really enjoyed your visit and speak of it
fondly to this day.
Well, no, I have no plans for such a trip. Were Hector Diaz of
Jumpgate still with us I would certainly be easily persuaded to hear
east again, and my wife has a sister that lives in New Jersey. I enjoyed
the Higgins Armory gig, was imnpressed with their collection and with
Jeff Forgeng's accumen, but that was a one-time show...
Come on to the next Lake Geneva Gaming Convention, or make the one that starts in a few days--June 9-11 :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by KaosDevice
Thanks for the response Cap'n G, you da man. The article I was talking about can be found
here.
Take care and all the best.
Found it before you posted the link, read and commented ;-)
The commercial future is certainly in electronic, not paper, gaming.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Hey, Gary,
Good to see you on the boards these days. Hope everything is well in your corner. Anyway, I've got a burning question for you:
Should I play a thief or a ranger?
Best Wishes,
Jokamachi
P.S. Have you seen Chimes at Midnight yet?
O.o
Which PC you plat depends on what you want to have your character do in
the adventures, scout and fight mainly outdoors or skulk mainly indors
and perform what it rakes to purloin valuables.
As for
Chimes at Midnight, which I assume is a film, no. What genre is it?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Those
are all fantastic books, btw. Haven't read Vance yetr, but ordered a
couple from Amazon. Hey, Gary, have you ever read Ian Flemming's James
Bond books? If you have, I'd be interested to hear your opinion on 'em.
Also, if you like 24,
you've gotta check out the 1st two seasons, truly masterpieces. While
I'm on the topic of TV shows, um...you ever watch The Prisoner? :-) I
rather like it. Be curious as to your opinion. Thanks Gary & Be
Seeing You!
Bur of course I rad all the "Bond" novels
written by Ian FLeming, enjoyed them a good deal. If I had mentioned
that I read both Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes" and Rhomer's "Fu MAnchu"
tales you would likely have assumed I'd read Gleming's books.
As for
The Prisoner, indeed I watched it back when my telly;s screen was black & white. I also was a fan of
The Avengers.
I seldom watch video tapes or CDs as there is usually something on being broadcast that I want to see.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
...
For those who aren't familiar with the early Greyhawk material, well,
this is how I sort of view the matter as a more or less neutral
bystander looking at it from the outside:
First, there is the original campaign as run by Gary, Rob and others.
This is where the world itself was first developed, and some of the
material found its way into the game in the days of 1e.
I
began the campaign world, had Rob join as co-Dm when the adventuring
group size was generally over 12 and rather overwhealming. Thus the
dungeons were an an amalgamation of his and mine, but all the rest of
Greyhawk was my sole creaation...with inspirational input from many
players, of course :-D
Then there's the official setting as published. The official
setting isn't really the same thing as Gary's setting, the way I
understand, the published setting started off when he presented elements
of his own campaign for DMs to use as their own, though there was also
stuff like the Rogue's Gallery that did not accurately reflect the
original Greyhawk, but still became the basis for official material.
After Gary left TSR, other people wrote material for the setting of
varying quality.
As I have related elsewhere, my original setting for Greyhawk
was basicaly the earth, and the City of Greyhawk was about where Chicago
is, Dyvers on the shore northwards where Milwaukee stands. Of course as
my campaign world was active, had many players, I did not wish to
detail it, so I created Aerth, the continent of Oerick, and all that
went with it for general use by other DMs. I found I liked it so well
that I switched my group's play to the World of Greyhawk soon after I
had finished the maps and manuscript.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hi there, Gary
...
Okay, the city's name is pronounced DYE-vers.
The Tomb of Horrors was inspired by material sent to me by Alan Lucien,
and I believe I have credited him in this regard, but it has been so
many years I can not recall where and how. Anyway...
The place was designed to test the mettle of the best players, stretch
their ability to the maximum. That it did, while nor a few PCs belonging
to very capable players bit the proverbial dust. Those players with
real cran came back and kept trying until their PCs suceeded or else the
DM grew weary of running the module. As I have mentioned, in my group
only Rob Kuntz managed to get to the end of the advbenture, Robilar
losing all of his orc flunkies at the onset, in the initial passage.
When he found the tomb of the demi-lich Robilar scooped all the magical
treasures he could into his bag of holding and ran off leaving the
demi-lich hanginf, as it were. Tenser retreated from the perilous place,
as did Terik.
Of course Mordenkainen never entered the place, but had he, the wily
wizard would surely have come with his most potent associates, and
brought plenty of powerful magic along. As with most other dedicated
players, I too am averse to losing my favirite and long-luved PC.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by WyzardWhately
...
I laughed so hard it woke up the guest sleeping on my couch, and decided I should share.
Oh, I see...
I am now the butt of unseemly humor, eh?
I have seldom been so offended! >:-)
X-D B-) X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Is Lake Geneva in there somewhere? Hommlett, mayhaps? (^_^')
Heh...
When I did the
Village of Hommlet I was playing on the
World of Greyhawk maps.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
Gary,
i'm curious. did James Jacobs and Erik Mona consult you for the
Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss? i'm asking you because they
haven't said, yet. ;-)
particularly i'm interested to know, because they are greatly expanding
on the text of all the classic demon lords, even including a bit of the
the "name only" lords from the MMII. :-) (Obox-ob and Dagon are even
getting full write-ups, and all the others will be given at least a few
details.)
Well...
That's easy :-D
No, I was not consulted.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jokamachi
Gary,...
Chimes at Midnight is that Orson Wells film on Falstaff. It collects all
of the scens in which the portly knight appeared and presents them
together (in order I believe).
Best wishes,
jokamachi
Ciao!
I'd surely enioy seeing that compilation. I assume that it includes Falstaff and Sir John Oldcastle.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Deuce Traveler,
That is an interesting and informative precis of the development of the
fantasy game form on computer and for online pay. Thanks.
GameSpot had me tied with JRRT for #17 in the 30 most influential people in cmputer gaming, BTW X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
No
problem, Gary. When the CRPG article comes out this summer I'll let
you know in case you need something to help with any fits of insomnia.
;-)
No way!
I am a game geek, so that sort of thing actually interests me X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Hard to believe. :-P
Sorry, it was just too easy. (^_^')
Nah!
It's easy to believe when you remember that I was named the number 1
nerd of all time, beating out all of Japan--came in 8th X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Who
decided that? I mean, you and Al Gore both got into "Anthology of
Interest" on Futurama, but you have one more movie (counting both
D&D movies as yours), but then again Al invented the internet . . .
you only invented most of the games on computers. (Sort of like how "The
Honeymooners" invented most comedy on TV.) :-P
Heh...
Evidentally you missed
Sync Magazine,
where in the December/January 2004/05 issue ran an article titled "The
50 biggest Nerds of All TIme." Bill Gates was mentioned in 51st place,
while I was named the #1 Nerd of All Time, the Kinf of Nerds! X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Palaner
Probably been asked before...have you ever played a pen-and-paper roleplaying game online over a chat client?
Actually I don't recall that question ever being asked before ;-)
While I have known of such games for years, and the chap that runs
Makray's Keep used to play in my campaign, I have not played online. The
fact is that I was stretching it to have one night a week set aside for
my face-to-face game. Now I do that and often play boardgames at my son
Ernie's plave on Monday afternoons, so semi-retirement is good B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
Hi Gary,
I thought of a question for you and figured it was so good enough to ask you publically. ;-)
With the D&D cartoon show now playing on Toon Disney on the
weekends, I was thinking of all of TSR's efforts in the early 80's to
expand the D&D brand. I remember the LJN action figures, a coloring
book (which I think was credited to you), and TSR's Endless Quest and
HeartQuest books.
First of all, how many of these efforts were your idea, and overall did
you see these as a big success or not? Is this something you would
recommend any large gaming company attempt to do for their own brands?
IMO, I liked the outreach to the younger audiences, and I think some of this is lacking in the Wizards/Hasbro market today.
Hi JRT!
To be brief, all of those, along with pajamas, sheets, candy, etc. were
licensing deals made to bring in added revenue even as the products so
licensed helped to increase brand awareness. Licensing is something
practised by most companies with a viable trade mark/brand name to
offer. Film producers license many books and some theatrical plays to
use a sthe basis for motion pictures. Roleplaying game companies license
novels for use in their products.
None of this is something I thought of, but something that has been ongoing for many years.
Wise use of licensing opportunities is beneficial. One must be careful not to over-expose the licensed property.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
Heh, I kinda knew that. :-P
So you asked the question to test me., eh? >:-) >:-(
There was a D&D Candy Bar?! O.o
There was candy with
the D&D name on it made in Spain. I don't recall what sort it was,
but I think it was something similar to Gummi Bears.
To make it an easy/quick answer, from the time you were involved in
TSR (until 1986 or so), what non-game licensed product from D&D are
you most proud of, and what product are you least proud of?
As there is nothing in to be particularly proud about, save by
association, that is a difficult question. About the best I can respond
is that I liked the "Big Wheel" with a dragon had on it, as did son
ALex X-D The bndy toys that TSR had made were dangerous for kids
because of the interior wire. Otherwise the only gauge for measurement
of a licensed product is its sales success, possibly the number of new
consumers for the underlying game generated by that success.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Delta
Gary, I'm wondering what real-life era you think most closely corresponds to the AD&D worldview (esp., technology-wise).
For example, in the 1E
DMG you mention that full plate armor is "a late development and is not considered (c. 1500)", although you did include it in
Unearthed Arcana.
In the Waterborne Adventures section, you wrote that "Cogs, carracks,
and caravels of the 13th and 14th centuries are considered to be
excellent merchant ships". However, my reading of history is that
carracks & caravels weren't invented until the mid-1400's, i.e., the
15th century.
I guess I'm most interested in the ships aspect. In your AD&D
campaign, were carracks, caravels & naos (a) the majority of sailing
ships (as in 1500's), (b) an elite minority (as in 1400's), or (c) only
an exotic hypothetical prospect (as in 1300's or earlier)?
The short answer to all that is: You are the DM, suit technology in the campaign to what you plan to do therein.
Full plate armor was a development of the 15th century, and when I was
writing the pieces that comprised the bulk of the UA book my concept of
developing technology in a fantasy milieu had altered. It then seemed
illogical to to me to have the level of advancement stuck in the early
middle ages. Thus I had fragatas and sambuks and prahus and galleasses
and galleons on the seas as well as junks, cogs, caravels, and carracks.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Palaner
I
was at work yesterday, bored as a two-by-four. It occurred to me that a
simple plot generator might help with new DMs who don't have a clue
what they're doing. Given a table of highly generic plot elements, do
you think this would be useful?
BTW, check your email. ;-)
There is a volume titled
Insidae, by Dan Cross, in the "Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds" reference book series that covers plotting stories and adventures in depth.
I go through about 150 incoming email messages each day, deleting the vast majority as they are SPAM >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
So with the 1400s-or-so tech., why no compasses in D&D?
What is an Arrow of Direction if not a compass?
With so many armored folks about a normal one is likely to function properly only on a ship ;-)
As the DM of your campaign world setting you can put as many in as you like, of course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Here
is a "just because I am wondering" question. How did the term "Dungeon
Master" originate? Also, nowadays, there are many terms for the person
who "runs" a roleplaying game (storyteller, game master, referee, judge,
etc.). Of course it really makes no difference what one is called, but
have you ever used variations of the term? I usually use DM when I am
running D&D and "Game Master" when I am running other RPGs, and I am
not sure why I developed the habit.
Howdy!
Just back at the computer after having a great time at the Lake GenevaGaming Convention :-D
To the best of my knowledge the term "Dungeon Master" was coined by some
unknown D&D game fan and used first in a fanzine. It cought on
immediately. "Game MAster" was coined soon thereafter by those that did
not want their RPG to be confused with D&D.
So of course the little Lejendary Adventure FRPG has "Lejend Masters"... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
In
my campaign, I gave one of the characters +2 long sword that always
tells true North; it's either Viking or Canadian in origin, obviously.
:-P
Pish!
It is most certainly Chinese :-P
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
that would have been my second guess. ;-)
Noppers!
You were correct initially. The term "GM" was around a long time before T$R decided to TM "DM"... :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hey,
good to have you back! :-D How did the LGGC go overall, anyway? From
what I hear, Frank Mentzer's quite the terror around the board game
circuit, how'd people fare against him? Or against you for that matter?
:-)
I'll not be posting lengthy replies for a time--too
frazzled. Our gamer company left today but tomorrow my daughter and
grandson return from a trip up north.
The LGGC was great, a small intimate event just as was last year's. I
don't know how anyone else's games went, as I wasn't at the Cove long on
any day...although I did play a
Chainmail
minis game for about an hour and a half, thanks Paul Stormberg, with
Rob Kuntz, Bill Hoyer and John bobek on the side of Evil in the Hommlet
moat house, and Jeff Perren, son Ernie, and me the Good guys. Great fun
even if I got some of my troops ambushed by an enraged treant. When I
bailed to have a presentation made by Frank Mentzer, Jim Lurvey took
over for me.
I ran three sessions of the LA game on my front porch, eight players
per. All had fun and I couldn't manage a single horrible death for one
of the Avatars >:-)
Joseph Elric Smith plans to do a con report, and if he doesn't post it on the boards I will.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey Gary, I think you missed my question so I thought I'd repost it :-)
Hope you had a good time at the LGGC, too.
Gray Mouser
T'was a really fun time--about 30 here for the
Thursday night porch party, and folks dropping by every night after
through Sunday. Last year about four bottles from a single case of beer
were drunk. This year I think we went through four cases :-o
My British friend and co-author Jon Creffield just left for the airport
this afternoon. Wished he could have stayed longer to game more. All we
had tome to play was
Rail Baron and cribbage :\
Anyway, I did miss that question. Sorry!
The background I created for Mordenkainen was Finnish-like in nature, and his master was a chap called Old Waino...
B-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
That's awesome Gary! Hey, whatever works for you works for me (and everyone else here, I imagine! :-) ) Thanks ! :-D
Thanks, and welcome :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh,
thanks for the info, Colonel. Did Old Waino ever see any play as an
NPC? Also, did you pick the name because of the Finnish sculpter named
Waino? (I had never heard of it before this, myself.)
Gray Mouser
X-D
No to both. I picked the name because one Vainomoinen was sometimes
referred to as "Old Waino." I really was captivated with Finnish myth
after seeing a B&W movie done by the Russians, I think, about him,
Leminkainen, and Ilmarinen adventuring to Pojola and entering Louhi's
fortress, then reading "The Green Magician" by de Camp and Pratt as well
as the
Kalevala.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Here's
another Mordy question for ya Gary. Nowadays he is widely considered
the greatest mage in the Flanaess. Did you ever envision Mordenkainen
becoming such an important figure? Or did you just see him as your PC
and only as great as you made him? Were there any characters that
Mordenkainen aspired to be like?
Thanks!
Survival and ability to adventure widely were my
first concerns for Mordenkainen. When he made 12th level I decided he
should have some greater purpose, so I added political concerns, keeping
the balance in the Flanaess, growing powerful and influential, and
keeping aggressive bad guys at bay. At no time was there a desire to
rule more than a minor domain where he and his associates and followers
would be secure and properly housed and fed. Of course, he had a lot of
followers, so a small demesne was out of the question.
I do believe that Mordenkainen earned his twenty-something levels
through cleverness, daring, a bit of luck, and dint of trying...often
with the aid of his associates and followers. Nowadays he seldom
ventures forth, but when he does it is in disguise and usually alone.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
my second-guesses are often wrong. i need to learn to start trusting my first instinct. ;-)
Spot on!
I learned that in test taking, Usually your first guess or hunch is
correct, it being based on a subconscious memory of bit of reasoning.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by KRBourgoine
Greetings Gary,
I hope you are recovering well from the endless entertainment of the
weekend. Of course if you ever have to recover from anything this is
the best sort.
Thanks again for the abundant hospitality.
KRBourgoine
Actually, no... :\
That's mainly due to having posts like this to respond to >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by KRBourgoine
Ha!
Well if its any consulation I think I need another week off to recover from my vacation in the land of Gygax!
Cant wait for next year though. Next year, with less beer.
KRBourgoine
Sounds good...
Bring more here, drink less of it!
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by KRBourgoine
Its
good to hear Jon got off okay. I had a great time meeting him. I am
pretty sure would be hard pressed to find a nicer, calmer, person. I
can see why you hooked up with him to make the Lejendary Adventures
suppliments and adventures.
Indeed!
Jon is also one very creative chap, as his LA game modules and D20 splat
books that we did for Mongoose demonstrate...although the editing on
the latter was quite detrimental to content
IMO.
For closers he is also the content editor for the vast majority of the 24
Town of Yggsburgh and Suburban Areas m odules now in progress.
After one ot two of the Castle Zagyg modules are in print, that lot will be released ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Here's
another conundrum for you, Gary. When you and your buddies first
starting this whole "roleplaying" thing, how did you approach character
names? I've heard you mention Mordenkainen was based on Finnish but on
the other end of the spectrum earlier in this thread you related the
story of "Medium Rary" to us. Did you see character names as being
important elements contributing to the fantasy or more like simple
labels to refer to each character? Did people ever groan when someone
introduced a character with a hackneyed or pun-originating name or was
it all in good fun?
In general most of the players, myself
included when initially adventuring and not DMing, thought little of
the PC's name, but more about what thrilling things would transpire.
Thus my first character was bame Yrag, and some of the younger fellows
in the group didn't even name their PC.
Don Kaye was a semi-exception with Murlynd. As I became a bit more
engaged in the broader possibility spectrum of the game I did a more
seriously considered PC, as already mentioned. That became common with
most of the veterans in our group around that time.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MutieMoe
:-o Vaka vanha Gygax tiet�j� i�n-ikuinen!
8-D
About the closest to knowing Finnish is casually knowing a few Finns and a laplander X-D
I would have never guessed that, quite interesting tidbit of information .
I see you picked the "nen" from the common ending of many finnish surnames like example "Mustonen", "Virtanen" etc..
Heh...that was my purpose, as I planned to develop name chants
to use against N/PCs that I found objectionable, as Vainomoinen found
Kullervo ;-) I did actually create one, but I never approached the DM
of the group to invoke it. Anyway, the "nen" ending was for Vainomoinen,
of course, as I was much taken with his character.
What exactly does "Finnish-like" mean? :-D Was or is there more
Kalevala-inspired things in Greyhawk or D&D in general? I remember
at least the boxed sets of D&D having artifact that was the wife
that Ilmarinen made of precious metals, but was there else?
As there was no parallel to mythical Finland in the campaigns I played in, nor on the continent presented in the
World of Greyhawk
setting, the best I could manage was to have a few outstanding persons
(such as Louhi) and objects brought into play. I did have a Sampo, but
it was not the same as that that Ilmarinen made that ground out grain,
gold, and salt. I have forgotten what it actually produced, but IIRR it
milled small quantities of alcohol, porridge, and copper once per day,
not continually.
Anyway, if I had been selecting a name closer to my family's traditional
ancestor, I would have based my PC's name on a mythic figure such as
Wipunen.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jonesy
You don't mean
Sampo, do you? Now there's an obscure piece of cinematic...umm, something. :-)
Possibly, thanks!
I caught the movie about 10 minutes after it began, watched it to the
conclusion on my black & white television set. It looked to have
been onl, but whi can say, as reception back then was often poor.
The name of the US version makes me think it is the movie I so enjpyed,
as there was much ice and snow in the environment. As I recall the Sampo
is in the heroes' ship when it goes down...thus matching the fable of
how the sea became salty.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jonesy
Vaka
vanha is the, umm, title given to V�in�m�inen in most of the verses
that concern him in Kalevala. Vaka means steadfast, vanha means old.
Together they mean someone who, though old, is aging very respectably.
Like those Himalayan guys who look like they are a million years old,
yet can carry more stuff than anyone up a mountain, vertically.
I�n-ikuinen means everlasting and tiet�j� is a sage or a guru (though in
this instance wizard might be more apt). :-)
Thanks for the enlightenment :-D
Maybe "enchanter" is the best translation of
tiet�j� in regards Vainomoinen, eh?
BTW, the lead programmerfor the LA MMP online game is from Finland.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jonesy
I think enchanter fits Ilmarinen somewhat better what with his forge creations.
Maybe 'spellsinger' for V�in�m�inen? ;-)
Actually, from
my reading "Enchantment" fits most of the magic enacted by the various
persons in the Kalevala. Although a kanteel is often employed, that does
not move the resulting spell from the chanting category, so "Enchanter"
seems accurate to me. In mythology and folklore there are no
spellsingers named per se. are there?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jonesy
I
was thinking of the instance where V�in�m�inen sings Joukahainen into a
swamp. His singing is so powerful that the lakes spill over, mountains
start shaking, hills split apart, and that's only the beginning.
In the same part his honorific becomes 'laulaja i�n-ikuinen' (singer everlasting), instead of tiet�j�.
Heh,
Okay, he sings his enchantments, musical chanting as it were, as he used
when he sent the "callow youth of Lapland into and under the ground."
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MutieMoe
Thanks for answers mister Gygax. :-D
What a wonderful era of internet technology, I cant believe I'm involved
discussion about D&D, Greyhawk and Kalevala with Gary Gygax himself
answering questions and as one participants of the discussion. Cool.
First (and last) finnish language D&D rules (later editions came to
the country in english language) were the boxed sets (Red Box, Blue Box
etc..), I was wondering about the rules for characters ascending to
immortals, as they were offering quite dramatic shift from style of play
introduced on earlier sets, I am asking were they part of original
vision for D&D or were they later additions by different authors?
Agreed!
This is a splendid form of communication between distant parties.
The Immortals addition to the D&D game was done by Frank Mentzer
with my approval. I thought it brought an interesting new prospect to
the game for those participants desiring high-level PC play.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Yeah, it is pretty awesome being able to converse with the fellow who created my favourite hobby! Thanks for that , btw :-)
Welcome of course.
Hey Gary, just curious about a couple of things: do you ever play
OD&D (74 editon) these days at all, and if you do, do you use the
all the supplements or just the original box?
Yes, only the three booklets and with house rules adjusting
HPs and the effects of high, 15 or better, attributes of Str, Int, Wis,
Dex, and Con. Each is given a +1 benefit to stats or spells.
And, forgive me for asking this question, as I'll bet it was
asked previously, but why was the Bard class in AD&D presented in
the appendix of the PHB as opposed to being presented with the rest of
the classes? Too powerful perhaps?
That about does it for now, Gary. Thanks for your time, as always, greatly appreciated! :-D
It was left in an appendix because it was optional and I felt it didn't
fit the AD&D system and mechanics as well as it might with more
work. It is a potent class, but cimbersome.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Valdur
Gary,
What are some of your all time favorite D&D adventure modules?
What did you think about the Star Frontiers RPG back when it was
released? Looking back, has your opinion changed any now that you favor
'rules lite' games? How successful was it in the marketplace compared
to other non-D&D RPGs?
X-D
those that I wrote, of course, or else I would have had no business
having them publ;ished. As I was always very busy GMing or creating I
scarsely had time to play in other authors' scenarios. I did espacially
enjoy the Slave Pits', the adventure that Rob wrote up as Mordenkainen's
Fantastic' and The Abduction of Good King Despot.
I play tested and enjoyed the Star Frontiers RPG. I didn't find that it
was particularly rules heavy, although it was not properly supported. It
was not promoted well either, so the game was one that was a wash in
regards profit and loss, thus it was dropped.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
A
neverending stream of questions this thread be, arg! (that's
pirate-talk for those of sufficient sophistication to miss my silly
reference) Anyway, since immortals and deities have been brought up, I
am interested to know your take, Gary, on how mortals should interact
with immortals. In the original incarnation of the game, did you and
your group think mortals should ever be capable of rising to the power
of immortals/gods or being capable of surviving against them on the
field of battle should such an event take place? At least with some of
the deities in legends and lore and deities and demigods, it seems like a
well-built party of 20th level characters could hold their own against a
deity, at least for a little while (as long the DM was competent of
course).
O.o
Hey, I get paid for consulting work X-D
The boxed D&D game was Frank's baby, AD&D my purview.
As for mortals in conflict with true deities, I'd say they have the same chance a fly has against a fly swatter :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
Orpheus?
Nice try, but I think not. his playing and singing were so marvelous that they had a magical effect, but there were no spells
per se. involved.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tylerthehobo
Hi, Gary,
I'm sure it's been asked before, but how did you (and TSR) feel about
the slew of D&D-inspired video-games that came out in the early 80s?
(Tunnels of Doom, Ultima, Wizardry, etc.) Not from a legal
perspective - I'm assuming you can't comment on that - but from a
perspective of how your game was impacting other media. Did you see
that a positive "hey we got something here" kind of thing? Or was it
something less expected?
Best,
Tyler the Hobo
I can speak only for myself.
When those games came out I wondered why TSR had not developed their
own, named it D&D, and dominated the marketplace. I had urged the
company to do computer games, but those types chosen and developed were
not popular. O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
LOL
So I guess no one ever tangled with deities in your campaigns. Did you
know of anyone that did? What exactly do you see the role of deities in a
fantasy RPG being? Are they plot elements? Supporting characters?
Ambience?
Only plot emelemts as are the gods in Greek
epics. They are necessary for ecclesiastics, excellent arch-villians and
ultimate rescuers.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MutieMoe
For
a while I have wondered that althought Finnish roleplaying scene is
very productive in creating articles and interviews few look back to
history of the hobby and persons that started this all, at least to my
knowledge in various finnish language media, fanzines, community
websites and magazines there has not yet been any interviews of the
most well known person in the hobby, Gary Gygax.
How should I contact you if I would like to do an interview through e-mail for example?
Would you be willing to answer some questions I have prepared?
Jonas Mustonen
jonas.mustonen(at)kolumbus.fi
Heh...
My eamil addy is no secret:
[email protected]
I no longer do extensive Q&A sessions, though. I've had my fill of
them over the years, I am semi-retired, and my life rights for a movie
have been optioned (unlikely to be made into a film, of course) and an
agent is seeking a biographer to develop the autobiographical material I
have written. Both of the latter meant/will mean, endless question and
answer sessions :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hiya, Gary!
While we seem to be on the topic of the divine, here's another query:
now, I realise as you stated previously that BECMI D&D was Frank's
baby and all, but how come there was never really any inclusion of a
pantheon of gods in that setting like in Greyhawk? Personally, it never
bothered me at the time (nor does it now :-) ) but it's something I've
been curious about in recent years, as I've considered running an
AD&D 1e campaign there and saw that only immortals are presented as a
pantheon, so to speak. Thanks, as always Gary!
;-)
Short answer:
The material was kept as generic as possible by not dictating or even
suggesting a pantheon. Such information was available elsewhere, eh?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Oh, you mean constant missing and the fly dying of old age while it buzzes around your head? :-P
Pish & Tosh,
More like the "Little Tailor,"
Seven with One Blow. A
normal
person can easily swat a fly with a fly swatter, and my challenge it to
kill them with hands only...which I do with some facility >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
:-) Gotcha... ;-)
Yuppers...
Boost the sales of
Deities & Demigods X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
X-D
Well it certainly worked! :-) So, Gary, as this topic of deities and
such continues, I'm curious as to which mythology or pantheon you have a
soft spot for, out of real-world mythologies? My personal fav has
always been the Norse, followed by Celtic and Egyptian.
Well...
I likely have spent more time with Egyptian than any other, and I find
the material regarding the Duat fascinating, compelling; but otherwise I
enjoy virtually all the well-detailed mythologies equally.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Since
I like talking about deities, I'm wondering other things now. :-)
(kick me if I start asking too many questions, Gary) LOL
So how did you get the idea that D&D should be a game of
pantheonistic religion? It is rare to encounter monotheistic or even
dualistic religions in D&D campaign settings and most home campaign
DMs I have played with use pantheons as well, either mythological,
adapted ones, or their own creations.
Also, did the Greyhawk deities have any mythological origins or did you
create them using nothing more than your imagination and your
subconscious? ;-)
Thanks!
Heh...I am here to answer questions, no? :-D
Pantheons of deities are the usual in authored fantasy, and they suit a
role-playing game in that genre well. That is why I adopted the concept
so as to have a reason for and empower the clerics in the game.
The World of Greyhawk deities came directly from my creative imaginings,
or those of a few others such as Len Lakofka and Roger Moore.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MutieMoe
Live
roleplaying or LARPing is one of the popular forms of roleplaying in
Scandinavia at the moment (I don't know about United States), did you
foresee the coming of LARPing, and have you taken part in live
roleplaying games?
:-o
I played live-action games of make-believe, each of the pther
participants taking a specific role, beginning when I was around five
years of age on to around age 11. We called it "Let's Pretend," "Cops
& Robbers," or various other names back then. When I was nine years
of age we actually played with a game master and props.
As to foreseeing it as a commercial eterprise, I did not, as I assumed
most gamers would have had a fill of LARPing as children, and the game
form is not one that will generate much revenue for the publisher. All
that said, I have nothing against the LARP or those that enjoy doing so.
Having fun playing a game is what counts.
There were scores of LARPers coming here to play in Lake Geneva a few
years back, and I would watch large groups of them walking about town,
playing at night in the park across the street from our house. The
slack-jawed locals must have been nervous about young people dressed in
Goth clothing, though, for a city ordinance against gatherings of some
size occuring after dark in the parks, so there went a good deal of
harmless entertainment for many people.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Hey Gary,
I joined this thread about a year ago but got consumed with work
directing plays and teaching so it's been awhile... since my wife and I
live just a little ways north in Manitowoc we had hoped to come down for
the Con several weeks ago but alas medical problems and surgery for her
this summer intervened - so we hope there will be another one next
year.
Howdy!
The LGGC is already set for June of 2007, Fathers' Day Weekend, and we
expect to host a pre-con party here as we did last year and this. The
Trolls enjoy this are, putting on a small event, having so much fun, so
they are considering having one this fall, an Autumn in Lake Geneva
Gaming Convention...hopefully in early October if it happens ;-)
I finally had time to procure the LA essentials set and I've also
ordered all the C&C materials. I did have a question - in my LA box
it had promo page for two books of "The Chronicles of LA," a gazetteer
and "Noble Kings and Dark Lands." The Trolllord's web site doesn't list
these items under LA - are they out of print or defunct with Hekaforge? I
am very interested in the setting so if you know where I can get them
I'd greatly appreciate it.
Those are indeed Hekaforge paperbacks, and as far as I know
they are still available from Chris Clark of Inner city Game Designs.
Chris is currently working on the third book in the five book series
covering the
Lejendary Earth World Setting. contact him.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MutieMoe
Where did the idea of character advancement (levels and gaining experience etc.) come from?
Its basis was the
Chainmail military miniatures rules, "Fantasy Supplement"
In that section of the work Heros required four hits to be killed,
superheroes eight. IIRR, there were also two grades of magic-users, a
wizard and another sort with fewer spells. (Sorry, but I don't have a
copy of the 1971 book to check regarding the latter.)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Heya Gary
Just curious, when you run LA, D&D or what have you, do you
utilize miniatures? I do like them a quite a bit myself, even though
sometimes my group can get a little pre-occupied with the strategy
element as opposed to doing things based off of what the PC personality
might actually do.
If the above is applicable then I have another question: do you
paint/still paint minis, and how proficient are you? I find it quite
challenging and immensely rewarding, when I have the time to engage in
such a time consuming activity. Anyway, just wondering, thanks Gary!
:-)
Howdy John!
As a matter of habit I seldom use miniature figurines. None of my
regualrs bring one to represent their character/Avatar, and while I have
plenty of such figurines they could use, I do not have much in the way
of creature sorts, so those would have to be dice. That sort of spoils
the spectacle.
When we do formal demos, though, we use Dwarven Forge dungeons/caves and miniatures.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by bowbe
Ah...
good fishing season on the lakes! Makes me miss the yearly jaunts to
Kenosha to see my family. Course none of them live there anymore.
Is Alex going to be at Gen Con this year? If so tell him Case said lunch is on him again!
Case
Howdy Case,
Lake Geneva was a great fishing lake--German brown trout, northern pike,
pickerel, walleye pike, large- and small-mouth bass, white bass (fun to
catch, bad eating), crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. Cisco through
the ice. The motor boat and jet ski traffic is now so bad in summer that
fishing is not so good. One must go in early spring and fall.
Alex is planning on making it to genCon, and I have passed along your message B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
So
Gary (continuing the deities theme), what do you think of campaigns
that have the end goal of killing a deity? Hogwash? Super-hero stuff?
(This question is in no way related to the Age of Worms...)
That sort of campaign is hogwash in terms of the FRPG, proper for a
comic book superhero system where the characters can become tremendously
powerful and need such opponents to make the game even vaguely
interesting. In short, I think the concept is childish and not worth
pursuing by mature gamers.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
Why
end D3/Q1 with that goal then? Lolth was worshiped by most of the
drow, so I'd assume she was a demonic deity. Zuggtmoy as well.
And even though Gord was a series of novels and not a game campaign I
saw that as a pretty cool archetypical 1st edition campaign going from
1st level to the ultimate end of a campaign, eh? He did say "a deity",
not a pantheon.
Is this a perspective you've changed with over time? While I hate the
"cool, we can kill all the gods" mentality, I also dislike the alternate
"gods can NEVER have stats and are totally beyond mortal ken" approach
either.
JRT My good Friend...
You must concentrate on reading the actual content of a message, and then understand its meaning.
A campaign where the PCs are meant to slay a deity is, as I said, utter
hogwash, unless it is a superhero RPG with truly super supoerheros.
I have said repeatedly in print that the D3 module was Dave Sutherland's
interpretation of Lolth, and most certainly not mine. In truth I
thoroguhly disapproved of the work but Brian Blume had it produced.
Steam power indeed >:-(
As for the Temple of
Elemental Evil, Zuggtmoy is unkillable. she can be set free or sent back to the Abyss, but the PCs can not destroy her.
Gord the Rogue is a demi-deity when he is dealing with similar figures,
something that no reasonable AD&D campaign is able to emulate based
on the AD&D rules. the material is not gaming but fiction novels.
I stand foresquare behind what I posted prior to this ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
Heh, I remember you disliking Q1. But in this question, another one appears. ;-)
May I ask though what the ultimate goal was to be of Q1 before you
discarded it? It's easy to assume, for instance, that there was a Q1
already planned, and it involves Lolth on her home plane. So what would
have been the ultimate goal of the GDQ series if not the death of
Lolth? Banishment? There had to be some kind of ultimate goal, I
guess. :\
(As an aside--I actually just purchased the ToEE computer game after
playing the demo and seeing how accurate it was to the modules, save for
the update in the game system. Looking forward to that--I'll actually
have to avoid digging out my old module so I don't cheat.)
Ciao John!
Dave brought into the TSR offices, then at 723 Williams St., a towel
that had a marvelous design that was perfect as a demonweb, so that's
how he got into the project for creating the Q1 module. My outline for
the whole was for a demi-plane outside of the Abyss, a great spiderweb
with encounters at junctions along the way to the center, Lolth's abode
there in the middle. The PCs would need to gather pieces of an artifact
based on the four elements in the web in order to be able to face the
demoness and send her packing back to the abyss. Of course, that would
have called back the Elder Elemental God from his place of banishment...
Being far too busy at the time to oversee the project, and as Brian
Blume thought Dave's work great, I gritted my teeth and went on.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Blast!
I just noticed that I had missed a fair number of posts made before JRT's.
Sorry, and I will soon have replies to all ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark
Someone has a B-Day coming up in about a month.
Heh...number 68. :-o
Never mind congratulations, throw boze and cigars!
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Hello Gary,
I have been spending time the last two days with my new LA essentials set and have a few questions.
Hopefully I will have an equal number of answers, eh? X-D
I downloaded an Avatar sheet and have been doing character creation -
I am assuming a few things on the sheet are from the full rules and not
part of the essentials (Intellect, Capacities/Handicaps). A lot of
things I like here, especially in simplicity of stats, the harm setup
for both health and armor (finally the common sense that armor might
need mending), etc.
You are correct, the Avatar Record Sheer is that for the full-blown LA game.
I am pleased that you find many things in the system agreeable.
I do have a question that confuses me though - I rolled up a Human
Mage order Avatar that I wanted to also be strong in combat, so I chose
Abilities (in order) Enchantment, Arcana, Weapons, Learning, Metallurgy.
After all the setup, I had an Avatar with stats Health 57, Precision
56, Speed 15, with Enchantment 17, Arcana 14, Weapons 39, Learning 25
and Metallurgy 12, and 62 AEP's.
First, you failed to multiply Speed by four to get the number
from which Abilities based on Speed are found. Enchantemnt score should
be 100% of Speed Base Rating x 4.
Next, with Weapons as the third chosen Ability, the best that Avatar can
attain in the Mage Order is 0th Rank until Learning and Metallurgy are
the 3rd and 4th highest scores possessed. Once that happens the order of
the Abilities doesn't matter, as the Avatar has met the requirements of
the Order and can move on.
Now back to your missive:
The question I have is about activating energies during combat
situations. With an Enchantment of 17, if I am reading right, would have
a slightly less than 1 in 5 chance of activating just on the base
score. The use of activations as I read are also supposed to be adjusted
based on conditions, ranging from +10 for Danger Clear and Present to
+100 for actual harm. If this is the case how could my Avatar ever hope
to activate a Flame Gout (for instance) while in combat? It also seems
like even using every merit gained to increase enchantment ability would
still take almost a year (assuming 1 evening a week game at the 250 per
3-4 hour session mentioned in the book) to increase to a level where
the Avatar would even have a decent chance to activate his energies
under combat/stressfull situations.
Is this a purposeful subduing of magical abilities for lower power Avatars? Or I am misreading this?
Thanks,
John W. B-)
The Avatar's Enchantment Ability score should be 68, as noted above ;-)
the Avatar will not receive any benefits from the Mage Order, though,
until he possess in order of successive score, 1 Enchantment, 2 Arcane, 3
Learning, 4 Metallurgy with Weapons Ability score less than all four of
the Abilities required to be in the Mage Order. Think of it as a guild
requirement that disallows other knowledge/capacity to interfere with
its required areas.
Thus, it is wise to select Weapons as the fifth ability, and build its score thereafter as you increase Enchantment.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
I
whipped out my old gold box DnD Immortal Rules the other day. There
was no way even the lowliest of gods could have been killed by a party
of 36th level characters. At best, they could 'banish' the entity, but
even that was unlikely. I liked these rules, since it was connected to
DnD, but at the same time your character had moved to another reality.
When I was 8 years old, and given my first red box set (even though it
said for ages 10 and above) I created a character called Treetop the
Ninja (Fighter, level 1). It took me until I was 15 to reach level
36th, and then he became an immortal. The Immortal Rules were so
different from the first four boxes, that I changed his character name
and the features of the body he created to inhabit. In my mind he
became so much more powerful, that I felt I had to divorce his new
existence from that of the mortal world. He left all attachments to the
old kingdom. Why would an immortal want to take over an inhabited
planet when he could create and control his own worlds?
I think a party could have an interesting 'god-killing' game, but the
immortal's status would have to be redefined. Such as when Conan would
meet alien beings that the locals would worship as gods, and prove them
wrong by striking it down in a barbaric rage. If ran properly, the DM
can draw up an adventure with an ageless creature that has fanatical
followers and plans to take over the world. Its powers are so great
that the followers believe it to be a god, but it can be harmed and even
killed with the right weaponry.
Okay,
But as I read your assessment, the game would have to move from a FRPG
genre to what is virtually a comic book superhero type to manage the
transition.
A game based on slaying deities is sure to become tedious in short order, is it not?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
I
think you did something wrong... I've never seen the Essentials boxed
set, but IF it works the same as LA, Enchantment should be (4 x Speed),
or about 60%. A better place to ask is here:
LAddicts.
Good Show! :-D
I do my darndest to direct all gamers with questions about the LA game system to hit the
www.lejendary.com
website and post there, for there are many veterans willing to assist,
often answer more quickly and fully that I am able to 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey
Colonel, I have a question regarding henchmen and hirelings in 1e
AD&D for you. A few PC's in my campaign are beginning to hire
mercenaries and acquire a henchman or two for accompaniment on
adventures.
When do you suggest giving the player the character sheet for the
henchment they hire? Right away? After a few adventures when the
henchman and the PC have cemented their relationship? Do you give the
player an increasing amount of information about the henchman over time
after staring out with, for example, only class and level?
I would suggest giving the player immediately upon gaining a henchman a
CRS done in bare bones fashion. As the PC and henchman adventure
together, the DM and the player in conjunction then detail the
henchman's personality, motivations, etc.
Also, regarding hirelings, if a PC hires a group of 0 level
mercenaries or acquires followers due to reaching "name" level do you
give them any information regarding the hirelings' stats (although in
the case of 0 levels this would besically be limited to Hit Points) or
are those the sole purview of the DM?
Thanks in advance.
Gray Mouser
Followers that are ranked with levels should be treated as
henchmen. Hirelings ade, as you suggest above, only rated by HPs and
what they can do--mostly bear arms. The plyer need not know their HPs,
or may have such information, at the DM's discretion.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hi
Gary! Just wanted to say I finally started reading City of Hawks, and
just 10 pages into it I am reminded how much I enjoy your D&D
related fiction. Your descriptions of Greyhawk City are wonderful for
my game and the planar politics of the Gord novels is what I base mine
on when I run the Greyhawk campaign. I used Vuron in my last campaign as
he tried to use some friendly help to start the Paladin of the group
down the path to corruption.
Howdy Flexor!
Perhaps you recall me mentioning illustrated novel versions of the Gord
books. Sadly, the state of the market in the US for comics and
illustrated novels flushed that deal. I mention this becase the
illustrator for the initial episode to introduce the story used
City of Hawks
as his basis, and the depiction of the boat with infant Gord in it
approaching the looming walls of the city in the storm was just great in
my opinion. The producer and illustrator had it nailed as far as I was
concerned, so I was doubly whammied when things went south.
:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Sheesh, even when Gary goes back to answer the skipped posts I get left out! A repost is in order, I think :-)
X-D :-P X-D
Your post about me missing your other post appeared just after I replied
to the post you said I had ignored >:-) :-o X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Oops, looks like I was a little overzealous and reposted just as Gary was answering my questions. Sorry, Colonel!
And, of course, thanks for your input. It will be most helpful as this
is really the first time that players in my campaign have invested in
henchmen and hirelings!
Gray Mouser
Yuppers,
Remember, I am a Columbus Method typist, as it were...discover and land!
O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hmm,
I had no idea about that, since I always thought the little forward you
wrote in it was quite complimentary. In addition to what JRT asked, why
did he get the job of doing that module?
Iirc,
it was something about things resembling (at that time) ToEE too much,
and, if memory serves, you saw some of the work he was doing and gave it
a green light. I'd check the module, but I don't have it handy at the
moment. Of course, I'm generalising and glossing over the details as I
have heard, so I don't mean to be offensive in any way. Thanks Gary, as
always, very much appreciated!
Aloha,
Check my post responding to JRT's message for details of how Dave S. became involved in the projct.
Of course I was a total company man, so I would never disparage the work
of another that was to go into production. While I was most
disappointed in the material, I desired neither to denigrate Dave's
effort or publically question Brian's acumen in regards creative
selection. Thus the forward as written.
There was a link between the Drow modules and the ToEE, mainly in my
head, and after QI came out I rather lost interest in developing the
former, as the EEG was not released from hia banishment to a distant
star (ala Set). I would have devised some other scenario to accomplish
that, only the Drow and Lolth were not to be emulated in a hurry, and I
ran oput of time to make the attempt, so Frank badgered me into having
him complete the ToEE.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
At least Gail still (hopefully) needed and feeded you when you were 64. :-P X-D ;-)
>:-)
Bah! She uses my weight and health ot avoid cooking what I wish her to
feed me...steak & kidney pie, standing rib roast of beef, breaded
veal kidney chops, mixed sausage grill, wiener schnitzel,
peach cobbler, rhubarb pie, cream brule, that sort of thing :-D
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
I
was going to ask you about the progress on those...well that just
sucks. I was really pumped about those when you mentioned them last
year or so. :-(
Me too :-(
Broken Halos was gpoing to be the publishing entity, and I began to
suspect the worst when the release date kept getting pushed back further
and further. I do not blame them, of course. It is the state of the
market...amd likely because of a single distributor.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Not
really. When I mentioned the word 'immortal' would have to be
redefined, I meant using it as a farmer might, not as a referee. To the
characters, an extremely powerful villian may seem god-like but
actually be mortal. Sort of how the natives of the island saw King Kong
as a god, but he was killable.
If one were to make dragons extremely rare in a fantasy game, an elder
dragon could easily be considered an immortal god by the local
population. The battle between such a villian and the heroes would be
epic, but winnable.
I wasn't really talking about taking a villian and making him a
super-villian. I meant more like trying to see the fantasy world
through the eyes of normal mortals and incorporating that feeling into
the descriptions of a game. If a peasant is distrustful of a wizard who
can cast a spell and charm anyone, and fears a wizard who can throw
fireballs into the masses of an enemy, he and his kin is going to see a
evil lich who can stop time and kill with a gesture akin to an immortal
god.
Well sure,
But what you set forth is actually quite different from the original
scheme, a campaign in which the PCs aim was to slay deities, not what
ordnary yokels might consider as such X-D
Fantasy deities create things, move mountains, sink continents, and are
generally quite untouchable by mortals. even the Genie of the Lamp is
quite unkillable, albeit he can be duped 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
...
This is all just brainstorming, as I'm trying to rip apart the elements
that make 'god-killing' games fun for some and better fit it to the kind
of plot-twist stories I enjoy.
Of course, the only reason the wheels are turning is in consideration of
making a campaign where you can satisfy both kinds of fantasy RPG fans.
Then again, you could target both kinds of fans and come out
alienating both... 8-D
That is a good idea, making a
super-villian that power gamers can gloat over slayng while at the same
time keeping the campaign's true deities sacrosanct.
Actually, sending a potent nether world entity backtoits own plane gives
the accomplishing party some cnsiderable degree of bragging rights.
As an aside, while I have my power gaming moments, I have never had the
hubris to assume any of my PCs could face a deity, not did I ever dsire
to have one do so.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
As a last aside, I now keep having that scene from Ghostbusters playing in my head.
"Ray, the next time someone asks you if you're a god, you say YES!"
:-)
I'll settle for being the Key Master... :-o
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
No
kidding. It's quite cool, and very close to being accurate about the
adventure (as I remember it) and 3.0 rules. I realized I had a bit of
an advantage, even though I never played nor ran the original, when I
instantly took up the town drunk on his off to join my party, whereas a
friend who hadn't grown up with it turned the guy down as being a
useless drunk.
;-)
The chief designer did check with me about his interpretations of the
paper module for the electronic game one, and I found he certainly had a
firm grasp of what was intended.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Well,
it was good enough that the idea of a giant mechanical, steam-powered
spider ship as a Boss-Monster/Boss-Monster conveyance was ripped off for
the movie "Wild Wild West".
And good enough that the idea of giant spider goddess was shown as the
true power behind the throne in Rome in an episode of South Park (right
after a scene from the ~1980 Activision game "Pitfall").
I guess that's not necessarily very "good", but it's certainly an image
that stuck in minds of folk enough that it's worth it to rip it off.
O.o
I prefer something more akin to a mix of Lovecraft and Merritt when
presenting such darl things, not hokey science or slapstick ala
Wild, Wild West :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy!
I taught my younger children to cheer when that closing cretit ran on screen X-D
that the spinoff version of the show never went into production is a sad
thing, bacause iw was better, more mature, then the initial series.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Last
night as me and my brother were watching an episode of that old 'toon
on cable we started talking about how there has never been another
D&D cartoon. Seeing how Drizzt novels sell very well, and sell a
lot to non players, why isn't there a
FR
cartoon starring Drizzt? I don't like either, but I know if it was
well animated and decently written I'd be all over it. Not a "Saturday
morning" style cartoon, but a more mature show on Cartoon Network or
something like that. Seems like it would be a good marketing push for
the game, unless Hasbro think any possible gains are not going to be
worth it in light of the expense.
That's a poser!
Perhaps Hasbro isn't interested in such a cartoon series, or perhaps
they can't find a production entity that is, because of costs and the
difficulty of finding a channel to air the series that would be willing
to pay the freight.
What with computer-generated animation, I should think it wouldn't be
all that expensive to produce each episode of a new show based on the
D&D game. Because of the computer versions of the game, the
potential audience is surely large eough.
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gearjammer
Gary,
first of all many thanks for creating a game that's given me and my
friends endless hours of enjoyment over the last 20 some-odd years.
In talking with many of my fellow gamers most of us seemed to have
experienced sometime in our early gaming career the "Wonder moment." A
time when we were first introduced to D&D or another RPG and after
being confused by the pile of numbers, stats, and dice had a singular
moment where your imagination "clicked on" and you were seeing the game
in your head and you were hooked forever. Did you ever have a "wonder
moment" and when did it occur?
B-)
Of course you are welcome, for I have greatly enjoyed the whole gaming experience myself.
You asked a good question. Indeed, from the time I sat down to create
the rules for the OD&D game I was filled with a thrilling sense of
wonder and excitement to present and play such a game. That continued on
for several years after D&D and AD&D were published,...until
the grind of business and associated matters rather wore it out.
However...
I have been working on polishing the core rules for the
Lejendary AsteRogues
Fantastical Science RPG the last week or so, and sure enough, the old
enthusiasm was right there! the only problem I have is that my creative
energy now runs out in a few hours rather than lasting all day :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MutieMoe
Thanks for answering the previous questions!
Why the dungeons? Where did that idea come from? Why dungeon is the archtypical fantasy roleplaying adventures enviroment?
Sure :-)
Credit Dave Arneson and Dave Megary (designer of the
Dungeon!
boardgame) with my concentrating on subterranean settings for the
D&D game. The contained adventuring environment was perfect for
establishing fixed encounters before a game session, and for developing
progressively more hazardous ones as the PCs grew in their capacity to
manage them.
Of course, many an exciting fantasy yarn has been set in such surroundings, beginning with that of
Theseus and the Minotaur, eh?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
Page 10. Or are we gonna let this thread run on forever, like the last one? About time to archive this one?
I think about 12 pages is a good place to stop, but is 10 is easier to archive, I can begin a new one.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
>:-(
I have read a good deaql of it, and I determined not to post, as there is no disputing taste.
Of course I not only think that they are, but have observed the coddled
state of many new gamers as they died before my now beloved Old Guard
Kobolds or met otherwise useless deaths because they: 1) were not
thinking, and/or 2) assumed that whatever they met in an encounter they
could deal with, and/or 3) they expected a special Dm intervention such
as a save wneh they totally screwed up.
Finally, there is no distinction between "having a PC figure something
out" and the player doing so, Unless a psychotic schizophrenic is
playing, the two are not separate entities, as the player is making
believe he is the game character.
How supposedly mature persons can get all worked up over a matter pf
personal taste in a game of make-believe is beyond me O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
You and me both.
Im sure folks must derive some sort of satisfaction over debating over
minutae, but where's the fun? Where's the mystery and suspense? :-)
Worse still! >:-(
Many new players these days demand that there be no mystery and suspense
at all, that everything magical be spelled out and formulaized so as to
be producable by any common person with a modicum of magical ability
:-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Im sure they are just trying to protect the business of the common layman and Larry's Used Magical Junkyard. ^_^
Or even an international business who's motto would then be "Watch out for falling charges." Spell-Mart. ^_^
X-D
Well said!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Iron Captain
My
very first D&D 3.5 group basically collapsed because of this
problem. They just woudn't flee no matter what. Then they got upset when
their 1st level characters almost died and pretty much demanded (in not
so many words) that I make their characters invincible by fudging the
rolls constantly.
Just so 8-D
Most of the players in my campaign, all of my own PCs, were never too
proud to take to their heels when the opposition was clearly
overwhelming. In fact, a good bit of thrilling adventure went into some
of the ensuing chases. When Mordenkainen and bigby met their fate at the
hands of Rob's super iron golem, it was bacause they hadn't the means
to escape quickly, not that they didn't wish to beat feet X-D
As a DM I made lemonade out of the "lemons" of the new players'
reluctance to flee, to stand and die before a foe that was trashing
them. That is how the Old Guard Kobolds came into being, and they have
grown in both individual ability, numbers, and organizarion so they now
pose a meaningful threat to PC parties of 4th or 5th level. Sadly, a
group of such PC that were veterans took ost of them out, but iw was a
casual play session, so I won't count it against the little humanoids
:-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
...
Seriously, I'm OK with there being rules for "everything" in the
universe in 3.x, and for PC's to eventually be able to do them all, but
the emphasis on "balance" in adventures is lame.
Look! there in the dungeon. It's a iron golem. No it's a titan. No, it's Supermunchkin!
>:-) X-D >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Thats
when you take the captured baby rust monster from the last encounter
and throw it at the iron golem. Dinner! THEN run like a rabbit. :-D
A solid plan, but Mordie uses polymorphed monsters, hits them with a
dispell magic after they are tossed into the midst of the adversary or
adversaries ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by merelycompetent
And
we thought we were clever for polymorphing fire giants into ants, back
in G3. We didn't think of the followup dispel until later on when a drow
used one on us in a narrow hall -- and we discovered that our party
magic-user had been collecting the ants! (Our DM's description of the
ensuing wrestling match stopped the game for over an hour while we
mopped up spilled drinks and recovered from laughing so hard.)
Hydra snails are the specialty of Mordenkainen, many attacks in one, as it were.
There is a danger of having the polymorphed critters released by a
hostile spell caster, so a container within an anti-magic shell is
advised. Otherwise a debacle such as you mention is all too likely :-o
Thank you, Mr. Gygax, for providing myself and many friends with much entertainment over the years.
You are most welcome, and as I am wont to point out, I surely shared in the fun, still do!
A question, though, and my apologies if it has already been asked
(couldn't find it in the archives): Was the red dragon in G3 part of
some plot by the giants or their drow allies? There is an old bet riding
on the answer, and I may owe a long-time friend a two-liter of
Coca-Cola.
The dragon was there as a part of the muscle of the fire
giants--for attack and defense. It was not a part of a singular plot,
but there as a general member of the overall one.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
I
definitely hate the attitude that it is the DM's job to keep the PC's
alive. I agree that I should leave them the ability to run, but I think
everything else is up to them.
That is indeed the spirit in which the game was devised, so in that regard you are spot on as our English fellows say.
Then again, I love Tomb of Horrors, Lost Caverns of Tsojanth, and
all the other "killer" dungeons. I like bragging rights. Whether it is
for having survived or died in the most gruesome and/or original manner.
Or for having died 8 times, and every time being from failing to save
versus the death/20 poison. 8 consecutive failed saves against the same
type of poison. Thankfully the DM decided my obvious allergy towards it
had become severe enough that I would break out in hives and have a
sneezing fit just from coming within 5 feet of it. Decanter of Endless
Water became my great "wash the poison away" friend. :-)
Again, I agree with what you stete in regards to the merits of difficult
dungeons. Even if one loses one's PC therein, the enjoyment of relating
the circumstances of that demise to a group of gamers that had similar
experiences is well worth the loss
IMO.
I managed to get Yrag and several of his cohorts through a dungeon
similar to Tsojcanth, one that Rob Kuntz created and DMed. I foolishly
had the party seek out an orange area of the map I glimpsed, and the lot
were nearly incinerated when I finally managed to stumble upon the sole
means of ingress to the chamber. I quit that sort of fudging after that
8-D
Those that claim using various means of discovering deadly areas,
flunkies, animals, even a 10' pole, is not "thinking" are certainly not
themselves rational. It requires planning and thought to do that...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MutieMoe
Where
the idea of alignments came from? I find this particulary interesting
as it is one the game mechanics that directly describes personality of
the character in question. When and why the need for alignments came in
to play?
In OD&D I used the Moorcock division of Law
and Chaos to serve to describe the general motives of the persons and
creatures involved in the game, the Good and Evil. It soom bacame
evident to me that those descriptors were not synonyms, thet all that
was lawful was not good, all that was chaotic was not evil, and animals
were generally not concerned with any of those ethical mindsets.
So when I began writing the OAD&D game rules in 1976 I decided on
the nine alignment system. The why is as noted above, and the wherefor
was to enable the DM to roleplay the "monsters" encoutered by the player
party and judge the players' manner of enacting the role of their
separate PCs; for the players to more easily determine the nature of and
properly play their character. Thus the rather lengthy descriptions of
each alignment.
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
ooh, hydra flail snails would be wicked nasty! that's a few dozen clubbing attacks per round isn't it? ;-)
:-D
Depends on the hydra, typically five, seven, or nine heads. Of course
the most desirable sort to polymorph is that with the most heads!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rgard
Hi Gary!
First time I've posted in one of your threads. Like so many others, I
thank you for creating a game that I've loved for years now. Love it so
much that I opened my own game store. I have the blue book (from the
boxed set I picked up in the late 70s) proudly displayed in the store.
Again, thanks!
Back to post. We never had a problem fleeing when the odds were against
us as PCs. We just quoted Monty Python and yelled "Run away, run
away." And as we ran away somebody (who was fleeing) would yell, "let
me face the peril!" But his character would continue to flee anyway.
Thanks,
Rich
Hi Rich,
Welcome, and it is a good choice you made, for running a shop is a more
likely means of earning a gaming livelihood than is creating games and
support material... Where exactly is your shop located?
Your reference to Monty Python in regards fleeing does strike a chord,
for my players would do the same, or else sing verses from "Brave Sir
Robin." When I am having my own PC flee in unseemly haste I usually
quote Falstaff's lines in Shakespeare's plays: "He who runs away lives
to fight another day," or. "discretion is the better part of valor."
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rgard
Hi Gary,
The shop is in Sarver, PA. Just north of Pittsburgh (center of the universe...just ask anybody from here.) :-)
The jury is still out on the livelihood aspect of this, but Christmas is
less damaging to the wallet given I have 3 sons (ages 8, 11, 13) to
whom I've introduced to RPGs and miniatures gaming.
Also, 6 gamers (D&D players) are in the store now and all say 'hi and thanks' too!
Thanks again,
Rich
Okay!
All gamers in the vicinity of Sarver, PA, you know where to shop B-)
Your sons are all of perfect age for gaming in ganeral and RPGs in
particular. Just keep them as far as possible from the computrer... X-D
And give my regards to the regulars at your place. sure wish Lake Geneva had a game shop again.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Tsojcanth
was a "killer"? I thought I was just being a scaredy pants about it.
Still we made it through alive, after some Resurrections. X-D
That's not a bad thing!
Mordie and company hoarded wish items for just such occasions, used them frequently :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
Colonel,
What about the initial part of the Temple of Elemental Evil,
up to the end of the moathouse? It's one of my favorite memory of a
game, although it strikes me as quite diferent from your other books.
Was it intentional to expand the kind of modules offered?
Best wishes,
Ron
Howdy Ron,
Along with the
Village of Hommlet module,
Temple of Elemental Evil
was what I planned as part of an ongoing demi-campaign series,
something regarding Stoink to be the third, and then wherever my own
group's play led for a concluding offering. As things shook out though I
never did get to the latter part... O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Haven't seen an answer, assuming Gary hasn't seen it:
Right-O,
I totally missed that post. sorry.
No question that Francois had a well run, cerafully thought-out
campaign, but it was not really D&D, but rather a spin-off of that
game that had moved into the realm of comic book superhero play. If you
have seen any of his graphic novels, the
Cronicles of the Black Moon,
you will understand what I mean. that said, had be toned things down
just a bit, the campaign would have been pure, if imaginatively evolved
AD&D. Although none of even the most potent NPCs could slay deities,
they and some of the Pcs, were as potent as demigods, Mephreton (sp?)
most certainly at the top of that rank.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
I
played T1-T4 but we stopped at the Temple door. However the part around
Hommlet really captured my imagination. I found it to be quite
refreshing compared to your other modules and it would be great if you
could not only supervise but actually finish the whole book.
T1 was in the general vein of the D&D game module B2. Introductory
modules are fine if you are breaking in a new group of players, but
otherwise writing them is not very exciting... When I wrote the LA
introductory module,
Living the Lejend,
it was a lot of fun for me and the play-testers, as several of them
were not veteran LA game players. I still enjoy usng the work to
introduce newcomers to the system.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hmmm...
I wonder if the folks at
WotC
understand that all RPGs are driven by the GMs that run the games.
Without them, they will have no paper game property. Telling players to
give their DMs a hard time is most counter-productive.
All dissatisfied DM, come on over to the LA game system, or C&C if
you must have a class/level based game. In both systems the GM is the
final arbiter X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Alright
Gary, here's another humzinger for ya. I am wondering about the
motivations for designing some elements of the original classes,
particularly the way leveling up worked. Why did you have different XP
progressions for each class? Also, some of the XP tables seemed to
"speed up" at some points while others "slowed down" at others. What was
the rationale for this?
Simply put, it was all for game
balance, and it worked reasonably well, I opine. Classes in game design
will be held here on my front porch X-D
I ask because I am working diligently on designing my own
advancement system, particularly with regard to balancing multiclass and
dualclass characters. I like a lot of the ideas from AD&D and
OD&D, especially compared to 3e, but before I begin tweaking them
heavily, I wanted to know the background behind the design so I can be
aware of it while I work on my own system. Particularly I am wondering
if a universal system where each class follows the same progression is
better than a differential one and/or the ramifications of the
differences. Thanks a ton!
See above ;-)
solid creative ability plus intuition coupled with a good deal of play-testing will get you where you need to be B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Heh.
Iron golem reminds me of "Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure", which
reminds of the fun of not knowing what you're fighting, but knowing
you're facing a
TPK of your many-years played characters right quick if you don't figure it out.
You should have seen the expression on the faces of my vetean players
with relatively high level PCs when on the island they had been
magically transported to they encountered and recognized the huge bronze
golum, Talos, Of course they metagamed and undid the hatch on his heel.
When 100 iron golems came pouring out, those being what powered
Talos,the panicky flight was hilarious.
I'm not sure why WOTC thinks we need motorcycle helmet laws for our characters.
Live free or die, get rich or die trying. What's wrong with a role
playing world that works like that? X-D It's fun preaching to the
choir.
And I enjoy hearing it :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Fire giant ants are the red ones, right? ;-)
That stings, but I can't think of a biting retort...
:-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
That's a hill of a lot of ant puns. I feel as if I were in a piz-mire 8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by lkj
Ack! I'm telling you, it's getting worse. It's inspiring feelings of formication!
AD
PS: A friend taught me that very cool word not long ago . . . and no, the 'm' is not a typo . . .
X-D
Excellent!
I'll have to work hard, guard against acid responses to my posts, as I see an army of them in the offing.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Those puns made me fairly moan, so I got your message.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
To take account of things here:
We were in the red, but it's moved to the black. So keep your antennas
point in the right direction as all good pupas of insect punning should,
a mandibleatory requirement.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
So
in other words, it was felt by you and the other designers that classes
like the paladin (which typically required more XP per level) were more
powerful than classes like the thief (which was the power-leveller of
the game) and that they needed to level at different rates to remain
equivalent? Was that the rationale, or is there another element of
balance I am missing?
Properly, there were no other
designers involved in this regard, and it was my sole decision, mostly
my sole creative input in fact.
I do believe that the millions of persons that played and enjoyed the
AD&D game demonstrate the correctness of my design choice,much of it
based on playing the D&D game intensley for four years, averaging
about 20 or more hours of DMing and play a week over that period.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Treebore,
I pretty well concur with what you state, and most of the AD&D game
audience certaoinly does. All character classes are not equal, but the
differing advancement requirements helps to keep them relatively so.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
I
don't think it was so much about keeping the classes equivalent. It was
more about providing appropriate challenges for the classes. A
magic-user had more powerful tools to accomplish his goals, so he needed
to acquire more experience points to make the adventure challenging
enough.
If you've ever played the Dungeon!
board game, you know that Heroes need only 10,000 gold pieces to win
the game, while Wizards need 30,000. Wizards are clearly superior to
Heroes in almost every respect, but the challenge is in getting three
times as much gold. The principle is the same in D&D.
Hi SuStel,
That pretty well sums up things, but keeping the classes equivelent
means that the challenge for a particular adventure is appropriate to
all classes of PCs of the equivelent level ;-)
I did indeed develop the
Dungeon! game that Dave Megary designed...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Orius,
To me it is self-evident that the Game Master it there to provide
exciting entertainment to the player group, even as he enjoys presenting
that to them. If the players dpon't enjoy the GM's offering, they leave
the group. If the GM doesn't find enjoyment in running game sessions
for the group he quits doing so.
The publisher of the RPG being run, not anybody else for that matter, can't add or subtract anything in regards that.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalker
I am corrected then. Consider me chastised for my ignorance. ;-)
Greetings Airwalker,
X-D I didn't mean to sound like a scold. Pardon me (^_^') There
were indeed a lot of gamers giving me useful input in regards to my
design, but I was the only one doing the work, deciding what was "right"
and "wrong." For example, before the D&D game was published, in
early 1973, I allowed any class of character to use a wand, but if they
were not a mgic-user, they had to roll their Int or ledd on 3d6 to make
it work. The players generally liked that, but I scrubbed the rule as it
blurred class lines.
I simply did not wish to do others a disservice if they helped come
up with the idea in question. This brings up an interesting question for
me though, since I was born after D&D was invented. I know you are
credited with "creating D&D" and I certainly don't question that.
But just how much was 1st edition your sole work and how much of it was
inspired or suggested by others? 90% or greater? I mean, although you
might be deific compared to such mortals as I, you did have help
obviously with such a monumental task of creating a brand new game and
getting it marketable. It is my current understanding that you were the
primary designer and Dave Arneson collaborated. Was Rob Kuntz's
contribution early on limited to DMing? What kinds of things did Dave
Arneson help with? Others?
Your concern regardng others is understood B-)
I can not attribute percentages of actual creativity to the whole, but here is how the OD&D game came into being:
I wrote the
Chainmail Medieval Military iniatures Rules "Man-to-Man" and "Fantasy Supplement" c. 1970, and the booklet was published in 1971.
Dave Arneson and I met at a GenCon here in Lake Geneva around 1968, and with Mike Carr we authored the
Don't Give Up the Ship Naval Miniatures rules for the Great Age of Sail around 1971-2.
Dave was running a man-to-man (1 figure = one person)
Chainmail
fantasy campaign around then, and he and Dave Megary came down from the
Twin Cities to see us, the gaming group, in Lake Geneva in the late
autumn of 1972. Arneson brought some of his campaign material with him
and Megary brought his
Dungeon! boardgame for us to play. Megary said he had used the
Chainmail
Fantasy Supplement (which is obvious from the game itself) and sme of
Arneson's ideas to create his boardgame. Would I become his agent, for
he could find no one to publish it. We all had a great time in Dave's
campaign and playing Megary's boardgame. I was enthused, and said I was
going to create a full-fledged set of fantasy game rules; and yes, I
would approach both Guidon Games, for whom I was Chief Editor, and The
Avalon Hill Company in regards to the
Dungeon! boardgame.
At the end of 1972 I had written a 50 p. ms. for the fantasy game.
Arneson was to send me all the rules notes he used in his campaign, but
nothing usable arrived, so I write the entire ms. off the top of my
head. At the same time I did a minor board re-design for the
I]Dungeon![/I] game )mainly on the 4th level adding the "Torture
Chamber" to balance the two parts of it, revised the monster and
treasure cards, and cleaned up the rules.
Of course during all this time we were playing both the RPG abd the
boardgame regularly, about every day for several hours as it were. The
initial plau-testers were my son Ernie and my daughter Elise, then ages
12 and 10 years respectively. They adventured on the first of what
became 13 levels of "Castle Greyhawk" of the "Greyhawk Campaign" and
loved it. I went to work immediately on a second level, even as Rob and
Terry Kuntz and Don Kaye joined the play-test group. I sent out about 20
photocopies of the fantasy game rules ms. to various gamers I knew that
belonged to the International Federation of Wargaming, the Castle &
Crusade Society, and/or the Lake Geneva Tactical Studies Assoiation.
Most of the recipients were as enthused about the game as I was.
By the late spring of 1973 we had played 100 or more sessions of the
fantasy game, dozens of I]Dungeon![/I] boardgame games, and with the
GMing and playng experience I had by then (then young Rob Kuntz being my
main GM when I played), some input from those that had received copies
of the nitial ms., I revised and expanded the rules to 150. pages, sent
copies to the original recipients and a dozen other persons, and began
to seek a publisher.
Guidon Games was not doing well, and my good friend, Tom Shaw, V.P.
heading up The Avalon Hill Company laughed when I offered him one or
both of the games. I then determined to do my best to start my own
publishing cmpany...a;though I had not a spare penny what with a wife
and five kinder to support.
None of my family was interested in backing the project, but my old pal
Don Kaye was. After seeing how large GenCon had become in 1973, the new
wargame compant Game Designer's Workshop formed in June of that year
exhibiting at the con, Don came over to my house afterwards and asked if
I could really do it, put a publishing compant together. I said sure
thing! So Don borrowed $1,000 against a life insurance policy, he and I
became equal partners in Tactical Studies Rules. We published
Cavaliers & Roundheads
Military Miniatures Rules for the English Civil War by Jeff Perren
& Gary Gygax in October of 1973, hoping the sales of the booklet
would generate sufficient income to afford to publish the D&D game
soon thereafter, as we both knew it would be the horse to pull the
company.
As an aside, I had named the fantasy game Dungeons & Dragons in the
summer of 1973 after compiling two lists of potential titles, with
"Dungeons" on one and "Dragons" on the other. When my little daughter
Cindy said, "Oh daddy, I like Dungeons & Dragons best!" I went with
her. choice.
Brian Blume attended Gencon in 1973, asked to join the LGTSA, and he was
accepted. When he played the D&D game at my house, Brian bcame as
enthused as we were, and when TSR was formed he asked to join as a
partner. As we had only around $700 from sales, wanted to get the
D&D game out, we agreed he could be an equal partner for $2,000. He
joined the company thus in December, and I took the D&D ms. to
Graphic Printing, then here in LAke Geneva, early in January 1974,
ordering labels to go with the wood-grained paper-wrapped boxes I had
ordered just prior to having the three booklets and reference sheets go
to the printer. The whole run of 1,000 booklets, reference sheets sets,
box front and spine labels, and boxes came to around $2,300.
Our first sale was one mail-order shipped off at the end of January when the game was hot off the press.
The next additions to the game were in process soon thereafter, those
being the material published asthe rules supplement booklet
Greyhawk in 1975, again all of which I wrote, but with a lot of creative input from Rob, so I included him as a co-author.
I began writing the material for the AD&D game in 1976, and I did
all of it by myself as well, again with a good deal of useful input from
the fellow gamers named in the work.
There you have it.
Oh obviously. I find AD&D an incredibly well-designed and
well-thought out system. I am not trying to tell you that you could have
done a better job or anything. I am just seeking to make some
adjustments to coincide with my tastes and the tastes of my group and
was trying to be circumspect about the consequences of "changing the
rules."
I appreciate the lauds :-) Rest asured that I don't that
the OAD&D rules are perfect, can't be improved upon by change,
addition, or excision. As a matter of fact, I did that frequently as I
DMed X-D
That is what I figured the reason was. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Thanks a lot!
Sure, and now you probably have more information than you wanted :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
...
Of course there are players and DMs out there who won't do that, the
upside of that is it gives us plently of things to talk (more like argue
in most cases :-) ) about around here.
X-D
As such an excuse to argue was needed! Gamers are about as contentious a
bunch as I can imagine. Perhaps that goes with the imagination
possessed by most and the creativity many have. What GM worth the name
doesn't "Improve" the game rules or module at hand? And how many have
their own RPG, module, or novel ready to publish? Heck, as I mentioned
above, I am often "improving" on my own work, wondering why the devil I
write it as I did in the first, or second or third, place 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Hey Gary,
Your history lesson up above there has brought something to mind. I
remember you once writing that Dave Arneson complained about the
Dungeons & Dragons rules being 'not right', or something to that
effect. Can you remember what it was about the game that he was
dissatisfied with?
- Nathan P. Mahney -
Hi Nathan,
Sorry, but I can not recall exactly with what Dave was dissatisfied. It
might have been virtually any aspect of the game. If you can give me
anything in the way of memory refreshment, I'll be happy to try to
recollect the nature of this.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Didn't
really have a question, just wanted to throw some thanks out there to
airwalker for his superb question(s), for he phrased them far more
eloquently than I ever could. And of course, a big thanks to Gary for
the awesome answer! Wow, it explained so much that I always wanted to
know! Thank you, gentlemen! :-D
Blast that devil Airwalker >:-)
His rotten query made me spend an inordinate amlunt of time recalling
ancient history and recording it here >:-( ...with a copy to my
files for biographical purposes ;-)
That aside, you are most welcome!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
Gary,
I hate sounding like a sycophant, but I do have to thank you very much
for giving me the best game and hobby, ever. Now one, that I in turn,
get to share with my 14, 13, and 10 year old kids; and give them
memories of not only great adventures, but a great time playing with
their mom and dad. It is a priceless gift you have given me, my wife,
and those like us. Thanks for making it happen.
Robert
Howdy Robert,
Not to worry, as I most certainly do not consider such statements
inordinantly servile not as attempts to curry favor (as if I could grant
such thing X-D ). I am efflusive with my praise for persons and
things that I admire and enjoy.
It is heartening to learn that you are sharing the gaming fun with your
children. I did that myself, and it was so great a time, something I
shall remember and they too.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Oh not at all. That was a quite interesting read. Thank you for filling me in on the details!
My pleasure :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Haakon1,
Well said in my estimation. As a GM that finds much enjoyment of giving
PCs vast sums of wealth, then extorting it from them in some menner, or
having it stolen and thus provide the basis for an adventure, the wealth
of PCs depends more on the campaign than on their level.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hi
Gary. I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying two of your
books I just bought. The Yggsburgh book for CZ, and Living Fantasy.
Both are excellent and I'm finding the stuff in the Living Fantasy book
great for putting a more medieval feel in my games. Nice work!
Well done!
The check is in the mail, and I'll direct the Trolls to your post X-D
Seriously, when the 19 Yggsburgh Town modules, plus the five for the
town's suburbs are completed, I do believe it will be the most detailed
urban setting around, the maps showing each building, numbered for
encounter information, and lots of adventures and adventure hooks in
each one. I hope that the Trolls can put the maps together to create a
big poster-sized one of the town and its surroundings :-D
As for the
Living Fantasy
book, I really enjoyed the extensive researching necessary for it,
putting the information together with creative fantasy elements. I was
thinking about adding more daily routine examplesm plus some menus--LC,
MC, and UC banquet, but the ms. was pretty large as it was, so I dropped
the idea.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Woo-hoo!
Many of us will need to alert our FLGS to this stuff when it's coming
out, as folks aren't as aware of non-D20 stuff, it seems. I like my
FLGS' strategy of special ordering for me, but getting 2 copies . . .
usually, the second one goes relatively soon. :-)
I do
believe that the Trolls will be releasing the modules in pdf format
before hardcopies are printed. There are at least four of the 19 town
ones developmentally edited and turned over to TLG for their processing
now, with about four or five more in process of being likewise edited.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BluSponge
Just
out of curiosity, Gary, (and seeing as you enjoyed developing LF) have
you considered doing expansions for it covering Eastern and Middle
Eastern cultures? I know LF touches on this lightly, but much of it
seems very grounded in western culture. While this doesn't preclude its
use otherwise, I, for one, would love to see similar treatments done
for the eastern part of the world. :-D
Tom
No. I have not, mainly because so much ot the
historical material for those cultures and societies is in a language
other than English. I would particularly love to do material covering
the Chinese and Indian cultures and their social organization, also a
Persian treatment.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Having
seen the detail that at least one of the writers, CK-Ghul put in the
maps, it's certainly going to be one amazingly detailed design.
Certainly going to be fun to put together. :-)
Having a
mix of designers doing the modules will mean that the "flavor" ot the
town, as set forth on the CZY book, will have many neighborhood/district
characteristics that will give the whole the same ambience as an actual
town has.
I'm going to encourage this. It's going to make a bloody big map
though. To do the detail justice it would have to be at least 6x8 feet.
Average interior house wall size (8x10) would be better. :-)
Huzzah!
I am all for that, although I would settle for a 4' x 6' size :-D
Cheers,
Garu
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
I
just bought the Yggsburgh module during the Trolls awesome sale and I
haven't gotten it yet, or the 4 other things I bought, inllcuding the
Essentials boxed set (to see how your ideas of game design have changed,
if nothing else).
So my question is, with your health issues and all the other
complications of putting something like this together, with ghost
writers, and what have you, can you give any kind of estimate on how
long it will take for us to see the whole thing finished? Two years?
Less than 20 years? Any kind of estimate?
I wrote the
whole of the CZY book before I began to have serious health problems. It
is sufficient wo serve as the basis for the detail modules, and rest
assured I fed the designer team a whole slug of additional material,
bith by group email and on the TLG board topic specifically for the
design team. I lost about 12 wanna-bes along the way, so the 25 separate
modules are being designed by about 18 writers..sufficient to vary the
districts and give each some unique neighborhood "feel".
The last of the 25 town modules should becompleted in the spring of next year.
As for the abandoned Castle Zagyg and its dungeon levels, Rob has
completed all the maps for the castles' levels and is working on the
encounter text to send to me for develpment. I expect it to arrive in
August. Rob is working fron a set of notes, level outline,and list of
special encounters he is familiar with so create the underground
portion. As each of those modules is done he will send them to me for
developemt. The lot should take about three years to complete. If it so
happens I am incapacitated, or deceased, I believe Trigee will seek the
developmemental assistance of my sons Ernie (and possibly Luke) as well
as a designer and co-writer I have worked with frequently, Jon
Creffield.
Another thing I have been wondering about, have you created enough
material and given enough "direction" that this will be completed even
if your health deteriorates badly enough to make you stop working? From
other posts you have made it sounds to me like you have, but I never
caught a "straight answer" about this possibility.
See above and judge for yourself. I am currently quite able to
spend a few hours a day developmentaly editing such material as needed.
(In fact, I am doing a bit of that on my own work, the
Lejenadry AsteRogues Fantastical Science genre expansion for the LA game, engaged in it for the sheer fun of it!)
FYI, I am sensitive to the health issue, since I myself have issues
that leave me wondering if I will live long enough to see it finished. I
should, even if it takes 20 years, but you know how unexpected
complications happen. With just life in general, let alone health
problems. I have been living like this since 1993, and I turn 40 on the
10th. I hope to make it to at least my 90th B-day, despite the odds.
Since I have already beaten as bad as 3 in 10,000 I am feeling pretty
confident.
I hope my candor doesn't bother or offend you.
Whoa, Treebore. That's both bad and good news, eh? May you
continue to beat the odds, prosper into a ripe old age. The docs have no
idea how long I have, but as with you, I plan for many a year yer, even
as I am greatful for each new day X-D My 69 birthday anniversary is
only about three weeks away :-o
Rest assured your candid questions were not in the least offensive to me.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Since
some of us here are interested in getting ourselves involved in the RPG
publishing world at some point (and at least all of us have something
we dabbled with through a third party publisher), can you tell us how
you separated the men from the boys?
First, I didn't
demand much in the way of credentials, assuming willingness, GMing
experience, and some considerable general direction from me would
suffice to enable those that were seriously committed to the task to
succeed, possibly after some re-writing and polishing. This is how I
went about keeping the group on track, weeding out those unable to
perform:
Set a deadline. Communicate with the design group regularly. Require
responses be made to periodic requests for progress reports. Also, state
that failure to comply with a required response means being dropped
from the project.
I made sure there were standby designers, several of whom proved to be able.
As it happemed, mainly because of being at this for so long, I spotted
about 80% of those that proved duds at module writing, so I wasn;t
caught flat-footed. Thankfully, a handful of the designers actually took
on two modules, and one eager creative fellow, Jeff Talanian, has one
in and several more working.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hi there Gary
Since the recent topic is that of modules and design, I was hoping to
get some insight or an opinion from you ( but I'm really hoping for
both! :-) ) . So, being a gamer who started out with classics like B2
and the Giant series, Needle, and the like, I have a great fondness for
the adventure module. But I've noticed that production of these items is
not quite what it once was back in the 80's and 90's. I realise there
are some out
there (like Rob Kuntz's stuff from Pied Piper, his freelance stuff and
of course yours as well), but by and large it ain't what it used to be.
Why do you think that is?
Howdy!
I will not get onto analysis of other designers' work, but I can venture
that the modules you do not find particularly appealing are thos that
contain a lot of story and dialog and little in the way of action and
adventure. Many are written as if playing a game were play acting or,
worse, an art form :\
Personally, I love them, great for reading and I always found it
helped me design my own dungeons/scenarios, using them as a guideline as
what one should or should not do and excellent source of inspiration.
I've heard arguments that state that since adventure modules are for the
DM only, it therefore limits the sales (profit margin) so they're not
worth producing . I don't totally believe that (although of course, I
could be wrong), because I've always been in groups that had multiple
DM's, and we change it up every few weeks or so, taking turns running
games. Anyway, just wondered if you had any thoughts or input on the
subject, as I haven't a clue about the industry really! :-) Thanks!
It's very much appreciated. Ciao!
Here I will expound a bit.
WotC
can say that now, because they screwed uo the market for modules with
the d20 license, thus guaranteeing a superfluity of such product, much
of it of questionable value, thus reducing the appeal for modules, and
altogether not promoting the D&D logo ro game.
The claim that they could not license one or several reputable small
companies to produce D&D modules with that mark on them because of
lacking personnel to peruse and approve or not the modules submitted is
sepcious
IMO.
The licensing fee and subsequent royalties would cover most, if not
all, of the expense. the advertising and promotional value of the
licensed priducts, ads therefor, would surely make up any shortfall.
When I was at TSR the modules produced at least paid for their creation
and production, while many sold in quantities over 50,000 units, a
profitable product for the publisher, the distributors, and retailers
carrying it.
Of course it requires that the module be written by a capable designer...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
So
few modules? Not what they used to be? Guess you haven't discovered
Necromancer Games or Goodman Games. Both are very much like they used to
be. So are Troll Lords Games older d20 modules as well as their new
C&C modules. There have been plenty of good modules put out for d20,
just, apparently, not enough people knew about them. Dungeon Magazine
is still great for maps and ideas, even with me no longer running
3E games.
Even some of the modules put out by
WOTC are exceptional.
Without contesting any opf the above, the sales for those modules are
generally pretty low, making them marginal products. This is because
there are too many modules being produced for the size of the consumer
audience, and many produced in the past have been of low play quality,
so GMs are reluctant to purchase more.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Everything's better 'in the old days', don't ya know that? Even the food tasted better. X-D
You mean when you weren't here to plague us?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
...
...
I only play with my friends. I don't kill my friends' characters for
"fun", but I want them to know the dice fall where they may because,
like ABC Sports motto went: "The thrill of victory, the agony of
defeat". Without losing, there's no winning.
The real fun of the game is when you can say: "Wow, that was close. We
almost got slaughtered, but we did it, and everybody's OK." It's a fine
line in DMing to get that Indiana Jones grabbing his hat under the
crushing stone door thrill, without crushing too many archeologists . . .
very tough to do without fudging dice rolls, but I'm trying to run a
"clean" no safety protocol campaign now.
I guess that's the real generational difference. Me and my friends grew
up before the era of "everybody gets a trophy for playing". No risk
feels like no achievements to me.
...
Whoa!
Well put sir.
I heartily concur.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
On
modules and sales . . . . Goodman Games Dungeon Crawl Classics series
has modules that are on their third printing! There's definitely a
market for good modules.
That is heartening, and Goodman has earned its rep, so is reaping the
benefit. However, the print runs in question are most likely rather
modest. Back in the early 1980s TSR would do initial print runs of
25,000 and with the better-selling modules reprint many times at that
quantity. I don't recall the exact sales figures, but I believe that
Ravenloft, S1, G1 through G3, D1 through D3, Q1, T1, the
Temple of Elemental Evil and all the
Dragonlance modules sold over 100,000 each.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Time for me to start a new thread.
Consider this one as closed, please.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
They're
also really fragmented. There are modules for old-schoolers, modules
for Eberron, modules for various fringe rules, etc.
Open Gaming License was a cool idea, but it makes the Mazteca-ization problem of D&D (splintering a small audience) worse.
Opps. Sorry, I didn't read this was closed until I already wrote this.
Quit postng here!
Go to:
Gary Gygax Q&A: Part XI X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Gary Gygax Q&A: Part XI
Thus begins the eleventh of this series :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
And the soon-to-be-archived
Part X is
here.
So, is Yggsburgh the "Be a Collaborator" deal from
Lejends?
No sir :-)
The Town of Yggsbuurgh is part of small-sized campaign setting of an
area of some 1,500 square miles. I did it in a year's time, and it is
for the C&C RPG. The collaborator portion was in regards to 19
sectors comprising the walled town of 40K plus inhabitants and the five
suburban areas with another 5K or so population. With some 16 different
designers lending their talents to the base work and copious motes I
supplied, eachof the districts/quarters of Yggsburgh will have its own
unique feel and personality--even though a couple of the designers have
doubled up, and one is doing four of these modules.
About eight of the 25 are finished, and the lot should be completed and
turned over by the end of the year. Jon Creffield, the content editor,
has turned in three, and wkith the single one I edited, the Trolls now
have four. I believe they will release these modules in batches of four,
initally as PDFsbeginning sometime this year.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hello Gary :-D
I was reading through some of our old letters from the NIPI days. In
there, as well as in the NIPI "Realms of Adventure" newsletter, you
mentioned various projects that never came to pass, due to NIPI's
funding vanishing.
Which of your unfinished projects (from NIPI or elsewhere, for that matter) would most like to complete?
Also, unrelatedly, how was the Lake Geneva Convention?
Thanks, as always, for spending time to share your thoughts and wisdom with us :-D
Howdy!
Actually, I had just begun to develop the
Dangerous Journeys
RPG system when New Infinities went under. so that I managed to finish
in part. Nothing else from then is still hanging about in the old files
B-)
As for unpublished/unfinished stuff I've done since then, there is a fair amount. The Trolls are going to do my King of
England - King of France
strategy boardgame sometime in a year or so I hope. I have another pair
of boardgames that I would like to see published, although the large
family "monster hunter" game has a lot of cards and a big board, so...
the other is a social class game that is pretty amusing, often funny
when played to the hilt. In addition I have several games designed for
the PC--mostly historical or semi-historical strategy and/or tactical
builders involving some combat and economics. One from 1996 is a MMP
contemporary horror stpe that is still about at the cutting edge of
available technology. It seems that I demanded way too much back then.
That's about all the detail I want to go into here 8-D
As for my participation here, welcome! i enjoy the fellowship.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, are there any plans to publish Lejendary AsteRogues Fantastical Science RPG?
Also, how closely tied are the rules to the setting? How easily could I
use the AsteRogues rules in a different setting (say, a large-scale
setting encompassing a different galaxy)?
Greetings Geoffrey,
Jon Creffield is working on the development of the initial campaign
module for the LAR game I wrote, a large space station, but that is now
on a back burner because of the work on the Yggsburgh Town and Suburbs
Detail Modules. However, I have been polishing the LM's volumes a bit,
and Jerry Leonard, the chap that is doing the flags for the project has
supplied several useful tables we have included in the mss. Only the
Trolls can give an estimate of when the genre expansion for the LA RPG
system will be published.
Note that the Lejendary AsteRogues RPG is Fantastical Science, not
Science Fiction of hard or even soft sort. It is aimed at play within
the solar system and then slow expansion to nearby stars' systems. As it
is, the setting is so filled with material that I believe that an
active LM and large group could spend 20 years of intense play and by no
means exhause the possibilities existing in the basic material.
That said, Jerry Leonard is also working on the development of a SF
genre expansion for the LA game system, that a general rules set that
will be applicable to many settings, including a couple that I have
created. This is likely the sort of game you are seeking rather that a
combination of the age of sail with super science.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Thanks
for the information, Gary. :-) I'm right with you on the
"fantastical science" rather than science fiction angle. I'd like to run
a massive milieu of entire galaxies chock full of both high magic and
high technology, without there necessarily being a clear distinction
between the two. I envision galactic dwarven empires, galactic wylf
empires, etc., all complete with all the magic and monsters from the LA
rules plus starships, robots, etc. Plus, of course, "magical technology"
that could never exist in reality. I think the LA rules would be the
perfect fit for this type of huge, science-fantasy, intergalactic
setting.
Of course, I'm also excited about Castle Yggsburgh. Too bad you don't have 100 hours in the day. :-D
Yuppers, I do understand ;-) First the Fantastical Science, then the
relatively hard SF, and then, using the two genres as bases, a good
Science Fantasy can built.
The LAR game does have Psychogenic Ability, wierd space creatures, and
talking organic computers as well as super engines that warm astral body
cores, alter gravity ans axial tilt, screen oubects and undesired
radiation out, screen in desirable radiation and also give forth
electroluminesent light, and there are terraforming engines, element
converters and compounders as well. All set in a solar system teeming
with great powers, lesser ones, malign groups, pirates and slavers
inhabiting planets, moons, and the many asteroids on the inner belt and
the Trans-Saturnian one as well. Of course there are two more planets,
the one furthest out at the verge of the Kupper Belt inhabited by
strange menacing aliens with intersteller drive in their ships :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Erekose
Hi Gary!
I have this vague memory from the mid-1980s when there was word of a new supplement, a 2nd Unearthed Arcana?,
for AD&D which would include new classes like the Mountbank (and
others which I'm afraid my aging brain can't remember). Presumably this
changed and the second edition was developed instead (which to be honest
is when I lost interest in RPGs - I've only returned relatively
recently).
Any way, I wondered if (a) this was true and (b) if it was how far did
you get in the development of the new classes as I'd love to see some
new (?) material from you for AD&D.
Sorry for being so vague but we are expecting our 2nd baby any day now and we aren't getting much sleep O.o !
Also, apologies if this has been asked before!!!
Howdy Erekose,
No problem, and I'll answer as best as I can ;-)
I was indeed planning a revised edition of the AD&D game with
several new classes included. that never came to fruition, of course, as
I parted ways with TSR at the end of 1985. As my settlement agreement
forbad me to so anything pertaining to D&D or AD&D, I scrapped
whatever notes I had for the revsion. Under the circumstances I have no
further comment on what I planned.
The 2nd Edition of AD&D was done after I left the company, and I had nothing to do with it.
Children are marvelous, even if they do disrupt most everything and demand a lot of time. Enjoy the blessing :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Beckett
That sounds interesting. Hundred Years War period? Anything you can tell us beyond the name?
Thanks!
Indeed, I am not keeping this a secret. I was playing a test version of
the KoE-KoF game at various cons about 10 years or so back X-D
The game is for 2 to 5 players, best with 5. It covers the time of the
100 Years War, but it is not a military game, but rather an historically
based strategy card game played on a mapboard. Each player in the game
has something to do each time one of the five participants acts during a
turn. There are up to 15 turns in a game, although there can be a
winner sooner. The two major powers are the Angevin Empire (going
firstand with the most cards in hand) and France (playing last in a turn
and with the second largest playing hand). The other players represent
Flanders, Savoy, and Toulouse. As Toulouse is out of play near the end
of the game because of the Cathar Crusade against it, its otherwise
favorable board position is balanced.
Essentially all the players act, in turn, to further their aims and
thwart those of their adversaries, even as they must trade cards with
them to be able to act efficiently.
Any of the five countris can win. If none manages a victory by the end of play, France wins automatically.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
Ciao Quasqueton,
Yes, I did miss your post. Perhaps that occured because of a
subconscious blind spot. The fact is I don't talk shop details
online...or even in seminars at conventions. That is reserved for those
designers I am working with creatively. The main reason for that is that
I tend to create spontaneously, go back and alter, add, and polish, if I
like the work, after it is done in rough draft ;-)
That said, I can respond in regards to design theory at TSR. When I was
there no such formula was advicated. It was expected that the author of
an adventure would create best when creating freely.
The ToH and G-D series were originally created strictly for the players in my campaigm, including co-DM rob Kuntz.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
...
Were the tournament adventures and the published versions of the adventures the same as your campaign versions?
Thanks.
Quasqueton
Ciao,
There was little change from the campaign version of the modules in the
publioshed versions--added pregen characters is about all as I recall.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
There
is a lot to be said for freestyle. Freestyle allows you to say, "Ooh!!
Thats a cool idea! Lets make it happen!" Where a formulated approach all
to often has this happen: "Oooh!! Thats a cool idea! But it can't
happen because rules x,y, and z of game/adventure design says it can't.
Darn! That would have been a cool idea!"
I much prefer the "Lets make it happen!"
Treebore, I quite agree.
Formula writing is mediocre. Spontaneous creativity can be dreadful or masterful ;-)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
Plus the dreadful are often good for a laugh. Or two.
X-D
Back in the late 1970s there was a fanziine titled
The Apprentice
that ran a module called "The Pigeon Cliffs of Mentadora." It was
hysterically funny, althogh it was meant to be serious. For example, the
giant pigeons, tumbler, homing, etc. caged there each ate "an orc a
day." Poor birds...there wasn't an orc to be found anywhere in the whole
module.
I panned it as being most amusing but dumb in
Dragon
magazine, naming the publication. I was informed that the fanzine sold
about three times as many copies next issue, and the back inventory of
the "pigeon" issue sold out completely immediately after my review
appeared in print. The publisher and author of the module in the zine
wouldn't speak to me despite the benefit I brought to his enterprise
:-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by genshou
Funny how these things work in the opposite way you intended them to! X-D
Oops!
Sorry, I didn;t mean to give the wrong impression there. I mentioned the
name of the fanzine so as to make up for the panning by publicizing it.
If I mean to truly smoke something I never mention it by name or even
hint at that... X-D
Speaking of adventures, have you used any of the free 3.x adventures
available on the WotC site, and if so, what are your opinions on their
quality? I'm especially interested in hearing what you think of Wreck
Ashore, if you're familiar with it.
Ah well, another dud response.
As I don't play
3E, sometimes play OAD&D (or the C&C game) but usually play the
Lejendary Adventure skill-bundle-based rules light system, I can be of no assistance regarding this matter :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by EricNoah
Gary, it's great to see you here, as always! :-)
Eric Noah
Thanks Erik!
Just stay away from my +1 mace X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Grodog:
Sorry I missed answering your querry regarding the second LGGC here. It
was a very good gathering--not overcrowded, relaxed, friendly, and fun. I
ended up Lejend Mastering for three different groups of seven or eight
players here on my front porch each day. Of course we had the pre-con
porch party here Thursday evening and night, and there were gamers
gathered here each night of the con, including a near dead-dog group
sunday night. I was pretty tired and had to shoo away a few holdovers on
Monday evening as I sat out on the porch with my beer X-D
Steveroo:
The link to
Lejends
is not functioning, and I must have misunderstood the question too... I
don't recall the "Be a Collaborator" piece in the zine. Please refresh
my memory. Obviously there wasn't much response to it or I would likely
recall the matter O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by genshou
Oh, ok. That's still kind of funny how things worked out, though. Just not quite as much.
Oh, I thought maybe you might have played
3E from time to time seeing as you are who you are, but I can certainly understand why you'd stick with the older editions. ;-)
Hmm, maybe you should join my online campaign. :-P
(I'm joking, of course. That game is officially on hiatus until I can
get a consistent work schedule. When it gets going again, though...
maybe. Heheh.)
Don't worry Gary, there'll be more questions coming your way soon enough, of that I am certain. >:-)
Heh,
I did play
3E in playtesting my sons' d20 module the
Lost City of Gaxmoor...
As for online play, not a chance. I am lucky to get in a thursday night
game here, play boardgames at son Ernie's place on Monday afternoons :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by smootrk
G'day Gary,
I think it is a shame that the agreements you entered into keep you from
being able to participate fully with the current incarnations of the
game, or even the older, out-of-print materials that were produced by
other now-defunct gaming companies. Have you attempted or even
considered contacting the current IP holders, in order to re-negotiate
terms or otherwise relax the conditions of your agreements?
It would be novel to see your credits on some products from
WOTC,
especially when it comes to the Greyhawk material, or even to see an
all new 'official' Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (as in 1st edition)
set of resources surface with your stamp on it.
That's an "Ah Well, water under the old bridge," sort of thing.
As
WotC
has licensed out AD&D, there's no chance that I'll be creating
anything for that game system. However, the C&C game is under the
OGL, and i have written some material for it ;-)
My main interest is actually the skill-bundle-based, rules light RPG I put together crom c, 1997-2000, the
Lejendary Adventure sysyem. I am tinkering with genre expansion material for it currently, aided by several other designers :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
Well
OSRIC may not have Gary's official stamp on it, but it is a "door" for
new 1E rules based stuff to be done again, if it holds up to legal
scrutiny and
WOTC doesn't decide to tie it up in years of court battles. So since it is essentailly 1E in the d20
OGL world it by default has Gary's stamp on it.
That sounds a good deal similar to the C&C game B-)
BTW, I did my best to talk Peter into keeping AD&D alive even as the new D&D game was beind released.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
From
what I know, Gary did author some Gord the Rogue novels after the fact.
Plus, I believe he also collaborated in the Dungeon update of
Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure, "Maure Castle." He also recently did
some Gord fiction for Dragon. Correct me if I'm wrong on any of this,
Gary.
As an aside, how do you pronounce Yggsburgh?
That's right,
and I own the rights to all seven Gord books as well. I was not a
collaborator for the update of the MFA module, though. One Gord short
story has been run in
Dragon magazine, and K.E. Bourgoine and I are working on the precis for a second new tale now.
Yggsburgh is pronounces "EGGS-burg" (^_^')
Cheers,
E. Gary Gygax
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Or a shudder . . . remembering the "Puppets" adventure from post-Gygax TSR's short-lived Greyhawk line. :-(
I found the
Castle Greyhawk module rather silly myself...
>:-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
More
like the Steve Jobs. Lejendary founder of Apple, kicked out by morons
who "just didn't get it", founded his own company (Next), was brought
back to save a floundering company and created a miracle comeback.
Well, we can dream about the second half of the story. (^_^')
Well, Stan has surely come back with considerable success X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Erekose
Thanks Gary!
I have to say that our first child, Beth, who is now 3.5yrs old is
fantastic. It's amazing how bleak established parents seem to paint the
picture of having children (at least that's my experience in the UK) -
almost as if it is so obviously such a great thing having children that
they can just focus on the bad side. O.o
That is
something I can not understand either, for to my mind children are just
plain marvelous...if often difficult and worrisome :\ I would gladly
have more--if I were younger X-D
Just one final question - were you involved with either the Dungeoneer's Survival Guide or the Wilderness Survival Guide?
Absolutely not.
Both were good books on their particular subject but began what I
feel was the slippery slope towards the 3E skills and feats system with
the introduction of "nonweapon proficiencies". I just wondered if you
aproved or didn't aprove of this additional complexity to AD&D?
Would your 2E AD&D have introduced a more refined version of this?
Frankly, I thought them as splat books cranked out to generate revenue, not truly serve the gamer. See below regarding skills.
Presumably Lejendary Adventures would give me a clue but I haven't yet had the opportunity to look at that game. ;-)
The
Lejendary Adventure
game is skill-bundle-based, rules light, and although it has the same
spirit as AD&D, it is quite different, with no character classes,
archetypical avatars created by choosing an Order, and otherwise
complete freedom to build a game persona of vitrually any sort.
For an example of what I would have done regarding skills in a revsied
addition of AD&D, check out the C&C game's skills, for I added
those to the rules when I wrote the
Castle Zagyg, Yggsburgh
book a couple of years or so back. These are skill bundles also, can be
purchased with XPs, and for NPCs some confer levels in class as well as
conveying skills.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
I
was actually wondering about that. By the way, I just bought Yggsburgh
from the Trolls, and am awaiting its arrival in the mail.
I do hope you willfind it interestiing!
I'd be careful of saying that around the OSRIC loyal. Some of them
seem to feel C&C is not a good alternative to AD&D, and only
OSRIC will do to satisfy them. Personally, I find the OSRIC project to
be quite interesting from the perspective of seeing just how ingenious
fans can be when it comes to ensuring something they love survives. I
hope it finds success. I also find C&C to be a really nice addition
to the spectrum of games with their roots in D&D.
Understood. I must say, though, thet the C&C game is
sufficiently suitable in my books to use as the system for a version of
the original Greyhawk Campaign as created by me with Rob Kuntz ;-)
Cheers.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, how modular is Lejendary Adventure?
For example, could the Judge in his LA campaign decide (for example)
that sorcery and psychogenics are the only forms of "magic" in his
campaign (thus excluding necrourgy, geourgy, etc.)? Would the LA system
still work with these elements taken out?
That will work fine, although the LM would have to do a lot of adjusting for creatures that use Extraordinary Abilities.
As an aside, in the
Lejendary AsteRogues FS RPG genre the only "magical" Ability is Psychogenics.
Second, Lunamancer on dragonsfoot wrote:
a
1st and 12th Rank LA Avatar aren't so different in power levels that
they can't adventure together. In general, LA has this recurring theme
of total access. A starting Mage in LA, for example, can begin play
knowing and using even the most power mortal magics, including Heart's
Desire (the LA equivalent of Wish). The magic-system is organized a bit
differently to allow such choices. Similarly, any monster from Beast of
Lejend will be an appropriate challenge for a starting party. I'm not
saying you can walk up to anything, fight it, and win. I'm saying that
if the LM does decide to toss an elder drake your way, you've got a good
sporting chance of running away to tell the tale. The main idea is, you
get to play the whole game from day 1. You don't have to wait 'til
level whatever to use this nifty spell or to encounter a particularly
cool monster.
Does that sound about right? In my opinion, it's a very appealing thing about LA.
Yes, it is on target.
My group of relatively moderate-power Avatars playing in Jon Creffields
Dance of the Fairy Ring
module managed to slay the slime drake there in only three rounds of
combat...by incredible luck. The Avatar attacking it leaped into its
pool, struck thrice with his dagger, bypassed the drake's armor all
three times by special successes, and rolled two natural 20s for Harm,
so both of those blows scored around 30 points each off its Health
total.
Of course, there is a lot more that combat involved in the system, and
the more experienced Avatars are able to use more Abilities thus as well
as deliver more certain hits and greater Harm.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
John,
That is a good summation :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Beckett
You've
got a tentative sale in South Dakota, then. Hundred Years War is one
of the periods that always grabs my attention (mostly toward the end,
spurred on by Europa Universalis 2). A bit of a shame that all the good
games work best with 5 players; my boardgame group (focused mostly on
the Axis&Allies games) seems to always hover around 4 people.
Four will work for the KoE-KoF game ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Barak
Gary,
Why do you insist on remaining so awesome? Most people who create
something that becomes as pervasive as D&D and/or who become such
iconic figures become bitter, hard-to-approach hermits. Yet, you
persist in remaining approachable, gregarious and full of life. Is this
all some sort of ploy to be able to get more souls for some demonic
rituals, or perhaps just a derivative of your likeness of good scotch?
X-D X-D X-D
You caught me being a true game geek and dedicated nerd :-o
The fact is that I love playing games, fellowshiping with others of like mind :-D
The booze and other offerings are just a side bene that I also share up with others B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
I
think Gary just knows that life is too much fun to be a sour recluse.
Plus you can't be a real gamer if you only game with yourself. ;-)
Just so, amigo!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Gary,
I just wanted to mention that my article on the history of computer
role-playing games has just come out, since you were interested in the
topic when I mentioned it before. If you ever get the time to peruse
the work, it was published by the Silven Trumpeter:
http://shop.enworld.org/index.php?pr...Release%20News Yes indeed :-)
I am taking a break from a videotaped interview being shot for the
Turner gaming channhe now. when I have some time tomorrow I'll happily
read your essay!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Philotomy Jurament
I
HATED that module. I was overseas when it came out, but I
special-ordered it based on the title. When it arrived, I started
reading and couldn't believe it. They'd turned Castle Greyhawk, the
premier dungeon of the setting, into a joke. Now, I have nothing
against humorous dungeons, but to have a whole thing be a joke was too
much. I suppose I was expecting something else, so the disappointment
was intense. In any case, between Castle Greyhawk and modules like
"Puppets," "Childs Play," and "Gargoyle" it seemed to me that TSR was
sending a pretty un-subtle message, which was "Greyhawk is a joke."
Maybe I'm reading too much into that, I don't know. I do know that I quit buying TSR's Greyhawk material.
I'm all for OSRIC so I can use OSRIC-compatible materials in my C&C game. :-) Actually, I doubt many people will play
"OSRIC" -- AD&D faithful will probably continue to play "AD&D"
using OSRIC-compatible supplements. I suppose someone could play
"OSRIC" if he didn't have the AD&D rulebooks, though.
What can I say?
(^_^')
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Philotomy Jurament
Yeah. Sorry...had to rant. :-)
In any case, I'm very glad that you (and Rob) are putting out Castle Zagyg. Yggsburgh is great, and I'm eagerly awaiting the rest of the series (and supporting modules).
Not a problem here. I actually made a tresponse at the direction of the
cameraman that was shooting my interview for the Turner gaming website,
after he got a shot of the EN World header, had me scroll down.
Hope that proves to be some good promo for here, as the interview is promarily about the D&D game..
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
My
Troll order hasn't arrived yet. So no LA: Essentials, no EGGsburgh, no
World Builder, no second copy of M&T, and No Hall of Many Planes.
Bummer! :-(
:\
Being an impatient sort, I truly can empathise...
Rather like waiting for a birthday or Christmas to come, eh?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Don't
get me wrong; I enjoy humor in games also, including entire adventures
that are "jokes," for lack of a better term. Dungeonland and Beyond the
Magic Mirror are classics of their type. I like a lot of the humor
HackMaster injected into both the game and the classic modules. It's
just that Castle Greyhawk was supposed to be the
ne plus ultra of dungeon crawls, based on rumor, speculation, and the glimpses Gary gave us in Dragon and the
DMG.
To me, making it a humor-based adventure was tantamount to making
Temple of Elemental Evil a "joke" module. TSR's Castle Greyhawk was a
classic "WTF?" moment in RPG history.
ROTF X-D
Sorry, but your comments were accurate
IMO, even as they struck my funny bone. For shame! I should not laugh at another's disillusionment and righteous indignation 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Elfdart
Colonel,
did you ever run a "reverse" dungeon where the players had to play the
monsters and the DM played the band of adventurers who ruthlessly hunted
them down, invaded their lair, killed them and took their treasure?
I'm about to do just that to my group in a mini-campaign. Part One will
be a hobgoblin chieftain, a bugbear, a shaman, a witchdoctor and
assorted groups of goblinkind bowmen, slingers, and footmen -all given
the goal of taking a tower manned by human men-at-arms.
Part two is where the typical band of adventurers comes to do to the
goblinoids well, what they usually do. The monsters who kill the most of
their enemies, loot the most from their victims and actually survive
the assault from the human and demi-human party win the game. Yes, this
will encourage the monsters to stab one another in the back as well as
their foes. >:-)
One part of this is a change of pace. Instead of cooperation we have
cutthroat competition. The other is for my own education as a DM, since I
plan to take note of any clever defenses the players use against the
forces of Good and keep them for future reference for this group and
others. I've learned some of my best stuff from players, who always come
up with things even the smartest DMs never thought of. Turnabout is
fair play, after all.
Hi Elfdart,
The answer to role-reversal is a qualified no, I have never had my
players take on the role of monsters, save in the test of the
Hall of Many Panes module. The group had to assume a variety of different forms in that demi-campaign.
Mining the player group for ideas is certainly a good idea, as many
heads are often better than one when looking for new and innovative
approaches. Of course, that is one of the uses of well-designed
modules...fresh ideas slip into one's own campaign.
My group always castigates a fellow that mentions something I might do,
for they know if it is demanding and I hadn't thought of it, the mention
will assure the appearance of whatever was spoken of at some point...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Naw,
that's alright. It was all a long time ago. I do remember the
anticipation people had for a couple of modules - one being Castle
Greyhawk, and the other being whatever was going to follow up the
Village of Hommlet. I remember being in bookstores like Waldenbooks in
the early 80s, looking at the game section, and watching as strangers
searched through it muttering "T2...T2...T2..."
(^_^')
I hope Rob isn't too slow in getting the parts of Castle Zagyg to me for
development. He has a full outline with all the special encounters I
think should be in the work keyed to dungeon level. Of curse he has the
headache of making the new maps based on the old ones, and this time
actually having all the the stairs and other means of moving to other
levels actually match up... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark
Remember, less than three weeks until the B-Day of
E. Gary Gygax. :-)
Shhhh!
At my age things such as birthday anniversaries are better forgotten :-o
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
Actually,
tomorrow (July 10) is my 40th B-day, and it is highly probable that my
books will get here tomorrow. If so, I guess in the end the longish wait
will end up being very cool!
Speaking of birthdays...
Have a great natal day anniversary, Treebore :-D
Here's hoping that the goodies arrive today!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Ah, and Deuce Traveler...
My crew doesn't find my puns and shaggy dog stories amusing. They keep demanding that I get back to game mastering >:-)
O.o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Whoa Mythmere1 :-D
Your glowing praise for the CYZ book is most heartening! I did indeed
put a lot into the work, and it is great to find the effort appreciated.
The town detail modules should give Yggsburgh a feel of urban
verisimilitude, as many of the districts are designed by different
authors. I hope that will give the community the sort of differing
aspect from neighborhood to neighborhood that is common in real cities.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Indeed. Its a sensable precaution called 'quality content control'. B-)
Not to mention protection of Intellectual Property B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
...
Is there any chance that you'd consider publishing the original maps and
keys, one day, to give us all insight into the earliest origins of the
game?
All I can say is that is highly doubtful ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hello Gary!
Now, just to harken back to a couple of posts reagarding the creation a
second edition for AD&D, back when you were still with TSR: so,
when you were thinking about this at the the time, was it because you
really felt the game needed it or was there some sort of demand from the
gaming public at the time? Now, while I did play the 2e that did
come out, I personally felt it was not a great improvement upon your
original work, in fact, I always thought that a diluting occured (ranger
class being a prime example) and one I never fully understood.
Also, I'd like to contribute my comments in regards to the TSR module Castle Greyhawk: what a load of rubbish.
And in regards to good modules, I really enjoyed Isle of the Ape. Great setting and just tons of fun. Thanks! :-D
Indeed, I wanted make the revised AD&D system more akin to the
material in UA, to ass a few new character classes, and put in some
skills ala those I added in the C&C game so as to make the
characters, particularly the NPCs, less cookie-cuter.
As for the
Isle of the Ape, most of my guys hared it, but I loved that module, as I love the original
King King motion picture :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Gary,
there is a clip of Stephen Colbert (of Comedy Central's very funny
Colbert Report) on a website called You Tube. There is a viewer comment
there about Colbert mentioning Gen Con X and his meeting of Len Lakofka
made by someone purporting to be you, and I was curious if that
commenter was, indeed, you.
Yes, that was me, as I set up
the con at the Playboy Club. was responsible for Fritz and Harry Fisher
being guests there, and of course knowing Len Lakofka well.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Of course they do! There's gold in them hills and times-a-wastin'! ...
Hot dog!
You are playing my PCs' tune X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
As General Patton said, that sort of tactic is grabbing the enemy by the nose as you kick his tail.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hi again Gary---
Does that include the Black Reservoir, by chance?
I also got a copy of your "Magician's Ring" story from Wargamer's Digest
in 1975 recently, which has several other juicy tidbits about the
Castle. I'd be happy to scan and provide to you and Rob if it would be
useful (and you don't already have the content)?
If he needs any help, I'm sure we can dig up some volunteers to assist
with matching up the stairwells, chutes, ladders, et al ;-)
Heh...
Surely pumping me for sneak preview material, eh? X-D
You'll have to ask Rob if he'd like copied of the material that McCoy
ran in his zine. I am sure he'll pass on the offer of map assistance...
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
I don't think Gary is going to be fully converting to C&C. ...
I suppose Gary could look at the C&C classes and tell us which
bundles of skills to adapt to that class. I suspect we could do an
equally good job of it, so why have Gary do it?
Right on!
I much prefer the LA game system to any class-based one, even one with skill bundles.
I won't spend a lot of my waning creative energy cooking up material for
anything to which I am not most dedicated. I enjoy the C&C game
system, and I'll likely do small bits and pieces, but whole new classes
are not in the cards.
Mountebank--a skilled liar/slight of hand trickster/minor illusionist/thief
Savant--a learned character also knowing arcane things and having minor magic-use
Mystic--an augur-clairvoyant with minor monk and cleric abilities
Jester--a gymnast-tumbler with some special spells for attention, laughter, anger, etc.
That should start the creative thoughts flowing ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Elfdart
...
Which leads me to... did you ever have to change a rule to adapt to what
your players were doing? For example, a loophole in the rules or a rule
they were abusing?
Rules, no, not to the best of my recollection.
Spells, yes indeed!
Of course when I was DMing the rules were highly flexible and nor necesarily what was written in the books... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Yes, that will help quite a bit.
Howdy Colonel!
I should have mentioned that I was working on special spells for the
Mountebank, Savant, Mystic, and Jester alike. I had a fair list put
together, some number detailed in draft form, but I fear all are long
lost.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
That's really unfortunate. Can you recall the gist of any of them, by chance?
8-D
After 20 plus years have passed and I have done several new RPGs with a
huge number od new spells for each, not a chance I can recall any ot
them without some mental prompt akin to my notes... (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Paul J. Stormberg
Chainmail Tribute Game: The Battle for the Moathouse
Howdy Gary,
Just a pointer to a little write up I did for the Castle & Crusade
Society Chainmail Tribute Game you played in at Lake Geneva Gaming
Convention in June:
http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=18763
Hope you had as much fun participating as I had refereeing it.
Futures Bright,
Paul
Hi Paul,
Thanks for posting all that--fine work sir. I have posted a message on the thread.
Rest assured I did have a lot of fun--even with your
hostile, non-neutral treant whacking the daylights out of some of my troops there on the left flank of our formation X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Neutral doesn't mean peaceful, after all!
Pish & Tosh!
A treant is neutral in regards to other alignments and does not attack without provocation ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Perhaps the Forces of Evil (tm) got it riled up, or perhaps it's a tree beast a la Dark Druids. :-)
Even Treebeard very nearly squashed Merry and Pippin.
Again, Pish & Tosh!
The rules being used were
Chainmail
fantasy, so there are no evil treants. Furthermore, there were two
druids leading the forces, a part of which the blasted wooden thing
assailed >:-)
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
Allow
me to elaborate on the classes with my best guesses, based on
descriptions in old dragons, and some of these former classes were
mentioned as possible professions in MYTHUS, save for the Jester. ...
Ciao, John,
Good work as usual. Just a couple of additions. The savant and mystic
were meant to deal with critters from other planes as well. The
mountebank could use disguise, impersonate, and with his patter or
oration affect an audience of one or many more.The jester could use
several hurled missile weapons such as daggers, clubs, knives, throwing
stars, etc. with speed and accuraccy.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Paul J. Stormberg
Howdy Gary,
Perhaps it was the 50 Verbobonc heavy foot armed with axes that started
swarming through it's grove looking to chop down a tree for use as a
battering ram? I'm not sure but I think that is listed in treant
etiquette books as a definite faux pas. X-D
Futures Bright,
Paul
>:-(
Butt out with your silly details >:-)
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by cildarith
Hehe. The look on Gary's face (
last photo) is just priceless. :-D
Well played, Paul! :-)
Gary: WTF?
Ernie: OMG!
>:-( :-P
Sure, go on and revel in the misfortunes of another >:-)
Of course Ernie was not delighted either :\
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mighty Veil
A 3rd edition Dragon Compendium has them printed.
:-o
Monkey see, monkey do...
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Seskis281
It is good to learn that you like the LA game for play. From my
perspective, it is also much easier to design and GM for it because of
its rules-light nature and flexibility. that said, the C&C system is
great for a class based RPG.
As for advice regarding dsign, I don't give that. It is really a matter
of personal taste, that of the GM and player group. For example, if you
like having a state that is as malign as the Empire ruled by John
Ominor, and your players will appreciate such a place, it is "right." If
not, it is not a good thing.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hello
Gary! I have a question about your excellent Living Fantasy book. I
haven't had time to read it all but I was looking through the section on
social classes and I noticed that you have actors and such lumped in
with the criminal underclass. Why is that?
Heh...
Because historically such performers were considered just that--the
bottom of the social class barrel. Of course the performers typically
earned their reputation as knaves, swindlers, thieves and the like ;-)
And can you recommend any good books on the medieval time period that may further enlighten me on that period of time?
Thanks.
Any of those books wkith a title including "life" and
"medieval" or even "Renaissance". I can't give you a bibliography, as
all of my reference books are where I can not conveniently access them
(^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
But Gary, the DM is always right. Or does that apply in Chainmail, since it's probably not called a DM? ;-)
>:-) No DM in the game!
It is a miniatures game, the official is called the judge or umpire, and
arguing with him and the others against whom you are playing is
mandatory 8-D
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hi
Gary, how are things? :-) Very well, I hope. Anyway, just have a
couple quick questions: since the LGGC has been the latest topic of
discussion, the Chainmail game in particular, I was wondering, do you
have a favourite miniatures game, overall? And, have you ever played
Warhammer, and if so, what did you think? Thanks Gary! :-D
Ciao :-)
I have historical periods for miniatures play that I enjoy. they are, in order of date:
Ancient
Medieval
ECW
Napoleonic
Napoleonic naval
ACW
Victorian Colonial
WW II
WW II naval
I have played only one shoet game of Warhammer...not my cup of tea.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy John,
Indeed, the best advice I can give is design to please yourself and your
trusty gaming comrades so as to maximize the enjoyment generated by
playing the campaign.
I do indeed get a bit fed up with disputes about which game is "best,"
for it is a matter or personal/group taste. The same with niggling over
mechanics and rules. The RPG is a bloody GAME, after all is said and
done.
As random events occur all the time in actual life, I am a firm believer
in having the same thing happen in the role-playing game. Whether the
probabilities for various random things are relatively equal as with a
linear curve, or wildly disparate, as a bell curve with multiple dice
delivers, no matter...aslong as the resulting event is approproate to
the likelihood of it occuring when compred to the class of other such
events in which it appears.
I do prefer the 100 possibilities of the d% roll to most others, and one
can have additional rolls if needed to reflect decrasing probability of
the indicated result.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
You ignored his Don't Walk on the Grass signs. Isn't that enough? :-D
My character's pack of hounds will amply express how I regard that rotten, bark-covered pile of vegetation >:-)
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Genshou,
Frankly, I think "elegance" is a pretentious term suimilar to that
typically ised by art and antique dealers, "important." Elegant is not a
quantifiable thing, it is an opinion and value judgement, as is the
term important.
Very ofter I find "elegant" used to laud some truly bad or dull game
that only a handful of persons will ever enjoy playing, but some
"important" critic/reviewer happens to like, or thinks he should like.
I think if I say more I'll be in trouble with the clique that claims play of RPGs is an art form:
"Yes, Dear Fellow, you play that game of make-believe so artfully..." X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Elfdart
:-D
Son Alex mentioned it first, then I received an email to my Talk List with the link, and now your kind direction...
All to hear Len's name mentioned first >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
It's
the "think he should like" reviewers that give the most trouble. I've
seen a number of games that reviewers have loved the concept of, and
thus raved about, but were, in the end, unplayable.
What is really annoying about such reviews is when the reviewer is pompous.
Ticket to Ride: Europe is an "elegant" game. Why? Because my friends and I like it. :-)
Four of us played it last night, and I elegantly beat the lot of them X-D
Gary, have you seen the board game "Niagara"? I've been playing that
with my friends recently, and enjoying greatly. It's a game that should
appeal to both children and adults - it's rather fun to see your
opponent miscalculate and have his canoe disappear over the waterfall,
though less so when it happens to you, of course!
Cheers!
No, I have not seen it, but I was introduced to
Quo Vadis and
Condottieri
(I hope I spelled those correctly) last night, and they are both
enjoyable. I managed a narrow victory in the Roman Senate, but failed to
win the battle for control of Italy :-o
Cheers,
Gary the Game Geek
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
I've always said that the LA system has a certain elegance to it. X-D
Well...
Just as long as you haven't said it pompously, I can't fault your word choice, as it is your judgement after all B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Thanks
for signing the GH mini boxed set for me last night, Gary! I think
that's the first signature I've gotten from you since Origins 1987 in
Baltimore :-D
How quickly word gets around in this electronic age 8-D
Happy to oblige of course, and I did spell your first name Allen...J/K, Allan :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by genshou
This
is a good answer. I especially like the last sentence. Elegant is not
the term I chose, but rather that of the OP in that thread. I didn't
think it was a good word either, but to some people role-playing is an art. They would not enjoy the same games I do.
Anyone that claims playing a "Let's Pretend" game formalized by rules,
no matter what it is called, is an art form is deluded, or else
attempting to delude theaudience.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Heathansson
Hello, Mr. Gygax.
First off, thanks for inventing that which made 26 years of enjoyment on my part possible.
You make up, bar none, the best monsters. I remember getting S4 22 years ago and being in abject bliss.
I think the last major Gygax monster infusion for me was Necropolis.
Any other recent offerings I should know about, for my conspicuous consumption?
Greetings Heathansson,
Thanks for all those good words.
My latest batch of fearsome critters is for the
Lejendary Adventure RPG and is titled
Beasts of Lejend. The book is out of print, although the last few copies are being sold off. Relatively soon a supplement called
More Beasts of Lejend
will be published by Troll Lord Games, then the two volumes wlll be
revised and published as a single hardbound book as part of the revised
game. To the point, the creatured in the system are not similar in stats
to those used in the D&D games, but many are unique.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Not
to mention that the LA Essentials box set currently available comes
with the Essential Bestiary of nifty critters both familiar and unique.
John Maddog Wright :-)
True...
And the
Living the Legend (sic) module adds some more monsters as well, but the BoL book and MBoL book to come have many more.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Heathansson (and whoever else might be interested), you can get
Beasts of Lejend from Inner City Games at
http://www.fuzzyheroes.com/.
Highly recommended, with lots of unique creatures and novel (for an RPG
anyway) interpretations of our favorite traditional monsters.
Heh-heh-heh...
When I made up the stats and such for the monsters in the D&D game
most of them were absolutely novel. After some 30 years, though, many
have become standards, so any differing take on them will likely be
viewed as novel or non-conforming ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey Gary, I know you've said that notes for classes you were planning on (such as the Savant, Jester, and Montebank,
IIRC)
were lost after your exodus from TSR but I was wondering if you've
since designed any new classes for use in your own personal A/D&D
campaign. If so, I'd be very interested in hearing about them.=Gray
Mouser]Hey Gary, I know you've said that notes for classes you were
planning.
No, I have played only the published classes, reserving my creative urges for the new RPG designes I have done such as the
Lejendary Adventure game ;-)
This fact is easily discernible to anyone who reads even a page or
two of any of the 2e rule books. The difference in writing styles is
marked. 2e seemed to talk down to the player whereas 1e assumed you had a
rateable I.Q.
X-D
One can only assume that the bunch that did the revision truly thought that they knew best...
Lo, sons are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons of one's youth.
Happy is the man who has
his quiver full of them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Gray Mouser
An interesting piece of near free verse, that. I quite agree with its message.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tzor
In
one sense it depends on how you define "art" although few people who
would claim a relationship between art and role playing would define it
in such a way that might make sense. Art can be defined as opposed to
science; the former being the "skill acquired by experience, study, or
observation," as opposed to science which is "a department of
systematized knowledge as an object of study." Thus we have the "Art"
of rhetoric.
"It depends on that the meaning ofr 'is' is..." Right.
Beg pardon, but I think that is a plain old crock. There are creative
and performing arts. and playing a game doesn't qualify in eithert
sub-category, and that includes chess grand masters.
So in that way, while it is silly to call role playing in general
art, it is proper to consider the art of various aspects of role
playing. Are good DMs good because of a systematized knowledge or
because of experience, study and observation? Is there a science of
good DMing or an art of good DMing?
More weasel wording doesn't change the matter in the least.
Don't be swayed by such sophistries. Is chewing gum a scievce or an art?
How about picking one's nose? tell those pretentious ones to be honest.
"Let's Pretend" is a game, and nothing more. Games can be entertaining,
enjoyable, educational, and more, but playing them is nothimg more than
that, playing a game.
Of course I'm convinced some people these days have quite a science
to character generation. Makes we wish for the days when character
creation was neither art nor sciene, but a series of superstitions on
what to do before you rolled your attributes.
Now creating games does call for a good deal of logic, science
in some cases, and perhaps there is art to be found in some designs.
All of it is minor in regards humanity im general ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Well, the author was pretty wise in a lot of matters (see Pslam 127 for more info!) ;-)
Gray Mouser
X-D
I would have likely spotted it had the whole of the Psalm been quoted. I note that you used the Revised Standard Version.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
X-D :-o X-D
I do believe that the Good Mr. Stross is exaggerating for the sake of
drama, although I did win a "Lifetime Achievement in Cool" from the
Kerouac Fest... B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jo�l of the FoS
On Stross: I like it when people exagerate to make a point... He would have been taken more seriously with less.
One of the fellows on my Talk List exchanges communications with Mr.
Stross, and I suggested that he inform Stross that I have no objection
to being used as a straw man to emphasis a position... X-D
"life achievement in cool" at the Kerouak fest? Hey, that's cool
:-) What was it? A golden plaque on a 50's bumper car? :-) Who else
got this award?
Jo�l
The Kerouac Fest was held for three years running in Windbur,
PA, at the Grand Midway Hotel, this year being the last. Sadly I was
unable to attend any of the events, so I don't know who else got what.
All I can say is that one day last month a package arrived here with a
marble reectabgle upon which was affixed a metal plaque engraved with my
name, the award, and the awarding entity.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Priest_of_Boccob
Hello
Mr.Gygax. First I would like to say thank you for your wonderful
creation of the original DnD. I don't know what I would have done
without it, so thank you very much.
Greetings and welcome :-)
I have played every edition of DnD, except for 1st edition, cause
unfortunatly I can't find anyone to play 1st edition with :-( I know
that you are not a fan of the latest editions of the game (which is
quite understandable).
Try
www.dragonsfoot.com for a group playing OD&D.
I would very much like to know what you think about a recent thread
started about your influences in creating the game, and the possible
influence of Tolkien (I know it may be a touchy subject, so I'm very
sorry if I have annoyed you, that was not my intent).
the link is here:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthrea...8&page=1&pp=30
...i know it is on the website of the company that now has control of
DnD, Wizards of The Coast, but I couldn't think of any single person
that could contribute more to the conversation on the thread than your
self.
I would love to know what you think, so if you would care to reply, it
would be greatly appreciated, even if you were to just give your
thoughts in a post here on this site.
thank you.
Well...
This is not touchy but rather cabbage that's been chewed more than once.
Still, I'll comment here. If you wish, refer readers of the thread in
question to this one.
I did indeed use names that Tolkien used in his LotR books in order to
attract potential players to the D&D game. When it was being
written, was published, early in the 70s the Rings Triology was surely
the best known fantasy work around. That said, compare the elves of the
D&D game with those that JRRT extoled. Quite a difference between
the two, eh?
From where did I get my take on elves? Mainly from fairy tales such as
the one in which the 12 princesses went through a secret door into
Elfland every night, dancd with elven princes so as to have holes in
their slippers. Also, the folklore about etering the world of elves
through a secret way under a stone that depicts elves as human-like in
many respects. Much authored fantasy also treats elves in like manner,
including their being soul-les.
I read literally thousands of SF, fantasy, folklore, and mythology books
beginning in 1950. I can not recall exact references after so many
years have passed, but I can assure all that Tolkien was not the first
autor to consider elves as something other than tiny little fairy folk.
In point of fact, fairies in fairy tales, and the French
Lutin fair folk, are usually more like JRRT's version of elves than any other sort of folklore "race" other than perhaps the Norse
lysoalfar,
the "light elves." Of course, as Tolkien borrowed much from Norse
mythology, it is likely that both his dwarves and elves came from there.
I know my dwarves surely did.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
Fantastic. :-)
Argh! Too many good games to play! (You spelt both correctly, btw, Gary.
At least, I could find them on boardgamegeek with your spelling...)
Ciao Merric,
The experience did leave me wanting to play each of them again, but our
time had ended, so perhaps next gamin session, as one of the regulars is
going to away. Sadly he is the one that brought the
Quo Vadis and
Condoterri games,,,
I've just picked up the expansion to the War of the Ring game -
great game, but takes 2+ hours to play. It seems I'm not role-playing on
Friday night, so I'll get a chance to play it. I've really begun to
appreciate the games that only take 30-60 minutes to play, which we can
engage ourselves in while waiting for others to turn up. (That reminds
me, Ben recently picked up Around the World in Eighty Days,
which I must get him to bring again - although it's not quite of the
standard of TTR:E or Settlers, it was very enjoyable to play.)
Cheers!
there has been a real resurgence in interest in board games,
both classics and new ones that are likely to become classics inn time. I
just ordered my own copy of
Puerto Rico and a set of expansion cards as well as a classic version of the
Clue game. With
Monopoly, Settlers of Catan and
Rail Baron around, we should have a fun evening. I confess that i am anxious for Troll Lord Games to publish my
King of England - King of France board/card game for up to five players, though. IKt will be great fun playing it with the group when we aren't RPGing.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MutieMoe
What are your thoughts on singleplayer computer RPG's and the online multiplayer games of today?
:-D
They aren't really roleplaying...yet...but they are surely entertaining.
So much so that I refrain from getting started because I will ignore
everything else for days or weeks if I do so. That doesn't keep my sone,
particularly the youngest, Alex, from playing online many a night into
the wee hours with a buddy, the two teaming up mainly in
Warcraft.
Electronic games are a howling success, and I do believe that they will
continmue to top the motion picture industry in sales volume. We are
doing all we can to get a MMP RPG online ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
A very good example would be Lord Dunsany.
Indeed.
Also I believe it was MArgaret St. Claire who wrote
The Secret People in which elves were very much like humans.
Of course, the early English folklore had elves akin to small humans,
likely based on the Picts, and called stone arrowheads they found "elf
bolts".
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
...For
example, I have read translations where Jesus tells the Apostles that
instead of making them "fishers of men" he will make them "fish for
people." Gah!
Gray Mouser
Sounds sort of like a Pete Benchly novel O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Don't
you realize that Tolkien was your main inspiration for the whole of
D&D, Gary? Why continue to bring up the thousands of other stories
and hundreds of other authors you had read before making the game and
admit the truth that one author, whose major work you didn't
particularly care for, is really responsible for every aspect of the
game?
Well...
I did enjoy
The Hobbit,
and I was awfully fond of the Tom Bombadil character. The rest was just
too slow and dull for my taste. I somehow never could really relate to
the mental agonies of a furry-footed midget and his similar companions.
At least when Elric becomes deptessive there is soon some action to make
the reader forget the boring passage preceeding it X-D
Actually, I read the thread over at wizards and have but one thing to say: a lot of those people are maroons.
Eeeh... What's up, Doc?
...
Actually, the possibility of basing elves from folklore on the Picts is kind of cool!
Gray Mouser
As I envisage them, the Wild Elves are more or less just that.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Apologies Fellows!
I was not ignoring your posts here. Somehow I was not notified that
there were new ones, and I just happened to check and found this long
string of them... 8-D
Time for me to get bust responding!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Elfdart
My
nickname on the web boards comes from the old English term for back
spasms (which I suffered several years ago) being labeled "elf darts"
because the ancient Germanic peoples thought sudden pains and spasms
were caused by invisible darts from the elves. On the other hand,
Tolkien nerds are more of a pain in the a$$.
Interesting origin of the name, and something I had not read before. thanks.
Happy for you that the spasms have ceased. I injured by back when I was
working as a mover in my late teens, and had many a chiropractic
treatment before a kinesiologist one cured the proble,
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Elfdart
Supposedly, that's what the Pechs are, as well as the Brownies.
Yuppers,
But two distinct takes on their nature... :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
You
are a cool guy indeed! Ignore the ignorance and only repsond to what
little was of any interesting merit. I hope I meet you in person some
day.
So much to accomplish, so little time in which to do it... X-D
Come to Lake Geneva and meeting me is easy. The Lake Geneva Gaming
Convention gives you a good excuse to make the trip, not to mention more
to look forward to.
Is there a chance you'll be going to the Troll Con they are putting
together down in OK. in March/April of next year? Or this GenCon? I'll
be at both.
Sorry, but no. I hve cut way back on my traveling the last couple of years.
I also finally got my Troll shipment Monday (1 full week after my
B-day). I was immediately hooked by the Castle Zagyg book. Excellent
stuff. You are still the best, IMO. I haven't read LA:Essentials or Hall
of Many Panes yet, still reading Castle Zagyg! I also bought World
Builder. Haven't read that yet either, but my daughter has started to.
If Castle Zagyg is any thing to go by I have a lot of very enjoyable
reading ahead of me.
Happy that you are enjoying the CZ work :-D
The
LA Essentials
game is just what it calls itself, the LA RPG in a relative nutshell.
Do not be thinking D&D when you read it, as the system is not at all
similar to the latter, save in spirit and potential enjoyment. The
differences will be rather plain when you read
Hall of Many Panes, compare the LA material to that for D20. The
World Builder is a most useful book of lists and "descriptionary: as my co-author Dan Cross coined a word to describe it.
I hope you have a couple of decades of more creativity ahead of you. Take care.
Well, I'll drink to that!
Although I am semi-retired, not able to spend 70 or so hours a week
doing creative work, I am still active about half as much each week, the
main trouble is that more than half of that time is spent on business
matters, email, or board posts (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
There's nothing like a good slaughter to liven things up; and to get rid of that pesky angst!
X-D
Noah Chin just sent me his latest
Fuzzy Knights strip in which the players do just that at the conclusion.
The Grugach based on the Picts? That's pretty interesting and yet
another reason why I hate that you lost control of A/D&D. What I'd
give to see what could have been published!
Gray Mouser
Elfdart noted that the pech and the brownie were derived from
the Picts. I am not sure of the origin of the grugach, but it might well
have been another foklore take on them. As a matter of fact I did much
enjoy reading through texts dealing with mythology and folklore, the
medieval bestiaries and all, translating what seemed interesting into
material for the AD&D game. What seems to be lacking now is a real
love for fantasy and the game system...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Brooklyn Red Leg
...
Bah, no more so than any other group of nerds, say like Star Trek, Star Wars, Macross (well, almost all anime fans now) and any other number of situations that have spawned fan followings.
X-D
As demonstrated by Steven Colbert when he was on the Conan O'Brien show a few nights back.
As a matter of fact rabid RPG fans can be as boring as any Tolkien buff,
Trekkie, or like devotee if all they talk about is that single subject.
Cheers,
Gary
P.S.
Damn! I could have sworn that there was at least one Michigan regiment in the Iron Brigade...
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Cheers Gary!
On the sci-fi side were you into reading Heinlein or Asimov?
John Maddog Wright :-)
Yes indeed! I rad and enjoyed much of Bob Heinlein's work up to
Glory Road, a novel I found rather a bore. I began reading Isaac Asimov's writing with
Foundation when i was around 13 years old, and read much of what he wrote through 1956, and all of his essays in the
Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.
He and I were engaged on the same film project back in the early 1980s,
and we chatter a bit on the phone. I was looking forward to meeting him
in New York, working with him, but the project fell through...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Ack!
It might be an evil artifact, showing up like that unannounced. If it
came wrapped in plain brown paper, it's definitely some sort of
McGuffin! :-o
Metagame thinking about real life amuses me sometimes. I'm weird. ;-)
X-D
As a matter of fact I know the chap that owns the Grand Midway hotel,
sponserd the Kerouac Fest. He worked for Stan Lee, and I met him first
out LA. Needless to say, he was a D&D game fan, as were the
bio0logists that named a new strain of bacteria after me,
arthronema gygaxiana (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by riprock
...
Colonel, your responses generally focus on entertainment, imaginative
fun, and so on. Do you have any advice for folks using make-believe for
business simulations, military training, etc.?
A most intersting application of an interest in the RPG, amigo!
While games can educate and instruct, they must be first and foremnost
fun and entertaining, or else the audience will not participate in the
play for any meaningful period.
What you are speaking of are simulatioons. I well recall the internation
simulations that were vogue in the late 1960. They were interesting,
challenging, and entertaining if one had the proper mindset.
Those participating in a simulation must be engaged in the subject,
motivated by a desire to further their knowledge and understanding of
what is being simulated, and the "play" is more similar to competitive
sports/games than that of the RPG. The rewards for excellence in a
simulation must be set forth clearly, as they are not likely to be
obvious and immediate.
That's about all I have to offer off the top of my head...short of a
real study on my part and a scholarly essay thereafter based on that
research ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by vaguy010
Hi Gary,
I know this Q&A is over with, I did not know about it until now.
I do not have a question just a comment.
I am glad you did what you did, you are one of my heros # 2 on my list my dad is first sorry!
Anyways just thought I would say hi and I will try to come up with some good questions for you the next time you do a Q&A.
Hi Vaguy010,
No way this Q&A thread is over yet... Ask away if you like.
Rest assured I am really honored to be #2 on your heroes list. I should come after your father, and maybe then some ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Wylfs? ;-)
Heh...
Always good to have an LA game fan posting :-D
Indeed the personality of the Grotto and Thicket Wylf is based loosely
on that of the Picts of folklore, not the usual elves. Of course elves
are also based in part on the Picts. The culture and physical appearance
of the Wylfs is something I made up to suit the game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
O.o
Did Gary say something I missed about not doing these anymore?
8-D
I don't think so... Likely the assumption came from the number of
unanswered posts, the reason for which I have already explained :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
Not according to anything here. did he say something on the Dragonsfoot Q&A?
Noppers!
I am still going along there too :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
Yes. He answered stuff on Dragonsfoot today. Maybe he is just too busy with real life today. His B-day is coming up too.
Hesh yo mouff up!
At my age things like that are best forgotten...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Llaurenela
Hi Ya Gary!
Just stopping in to say greetings to you and yours!
Llaurenela
Ciao Llaurenela :-)
Thanks. You have been absent from the Talk List, and I was windering what was happening.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
So, Garymeister, can you give us any word on what you're working on with TRS (no, not T$R! Total Reality Studios!)?
O.o
I don't believe I am working on anything with TRS at this time.
What prompted the inquiry?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Riprock,
While not many will dispute that the lot of RPGs are based to some
greter or lesser extent on my work, and that I have influenced many
people in regards to entertainment, creativity, even education and
career, and I am now a part of pop culture, I do not believe that the
influence extends beyond that. Of course those who were positively
influenced by my game efforts might well have a collectively greater
impact on our society, but in such case the credit or blame for that
rests with those worthies ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
One
thing I can definitely thank the influence of D&D, especially your
1st edition, is for making me realize how thinking outside the box is a
very good skill to have, and in turn is why I own this stuff:
Collection/business and
Homes those are impressive websites.
A few quick general comments:
I see you like the wide open spaces, out where the cactus grow... X-D
I envy you the shooting range. Used to be able to plink a few blocks
from town back when I was a ladm and in hunting season the sound of
shotguns and rifles could be heard all over Lake Geneva. the squirrels,
rabbits, ducks, geese, and deer are still here but no hunters.
My youngest son is is iterested in attending metalsmithing school, likes
making jewelry. My second son is a captain in the army, plans to get
his master's degree and make major in a few years.
Plus what your game taught me helped me to help a lot of people in
this world. Pehaps the most dramatic being getting a bunch of joint
replacement parts to doctors and patients over in Russia about 6 years
ago (Apatite/Murmanske region). It is a warm fuzzy feeling to know
people are walking again.
Absolutely! Good work.
So those are a couple of the indirect effects your work has had on the world. Not to mention my family and I.
So you are definitely right about the continued indirect effect your
D&D is having on this world, whether those people realize it came
from them playing D&D or not. I know it is from D&D, but I also
know I am much more "self aware" than many.
I also see how playing is helping me to help my children to prepare for
the world at large with the moral dilemma's I throw at them during the
course of our games. I bet you did the same when you DMed your kids.
So yes, the creation you made available to the world is doing a lot of
good. Not to mention a whole bunch of confessions I have heard about it
keeping people from getting too deep into drugs and suicidal thoughts
and just helping out enough that their lives aren't as bad as they
otherwise would have been.
You definitely have a creation to be immensely proud of. Very few people
have that "honor". Must be tough to put in a perspective you can
comfortably deal with.
I will try to make the L. Geneva Convention next year. In fact I will be
there if a certain power is willing to let me make it happen.
Considering how good he has been to me so far, I'm confident. I'll
hopefully be able to bring my whole family. Its hard to say. The Army
really messed up my wifes health a couple of years ago. I'll bring who I
can.
I do appreciate your comments regarding the positive
contributions made by the D&D game. As I mentioned, it is only
because it helped players realize their own potential, though, not by
some inate quality of the game
per se. ;-)
A number of gamers brought their families here this year for the LGGC,
so that's a good plan. I hope it works out for you. The convention is
small, informal, intimate, and a good deal of fun. Despite this place
being a tourist trap, there are still places where lodging can be had at
a reasonable price, and the same can be said for finding meals that are
good and relatively inexpensive.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Huh,
much like the Pech I assumed that Wild Elves (Grugach) were also
creaitons of your own out of whole clothe! You learn something new every
day.
Yuppers, I lifted the Grugach from folklore.
BUt wait, does this mean that you did not gain your inspiration for these Elves from JRRT? Say it isn't so!
;-)
I determined to have elvish PCs play a regular role in the D&D game
because of JRRT's writing, that's a fact. As to the inspiration for
D&D elves, no, it didn't really come from his version of elves.
although I did make them foes of orcs, and shoot bows well so as to not
disapoint the fans of the rings Trilogy too much. After all, in D&D
elves are inferior to humans in all respects save longevity.
Not to beat a dead horse or anything, but where did you get the idea
for Valley Elves? Were they also based in mythology? I rather like them
and have a small community of them in my campaign.
Gray Mouser
Neigh! don;t thwack me further X-D
Actually, I made them up out of the elvish template and my vision of the
Valley of the Mage. It seemed a good idea to have the elvesthere a good
deal different from the rest...as were the Drow :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey
Colonel, I was just wondering given the recent talk of JRRT and the
extent of his (non)emphasis on you and A/D&D have you ever read
LeGuin's The Wizard of Earthsea
series? I just picked up the first book to reread last night and find
them an interesting read. I always thought Earthsea would make a cool
campaign setting, too!
Gray Mouser
Hmmm...
As near as I can recollect, I read the initial "Earthsea" book a long
time ago, when it was a recent release...maybe around 1970. I suppose I
wasn't much moved by the work, as I can't remember it at all. As with
the "Perm" books, different strokes for different folks.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Elfdart,
I do believe that I have read about the book
The Year 1000 somewhere before, and I will have to make a point of finding and ordering a copy.
I do indeed have
The Encyclopedia of Fairies
by Katherine Briggs in my folklore book collection. Your recommendation
to GMs to get a copy and use it to enliven encounters with critters is a
good one!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Lanefan
As
you're being so kind as to answer these questions, may I present one a
little bit from left field, in hopes it hasn't been asked and answered a
hundred times before:
It regards a rumour I've heard about the inspiration behind the Bulette,
from MMI. Back in the day when we were all kids, there was a series of
small plastic toy dinosaurs etc., some of which didn't entirely look
like dinosaurs at all...and one of which, rumour has it, was the
inspiration behind the Bulette. True, or not true?
Lanefan
Hi Lanefan,
As noted by Philotomy Jurament, there was a set of plstic toys
laughlingly labled as dinosaurs IIRR. I frequented the local dime stores
back in the late 60s and early 70s searching for toys that would suit
tabletop fantasy gaming. The said bag contained three we
incorporated--the bulette, the owl bear, and the rust monster. Scale was
a bit of a problem, but when improvised figurines are all that one has,
the players were quite willing to make do X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Ciao Treebore,
Originally Posted by Treebore
I
realize you had absolutely no idea what kind of "box" you were opening
when you opened the D&D boxed set to the world (the first ones you
sold were boxes, right?). Which probably makes it hard for you when all
these people give you all this credit you don't feel you deserve.
Would it really be any better for you if you actually knew, or even
strongly suspected, the wide range of impact the game would have on the
world?
Heh, and a little box is was that OD&D came in.
As all the serious players had to invest a good deal of their own time
and creative thought into the game, the credit is certainly a shared
one.
Ah, yes! Had I an inkling of the impact of the D&D game when I was
writing it, I would have been a lot more careful in the layout and
details contained in the work, done it more as if it were a college
paper than a fanzine piece :\
You may have unwittingly released the proverbial plague upon the
world, but at least it is one to be proud of, whether or not you had a
clue to all the fun and happiness it was going to give to so many.
We all loved the game, and I was sure that we would sell at least 50K sets, the mark that The Avalon Hill Company's
Panzer Blitz hit that was a record for a wargame.
As for where i live, I am surprised at how much I love it here. It
"feels" so completely right for me to live here. I can't explain it any
better than that. Its awesome watching those lightning and thunder
storms crossing the mountains onto the plains, kicking up that big
rolling cloud of dust in front of it. Then to be able to see the
rainbows from one end to the other. Many times there are two or three
side by side. Then the sunsets, clear sky or filled with thunder clouds.
Absolutely beautiful.
Plus I never thought I would like owning horses and goats as much as I
do. Being a "rock hound" has its advantages out here as well.
Yes, I do love it here.
Aw shucks!
While I must agree that the sky is right pretty there, glorious even, I
sure had plenty of animals here in Wisconsin, including a one-third
ownership in a billy goat ( :-o ) when I was around age 13, a real
herd of horses when I was in my 40s, one of them a state junior champion
mare. In the mix was a raccoon, crow, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and
geese plus sheep, swine, and cattle a bit before the time of the
equines.
As for the LGGC I am a regular on the Troll boards for C&C, so
I'll just keep my eye on it (the LGGC forum) for when the next time
rolls around. Plus I have looked at the pictures that have been posted.
Hopefully I will get to participate in the LA games on your porch next
year.
Great!
With some good luck and the Good Lord willing, I'll be here to run the games X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
After
Lejends went under, I contacted Lady Amanda, and commiserrated with her, and she mentioned something upcoming (with Troll Lords,
IIRC).
I haven't seen anything but C&C/Castle Xagyg out of the lot of
you, since, so I thought I'd ask. Must be another long-dead, forgotten
project! :-P
Well...
The Trolls are doing the rather extensive "Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds"
generic reference book series that is under my auspices, several of the
works authored or co-authored by me, the
Lejendary Adventure Essentials
boxed set along with several LA game modules, and are working towards
LA game core rules expansion book publication, then the production of a
revised version of the game in hardback form. Also pending is the
publiocation of the
Lejendary AsteRogues
Fantastical Science RPG, as well as the re-release of the "Gord the
Rogue" books in hardbound editions, a boardgame design titled
King of England - King of France
and likely more genre expansions for the LA game system. They even have
a children's fantasy book I wrote in their backlog of mss. to peoduce.
Somehow you have missed a good deal that TLG has released has touted the
release of, or has plans to do X-D
None of that is with TRS, though, and I do believe that operation is defunct.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Riprock,
If you can relate the participation to career goals, improved chance for
financial rewards, and/or possession of superior knowledge/performance
excellence, the major bases will be covered.
Actually, approval/praise from you before the group is likely to be considered a reward by participants sincere in their desire.
Anyway, good luck :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Hi Gary!
Thanks for the response - when I was young Friday nights were reading
nights, when the TV was turned off and my father would read to us - All
the early works of Robert Heinlein, Asimov, even the entire "Lord of the
Rings." My father got to know Virginia Heinlein a couple of years ago
before her passing, and he's currently really involved with the author's
foundation. It was this exposure to "listening" to a sci-fi tale or
fantasy tale, in which we closed our eyes and imagined, that sparked my
interest and led me to the bookstore to by my first set of Basic and
Expert D&D.
I was nearly in my teens when I saw my
first TV program. Growing up listening to radio dramas did encourage eye
closing and imagination, as did my father's bedtime stories, my
mother's reading aloud to me...as frewuently as I could wheedler into
doing that X-D
I was wondering if you also knew H. Beam Piper, specifically the book Lord Kalvan of Othewhen
? I have always thought that the idea of paratime (multiple dimensions
of Earth) would make an outstanding RPG and I may try to design it
someday.
I have met a number of SF and Fantasy authors, but not Mr.
Piper. I am familiar with the novel of his that you mention, an rousing
tale indeed. i have at least one old paperback copy of it in the
basement library. I write the LA game system spcifically with an eye to
having it accommodateother genres so as to eventually enable play in
varying universes with a constant core rules set and characters that
could transfer from one to another.
Oh, and a happy belated birth-day. Mine's tomorrow.
John Wright
"Sometimes you've got to know when to roll 'em.... know when to run."
Happy birthday, John :-D
Mine isn't until this thursday...game night X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
I have always found the Valley of the Mage interesting, since I read about it in the WoG set. In fact,
IIRC,
I first came across it in a friend's copy of the old folio edition.
Seeing as how you have nothing else going on and you are simplying
whiling away the hours how about whipping up a quick version of the
"Vale of the Arch-Mage" to be set away west from Dunfalcom and Yggsburgh
for C&C?
:-)
Gray Mouser
:-o
That'll happen about the same time
WotC gives me the rights to the
World of Greyhawk. I'll do something on the Sea of Dust and the Rift Canyon then too X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Just curious with the above response - why are other Greyhawk names and concepts different from "Zagyg?"
Sorry, but I dn;t understand that question.
I can say how they are the same...I made them all up X-D
And sorry about the mistake in b-days... thought yours was last week. Happy b-day again!
John Wright :-)
Ah, think nothing of it :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by terrainmonkey
Mr. Gygax--
long time reader, first time poster. first, praise which you have no
doubt heard over the past 30 years about d&D. I was given a copy of
the first ed boxed set with the three books, a set of dice, and the KOB
adventure, when i hit my 13th birthday. here it is, 25 years later and i
am still hooked. in that one moment i was turned into a DND geek
forever. (God be praised!) i bought my son, now 14, a basic set for 3rd
ed (sorry...) and he now wants to be a dungeon master like his dear old
dad. so i've been teaching him every week, letting him run adventures
for me and a few of his freinds, and showing him the ropes. he's
catching on rather quickly. thanks for a perfect hobby that allows me to
bond with my son.
Thank you...and indeed many good things come from participating in the RPG :-D
[QUOTE]now, a few questions: i recently bought the C&C rules, and
the LA rule book basic boxed set. I have a pretty firm grasp on the
rules, but have yet to start a game with my regular group of players.
without going into specifice details, are there any good introductory
adventures you can suggest for both systems that i could use for
beginning characters? i have very little prep time, and would like to
send Troll lord games any business i can. i used to run a game store
before the vagaries of the economy and a less than principled partner
made us close down, so i understand what it is like to run a gaming
business. now, i work at least 60 hours a week and have little time to
design my own adventures. i am beginning to lose confidence in the 3rd
ed d&d rules and wish to find something different that has the same
old school feel that i fell in love with 20 years ago. [QUOTE]
Both systems have the same spirit as OA/D&D does.
I am not sure about the various C&C game intro modules, but you might take a look at the
Castle Zagyg Yggsburgh book for a campaign base with many adventures and hooks therefor included in it.
For an intro to the LA game the Living the legend (sic.) module is the
ticket, as it also expands the LA Essentials rules set even as it
provides a demi-campaign base and a number of town, outdoor, and
undergriound adventures.
Pardon my focusing on my own work, but because of it I don;t have a lot
of time to spend analysing the creative efforts of other designers 8-D
again, thanks for many happy years in gaming. and if you are ever in
the virginia beach area, let me know, you'll not need to get a hotel.
:-)
oh by the way, happy birthday!
Welcome of course.
I plan to spend Thursday evening, the anniversary of the day of my birth, playing games X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Sorry
- to clarify, if the Wizards hold the rights to Greyhawk and so using
settings and names (as you indicated in the above post about the Valley
of the Mage) isn't possible, what made the name "Zagyg" (which is
certainly a major part of Greyhawk) different so that you can publish
this wonderful new series?
If I'm prying I apologize, just curious because it would be cool to see some of the other Greyhawk material eek into CZ setting.
John
Heh...
In ther settlement agreement all anagrams of or based on my name are my
exclusive property, so Zagig and Zagyg, as well as Yrag and the like,
are something
WotC can not use without my permission.
B-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
Some of those really serious roleplayers would be truely offended by that statement, Gary. I salute you. X-D
Some people really do take the games far too seriously.
>:-)
Those kind of people need to get a real life... Talk about giving
oneself airs! If that offends anyone, then they surely should wear the
shoe that fits >:-(
I can understand loving to play games, doing that to excess, but
attempting to justify ones over-zealous attention to a hobby by
inflating its importance is quite beyond the pale.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
*shakes
head* Some children have no idea of how much mythology and folklore
have influenced the game. Yes, the Tolkien influence is there, but if
anything, it seems was other designers in the early 80's that tended to
strengthen the Tolkien influence (not that that is a bad thing, given
that D&D can encompass a fairly broad take on fantasy).
:-D
The broad range of fantasy encompassed by the D&D game was no
accident, I assure you. Just consider the names for the class levels...a
device to takle arrows from the quivers of would-be competitors X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Riprock,
It is good to know your audience and mission for you and the goal to
reach in the process of imparting whatever it is that is to be taught to
the group. So set forth your mission, the goals, objectives to be
attained in the course of attaining the goals, and then you will likely
know how best to motivate the audience being instructed. Imparting a
desire to excel is surely an objective or a goal.
Anyway, salesmanship is indeed a factor in excellence of GMing.
Yes I do believe I developed my storytelling through listening to
stories told by others...and reading a whole lor more of them :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Brooklyn Red Leg
...
...
If you want to read more about the Original Iron Brigade, may I suggest
Googling an article by the name of 'Black Hats off to the Original Iron
Brigade'.
Whoa, and thanks for the history lesson! I have
read a good deal about the ACW, but never came across a single reference
to the different entities named the Iron Brigade.
Of course as a "Westerner" who had about a dozen relatives enlisted in
various Wisconsin regiments, I am sure the Iron Brigade of the West was
the superior outfit... X-D
I will indeed Google this as you suggest.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Frank Mentzer
Above 'twas a mention of Heinlein...
You may not know that Gary and I were going to create the game version of Glory Road.
But alas, the dean passed on during the planning, and they put a hold
on all current projects... which was never lifted during NIPI's
lifetime. :-(
Oh, Hi Gar, didn't see you there... Happy Birthday, old chum.
Frnak
Ciao Fronk,
Yes indeed, although I had quite forgotten the New infinities project until your post reminded me of that.
Appreciate your good wishes, and on Thursday I'll sip a tot of Armagnac in your name X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
My sincere thanks to all those wishing me a happy birthday :-D
May each of you likewise enjoy a great time on your own natal day anniversary!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
:-D
I intend to enjoy a snifter of the Armagnac I opened to celebrate my
65th. It was at least 75 years old then, and I still have remaining
something over half of the liter+ sized bottle!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MutieMoe
"We are doing all we can to get a MMP RPG online ;-) "
Are you working on developement of Massive MultiPlayer RolePlaying Game? Can you perhaps tell more about it?
Yes, we are working towards gettig at least on MMP ORPG going. One is based on the LA game system, the likely other is not.
More I can not say.
Considering the odds against succeeding, don't hold your breath... 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
In another thread
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?p=2922004 I asked (regarding publication of Mordenkainen�s stats):...
You answered:...
I never realized that convention games could be so adversarial between
players. Was/is conflict between PCs common in convention games?
Quasqueton
Most tournament games at cons are highly
competoitive, so indeed there are often adversarial situations. However,
that has nothing to do with my not wishing to reveal the stats for my
PCs that I still play now and again. I will show the DM my CRS, but not
the other players. When sitting down with a group of unknown players,
one never knows when there will be some wishing to "makle a name for
their PC," or simply loot your PC's corpse.
Finally,
IMO
character stats are no more anyone other that the player and his DM's
business than is personal information such as bank accounts and the
like.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Erekose
Dear Gary,
Just thought I'd let you know that last Friday at 10:20 pm our baby son
was born - 8lb 12oz!!! We are going to call him Joseph after my
grandfather.
He is truly wonderful and we are all very happy to see him safe and sound - if a little exhausted!!!
Heh...
Congratulations on the new addition to your family :-D
Having a baby can be as rough on the pappy as on the mother, I know, mentally if not physically.
Best wishes on your birthday - sorry it's a bit belated but I've been a bit busy! X-D
Or is it this Thursday? Sorry I feel like I've entered the twilight land of the new parent once again!
X-D
Understandable under the circumstances. It is Thursday, and I am looking
forward to having a snifter of very old Armagnac and playing boardgames
with the regular group. The family birthday dinner will be later on in
the week, or next, whenever everyone can arrange to meet O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Lanefan
...
Now to ask if she's still got the Owlbear and Rust Monster... :-)
Lanefan
Actually, I might have made up another critted for
the D&D gamefrom the odd assortment of little plastic toys, but I
can't recall, and my collection of them is long gone :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
As the other poster noted, there was an
Iron Brigade of the East, one so known before the one we are familiar with was named thus.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Long may you reign at the gaming table!
I remember fondly asking questions about whether this new game was evil
as I had vaguely heard, being assured it was not, and creating a
paladin, who walked warily under the murderholes and past the arrowslits
of the Keep on Borderlands . . . 25 years ago this summer.
Thanks you the thousands of hours of fun and many closer friends your game has brought me, Gary.
Have a good birthday . . . even though D&D is just a game, so is
baseball, and you're our Babe Ruth, Abner Doubleday, and Cal Ripkin
rolled together . . . I'd say Jackie Robinson too, but I'm not convinced
D&D has had much effect on civil rights. :-P
8-D
Welcome!
BTW I was at Wrigley Field with my pal Dave Dimery when Jackie Robinson
played his first game there. I can'r recall how old I was thenbut likely
somewhere between age 10 and 13.
As an aside, my father saw the Tinkers to Evers to Chance combination,
as well as Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb play. He had othing good to say
about the St. Louis "Gas House Gang" >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Gary,
I just got my copy of CZ: Yggsburgh via UPS - I wanted to say thank you
for bringing this project back to us! It is a wonderful setting and I
will look forward to the Castle and Dungeons to come!
Cheers!
John Maddog Wright
"Sometimes you've got to know when to roll 'em... know when to run!"
Pleased that you like thework, I put a lor of effort into it...and had fun writing and playing it too.
The detail modules being done for the town and its suburban areas,
including a new one opposite the new bridge over the Urt River will add
alot of individual flavor to things in Yggsburgh and vicinity,
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
:-o
I believe I have related this anecdote before, but here goes again:
When attending an I-Con at SUNY on Long Island, I took part in a panel
discussion dealing with modern fantasy. I can not recall the actual name
given to the topic.
A young and certanly junior editor for a major NYC publishing house must
have decided to take me down a peg or two, for early on in the session,
she saked pointedly: "Why did you steal your D&D dwarves from
Tolkien?"
I looked at her directly, with aplomb, and responded: "My Dear Young
Lady, I'll have you know that I "stole" my dwarves from the same source
the Professor did...Norse mythology."
Thereafter that twit had very little to say.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
You
have. I read it in the archives of this thread. Relatively early in the
archives, meaning the first couple that were archived.
8-D
Nothing like repeating a story...even if it was germane to the discussion :\
Cheers,
gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Generally,
folks (at least in modern times) mean the westerners -- mostly
Wisconsin boys, also known at the time as the Black Hat Brigade. The
24th Michigan was attached to that Iron Brigade, at least for part of
the war.
Agreed!
That is why I thanked the original poster for revealing the information
regarding the original brigade of that name, the Iron Brigade of the
East.
As I had about a dozen relatives on my maternal side of the family in
the Union Army, I naturally focused on the Western Iron Brigade. One of
my great-great uncles was wounded around Shreveport, and my
great-grandfather was captured put in a confederate prison camp.
That said, I do believe the "War of Northern Aggression" is an apt name for the ACW...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Heh, Treebore,
What I find both amusing and disturbing is that I can remember things
from my early childhood and youth better than I can what traspired at
many a gaming convention. Perhaps it is that most cons look alike after
awhile X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Aw, that was at I-Con? Drat, that was one of the years I didn�t go. I would have liked to have seen that exchange�
Yes indeed it was...
That is the only con that has so many guests from NYC. Now I wonder why... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Brooklyn Red Leg
...
BTW, I was sorry, Col_Pladoh, the article in question is 'Will the Real
Iron Brigade please stand up?' by Tom Clemens (linked in the Wikipedia
article). This same author wrote an article for
The Columbiad years ago entitled 'Black Hats off to the Original Iron Brigade'.
linky
Anyway, happy Birthday soon, Mr Gygax!
Heh, and I had no
doubt that you were correct about the original Iron Brigade. It is just
that as a Wisconsin "Westerner," I hold that the later one is the better
known... X-D
BTW, the columbiad that the US invented for arming their sailing ships was a great bit of artillery!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Riprock,
Just a handful of comments in response to yur long post :-)
Who says that some amount of power-gaming is wring? Personally, I
believe it is a lot more exciting in the campaign than is endless
amateur theater :\
As a FYI, I believe the passage from the
Blackmoor supplement you attribute to Dave Arneson was composed by Tim Kask, for tim extensively developed and edited the work.
As for the rewards of an RPG campaign, I believe they are more related
to group interaction and discussion after play sessions than to some
vague theory related to story telling. After the group completes a cam
paign story, their discussion of events, and recounting them to other
players outside their group, seems to me to be the most cherished
reward, other than those special victories or acquisitions gained by
their own game character ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JoeBlank
Happy birtday, Mr. Gygax!
And thanks again for the advice you gave me several months back about
gaming with my sons. They are all three enjoying playing what they call
D&D, although it is actually a simplified version using a lot from
C&C.
Glad I saved you advice and put it in my .sig, since I think the actual post was lost in the big crash.
:-D
How son Alex loved to trash his foes in such a special RPG when he was
age five to seven. He felt ir was only appropriate that his PC had more
HPs, could avoid damage, and deal more of it than most of his
adversaries. The joy he had in findng a special magic item, rich
loot,was most gratifting to behold as the Game Master.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Greetings Pilgrims,
My fond thanks to all of you that sent me birthday good wishes.
Seeing as it is my natal day anniversary, I am taking shortcuts so as to
not have to spend all morning at the computer answering email messages!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JoeBlank
Did
not know you had started him so young. My boys are now ages 8, 6, and
4, but all have had a birthday in the months since we started playing.
The youngest even manages to get the idea.
As you did with Alex, I make certain that the odds are in the favor of
their mighty heros. There is plenty of time to teach them grim 'n gritty
and the thrill of rolling up a new PC mid-session.
Heh...
Alex was at ut RPG sessions at at age when he could duck under the
dining table and pster the players for some of the gamer food they
brought X-D
He got serious about RPGs when he was about 11, and is not serious about cmputer gaming and girls...and drifting :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
;-)
Been there, done that...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
Gary,
How do I go about making sure whether or not a word/name of a metal in
your World Builders book is open content or not? It isn't specifically
listed in the
OGL declarations but it may be included under the general statements.
My wife created a metal just like that but we never had a name for it.
So I just want to use it if possible and I/we actually get our adventure
published. Its on page 107, Xagium. Plus it appears to be a variant of
your name, at least when pronounced.
If it isn't
OGL
can I have your permission to use it in my module submissions? If I
can, who do I contact to get legal proof of your permission?
I've already said it, so I'll just say I hope your birthday was a very
pleasant one with a great game, or five, having been played today.
Heh,
What isn't
OGL in the book is copyright of Trigee Enterprises Company, All rights reserved, as I believe is said in the book ;-)
Xagium is a deravitive of my surname, crtainly. If you will email me I
am pretty sure that Trigee won't object to the use of the name for a
metal in something you publish...aslong as the copyright doesn't go so
another game designer/publisher.
[email protected]
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by riprock
...
That's good to know. I was struck by the fact that people who praise a
game commonly call it "addictive" -- the usage has spread to the
computer gaming community.
The whole addiction phenomenon seemed like a good point for analysis ...
possibly I need to be able to analyze more concisely. :-#
In point of fact, humans are prone to excess with anything that they especially enjoy 8-D
So that recounting of the story, and the group interaction, are factors which are entirely missing from Robin Laws' theory.
Thanks for the insight. Sorry about the post length.
Indeed, the shared experience, its recounting within the group
and to other gamers, are very important parts of the overall enjoyment
of the RPG, its rewards. Notice that there will be lively discussion of
an adventure module between disparate individuals, for they are also
sharing a gaming experience,from differing perspectives,of course, as
they played with different GMs and players with different PCs.
No need to apologise aout the length of your post. You had something on your mind you wished to note for others ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
So I saw. Looks like the perfect birthday. I hope you enjoy the best of life: Fine RPGs, food, and alcohol.
:-D
You forgot laying in a hammock in the shade reading and snoozing X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Actually, the link doesn't seem to be working. 8-D
Hmmm...
So I see :\
I went to the thread and again copied the URL, that being:
Happy Birthday Gary Gygax!
Maybe it will work now,
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Spell
Good
morning, Mr. Gygax. My question for you is a bit weird, but you are the
only person I can think of that might have the answer.
I am consulting the first few issues of Dragon magazine, looking for
cool rules I could steal for my OD&D game, and I can't help noticing
that some of the issues contain fiction by Fritz Leiber, and articles
from M.A.R. Barker... this surprises my to no ends.
Given the fame of the two in fantasy circles (especially for Mr.
Leiber), I would have thought that a niche magazine like Dragon,
published by a relatively small company like TSR simply couldn't afford
to pay for these articles and stories.
my question is: how did you do it?
maybe TSR wasn't so small after all, or maybe I have a wrong idea of the
inapproachability of relatively famous writers? or maybe there is some
inside story that you might want to share with us?
thanks a lot!
M.A.R. (Phil) Barker is hardly a renowned author ;-) He did publish his
Empire of the Petal Throne RPG as well as his
War of Wizards game through TSR. It is thus not unusual for articles by the Professor to appear in
Dragon magazine.
I was in fairly regular communication with Fritz Leiber, TSR published the
Lankhmar
game based on his work, and he and his best pal, Harry Fischer were GoH
at GenCon X. After the con Fritz stayed a week or so as my houseguest.
While we got along famously, I do believe that Fritz was quite taken
with my ex-wife, as he sent her a bronze statuette titled "Pirate Queen"
after he returned to San Francisco.
At the time that Barker and Leiber were writing for the zine, TSR gross
ranged from $500,000 to $2,000,000. That was indeed small potatoes in
the business world.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel, regarding the Lankhmar
game you mentioned above, do you mean the City of Lankhmar setting for
AD&D that TSR published or was this an actual game (table top, I
assume, not RPG)? Can you give any details about the game, who was its
primary designer, and how much Fritz Leiber was involved with it and
what he thought of the whole project?
And, of course, belated but sincere wishes that you had a happy birthday!
Gray Mouser
Heh...
I do believe there was a boardgame called
Lankhmar
for which Fritz supplied a fair amount of design material. When I asked
him for stats on Pulg, he said there was no individual os that name as
such, but represented the best warrior in the city. All of this was
really a long time ago, and I have forgotten all else. Ah no! I recall I
did the text for an event card that said, "Take a hike on the dike."
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MarauderX
I
have been playing a bit of D&D Online, and was floored with glee
when I saw that you had done the narration for one of the adventures.
Thanks for doing it, and in a way it makes me feel like I have played
with the master himself. Any future narrations on the way?
Howdy!
I enjoy doing voice-over work, and I would be pleased to recorm
additional lines, but the producers of the D&D game have not linhed
that up, so I doubt if there will be more. An interview with me will be
aired on Turner Broadcasting's
Gametap website sometime soon...it is isn't already up.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jodjod
A local game store to me sells some veerrryy cheap, veerrryy old RPG products. It has many AD&D adventures that appear to be in good condition, and all at around NZ$3.00.
Any personal favourites that you'd recommend I pick up if I spot 'em?
(^_^')
That's like asking me which of my children is my favorite...
Of course the ones with which I am really familiar are those I wrote or
co-designed. Of those, the ones I most enjoyed DMing were G1-3. D1-3,
S3, and T1 and
Temple of Elemental Evil...although I must say that running
The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, Dungeonland, anf
Isle of the Ape
were fun for me if not uniformly enjoyed by the players :-o All the
others fall into a second place, including the ToH X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Chad Peter
Hey there, Gary! Always been a fan!
//wins the award for most unoriginal post//
Howdy Chad,
What's in a post here, eh?
Sure did enjoy living out in the LA area, tipped many a bottle of beer at Barney's Beanery :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Ahhh..
Barney's. Went there often when I lived in LA myself.... cheese fries
and any beer from around the world.... I miss the menus as newspapers
too lol
Yuppers....
And not too far away used to be the Canard de Bombay with really
excellent Indian cisine. I never did have the courage to try any dish
beyond four stars, not six, eight, or the ten star that Timothy LEary
said was a psychedelic experience :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Chad Peter
Oh Barney's. Such interesting nights of drunken haze have occured there. It is quite the interesting place, I must say.
Ever go to the Sunset Saloon on Ocean Avenue at the north edge of Venice Beach? Whew!
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
If its the place I think your talking about it isn't the north edge of venice beach anymore.
What do you mean? The edge of Venice Beash has moved, to the saloon is gone? Haven't been our there for about six years now.
I do know that Don the Beachcombers that was on the coast in Malibu got
washed away. Pity that, as the "navy grog" they served was something
else!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
This
was two years ago, but IF I am remembering correctly either they
somehow extended the edge of the beach (didn't see how that would be the
case) or they moved closer to the "center". I could also just
remembering a place with the word "saloon" in it.
:-o
I was in the Sunset Saloon one afternoon with son Ernie and another
chap, and two of the biggest, meanest, ugly-tempered bikers and their
two cute little biker chicks came in and raised some real hell. It is a
story that can be told only over a drink in non-mixed company.
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
I
can't remember that area of Venice as well - I have friends who own
Small World Books in the center part, and the restaurant next to it,
both near muscle beach area, but I just can't place the other parts. I
moved to Louisiana in 99 and Wisconsin in 04, and I've only been back
like 3 times for a few days since I moved away. I lived in Burbank and
taught in Pasadena, so I know the valleys better.
Too hot
in the Valley, and the property values are much lower than they are to
the south in Belleair, Beverly Hills, Pacific Pallisades and Santa
Monica...
There is a Canard de Bombay in the Valley, though. Ever go to La Fritte?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary, I was perusing the Monster Manual recently and noticed a couple of odd entries for treasure types I was hoping you could shed some light on.
...
Gray Mouser
Those entries are to devil the PCs, and be demoniacal X-D
Actually, I likely should have noted that the DM is assumed to supply
Dispater with some nasty offensve magic items to employ against a PC
party daring to attack him. the same is true for pit fiends ;-) The
latter are also smewhat likely to be guarding the treasure of another
entity.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Before the ensuing pun war gets started I Demodand that you desist!
Heh, lame, I know ;-)
I'll limp along without more punning...
Well, his staff is already pretty potent but if you say so... >:-)
I assume you'd beef up the monetary treasure as well, since all he is
listed as having when encountered in his lair is 10-40 gem?
Ah, well, he at least needs something to zap a large area at a
distance. something to absorb magic missiles that get past his MR, that
sort of thing.
What's wrong with 10-40 base 10,000 gp gems?
Heh, no problem there. What would a Pit Fiend be doing on the Prime
Material Plane if he hadn't been summoned to guard some horde, after
all? :-)
But does this mean that they really don't have 3-24 cp's each? ;-)
Gray Mouser
Actually, the pit fiends should have more than that pittance
X-D Use I rather than J, or else make up some special array that suits
you. However, unless in their lair, these sweethearts don't carry much
in the way of treasure, save for useful attack and defence items.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
At
one point or another, every D&D player inevitably becomes a
cheesehead. It's like the salmon returning home to roost, or whatever
it is salmon do. :-P
If you want to be a cheesehead,
Just come along with me,
By the bright shining light,
By the light of the moon.
With apologies to whomever wrote "If You Want to be a Badger." :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
It's traditional for summoners to tip their summoned guardians. 1 cp per hit die is considered customary. (^_^')
X-D
B-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Heh, well, when you put it that way the only thing I can think of is it's not cumbersome enough for the party to carry on their way out! ;-)
the cruel Dm might make each of the "gems" a large piece of lapis
lazuli, malachite, or jade. The weight of such "gems" would be a base
100 pounds, moving upwards is the value increased.
Of course explaining how the pit fiend carted them arouns would be a bit dodgy... X-D
Oh, sure. And I'm sure if a Pit Fiend were encountered outside their
lair that Wand of Fire he possesses will be used till its last charge
is spent before the guy even uses his own powers, let alone melee with a
party >:-)
Gray Mouser
Just so!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
gary,
did the quickling and obliviax appear anywhere before the MM2 or was that their debut? :-)
As far as I can recall, both of those critters made their first
appearance in MM2. Shick had the concept for the quickling, and blamed
if I can remamber anything about the obliviax O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Piratecat
That's what happens with memory moss!
Well, at least memory moss doesn't grow south on you...
:-P X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hi Gary---
An ENWorld member was asking for some suggestions about expanding G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief in a thread @
How to dissect Steading of the Hill Giant Chief?
and while looking over the maps last night, I wondered if you had
re-used any of your old dungeon levels when creating maps for
publication (similar to using Rob's El Raja Key level for the Lost
Caverns of Tsojcanth)?
edit: FYI, "Obliviax Moss" appeared as part of the Monster Cards before the MM2 was published :-D
howdy,
I do not comment on potential expansions of my old modules.
As a matter of fact I invited Rob to co-write the
Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth
with me, after a couple of my PCs had adventured in his similarly
mapped area. He declined, so I created a different map from that which
he had made, and devised original encounters as well.
That's that ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Gary,
I don't recall this ever being asked (it may have been and I missed
it), but how did the stinky reptilian creatures known in D&D as
troglodytes come by that name? The word generally is used in reference
to what are also known as cave men. I was just curious about the genesis
of the D&D critter that has the name.
As a part of
the never-ending search for new critters to dismay PCs, I stretched a
lot of established fantastic monsters to suit the need, just as I made
up quite a few like things out of whole cloth or a mere depiction of
name. It worked pretty well, eh?
Anyway, I thought underground dwellers might better be of non-mammalian
sort, possibly even of the same genus as salamanders. Cave men could
remain in the mis nicely under that heading B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Hmmm... that's funny to hear. Troglodytes are my favorite lizard-like humanoid monsters in the game.
Hope they make 4th Ed. <ducks as the crowd reacts to the sensitive subject>
Just read a short analysis by James Mischler of what is likely to happen in regards to
4E.
If he is close to predicting the matter, the new game will be more like
an MMPORPG, and all older but recent versions of the D&D game will
be generally neglected as have been OA/D&D and 2E.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tylerthehobo
Yeah, the
4E
rumors have begun in full force - more than just the trickle that had
populated the boards over the past few years; the dam has broken,
folks...
Gary, can you elaborate on what you've heard? I know it's 2nd or 3rd
hand, but whatever you can say might help guide some of the
conversation. (If you even want to get in the middle of all of that!
O.o )
No, the post was on a confidential list, so I am not at liberty to say more. I'll email James and see if he will post here.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
On
a positive note, I think this will bode well for Castles and Crusades
and Lejendary Adventures. The people who enjoy that style of RPG will
continue to convert, methinks.
That would be most
agreeable. I have a good deal of material for the LA game system and the
LE world setting yet to be published, and the Trolls are working on
support material for that system and for their C&C game, of
course...as I am also doing.
The two systems are different and fun, so why not encourage one or the
other as a change of pace for groups playing either? I do that, and play
both, with C&C as the change of pace ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
...
It will be good to peruse more of the Troll Lords products and I hope to
be able to get my copy soon so I can show it off and see if there is a
market in my friend's area.
We are working with the Trolls
on just that now, as we have been for the past few months. Expect some
considerable new LA game material in various formats in the coming
months.
Meanwhile, I am sending the URL of this post to them.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jonesy
I heard from someone in the electronic game field that the industry was havng a lot of problems.
Plan B is entailed in the LA game system and whatever Trigee can spin off of it X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tylerthehobo
Thanks,
Gary. I realize, too, that whatever's in the works is likely early in
the planning stages, based on what little's been leaked over the past
few days. No worries - just hoping for some detail that might put some
of the fraying flamewars on the other threads to rest. ;-)
Well...
I did email James, but it is evident that so far he has assiduously avoided responding here >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
It's heartening to see you gentlemen talk and move so aggressively. Because of the hooplah caused by the
4E rumors I think it's a good time in the RPG market to do so.
Heh...
After reading Steve's post I need to fire off two emails:
First one is to him to remind him of all the corrections and minor additions that have been done for the LA game's
Lejendary Rules for all Players, and that there are additions and clarifications to it, as well as to the
Lejend Master's Lore volume contained in the
Tome of Knowledge core rules expansion suppleent volume ms. he has in hand.
Second, I need to alert Darlene that the now Avatar Record sheet should have a space for Oantheon and Deity adhered to.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BluSponge
Sounds great, Steve! I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with LA (and to shiny, heavy, hardcover books).
My only hope is that you guys really, really, REALLY scour the power
listings. My biggest gripe about the system (aside from spellcasting
using a completely different time mechanic from everything else in the
game -- but I can houserule that) is that every game session I had to
confront some vague point in the power descriptions. Every. Game.
Session. And yes, it was a different spell every time. I know Gary
likes his rules fast and loose, but c'mon! (Most of these appeared to
be editing snafus anyhow.)
If that gripe were alleviated, it would be a most happy day. :-D
Tom
who loves him some LA
Grouse, whine, snivel!
:-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary and Steve:
What sort of art do you have planned for the re-release of the Lejendary
Adventure core rule books? I unfortunately never cared for much of the
art in the original releases. I for one would be very pleased if the LA
game could be illustrated in a more old-school fashion. My favorite FRPG
artist is Erol Otus, and he seems to be a big favorite amongst my
compatriots over at dragonsfoot.org.
That is all up to the
Trolls, but I for one much prefer artwork more along the lines of that
done by Trampier, Elmore, and Easley. Sadly, Tramp is no longer doing
illustrations.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
Peter
is a fine artist, plus he is very distinctive. I hope he remains the
flagship artist for LA and C&C for a long time. He does gorgeous
maps too!
Yes, I like Peter's work. I was addressing the matter of which of the original TSR illustrators whose art I most enjoyed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Al the Absentminded
Question for Gygax:
...
So, 1) Am I being coherent enough to follow, and 2) Was this the kind of attitude you expected of good-aligned PCs?
-Albert the Absentminded
I believe that I comprehend your
questions. As a matter of fact, any non-chaotic PC party should exercise
a good deal of caution, investigate and prepare, before setting forth
to assail any potential foe, provided they are not in service to a leige
lord that directs them to venture out immediately.
Prudence is not an ethical trait, rather one of general understanding--intelligence and wisdom.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
That's
understandable :-D Did you use other pre-existing level maps in your
publications over the years with TSR, TLG, etc., or, in general, did
you create new maps for any adventures you were writing?
As far as I can recall, I always created new maps fot adventures that required them. That includes the one for
Isle of the Ape, but not those for
Dungeonland and
Land Beyond the Magic Mirror where I used the exact same maps I created for the campaign group.
Thanks, as always, Gary. Would how you would approach a co-authored
adventure be differnent than how you and Rob worked as co-DMs? My
understanding from the various things you and Rob have written is that
you would usually create levels and test them on each other, but that
you didn't really collaborate on them, per se. Were there levels that
you did in fact develop together vs. independently creating them, and
then merging them into the joint schema?
About all I can offer here is that a co-authored adventure
usually has one of the writers furnishing the map, both developing the
encounters thereon.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Hi Gary,
I was wondering in your original campaigns if you developed the City of
Greyhawk after the castle & dungeons, or did you establish the
locale first as with the new Castle Zagyg material (which as I think I
already said is excellent)?
the castle and dungeons came about a month before the first, one-page map of the City of Greyhawk.
On a tangent, was the Duchy of Tenh extrapolated from the Duchy of Ten in the original Blackmoor setting?
Cheers! :-)
As I never was privy to any campaign material
that was created by Dave, I simply used a name similar to that which had
been mentioned by him.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Blustar
Hey Gary, (long time no post)
A couple questions....
Okay, and a couple is two, so I'll answer that many >:-)
X-D
1. Are the new hardback LA books going to be updated and revised? ( errata, clarifications, etc.) Or just reprints...
The three hardbound LA game core rule books will be a revised and ex[anded edition
2. I really enjoyed the Egyptian themed novels you wrote and think
they were a step up which include , " The Anubis Murders","The Samarkand
Solution" and "Death in Delhi" . ( although I did enjoy your Greyhawk
novels too) Was your module "Necropolis" for Dangerous Journeys after or
before the novels? (or are they not related?)
Piazo is considering reprinting the Magister Setne Inhetep
fantasy mysteries. They are related to the whole of DJ game system, as
they were set on the Mythus world setting, but being novels they could
be set in some other fantasy earth without a problem. I wrote Necroplis
adventure during the time I was working on the first or second of the
novels--can't say which, but they are not connected to that module.
I have the 3e version and the DJ version, have you thought of
updating it to either LA or C&C being as they were widely praised as
great modules? I think, since LA's setting (LE) is similar to Aerth,
that Necropolis could fit well in the LA system. I ask because LA is
missing ( for me anyways) that super-module to get the juices flowing.
Though we greatly enjoyed the High/Low Road series by J Creffield. (keep
this guy on your payroll!!!) I do have the Hall of Many Panes too but
the module is too setting independent. I've read through it and like it a
lot but it doesn't bring out what makes LE special. Anyways just
passing along my enthusiasm for the LE setting...
I do not own the rights to Necropolis, so I can not convert it to the LA game system :\
3. Castle Zagyg is amazing and we love it! Just saying not a
question. My sons first DM'ing campaign (we are using OAD&D) and its
going great. (along with Dark Chateau) Some time before I turn 80 would
be nice for parts 2,3,4 etc...but CZ will keep us occupied for a while
anyway...Do you need us to intimidate Rob for you??
Looks as if Rob has left the project, so I will have to do
more of it myself. As my creative energy is not what it was a couple of
years back, that means a bit of work that doesn't fit my
semi-retirement... :-o
Meantime, the many modules detailing the Town of Yggsburgh and its
suburban areas are moving along well, about half in for content edition,
and the remainder slated to be completed from late this month through
November. The Trolls plan to release initially them in pdf format, in
batches of four or so, I believe. As there are 24 total, each of rather
sizeable proportions, 64 pages, this will make the place about the most
detailed large fantasy community game setting.
The castle and dungeons will be done too, and that should pick up steam late this year.
4. Are you done with novels? I really enjoyerd the last 3. Too much
of a time commitment? Was it not fun anymore? Health? Here's hoping you
write a novel again sometime soon...
Cheers,
Blue
PS- This has been a great year for RPG's (for me) With Ptolus and Rapan
Atthuk Reloaded bought and paid for, I'm set with the old school and new
for many years...Now if only the rest of Zagyg would start trickling
out...madness! :-D
As I mentioned, I have limiterd energy and
have semi-retired, so it is not likely that I;ll be writing more novels.
Frankly, I have too many game projects to oversee and work on, as well
as business matters that seem to eat up a lot of time.
Having fun with RPGs, and sort of game, is one of the things I enjoy
most. Great to learn you are knocking yourself out with the new
material. Just don't burn out!
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by trollwad
were you joking about the "rob has left the project" line?
Not in the least.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
If
he has left the project it doesn't surprise me in the least iota. I've
been expecting that ever since he joined, even more so now that he has
been doing those Pied Piper projects.
I was rather
surprised when he informed me that he was dropping it. Rob was the one
that initially contacted me about doing such a project.
As I noted, it will proceed in any event.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
Well, i'll refrain from saying any more since I don't want to risk getting in some kind of argument with him.
That is understandable. Why make unnecessary enemies? As a matter of
fact, Rob's ideas about creating and marketing are quite different from
my own, as I recently discovered. After much thought I simply accepted
Rob's initial resignation from co-authoring the castle project and the
expanded DMing anecdote collection as there is no common ground from
which to work.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Melkor
That's
somewhat bad news Gary - I know it would have been a lot easier on you
had the two of you been able to work on material together.
Spot on!
As Rob adventured a lot in my original castle, I in his, and we also
co-DMed groups, we knew each others style, and what the castle should
"feel" like, what the mysterious areas were all about, etc.
Working without him means I have to a great deal additional explanatory
material for the growing list of special encounters I have on hand,
expend a lot of rime communication with another writer or team of same,
carefully content edit each piece of the project.
SOme semi-retirement >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Blustar
That's great news and I will be there with bells on...I hope to pre-order soon...
The trolls have a lot of work to do to put in all the corrections,
additions and so forth. Before that happens the two core rules
supplements will eb offered as pdf, maybe even as paperback books. these
are
Tome of Knowledge and
More Beasts of Lejend.
They really should reprint them, I have no reservations recommending them to my friends...
Erik Mona is putting the matter of the Setne Inhetep books to his superiuors at Piazo, so tell him ;-)
Too bad eh!!! I love the Egyptian theme. I saw the King Tut exhibit
down here in Miami (last year) and it really inspired me. The dagger and
crown were beyond cool...
As a lad my father often took me to the Egyptian exhibits in the Field Museum.
[/QUOTE]Wow, that's a lot of modules...I hope I recognize some names but
I'll try them anyways. I really feel that CZ is one of your best works
and I'm just hoping you can do something similar in the future for the
LA system. (since I get to DM LA!) An adventure supplement like that for
LA would be cool.[/QUOTE]
Each will have the Yggsburgh name as the first word in its title.
Yes, I see that time is actually finite after all. Now, with Rob
dropping out it will become more of a "problem". If it comes it comes
and patience and confidence go hand in hand. I think things are going in
the right direction for you either way. Positive thoughts heading your
way...I hope there's no hard feelings between you guys and you still
remain friends.
Gone are the days when one thinks that life goes on forever, eh? X-D
I'm getting my gaming in with my son before he hits the dreaded teen
years (16-19) and start "breaking away". (he's 12 now) I hope I'm still
here when the fires of rebellion die down and we can keep gaming. :-D
Blue
Yuppers, a good plan. Son Alex, age 19 now works two jobs and
has a girlfriend, so he doesn't game with me any more. Son Luke is off
on the West Coast, married, and doesn't game with me either. Oldest son
Ernie hosts a group of us to pplay boardgames but doesn't do much RPGing
any longer.
PS- Hey I "saw" you for the first time when I watched the DVD
feature from the D&D second movie.(Wrath of the Dragon god) You
looked good and my TV didn't break. I'm definitely keeping this DVD so I
can show my friends what The Father of RPG's looks like. (fairly
normal) X-D
Heh!
I am right easy to see. Just drop by here most anytime. A fair number of
folks do that, making an appointment first to be sure I'm around X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
You
don't own the rights to Necropolis? Is this the same one you did with
Necromancer/White Wolf? If so, well, are you sure? I know today
Necromancers practice is for co-ownership. Maybe WW had too much
influence on contracts back in the beginning of d20?
I'll say two things about Necropolis. It has awesome Egyptian feel, and
you are still the master of making *#@$*!!#&@ **## deadly traps!!
8-D
The fellows at Necromancer games got the license for Necropolis from
WotC, the owner of the copyright to the work via acquisition of TSR.
There are indeed some fiendish traps in that module X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
On the topic of "unexpected ways your creation of D&D has effected the world".
There is a certain Army (US) trainer of a certain type of Military
Intelligence personnel, who is an avid gamer. She was told to come up
with a way to effectively train personnel to deal with a variety of
situations in the field. Guess what she used as her "model" for working
up the roleplays and determining success? She's getting some nice
accolades for coming up with it, too. Its been in use for over 3 years
now.
Reports of noticeably better results in the field as well.
I am flagging this URL for my son Luke who is an iffucer in the military.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy tx7321,
Have no fear. The castle & dungeons project will go forward. the 24
detail modules of 64 pages fot the Town of Yggsburgh and environs are
nearly completed now, so in a short time I can turn my attention to
rounding up another team of dungeon developers X-D
Now I need to get on with my busy schedule...some "semi=retirement" >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Oh! This is sad news indeed!
Are there plans to go ahead with publishing your own anecdotes, or should I start acquiring the issues of Dragon with them that I missed?
That is a back burner project, but I have my columns set for a book ms.
and will add new and older material as time permits. It will be a
pretty slim volume, though, as I had asked rob to write sufficient
anecdotes so as to have his work constitute about half the book.
If you don't moind waiting, the work will eventually see print...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sanguinemetaldawn
Greetings again Col.
Anyway, I have a question about weapon esoterica that has been bugging
me, and hopefully I can draw on your historical expertise.
The question has to do specifically with Horseman's weapons vs Footman's weapons (maces, flails, etc).
Now, my understanding has been that Horseman's weapons were typically
smaller/lighter than the footman's weapon of the type, the reasons being
that generally only one hand was free (the other hand gripping the
reins/shield/etc.) and greater control was necessary in order to avoid
cracking one's mount on the head.
This seems to be corroborated by your damage listings for the weapons in 1st Ed. D&D
I recently read (can't remember where) that horseman's weapons needed to
be longer, that a greater reach was required since they were striking
from atop horseback. Although I don't remember the site, I remember it
being reputable.
And both positions sound reasonable, which creates a bit of a tension in
terms of developing weapons useful for attacking from horseback.
Any light you can shed on this? Would certainly be appreciated.
Hmmm...
I have no idea who asserted that horsemen's weapons had to be longer
than those of footmen. To the best of my knowledge that is simply not
the case. Horsemen used swords no longer than most footmen, shorter than
many such as the hand-and-a-half and two-handed sword. Horsemen's
lances were c.14' long, while long spears were 16' in length, pikes from
18' to 21'. A horsman's mace as well as war hammer and flail are
considerably shorter than the large ones used two-handed by footmen.
In point of fact, horsemen generally fought other horsemen or rode down footmen not able to keep them at bay.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BluSponge
...Hate because everytime I read it I can't believe the derth of real plot hooks in it. ...
Tom
I have no sympathy for GMs that, given a detailed
workd setting, its economics, politics, and all the rest, are unable to
make up adventures suitable for their own campaign >:-)
Must your hand be held constantly? :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by trollwad
I
guess I dont really understand your comment about "different creative
ideas and marketing ideas" vis a vis you and rob. What difference would
rob's ideas on marketing have on this project? Hadnt the general form
(dark chateau plus 10 or so books) been set for a long time? I am
generally aware of his new "sponsored projects" initiative on his
website. Was he trying to change the published form of Zagyg?
With respect to the different creative ideas part, Im a little surprised
by that as well. Was there something in Dark Chateau that you
disagreed with (I thought it was good). Comparing Dark Chateau to the
other 20 things written by you that I own, there are certainly
differences in your writing styles (most obviously: GG is the master of
brevity with the Steading at 8 pages, Hommlet at 32 pages, etc.), but
Im not quite sure I see that many giant creative differences. Rob is
probably a bit more "ornate" in his encounters whereas you tend to leave
a bit more to the DM, but that didnt seem like a giant discrepancy.
I'm not trying to arouse any animosity between the two of you (and Im
not trying to say anything nasty about Rob other than express
disappointment that my favorite project will be delayed again), I am
just trying to understand what happened. I'm curious whether you think
Dark Chateau is a viable entry point to the Castle Zagyg that you
envision or whether you think it would be wise to start elsewhere.
Beg pardon, but I am not going to discuss such matters in this sort of forum.
In point of fact, though, differing ideas as how to proceed have great
meaning when one demands that one's particular notions be adhered to
rather than the originally agreed-to format or else participation in the
project will be withdrawn.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by trollwad
...
Oh well, no offense intended, it just seems curious that two people with
such an incredibly long history together would be stylistically
dissimilar.
No offense taken :-D
For the major differences in question see my earlier response.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by trollwad
...
Oh well, no offense intended, it just seems curious that two people with
such an incredibly long history together would be stylistically
dissimilar.
No offense taken :-D
For the major differences in question see my earlier response. It iis
not style that is in question but rather format and marketing.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BluSponge
No, but I like a cookie every now and then. Button soup gets old after awhile. :-P
Tom
Clearly you are not made of the stern stuff from which desigers and able GMs are built X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I
wonder if D&D can be rescued? Perhaps the rights can be bought by a
gaming company, or some Super Friends alliance like White Wolf,
Goodman, and Troll Lords?
X-D
The price for the mark and copyrights would surely be in the range of at least seven figures.
there is a lot of licensing potential in them, especially in the area of mass entertainment.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joshua Randall
Esteemed Colonel,
In
another discussion, a question has arisen regarding certain "game-changing" 5th-level spells that typically become available at 9th level.
Those "game-changing" spells (1) allow you to travel vast distances
(teleport), (2) allow you to thwart death (raise dead), and (3) allow
you to tap the knowledge of the gods to get information (commune).
The question is, did you deliberately design (original) D&D so that
these "game-changing" spells would become available precisely at 9th
level? In other words, precisely when the PCs reach Name Level, they get
access to "game-changing" spells -- was this intentional, or a
fortuitous accident?
Howdy,
Setting aside the suggestion that those particular spells are "game
changing," which is highly debatable in my opinion, that they are gained
at 9th level was quite intentional. Of course later on spells of
sometimes greater power were added, so name level for magic-users moved
up from 9th, eh?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
Oh, there certainly are! Enough so that my friends still talk about the adventure. :-)
It's funny: whenever they get cursed these days, one of them intones
"That was the first curse of the Set Rahotep!" or whatever number seems
appropriate. Given we've been playing a few board games that have curses
of late, Rahotep's influence has been definitely spreading. :-)
Thanks muchly, Gary!
Heh... Welcome and my thanks for the good words :-D
I had plans for an even more fearsome module with a computer game
version where the Heroic Personas, let's call them PCs here, were to
persue Rahotep into the Egyptian underworld, the Duat. In the beginning
of the module the PCs would be given aid by the benign deities of
shadow, so that they could survive. In the computer version the player
could have Setne Inhetep or a beefed up Khonsu Khiabet, or start his one
PC. If the player killed Rahotep, or beat him to the exit, the bad guy
loses, must remain in the underworld forever...maybe.
The setting is indeed wierd and horrific.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thunderfoot
Not a gaming question but just wondered if you had seen
this yet?
I nearly wet myself... X-D
X-D
Yes indeed. I received it from someone about a week ago, sent it around to my lists and various correspondents ;-)
Cheers,
gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
tee hee! :-D
thanks gary, and everyone else!
:\
And not one groaning post regarding my clever pun on that:
"At least it doesn't grow south on you."
Maybe if I explain: Grow for go, south being a loss or bad, and moss being found on the north side of the tree trunk...
(^_^')
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
At the root of it all, I lichen this to acorny form of punnery.
--Ghul ;-)
I'll go out on a limb and quip that if it
didn't bole you over at least it made you bark up, plant a few punning
attempts of your own. I won't go on for fear that I'll use some old
chestnuts.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
To quote Bill the Cat: "Ack! Thbbbt!" ;-)
X-D
A most satisfying reaction, thank you very much B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by zypherillius
Hello Mr. Gygax, :-)
My name is Andy, and this is my first time posting to one of your
threads, so pardon if this has been asked before, there are too many
threads to read through to find one answer, so I figured I'd just ask
here. :-)
What level had Mordenkanen made it to before you decided to retire him, or he met his *gulp* untimely demise? *gulp*
Again, my apologies if you have answered this question before and if I
spelled His name wrong, I don't have the spelling right in front of me.
:-(
Thanks Mr. Gygax!
Andy
;-)
Hi Andy,
He is alive and well, and as I still occasionally play Mordenkainen, as
usual I will decline to answer questions about his stats and level. I
will say he is over 20th level and has some great magic items, though.
bigby is still two levels lower than Mordenkainen, BTW.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
no, i got it... i just groaned silently. ;-)
Public groaning is so much more satisfying that I stoop to troll for it... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Rakin
Gary,
Sorry for posting another question so quickly. Please don't take this as
an attack, and I agree on your ideas that gaming isn't an "art" it's a
game. But I can't help but notice that you also write novels in the same
like settings as you would play your games in and to most writing,
espeically novels, is considered art. How do you keep the 2 seperate?
From maybe getting ideas for a novel in your head as you play? Or
watching the gaming unfold in front of you like a fantasy novel and not
go over the top and keep the game down to earth?
Howdy Pilgrim,
Allow me to respond in this manner:
Writing fiction and game mastering are not at all similar. In the former
the author relates a story from beginning to end, and the reader is a
spectator to events given in the work.
Game mastering requires a setting and an initial plot line, players to
take the roles of the protagonists, NPCs and monsters to be the
adversaries. From that beginning the players direct the action, create
new plots, alter the setting by their actions, give the basis for an ex
post facto story.
The sort of fiction I write is more of a craft than an art. Shakespeare
wrote artfully, and I believe that Jack Vance does so in his genre,
imaginative fiction ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Rakin,
I missed your post that Treebore responded to as quoted below.
While I agree with what he states, I must add that in my case I thought
that I could provide better adventure material by doing it all myself.
After a while I realized that such an assumption was short sighted and
ill considered. There are many other creative minds that produce
excellent adventure material. While one must separate the gold from the
dross, so what? It is easier, less demanding on the GM, and gives the
player group greater variety.
Additionally, the GM can always personalize material to suit his taste and that of his his group.
Cheers,
Gary
Originally Posted by Treebore
I
felt like you the first few years I played (DMed). Then it came up that
my games were somewhat predictable. It probably helped that we had been
playing my campaigns for a couple of years at that point, but my style
was predictable. They convinced me they were right so I started using
Dungeon adventures. I found that I liked adapting the adventures and
ideas into my own campaign and the infusion of fresh, great ideas also
helped motivated me to "do better". Plus I became far less
"predicatble". Plus having the cool maps and many NPC's pre-gen'd for me
were very nice bonuses.
So I say you are missing out on a lot. A ton of a lot. Such as Gary's
Yggsburgh book. It may be made for C&C, but it still has a lot of
classic Gary Fluff goodness for any setting. With lots more to come.
If you want recommendations start with Dungeon magazine, then check out
the stuff put out by Necromancer (via Kenzer and White Wolf), Goodman
Games, and Green Ronin. Then there are lots of others to try out form
there.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by zypherillius
I had figured it had been asked before, I was just curious. Stats would take the fun out of it :-)
Bigby does have some fun spells, but Mordenkainen should always stay the
higher level I believe, the spells in later editions that bear his name
are much more wicked than some that bear Bigby's name, but they are
both very impressive all the same.
Thank you again Mr. Gygax and again I apologize for misspelling Mordenkainen's name.
Welcome!
Gamer geek time for me (^_^')
Mordenkainen was adventuring in Rob's dungeon when he surprised a 3rd
level magic-user of Evil persuation. Mordie's charm spell worked on that
worthy, whose name turned out to be Bigby. By dint of fellowship,
lecturing, mentoring, and sharing with Bigby, he was not only turned
from CE to Neutral, but from there to a leaning towards CG as he
considered his past actions.
Ain't you glad you asked a different question so that I could relate that? X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Hmmm, how would you translate levels to medieval guild positions?
...
Or this:
1st = apprentice
5th = journeyman
9th = master
B-)
I vote for the "Or this" ranking with the following additions:
2nd = seasoned apprentice
3rd = skilled apprentice
4th = senior apprentice
6th = experienced journeyman
7th = journeyman of merit
8th = senior journeyman
10th = senior master
12th = grand master
13th = guild master
14th = past master
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Rakin
Thanks Col for both of your answers and how good they were. :-D
I do realise I need to just bite the bullet and use other material one
way I do do this is through reading novels. The hardest part I find
about using other's adventures is the memorization. In my own world
where I control all but the players and since I'm already in love with
what I've created I have most of it already thought out or can wing
things wihtouth much reprocrusion (sp),
On someone else's work I find myself getting nervous about not knowing
enough and forgetting something that could make the rest of the module
not make too much sense. Like for instance if a player asks a specific
question of an NPC and the wrong answer could alter the rest of the
module. Since my memory seems to lack more than others I find myself
looking things up during roleplay Q&A, not very fun for anyone.
O.o
I guess it's just seems easier to just use my own and not have to worry about screwin up.
Anyway, you should get back to your answering your complex indepth
questions about the million little aspect of every little RPG made and
all thier characters and not worry about me X-D Good day and thank
you. :-)
Worry?
We don't need no stinkin' worry!
Skim the material, ahve the map handy, and then, after reading the intro
material, some aloud for the players, while remembering the more
interesting parts, wing the rest of it. the material is your own when
you are running it for your group ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Delta
Gary, how many magic items did you normally see on a name level (for example) PC in your D&D games?
I thought to ask as I looked at some of the classic AD&D adventures.
With the 1981 printing of "Against the Giants", the "Caution" note says
PCs should come with 2 or 3 magic items. But the "Original Tournament
Characters" at the end have between 5 and 11 magic items each.
So what would you expect for PCs of this level: 2-3? Half-a-dozen? 10 or more magic items?
Who cares?
If the PCs are walking magic shope, the encounters get beefed up accordingly.
However...
Mordie has about six or seven he carries with him at all times, mainly things to up his AC and number of spells on tap.
Potions and scrolls count as only half or less of a normal, reusable item.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Delta
Gary, thanks for the insight.
:-D
Welcome, and trust that you understood the opening of my response. The
GM should not worry about limiting PCs' equippage of magical sort,
merely manage it through "adjusted" encounters... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
i'll keep that in mind... sometimes you need to feed the troll to keep it from attacking. ;-)
Boz the Wise...
That will likely cut the punning short, as the punster will be satisfied
that his mission of twisted humor has had its desired effect.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
... I guess that's a way of saying "journeyman" or at least you're ready to solo completely/your training is now complete.
Few persons are ever at their maximum potential. There is always
benefit to further study, prectice, and actual experience ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Now,
look Gary, that's exactly what BluSponge is talking about. That's just
too darn vague. Is that a new ability list, a command to do more, a
complaint, or your verbal response? C'mon, you can do better! ;-)
>:-)
It is an observation regarding all those persons that expect me to
completely develop and detail something when it is usually a case of me
purpously being vague for the benefit of the GM. After al, it is made
clear by me that the GM is the final authority, no? O.o
Of course I do sometimes leave out a bit of ctirical information in my haste... (^_^')
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
No
kidding!! I wish the current edition taught that instead of
painstakingly measuring every gold piece of value and making sure it is
in the "right range" for a given level of the party.
GAWD!!
Sorry! I'm still adjusting to regaining my DMing freedom now that I have "quit"
3E.
X-D
Revel in the newly regained liberty, amigo! Play the way the game form was designed to be played ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Gary, when playing D&D, what alignment did your characters gravitate towards?
I have to admit that as a DM, I always ruled out evil PCs, and strongly
encouraged good over neutrality. My players never really had a problem
with it.
How D' Do Colonel :-D
Most of my PCs were Neutral so that they could adventure with virtually
any other alignment of PCs. There was a need for that, because
alignments of the PCs I would join was all over the chart, chaotic to
lawful, evil to good, with the neutral shades in the mix. I did have a
few Chaotic Good ones, and one Chaotic Evil half-orc cleric/assassin
that met an early end. The last PC I created for OAD&D was about
five or six years years ago, one Snurre Sharpnose, a gnome
illusionist/thief of chaotic neutral sort.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel,
The postings on level titles as they relate to guilds got me thinking.
In many campaign worlds there are "Mage Guilds," which I assume are
modelled on historical guilds (somehow ;-) ). I have never really
warmed to the idea of a Mage Guild, and there are none in my own
campaign world, as it seems to me any locale with one would soon be a
magocracy (to use a term from the
DMG). My reading of the character to most Magic-Users (and by extentional illusionists) from the
DMG
section on acquiring spells is that they are rather protective of
sharing information and stand-offish when it comes to anyone but their
own apprentices.
Anyway, my question is what say you on the matter? Does Oerth have its
share of Mage Guilds and, if so, where are they. What keeps them in
check from forming a hegemony wherever they come into power?
Gray Mouser
Good thing you noted the question, 'Mouser, as I had indeed missed it. Sorry.
I did not have any magical guilds at all in my campauign, and that is why they are not mentioned in the WoG.
OTOH, I do have associations for all practitioners of the arcane arts in
the LA game, as with other guilds most being located in large
communities.
Your assumption about D&D mages being too likely to be sufficiently
powerful to sieze government and rule is likely accurate. I see them as
also rather elitest and secretive about their knowledge as you envisaged
them to be. In the LA game the capacity to use magic is not limited to a
class, there are competing associations, the ecclesaistics are potent,
so a magocracy is not likely.
The LA game Enchanters' Guild will only accept memebers that meet their
strict requirements, they demand high initiation fees and membership
dues, as well as payment for any services preformed for members, those
being at half the cost demanded from non-members. In a way it might be
thought of as a mixture of a country club and a univertsoy faculty.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey
Gary, thansk for the info regarding Mage Guilds. The differences
between AD&D and LA are interesting in this regard, especially.
Gray Mouser
Happy to be of service :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Rossik :-)
When I first wrote the D&D game it was to share with others, because
I and the local gamers had so much fun with the game. Of course I also
had an eye towards being able to work on games and related things as a
career. The D&D game seemed the best way to start down that path, as
I was sure the audience was at least 50,000 strong. Speaking of
underestimation... :-o
In the two years immediately after the game was published I larned a
lot. Many people loved playing the game as much as we did, a lot of
those fans were not familiar with wargaming and/or science
fiction/fantasy literature, some lived in distant countrys.
It is indeed still quite humbling to me to have brought so much
enjoyment to so many people virtually world wide. When I see the game
and computer industries that have spring primarily from the D&D
game, it is quite pleasantly astonishing. How gratifying to have
assisted so many people in having fin and earning a livelihood X-D
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Goken100
Hello again Mr. Gygax. At the risk of being annoyingly persistent... any thoughts?
O.o
Another post missed...likely because the notification of replies to
threads to which I subscribe is very much an iffy thing. Anyway,
Frankly, I don't believe the contemporary trend towards what I consider
pallid fantasy tales has much affect on FRPG game campaigns. The success
of seek and destroy CRPGs certainly does, and as many are predicting,
4E might well be more akin to Diablo or Warcraft than to traditional RPGs.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
About time for a new thread?
Yuppers!
I'll kick off another after I make a couple of posts hereon ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
wow....thanks for the answer, mr. gygax!!!
i have another question, if u dont mind...
do u ever think on writing another RPG aid book, like the one u had a long time ago?
do u think that much have change in the way people play?
thanks again!
Hello Rossik,
You are most welcome.
I have not considered writig another book about playing RPGs. Although
there are some style changes, and different approaches as to the level
of danger appropriate for PCs, the game form is virtually unchanged from
c. 1979. Thus I see no need for any further comment. Additionally, I
wold not be able to say much ythat is positive regarding some
contemporary notions... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
wow....thanks for the answer, mr. gygax!!!
i have another question, if u dont mind...
do u ever think on writing another RPG aid book, like the one u had a long time ago?
do u think that much have change in the way people play?
thanks again!
Hello Rossik,
You are most welcome.
I have not considered writig another book about playing RPGs. Although
there are some style changes, and different approaches as to the level
of danger appropriate for PCs, the game form is virtually unchanged from
c. 1979. Thus I see no need for any further comment. Additionally, I
wold not be able to say much that is positive regarding some
contemporary notions... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
thanks for the reply, mr gygax (wow, still cant believe im talking to you!!!!)
:-)
You are doing just that in virtual manner.
i was wondering about two things:
reading the temple of elemental evil, i notice that when u wrote
something like " 5 Zombies", you put Hp for all the zombies, and not
just a "generic number" for them all. same thing to gems value.
the question is why have this changed over the years? do you think its
important to do that little things in antecipation of an adventure ?
people are getting lazzy? :-P
i like that way, makes some "russian roullet" (dont know if i
translated right..ehehhe..sorry) feeling, as u dont know if u are going
to take the strong or the weak one .
It is a simple matter, actually: As a designer and as a GM I
have grown tired of having weak monsters and lavish treasure where the
intent was to have potent monsters and skimpy loot.
I assume that the GM using the published material will alter the fixed
numbers given to suit his campaign style and his preferences as well as
those of his players.
Be warned, when I do stats for the C&C sytemm's criters, I am prone
to using d10 and d12, and having the range between 7 and 10, to 7 and
12, with no lor end possibilities on each HD. that seems logical to me
for a normal and robust monster ;-)
Cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Gary Gygax Q&A: Part XII
Here's the next thread in the Q&A session.
I'll take this opportunity to state formally that I will be a GoH at next year's GenCon, number XL :-o
Peter has also invited Len Lakofka, so Stephen Colbert, take note!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
(^_^')
I forgot to indicate I wanted email notification to responses to this thread (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by allencon
Greetings Mr. Gygax!
May this message find you well. I have been an player of Dungeons and
Dragons for more than 10 years. Much of what I have observed in the
changes through the various editions, materials, and mechanics I have
enjoyed and have had many good gamining experiences with others, both as
a fellow PC and as a DM. There have also been hick-ups along the way.
Certain mechanics could and should be done more thoughtfully, with a
closer attention payed toward cross-class equity of powers and
abilities, and tools to help players develop a good concept for their
character, not what combination of race, skills, spells makes the best
number crunching exercise. One concern to me of late has been this
tendency to make the DM a robot at the utter mercy of suppliments and
dare I say "munchkin-esque" players. Case in point the recent Monster
Manual IV insulted not only my expectations of what a monster manual
should be, but also my intelligence. Yes as advertized the monsters
were "easy" to run, if one enjoyed guessing the hit die type of
creatures and hit point break down. They also redundant classed
monsters, unmemmorable and made for a generally "underwhelming"
experience. This has not been the first instance of this trend.
Providing sound mechanics for players to try new options is good. It is
what has enabled the game to evolve and thrive. But at times it almost
feels like a straight jacket or that as DM's we are being spoon-fed
everything. In other words it is as if DM's are no longer encouraged to
come up with creative solutions on their own. In some instances when a
brave DM peers beyond the margins of text rules, there are the
hyper-reactive snapping maws of rules lawyers and other bugbears of free
thinking.
My personal taste is that I enjoy the
3E/3.5
mechanic - still it has room for improvement - but I would like to see
some sort of return of DM authority, or at least an environment where
PCs and DMs can corporately solve problems creatively and imagine fun
innovations. Within your enduring gaming experience, have you noticed a
similar trend? What do you forsee happening within the current edition
that will change this for the better, or not?
Thanks for sharing your take on the current D&D system.
Considering what I have heard about the focus of
4E,
your desires are likely to go unfulfilled, as I am led to believe
support for earlier versions of the game will also be. Of course this is
based on spculative essays regarding the matter...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dead
Hi Gary,
Will there be a map of your Greyhawk city in the new Saga of Old City release?
Thanks
Heh,
Sadly, no, as a detailed one was never done. I winged it from first a
one-page map, then a general four-page version. The vast detailed map
that was to be around 4' by 6' when completed was never finished, parts
of it languishing somewhere in the basement storage areas here.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
that was turned off for awhile - is it back on yet?
It seems that I am getting notices well today :-D
Of course when I initially tried to access the website this AM it was so
slow in responding that I went elsewhere until just recently.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
[QUOTE=The Levitator]
Trying to get a rise out of me, are you?
X-D
Being a relatively new member of this forum, I wanted to take the
opportunity to say hey there! I live just down the road from you in
Janesville, and started playing D&D in 1979 as part of a school
project in my Gifted & Talented program. I haven't had too much
exposure to other game systems, but have played 1st ed. through 3.5.
Ok, ok, enough of the hero worship.
As a matter of fact I kived even nearer when we had a place
just off County P between Clinton and Beloit. Back in those days the
game group that met at my place consisted of Mike Gray, Jim Ward, Luke
Gygax, Sonny Savage, Richard and David Kuntz, and Mitch Preston...at
various times. As a matter of fact Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson,
founders of Games Workshop came there and played too, also getting bad
cases of poison oak helping me clear those vines from the trees arpound
the place. Seems I am pretty well immune to that plant's toxin X-D
I really enjoyed your interview on the 2nd D&D movie. Your take
on the vancian spellcasting got me thinking. I would love to hear how
you feel about the Mana Point style of magic that is increasing in
popularity. I haven't used it yet, but it sounds a little bit like how
Psionics work. Do you still prefer the Vancian system or do you see
promise for a Mana Point system?
For the AD&D game I still prefer far and away the
"Vancian" system." It makes players with spell-casting characters plan
ahead while keeping their PCs from dominating play.
In my newer skill-bundle-based
Lejendary Adventure RPG I have "Activation Energy Points." Using the term manna is so anthro-ethnologist 1930s it turns my stomach :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
How's
the CZ stuff coming along Gary? My group finished Dark Chateau and the
clues leading to the castle are consuming them with desire to storm it
and take its secrets by force!
So needless to say I need a little help over here. :-)
Hope everything is well and you are feeling wonderful.
Aaron
Steve Chenault has my CZ setting level plan and
outline with special encounters in hand so as to work up a full
schematic of the lot by Monday. The cross connections and secret
entrances/exits are many and complex, so he thought a map of the lot
essential. I expect it will assist tremendously, and I should have it
for review as noted.
When that's done I'll be passing along a level map or two to use as a
general template or for a specific level, and generally overseeing and
developing the work for each of the many levels.
things are moving along well, but in my estimation it will be in the
spring of next year before the completed modules begin rolling off the
production line. Before those hit I believe many of the Yggsburgh Town
Detail modules should be available in pdf format.
All that is informal, me proposing, the Trolls disposing.
Grudgingly, I'll admit to feeling pretty chipper, doing more work than I
want to, even passed on Wednesday's boardgaming session to work on the
last piece of CZ "bible" material to get it into Steve's hands
yesterday.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
Gary,
I was reading the late AD&D releases, such as the Dungeoneer and
Wilderness Survival Guides and Manual of Planes and they they did have a
different quality from the earlier AD&D releases, especially Manual
of Planes. Was you involved with those projects? I believe MoP was
released after you left TSR but is it based in your notes or something?
Pardon me, but no, I had nothing to do with those books
I would not have approved of those splat books, as they encouraged power gaming and were a bad investment for D&Ders
IMO, did little to makee the game better.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
hi mr gygax!
..i didnt notice the 11 part was ended...eheehsorry.
what do u think about giving classes to dragons?
doesnt it seems a little stranger?
a dragon thief??? :\
(im gonna cut and paste the last question of mine, if u dont mind! :-P )
"thanks guys!
that helped a lot!
oh, one more thing:
risking to go too far (sorry for that!!), whats the chance of getting an
autograph from mr gygax? is the only way getting into gen con kinnda
of event?
there is nothing like a fan club here, in brazil... :-( "
Frankly, I find the concept of dragons as player characters of
occassional human-like appearance to be absolutely out of place. No more
need be said on this topic ;-)
I am always hponored to give autographs, and I do them by mail when the
individual sends an addrssed return envelope with postage paid. No other
form of mail return is acceptable beacuse of the difficulties of going
to the post office here.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Steverooo
Quite so.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
I myself prefer for all player characters/avatars to be human. I am
wondering what (if anything in particular) made you change your mind
about monster player characters between 1974 (when you wrote in the
OD&D rules that players could play just about anything, even
balrogs) and 1979 (when you wrote in the
DMG that players playing monsters is not a good idea).
Would you believe three decades of experience?
X-D X-D X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
That's
what I was thinking. I found most of the Survival Guides useless,
except for the proficience system (taken from Oriental Adventures),
which, despite the fact I liked, sounded a little out of place in
AD&D, if you allow me the criticism. Still, I would like very much
to see a Manual of Planes written by you. I think it would be much more
inspiring than any Planescape or similar release by TSR/
WotC. Perhaps you should consider it sometime.
Thanks,
Ron
Thanks Ron,
The days when I could and did write for the D&D games are long gone.
You might want to check out the Cosmos Builder by Richard Balsley, the
seventh volume of the "Gygaxian Fantasy worlds" sereis of generic
reference books published by Troll Lord Games.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Hellefire
I
just wanted to say. I, my wife and my father and my baby girl had
breakfast with you last year when I was in the states, and had many
interesting conversations. Due to some real life issues, I have not been
in touch in a while. I will be emailing you soon. I have been getting
yet another generation foplayers interested in the game, and have been
thinking about you lately. I hope all is going well for you, and I miss
our conversations.
Aaron
Alaska/Poland/Wherever
Hi Aaron,
Ahh, breakfast out... B-)
All too often the demands of real life do interfere with fun and games,
agreed. I am way to busy for a chap that is supposed to be semi-retired,
but it is always good to receive an email message from a fellow...even
when I must offtimes perforce respond in brevity.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
At
GenCon I had the pleasure of being given glimpses of the early stages
of P.B.'s maps for Yggsburgh/Zagyg, and I am positive I will be very
happy with the final drafts. Besides, Peter just does gorgeous maps. He
definitely takes them to a new level of art-form.
I also thought you would be very pleased to know my 14 year old daughter
is using your World Builder and Nations Builder books for creating her
first campaign world (that will be fully worked out), plus she is
telling me she wants your "Names" book as well. Probably Canting Crew
too. So your "legacy" is definitely moving on to one more generation.
Even if your only "Series Editor" on some of the books.
I told her to check out your 1E
DMG as well. :-)
Since she is so impressed with the cool ideas/tools/utillities of those
books she now wants to read through my LA Essentials books too. :-D
Hi Treebore,
Whoa, and your daughter is a valued customer as well as a fellow gamer
X-D Please tell her that I am glad to learn she is finding those
reference works inspirational and useful. As a word of advice, she might
well wish to have a look at
Living Fantasy,
as it promulgates the cultural and social bases likely to be used in a
fantasy world campaign setting. Not a few consider it an essential book
for building a quasi-European late medieval FRPG milieu.
Holler if I can be of any assistance in regards information of the GFW series type or the LA game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
The
premise of this campaign world is that it is a variety of lycanthrope
creatures. They also are not evil, or good, by default. Plus "normal"
humans are ruled by the lycanthropes. She is definitely trying to give
them huge cultural differences. For example she is drawing on L5R
(Legend of the Five Rings) for the "culture" of the Leo's (Lions). She
is thinking Canting Crew would give her plenty of material for
developing a distinct culture for the were-rats.
She is still very much in the early/rough stages. She has a two page map
drawn up with the major geological features and political borders and
she is "building" from there. Which is how I believe you suggested to do
it in the introduction you wrote for one of the books.
:-o
Your daughter is highly ambitious in her creativity. Creating distinct,
basicaly non-human cultures and the societies that would logicaly
develop therefrom is a creative endevor I have shied away from because
of the demands it will make on knowledge, innovation, creativity...and
time and effort to establish and rework the lot until all is suitably
exoticly non-human. If she completes the work as planned, it should
surely be published B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Dang, Treebor!
That's impressive to me, especially because I love gemstones, mainly the
colored ones...perhaps set off by diamonds or pearls... X-D I'd love a
chest full of diamonds, corundum and other colored gemstones to admire
even if those stones were a penny a carat!
Actually, what you describe as the likely approach your daughter will
take makes excellent creative sense. Playing experience will enable a
fleshing out of the initial pass, discover changes necessary, if that
appeals. All the while she has her art to employ for full creative
expression.
That is most satisfactory all around and surely pleases her pappy ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
I sure am!
On the gemstones, with my wife's health being what it is we are
"retiring" from the custom jewelry design business. We are selling off
our "rocks" at a major auction house in Phoenix, AZ. Anyways, I don't
know about a "penny per carat", but I'll see what I can do for you.
If you don't care about the best cut and color I can definitely do a
lot. I'll see what I can part with and bring it as a gift for you at the
next LGGC. If you don't care much about the cut and color quality. I
assure you it will still awake the dragon in you. ;-)
Howdy Amigo,
No surprise about you being proud.
Son Alex has considered learning metal smithing ti be a jewelry maker, but I don't think it is a consuming interest.
You are too kind, and I can not accept such gifts, but the thought surely counts :-D
See you either this vcoming January (the next proposed LGGC) or in the more clement June weather for LGGC III.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wik
Hunh.
That's pretty cool, TB. Actually, it reminds me of an old GM I used
to have, who had very little written up about his campaign, but a LOT of
drawings and sketches. Was a pretty cool campaign. I think I'm gonna
set-up another thread on just this topic.
Absolutely!
The old adage of one picture being worth a thousand words is applicale
to being a GM. It even forced me into making crude sketches :-o
Would I was able to properly draw... :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
Now
I am anxious to see if your "dragon" will let you say no. Unless you
mean there is some kind of legal reason you would have to refuse. If
that is the case then I won't tempt your dragon. Otherwise, don't worry
about it. It is a gift, free of all "attachments". If nothing else
consider it a reciprocating gift for all the intangible and priceless
gifts your game has given me over the last 20+ years.
Besides, it won't be so "valuable" as requiring a reporting of it to the
IRS. It will be well below $5,000.00. Plus I won't be giving you
anythng that will hurt me to do so.
Anyway, I'll bring it. If you still have to say no, so be it. I won't be
offended, just dissappointed. But I will understand and not hold it
against you. OK? B-)
January LGGC? Where is that being discussed? I've missed anything about it on the Trolls messageboards.
My dragon has a double handful of quarts "gems" of c. 200 to 1200 carat
weight each, most at the upper end X-D We have some of them in a
"treasure chest" with foreign coins and glass "jewels" and even a phoney
gold dubloon.
In her costume jewelry collecting, seldom selling (am I daft! >:-) )
wife Gail has acquired a few little semi-precious faceted stones. Alex
set a blue topaz from that collection into a silver ring he made for her
when in school. should have had an aqua', but..
That sounds like way too much for a gift. If you insist I might accept a
few low value stones of pretty color and exchange some gaming material
for them, sort of like John Dunbar did with the Dakota in
Dances with Wolves I really enjoy watching that flick :-D
Davis and I sort of cooked up a second LGGC. I lobbied hard for one in
mid-October bit the Trolls personal family conisderations mitigated
against that, so not Davis is urging Steve to do a January con just as
TSR used to have Winter Fantasy as a small event here. It is not
absolutely set yet, but there is a fair to middling change it will
happen.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wik
Yeah,
I *wish* I could draw. I *really* wish I had an artist in my group who
could artistically recreate a lot of the scenes that have happened to
our gaming group. Sort of my "at the table" fantasy, if you will.
Yes! A captive artist there to illustrate as you direct. Waht a great
boon that would eb to the GM and theplayer group alike...save for the
enslaved artist X-D
Which begs the question, since I'm here anyways... how many of those
old D&D drawings were inspired by actual, at-the-table events? To
give an example, Emirikol the Chaotic in the DMG... that piece always
made me think that it was the artist's personal favourite character, and
he decided to immortalize the character in print.
Indeed, I gave little art direction, figuring that there were
others more able to come up with something worthwhile than could I. In
short, only the illustrator concerned can answer such questions, as they
played their cards close to the vest.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Blustar
I've never made it to GenCon but I'm starting a slush fund now. GenCon or bust!!!
I hope to see you there...
Blue
Heh,
Actually, you should come to the small and intimate Lake Geneva Game
Convention, but everyone should attend Gencon at least once inn their
life. It is the largest and has the most exhibits of any other gaming
event.
If you do make it, be sure and look me upm and don;t be shy about
speaking to me, I am just another gamer, one with a neurotic compulsion
to write stuff as well as play stuff X-D
Anyway, I ain't hard to recognize, and I'll likely be at the Troll Lord
Games booth pretty often. I am told that they'll have a four-space
island next year, so the booth shoould be fairly easy to locate.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
Yep,
4 spaces on the end, instead of one hard to spot out of the way space.
They will even have Peter set up doing his art sales/stuff in their
area.
Gee, it has been a long time since I was in a booth
autographing where I was lucky to get about a yard of space. With the
Trolls having four tables it's likely I can get a yard and a third X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
So much about the game suddenly makes sense!
- Nathan P. Mahney -
Right you are...
Now hand over all those precious stones you are hiding!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by allencon
Dear Mr. Gygax,
Thank you for your reply to my question. It is very thougtful of you to
take time to read through so much correspondance, be it on line or
through the mail. Though I enjoy some parts of the current edition I
still read through my copy of the Advanced Dungeons Master Guide. Its
cover art with the mysterious man enveloped in deep cerulean blue green
robes I enjoyed, for its aproachability, content and information.
Thanks for having worked so long and hard over many years to produce a
game that has brought enjoyment to so many.
Sincerely - under the nom de plume
Allencon
You are welcome :-)
As a matter of fact, rading posts and respondig is a good deal like
conversing with fellow gamers, and that is something I usually enjoy. It
is also less work that writing creatively, so it is suitable for my
semi-retired state X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Hi Gary,
Just wanted to shout an add my support to the idea of a January LGGC... I
am still bummed that surgery and other factors made me miss this year
and getting to meet you, the Trolls and everyone else I've met via the
boards so I would love something earlier than next summer!
P.S. My wife and I drove from Manitowoc to Missouri and back over the
weekend and couldn't help but tip our caps (figuratively) as we passed
the Lake Geneva exits off the interstate on the way.
John :-)
Well...
I haven't had a confirmation, but with both Steve and Davis being up for
it, the likelihood of a Frozen Lake Geneva Gaming Convention is pretty
high. If it happens, rest assured that you'll be able to schmooze with
everyone attending is also a sure thing, as it will be in a smallish
building with relatively few attendees and many pick-up games--fun!
Next time you are passing near LG, swing off 43 at the Delevan exit. It
is only about 20 minutes to our place, so stop in for a cup or coffee or
tea and a brief chat. I am at home most of the time. Our next scheduled
trip is when we head up to New Glarus in the fall.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Toric_Arthendain
The only convention I've ever been to is a smallish local one. Next year is definitely the year that I will
hit a convention out of my local area. Now to decide between Gen Con
and the LGGC. I've always wanted to attend Gen Con but there is
something about the smaller, intimate LGGC that is appealing. The
chance to meet you, Gary, is a significant bonus for me as I consider
you directly responsible for my obsession with role-playing games these
last twenty-six years or so. :-) I just need to decide if I want to
have a chance to say "Hi" at Gen Con or have a chance at a longer
conversation with the possiblity of an actual game at the LGGC.
Hi Amigo,
I will be at both the LGGC and Gencon next year. There is much more to
see at GenCon than at the LGGC, rather like the big city compared to a
small town. The excitement level and energy at Gencon are high indeed,
while at LGGC things are relaxed and friendly. I guess the analogy fits
well, although gaming is the main attraction at both events, and that's
equally intense at both, even if there are not big tournaments at the
LGGC as there are at GenCon.
You will likely enjoy either one, and the upcoming GenCon is the 40th...
Then again, at the LGGC we play some games on my front porch, and this
is where D&D began...
Decisions, decisions O.o
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
woooooowww...so great!!!
...and how can i get your address? :-#
Email me:
[email protected] :-)
back to Rpg questions:
mr gygax, we finnaly got an translation for the dragonlance chronicles trilogy ,by margaret weis and tracy hickman
but the translation guys make a big mistake, in my opinion: translating names.
some say that u have to translate, so u can pass the emotion of that name ( as in "Goldmoon" to "Lua Dourada")
others say that u have to keep it original.
whats your opinion about name translation?
thanks in advance!!!
This is a question of personal preference, and of names that
have a real meaning. Some gamers prefer the more exotic untranslated
names, while others find their equivalent in their own language has
greater verisimilitute. As for me, I like the exotic sounding character
names as long as they are pronouncable and seem to fit the persons.
Otherwise, the translated name works better, as it enables relation to
the story without jarring the mind with something that seems incongrous.
So, whatever you prefer is best.
Cheers,
Spearman (Gary)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
As
Guest of Honor for next year's GenCon, Gary, will you be hosting any
special seminars/panels/retrospectives/etc.? It's been a few years
since you were at GenCon, much less such a prestigious anniversary event
:-D
Hi Allan,
As we have not begun discussion of what I'll do there, it is not
possible for me to supply an answer, speculate on the program I will
have.
heers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
Mr. Gygax,
First off, let me offer my apologies if the questions I ask have been
covered already; I've only recently discovered your Q&A threads
here, and several hours of slogging through them have been absolutely
engrossing, but I'm nowhere near having read them all.
Understandable, there are a lot of posts on all the threads.
I'd like to start off with a question relating to one of my favorite
series of modules penned by your good self; the Giants/Drow/Lolth
series.
In it, you set up a wonderfully complex internal political struggle
within the Drow society. On the one hand is clan Eilserv, having broken
away from the worship of the demonness Lolth and using the giants'
attacks on the surface to increase their influence within the Vault, at
the expense of the more "orthodox" elements of Drow society who still
worship Lolth. A clever party of adventurers would surely be able to use
that conflict to their advantage; since the Elder Elemental
God-worshipping Eilservs are the instigators behind the giant
depredations, does it not make sense that their rivals the
Lolth-worshipping establishment, could be a natural ally for the party?
If the party trusts scorpions not to sting, that is an
excellent idea. As best I would suggest the other clans of the Drow
might ignore PCs attacking the interests of the Eilservs...if they were
not bothered in the process.
However, that conclusion comes into question with the climax of the
series of adventures, "Queen of the Demonweb Pits". Here, all of a
sudden the big, bad villian seems to have been swapped out. Surely Lolth
would have been pleased at the downfall of clan Eilserv (who had
abandoned her worship and actively sought to supplant those loyal to her
within the Vault) at the hands of the party. I'm curious as to how you
envision the transformation of the chief villain of the piece from the
Elder Elemental God to the demonness Lolth.
I did not write Q3, nor did I approve of it. complain to the Blumes, for they insisted on publishing it against my objections.
As for the chief antagonist, it was meant to be Exlavdra on behlaf of
the EEG, with the minions of Lolth, not the demoness per se., being
second and a counterweight to the former as noted. The latter will fight
against the Eilservs and tolerate for a time the presence of a PC party
that is discommoding their foes.
Also, on a somewhat-related note, I am currently having the pleasure
of re-reading "Sea of Death". I'm wondering what relation the Eclavdra
therein has to the Eclavdra featured in G3 and the following modules. Is
it possible that, once clan Eilserv's plans were undone, she switched
her allegiance to Graz'zt in an attempt to regain some of her lost
status? Was Graz'zt perhaps masquerading as teh Elder Elemental God all
along? It's of course entirely possible that it's just artistic license
on your part, but I do enjoy trying to suss out these sorts of apparent
conflicts...
I can not speak to things related to the A/D&D game, but I
can comment on the book's plot. When their efforts to free the Elder
Elemental godfrom exile were thwarted, Eclavdra did indeed switch her
allegience to a demon so as to remain powerful. The term Chaotic Evil
suits all of the Drow well.
And, last question for this post, I promise. Obmi the dwarf in G3 is
listed as being Chaotic Neutral in alignment. Surely that's a typo,
yes? He's really Chaotic Evil?
My thanks for thirty some-odd years of entertainment.
One of my favorite villians for sure! That is absolutely a
typo. I would place Obmi in the Neutral Evil category, as he is willing
to side with any faction to further his own ends.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
You should run a huge AD&D game for the whole Con. A 25,000 man incursion into the Tomb of Horrors!
>:-(
There's a thought, but somehow the 24,992 whose PCs were eliminated in
the approach to the tomb's entrance by the circling flock of red dragons
would likely object to the brevity of their excursion X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
X-D
Thats a quick way to get the party down to a manageable size!
X-D
I have DMed a couple of sessions where the players were aware that
theyr PCs were supposed to be lost in action, and that when that
occurred, their record sheet would be so noted and signed by me. It is
really more demanding that a regular adventure, because dreaming up ways
to slay PCs quicky and surely without being too smarmy in the process
is more difficult that one might suppose.
At the last Milwaukee Gamefest I ran an LA game adventure where the
participants were informed that their Avatars were meant to be slain. It
was an hour before I managed the first, and at the end of the four
session there was still one allive. Those were a great bunch of players,
including the young lady who had her character climb a tree, beat the
onrushing critters to it, and thus avoid the pack of ravening hyenas.
She won the day for sure.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
I
don't think you would really need the Dragons though. You would lose a
few thousand in the first false entrance, and another 15000-20000 or so
in the second false entrance...
No way! That would mean
greatly enlarging those two false entrances, also likely require
flashing signs to attract the PCs to them. X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
[/I][/B]Queen of the Spiders was ranked the single greatest Dungeons
& Dragons adventure of all time by Dungeon magazine in 2004, on the
30th anniversary of the Dungeons & Dragons game.[/I][/B]
X-D
Somehow I don't believe that was done by the veteran OAD&D audience,
for I have received far too many comments panning the Q1 module 8-D
and it is worth noting that the rating was given for the module
combining its predacessors, G 1-3 and D 1-3, not just Q1.
If the Abyss is a maze design on a towel, I am at a loss, completely overwhealmed :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by zypherillius
I just had another quick question for you.
If I ever had the opportunity to play in a campaign run by yourself,
would you allow me to come in as a 10th level Vice President? Or would I
have to start at first level and work my way up?
Thanks :-)
Andy
You could start as a 1st level Representative and
work your way up, then switch classes to Senator or VP at about 8th
level... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by taliesin15
Mr. Gygax:
Let me echo all the sentiments prevalent in these threads thanking you for your work in creating D&D!
Here's a question that might be a bit controversial: what do you think
of D&D campaigns using deities worshipped in the contemporary "real"
world? In early D&D publications there are references to saints
(Cuthbert's mace, I believe?) and especially when Deities and Demigods
came out, my friends and I all thought that an Arthurian flavored milieu
would have to at least have some Christian (also pagan, naturally)
elements to it. One of my D&D playing buddies made a joke about
"Jesus Christ, Major Deity, 400 hit points, Lawful Good," etc. And of
course there are some Oriental pantheons in DEities and Demigods. And in
the
DMG
you have references to Arab/Muslim civilizations; for that matter,
there's the whole thing about Assasins coming from the Arab world. Of
course all that's been synthesized greatly in the fantasy literature.
And yet, it wouldn't seem that hard to do to create a milieu where
people worship Jesus, Mohammed, and so on.
Saint is not a
term that is exclusive to the Christian religion, and St. Cuthbert was
more of a joke than otherwise. Consider the advicacy of pounding sense
into someone's head by dint of blows from a club.
I do not advocate any use of actual religion in an RPG. Any references I
have made to Arab-like civizilations do not include any hint of Islam
in them. the same holds for Judaism and Christianity. As a matter of
fact, I did not write Deities and Demigods, nor did I use it in my
campaign.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
I
didn't liked Q1, but the previous adventures, especially the G series,
were so good that I can easily understand why the compilation was so
well rated.
Ah well,
I had what I consider a much more interesting plan for the conclusion of
the G-D series, one in which the PC party could loose the Elder
Elemental god or send him into deeper isolation, thus assisting Lolth to
become more powerful. By very astute play, they could have thwarted the
designs of both evil entities. The Demonweb Pits were indeed envisioned
as mze like, but there were to be no machines therein.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
If you had your druthers, what would you want
to do? Perhaps play a game under Arneson or Kuntz? Play Mordy in
someone's homebrew dungeon? Pass the dice around the table in a rousing
round of Settlers?
What could we do to make your 40th anniversay GenCon memorable?
Heh...
A change of pace from fantasy RPGing is refreshing, be it through
playing in another's RPG campaign or through boardgames. About my
favorite non-S&S RPG is Jim Ward's
Metamorphosis Alpha game, and I should be playing in his campaign the next few Thursdays ;-) I would really like to play an Avatar in my
Lejendary AsteRogues
Fantastical Science RPG, but that will have to wait for the rules to be
published and someone local to decide to become the Lejend Master for
such a campaign.
Of course I enjoy
Settlers', as well as
Puerto Rico, San Juan, ticket to ride Europe, Rail Baron,
a whole host of Tom Wham's boardgames, etc. I get to play them at son
Ernie's place when he has his weekly boardgaming session...today, in
fact, this afternoon :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Ha! That's like how I play poker. Staying alive is good enough to make to the second last to die, most times. :\
I really don't like gambling, but playing poker with a group of friends
and associates is enjoyable aslong as the stakes are such that even the
big loser for the night is not out more than he would normally spend on
a night's entertainment.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
well, thats not my opinion, i just found it at wikipedia...eheheh (^_^')
No reflection on you, certainly.
mr gygax, what do u think was the best adventure u wrote? would u
change anything about it? do you think it would have the same impact
now?
Ask me which of my childred is my favorite...
Why on earth would I spend time with such pointless speculation?
(oh, the email you posted have returned!
[email protected] ....
i even tried variations, but it didnt work. maybe its full, or something.
if u like, i can post my email to you :-) )
The correct addy is:
[email protected]
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
Perhaps you could release such adventure, skipping references to
WotC's
IP, not much different from what your Castle Zagyg is. People will know
what is about. I bet that even the panel that elected Queen of Spiders
as the best adventure ever would buy it.
I could, but it isn't likely. Not much market potential for as OAD&D product, And I don't write for new D&D.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
ow, i see....sorry about that :-(
Heh,
No need to apologise :-D
If I didn't like something I wrote, I would have no business offering it for publication, having it in print.
The fact is I am essentially a pragmatist in regards to such matters as
have passed. There is too much before to be looking back.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by fusangite
Once
again, Gary, I see intentionality where it might not have been. I have
been assuming that you based a chunk of the cleric class's spell list on
the miracles performed by St. Cuthbert in Bede's Life of Saint Cuthbert.
The Create Water, Flame Strike spells and various other seemed to
indicate you were, at some point, deriving the cleric spell list from
actual medieval miracles. This I'm very glad to hear; people focus on
the Fiend Folio as the mistaken text in AD&D but I have to say that
Deities and Demigods is the book that ultimately caused me to take a
long sabbatical from AD&D in the mid-80s.
No, the cleric spells were all made up from my imagination as things fitting for that class.
The Deities and Demigods book had plenty of flaws, but some make believe
deities are generally necessary for a FRPG campaign methinks.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
Heh.
My explanation of Q1 is that it's a plot by Eclavdra to kill or weaken
Lolth. Send a party of foolish surface-dwellers against the demon-spider
and see what happens. Weaken her enough and perhaps the EEG can then
take control... :-)
Of course, I don't accord Lolth status as a deity, seeing her as a
malign figure who has lured many disaffected elves away from their true
gods; she's definitely slayable by groups of great power and
intelligence. (Even if foolish enough to be tricked by Eclavdra).
D3 was the first module I ever bought. The GD series remains as a series
I've yet to run or play. It's on my list of things to do, but there are
lots of interesting things happening in my current campaign that spawn
more adventures, of course!
Cheers!
Powerful evil entities are certainly on a par with
deities. check any slid book of mythology, and that's evident. Their
powers are generally destrictive, not creative, but that goes with the
territory ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
And you'll have to put up with me and my folks as well.. bwah ah ah ah. :-D
X-D
My pleasure of course!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by robertsconley
I am long time gamer (since 1978) and first want to thanks for coming up with D&D which has consumed so much of free time.
My question is that I read that your original Greyhawk campaign was
based on a map of North America. If so I am wondering how you arranged
things, like where was the City of Greyhawk.
Thanks
Rob Conley
:-D
Yuppers. North America and the rest of the globe, in fact. the West
coast was a land of dinosaurs and cave men... X-D Greyhawk was about
where Chicago is, and Dyvers was located around where Milwaukee is.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Just out of curiosity, was Dyvers in your world known for its cheeses and pilsners? :-D
Heh, maybe...
But more so for its general antipathy for folks from Greyhawk.
And thank godness for New Glarus Brewing and their large selection of
beer and ale worthy of that name, and not a "lite" in the whole mix!
Hooray,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
While
I really like both, I've always enjoyed your Aerth more than your
Oerth. It sounds like Aerth is closer to your old home campaign world
than is Oerth. How would you characterize your Lejendary Earth in
comparison to Aerth and to Oerth?
the LE world setting is
somewhere between Oerth (an incomplete globe) and Aerth, a fully
finished one. Learth is closer to Aerth than Oerth, though. The
continents are vaguely similat to earth's own, with antarctica to the
immediate southwest of Learth's Australia, and considerable changes to
all other land masses. Manygood sized islands are there so as to
facilitate commerce.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by robertsconley
Thanks
for the answer. Have you published this map anywhere or planning too. I
understand that you would probably have to change some of the name due
their appearance in WOG products. But it would interesting to see one of
the original campaign map.
Thanks
Rob Conley
X-D
You ask that of me? He that extemporized most of the time! All I needed
for outdoor adventures was my imagination and an atlas to consult in
extremis ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Well,
I began playing D&D with the blue covered, Dave Sutherland
art-adorned book, often called the "Holmes" edition, and quickly moved
on to AD&D as the books were released and became available. I recall
my group and I getting hold of Q1 when it was originally released, and
it was generally well-thought-of. I thought the end encounter with Lolth
was disappointing, but that the rest of the Demonweb was really cool. I
liked all the various planes and/or planets that the PCs could travel
to. So I guess it's a mixed reaction from me - liked the tangents,
didn't think much of the climax.
Olay...
What more can I say?
cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by robertsconley
Ahhh understand perfectly.
I am curious about another thing. What was the deal with the Outdoor
Survival Game by AH in the original book. I was reading my copy of the
original rules and it occured me that I never picked it and I have no
idea what that game was like or what it looked like? For some of the
movement rates int he original refered to hexes on the OS map so how big
was a OS hex.
Rob Conley
The OS board made a perfect generic terrain
board, the pond areas being either hamlets or castles. With a check for
loss of direction and another for encounter, the whole matter was easy
and fun for the players adventuring outdoors.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Hey Gary,
Just curious - as you start putting out more LA material through TLG
will any of it cover genre adaption of the rules? I ask because as I
keep looking at the system I see the basis as perfect for a sci-fi game I
have in mind.... I always found "class-based" not the best for
futuristic models and I'd really like to use the LA base system for what
I want to do.
So would it be better for me to wait or start drawing up my homebrew conversion?
Cheers! :-)
John
I did my best to create the LA game system as one
adaptable to many other genres principally through adjustment of Orders,
Abilities, and weapons. the
Lejendary AsteRogues
Fantastical Science genre game is now all but ready for editing,
illustration, layout and publication. Only the fourth book, the initial
campaign base setting remains in development by Jon Creffield. Meantime,
the aspects of what is needed for a hard SF genre game are being looked
at.
All that said, feel free to devise such material as you like now to convert the LA FRPG into a set of SF rules.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
I seem to remember Gary mentioning several times a sci-fi version of LA.
Indeed.
It is just there are so many projects to see to, so little time :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
My thanks! I will certainly look forward to AsroRogues and I'll probably also adapt my own idea - thinking of calling it Star Riders
and having it basically set in a portion of the galaxy once explored
and settled by an unknown world of origin (could be Earth, could be
something else) and grappling with the loss of central government - I
will probably be very influenced by Asimov's Foundation books here.
John
Sure, but...
The
AsterRogues
FSRPG is sort of a mix of antiquated technology with super science only
in regards to non-FTL space vessels and making just about any hunk of
rock in the solar system a habitable place. The hard SF isn't there,
although it will be introduced in the
Lejendary Elder Worlds and its companion setting modules that will take the participants through the galaxy.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
Not
a problem - figured the way you described AsterRogues it was less a
pure sci-fi concept which is why I'll go ahead and adapt my own
separately from it - but I will be sure to also keep a look-out for Elder Worlds down the road as well.
Thanks again!
John :-)
Okay :-D
The work on the LAEW game is now commencing, although I can not estimate when anything will be ready for a beta playtest.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by paulsometimes
Mr.
Gygax, I apologize if this has been asked before, but there's too much
in the previous posts for me to go through searching for an answer right
now.
Futurama has got to be one of my favorite television shows (pity it
didn't last longer) and I was wondering how was it you got an appearance
on the show (did they apporach you or vice-versa) and how did it feel
to have an appearance on the show? Thanks for your time.
David X. Cohen's people approached me, and after seeing the script I was
happy to agree to the appearance in illustration and do the voice over.
It was a lot of fun, and chatting a bit with David was enjoyable, he
being a former DM.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Howdy
Gary! Just gotta say I'm glad these threads keep on going, they're
fantastic! Anyway, I noticed a few posts back there, you mentioned Ian
Livingstone and Steve Jackson. I'm fans of they're work as well, and I
was wondering what they were like and if you ever really worked with
them on anything. As far as I know you haven't but you would know better
:-D And, I can't wait to see ya at Gen Con! I was meant to go this
year, but couldn't due to a wedding, but me and my group are going all
out next year. What great news! Thanks Gary!
Heh...
I first met Ian and Steve when I was on a trip to the UK looking for the
best possible exclusive distributor for the TSR product line there.
When I met those two eager young men I decided that GW was the ticket.
Thereafter I spoke with them a good deal, socialized a bit, and approved
their plans for promoting the TSR line, but we never did any creative
collaboration.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Gary,
any chance we can convince you to give us a bit more on this? I've
endured 26 years of Q1 fitting the G and D series as elegantly as a
poodle running with a wolfpack. I realize it's late, but a few words
about that shadow wolf never glimpsed would be much appreciated.
Sorry, but not a chance.
Sorry...I haven't the time to spend rehashing something that is long
gone from my purview. So many new projects to work on, so little time :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Yeah, I understand what you mean. I was just ruminating.
I guess my reaction to Q1 was much like the assessment of it in that
Wikipedia article. The whole nature of the Abyss as portrayed in the end
encounter just seemed rather coo-coo, almost light-hearted. Considering
the nature of the place, I'd have expected the Abyss to have been more
hellish, for lack of a better word. Some of the tangential stuff -
Maldev, the plane with the last refuge of good, a dwarven stronghold,
about to fall; a world completely overrun by vampires, etc. - seemed a
lot more menacing than where the PCs finally beard Lolth in her lair.
The end occurring on a mechanical spider that could have the PCs
encounter floating smiley faces or flower petals showering out of
nowhere just seemed like a strange way to end it. If I ever get a chance
to run it again, I'll have to borrow some of your ideas to replace the
end gambit.
I have no problem with Queen of the Spiders, the GDQ collection, being
ranked at the top of greatest modules. But that's due more to the
strength of the Giants and Drow modules, as well as the side treks in
Q1, than to Q1 itself. The direction you had intended would have been a
cool way to wrap it up.
About all I can add is that Lolth
is meant to be a horrific demoness, smething worse that the creepiest of
arachnids, and her domain was meant to be one of shadows and webs and
all manner of nasty lurkers waiting to pounce. the maze was fine, but
all the rest, expecially the mechanical stuff, was not at all what I
planned. (That will teach me to be tied up with business and unable to
spend much time in creative work.)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Now
that sounds promising. I'd like to take LA and thoroughly blend it with
LEW to come up with a galactic setting chock full of both magic and
high technology: wizards in robotic armor fighting
cybernetically-enhanced dragons with fleets of dwarven starships full of
dwarven footmen armed with laser rifles with battle-axe blades on the
bottom of the bores, etc. A pull-out all the stops kind of setting.
What with around 100,000,000,000 stars in a medium-sized galaxy, there
could be Elven empires of millions of systems, etc. The very scope of
such a setting is breathtaking.
:-D
Well, that is ambitious, and you might well want to use the LAD and forthcming LEW games as well as Jim Ward's
Metamorphisis Alpha RPG for details and inspiration.
There should be an ezine covering all the LA game genres out pretty
soon, BTW. I'll mention it here somewhere for sure when it is launched.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
I love playing poker and no limit.... but only for fun (play money online).... real gambling? Not so much.... :-)
John
Unless there is some reasonably meaningful wager at
stake, poker isn't really poker. There is no bluffing and raises don't
mean much of anything...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Melkor
Hi Gary,
I know your spare time is limited these days, but I thought I would ask:
Are you still involved in a Lejendary Adventures campaign ? If so, are you running or playing it ?
As I was always the LM, I suspended it for a time. We play boardgames or Jim Ward GMs his latest and excellent version of the
Metamorphosis Alpha RPG for us.
When the crush of editing and direction and other things slackens, I
plan to return to the LA game campaign, then move the party's Avatars
into the LAR game universe for a time if appropriate. We left off with
the team on a sea voyage after completing the
Fish for Breakfast
module and some side adventures I winged. since then I have been
working on a final polish of the LAR rules as well as a host ot other
projects including the CZ castle and dungeons.
What about Castles & Crusades ? Did you have a chance to play
the system before you began writing on the first installment of Castle
Zagyg ? What about since then ?
Thanks, as always, for your time.
Yes, we played a version of C&C, one that included the
rules that are in the CZY, Vol. I book. Again, due to work load I have
not had time to devise more material for the players--no sense in
rehashing the material in the book, but that will be changing in regard
to new stuff to test in the coming months.
Of course there will be new LA game material then as well, so I'll have to pick up the GM reins again... 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
What? Something on wikipedia being inaccurate? I'm shocked! Shocked, I say!
;-)
Gray Mouser
:-o
It can't be so 8-D
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey
Colonel, I have a question regarding awarding Experience Points in 1e
AD&D. If a PC gains a reward of, say, freeing a captive from a
dungeon, instead of actually looting the treasure from a monster's lair
does said PC gain Experience for it? So, if a party frees a cpative
merchant from a hobgoblin lair and the merchant, upon safe return to
town, gives the PC group some gold and (for example) a magic dagger,
would the party accrue experience for this, or just for the treasure
taken directly from the lair itself?
Thanks in advance.
Gray Mouser
Howdy 'Mouser,
Indeed, I always allowed XPs for freeing captives, receiving rewards.
The former count as their level in classed NPC, or as their estimated
level in their occupation. A sage, for example, would count as a cleric
of anywhere from 5th to 12th level, I opine. Rewards gained for doing
the right thing also count as XPs on a gp for XP basis, magical ones
included.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Thanks
for the answer, Gary. Awarding experience points for actually freeing
captives is also very interesting. While I had considered awarding
experience points for treasure received as a reward I had not considered
giving out any for freeing said captive inthe first place!
Gray Mouser
;-)
As I mentioned, freeing captves is at least as beneficial as killing
adversaries, so that is the justification for an XP award. The logic is
in the same vein as awarding them for the casting of a spell that aids
the party even though it doesn't necessarily harm any of its opponents
or gain treasure.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Xyxox
Hello Mr. Gygax,
I feel like I'm corresponding with an old friend, having started my gaming hobby about thirty years ago.
My question is related to the original Unearthed Arcana book. I'd like
to know how much creative input you had with that product?
Howdy,
Only about 99% od the UA book was my work... Much of it apeared as articles in
Dragon magazine before I collected the material and put it into a ms. form for publication.
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Xyxox
That's what I thought! To me, AD&D was all about four books, the
MM, PHB,
DMG, and UA!
UA was absolutely the best supplement for any game I ever saw!
Heh...
Thanks for the good words.
The contents of the US work were pointing the AD&D game participants
towards my vision for a revised version of the game. (No, I do not
discuss what the whole of that would have beemn that being a useless
excercise and time-waster X-D )
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
Mr. Gygax,
I'm back with another question, and again apologies if you've covered this somewhere else.
How do (did?) you view "witches" in Greyhawk? I am aware of the "witch"
character class which appeared in the early days of The Dragon, but it
seems to me that you've given witches a bit more status than a mere
character class in your writings.
I'm thinking specifically of Iggwilv, of course, who is variously known
as the Witch-Queen, Greatest of Witches, etc. as well as the denizens of
Grimalkinsham in your Gord story, "Revel in Rel Mord". In the latter
work, witches as a group seem on a par with Hags and Annises... and
universally old, powerful, and ugly to boot. That seems to imply they
are inhabitants of the lower planes just as are the hags, but then again
it doesn't sound completely convincing, as one of the witches is said
to be the Baronness of the good thorp of Grimalkinsham, implying a human
origin.
I don't recall seeing anything from you in the Sorceror's Scroll to the
effect that a class of witches was in the works a la the
doomed-to-obscurity Mountebank. Any insights you might have on the
subject, specific or general, would be most welcome. The scanty evidence
is contradictory on the surface, but that has been the case before, and
it usually turns out that you have had some holistic intent in your
mind that, once explained, neatly ties together the disparate threads.
My thanks for taking the time to listen to the query of a fan since the age of 12.
To cut to the chase here, I envisage witches and warlocks as humans
pledged to the evil and malign. some so excell that they become more
than human...
For details of this IU suggest you have a look at the
Mythus game rules in which I had Witchcraeft skill detailed, or get ahold of the
Shamanism & Witchery supplement for the
Lejendary Adventure game system. Article material covering the latter is likely to be found at
www.lejendary.com
If it is no longer available, I believe that the Trolls will be publishing the book in the coming year.
BTW, I was age 12 when I became a dedicated SF anf fantasy fan, reading a pulp zine or book about every day :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Elfdart
Which
reminds me of what I did once to up the ante in my campaign. I arranged
it so that female ogres, trolls, ettins and hill giants were in many
cases the various hags (green, annis, sea). I got the idea from Marina
Warner's excellent book No Go The Bogeyman,
which mentions Italian fairy tales in which Ogres (Orcos) are married
to female monsters (Orcas) who were smarter and more skilled with magic
than their brutish husbands. The ancients used to blame storms at sea on
female sea monsters (orcas) and is not only the reason the giant
porpoise is named the Orca, but is also why (until pseudo-feminism came
along) hurricaines and tropical storms were named after girls.
So ogres and such who inhabit swamps will often have a Green Hag sort of
like Grendel's mother. Those who live in hilly forests will have an
Annis like Black Annie of the Dane Hills, and those near the sea will
have Sea Hags (like Gentle Annie) for mates. Suddenly Ogres were no
longer just 4 HD orcs, but feared opponents.
Good play, that.
In the LA game I upped the ante with ogres, making them more like some found in fairy tales, big, bad, worse than giants :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wolv0rine
Speaking as an oft-enslaved artist, I have to say it's not so bad, really.
Okay, it depends on who's in the group, and how obnoxious they are. But on the whole it's not so bad. hehe
Say...
If you aren't otherwise engaged this Thursday, Jim Ward is going to GM our group in a
Metamorphosos Alpha game session where we all play as androids. Some sketches by you from the ensuing adventure would be outstanding... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wolv0rine
Oh
look at him jest... if I weren't on the other side of the country I'd
take you up on that, if only for the company it included. ;-)
(Then again, for Gary Gygax, I might
be willing to sketch in my semi-fictitious off-time from a decent
transcript and basic character descriptions, even having never played
Metamorphosos Alpha. <chuckles>)
Well, I have a pal in Seattle that's an AD&D gamer... Maybe he can be a stand-in ;-)
MA is a really fun game if you enjoy the surreal, and Jim Ward is an excellent GM too!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wolv0rine
You're just a cruel ol' bugger, aint'cha? :-D
:-P
Nah! That's Jim Ward when GMing his MA campaign X-D
BTW, Joe from Seattle and a friend of his from the East Coast did visit
here last year, and we gamed a bit, so it isn't as if travelers aren't
welcome to come by B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
Heh,
I'll be sure not to mention that to my wife, who is IRL a pagan witch.
Oh, the rants I hear every time Wizard of Oz comes on... ;-)
I like your take on witches/warlocks; I was fooling around with ideas
revolving around herbalism mixed with spellcraft and so forth, but it
never really jelled. Any tips on how you would approach your vision of
witches and warlocks in a 1st Ed. AD&D setting? Ordinary magic-users
who enter into a pact with the denizens of the Lower Planes, and at
certain levels gain new abilities in return? Or a new class unto itself?
Thulcondar
O.o
Witches really have nothing do do with modern Wiccan beliefs, something
that was formulated in the last century supposedly based on Druidical
paratices. As the Romans absolutely wipes out every vestage of Druidism,
there is nothing of that old pagan religion to use in forming a new one
save a few names.
Anyway, witches in the meddle ages were definately Satanists bent on
doing the malign. That is my model for witches and warlocks in the RPG. I
would certainly make it a separate class. The background for it is
detailed and complex, so I again suggest regerencing the
Mythus game treatment of them or else the LA game system's optional sourcebook,
Shamanism & Witchery,
the latter being more easily translated into AD&D mechanics. BTW,
there are four sorts of Shamans, and one is near to Wiccan.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, what is your opinion of:
1. Bob Bledsaw's old Judges Guild FRPG stuff
and
2. Dave Hargrave's old Aruin stuff?
Did you ever use much of either in your campaign?
I have nothing very positive to say, so I shall say very little.
Some of the JG stuff was useful...
Arduin Gromoire had no redeaming features that I could discover.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wolv0rine
Oh,
never let it be said I spoke ill of your hospitality to travelling
gamers, good sir. It's my ability to travel I disparage. :-)
:-D
And I am just encouraging you to come by if and when you are in the
vicinity of Chicago-Milwaukee-Rockford, IL-Madison, WI B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wolv0rine
Now
why didn't I get these kinds of offers when I was still living in Ohio?
:-) But I'll make sure to remember it next time I have the chance.
If I'm really lucky, I might be able to bring a gift of merlot or
guiness.
Welcome with or without potables ;-)
The summer Lake Geneva Gaming Convention provides a fine excuse to travel here. I run the RPGs I Gm on my front porch too X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Xyanthon
Colonel,
Greetings from Okinawa, Japan! I just wanted to chime in with the
others and say thanks for the 25 or so years of gaming you have given
me. Your works have been a constant source of inspirtation and have
fuled my imagination like nothing else. I can't wait to introduce my
son Bear (he's 2 1/2) to the hobby when he gets older. He is already
highly fascinated with dragons so I think he's off to a good start!
Howdy,
Your good words are appreciated.
A good time to start a child playing a simple form of the RPG is around
five to seven years, depending on attention span and interest in
fantasy. In all events make sure the threat level is low, that the child
overcomes challenges and is rewarded handsomely. Fairy tales such as
the many written by andrew Lang provide excellent templates for
adventures ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
Hiya Poppa G!
I wondered if you might be able to make it down to the next Chicago Gameday?
Chicago Gameday XV is Oct 21st: Planning thread
There's still a slot open in the morning (there's always one available
for you, of course) and I'd love to revisit my youthful days of 1974
with a game of OD&D, if you'd be so kind as to run one. Aside from
the gaming, if I can sweeten the pot, I'd like to offer breakfast and/or
lunch to compensate you for the drive down and the gas involved (might
be $5 a gallon by then!) Anyway, you'd make an old, but young at heart,
gamer's dream come true if you could swing it. I played in the D&D
Opens in those early Gencon days in Lake Geneva, Parkside, and the
Mecca but never was lucky enough to draw you as the DM. (I'm sure the
whole gang at Games Plus would also enjoy seeing you once again, too.)
Thanks and hope to hear good news!
As always,
Mark
The invitation is most appreciated, but...
My current work load (what is semi-retirement?) Keeps me here at the
computer most every day. Many deadlines to meet and all that rot...
I have no ready means of traveling to the get-together as wife Gail is busy with hew work demands too.
My health is such that I get pretty worn out in traveling and gaming, so I can do only one or the other usually.
:\
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
How
you do feel about xp awards for other "do the right thing" scenarios?
After a very LONG adventure (slow over email!), I was thinking of toying
with the idea of rewards for such things as I've listed below. Do you
think these are worthy or unworthy, oh great sage of gaming?
Note: Some spoilers, but I won't tell the module I used.
- Immediate correct hunch as to the bizarre problem in a village, but
without acting on it because the hunch didn't seem possible to the
players.
0 for a "Shoulda, coulda, woulda..."
- Using a skill to understand bizarre magic talk the villain was
using to distract them. Basically, I gave them a speech about particle
physics, and the character came back with, "Yes, but did you check for
fuzzy quarks for 11th dimension neutron fluctuations". something like on
a modified 30+ roll on a D20. The PC's didn't put anything together
from this, though it did related to the plot, but everyone thought it
was cool at the time.
Yes, XPs are in order.
- Using a skill to figure out some accounting records didn't make
sense and were probably fake. Again, the PC's did well -- sneaking in
to get the records and figuring them out -- but they couldn't figure out
what was behind it.
Ditto
- Surviving traps they set off accidentally.
Noppers.
- Disabling traps using clever ideas rather than thief skills.
Absolutely deserves XPs.
- Convincing a carytid column to let them pass, by using knowledge
of its maker and the correct ancient languages, including druidic. I
figure full XP as if it was defeated in combat?
Ditto.
- In a single combat fight of honor with an ancient nonevil undead,
conceding and winning the info you wanted from him and his respect, by
bashing the heck out of each other with a high damage hit each round,
until you were both one blow from destruction. I figure 1/2 xp for not
actually winning.
Heh, and I'd give full XPs because of the end result. Loss of HPs in the process is immaterial; it is the success that counts.
- Fighting a ghost who wanted to kill an NPC to a standstill,
forcing it to retreat because it could do no more, but not destroying
it. I figure maybe 1/2 or 1/3 xp?
I would likely consider full XPs for the victory even though the ghost was not destroyed.
- Figuring out a ghost is a good guy.
Worth a moderate XP reward, certainly.
- Finding the ghosts remains and properly burying them, thus freeing
the ghost to go to its eternal reward. I figure the remaining xp up to
its full value is about right, but maybe a little high?
I think the fulkl XP awardis in order for the success and the good deed.
- Knocking out and capturing an enemy. I figure full xp.
Half to full depending on the foe and the circumstances. If
the captured enemy is evil, loosed to return to working evil, no XPs at
all are deserved.
- Recovering friendly bodies and disposing of them properly. I figure no xp.
Perhaps a modest award to encourage this sort of behavior...
- Parlaying with an enemy (weird situation) and talking them into
allying against the common enemy. I figure maybe full XP for the guy
they initially parlayed with, and the leader?
XPs of some amount are in order, but if the former enemy
assists the party in defating others, gaining XPs, the award should be
moderate.
- Combat in which 2/3 of the combatants were PCs, 1/3 friendlies, all similar levels. I figure 2/3 xp for the PC's.
I always divide up XPs equally between all of the victorious
combatants. If some are henchmen of PCs, their award counts only 50% of
the total XPs gained because of their status.
- Combat with a really tough uberbaddy, who was basically toying
with them, but when he took some hits and realized his plans were foiled
by the destruction of his minions, decided to flee, getting away scot
free with all his stuff. I figure something like 1/4 xp, or nothing?
Full XPs for minions eliminated; a modest award for causing the big baddie to beat feet.
- Rescuing from a burning building some records the fleeing
uberbaddy was trying to burn, of no great value other than confirming
the storyline and giving vague hints of future plotlines.
A very modest reward to reinforce positive behavior.
- Negotiating and intimidating a village into giving up allegiance to their previous, defeated ruler.
Depending on the import of the success, anything from a few XPs each to a hefty award for causing a community to switch sides.
- "Nation building". Taking a village of folks that had no skills
(basically blank slate minds for magical reasons) and hanging around for
a month or so to feed them and teach them to farm and otherwise fend
for themselves.
The good award for that act should be fairly generous, but not
so much as to cause the PCs to gain considerably in their class levels,
save for clerics of benign sort. Thar class is the one that should be
fully rewarded for such an act. Paladins and druids and rangers
moderately, others minimally methinks--save for receiving high repute
for doing so good a deed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Thanks
so much, Gary, for your generosity in answering my long question. This
is very helpful. I thought perhaps I'd gotten overly generous over the
years with lots of awards for not quiet killing stuff. It's good to
hear how you'd do it. :-)
Of course B-)
If you check the
Lejendary Adventure
game's experiece award system, the major awards are given for active
and useful participation in the adventure session and fir successful
completion of a mission. Very minor awards are constant for positive use
of each Ability employed in the course of play, while minor ones are
granted for proper decision making or positive action in regards success
or weal.
that said, in the O/AD&D games I DM, I hand out XPs for eliminating
foes, using spells and skills, doing the thing called for, mission
success, as well as for loot gained--the latter being the main reason
for most adventuring X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wolv0rine
And
for the first time in my 34 years (and with a hearty belly-laugh) I
glimpse how the nutjobs of the 80's could have seen it all as a weird
cult. I can just see you sitting on the porch with a handful of dice,
waving whoever over. "Come on over and play. All are welcome, all are
welcome."
Even if it were a cult, at least we're too cool to pass around kool-aid. :-D
X-D
Well, as a matter of fact I did recruit James M. Ward to RPGing by
button-holing him in the local magazine and paperback book shop here
when I saw him checking out fantasy and SF titles. He gave me a rather
strange look but did indeed come over to see about the game I had
extolled to him...OD&D back in 74 'IIRR.
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DungeonMaester
Dear Gary,
Well, having no responces to my post is a constant theme, so I cant
expect to goad a responce from you, Gary. Still, the avatar from
futurama? Classic! dind't Al Gore say he was a 12 level Vice president?
Which raises a semi personal question which you can fell free to asnwer
at your supreme will. :-P Democrat or Repluician? Or a green party?
Sorry for any typos in advance.
----Rusty
Errr... O.o
Somehow I must have missed the post you made and refer to above. If you restate any questions I will attempt a proper response.
Al Gore was the replacement for David Duchovny who left Fox before the
episode was in the can. In the process I received a couple of extra
lines and had to do a second session in the studio, AL Gore's final
line was, "I'm a 10th level vice president," IIRR.
This is not the place to discuss politics, but I will say that I am a
Life Member of the Libertarian Party, not a liberal as defined by
today's standards, and very much concerned about Islamofascism, a threat
I think worse than that of the Nazis and Imperial Japan in the 1930s
and 40s. this latter view places me at extreme with the Libertarian
position, which I view as extremely flawed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DungeonMaester
Thanks gary for responding and the corretion. I havn't seen that episode in a while
but was sure it was some where close to the tens. Here is a repost of my rather...Rant....
The RPG as designed by me was meant to be mainly action-adventure, an
even mix of roll-playing and role-playing, but never rule-playing
>:-)
The game changed a little when AD&D was published, a bit more for the worse
IMO when 2E was released, and with
3E the original was lost in intent and manner of play.
As I have nothing to do with the D&D game these days I can not say what
4E is likely to resemble.
P.S. Yeah, its not a place to discuss politics, but I cant help my
self some times, putting politics above gaming. Sadly, everything has
became so polorized in order to make it simple to blame a party as a
whole. I concider my self a 'constutional' party (which is to say, run
the U.S. ran by the laws laid down by our fore-fathers. I'll stop there
before I start ranting on that too.
---Rusty
Politics are surely more important than games! however this board is for the latter ;-)
Sadly, the constitution of the USA has been ignored and perveted for many a decade now...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Vague Jayhawk
I
am in my final year as a political science major. When I go to
Washington I am going to lobby for the needs of the gaming community.
(i.e. gamers at any workplace get an extra hour lunch so that they can
get some good gaming in with co-workers, 10% off all munchies and drinks
when you show a store your
DMG, and gamer only parking spaces in public places (you know, with all the books we have to carry)
But seriously, I don't have anything constructive to contribute to this
conversation. I just thought that now would be a great time to thank
you for all of the fun I have had gaming.
I started gaming in 5th grade, 1983, old red box days. Many of the best
friends I have had in my life were met while playing Dungeons and
Dragons. Good times, good friends. Thanks Gary.
X-D
That's a great set of lobbying goals :-D
Thank you for bringing some levity to this thread.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
It is usual for me to virtually speak my mind.
The style of play is mainly infuenced by the rules and rewards granted
therein to players, as well as the system's direction for the game
master.
The most popular style of role-playing is really nothing more not less than seek & destroy.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
::GROAN::
TERRible pun sir. Terrible. X-D
Pun? Me?
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Not
to get political, but I think there's a word for a Libertarian who
can't abide by the restrictions of the traditional Libertarian party
line: a free thinker. ;-)
B-)
Quite so, and well put. I do believe that the majority of RPG devotees
will be pretty much that way, thinking for themselves rather than
following along party lines or the like. Sometimes it hurts to do that,
but one keeps ones principles that way.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DungeonMaester
Dear Gary, father of the game:
As opposed to what you said before about D&D not to be ruled? Ive
always seen D&D as a world that you (Your character) lives in that
is controled by fate/luck/God (the Dm) Well, you are the creater. Though
I take some right in D&D be a abstract game, and abstarct means
'Different to all people'
Also, in the Tome of Horrors you wrote: 'This is a thinking man's
dungeon. If your party is a hack and slash they wont enjoy it' Or
somehting to that line. Is that your personal outlook on D&D?
Sorry for any typos in adavance.
---Rusty
No opposotion in my statement at all methinks...
Fixation on a single aspect of the RPG form makes for tedious play to my
thinking. All combat, all exploration, all yakking, all problem
solving, all any single thing is downright dull. Balanced play is about
half of the favored aspect, with the others having lesser time in the
adventure session--sometimes hardly any, although they should then
dominate a near-future session.
That said, virtually all CRPG play is nothing more than seek &
destroy missions, or griefing. That is the main fact enabling me to
point out that H&S play is the most popular.
No need to concern yourself about typos in my case X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Gary,
got a question for ya; sorry if it's been asked before. Have you ever
allowed evil player characters in your campaign? Did it work well or did
it cause a lot of disruption? Were the characters still heroic or were
they more of the "anti-hero?" Thanks!
But of course.
Ernie, Terry, and Rob all eventually played LE PCs at times, some
exclusively. As they tended to adventure together or alone, there was
never any disruption.
Mordenkainen as a TN character would sometimes accompany one or more of those PCs when another DM was running the session.
Yo be rounded in my playing experience for a brief time I played a NE
cleric assassin PC with a group of all evil characters. He died and his
body was looted and left, so that ended that.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Boz,
How I missed your post is a mystery to me.
So is the name of that corporation. One should keep an eye on it and have a hand in what it doea... :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
The
concentration on hack & slash in CRPG's may not be because it's
preferred by players, but because it's easier to program impressively.
The AI's in games -- RPG or strategy -- are pretty weak at interacting
with player characters. Talking to another great power in Civilization
or to a monster in Temple of Elemental Evil is pretty much on the level
of 1970s text based games -- we're only 1 or 2 steps beyond 1970s tech
in the "talkie" aspects, but way way beyond in graphical horsepower to
display exciting, fast combat (compare to Moria to see the difference in
what's essentially the same idea of combat).
I don't play World of Warcraft, but I wonder if anyone is doing yakking
on there? I suspect not with NPC's, but possibly with each other.
As for problem solving, I find that annoying in most computer games, as
it's usually the same old problem -- get the McGuffin to go with the
other McGuffin to open the door/get the prize. Yawn.
But I'm glad that computer RPG's are so limited . . . it gives us an excuse to keep playing the real thing! O.o
X-D
What you say about programmig is true, but shooters and martial arts
fighting games that don't pretend to be RPGs at all are just as popular.
Seek and destroy is unpretentious, easy, fun, and offers immediate
rewards. that is why it is and will remain the most popular game
form...outside of gambling, card games such as bridge, and chess.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
And even gambling has a bit of seek and destroy in it. Since one is seeking to destroy someone elses money pile. X-D
Hadn't considered that, but there is some validity to the assertion.
The main motivator is getting something for nothing but gaming, of
course.
OTOH, serious chess play is certainly a seek & destroy exercise, each opponent aiming to to that to the other.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DungeonMaester
Dear Gary, Father of the game:
My campaigns are 99% Politicial intruge, which is my favorite
concidering it offers a little bit of everything, with my favorite plot
twist. I have a Emphisis on role playing though, becuase people forget
that D&D isnt about playing a Barbarian who can do 4d6+ 8 damage at
first level. Its gets to the point where the players will use the terms
like 'Bab" and 'HD' and such in game, where such terms dont exist.
Second and lastly, I wasn't looking for a condriction in your words,
just fishing for a personal idea other then the liberal 'Play D&D
and have fun'
Sorry for any typos in adavance.
---Rusty
(P.S.- 'Sorry for any typos in adavnace' is a common theme in all my post, not just this one.)
Heh...
All well and good, but...
The D&D game IS about hack & slash if the participants so
desire, just as it is about political intregue if that is the desired
emphasis by the group playing the game. Game is the principal operative
word in RPG ;-) Whatever pleases the group is correct for them.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DungeonMaester
Deary Gary,
I think there is still a little bit of confusion between you and I. By
political intruqe campain, it would be the total overview of the game.
In this type, Pcs will find them selves working for a/many kings or
factions, who give them orders and they do what ever it was the orders
are.
In a session, I keep a balanace of role playing and fighting in a
session, not matter whwat the session is, becuase all talking or al
fighting is borning, so its about a 50/50. Its hard to do online though.
The larger plots are about politics, betrayals and
rebelions and war.
Sorry for any typos in advance.
---Rusty O.o
Not to be concerned.
Your manner of Game Mastering is not in question, and how you do that
doesn't affect what I said about what aspects of the RPG are usual in a
play session, how several should be icluded.
I would qualify what you stated by saying it was a choice of play mode leading to varied RPG activity by your group :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
just remember, gary: vecna cares... ;-)
X-D
I still have to laugh when I hear about the Head of Vecna :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Elfdart
...
The dummy didn't get the joke and said "But I don't have any hands!"
At which point we all had a collective BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA! at his expense. He shaped up after that.
In the same vein os the Head of Vecna and most amusing.
As the saying goes about being conned, "You can't cheat an honest man."
That applies to players as well in regards to power-gaming greed as
opposed to reasonable desire for progress.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Tenser
was conned by a hill giant, and I tried to dupe several PCs into
get-rich-quick wagers. Sadly for me, the regulars were all too canny
after being burned by my various ploys, so...
I did, though, manage to con Robilar into entering a cave with a
sleeping red dragon, the "helpful" thief that brought him to the place
waiting outside until Robilar was well inside, then yelling "LOOK OUT!"
at the top of his lungs. Unluckily for dragon and thief, Robilar offed
both although he was near death at the conclusion of the fray.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
By
curious happenstance, I just a couple of months ago obtained a copy of
the article from the Great Plains Game Players Newsletter which
chronicles the tale. Slightly before my RPGing time, but only slightly. I
was still plying my hand at SPI and AH hex-and-counter games at the
time. But neato torpedo to se something from the very distant mists of
time, when wilderness adventures were still played on the AH "Outdoor
Survival" board.
Did the hand-written portion, the note
from the hill giant, appear in the GP2 version of the tale? (Blamed if I
can recall, and Jim Lurvey isn't handy for me to querry him.) The
reason I ask is that Grodog recently sent me a copy of that account, and
I had to laugh again at the ploy I had the giant use to dupe his
mark--then a young teenager, of course, so it was quite unfair of me
If you don't mind, I have yet more questions with which to pepper
you. (And I will once again thank you for your previous replies to my
doubtless-tedious questions, and thank you in advance for any
information you are able and willing to give.)
I have a busy day ahead of me, so likely the replies will be terse.
How does it feel to see characters who you have developed over the
course of decades being, in essence, appropriated and developed by
others? I refer specifically to TSR/WOTC's use of the famous such as
Mordenkainen and Tenser, but I must humbly confess that I, too, have
tried to breathe life into such famous figures as Melf, Biff, and so
forth, based on their presentation in the 'Gord the Rogue' novels. Is
there any sort of resentment? Or do you see it as a natural part of
creating something and giving it forth to others to use?
With regard to commercial exploitation, irritation in that the
PCs names, as was so much else, were taken essentially by force from me
by TSR. As for players using and expanding.differentiatinf, I find that
quite proper, as I design for players, to make the material presented
accommodating in that regard.
Speaking of which, a minor mystery; is not Melf (nee Prince Brightflame) a scion of the royal house of Celene?
Melf was the PC of my son Luke. He had no such fol-de-rol in mind when he created and played that PC... X-D
I am a great fan of the "From the Sorceror's Scroll" articles from
the pages of Dragon magazine in the early 1980's, which detailed the
movements of armies and such across the Flanaess. They were obviously
written with the mind of a miniatures gamer. I was just wondering if any
of the battles described therein were ever played out by the local crew
up there in LG?
Sadly, no. As a sort of military historian, board and tabletop wargamer, I used my imagation only to create those accounts.
Again, speaking of which, was the Battle of Emridy Meadows (which of
course forms the backdrop to the venerable T1 "Village of Hommlet")
ever actually played out? For that matter, where are the Emridy Meadows,
anyway?
See above.
And following the stream-of-consciousness post which I seem to
inadvertently be making, I would ask you to clarify the rather curious
statement found in T1, to the effect that if harm came to Lareth the
Beautiful, the Demonness Lolth would take it ill. Was she somehow
involved in the rise of the Temple? It's resurgance? It seems to be
something of a contradiction with the Gord novels, which posit a link
between Zuggtmoy and Graz'zt (and, by connection, Eclavdra), who if
anyone is, is not in Lolth's good graces.
I was intimating that Lolth had taken a shine to Lareth, as he
was beautiful, regrrdless of where his loyalties, if you will pardon
the misapplication of the concept, lay. Lolth too can covet another's
property... 8-D
And, last one for this post; do you have any philosophical take on
the difference between adventures whose goal is to prevent depredations
of the innocent (a la G1-3), as opposed to those whose goal is to kill
things and take their stuff (a la Castle Greyhawk, S1, S4, etc.). I
realize the nature of tournament modules makes the former somewhat
easier to plot, but in a campaign setting, do you have any insights on
the nature of those two sorts of adventures?
Again, my thanks for reading my ramblings.
Thulcondar
Of course. the former are for heroic play, the latter sort of
adventures are for sheer entertainment...and for building up PCs so as
to make them more effective in heroic deeds of derring-do.
BTW, S1 was a test of ability, not a module to kill things ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
It
does indeed have the hand-written note. Jim Lurvey was kind enough to
send me a .pdf of the article. Ah, innocent days of yore.
...
Thul
Well,
Quoting Bugs Bunny, "Ain't I a stinker?"
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Gary, what were the more memorable paladins that you've seen played?
Heh,
There were only a few played in my campaign, but there were two that were remarkable,
That played by Don Arndt was the most cautious one I have ever
experienced or heard of. His behavior was so remarkable that the
Artifict, "Invulnerable coat of Arn" was created to jape at such play.
The most paladin-like PC in the campaign was played by Mark Ratner with
Aylerach, a paragon of bravery and virtue. He was duped into freeing the
demon Fraz-Urbluu from his prison in Greyhawk Castle, the delighted
demon carrying both he and Erac back to his home in the Abyss as a
reward. Sadly, both of Erac's Vorpal Blades alng with Aylerach's
two-handed +5 Holy Avenger turned into useless bars of iron there.
Although both PCS were reutrned to the PMP, neither was very pleased
with me as their DM for that adventure.
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Ouch. Gary, what did those poor paladins ever do to you? And here I thought you enjoyed making that class. ;-)
Actually, Erac was a dual class fighter/magic-user, the swordplay bit
being learned when he was transported to Barsoom by a cursed scroll. He
came down in the Land of Ugor, had to fend off the cannibals there, and
soon Erac was a 1st level fighter. He made F6 on that alternate world
Mars, IIRR, before finding a way back to Oerth so that his magic would
again function.
All I can add is that it is liukely a bad ides to play when both DMs are
sipping Southern Comfort and seeking diversion from the ordinary...
:-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
I have a taste for Southern Comfort myself. Perhaps I'll bring a bottle or two if I'm able to make your next Con.
Okay...
Now and then I am not above mixing Southern Comfort with straight bourbon over ice...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Paul J. Stormberg
Howdy Gary,
My favorite con you pulled as a DM has to be Herb's research for Robilar
in an effort to reach, Mars was it? I'll let you relate that story.
Futures Bright,
Paul
X-D
That was a mean DM's trick also. I'll have to add that to the collection of tales of D&Ding, most of which appeared in
Dragon Magazine, that I plan to gather and have published in book form one of these years ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
...
Gary, how did the idea for the Temple of Elemental Evil come out? It
feels like a living, breathing world to a greater extent than Keep on
the Borderlands. I suppose that's because the Keep was it's own
internal environment, while the area around the Temple has a more
diverse atmosphere due to the competing factions and interests. So far
we've enjoyed it more, and the DM has also, especially because we're not
the kind of party to stick with the storyline. We made the Moat House
into a base, attacked some of the more actively evil people inside Nulb
(town hates us now), tried to recruit our own spies among the people of
Nulb, changed the pirates' ship into a floating thieves guild, and
started a small chapel for Pelor while spreading the faith. And despite
all this, the DM has done a decent job of taking the information
provided and just running with it, which makes this, in my opinion, a
well-designed module.
When the WoG was completed, I
decided to start a new campaign based on Oerth rather than continue
using my generally undetailed paralleel earth setting. Thus I created
the VoH, ToEE, Nulb and Stoink for nearby town adventures. As I had the
whole envisioned from the start, there was a good deal of continuity in
the end products. the Temple was meant to be the dungeon crawl base
replacing Castle Greyhawk, and more levels would have been added, but...
When Robilar freed Zuggtmoy, I pretty well scrapped the idea of using it
for ongoing adventures for my group, vowing to get back to finishing it
eventually. As I was not able to do much DMing thereafter, that never
happened, so Frank browbeat me into having him complete the unfinished
ms. for the ToEE. Of course, that did not have the added levels, but it
was complete and in order.
Frank followed my initial material, understands that I write with mainly
critical detaius only so as to encourage the DM to make the work his
own.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy SpiralBound
Clearly you are most serious about this matter, and I relate to what you are saying :-D
If I were to write a rule regarding rules, I believe I would do it in this general way:
While this work contains clear, concise, and complete rules for the
game, they are not graven in stone. Each Dungeon Master is unique, as if
the player group. Together they develop a special world of their own,
the campaign setting. As this environment is created by the group, the
rules that govern it must suit their needs. In short, the DM has carte
blanch to alter the game rules, doing so with the advice and concent of
the players if a wise game master.
FWIW,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SpiralBound
Thanks Gary,
That's well spoken and certainly echoes my feelings on the matter. I
guess I am serious about it. I'm lucky in that the people I play with
are older and more experienced, but I often hear of conversations with
younger players that typify my above points. I think that the worst
part of it all is that these players are being robbed of what I feel
could be a fuller, more enjoyable roleplaying experience. To these
players, D & D is more akin to playing a boardgame minus the board.
Still, I guess if they're still having fun... I just think that they
could be getting more out of it than they are.
What you say has much merit in my view.
It seems to me that such manner of play constricts the free reign of
imagination, discourages creative problem solving, and stifles
innovation. who says that the person pr persons that wrote a particular
set of rules are so infallible that they overlooked nothing, made no
errors? As a game designer of some experience, I certainly make no such
claim.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Treebore
Gary,
Have you seen the EPIC RPG that came out last December? I think it
complements well with your LA since they are also skills bassed. I also
like how they made Guilds that you belong to the determining factor in
what your "class" is. Anyways, as I read through their basic rule book I
couldn't help but think how well ti would complement your LA material.
To the point it is making me consider trying out a LA/EpicRPG blend as a
possible replacement to C&C.
Skills based isn't as "simple" as C&C, but I can give up some simplicity if it gives me a rich world texture as trade.
EPIC RPG Hi Treebore,
No, with all that I have to do there's precious little time to
read/learn new RPGs. About the best I can do is play a new one if soeone
here is up for GMing it. As for SEC, I most certainly concur with the
designer(s) of the EPIC PRG. One's profession or vocation are the best
means of setting the sec level, with knightly types, clerics, and
possibly mages the only ones un the lower upper tier.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Thanks, Gary. We haven't gotten into the Temple yet. We've been too busy picking on those Nulb criminals. >:-)
Sounds familiar.
My group spent a lot of time with adventures in Nulb and Stoink. That's
another reason why I didn'd add more dungeon levels to the Temple...no
need, as dungeon crawling was not paramount X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
I am about to start a new campaign based on Castle Greyhawk, but I will be play-testing my new 1e/
3e
hybrid system with ToEE, or at least with T1. (I am going through and
doing conversion now. Interestingly, besides the fact that you have to
add feats and skills, 1e and
3e are surprisingly more compatible than 2e and
3e.) ToEE has always been my favorite D&D adventure so I cannot wait to run a group of fresh meat through it. :-)
Okay, but...
I would urge you to keep Feats moderate and limited in number, balance
them with idiosyncrasies of some sort so as to get away from the comic
book superhero PC.
FWIW,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
If
I may add two cents, I also think the skill system can bog down
gameplay. It seems everyone rolls for 'diplomacy' now instead of the DM
judging that the conversation was roleplayed well enough to be
successful.
I have found the opposite true in the
Lejendary Adventure
game, that using skill bundles, not single skills. Of course there
could be abuse of the Ability, Pretense, if the LM allowed it as no more
that a d% check rather than requiring at least a modicum of
roleplaying.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DestroyYouAlot
Hi, Gary. I've actually had question or two I've been dying to ask.
Ed Greenwood: What's your opinion of his original work on the Forgotten
Realms - i.e., the setting up until the point that TSR bought it
(summed up in the "grey box" campaign set)? And, had things gone
differently (i.e., had you stayed with the company and remained with a
modicum of control), would you have purchased/licensed a new campaign
world, whether his or another one?
I have insufficient knowledge of
Forgotten Realms to comment.
Had I remained in creative control of the D&D game line at TSR one
of the projects I planned was the complete development of of the Oerth
world setting, and production of source nodules for the various states
and outstanding featires of the Flanaess--such as the Roft Canyon, the
Sea of Dust, etc.
That being the case, I doubt that TSR would have been interested in
publishing and supporting another world setting--rather akin to creating
and publishing another FRPG, so a waste of resources.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Not
100% accurate, if you count the battle played out by you and "the gang"
at the Lake Geneva Convention this year... :-) I still get a kick out
of the pictures of the treant coming out of the forest... >:-)
Pish!
That is
ex post facto, Henry, not to mention some judge fudging with the ent >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Absolutely.
I like the fact that feats allow a fighter to differentiate himself
from another fighter (I just never liked the way kits did it), but I
have a number of limits on the feats that the players can take and I
have reduced the power level of a number of feats. I like for feats to
be able to make your character *different*, not *better*. I quite
dislike "super" PCs. PCs should become heroes through determination,
luck, and skill, not because a feat allows them to kill a dragon in one
hit. o.0
Airwalker, sometime when you are looking for
something to do, take a look at the LA game, the Avatar creation
section. With, knacks and quirks, skill-bundle selection, and freedom to
select new Abilities, no two Avatars will be alike, even if they are in
the same Order (class-like skill-bundle selection mandated, for example
an Enchanter, Geourge (elementalist), or Noble (knight) Order. Of
course, players are free to not chose to have an Order and freely select
their skill-bundles in any order they choose. (The higher the order of
selection, the greater the percentage of capacity in the chosen Ability
possessed.)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dracuwulf
Hi Gary,
In the 1st edition monster manual, kobolds, goblins, and orcs are all
lawful evil and of low intelligence. Besides their particular hates
(i.e., elves, gnomes, etc) What should differentiate these creatures
tactics-wise when a party encounters each of them?
Howdy,
The named humanoids are not particularly different in their method of
attack, only in the weapons they employ, their AC, and the chance to
hit. The LE alignment means that they are well-organized and can plan
ambushes, fight in formation, and will likely obey orders from a
superior.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Actually, although I do not own the LA system, I have based some of the changes to my 1e/
3e
hybrid on ideas I have gatherered from it here, and on other forums,
not to mention the LA website, which is kicking by the way. :-)
I hope one day to pick up the system and give it a whirl, but first I
must find time to read these rulebooks, and time is a valuable commodity
for me. I am definitely intrigued though and either this or Castles
& Crusades will be my next game system purchase, when I do, in fact,
get around to actually purchasing a new system.
How well I can relate to time being the most precious resource!
While the LA game is not an open source, we do encourage using it for
inspiration in designing your own systems, and we particularlt push the
use of the monetary system therein. Permission to use it is easily
obtained ;-)
While the C&C game is similar to most other class-based RPG, I am
quite certain that you will find the LA game is really quite different. I
have used a new patois in it so as to encourage the participant to have
the new mindset...something even I have to work at now and then because
of my long immersion in D&D.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
This
brings up an interesting question for me. Where did you get your
inspriation for various humanoid races? Specifically orcs and goblins.
We all know Tolkien used them extensively, but particularly on the
alignment issue, what was your inspiration? Many old school gamers often
argue for the LE alignment of orcs, but there are those who say they
should be CE. I find myself on the fence on this issue. I like to think
of my orcs as being very Tolkienesque and Turrosh Mak (as the paradigm
for orcs in my campaign) certainly seems to be an organized and
regimented kind of despot. But the wild feral nature of orcish combat
often depicted in novels and movies does lend itself to making the CE
argument worth considering. So I am often conflicted in wondering
whether Mak should be a true paradigm, or rather an exception (and an
exceptional exception at that!) to the rules.
Basically, I
used my extensive background of reading history, military history,
folklore, fairy tales, mythology, SF, horror, and fantasy fiction to
envisage humanoid races that would be interesting in the fantasy workd
of the D&D game.
Lawful Evil means that the particular race is organized, cooperative
within its own boundaries, and capable of training and discipline. Those
are the principle qualities in regards to the aplication of the LE
alignment. the rest is mainly window dressing--the deities, social
organization, heirarchy, dress, etc.
CE forces do not advance in formation but atack in a wild mass. think of
LE as somethink akin to the Roman Legion, CE as the swarm of screaming
barbarians, and NE as something in betwee,
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
I am pretty sure the Romans and the Barbarians have significantly different opinions regarding their own armies.
Which has absolutely no bearing on the relative organizational skills
of the groups under consideration for an example of "Lawful" as opposed
to "Chaoric" as presented above...and which examples are historically
accurate :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
I guess the most obvious being that barbarians is a term used about others? :-)
Pardon, but I veiw this as a silly quibble over semantics.
Let's cut our the cultiral relativism crap when discussing historical
actualities, eh? The Romans were hightly trained and organized, the
tribes on the fringe of their empire were not. They were, in fact,
barbaric in regards their pollity, society, organizational skills, and
technology, assuming that barbaric means primitive in comparison to
another culture.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
Alternately, one could view it as a humorous quip as it was intended. Touchy, today, Poppa G?
They say that the sense of humor is the second thing to go . . . ;-)
Pfui!
As your "quip" was posted immediately following Ron's:
I am pretty sure the Romans and the Barbarians have significantly different opinions regarding their own armies.
It seemed something less than humorous, rather more akin to a seconding of the questionable observation.
As for lacking or losing a sense of humor, I put up with all this, don't I?
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
Naturally,
the humorous quip about how they refer to themselves follows a line
about how they refer to themselves. It would otherwise be non
sequiturious, if I may wax Gygaxian. So, as I said, it was a humorous
quip. If you cannot take me at my word . . .
Which does
not in any way counter my observation that your comment would logically
be viewed as supporting the one immediately prior to it in regards
barbarians. After all, who cares who refers to whom as a barbarian? The
context was entirely different and quite accurate in regards civilized
organization and lack thereof in military performance.
That said, I did not question your veracity in regards the spirit in
which you made the comment, only explained why I responded as I did
;-)
You have some better days than others, it would seem, as do we all.
That, sir, is a judgement that is perforce highly subjective. I
am never overly tolerant of banalities, as they waste my time and
others as well.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
So,
How 'bout dem Bears, Gary? Good defense this year, and that Urlacher is a monster!
--Ghul B-)
Indeed! :-D
The real test comes tomorrow aganst those rotten Vikings X-D I am
relatively sure that the Bears will win, but I am hoping for a shutout
or a low score 3, 6, or 7 points for the Viks >:-)
It was a shame that the Lions managed to get a touchdown... >:-(
X-D As if I got paid for Bears wins.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Elfdart
That knucklehead wideout for the Lions promised 40 points last week and guaranteed a victory over the Bears! X-D
I have learned from bitter experience not to attempt to prognosticate future events... 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
My
intention was humour, but I missed placing a smile. Still, I don't
think any society would be able to interpret itself as good or evil.
That said, I agree that Roman legions were very organized, and thus
lawful, compared to most of their opponents.
B-)
In historical terms you are spot on when assert that no society would be
able, or willing, to interpret its mores as those of malign sort. This
is clearly not the case in fantasy--be it mythology, folklore, fairy
tailes, or authored fiction. When a state is based on the worship of and
service to evil entities, then there can be no doubt that it defines
itself as evil ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
Nice
try but wouldn't you agree that some real world politicians positions
or alliances are quite close to service to evil entities? :-) I am
pretty sure that some of the clearly evil men of history thought they
were just using extreme methods to extreme situations but, still, they
were working toward the greater good.
Nice try nothing :-P
We are speaking of actual historical societies here, not the individuals
that have gheaded them up. without doubt many of them have been purely
malign and wholly evil, but they does not mean that the populace at
large believed that they were serving the malign and evil.
If Caligula, Hitler, Atilla the Hun, Genghis Khan, Tammerlane, Stalin,
Mao, and Pol Pot thought they were working for a greater good, then Lord
save us all from such do-gooders :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
At
the risk of interrupting the current tension convention, I have some
more mundane GH-focused questions with which to annoy our good and
gracious respondent.
And once more, Mr. Gygax, both my profound thanks for taking the time to
answer, and apologies if these are issues which have been raised
before.
In "The Village of Hommlet," you refer to the Druidical religion as "The
Old Faith" in several places. Yet this never seemed to have been more
fully developed. Can you elaborate on the relationship between the
Druidical "Old Faith" and the (presumably) newer Clerical religions in
the Flanaess? Is this simply a facet that never got fully explored?
Would that be the Flan faith (with the attendent implication that the
Flannae deities were served originally by druids rather than clerics)?
My pleasure to oblige.
The implication in regards "The Old Faith" is that it was a shamanistic
religion that had no formal pantheon of deities. The original
inhabitants, the Flan, were indeed those that were the pribnciple
adgerants to that belief system. It wasn't explored because it was not
particularly meaningful to the module or the setting ;-)
A similar question in regards to the Baklunish religion. I do recall
that the full development of the Bakluni faith was something intended,
but never realized, but had you put any thought into how such a thing
might be, even if such never appeared in print? Did you envision a new
class of Baklunish priests, whose foreign (non-Oeridian/Suloise)
religion was supported by a priesthood of different nature than either
the Clerics or the Druids? One can only wonder at the features of the
Imam class...
The plan was to introduce a new pantheon of deities. Obviously that never eventuated...nor will it ever unless
WotC decides to do so.
And, as long as I'm on this particular bent, if the Gods and
Goddesses of different religions, how did you envision the spill-over of
certain deities (Istus, etc.) from one pantheon to the other? Could
there, for example, be both clerics and druids of Obad-Hai?
Pretty much the same as happened in actuality in ancient times
here on earth. Adonis and Isus, for example, were made a part of a
pantheon previously foreign to them, In AD&D terms that would simply
make the deity in question that much more potent.
IMO druids do not serve any deity other than Nature and its manifestations.
And, finally for this round, could you give some insight into the
nature of the Golden Man who haunted the dungeons beneath Castle
Greyhawk? I've heard various conflicting stories about it being a trick,
an illusion, something to distract the players with an
impossible-to-gain treasure, and so forth. I've even heard that it was
in fact the Jeweled Man rather than the Golden Man, but I daresay the
former is something that I read from your own pen, and the latter not.
Thanks again.
Thulcondar
Details of
The Disappearing Jeweld Man? Certainly not! That subject will be discussed in general terms in one of the forthcoming
Castle Zagyg Dungeons modules, but even there I do not intend to reveal how that encounter operated in my original campaign X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mhensley
Whaaa?? You're not a Packers fan?!? O.o
I was born in Chicago, a FIB, and grew up about four blocks from
Wrigley Field where the Bears played in the 1940s. Thus, even though my
maternal family has lived in Wisconsin since c. 1836, and I summered
here from the time I was an infant ot a month old, until we removed to
Lake Geneva just before my eighth burthy, I have remained loyal to Da
Bears.
Over the years I have sofened my anti-Packer feelings, however. I no
longer regard them as hated rivals of the Bears but rather as the team I
root for if the Bears are not playing them.
Here is a good story about the subject of fandom:
Two young lads were playing catch with a football in Lincoln Park when a
pit bull came running up and attacked one of the boys. Thinking
quickly, the other one grabed a fallen tree limb and struck the dog so
hard as to kill it.
A passing man hurried over, introduced himself to the two lads as a sports writer for the Chicago
Tribune.
To the boy that had clobber the pit bull he said: "What a brave deed!
I'll write this up in the paper. How does this sound? 'Brave Bears fan
rescues friend from deadly pit bull attack'"
"I am not a Bears fan," the kid said in response.
"Oh, sure. then how about this headline? 'Proud Packer fan pummels attack dog to save his pal's life."
"No, I am not a Packer fan either."
"What team do you like?
"The Vikings."
"Okay, then here's the header for the column: 'Vicious little Vikings fan kills family pet in Lincoln Park."
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
Every time you post a reply to my questions, it's a treat.
I'll dutifully await the revelations about the Disappearing Jeweled Man
in an upcoming TLG product. But now at least I got the proper name...
Thul
X-D
Many the player in my old gaming group would have given their best magic
item to get the lowdown on the Disappearing Jeweled Man. The many
chases after him brought fox hunts to mind, but the PCs didn't have a
pack of hounds :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
Daaaaaa Bearssssss... (who, i might add, are totally awesome so far this year!)
I'll be watching Sunday night...another tough game methinks 8-D
BTW. I remember Sid Luckman, Bulldog Turner, Ed Sprinkle, and Bill George X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
I
don't suppose you'd be willing to write up the original "how the
encounter operated" in a sealed envelope to be opened in the event of
your demise? ;-)
(That's D&D fans for ya; other family or friends want to know who's
getting what in a will -- D&D players want to know the campaign
secrets.) X-D
That is not beyond the realm of possibility...if I get around to it X-D
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mhensley
LOL X-D
Yeah, I guess there really hasn't been much of a Packers-Bears rivalry
lately. It seems that over the past couple of decades or so whenever
one team has been good, the other has stunk. The Bears should easily
win the Norris division this year.
A few years back I
accompanied a friend who was giving the Bears a motivational talk after
brekfast before they played the Packers in Lambeau Field. It was late in
the season, really cold oin Green Bay, so I was all bundled up in
winter togs and a helemt hat with the distinctive orange C on each side,
it well covered with various Bears pins. After breakfasting with the
team, hearing the motivational speach, four of us went up in tha back
row of an end zone corner where the Packers stick visiting Freeloaders.
The Packers spanked the Bears that afternoon, but their fans were really
nice to the two if us sporting Bear stuff. They razzed us in friendly
manner in the stands and on the way out, but nary a one was actually
impolite. After that I determined to show the PAckers fans the same
courtesy B-)
That is the general fan populace, not the chaps I know here in Lake
Geneva that are Packers fans. They give and take far more guff, as the
fans here are about equally divided between the two teams X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Lanefan
I hope this hasn't been asked too many times already, but:
In AD+D (and Basic?), what was the rationale for having Strength 18
broken down into several "%" gradations, with Giants starting at 19,
instead of having each gradation have its own number (thus 18.01 = 18,
18.41 = 19, etc., to 18.00 = 24) and have Giants start at 25?
Reason I ask is that when Cavaliers came out in UA and introduced the
idea of %-ile stat increments, we took one look and immediately decided
that such a system would work for any class...except, how to apply a
%-ile increment to high strength that was already on a % system?...so we
converted to full numbers as above. Since then, I've always wondered
why it was designed the way it was.
Thanks!
Lanefan
Simply put, the percentage incriments that an 18
score in Strength were divided into was to give Fighters more viability
in regard to other classes.
Wny no 19? That too is self-evident. One can't roll above 18 with 3d6 X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Here's a "doggie tale" for you, Gary:
...
Oh, and a semi-private one for you, Gary: "Dunkin' Doenitz."
O.o
I heard that in my teens, the animals being kittens, and being touted as a certain religion. Such is life, eh?
More "oil slick" frosting on the pastry model of a Britsih life preserver, danke!
Und den ich bin dunkin'!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Lanefan
Of course; makes sense.
True, but you can convert the %-roll to the corresponding number, so if a
Fighter rolls 18 for Str. then rolls 45% (the next increment up), that
converts their Str. to 19 (with Giants as 25+). By the same token, you
can't roll less than 3, but a Half-Orc with natural Cha. 3 goes to 1, if
memory serves.
Was it for this reason %-ile increments were only given to Cavaliers,
rather than introduced for all classes? The idea obviously caught on;
stats slowly improving by level is now built in to the
3e core rules, though as a straight +1 to one stat every 4 levels.
Thanks again!
Lanefan
Note that a character with an 18 that receives
racial bonuses does not go above the 18. It is easy to be a loser, but
most difficult to be so far superior to all other humans in some regard.
All fighters and paladins got the d% bonus for Strength, not just calaviers.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel,
I was recently perusing the description of the Ring of Fire Resistance in the
DMG and noticed this sentence:
A check of the
MM
reveals, however, that Hell Hounds only do 1 hit point of damage per
hit die with their breath weapon, i.e., 4-7 hp's of damage per breath
attack (1/2 if saved), depending on the hit die of the Hell Hound in
question.
My question is: Which text takes precedence? If the
MM
is correct should Hell Hound breath be treated at red dragon breath,
pryohydra breath, fire balls, etc (i.e., +4 to save and all damage done
is -2 on each die roll)? This seems logical except that Hell Hound
breath damage isn't generated with die rolls. Perhaps simply giving the
+4 to save and damage from 2-5 points (depending on hit die)?
Thanks in advance.
Gray Mouser
The breath of one hell hound always inflicts 1
damage on someone with a ring of fire resistance. That breath weapons
lasts only 1 segment. The save vs. a hell hound's breath weapon is at
+4, but 1 point of damage is always done.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
Although
Cavaliers (and paladins) also got d% and +2d10(%) per level for
improving other stats as well in UA; A 15(99) Con had no game effect
over a 15 Con, but with the gain of a level, the Con would increase to
16.
It made Cavaliers (and paladins) quite unusual compared to other classes - their stats could improve when they gained levels.
Cheers!
That's so. this did not allow for increase to 19, though.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dorentir
Hello Gary;
Hope you are well. I was reading another message board (dragonsfoot)
where someone posted a question about Violet Fungi in the original (and
my favorite) monster manual. The description says that the violet fungi
rots flesh in one round but no one seems to be in agreement as to what
form this "rotting" takes. In my own game I house ruled it so that
characters would begin losing constitution (like the mummy's touch makes
you lose charisma) but in all my years of play I don't remember anyone
actually getting close enough to the fungi to get rotted. Other people
seem to interpret it as a sort of poison --- save or recieve the
appropriate cure spell in one round or turn into a pile of mulch on the
floor.
Can you shed any light?
regards and respect
Stefan
Hi Stefan,
X-D
As a matter of fact, as far as I can recall, no PC ever got zapped by a
violet fungi in my campaign either. Anyway, as nearly as I recall the
procedure I envisioned in regards its touch:
1. Subject victim makes a roll to save vs. poison:
2. Success means contact avoided and no damage occurs.
3. Failure means contact with the fungi and subject rots away at the end of the round.
4. A cure disease or neutralize poison spell cast immediately--within 6 segemnts of contact, will stop the effect.
Your ruling regarding loss of points of Constitution is an interesting
interpretation, but some damage would have to be included with each
point of Con loss, or no flesh would be rotting :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dorentir
Yowsers!
So the violet fungi as originally imagined is a lot deadlier than I
had thought! Imagining it that way makes me think of a Ray Harryhausen
animation, with the hapless adventurer turning to mulch in front of his
comrades eyes! If ever I do have an encounter with violet fungi, I'm
going to have to rig up some sort of miniature of a pile of mulch with a
few bones as well as a bit or armor or weapon sticking out --- and when
a player get's zapped, I can replace his mini with the little mulch
pile!
Thanks for the quick reply.
Good visual.
The positive side of violet fungi is that it eats only flesh--including
leather--but leaves vegetable and mineral matter untouched. Of course a
small amount of the stuff might remain in the pile of "leftovers"...
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
Err ... the positive side? Thieves, wizards, etc. in big trouble....
The only time I ever remember encountering a violet fungi was in A4 ...
and everyone was dressed in loin cloths only. Needless to say, we just
walked away from the encounter and went elsewhere. ;-)
If PCs of any sort can do as your group did, then there is no problem
whatsoever with violet fungi--unless it is growing atop a heap of magic
items and huge gemstones...and greed is actile X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dorentir
Yeah,
but if I saw the guy next to me turn into a pile of rot right before my
eyes, there is NO WAY I would dig through his remains to get his magic
ring or dagger... maybe if I had a biohazard suit, a pair of tongs,
several pairs of rubber gloves, a sterile shower and a cleric with the
appropriate spells prepped standing by as well as about 400 gallons
anti-bacterial solution --- maybe then... otherwise --- brrrrrrr! No
way!
I'd pay my last respects from a distance -- perhaps using a flask of
lamp oil and a torch to send his remains into the afterworld...
It is evident you have not played
Metamorphosis Alpha
a lot. The fungi there regularly turn characters into mush, and the
crystals are worse :-o Last Thursday vile wolfoids masquerading as
medicos devoured one of our mutant human characters before our very eyes
>:-(
More than one of those monsters died for doing that, and the Vigilists
are far from being through exacting reveng for such behavior >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nikosandros
So, would it destroy leather armor upon touching it? Would it then spread to the unfortunate wearer?
Excellent question!
That situation is not covered. As the DM I would allow a second roll to
save against poison, and it it was successful I would rule that the
violet fungi dropped off after devouring the leather armor, so the
wearer was safe but armorless. It it were magical armor, I'd give a plus
to the saving throw for each plus of the armor.
Who says that I am a killer DM? :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nikosandros
Indeed you're far too lenient... :-P
P.S.
Just kidding... I agree on the second save.
As a matter of
fact I really hate to see players that are doing things well, thinking,
having their PCs interact as a group, with the environment, lost their
characters because of bad luck, sheer chance. I will do my best as the
DM to see that does not happen, save to a PC that is better off
eliminated, a new and better one then created to take his place. That is
rare...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, in the artifacts and relics section of your
DMG,
you mention several evocative names of various locations. A few of them
I recognize out of mythology, but many of them leave me scratching my
head. Did you make these up, or did you take them from mythology and/or
weird fiction? If it's not too much trouble, would you be able to tell
me the sources for these?
the Well of Time
the Earth Wound
Adonais' Deep (Shelley's
Adonais, stanza III?)
the Spring of Eternity
Marion's Trench (Is this the Mariana Trench?)
the Living Stone
Mountain of Thunder
the Tree of the Universe (Is this Yggdrasil?)
the Cornerstone of the World
Artur's Dolmen
the Juggernaut of the Endless Labyrinth
the Ray of Eternal Shrinking
the Well of Life (Is this the Fountain of Youth?)
the River of Flame
Short answer here :-D
I made them up, although a few were inspired by things I had read, such
as Yggdrasil being the model for the Tree of Universe. To be specific
would have chained DMs to my thinking. As writtem this empowers DMs to
have those locations be where, and possibly what, best suits their
campaign.
Now it is cocktail time X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
I'm
glad you just made them up, otherwise my knowledge of mythology and
weird literature would have been less than I think it is. :-P
I give you a lot of credit, Gary, for being able to think of evocative
names that by themselves spur one's imagination. I especially like the
names of the powerful magic items you mention as being held by the
various countries in your Epic of Aerth.
Thanks for the compliment :-D
I confess that I spent many a year researching and writing the
Epic of Aerth
world setting--about three years in fact. That gave me plenty of time
to create interesting and evocative names. It is heartening that the
effort is appreciated.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by LcKedovan
Q: What cocktail? B-)
heheh.
-Will
Heh...
We were out of
New Glarus
India Pale Ale, I was too lazy to want to go out and get more, so I had
a large gin & tonic with a wedge of lemon squeezed into it. I'll be
heading out later today to get some ale or beer to quaff during the
Bears game this evening B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
I
can't restrain my morbid curiosity. Do any particular cases come to
mind from your campaigns, Gary? What do you consider a PC "better off
eliminated?" An overpowered one? An underpowered one? An annoying one?
All of the above/other?
The most obvious sort is the PC
that had wretched stats to begin with and in the course of adventuring
lost even more due primarily to chance, not bad play.
I do indeed find over-powered and badly played PCs annoying, so if the
player with such a character foolishly allows his PC to get into a
situation where loss of potent magic itesm, levels, and/or life can
occur, the dice are rolled in the open; whatever occurs from the result
syands without and "judge fudge" to prevent it.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Random musing I thought I'd share. Was just reading through the AD&D
DMG
(1e) and noticed the following on page 63 in the Combat section: "It is
common for player characters to attack first, parley afterwards. It is
recommended that you devise encounters which penalize such action so as
to encourage parleying attempts -- which will usually be fruitless, of
course!"
This is exactly the kind of evil DM stuff that I thought made AD&D great and one of the things that makes
3e
not so much fun. This is coming from someone whose experience is 90% as
a DM of course so your mileage may vary. But I enjoy games where the
PCs always face an uphill battle. It keeps the game challenging and
unexpected, which I think is healthy.
Heh, Airwalker,
You will get no argumant from me in this regard X-D
BTW, the rare occassion when conversing first and attacking later is what needs be done keeps the players on their mental toes.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dorentir
I haven't played Metamorphosis Alpha at all, but it is on my very long "to do" list!
It is a bear when one wants to play a particular RPG and there is no GM
around to provide such an opportunity. I too can think of a fair number
of RPGS I'd very much like to try, but no local gamer has a campaign
going.
My group and I are fortunate that Jim Ward is on hand to entertain us
with his excellent MA game campaign whenever I am burned out from
over-play of the GM's role. By all means get into some MA game play if
tou enjoy truly exotic, surreal science fantasy with a deadly
environment.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by taliesin15
Mr. Gygax:
Any thoughts on where Oozes come from? Especially Grey Ooze and
Gelatinous Cubes--are these supposed to originate from the experiments
of crazy evil wizards, or from Demons/Devils?
Heh...
As the chap that made up both of them, I had better have an idea as to where they came from X-D
My concept wasthat both were accidental creations of careless wizard
alchemists that dumped various failed magical and alchemical experiments
down the drain or into some cess pit. These admixtures affected
single-celled life forms, thus eventually engendering the various
jellies (and a gelatinous cube is one of those), oozes, puddings. The
slimes were generated in similar fashion, the waste affecting normal
slime.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dorentir
Well,
to judge by how much fun I have had with the old Gamma World Game, I
should probably move "Metamorphosis Alpha" up a few notches on my gaming
"to do" list. Sadly, almost everyone I know wants to play d20 games
rather than older RPGs. I'll have to scour up a copy on ebay maybe.
There are lots of gamers that don't want anything to do with d20... X-D Check over on the
www.dragonsfoot.com boards.
Jim has just recently published a new hardbound edition of the MA game.
If you check around I am sure you'll be able to locate a copy. The new
edition has a lot more information and a new starship situation that
involves alien lifeform invasion.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, I seem to remember reading that you had a hand in the original Gamma World rulebook. What parts did you write?
Gamma World
was basically an expanded MA game. Jim Ward did not have control over
what went into it, Brian Blume did. When I was given the opportunity to
read the initial draft, I noted that there were no mounts for the
characters to ride, so I supplied the names and stats for all that were
in the game--pinetos, podogs, rakoxen, and whatever else...I don't
recall now and am too busy to check the rules. I also did a couple of
tables of objects to be found at random, but some jerk editor removed
much of the interesting items therefrom.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Riverwalker
Hi Gary,
Sorry if you've been asked this a million times already - how much did
you guys 'role-play' in the early games? i.e. did Robilar and others
have distinct personalities quite seperate from the players?
Many thanks.
Certainly the players' characters took on
distinct personalities, in part reflected by the personality of the one
playing such persona, as the player and the assumed role are not
inseperable, quite the contrary.
The role-playing was never a major feature of the game, however, save
when PCs were in some sort of conflict situation. When Yrag was
role-playing the effects of the first Ring of Contrariness even in the
game, there was a good deal of such in-character repartee happening.
That was the exception, not the rule. The usual was explore, solve
problems, locate adversaries, combat adversaries, run away from
triumphant foes or loot defeated ones.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
Mr. Gygax,
Just wondering, since you've been talking about playing MA lately,
whether you had a preference between that and Gamma World? If so, what
would place one over the other? Setting? Game mechanics?
Have you ever heard of crossing over between one and another? The Warden
arriving back at post-devastation Earththrough some circuitous route,
or the discovery of some long-lost transmat connection, or somesuch?
Thanks,
Thulcondar
That's an easy question for me. I never enjoyed
the GW system very much, and I have always had a lot of fun playing MA.
One might expand the MA game environment to include planetary ones, but
I would never select one that used the GW rules system as I find it
inferior to all of the MA game rules systems.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Just in case you missed it. :-)
Yes, I sure did miss it (^_^')
You have the thinking, the 6th level spell gain was considered a great
boost to the wizard's repertorie. It is as simple as that. No one I know
of found an 11th level m-u underpowered either... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hey there Gary, how are things going?
Well, the other day I was having a discussion with a buddy of mine
about AD&D and all that, which edition we liked better and so
forth. Anyway, at one point, my pal there says that back in the
seventies and early eighties, in general, it was not expected for gamers
to have there campaings go over the level of 12 or 13. His excuses were
that you guys who designed the game figured most people would just
start over again, with a new character, because the system was not
designed to handle high level games. His words, not mine :-) Anywho, I
found that to be rather odd, since in the PHB it clearly gives XP goals
for up to 20th level. So I figured I'd ask you: was AD&D designed
to handle high level campaings or not? I always felt it was, only
because I had participated in campaigns that did so. An odd question to
be sure, but as always, your time and patience is always appreciated.
Thanks! Incidentally, this branch of our discussion started when
critiquing the Dragonlance modules converting from 1st to 2nd ed. Ciao!
There is no black and white answer to the question.
The fact is that most of the veterans started new PCs when their current
one got to around 13th to 15th level. The "retired". high-level PCs
remained as the "big guns" to be brought out when something special
threatened, served as mentors, and sometimes as semi-NPCs for the use of
the DM. Although I did not play intensley with Mordenkainen after he
hit 16th level, the occasional adventures he undertook worked his level
upwards into the 20s. As I had the privilege of having several very able
DMs, there was never a problem with adventures being too easy--quite
the opposite, as is demonstrable in
Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure 8-D
That said, I had a large roster of PCs that were from 4th through 10th level for "regular: adventures.
It was not so much a matter of the game system not being able to manage
PCs of levels into the upper teens and 20s, as there being not much in
the way of modules to assist new DMs in handling high-level campaign
play. Thus "retirement" was encouraged.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Actually,
in the 1e PH, there is no real limit on levels (except for certain
classes like the druid or monk). And as for class charts, the table for
the magic-user goes all the way up to 18th (29th for the purpose of
spells)! It sure seems to me like Gary & co. wanted the game to be
playable at higher levels. I am certain the Master shall be able to
deliver a far more elegant answer of course. :-)
:-D
See above.
While the rules covered progress of many sorts of characters well into
the 20s, there was little to guide and direct DMs in management of such
potent figures. Camapigns with characters of c. 20th level and up are
different animals than the those involving less powerful ones. The
adventures have to be much different from those designed for low and
moderate level PCs.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
And racial limits. My elven fighter topped out at 7th level.
The expansion of non-human PC level limits covered in
Unearthed Arcana
was to facilitate their play in higher-level camoaigns. For example, an
elven fighter/magic-user/thief of 5/9/12 level equates to around 19th
level.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Did
you always start at 1st level? I always have, but I've had DM's who
say bring in new characters at the level everyone else is already at,
and I know DM's in 3.5 often start at 2nd or higher. That feels wrong
to me as a player and as a DM. :\
Real noobs always
began at 1st level. More experienced players that were joining up with
the main regulars for some special adventure might begin with new PCs of
2nd, 3rd, or even 4th level. They were not missing anything, certainly,
as they had already worked one or more PCs to that level and above.
Having a higher starting level often makes the difference of being able to actively participate in play ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I didn't use much from UA. I actually didn't mind the racial limits. I thought it added interesting "balance" and challenges.
For example, my half-orc LG fighter/cleric, who always wished he could
be a paladin, but never could be, was built around a contradiction that I
found interesting.
And my 7th level elven fighter survived Against the Giants, the D
series, and Demonweb Pits all at his maxed out level, so 7th level (with
61 hp) wasn't totally weak . . . he could survive and contribute with
his 11th level comrades, and I liked knowing he was "the best he could
be".
No problem with that.
There were many players that were not happy thus, however, so that was
why I tinkered with the demi-human racial level maximums. There was no
way I would ever remove them entirely across the board, certainly, as
the world setting was always assumed to be human dominated for the
reason I have expressed many times in the past: I have never felt
competant to design a world with the dominant cultures and societies
being non-human.
The same is generally true even for most SF settings.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Oh yea, I forgot about those cuz we never used 'em. :-)
Then one must perforce assume your world was dominated by non-humans as
demi-human racial factors made them generally superior to humans
overall... O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
...
One question, on a slightly different note: may seem odd, but could
you please clear up something I've been wondering about for a while? How
exactly is Mordenkainen's name pronounced? I always assumed that the
"kainen" part was pronounced as a long "a" sound, "kay-nen". Is this
correct? If not, so sorry! Anywho, thanks for your time, much
appreciated! :-)
Your assumption is correct. The name is pronounced as More-den-KAY-nen.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
i always figured it was like KYE-nen :-)
The character is patterened after a Finnish wizard, so thus the KAY-nen pronunciation ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
One
of the many elements of fantasy that we merely glossed over because our
group felt it added little to the game. :-) I certainly see where you
are coming from though. And actually, we did enforce level limits, just
not for PCs, who we considered were more special.
That is
a clever comprimise I did not consider. The demi-human, and humanoid,
PCs being very special might indeed exceed the norm for their race.
Good show that :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Griffith Dragonlake,
Thank you for the kind words. Such are most heartening to an old trooper, so to speak X-D
As a matter of fact in the case of intelligent opponents attacking PCs I
have the formet aim at an unprotected ot poorly head about two-thirds
of the time. If one so desires more "realism," that is a combat
simulation, blows that hit the unprotected head should score double
damage, quadruple where a special success is indicated. Most creatures
have a head that is about one-seventh to one-eighth of the total body.
I am not recommending a combat simulation RPG, merely commenting on the matter ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Griffith Dragonlake
How
about armor providing damage reduction? In the UA you presented field
and full plate offering -1 and -2 DR over and above the AC. In my own
campaign, I tried out a full AC to DR swap and it led to interesting
results. Archers had a difficult time with knights and the knights
would generally use halberds and 2-handed swords rather than long swords
when fighting other knights or dragons. Lances also became popular.
What made it interesting for us is that Medieval warfare followed a same
pattern � a real eye opener.
So what are your thoughts? Where do you stand on the AC v. DR debate?
X-D
Can't argue about the benefit of armor reducing damage, but being itself
damaged in so doing. That is one of the bases for combat in my
Lejendary Adventure RPG system.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
And
just to clarify, you're referring to the original MA and GW rules,
rather than the re-designs that have subsequently been published, right?
(With, of course, the necessary caveat that every game has its
house-rules.)
And I am very curious from your designer's-eye-view, what is it about
the MA rules that you find superior? I've GM'ed both (back in the day),
and didn't really have a preference one way or 'tuther.
Thul
You are correct in regards the general comparison--OMA to OGW--although I have played the newer editions of MA and do so now.
GW was designed by a committee, and as far as I am concerned it thus
lost the soul of the MA game--the sense of the exotic and bizarre, the
whimsey and surreal science fantasy that was and remains the signature
of its progenator.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Howdy Gary.
I was wondering what you thought of the article about you and D&D in The Believer magazine? I just picked it up last night.
Article?
The Believer?
O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Yeah.
It's what seems to be a literary magazine. The article dealt with the
history and societal impact of D&D. It included a section in which
the writer of the article and his friend came to your house in Lake
Geneva and interviewed you as well as played D&D with you as DM.
They even had lunch with you at an Italian eatery somewhere in Lake
Geneva (though the writer said you warned them it was expensive). The
writer also said he called you this past March (apparently his visit was
a year or more ago) to ask you about rumors of you having stomach
cancer in the early 1980s, which you dispelled.
I picked this magazine up in a local Borders. There is a line illustration of you on the cover.
Ah, yes, I do vaguely recall the interview...I do a lot of them, and so
many come to naught X-D Can't recall the Italian restaurant--it seems
to me that we went to the Tempura House for lunch. No matter!
Thanks for the heads up, and I'll have to hunt down a copy of that zine and see what was written.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ahzad
Thanks Terry,
There is a newly released book on Lake Geneva at the local book shop, so
when I head there to pick up my copy, I'll see if they have
The Believer as well.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Edena_of_Neith here.
Hey there, Gary Gygax. Nice to see you again.
Ok, this is going to freak you out, but it happened in a game I played
in (I did *not* run this game), so I wish to ask you how you'd react as
a player to the following situation:
You and a group of players get together, and your mutual friend is DMing. The module will be S2, White Plume Mountain.
Unfortunately, NOBODY has any characters above 1st level. The DM will
not allow anyone to 'create' higher level characters for the module,
because he feels levels must be earned. Instead, he declares you may
create many 1st level characters to compensate for your lack of
strength. Extra magical items and the like are not handed out as
compensation, although you do get the maximum starting gold.
So, put between them, the players muster up a gaggle of around 7 1st
level characters, and these will be going through White Plume Mountain.
Let's assume you are going to play in this game (of course, you
created White Plume Mountain, and you know exactly what chance 7 1st
level characters have in it.)
What is your reaction inwardly? How do you cope with the unfairness
of it all? (because, in this case, this is the only DM around. If you
refuse to play in his games, you have no alternatives ... and you *want*
to play, obviously.)
I had to answer this question for myself. Now, I am curious as to what you'd be quietly thinking inside?
(Incidentally, we made it to that room with the 7 levels that guarded Black Razor. THEN we all died.)
Yours Sincerely
Edena_of_Neith
Two things:
Lawrence Schick designed
White Plume Mountain, and it was not meant for 1st level PCs!
Faced wiuth the situation you set forth, I would have been a spoil-sport
and simply had my PC take point so as to end the farce for him quickly,
get on to playing something that would be an enjoyable challenge.
Railroadiing a bunch of 1st level PCS is no fun for anyone concerned, I
should have thought.
Cheers,
GAry
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
oh yeah, and i definitely need to say it again - go bears! :-D
It was a shame that the Bills were allowed a touchdown in the 4th quarter... >:-)
Indeed, Da Bearss are cruising!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
as i hear it though, that's only the 2nd TD the bears have allowed so far this season! yikes!
Two too many if you ask me! >:-)
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by EvilPheemy
It's
certainly become difficult to ask you a fresh question considering
there's 12 threads and Lord only Knows how many articles, interviews,
and essays out there. My 8 year old son received from Santa-Dad his
first copy of Dungeons and Dragons this year.
I'm currently preparing a few of the old classic modules like Keep on the Borderlands, and Palace of the Silver Princess to send him and his friends through.
Having introduced your own children to the hobby, do you have any advice, anecdotes or warnings for me?
Howdy,
Only a couple of observations regarding ploaying with very young participants:
They grow frustrated quickly unless they achieve some minor success periodically and are rewarded therefor in even a small way.
Never allow their PCs to meet an end, as that is too traumatic. Even
losing a treasured magic item or a trusted henchman or animal companion
is likely to sent them from the gaming table in a funk, if not in tears.
Only after playing for several months is it possible to be more rigorous in GMing for youngesters.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
Hey Gary, if you're up to answering questions...
I remember ever since reading the Fellowship of the Rings, that the
hobbits encountered a man-eating tree on the way to meet Tom Bombadil.
i've long wondered if that served as inspiration for the Black Willow
from MM2? :-)
Hi Boz,
Happy to answer questions once again.
The malign Old Man Willow got me interested in the folklore detailing
such sentient and evil trees. So indeed, the inspiration was linked to
JRRT's writing. English folklore is my main source, though, even if I
can no longer remember in which books I found such information.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hi Gary---
I'm glad to see you back on the boards, and in better health :-D
There have been several discussions recently here about the inspirational reading list from the
DMG (Appendix N), at
Appendix N: Inspirational and Educational Reading and
1e inspiration list, how much have you read? and
What Would Your Campaign/Setting's Inspirational Reading List Be?. Here's the original list, for quick reference (using the
DMG list plus the two authors/works that appeared in The Dragon but weren't in the
DMG):
My question to you is, if you were writing D&D for the first time,
now in 2007, how would your Appendix N listings differ from your
original selections? Would you add some more contemporary authors (like
Neil Gaiman, George R. R. Martin, Lucius Shepard, etc.)? Would you add
more contemporary works of the listed authors (Zelazny's more-recent
Amber books, Leiber's concluding F&GM books, etc.)? Would you
remove some authors who may not inspire you today like they did in the
early 1970s (Frederick Brown, Margaret St. Clair, John Bellairs, etc.)?
Would you add non-literary media (comic books, films, television,
music, etc.)? Would you add more non-fiction (history, mythology,
etc.)?
On some level I'm asking what inspires you today, but I'm also curious about how your tastes have changed (if they have).
Thanks, as always, for sharing your thoughts :-D
Howdy,
The fact is that I wouldn't change the list much, other than to add a
couple of novels such as Lanier's second Hiero yarn, Piers Anthony's
Split Infinity series, and the Disc World books.
I would never add other media forms to a reading list. If someone is
interested in comic books and.or graphic novels, they're on their own.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Two for you, Gary...
One: laying aside LEJENDARY ADVENTURES for a moment, do you think DANGEROUS JOURNEYS is still a viable system? That is, would you recommend someone check it out?
Two: Assuming AD&D
rules, are you of the opinion that a cleric/paladin dual-class (with
the necessary stat requirements being met) is permissable?
If one really enjoys great detail in one's character, then the DJ
Mythus game is fine. Howeverm I must point out that the work in incomplete, lacks the
Faerie Bestiary and the several other RPG genre games that were meant to round out the game;s milieu.
As a point of order, much of the game rules were designed to be modular,
so the Journey Master could plug in or unplug such parts as he found
suitable for his taste and that of his player group.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
first, its very good to see you back and well, mr gygax!
second: disc world would be great inspiration, good to know that u like it too ;-)
:-D
I even added a great class of magical items to the
Lejendary Adventure game's list of "Extraordinary Items," this being called "Footlocker."
B-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Korgoth
A question for you, Gary:
In B2 Keep on the Borderlands
we have examples of humanoid habitation that resemble primitive life: a
family/clan dwelling in a cave, complete with 'women and children'.
The question of how to handle humanoid women and children still comes up
today. What was the rationale for including females and young rather
than, say, making humanoids some sort of sui generis products of
nightmare, witchery or divine intervention/retribution, like
(presumably, at least) a minotaur?
Well...
The JRRT treatment of orcs sort of hatching from inexplicable cocoons
seemed quite too fantastic to me. Of course there are special monsters
created my magic of some sort, and in the
Lejendary Adventure
game I have androids created in vats by an alien race. However, it
seems quite reasonable to me that most monsters breed as do animals and
humans. I have some females fight as do males, others at a lesser
capacity, some non-combatant. Immature members of the species might
fight at half value, or be non-combatant, or a mix of the two.
Having tribal organization for most humanoid monsters makes adventure scenarios more colorful and believable,
IMO.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
That said, have you ever given an opinion on the "Paladin vs. an Orc Baby" scenario before? (Otherwise known as the "would you strangle baby Hitler?" moral question.)
Not directly.
If the infant orc was not able to reason, the paladin would not slay it,
possibly see to its care somewhere until it reached a state where
reason was possible; but if and when the immature humanoid was able to
reason, the paladin would make it swear its rejection of evil, confess
its adherance to LG, and then execute it before it could recant. Thus
the orc would be guaranteed acceptence in a more benign afterlife.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
wow....that really changed my point of view about paladins...very good :-D
but in the other questiom, about turning evil dragons to good, the dagon would take much more time to reason, no?
would he kill in instants a red dragon?
(btw, love the info about he footlocker!)
Good Afternooon,
Note that the "converted" evil humanoid" is quite unlikely to remain so,
will return to its evil ways, so thus the mercy killing by the paladin
to assure that doesn't happen. It is all for the good of the subject of
course.
The same surely holds true of evil dragons. A permanent conversion from
the malign is most unlikely, the best outcome likely being a neutral
creature with evil tendencies. Thus I hold that a paladin will attack on
sight any evil monster of that sort...assuming he believes there is a
reasonable chance of prevailing. Otherwise, the paladin will mark the
location to return with a stronger force.
As for Footlocker nagic items, the class in a new, Grade 13 one, and it
contains four progressively more powerful versions of the item. The most
potent is reminescent of Luggage. X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by robertsconley
In
the books Orcs are twisted versions of Elves and with Man mixed in
later by Saruman. In the movies we see orcs emerging from cocoons. I
suppose this is Jackson's way of showing the twisting process used by
Saruman used to produce his superior breed of orcs.
Rob Conley
Heh...
And how was the "twisting" managed? Seems that the popping out of
cocoons is as good an answer as any to this untreated question. There is
no question about there being mom, pop, sis, and junior orcs in JRRT's
work.
BTW is elves are so siperior to humans, as they are in JRRT's world, why
would mixing in humans with once-elven orcs make a superior breed.
Logically in the Middle Earth milieu, the offspring of the two would be
inferior to pure orcs, not superior Urok-hai.
Never mind O.o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by khyron1144
Hi Gary,
I apologize, if this has been asked before, but were any of the unique
monsters in the orginal Monster Manual 2 intended to be lesser deities
as the Deities and Demigods cyclopedia says the Archdevils and Demon
Princes and Princes of Elemental Evil are?
In my campaign, I've always gone with the assumption that any unique
monster from one of the 1e hardbacks that's tagged with the label
Archdevil or Demon Prince is a lesser deity, as are the Princes of
Elemental Evil, The Cat Lord, Anthraxus, and Primus.
Thanks.
Based on our world's actual mythology, such evil
entities can be a lot more than lesser deities. Using the criteria
mentioned, some are greater ones on a par with the benign deities.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
hey mr gygax, i quite dont get the "Grade 13 one" part...whats that?
(oh, btw, i just read the 3 first vol. od discworld...but one is enough to love luggage (Bagagem, in portuguese).
do you think is a good idea to make "itens" as npc?
or thats just good for comic storys?
FWIW,
Indeed Luggage is ultra potent, a great bit of interesting magic for a
novel, and it is a baga--GEM in my estimation. I would love to have that
item for one of my high level PCs :-D
In my mind only the more powerful of GM-run NPCs are able to craft magic
items. I hate to have to tell PCs that they should be out adventuring
to gain magical goodies, not sitting cooped up somewhere trying to
create their own.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Of
course there's that sticky problem of the paladin having now chopped
down a publicly-declared "good" creature, but I have to admit I can
appreciate the finality of the solution. :-D
Hi Henry,
That should pose no problem with those folk of the same persuation as
the paladin, as they will understand and agree with that most caring
dispatch of a reformed miscreant to a better place.
Of course those of the same alignment as the "converted" will absolutely hate the deed and its doer.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
hey mr gygax, i quite dont get the "Grade 13 one" part...whats that?
...
Heh...
Sorry. Extraordinary Irems (magical objects) are graded in the
Lejendary Adventure
game. Originally I had 12 such divisions, but when Footlockers were
added I made them a 13th category, rather more akin to artifacts in the
D&D game/ Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RigaMortus2
Mr Gygax, I had just a couple questions...
Just curious if you have done any interviews recently (mainly TV or
Radio interviews)? The reason I ask is, I think it would be great if
you were a guest on the Colbert Report (since he is a D&D fan).
Do you watch Prime Time TV? And if so, what TV shows are you a fan of?
Howdy,
I have done only a few local, magazine, and documentary interviews the
past year--with another documentary slated for the spring. I am not much
interested in traveling to make some studio appearance.
I usually watch little of so-called Prime Time TV. The exception is
24.
Otherwise I;ll watch a movie, or someting on the History, Military,
Science, several Discovery, or National Geographic Channelsl or
football, boxing, of UFC matches...unless my wife is fed up with my
selections and demands the Travel or HGTV channel, or some antiques
program be switched on 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RigaMortus2
I figured you for a 24 fan... Although I am not (never got into 24 myself). But I am surprised you didn't mention HEROES...
I didn't pick it up from the beginning, so
Heroes is too choppy for me to follow now. I have watched several episodes and found them relatively entertaining.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
...
A paladin would not have our modern notions of the death penalty. . . . 8-D
What do you mean by "our"? Some of us are not nancy boys...or the like X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Heh, well, I wasn't really including myself in that, either. :-P
X-D
Then cut out the seeming concern for PC speech and, worse, PC thinking!
Attempts at mind control should be exposed and rejected vigorously
>:-(
Cheers,
;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
...
Corrupted elves wouldn't necessarily be superior to men. :-P The
Uruk-hai seemed to have the best features of orcs (superior physical
strength and endurance, the ability to see in the dark) combined with
some superior human qualities (being able to travel by day). JRRT did
grapple with the question of whether or not orcs were truly able to
reason. The answer from LOTR seems to be an unqualified yes, however
(Ugluk, the leader of the Uruk-hai, is very intelligent and even has a
sense of humor!).
Sorry, but that reasoning doesn't
follow. Either elves are superior even in corrupted form, or else they
are not superior in any way in regards to using them for hybridization.
Corrupting orcs by adding the human strain to them would be the only
result possible if orcs are corrupt elves. Making orcs by corrupring
elves, the orcs inferior to the elves, it follows that adding men would
corrupt human strain, so that the outsome would be an inferior orc, just
as the original orcs were inferior to elves.
B-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Napftor
Cheers to your continued good health, Gary. Glad to see you around again.
My question concerns the owlbear. Where did the inspiration come from for this monster?
Heh!
The owlbear came from a plastic toy, one of a bag of "monsters" that also inspired the bulette and rust monster.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
On television:
Over a year ago we got rid of our cable and never bothered to hook up
an antenna. Consequently our TV has become a "movie machine", capable of
showing only three things:
1. DVDs
2. videos
3. snow
We've never come even close to missing having TV. The swill they serve up on there is truly awful.
On paladins:
I definitely like violent paladins. Remember that in Rob Kuntz's first
Maze module one of the PCs is assumed to be a paladin on a mission to
assassinate the king! (Puts me in mind of Aquinas's and the Jesuit's
justification of killing unjust kings.) My favorite model for a paladin
is R. E. Howard's Solomon Kane. No Nancy-boy, he!
Actually
of one watches non-network channels there is a fair amount of decent
programming on cable or dish these days...including football for those
that love that game...me, for example.
I quite concur in regards paladins. Charlemagne's paladins fought the Saracens without mercy.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Ah, but I am using "modern" as a term of derision. X-D
:\
There goes my using you as a straw man, eh? Now I have drop the vaguely political matter >:-)
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by PapersAndPaychecks
Don't you DARE beat me to it, Bill. >:-(
I have three emails in now on the project, so I am going to close the
window. I will report the earliest email in, and the two following to
serve as standby designers if agreeable.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Was this too open-ended a question? 8-D
Heh, ot was one O noted to get back to but skipped because in my heart I was against writing an essay here X-D
In a nutshell:
The original games of D&D and AD&D were about imagination,
choosing an archetype to use as a vehicle for role-playing adventure,
innovative play and PC group cooperation. The sole arbiter of such play
was the DM, and rules lawyers were anethma in well-regulated grpups
>:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Yes, Master, yes. (said like Igor)
:-)
How amusing... >:-)
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Korgoth
A noble sentiment indeed, and the proper guiding principle of the D&D game. If only it was more popularly accepted.
There is a simple answer to that. Allow only those willing to accept
the concept into your campaign, play only with GMs that hold to that
principle. I have no problem doing this myself.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
If you do ever get to that essay, let us know! :-)
Current D&D, I think, is still a vehicle for role-playing adventure,
innovative play, and PC group cooperation. (Though, I have no basis on
which to compare any matter of degree) Were rules lawyers nonexistant in
OD&D? If so, was this due to fewer or less precise rules, newness
of the game, or some other factor?
Of the more recent versions of the game I have played only
3E.
It is rules intensive, removes the "Master" from Dungeon Master, has no
archetypes left, encourages the players to compete for dominance,
devalued magic items, and substitutes statutes in the rules for
innovation.
That's the way I see it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Korgoth
To
me, "builds" aren't even D&D. I feel confident saying this in the
virtual presence of the game's inventor... D&D is not a game about
"builds". That sounds more like Magic: The Piginapoke.
Well...
If builds are a part of the game, that part was meant to be
insignificant in comparison to the action and adventure with the group.
As an aside, gaining a level on O/AD&D had been exciting since the beginning of the first game in 1972 B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
FWIW, I've found that creating a character in the
Lejendary Adventure game is quite enjoyable because of all the options. It might be worthwhile to have
3e aficionados who like to "build" characters take a look at LA.
Ondeed, and that is the beauty of a skill-bundle based system that also
offers a broad range of archetypes for character building, none of
which are cookoe-cutter figures. Similarly. there are no comic book
super-hero type ones from which to choose. OTOH, one can create just
about any reasonable and logical sort of game persona desired with the
Lejendary Adventure game system.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
as
well it should be! get a new level, get more powerful! that's been a
constant through all editions, the main difference being exactly what
"more powerful" means.
Well said Boz!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by khyron1144
Another question for you Gary (Again, I hope it isn't something that has been asked before):
In the early version of the Dungeoncraft column in Dragon magazine
(might have been around when they got you to start writing the Up on A
Soap Box series again or a year or month or two before), the writer of
this column suggested that DMs design a setting that can be adventured
in rather than a storyline or adventure that might have some good
scenery along the way.
What do you think of this aproach to homebrew world design/ campaign creation?
A short answer is good if it looks too essay questionish.
Thanks much. The folks over on
WotC's boards are debating the word Gygaxian again. Heh,
That is a very good question in my view, and one I will answer as fully
as necessary to make my opinion abundantly clear. The fact is that I can
do it in short order.
RPGs are games, not stories told by the GM. Stories might develop from
play, but setting forth a complex storyline that the characters must
needs follow in order to succeed, and suit the hubris of the frustrated
novelist cum GM, is right out. RPG campaigns and novels are polar
opposits. That should be self evident, Suffice to say that the
participants should not be playing scripted characters following the
course set forth by the GM's "storyline."
A bit of backstory to ground the players in the setting and give them an
idea of what is currently happening is sufficient direction. From there
on it must be up to them.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joe125
Gary,
Basic D&D. I was running players through the caves of chaos and one
of the PCs turned a Wight. The wight went away down the tunnel to a
closed door and the PC cleric pursued. Then he wanted to attack the
monster. Should the Wight at this point suddenly fight back, given that
it has been approached after having been Turned?
-David.
The wight is fleeing to escape the cleric. If it
is still fleeing thus and can pass through the door, it will do so. If
it can not, then it will turn and attack the cleric.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by robertsconley
Reading
that reminded me of how much time has passed since I started this hobby
of mine. Also I think is the source of problem over defining what
Gygaxian is. From what I remember there were a variety of playing styles
then as there were now.
I know one style from hardcore wargamers (PanzerBlitz, 1776, Avalon
Hill, SPI, and all that) was that we played all out against each other.
The game was fun I knew was playing against opponents that were doing
their level best to push me off cemetary ridge, or force their way
through my forces at Milita Pass.
This definitely carried over to role-playing games where DM setup killer
dungeons. The best DMs followed a unwritten code that with smarts and
wits things can be figured out. Although there were times when faced
with four levers you just had to roll a d4 and hope for the best.
I am not particularly good at creating puzzles nor enjoy doing so. My
own DM style turned toward creating vast vistas for players to explore
and make their mark upon. At first I used Greyhawk and then switched to
Wilderlands of High Fantasy by Judges Guild (saved me a ton of time in
prep work). My wargame roots showed in the end game. My end of campaign
plot nearly always involved the players building a castle/town/guild.
Rob Conley
X-D
The whiners claiming my dungeons are "killer" are likely not very clever
in theit play. Perhaps they prefer play-acting to thinking and assuming
an heroic persona bent on action and adventure.
That all of the dungeons I designed were play-tested, and the play-test
groups had a high survival rate gives the lie to assertions to the
contrary. The only dungeon I designed to be nearly impossible to defeat
was the
Tomb of Horrors. Failure to survive the others stems from bad luck, or more probably, bad dungeoneering skills.
Those that complain about real challenges might be better off playing
Candyland with their little sister :-P
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
I
suppose since my experience with OD&D is effectively nonexistant,
I'll have to wait for the essay. My games typically don't have
competition between players, nor do I feel I'm not the "Master" of my
game. :-)
As I have no particular interest in convoncing
any gamer about the superiority of any former version of the D&D
game, do not hold your breath awaiting more on that subject.
As for what you have experienced, there are always exceptions. That's what makes for a varied marketplace.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Nor
do mine. One of the things I like best about D&D is the comraderie
of brothers in arms overcoming tough obstacles through cooperative and
inventive derring-do -- or fighting to their last breath, backs to each
other, swords to the on-rushing hordes! >:-)
It's doesn't matter which edition, and I assume it would work for any similar fantasy RPG.
Gary's original idea is the best team game ever, whether you use
Australian-rules, Canadian-rules, rugby-rules, or whatever variant you
choose. :-)
Hmmm...
What are Epic Level PCs all about?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
Not being played, mostly.
Seriously, how many D&D players in the current edition play (or have
played) campaigns in which epic level PCs were present? I'd wager that
the percentage is very small, probably something like 5% or less.
Only
WotC
can estimate the actual number based on sales of the work, Imperical
evidence is useless, as not 5% of the new D&D game audience posts
here or on any other website ;-)
My statements are based on the the rule books published, the contents of same, ans what I have heard imperically X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
I don't see it as convincing anyone of anything, just as an explanation of what contributed to the 'feel' of older editions.
Though, if you have no interest in such a exposition, I'll have to
continue looking for sources for such information. Thanks, though!
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. In this case playing the original versions of the game, eh?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
It is a truism that ignorance is sometimes bliss...
More generally true, though, is the old saw, there is no arguing with taste.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
Well, I've recently bought some of the early modules (B2, B3, S2, and X1, unless I've gotten my codes mixed up), with the hope
that running them and merely converting the rules would convey at least
a similar feel to OD&D. Kind of an OD&D compromise is what I'm
going for. I just want to make sure that the proper feel is being
upheld.
To get the feeling of the original game I suggest
that if possible you play them unconverted. Changing rules pretty well
assures that the original spirit will be lost.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jdvn1
In
my experience (though, apparently, it's not typical), it's about the
same sorts of things. But instead of fighting on-rushing hordes, you're
fighting epic-sized on-rushing hordes of epicness. ;-)
There are just more obstacles, tougher obstacles, more tools to overcome them, and more possibilities for creativity.
Who am I to argue with that?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Heathansson
Hello, Colonel!
Hope you're feeling better!!!
Just a question that stretches back down the eons to 1e.: why do druids use scimitars?
It just seems curious with the Celtic connection.
Heh,
It is because the scimitar is as close a sword weapon I could come up with to match the druids' mistletoe-harvesting sickle.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
...
...of course, as i said, a DM must handle the situation properly, or
otherwise things just get too ridiculous. that sort of high-level play
can be fun for a short time, but it's not the sort of thing i'd want to
focus on for a long time.
Sure,
Francois' OAD&D campaign had PCs of 20th level and up. I played a
lackey of merely 15th level and always had to bow and scrape to my
"betters." It was interesting to me to see how he managed things, but I
found the milieu more political and intrigue-ridden that I enjoyed
playing for extended periods.
As a matter of fact, I have so many PCs because I found it most enjoyable to play low- and mid-level characters most adventures.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Storm Raven,
No quibble with what you state, but I do believe the number of persons
tha played OAD&D was greated than the number playing the new game
despite "unfriendly" rules. Perhaps that was because those rules were
explicit in alloting to the Dm the role of ultimate arbiter with free
reign to excise and alter whatever was desired.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Well,
I had one character that surviving all the way through G123D123Q1. He
was 21st level (human cleric of Heimdall) when he got home.
And what did he do then? Retire and become an NPC.
I still haul him out once in a while as an NPC. ...
Quite so!
Just as I did with Mordenkainen, Bigby, and other PCs when they rose too
high in power to interact with the "mundain" adventures.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I
don't think they are edition or even game specific. They've had
Western and I believe space adventures, a vampire campaign, and even did
some LARP.
That said, Colonel, does Hackmaster amuse you, or not?
...
.
The suggestion that the KotDT reflects on OAD&D
being a game for rules lawyers is too ridiculous to respond to,
expecially when one looks at the new D&D rules and how they are
played.
I do not play HM, it is fat too rules heavy for my taste, but I was
rolling on the floor laughing when I read Jolly Blackburn's work. He
surely did manage to lanpoon me quite accurately most of the time, which
is astonishing to me, for as much as I like Jolly, he and I are not
associates. I must chalk it up to his astute perception.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ardenian
great
to see you interacting with the current gamer community Gary... i'm a
n00b here so if this is the norm - it's great. If it's not the norm -
it should be.
[a]
Howdy,
Thanks, and it is indeed usual for me to interact with my fellow gamers
on this website and others, for I enjoy the exchange...as long as it
remains on the relatively polite level. It is a bore to have someone
assert that this or that RPG is superior to all others. Such matters are
personal taste. I enjoy some games, do not find others at all
appealing. That means nothing except to me and those with whom I game.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Heathansson
Thanks! That's kinda what I thought.
The primary appeal of the Druid class from a creative standpoint is
that the Romans were so thorough in destroying them and their religion
that we know virtually nothing about either :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
I
don't think we have any way to determine accurately which edition has
more people regularly playing it. Leaving aside the question of how to
determine who is a player, and who is just a collector, and who is
"regularly" as opposed to "sporadically" playing, we simply have no
verifiable sales data for the books that would allow for a good
comparison...
But I think your argument that the DM is disempowered in
3e is just off-base...
"We" do have some pretty good information regarding sales of OAD&D compared to
3E, although
WotC
is not trumpeting it, and the former were considerably higher than than
the latter from what insiders and purveyors of RPGs ahve told me. As
there is no likely difference between the two games in regards to who
did and does do what with them, the remainder of your argument is
invalid.
The plethoras of rules in new D&D speaks volumes as to your latter assertion, as does the manner in which players approach
3E, memorizing and quoting rules to the DM.
If you enjoy the new game fine. There is no point in discussing this further. My opinions stand as do yours.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
Maybe
it is just me, but when I first started playing D&D, the only
"druid" I was familiar with was Getafix. I tried to find that
super-strength potion on the druiid list of abilities, but was
disapponted it wasn't there.
X-D 8-D X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by nyrfherdr
Hey Gary,
Nice to see you back in action. We were all concerned for your health.
Take care of yourself and your family.
I don't have any questions, it's just nice to see you active on the boards again.
Game ON!
nyrfherdr
Thanks :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Storm Raven,
As it happens I was not only a director and officer of TSR back through
1985, but I also received royalty reports for AD&D sales, so there
is no problem in me varifying them. Also, I have no reason to doubt what
i have been told regarding sales of
3E--and
3.5E for that matter. Indeed distribution has changed since I was CEO
of TSR. It is far worse today, and RPG sales are way down. There is
great concern amongst many game publishers in this tegard. That said, I
do not believe any further discussion of this matter will be fruitful,
so I am dropping the topic.
As for familiarity, I had the distinct chore of spending many sessions playing a
3E
based module. The time wasted in looking up rules, typically by
players, and then arguing with the two DMs about how to apply them,
demanding thaey be applied, was tedious indeed. This happens in many
groups I am informed. I never saw nor heard of an OAD&D DM that
would tolerate such behavior.
Now let us drop this subject and move on to something interesting.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by robertsconley
Did Bob Bledsaw and Judges Guild have any influence on development of 1st Edition AD&D?
Just curious
Thanks
Rob Conley
:-o
Surely you jest!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ardenian
SR,
... - although there seems to be a increase in comments like "Gimme a
sec i need to look something up..." than there was 20 years ago.
LOL!
I am guilty of that when mastering my own, rules-light
Lejendary Adventure
game. In my case it is mainly to keep from looking bad in front of my
player group, When the action is fast and furious, or the role-playing
innovative, I forget the books and wing it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by robertsconley
Ok you got me , it was a obvious question. X-D
I just curious if you had any stories about it. I read accounts about
those days from Bob, Bill Owen, etc and I was just curious in what
details you could supply. :-D
Thanks
Rob Conley
Actually there was little contact between TSR
staff and the JG pep[;e/They sent prosepective mss. to TSR, and someone
at the company suposedly read them and gave an okay or asked for
revisions. That operation was generally the purview of Brian Blume.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
Gary,
I was thinking of running a West meet East campaign, something akin to
my Portuguese ancestors exploring the orient in the XV-XVI centuries. As
such, I just ordered a replacement copy of Oriental Adventures. I know
that you were more a supervisor than a designer to that project. Still, I
wonder if I will get in trouble mixing characters from both books and
if it would hurt much to take out the Oriental Adventures' Non Weapon
Proficiencies system?
Best wishes,
Ron
That sounds like a most interesting campaign.
Indeed I was up to my a** in alligators at the time OA was being
written, for TSR was in deep financial tropuble then. I assigned
Froideval and Cook to the project, and Zeb dumped what I thought was
superior material done by Francois in favor of his own work. As we had
to get a product into print, OA came out as it did.
If you allow reasonable non-weapons proficiencies for both Occidental
and Oriental PCs, I can foresee no problems being likely. You might want
to take a look at the general skills I added to the C&C game system
to have an inspirational basis in creating a new approach to such
addition.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Fifth Element
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
(You need to imagine a fake spanish accent to get the right feel.)
X-D
It is of no import to me whatsoever, but I appreciate your light-hearted suggestion.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
To Those It May Concern:
What part of this statement is not understood"
"Now let us drop this subject and move on to something interesting."
O.o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
...
Did this also apply to then to UA, (one of my favourites,
iirc,
it came out in close proximity to OA) in that it was put out quickly in
order to generate much needed revenue? I'm only going by things I have
read /said by others, so if I'm out of line, I apologise wholeheartedly.
Again, sorry if this has been asked of you ad nauseum! :-) Thanks
and glad you're feeling better.
Howdy,
It does indeed apply to the UA book. I was writing essays for
Dragon
magazine to both preview my new ideas and prerpare for a revised
edition of the AD&D game. I was alerted to a problem, Kevin Blume
shopping TSR on the street in NYC, flew back from the West Coast, and
discovered:
The corporation was in debt to the bank the tune of c. $1,5 million.
There seemed to be no way to repay the money based on current inventory and sales.
The bank was preparing to perfect its security interests/
So, I had a big fight, and then a Herculean task, before me. To cut to
the chase, when I got matters in hand, I saw to the compilation of my
magazine material with other work I had that had not been published, so
that UA came into being. Of course during that time I was working on
company business matters most of the time, so U had a number of very
long days before things began to show that the rurn-around I planned was
working.
At that point I was stabbed in the back by Lorraine Williams :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Philotomy Jurament
...
Dropping a debate is anathema to lawyers. :-D :-P
Sad but true!
X-D :-o X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
I
thought Judges Guild's biggest acknowledged contribution to D&D was
(inadvertently?) helping TSR to realize that there were people out
there who didn't want to create their own adventures and would happily
pay good money for "someone else's dungeon" (i.e. modules). This is what
Steve Marsh says, at least.
Steve is a fine fellow, and
he is spot on in regards caslling our attention to the fact that the
consumers wanted pre-pacjeged adventure material beyond the stuff I had
done--the random dungeons et al.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by nyrfherdr
Gary,
I guess I do have a question.
In the kindling pile by the fireplace is hidden a magical wand of fire.
If the characters start a fire and throw the wand in, what happens?
Game ON!
Sure thing!
The item remains unscathed. A magical instrument of its type will not be affected by normal fire ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
Did you ever play the Talisman board game?
Cheers!
Ho Merric,
Sadly I have not. I should see if Tom Wham has a copy, so we could play
it on one os son Ernie's boardgame get-togethers that occur most Monday
afternoons.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Fifth Element
This presumes that everyone agrees the subject is not interesting, which is not the case. ..
I suggest that you take a second look at the name of this thread.
If you wish to discuss the topic, begin your own thread do!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
I agree. I am glad you liked the concept too.
I was thinking about taking out the NWP system and I was wondering if
this move wouldn't hurt the balance of the Oriental Adventures
characters. However, I downloaded your C&C file and, although I only
quickly read it, sounds pretty good. The multiclassing rule is clearly
superior to the one found in AD&D and the skill bundles looks like a
better system than the NWP from late AD&D. Is that a new design or
something you were considering to your second edition AD&D?
Anyway, thanks for the comments.
Ron
Welcome!
I was indeed considering something akin to what I did for the C&C
system in regards to secondary skills for a revised edition of AD&D.
Of course the current material I put together is influenced by what I
created for the
Lejendary Adventure RPG, thus more developed that what I was working on back in the 80s.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Hypersmurf
This
thread has a singular purpose - Q&A With Gary. If people wish to
discuss a topic that arises here among themselves, that discussion
should continue in a separate thread; it is no longer a part of Q&A
With Gary, and thus no longer belongs in this thread.
(If people wish to discuss what belongs in the Q&A With Gary thread,
that's also a discussion for a separate thread, which would belong in
the Meta Forum.)
Please let this thread fulfil its purpose.
-Hyp.
(Moderator)
Thank you!
Had I read down the thread a bit further I could have avoided my response to the post in question X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
I have been remiss in my standing as a Scotsman. Though I'm 36 years
old, I'm innocent of the ways of Scotch. Can you recommend a good (and
not too pricey) bottle of Scotch?
My distinct pleasure, sir!
Of late i have been tasting each sort of whiskey to contrast and compare
them. Although bourbon (kentucky & tennessee blended and straight),
canadian. irish, and scotch are all fine, I have come to the conclusion
that my palate prefers scotch single malt.
These can get pretty pricy, but a good starter is Glenlivit. If you
enjoy that whiskey you can then venture further afield, try the pale,
peaty cngle malts that I am fond of as well as a blend such as Dewar's
and Haig & Haig.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Do
you remember when D&D "peaked". I'm not sure what precisely I'm
asking (I guess number of people playing more than revenue), but I think
the answer is somewhere about 1984 or so? I remember Newsweek having
an article about it, which seemed even more a bag of being a culture
phenomenon than having a dumb TV movie or a good cartoon show.
Right you are. The peak of A/D&D was 1983-4. TSR's best marketing
estimate of the audience in North America at that time was c. 5.5
million players, with a worldwide audience of over 8 million. Thus the
many foreign language translations.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
My
plan is to keep the honor point and start tracking them to the
ocidental characters to measure how they are seem by the oriental
people. I was planing to jettison only the NWP, as I don't think they
are particularly well designed and I would need some adaptation to give
them to the western characters.
You might want to take a
look at the Repute/Dark Repute/Disrepute system used for the LA game,
apply something akin to it to the Occidental PCs.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Crimhthan_The_Great
Hi Gary,
I was wondering, how deadly do you consider the game to be when you are the ref?
Also along the same lines did you ever look at any of the Arduin books?
I play OD&D and sometimes OAD&D but I use everything and
anything I can get my hands on as grist for the idea mill. After nearly
36 years of playing I have found google to be a very easy way of finding
new ideas and creating new things for the players. I find that a pinch
of of different peoples ideas is similar to using different seasonings
in cooking. Infinite recipes (encounters) can be created.
Cheers,
Crimhthan
With my regular group there was seldom a PC
loss...after they became veterans. (That applies to my own PCs as well,
although a rew raise dead and wish spells were needed to maintain the
major characters I played; as it true of the players' PCs in my campaign
X-D )
Players that took foolish chances, ignored warnings, lacked the proper
wherewithal to take on a problem or fight an opponent were likely to
suffer PC loss.
I shunned the Arduin Grimoire like the plague. However, I used all
manner of other sorts of material for inspiration in the campaign, and
that included ideas from other DMs and players.
I concur that such differences are akin to herbs and spices in cooking,
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Korgoth
Just
to toss out another suggestion for a good "starter" Scotch whisky:
McClelland's single malt. They're not labelled by age or distillery but
they're all 5 year singles, one from each of the four different whisky
regions of Scotland: Highland, Lowland, Speyside and Islay. Because of
the distinct water quality, the Highland has the softest, least
'medicinal' flavor and is actually quite good if taken with a few drops
of spring water and allowed to breathe for about 10 minutes. The
Highland label is actually made at Glen Garioch.
For those who are just "testing the waters" I'd suggest getting a bottle
of McClelland's Highland single malt. At $20 it's a great deal.
Well done!
The "medicinal" flavor is from the peat smoke, and I very much enjoy it.
I always add a few drops of water to "open" the whiskey.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ardenian
Gary,
are you currently playing in a D+D campaign, but it rule set 3.x or
OAD&D? if you are - do you play a character, or DM? or both?
i'd love to sit in on that.. it would be like playing hoops with Dr. James Naismith.
I'm about to role a new character for a new campaign, and we're running
the 3.5 rules and i'm going to (eventually) select Kensai... i'd love
you to provide the name i'll use for my Bastard Sword that this
character will "meld" with.
thanks G
[a]
As of now the only campaign I am playing in is Jim Ward's
Metamorphosis Alpha RPG--tonight is the night for that, in fact :-D
When I DM or play D&D rather then the LA game, it is always OD&D or OAD&D.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
What is the most common mistake you've see Dungeon Masters, Lejend Masters, Castle Keepers, &c. make?
Being improperly prepared to run the adventure, whether mentally so or
not having studied the packaged material. This is something I am often
guilty of, but amny times I manage to make up for the lack through being
able to create by the seat of my pants...and sometimes falling flat
doing so I resort to distracting the group with war stories and jokes
(^_^')
The second most common mistake I have observed is the Gm not being in
control of the game play and the group. Sometimes even the most veteran
and cooperative players will go rogue on the best of GMs, however. At
such times ceasing PRGing and doing something else that all find amusing
is the best solution for the GM...no attempting to forcethe players to
do what they are not interested in doing :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
hi mr gygax!
i was wondering:
besides "Futurama", have u appeared in other cartoon/series?
it would be great if u were (sp?) in dungeons and dragons cartoon.. ;-)
well...if margaret weis and tracy hickamn have special part in the dragonlance movie, so could u!
sure, if we could travel back in time... :-(
Heh,
No other formal cartoon appearances, but... Just as D&D is often
mentioned in TV shows, so too has my name been used--expecially in
Dexter's Lab.
Having my name as a Co-Producer for the D&D Cartoon Show was ample recognition for me.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
I
checked out the free version last month and I almost brought the boxed
set. However, I decided to give a pass and wait to the updated full
version soon to be published by the Trolls. BTW, do you have any news
regarding the revision?
If you would like to see my draft rules regarding the repute system, send me an email.
All i know about the revised edition of the LA game is that the Trolls have said it will be published as soon as they are able.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Fifth Element
What is your favourite real-world mythology? I mean in the sense of Greek, Norse, etc.
As a follow-up, what mythology lends itself best as inspiration for D&D?
Egyptian mythology for its plethora of deities and its underworld. Next
comes Hindic for its array of strange deities and the many stories.
I designed D&D with little regard for mythology; more for folklore, legend, and authored fiction.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
oh, dexter, realy?
...can u say where? :-)
There were a number of
AD&Dgame references on various episodes of the program, and IIRR
Decter said he was playing a Gygax class character oe some similar
reference. I was informed that a number of persons of young age that
watched the program regularly and know me got a real kick out of that.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Prince of Happiness
It's the episode "D & Dee Dee." You could find it on YouTube.
:-D
Thanks so very much!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Prince of Happiness
I remember catching RIGHT after the opening credits, so I didn't know that it was Dexter's Laboratory at first, so I got insanely
excited about seeing a "new" cartoon with S&S heroes kicking
monster & wizard ass. Then Dexter made his players mad. :-P Then
he busted out with his uber-character GYGAX!!! Made me want to get a
group together at that moment, it did. For a brief second, felt like
1982 again. :-D
I had to chuckle heartily at that.
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Prince of Happiness
The set up of that initial "adventure" had appealed to my love for "yarns" vs. "Fantasy Epic Vols. I-MCMXLVIV."
Now that got me thinking...did you ever approach your adventure writing
to invoke a sense of a "No s***, so there I (or Mordenkainen or Yrag,
etc) was" factor vs. a "In the 10th day of the 2,038th year of the
fourth cycle of the Sixth Age, four heroes who were the Special Destined
Chosen Ones yadda yadda yadda" factor?
Yes, I generally
did design adventures on that basis, although not condidering my own PCs
as a part of the pocture in mind when the work was in process of
creation. That's because I often find "epic fantasy" tedious and dull.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Ron
E-mail sent.
Okay,
But as of now I have not received it. Perhaps I inadvertently deleted it
with the 200+ spam messages in the inbox this AM... A resend would be
good :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
X-D
The Dexter's Lab' FRPG cartoon was actually quite promising, more like
what I would have preferred to the soft D&D Cartoon Show action with
no immitatable violence because of kiddie programming restrictions.
What sort of wimps is this country now nuturring? :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
I'm
fortunate that my group gets distracted by their own stories &
jokes readily enough. (^_^) If I need time to think, I just let them go
with the occasional nod or laugh to make them think I'm listening
instead of scrambling to figure things out. (Not that they're truly
fooled...)
But what if I'm not using packaged material? If I'm striving to follow
"the Gygaxian school", when do I know that I've adequately prepared?
Quoting from an earlier response about building a world instead of a story...
Can you expand on this a little? How detailed should the setting--at a
minimum--be? What are the essential elements? Can you give a summary
example of a "what is currently happening"?
I'm not sure I'm following. Can you give an example of what you mean?
To save me a lot of time and effort, just check how I introduce all of
that in a module. I give a GM's forward, a players one, sometimes a
separate backstory to read aloud, and the current situation.
Frankly, i have no desire to write an article here X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
In my own defense,...
:-D
No need to do that, as I was not meaning to attack you. Sorry if I gave
that impression. All I was attempting to convey is that your question
was one that requires a lengthy answer, one that I did not feel like
giving because actual examples tell the story much more eloquently than a
brief essay here could...and that means a lot less work for me X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by andargor
OMG Gary, you are still here! Welcome back, again, and again... :-D
Yuppers,
I snuck back as soon as my case of shingles would allow X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
hi mr gygax!
i was listen to kendermore audiobook, and theres a dwarven festival,
with events like axe throwing, stone hammering, drinking, and so on...
what do you think it would be good for a elven festival?
beside skills archery :-)
How about archery, balladeering, fencing, poetry, and wine tasting?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
good ideas, gary.
do uthink they could do things like "fox hunt"?
in your vision of elven society.
btw: whats balladeering?
Somehow I can not envision elves hunting foxes. They would likely persue only dangerous and malign creatures in such manner.
Balladeering is playing a stringed instrument and singing ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
The singing of ballads, epic tales, bardic stories et al.
Smarty pants!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Hey, what else is a 'liberal arts' education for? :-D
Today a proper institute of higher education would teach Conservative Arts!
:-P
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
...
While it isn't the DM's job to provide a story, the DM should provide an
enemy, mystery, goal, McGuffin, or other hook. True, false, or other?
True and other, so both!
The GM is to provide the environment, the plot (mostly unrevealed
initially) and backstory for it, including why the PC team is there. The
GM also supplies and acts for all of the NPC, allowing the players to
sort out the friends, neutrals, and antagonists. The players' PC then
interact with the environment and the characters therein so as to create
a story based on what they did or didn't do. The quality of the
resulting tale, retold or not, is dependant on the information supplied
by the GM and the actions of the player groups' characters interacting
with the enviroment.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
mr gygax...
atlking about players, dms and stuff...
what do u think about a player that have more than one character?
in case of small groups (lets say 2, or even 1 player!)
have u played/DMed like this?
I believe it is a splendid
idea for players able to manage two or more PCs. I did that a good deal
myself...although if I was playing more that three characters it became
difficult for me to handle each and every one properly. Two was no
problem, and three was passably done.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
Yaun-ti
are really nasty things if used correctly. I used one in a horror vein
last night. It really would have been really cool if I had some great
background music. :-)
I think Yaun-ti are underused. But you know what? I'm glad they are underused. It makes them all the much more scarier. ;-)
Almost any creature that the party doesn't recognize or remember how to
handle is sure to be scary for them. As a matter of fact a couple of
years back I was playing one of my old OAD&D PCs in a campaign run
by my son Ernie when a winf walker attacked. Even though I created the
stats for the monster, damned if I could remember its suseptibilites, so
my PC was not able to counter the critter. It could not have been
metagaming, as he had confronted wind walkers before...so long before
that he had forgotten O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
That last post by you brings up an interesting question Gary,
particularly in LA...when running it as a pure fantasy setting, when the
party encounters a critter that's fairly common do you just flat out
say "It's four trolls" or do you describe it and let them guess?
Something like "It's four gaunt, giant humanoid forms, with wiry black
hair, elongate noses, and disgusting rubbery green skin. Pitiless black
holes form their eyes."
The commonly encountered creatures, as well as those that are generally
known to the party and nonsuches I usually name. Otherwise I give as
vague a description as is appropriate considering familiarity, light,
distance, and viewing time.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Hmm, that's very interesting. That sounds
imho very similar to what,
iirc,
Aristotle more or less believed; Plot is character. Forget psychology,
forget the insides of their heads, judge them by their actions. For
example, if some guy was sleeping in a class room during class, one
could assume based off that action, that he has no interest in what the
professor has to say. A plot is constructed: he comes, he sleeps. Now,
Aristotle would say the next question is not why he sleeps, but what is
he going to do next?
I personally, think that type of construction can work quite well in a
RP campaign, although it does generally mean a lot of work for the DM
ahead of time, unless one is exceedingly good ad libbing stuff and doing
it by the seat of one's pants (which I am not!). What do you think
Gary? Incidentally, I was not trying to put words into your mouth, so to
speak, so no offense intended. Thanks Gary!
Not a problem the manner in which you phrased your question.
I do not believe it is all that difficult to manage if one is using a
detailed campaign world and has crafter a reasonably detailed backstory
and current situation for the PC group. Of course i am used to winging
adventures for a few decades now. It is work when doing so, but it
generally is a more enjoyable adventure experience for the players, as
one can craft events directly from players' comments and the actions of
their PCs.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
What
if the PCs don't fall for the DM's hook? Should the DM just file what
he's prepared & wing it? (Or break out the jokes & war stories.
:-) ) Do players have an obligation to follow a hook offered by the DM?
Heh...
That calls to mind the KotDT strip where the players ignored the
treasure map and spent their adventuring time searching a merchant
ship's hold full of tropical fruit.
If players ignore the direction suggested by the GM, they are either not
in the mood to play, subconsiously rejecting him, or else just plain
dense.
When such a thing occurs, I suggest not playing, soing whatever seems
better at the time, including telling the group to go home and come
again when they are interested in playing an RPG.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Wolv0rine
Oh come on, Gary. I think you're just being grumpy there. You're leaving out the possibility that the players are simply not hooked
by the DM's offered hook. Don't tell me you ('you' in the broad sense,
not the specific) make a habit of going into games with only one hook
to drop?
Heck, I've often pushed aside a not-quite-interesting plot hook hoping to find another behind it that was more interesting.
If you find such situations palatable, more enjoyment to you.
As for me, if I have gone to the trouble of preparing something for the
group, they play it or else. The enjoyment of the campaign is a two way
street, and that of the GM is equal to that of the player group, for he
does all the grunt work to amuse them.
Now if it is just a seat-of-the-pants session, I have no problem
shifting gears and dangling another carrot for the lads to chase after.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Do
you ever do some work fleshing out a couple hooks then dangle them all
before the players so they can choose what path to go down?
X-D
Most of the time I am GMing something other that a play-test of some
module, I wing the whole adventure session, so the palyers are at
complete liberty to do whatever their hearts desire. If it is something
foolish, I enliven things a bit more than usual... 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by PapersAndPaychecks
Oh,
that's interesting. When you say "wing", do you mean that much or most
of it just comes out of your head as you go along? Or do you mean you
lean primarily on your dice, your notes about the area and recycled
encounters from other sessions? (I realise it'll probably be a mixture
of the two, I'm asking about the emphasis.)
B-)
Mainly off the top of my head. I rely on a map for general inspiration,
but do not usually have any real notes at all, only pretend ones to make
the players think the adventure has been planned. Of course my old-time
regulars knew that wasn't the case, especially when they were returning
to Greyhawk from the Land of Chin. as well as when dungeoneering, as
all of them had seen the encounter notes page for one or more levels,
single lines for each of 20 or so places on each level.
Dice assisted in that by indicating random encounters, what was
encountered...if it fitted. Otherwise I would select the one that seemed
right or make up something.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
But
after a week to think about it, the players may have different thoughts
about what they should do next than what they thought at the end of the
last session.
Just so!
And if the session was compellunbg, there will be a lot of thought
between the end of that adventure chapter and the beginning of the next.
I know that applies to me too :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Sure,
but if they decide to do a complete 180 and go in a totally unexpected
direction without any advance warning what is the DM supposed to do? I
know I don't have 4 separate adventures planned for every contingency. I
can always wing it decently enough, but there has to be some
willingness of the players to try out what the DM has prepped. I'm
lucky I guess in that my players don't really think about the game much
outside of the game night so I can usually have a solid idea what they
want to do from the last session.
As a matter of fact...
As the leader of the player group in Jim Ward's
Metamorphosis Alpha
game campaign I just got an email this morning that urged me to a
certain course of action because I had been ignoring the
none-too-subtile hints given in the last session X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by green slime
Yes, sometimes a little nudge is enough, other times, it takes a huge "road closed - use detour" sign.
Playing in the Ma game environment is most harrowing, so when leaving
what is a relatively secure movement base and strike out afoot into the
unknown is a perilous undertaking that requires a blatent sign of some
sort as far as I am concerned.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Modin Godstalker
In
regards to winging it, my old DM, (he was awesome), never planned out
adventures. He would go completely off the cuff. If an NPC became
significant, he would stat them out to the same detail as the
characters. If there was such a thing as a professional DM, he could
qualify. Didn't matter the genre or game system. Anything he DM'd was
gold.
Some of the players would make attempts at DMing, but becuase they could
not hold a candle to him, he always ended up Dming again.
Interesting to note, although he was a world class DM, he was a horrible player.
Having such a person to run game sessions for you is indeed a blessing!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by trollwad
colonel pladoh, the original 'cowboy dm'
X-D
At one of TSR's small cons--Autumn Revel, Winter Fantasy, and Spring Revel--a large contingent of the
DMG
group came to assist us in managing events. All they asked unb return
is that I run an adventure for them on Sunday. I actually prepared a
combined outdoor trek and dungeon crawl as its conclusion, had it in a
manilla folder, and grabbed it early Sunday morning when I left home to
travel some 35 miles to Lake Geneva and the convention.
About 10 AM I gathered the group of around eight players to a large
round table and hauled out my books and the folder. Lo and behold! It
was one filled with copies of inter-office memos regarding some company
matter I have long since forgotten/
I gulped, began winging a play session that went on for about six hours.
Only one person in the group suspected I was making up the whole
adventure as I went along, that near the end of it. I told the players
about how I had messed up and not brought the prepared material I had
done especially for them, displayed the memo copies and so forth. They
assured me that what I had DMed was excellent, kept them guessing and on
edge throughout. That was most gratifying, as I was nervous about such a
special session not being very special because of my error.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi PapersAndPaychecks,
Outside of the random tables, dungeon componentsm etc. I have prepared
over the years, most of which have been published when I wing it I try
to suit the edventure to the players and their PCs.
As you note, keeping track of charges and missiles is a bother, so I
make the players keep their own records. If I find one fudging the
talley, the lot of whatever was being kept track of is lost to some
unfortunate event.
I listen to what the players are saying about the adventure, and take
inspiration from chance remarks...as I believe most other GMs are wont
to do.
That's about all I can think of this close to lunch time 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Remembering
back to the late 1980s . . . I don't think we used the NWP's for much,
but they were good for atmosphere, which I found important in OA. It
would be neat to do something like a diplomatic dinner party at the
cherry blossom festival, where the PC's have to use NWP's in poetry to
compete to gain influence. Very difficult for a gaijin, though.
>:-)
BTW, you've seen "Ran", right? Akira Kurosawa doing "MacBeth" in medieval Japan.
Gaijin or gwalo (spelling) in the Chin Empire's protocols, only Imperial favor can make such persons acceptable...
I have seen
Ran and most of Kurosawa's other films. I got hooked on them when I was a young chap living in Chicage and sas
Seven Samurai soon after I learned to play Shogi.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
You are a gentleman and a scholar, Mr. Gygax. But we all knew that already. :-)
Thanks for the info. I've been curious about this for decades.
Actually, getting precise numbers of players is difficult, as it is
impossible to survey a meaningful cross section of the game audience.
About all one can do is take the sales of the GM's book, discount a
percentage, then multiply by a number that represents the average gaming
group size. Of course, for the D&D boxed game one had to do the
same, discounting a percentage as never played, byt without multiplying
for group size.
It didn't hurt that sales of
Dragon
magazine were over 100K per issue with a pass-around factor of 4.5
persons per issue, so we know that there were over .5 million hardcore
readers of that journal.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Do
you consider the original Greyhawk/Lake Geneva/whatever you call it
campaign still "active"? If so, is it on a particular date?
My campaigns (3 of them, all very slow moving, over e-mail, in Vermont
once every few years, and in Seattle a few times a year) are all in
spring 588 CY. Two groups are in Bissel, one in the wilderness headed
for Dantredun, Blackmoor.
Another bit of curiosity: did you and Arneson ever play in each others' campaigns?
No.
As a matter of fact I ceased the campaign in 1985 when I severed all times with TSR.
I have used it on occasion since, of course, but nor for regular, ongoing play.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by PapersAndPaychecks
Oh, that's interesting too. :-)
My experience has been that experienced players can get through S1
without too many losses. Perhaps I DM it incorrectly, but my players
have a habit (in heavily-trapped areas) of using summoned monsters, or
the zombies of summoned monsters, or unseen servants or whatever, to
open every door, walk down every corridor, explore every room and pick
everything up... and learning what they face by watching to see how the
summoned monsters die. ;-) This tactic seemed infallibly successful
in S1.
Equally, my experience has been that G3 is the most challenging module
I've ever run. Groups that made it through S1 without seeming to have a
difficult time get stomped in Snurre's throne room... the geography of
the dungeon seems to mean that the fire giant reinforcements are able to
cut off the players' escape route, and once the rakshasas arrive, it's
basically all over. Again, perhaps I DM it incorrectly. ;-)
I never allow summoning of monsters in the ToH, so the party that enters can not be reinforced along the way.
As for the G3 challenges, after the party has adventures through G1 and
G2, the PCs should be powerful enough to manage the fire giants et al.
;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Gary,
I have a quick side note: I sent you an e-mail to your genevaonline
address approximately a week ago; is this still the correct address for
you? Sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to see if you had received
it.
Thank you!
Sorry, Henry, but I have not received it...or else it was deleted in one of my spam-slaying frenzies :-o
Please resend priority, and the red exclamation mark will clue me that it is not to be dumped/
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Have you seen Kadokawa's HEAVEN AND EARTH, Gary? It's a bit more recent (1990 or 1991, IIRC).
It is however very pretty. Lacks a lot of the subtext of a Kurosawa
film but if you want to watch Samurai armies go at it you can't go wrong
with that one.
Ah yes...
the struggle between the two Japanese nobles IIRR. There is a good deal
ow warfare therein, and I enjoyed watching it twice on my big screen
telly...even though Gail is not overly fond of such flicks :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Yep! That's the one - Kagetora versus Takeda Shingen.
I'll bring you a DVD of it if you like.
(^_^')
The DVE player we have is operably only by my wide...who is not much of a
fan of such movies. Of course I would like to have a copy for viewing
now and then, and for son Ernie to copy and put into his massive library
of films and sporting events.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Consider it sent. I copied my (now out of print) laserdisk to DVD long ago - I'll shoot you one tomorrow.
Thankee kindly :-D
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Hey Gary, here's a question I don't remember anyone asking yet: what's you're favorite movie?
And in case it's not an obviously D&Dish movie, do you have a favorite in the swords & sorcery genre?
Picking a favorite film is quite an impossoible task for me. I can give
you a list of some of the flicks I always enjoy watching though B-)
In no particular order:
Harry Potter films
The Rings Trilogy
The Deep
Zulu
Emperor of the North Pole
King Kong (1938 version only)
Godfather Trilogy
Enter the Dragon
Flesh and Blood
Dances with Wolves
Zardoz
Alien (first film only)
The Thing (original version only)
There are some others than don't spring to mind now, but the above are a good sampling of the films I really enjoy
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
*chuckles*
You and my dad. I can't even count how many times I have seen Zulu and
Zulu Dawn. He's got to dig em both out any time anyone new comes over.
^_~`
Gail finds other amusement when I watch most of those flicks...
Zulu is near the very top of my list, and I think it more entertaining than Zulu Dawn.
Good old Jeff Perren has a 30mm scale model of Roarke's Drift, the Zuku
warrior and British infantry figurines inthe same scale. What a fun
recreation to play!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
Well,
Gary, I downloaded the Menzter Red Box a while ago, and somebody gave
me a copy of the (O)D&D cyclopedia. You can't get as simple as
that. Well, except maybe the Blue and White books. ;-)
I've read somewhere to do simple D&D with your kids. At least,
that's a quote on what you said. So, I stashed said products on one of
my CDs and hope to introduce them to my offspring when they come of age
(around 8 to 10, maybe I should expose them to He-Man cartoons first;
that's what really got me connected to D&D).
Actually,
if your kinder enjoy fantasy...and most children do...you can make up a
simple game using just a couple of different kinds of dice and some
plastif figures. Story adventures where they are the heroes, have aarmor
that absorbs most hit damage, deal out fell blows with their weeapons,
perhaps gain some simple magic items allowing invisibility, magic
missiles, etc. are a good way to start off with children of around 5 to 7
years of age.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RedFox
Wow.
I'm new here, so forgive me if this has been asked before. I think
it's incredibly cool of you to field questions like this though. Thank
you!
I'm a new-time DM, having just run his first two game sessions of
D&D. I came into the hobby with AD&D 1st Edition, but never got
to play back-when (just got to oggle the books), and re-entered the
hobby with actual play in the mid-90's with White Wolf stuff. So I'm
not very experienced with D&D, which has a much different play-style
than other RPGs I'm used to.
Do you have any advice for a newbie DM such as myself?
That's a difficult thing to do succinctly, but here are some salient tings a GM must do to have a successful campaign:
Pay attention to what the player group finds most interesting, and provide adventures that reflect this preference.
Do not let the rules get in the way of play; be the arbiter of the game
so that the adventure continues on without unnecessary interruptions,
and the immersion of the players in the milieu remains complete.
Do not make the group face impossible challenges, and keep the rewards
as reasonable as possible (that is modest), so that there is always
someting more to seek after.
Well developed villains are usually very compelling to players, and the
longer these antagonists remain alive and thwarting the PCs, the more
exciting the adventures.
Mix up the adventure settings so that play is not always in the same
dort of place. A town adventure leads to a wilderness trek, that brings
the party to a subterranian setting for example. From there they might
have a waterborne or earial mission.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Now that would be interesting to look at. My dad and I used to make such things back in the day as well.
If you have retained any of such gaming sets, by all means bring same
to the LGGC, and you, Mick, and I can round up a fourth and have at it!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
like what, mr gygax?
Potions and scrolls as appropriate, those mainly of the healing sort.
When magic items of greater value are in order, keep them low initially,
and only as the PCs eise in level should the power of such objects
rise--say at 4th level, 8th level, 12th level, etc.
Watch out giving potent magic items to NPCs and monsters to use, for the PCs usually end up with them.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RedFox
Thank
you. That's good, solid advice. I've heard or read pretty much all of
that before but that makes it no less useful. :-)
Heh...
See also above.
Anyway, as Soloman said, "There is nothing new under the sun."
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
I surely wish I did. But that was a long time ago and in a galaxy far away. But hey, there is always tiddlywinks. ^_^
Blast!
As one who as lost far too many games and accessories over the years, I
can not fault you. For example all of my WW II HO scale US men and
vehicles, including a number of conversionsm are lost as are the earlier
54
mm
figurines and vehicles--two M4 Shermans, an M5 Stewart, and a White
half-track with a quad .50 caliber AA gun mounted in the back. Then
there is the 40mm scale medieval peasants cottage and barn I scratch
build, adding a commercial coivered well, apple and what looked like an
oak tree to the boards to which I had them affixed.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Well,
what we used to do was buy those HO scale plastic WW II miniatures and
build a diorama. When we got tired of one, we would break that one down,
reuse the mesh and various bits and bobs, mix up some new paper mache,
sand, et al and build a new set up.
We also used to assemble castles out of old cardboard boxes. Great for those ral partha mini's. ^_^
Speaking of scale models...
In the rear garden of the old Gargoyle, Royal Steak House, owned by one
Paul Junker, there were three miniature castles built of actual stone
blocks. They were perfect, about HO scale, maybe a bit larger, as they
stood about three feet high.
When Junker died Leo Bischoff acquired the place, and as the garden was
rather neglected, he refurbished it, took out the castles. I was sick
when I discovered that, as they were just trashed, I would gladly have
taken then down and salvaged these beauties :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Zulu is what popped for me from this list. Great movie, and great gaming scenario.
I've been told the best scenario I ever DM'd was a counterattack on the
Keep on the Borderlands by the denizens of the Caves of Chaos. An epic
battle ~160 rounds long, which ended in the great hall of the Keep'd
donjon (as I redrew the Keep), with the last few zombies and skeletons
pushing back burning tables barricading the bashed down remains of the
great doors. Wow, was that fun.
And of course, the Helms Deep battle is my favorite part of the LOTR movies.
I guess the original movie version of such tales might be Gunga Din or Fort Apache in the 1930s, but Zulu did it oh so well.
Hmmm, half the movies listed are great fun, whereas half I've never
seen, and some I've never even heard of. Zardoz, eh? I fought
alongside a PC with that name once. We got
TPK'd. :-D
Zardoz was not a widely liked film despite it having Sean Connery as the lead. It is a post-apocalyptic SF work.
Add to the list of my favorites:
Seven Samurai
Ten Little Indians (b&w)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Kevin Mayle
Hi Gary, Do you recall what Dave Sutherland based the demon idol statue on the cover of the original Player's Handbook on?
The illustration to which you refer was done by Dave Trampier, one of my favorite artists.
Tramp had a most fertile imagination, and I suspect the inspiration for
the idol was a Baal idol of the Carthaginians or other Phonecians.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tx7321
Dear Gary,
Do you recall how you had intended the assassination to work for an
assassin? Did you intend the rules to say that the assassin always hits
(as long as surprise is won), and that normal damage is taken even if
the assassination attempt fails? Or did you mean to say the assassin
must hit by rolling before he could attempt to assassinate?
Also, when an assassin wins surprise, does he only get 1 segment of
surprise to attempt to assassinate, or all the segments he wins (ex. an
assassin wins 3 segs. of surprise on a target, would he get only 1 of
those 3 to attempt to assassinate, and attack normally for the other 2,
get only 1 attack for that sequence of surprises, or something
different).
Also, can an assassination be conducted using a missile attack (as long as the assassin wins surprise)?
I have read some who claim that the assassination attempt was meant to
be a "plan" handed to the DM that is rolled for (as long as the plan is
sound). A single role that shows if the overall plan worked (ex. the
plan to hide above in a tree that overhangs a road, as a passing nobel
rides by, drop down from above attacking with a dagger to assassinate.
This would be considered a single assassination attempt, rather then a
role to climb, a role to HIS, a role to see if the nobel happens to be
on the wrong side of the road etc.).
Thanks for taking the time to answer such questions. Keep well!
:-) Tx7321
The "plan" method is closest to the intent of how an assassin operates.
If the attempt is against an NPC, the player whose character is the
assassin can explain aloud to the DM what his character is doing. The
chance for a success in the plan is the percentage given. If a spur of
the moment attempt is made, surprise must be gained for an attempt to
have a change of success, Failure to succeed, or gain surprise, means
that damage is normal for the weapon being used.
Surprise for an assassination attempt is the number of segments, up to three, needed to make the atempt,
That's the best of my recollection.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Speaking of illustrations, Gary...behold!
http://www.thedelversdungeon.com/potions.jpg
That's a bottle of sherry and a bottle of port up front - and they're all yours.
We'll probably hit the winery one more time and double or treble the
number of bottles of Vintner's Red before we head up this summer.
Appetite whet, yet? :-D
Whoa! Great pic.
You are too kind and generous. Thanks. I have indeed a taste for port
and nuts for dessert, and some dry sherry as an appertif...or a
sweet/cream sherry as a desert wine.
Speaking of wineries, there was one here...and it offered the most
dreadful fruit and like sweet vintages imaginable. It didn't last more
than a few years.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Speaking of Spirits, also...
I'd read a third hand account of you engaging in a game of EXALTED.
If that's so, what do you think of the setting and rules, and was it a
one-off only or is it something you find yourself wanting to revisit?
X-D
Yet another of the many things attributed to me that are fictitious O.o
As a matter of fact I have never heard of
EXALTED before reading your post O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Speaking of worsts...
Some of the old-time locals, women by and large, made elderberry, and
dandelion wine. What awful stuff, with a headache the size of the gallon
jugs they came in. However, my friend Tom Keogh and I viewed the many
bottles and jugs of 20 or so year old homemade wines and came uo with an
idea,
Tom Keogh got copper tubing that fit perfectly into the vent of the deep
well cooker on the old stove at my parents placem bent it into a long
coil. Into the cooker went wine, a cold rag was kept wrapped abound the
tubing, and soon out dripped a pale-colored liquid that was about 70
proof and didn't tast at all bad.
In all I supplied such tipple to our club group that met in the attic of
my house and to a group of high school lads guarding the homecoming
bonfire--two gallons were swilled down and there was a large tire placed
ip on one of the light poles for the field by a daring, if inibriated
"guardian."
(When someone cleared out his family mansion nearby--he was a friend of
my grandparents--he had our family and my uncle's come and clear the
basement of scores of gallon jugs and quart bottles of such home brew,
including some pretty fair fruit brandies that I managed to swipe a few
of. Of course i was only abour age 13 then the hoard went into our
basement. Some few containers were still left when I was in my early
20s...mostly vinegarized :-o )
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
You
may give the Vintner's Red to me, then, as I have not forgotten my
Germanic heritage and so have a taste for sweet wines. X-D
>:-(
As a Switzer all I can say about trochenbern auschlaser (sp?) and the
lesser "mit predicate" wines from the wrong side of the Rhine is 8-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Only if you show up in June at Gary's house to get a bottle, son! :-D
Of course David will be welcome too B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Steve Sobering (yes, that's really his last name) who is a dear friend
of mine did some home winemaking. I cleverly thought "Aha, I'll keep a
few bottles over the years for a special occasion...!"
I found out to my dismay that the "special occasion" had best be paint
removal or weed-killing as two bottles of are quite vinegarized!
:-o
Some vinegarized wine is good for cooking--mainly making salad dressing and to add a bit of tang to stew.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Gary, to steer this conversation so as to allay suspicions that we're a
grop of alkaklghlo-HIC- grup of alkalaskkals-HIC A BUNHCA DRUNKS...
Have you read THE NAME OF THE ROSE by Eco and if so what did you think?
Heh-heh-heh,
It is better to keep a low profile in that regard... (^_^')
As a matter of fact I did pick up
The Name of the Rose,
and managed to fight my way through it. Somehow Umberto's prose was
less than compelling reading for me. I was hoping the experience would
be otherwise, but at least I got in a lot of nap time.
I have foind I enjoy alternate histories a great deal. I just finished
1901 by Robert Conroy. There are a lot of holes in the yarn, but it made for an exciting read nonetheless, so I plan to pick up
1862 and
1945 when it is released in May. Meantime I have some Biblical archeology zines to read, an excellent issue of
At the Lake,
with Civil War correspondence and an article on a Mormon that was
crowned king. The magazine covers this local area, and I know one of the
chaps that publishes it. In between I'll be perusing Samuel Johnson's
Dictionary.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Hypersmurf
Gary - in Saga of Old City,
Gord at one point plays a card game, with coloured cards including
Crown, Coffer, Sword, Spear, Bow, Horsehead, Dwarf, Elf, Thief, Priest,
Sigil, Tower, and Gate. Combinations include the Host, Allied Host,
Mage, Archmage, and Five Towers, detailed in the scene.
Did you ever create this game in full detail, and play it? Are there ranked lists of combinations available anywhere?
Do all cards appear in all colours? (From memory, the text implies
multiple Coffers and Gates exist, for example, but refers to 'The Thief'
- are there Thieves in Red, Green, Blue, White, and Black, or just the
one?)
-Hyp.
Hi!
As a matter of fact I have been asked about the game of plaques before.
When I was writing the tale I made notes of for dramatic effect only, so
I did not create a whole game.
The colored plaques are noted in the story. The Thief and some other like ones are singular and in black...IIRR.
If you venture to create a whole game from the information in the yarn,
feel free to embellish as you find suitable, and do please send me a
copy of it.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
You'd enjoy the works of David Gemmell then. Most of his writings theme alternate histories in paralell worlds. ^_^
I believe that I have read one of Gemmell's books, but possoibly I am confusing him with Harry Turtledove.
The alternate history of the Civil War in a trilogy that Newt Gingrich wrote was outstanding.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
You know it isn't that hard to envision. I see a game like poker where
certain pairs and upward combinatinos of like card faces have higher
values. For real fun twists, given the fantastical nature of the game
you could even throw in "Fizzbin" like rules - e.g., if Luna is
Ascendent and it's Growfest, Two Towers and one Sword beats Four Elves,
etc. etc.
Of course I'm no game designer but I'd play. :-D
Even if plastic were tp be substituted for the ivory when making the
plaques, the cost of making the game would be prohibitive. Of course
regular-sized playing cards could be produced with the correct artwork
for the game. Sadly that would still cost an arm and a leg...one of the
reasons I did not attemot to create a working game when I wroite the
story.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
I
did begin reading one of Gemmel's novels, albeit a fantasy one.
Turtledove did an outstanding alternative history series dealing with
WW2. Sam Yeager rocks! Btw, Gary, just curious if you have heard
anything about the animated Dragonlance movie that is being made right
now? Thanks Gary!
I have just ordered
1862
as well as books II and III in the Grail Quest series by Cornwell.
Those additions to the pile of publications to be read will keep me busy
for a few weeks.
I know nothing of the DL animated film, but if it is any good it should
bring a modicun of interest in FRPGS,,,hopefully not the CRPG sorts.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
I
enjoyed S.M. Stirling's "The Peshawar Lancers" quite a bit. There's a
nifty appendix in the back which details the divergence points between
the book's history and ours. Plus it has a hero named Athelstane King,
which might ring a bell if you've ever read Talbot Mundy's "King of the
Khyber Rifles." Rung ho!
I'll look that up on Amazon after I sign off here, thanks :-)
Cheers,
Gary
P.S. Book ordered and shipping on the 12th or sooner.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
I
was running a Space Opera "one-off." At the end of the "blow up the
space pirates" encounter, I felt that I needed to have a little fun, and
take the Space Opera a lot less seriously. I put in everybody's
favorite (what are those things called) robot: Marvin the Server.
He would constantly tell the PCs how dull life is for a robot with an
I.Q. of 10,000 (his Int stat is 25, actually). Then one of the PCs
ordered a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster. You heard right, a Pan Galactic
Gargle Blaster.
She drank it and yelled "WOW!" and was instantly inebriated.
We had a lot of fun not taking the game seriously! :-D
I thought you might get a real kick out of that one, Gary.
Indeed B-)
It calls to mind an organic computer I have placed in the Lejendary
AsteRogues Fantastical Science RPG's campaign base setting. She is named
Miss Know-it-All and was both bossy to the Avatar group in general and
possessive of one of the males therein/ Ah, love...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
Not the "1945" that Newt Gingrich came out with a few years ago?
I found that one to be not too bad as such things are reckoned. I was
slightly disappointed because I expected more from his historian's mind,
but easily as entertaining as "SS:GB". "Fatherland" is still a favorite
of the genre, though...
Thulcondar
Noperrs!
I did read the Gincrich alternate history of the ACW trilogy and enjoyed
it. Fatherland was interesting, but to me it lacked scope.
The 1945 I plan to order is in the 1862 and 1901, hopefully, series by Robery Conroy.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henrix
Hi, Gary! It's so good to see that you are up and posting again! I hope your recovery is going along speedily!
I wanted to ask you about the old illustrations of the pig-snouted orcs
and asian-looking hobgoblins. Is it true they were inspired by the
Minifigs miniatures, or was it the other way 'round?
Ho There!
Thanks, my blasted shingles condition is about 90% gone now---after some five plus months >:-(
As I recollect, Dave Sutherland, rest his soul, did the hog-faced orcs
and the hobgoblins in samurai-like armor. Minifigs worked from those
illustrations.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Two
historical events that cause me the most regret are the fall of the
Christian Roman Empire in 1453 and the fall of the Confederate States of
America in 1865. The alternate fiction I tend to prefer changes things
so that the Christian Romans and the Confederates come out on top of the
Turks and the Yankees.
The Byzantines were interesting, but they were doomed, I believe. I am particularly interested in Trebizond.
As for the CSA winning, I believe it would have been a disaster for both the USA and the CSA, despite the story told in
If the South had Won the Civil War.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Interesting,
I wondered about that too. A related question: is that how you
personally imagined orcs etc, to look like or did you have a completely
different conception of how such creatures were to look? Myself, I guess
being influenced by LOTR the book saw them appearing very much as they
did in the film. Thanks Gary!
Actually I envisioned the
D&D game orcs ase porcine in appearancem but not actually pig
faced--more like largfe, upturned noses and small tushes jutting from
their mouths, heavy bodies and small, pig-live eyes. Hobgoblins I saw as
apish in visage and build.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
i could swear i saw a fantasy movie once where orc-like creatures squealed like pigs when they got stabbed...
squeal like a pig, boy!
I must say I missed that one. Was the orc named Billy Bob abs was it stabbed by an arrow? X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
heheh. :-) i'm wondering if it was Willow, which i haven't seen in so long i barely remember it at all. ;-)
Maybe...
I had totally forgotten about
Willow...a
not very memorable fantasy flick for sure. As a matter of fact I can
not recall there being orcs in the movie--only badly done "little
people" and I think there were some wolf-hyena-type critters.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Perhaps
unmemorable for some, but it was playing in the background during one
of my very first games of D&D, so it strikes up some powerful
memories for me.
Heh...
Is it the movie or what it recalls to mind that makes it notable?
;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
So in other words, Orcs as portrayed on the D&D cartoon would have been kind of close to the mark?
And BTW, those artists actually portrayed KNIVES and SHARP INSTRUMENTS
on those orcs! CHILDREN watched those cartoons! They could have thought
those monsters were ready for combat?!?! How could you guys allow that
to happen?!?!
;-)
Hi Henry,
Actually, those D&D Cartoon Show orcs were a bit too porcine like in
my view, but they did match up pretty well with the orcs in the
MM.
As for the sharp instruments and other weapons, none were ever employed
in imitatable violent manner. Pity that :\ Of course that is PC
childrens' TV network progtaming brought to you by the social
do-gooders, the officials they put into office, and the trial lawyers of
America >:-(
Cheers,
GAry
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Korgoth
Gary,
have you ever considered seeking the publishing rights to AD&D 1st
Edition and to your adventure modules? I was thinking in terms of
"AD&D: Gygax Edition" and "The Gygax Collection" respectively. Have
you thought about that, and/or would it make any sense to do it?
Also... martinis: vodka or gin?
X-D
I never engage in building cloud castles. Kenzer has licensed the rights
to the mechanics of OA/D&Dm but Hasbro will certainly not part with
the trade mark D&D in any form.
As for a martini, one always makes that cocktail with gin, the original
liquor used. That is the only true martini. Those that wish another sort
of drink must logically ask for a vodka "martini" for instance...which
is much the same as asking for clam oysters on the half shell :\
Betcha you can't guess from that what I drink when making or ordering a martini :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
Gammorean Guards in Jaba's Palace in Return of the Jedi squealed in fear or in excitement. They had the porcine, hog like faces. Ugly brutes too.
I had forgotten that, but right you are.
I envisooned D&D orcs as more human looking, but those Gammorean Guards would certainly make do...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathan P. Mahney
Both!
The D&D game was a great one (and the first for my most long-lived
character), and Willow is a fun adventure movie that I still enjoy from
time to time. It's my favourite role for Val Kilmer, for sure.
That early D&D games are often memorable is undeniable.
I thought that Willow was interesting, but the lack of proper special
effects for a fantasy film kept most of the audience from suspending
disbelief. I certainly could not do do.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
This
past Saturday, the subject of "Star Wars space orcs" came up. The guy
who remembered their proper name felt very proud of himself (and wasn't
me!)
X-D
Well, he should be proud. I surely did not remember the name of those critters O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Gary:
Are you still in touch with Al Hammack? Can you tell us about his contributions to D&D?
Howdy,
I have not seen or heard from Al Hammack for at least 20 years. Al was
one of the U of Alabama Wargaming Team, J.D. Webster amongst them, that
first came to see us at TSR at a Winter Fantasy around 1978. They were a
great bunch, and all of us took an immediate likeing to them.
As for Al's contributions to the D&D game, those are recorded, and I won't attempt to strain my recollection in that regard.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by alan
Gary,
I'm not sure how many JD Websters there are out there, but the JD
Webster I know associated with war-gaming is still in designing those
games right now. In the 80s, he came out with Air Superiority / Air
Strike, and now is probably most well known for his Fighting Wings
series of tactical WWII air combat games. See
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/8521 for his latest release.
He's very active on the 'net, as most games are played via email and
postscript / pdf maps (some use VASSAL or Cyberboard instead). We have
several Yahoo! groups set up for various scenarios and larger scale
operational games in progress.
Just FYI,
Alan
Hi Alan,
If the JD Webster you refer to once wrote a comic strip, "Fineous
Fingers," and then became a Naval pilot, it is the same chap. I saw him
last when at a con on the east coast about 19 years ago. We ran into him
away from the gaming event, BTW.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
Dear Mr. Gygax,
Another couple of niggling Greyhawk questions, if you don't mind spending the time. Thanks in advance if you are able to do so.
In the original folio edition of the WoG, in the timeline, there is a
reference to the "Age of Great Sorrow" commencing in CY213. Can you give
any insights as to what that refers to? Ditto the "turmoil between
crowns" in CY437. Were these just tags to be elaborated upon at some
later date, or did you have something already in mind?
Can you give any anecdotes about the role that the cities of Dyvers and
Hardby played in the original campaign (or their possible analogues,
given the changes from the "alternate North America" setting to the
published "World of Greyhawk" setting)? As in, did any of the old-time
players such as Robilar et al venture to them, or was the action mostly
settled around the city of Greyhawk itself?
IIRR, the Age
of great Sorrow was meant to be the time of the migrating tribes into
the Flanaess, asthe Oeridians destroyed the older culture and society. U
believe I meant the Turmoil Between Crowns to be the time when the
Great Kingdom arose. As you likely suspected, those were hooks left for
further development...that never got developed.
There was some adventuring in Dyvers, and in the pre-WoG campaign that
city was the same as that detailed in the Greyhawk folio. that applies
to Hardby as well...although the players avoided the place as they found
the Amazonian-types running it as hot to their adventuring taste.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by alan
Gary,
No idea about the comic strip, but he was indeed a Naval aviator. Now he
flies commercial jets and gets in game design on the side. He goes to
Origins every year and runs several Fighting Wings events.
It's a small world after all, eh?
Alan
Heh...
JD's cartoon strip, "Fineous Fingers, Fred & Charlie," was a favorite of
Dragon Magazine readers for a goodly time. It ended as a feature only because JD stopped doing them.
If you happen to see JD at Origins, please give him my best regards.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Moggthegob
Dear Gary,
I would first like to say I am a huge fan of your work. I
started playing the game when iwas 6 and the Keep on the Borderlands is
the most fun I have ever had. I actually can barely believe its really
you.
Now that I got that out of the way, in the last Q&A you
mentioned a board game called King of england vs king of france. IU was
wondering, did that come out already? I am a huge 100 years war history
buff and I got thoroughly excited when i saw that.
Thanks,
Mogg
Hi Mogg,
Thanks for the kind words...the same general sort that I have said to,
amongst others, Orson Wells, Jack Vance, Fritz Leiber, and Bob Bloch
when I met them X-D
Troll Lord Games is currently working on the art and layout of the
King of England - King of France
card boardgame. I designed it about 20 years ago, play-tested it both
with gamers and casual participants at my home, and took it to several
cons and played it there. The work is indeed based on the 100 Years War,
but it is not a wargame
per se.
Rarher it is a highly interactive strategic game where card trading
with other "heads of state" is mandatory to win, players counter the
tactical moves of their opponents, and not much fighting with armies
takes place.
As an aside, I too am most interested in the 100 Years War. When I was a
boy I happened to pick up and read my mother's college medieval history
book. therein was a lovely little map of France and the nearby states. I
spent a lot of time studying it, wanted to do a game based on that war
and map. When I made my first pass at it, I discovered a conventional
board wargame did not work, at least to my thinking, to reflect the
struggle. That's why I switched to a multi-player card-boardgame.
Because of the recent upsurge of interest in baordgames, I can at last
have the work published B-)
Anyway, to answer your question, the Trolls plan to release it at GenCon, or at worst in September of this year.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Hypersmurf
A Freudian slip? :-)
-Hyp.
X-D 8-D X-D
Actually, I am a Columbus Method typist, and the keyboard os so worn
that some of the letters are basically illegible unlrss the light is
really bright.
My wife keeps promising me a new one, but... >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
Good
lord... I have a dozen pristine keyboards in my closet. Contact me in
PM and I would be honored to ship one out to you post-haste.
Well worth not making the mistakes between "not" and "hot" when talking
about the Amazons of Hardby. Such ambiguities we don't need!!
:-o
Actually a computer repair tech exclaimed that he had never seen a
keyboard as worn as this one. I got a wireless one to replace this, but
it quit functioning after just a few months. The Dell keyboard works
fine, but it remains with that computer :\
I must say that the Despotrix of Hardby is not hot X-D
Many thanks for your kind and generous offer of a keyboard. Sadly, I
have switched off PMing, as I dislike communicating thus. My email addy
is:
[email protected]
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by CRGreathouse
I saw something posted on
a rather old (2002) thread and thought I'd bring it up here to see if you could shed some light on it.
I'd also like to know if there's any kernel of truth to this story.
If the chap's name was in the player-group name list, then he was one of the early ones playing the AD&D game back c. 1977.
The business about the lich is not accurate. Lich is listed in the
dictionary. I never offered payment to anyone for an idea for a monster.
If they wished to not have it published, fine. Monsters are fairly easy
to devise on your own.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sir Elton
Hardby
isn't in any of my Greyhawk materials (The Adventure Begins, Player's
Guide, Living Greyhawk Gazzateer). In what product can I find Harby?
Elton.
The original 1980s version of the WoG.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Hypersmurf
The same cannot be said, of course, of all Hardbyites...
-Hyp.
;-)
Of course not. I always had plenty of them as most shapely and good
looking...if rather domineering and bossy/ think of today;s feminists
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Blair Goatsblood
Mr Gygax
What would you be able to tell us about the inspiration and role of troglodytes and lizardmen?
O.o
Trogs are found in many literary sources--cave or underground dwelling
sub-human types. They were added to the encounter mix to provide another
and different subterranean peril.
Lizardmen I made up to add to the list of humanoid monsters. They were
added to the encounter mix to provide another and different aquatic,
marsh, or swamp peril.
Nothing more complex than that :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by alan
Alas, I believe that I did not start receiving Dragon magazine until somewhere in the 40s. Maybe I missed his sting with comics.
Next time I email him, I'll pass on your regards.
Best wishes,
Alan
I do not remember how many strips JD did. By #40 "Phil & Dixie" or "Wormy" might have replaced his strip.
Please do pass on my best to him when you email JD>
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mr Baron
That
was a great comic. However many he did, it was not enough. My gaming
group always looked forward to reading his latest stuff.
X-D
Indeed, JD's cartoon strip was very good...as was Tramp's "Wormy" most
of the time. Dave Sutherland's cartoons in the freebie newsletter from
TSR were amusing, as were his "Shlump da Orc" ones.
That just goes to show how much talent was at TSR back then, and how the company attracted outside creative [ep[;e as well/
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
As
for tha Amazonian-type women of Hardby, the answers given above to the
question are suitable...or one might make up one's own sort based on the
campaign.
Remember that the milieu is one where violence is common, people
generally unprotected save by their own efforts, so size, strength, and
aggressiveness, not to mention armor, weapons, and skull in using the
latter are major considerations :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mr Baron
Gary,
Over the course of your career, how has your style of designing dungeon
and adventures changed, and could you give a little insight into your
current approach to designing adventures?
Heh,
Do not expect a treatis in response.
When I initially began creating adventure material I assumed that the
GMs utilizing the work would prefer substance without window dressing,
the latter being properly the realm of the GM so as to suit the campaign
world and player group.
I discovered I was by and large erroneous in my assumption, so in later
modules I added considerably more material for the GM to read aloud to
his player group.
Currently I am rather loathe to design new adventure material of this
sort, as I have done a sufficient number of modules that doing another
risks repetition. I feel rather constrained thus. Coming up with
something different and in at least some way surpassing my previous
efforts (in my own critical view) is not a task undertaken lightly...if
at all.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
A sign of the truly creative. The desire to better ones craft and explore new territory. ^_^
Well Amigo...
Pot boilers buy more groceries 8-D
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I
just want to say that I much prefer your earlier approach, substance
without window dressing. Or rather, your window dressing is usually
quite good, but I loathe boxed text to read to players, no matter who
wrote it.
It is less constraining to create an adventure
without attempting to make it such as the explanation for it will suit
virtually all campaogns. That is a no-no these days, and an author is
castigated for not treating GMs as unimaginative and non-creative clods
whose hand must be hald at all times. Rather akin to how some think
players' characters must be coddled in regards to perils in adventuring.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
but, but... if i don't always get everything i'm looking for in a game, then it's no fun. *sniffle sniffle*
;-)
Hey Boz,
Then do what I do: Make the GM and other players miserable and get your
satisfaction from spoiling the fun for everyone >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DreadArchon
Gary,
Do you have any particular sources of inspiration for devious traps, or do you just come up with them on your own?
(Thought of anything particularly good lately?)
Who can
say, what with so many nasty traps having been included in movie serials
that I used to watch at the theater on Saturday afternoons as a lad. I
believe that I have thought most of them up on my own, but...
The
Fantasy Life
book contains a fairly extensive list of traps, many of which can be
alaborated on. As for creating more if late, no. I spend such creative
effort in figuring out ways of avoiding those Jim Ward puts into his MA
game compaign :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Great reccomendation!
I bought a fifth of Highland single malt and it is quite excellent. A
different flavor than the Cutty Sark and Dewar's I've drank before. I've
been on a scotch kick lately and I think it is replacing Irish
whisky(Bushmills) as my whisky of choice. I've been putting it in a
tumbler with some ice and enjoying it that way.
Try skipping the ice and adding only a few drops of springwater :-D
Actually, I enjoy Kentucky and Tennesse Bourbon, Canadian, Irish, and
rye whiskies. Variety is the spice of life. I confess that well-aged
single malt Scotch is tops though.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
I
too like all kinds of whisky, I just think that the Irish and scots do
it the best. I used to hate the "scotch" flavor, the peat I guess? Now
I find it to be quite nice and it adds a lot to the experience.
It seems historically likely that the Irish taught the Scots how to make whiskey :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
A smart people those Irish. X-D
:-o
At least when it comes to a drop or two to drink...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by erc1971
[Quote: Philotomy Jurament
I HATED that module (Castle Greyhawk). I was overseas when it came out,
but I special-ordered it based on the title. When it arrived, I started
reading and couldn't believe it. They'd turned Castle Greyhawk, the
premier dungeon of the setting, into a joke. Now, I have nothing against
humorous dungeons, but to have a whole thing be a joke was too much. I
suppose I was expecting something else, so the disappointment was
intense. In any case, between Castle Greyhawk and modules like
"Puppets," "Childs Play," and "Gargoyle" it seemed to me that TSR was
sending a pretty un-subtle message, which was "Greyhawk is a joke."
Maybe I'm reading too much into that, I don't know. I do know that I quit buying TSR's Greyhawk material. ]
I feel the exact same way. Shortly after Gary left TSR, the came out
with "From the Ashes". Our whole gaming group saw it as a way to
destroy everything Gary put into the world, and re-do it in thier
vision.
To this day, Greyhawk is by far my favorite fantasy setting (for many
many reasons), and I still play using the original Greyhawk setting, and
the revised version that came in the boxed set (of which, I laminated
the maps, and affixed them to the wall of my gaming room). In fact, I
am currently running a C&C game set in Greyhawk - the Great Kingdom
is about to bring several years of uneasy peace with The Iron League to
an end, starting a great war in which I will suck the PC's into,
mwhahahaha!
Eric
Lorraine Williams wished to belittle me because I
dared to disagree with her business plans for TSR, so she gave some
evidentally envious designers the latitude to totally mess up the WoG.
IMO
their efforts showed how lacking they were. I named the abortive work
"From the Asses," which didn't endear me to the lot. Of course, that
made not a jot of difference to me.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
[QUOTE=erc1971]
Originally Posted by Col_Pladoh
"From the Asses" ROFLMAO X-D X-D X-D B-)
That name is going to be used in reference to that product for the rest of my life!
Eric
8-D
If so, you'll be as popular as I am in certain quarters...much the same as a Kosher butcher at a Hindu picnic :-o
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Blair Goatsblood
Thanks Gary. I didn't figure it to be anything complex...I just enjoy hearing about the origins of your beasties.
I recently read 'The Face in the Abyss', and enjoyed coming across one
of the possible inflluences for one of my favorite D&D monster.
All right!
Merritt was a marvelous fantasy author.
Face in the Abyss rocks! If you haven't read
Dwellers in the Mirage and
Creep Shadow, Creep, be sure to,,,along with
Moon Pool of course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
One
of my favorite episodes was in Family Guy when someone asks what
Ireland was like before alcohol. :-) I don't want to spoil the great
scene for those who have not seen it.
I qualify for that...
Gary, I recently saw that Paizo is going to reprint some of your old
Egyptian-based novels (Anubis, I believe). I also own a copy of your Necropolis
book and was wondering how you would rank your civilizations in order
of preference if you were going to do a campaign world all over again
based on previous historical cultures. I would assume from what I've
seen of your work that Egyptian, Japanese, and Frankish cultures would
be high on the list.
Piazo will be reprinting the three Magister Setne Inhetep fantasy mysteries beginning with the
Anubis Murders, yes.
As for centering a campaign on a particular historical culture, I
certainly prefer a pseudo Western European one of late medieval-early
Renaissance sort because I know it quite well, as do most persons that
play in it. For away-from-base forays, though, any period and culture
that I can research and get reasonable details om which to base the
adventures is fair game.
The benefit od creating a campaign world based on an alternate earth is
that historical information can be used throughout, while author
invention to alter and fill in blanks makes it unique. If you have seen
Epic of Aerth or the
Lejendary Earth
you will understand fully what I mean, see what cultures I have treated
therein. Chinese and Mongolian are two that are neglected elsewhere.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
I'll have to check those out. I've already been enjoying Lejendary Adventures so I will have to look for the Lejendary Earth
companion. Lately I've been interested in the eastern steppes
cultures, such as the Huns, their Hungarians descendants, Scythians,
Kurgans, etc. They are almost like locusts or parasites, coming in and
draining everything of value before moving on to do it to someone else.
The Magyars settled into the Hungarian plain, pretty much as did the
Bulgars. I suspect those peoples that came and then left were forced out
by competing folk.
As an aside, check out this website regarding very early Rhine river civilizations:
http://www.xenite.org/features/rhine-canyon/
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Two
pages of most interesting information that would make one hell of a
basis for an adventure for a group, or even a published module. ^_^
Shades of Howard's Hyborean Age, eh?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Oh-Oh!
>:-)
I have just been alerted to the fact that this might be an April Fool's joke...and if so a very clever one!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
>:-)
That URL I posted was to an April Fool's page, and it surely got me.
that will teach me to read hurriedly and without due skepicism >:-(
I have actually ridden the Loreli Express from Amsterdam to Basel, seen
the many castles along the Rhine. A few years back one could pick up a
castle in Normandy for around $200K, likely the place needing at least
that much more to make it habitable.
I am slowly working my way through three volumes of Howard's original
Conan yarns. When I finish I believe I'll see about the new S&S
tales set in the Hyborean world. Meanwhile I am also reading and
enjoying the
Peshwar Lancers alternate history novel.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
It's
a fun book, and the appendix contains a rundown of the history of the
world from about 1878 to the early 21st century, which would make for a
great campaign background resource.
If you like that book quite a bit, check out Stirling's recent "The Sky
People." It's another alternate history. In this one, it's 1988, but a
decidedly different one than the one we lived through. Sometime in the
1940s/50s, Venus and Mars were discovered to harbor life. Not just any
kind of life, but life remarkably similar to the ecosystems found in the
old pulp magazines, and almost specifically E.R. Burroughs' writing.
Venus is a place riotous with life, much of it prehistoric in nature, at
least from Earth's perspective. Dinosaurs co-exist with large
sabertooths, and Neanderthals come into conflict with primitive "true
humans." The arms race on Earth was mostly cast aside as both sides of
the Iron Curtain scrambled to get into space and establish colonies.
"The Sky People" concentrates on Venus, and how it came to contain life
so similar to Earth's. Very fun, action-packed, fast paced stuff.
X-D
I wondrr if there are red Martians, giant four-armed green humaniods,
thoats, banths, etc. If so, John Carter is likely there, and Tarzan in
Pullucidar B-)
Anyway, I saw the book advertised, so I'll order it. Thanks.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mystaros
...
There's another series, the "Penguin Historical Atlas of..." series,
which is also quite good. So far they've done Ancient Civilizations,
Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Medieval World, Vikings,
Russia, British Empire, North America... even the dinosaurs! Cool stuff,
sometimes verging on the "generational" scheme you mention, though the
McEvedy books are better for that perspective.
There goes more of my hard-earned coin.
I have the older Penguin historical atlases but the ancient civs ones I
have not seen. I must get several of those you mentioned!
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by DreadArchon
Gary,
I like your suggestion for short solo intro quests for the PC's (Mythus,
page 297-299), but my group is a bit... sporadic. Is it worth the
effort to have an intro campaign for every new PC introduced throughout
the game, or is it really only necessary when there isn't already a
coherent party to tack on add-ins?
When there is an
existing group, a new player should fit into what is their ongoing
situation. Of course, if the new PC can be brought into the campaign at
the same time a new adventure scenario is introduced, so much the
better.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
That is indeed the sort of thing that makes palatable the loss of a non-long-played PC.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Piratecat
Gary, here's a more wide-ranging question; as you look at your gaming career, what product or design are you proudest of? Why?
Similarly, what product would you rewrite differently (or not write at
all!) if you had the opportunity of hindsight to do it over?
- Kevin
Ah...
A question or two that I can not answer. The why is simple: Whatever I
wrote seemed good to me at the time I did that. I am proud that
somewhere someone thinks that a [articular work of mine was excellent,
his favorite. About all I can really say is that the amount of fun I had
writing is the only measure I have of what the particular design meant
to me at the time. There I would rate the
G and D series, the unpublished
Well of Shadows module co-written with Jon Creffield,
Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun,
Dungeonland,
Epic of Aerth,,
Castle Zagyg, Yggsburgh,
Hall of Many Panes,
Necropolis,
Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, and
The Hermit
in about that oprder are those I really loved doing. (Likely if I
looked at a list of all the stuff I have done I'd want to revise that. I
also had a great time designing the boardgames
Dunkirk,
Little Big Horn, and the soon to be published King of
England - King of France.
Of couese I would write many of my earlier works differently were I to
know then what I know now, but as far as game products go, I would not
skip any that I have created, even those that have been lost, are not
published, or that are languishing in prototype or mere outline form.
That is the best I can supply.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Retreater,
I would attempt to take the player under my DMly wing, suggest caution
or urge action as appriopriate, even quesrion his bad decisions with,
"Are you certain you want to end your PC's life in such a foolish
manner?"
After a couple of sessions of that sort of guidance I would leave him on
his own again, and if he had learned something from beoing coddled
thus, help him out a bit now and then. If the guy was not responding to
the assistance, I'd tell him after the loss of another two or three PCs
he would be out of the game as he was not suited to the campaign and its
DMing style.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Piratecat
And a perfectly fine answer. Thanks!
It's interesting; I think that in many cases the amount of fun you were
having while writing is translated through to the person reading it as
enthusiasm, in that many of the modules you mention are fan favorites as
well. From that list, it sounds like you've enjoyed adventure creation
and description more than workman-like rules creation.
Howdy Piratecat,
Rules writing is enjoyable when the end result is considered. I find
that with a boardgame that end is more apparent because of the visual of
the board. The same is true with a world setting, and to a certain
extent for a module bacause of the maps involved. The main drawback to
enjoyment of rules writing for an RPG is the length of the work at hand.
Sometimes that causes eager anticipation to fade as the task drags on,
much going back and rervising, adding and deleting takes place.
Writing novels is a blast....save for times that the characters have
taken over the plot, the outline is out the window, and you are stuck
for what happens next as those heroes and villians refuse to contribute
anything more. Short stories don't cause that sort of problem, but
finding the plat for each and keeping them succinct can be a chore.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hi Gary!
Is TLG still putting out a reprint of Saga of Old City in hardcover? I
loaned my copy to my dirtleg brother and he lost it. I can't access
thier site from work though.
Ho Flexor!
Yes indeed, the Trolls plan to have
Saga' in hardback available at GenCon when I can autograph them. Next will be
Artifact of Evil sometime this year I believe, then the other five in the series.
You ever consider writing some more Gord tales?
I co-wrote one gors short story with K. Bourgoine for
Dragon magazine last year. We did another but it was turned down, and I haven't felt like doing a re-write.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
My all-time favorite modules are your three modules of the D trilogy, with D2: Shrine of the Kuo-Toa
being my favorite of the three. I'm glad to hear that you greatly
enjoyed writing them. The underground environment you introduced in
those modules is the single most evocative adventuring environment I've
ever seen in published form.
Why, thank you kindly :-D
Oddly enough my group was not enamoured with the Underdark, especially
the actual Vault of the Drow. I had hoped to make things rough with the
vampire and succubus couple but they immediately became suspicious and
alert when they saw the beautiful moonlit garden.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Hypersmurf
Oooo-ooh... my old paperback copy is starting to fall apart from too much rereading :-)
-Hyp.
All the Trolls, and I as well, regret the loss of
the old paperback even as we welcome with enthusiasm the prospect of its
replacement with the new, author (slightly) revised, hardcover edition
X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
whoa, whoa, whoa!
Revised? Spill it Mr. Gygax, what does that mean? You better not be
going Lucas on us. Did the Beggarking drop the chest on his own head
now?
;-)
:-D
Slightly
revised. I wanted to remove all the unnecessary violence and replace it
with negotiation, acceptance of diversity, Gord hiring lawyers to avoid
legal troubles, and peace at any price X-D
Seriously, I just went through the original ms. and made a few
grammatical corrections and even fewer text changes in order to make the
story more clear. Anyway, never fear, I doubt that you'll notice.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
No
need to thank me. Hell, it's a hoot to recommend a book like "The
Peshawar Lancers" to Gary Gygax, and find that he's actually read and
enjoyed it! After all, your "recommended reading" list in the 1e
DMG
was pretty much my list of "must read" books for a long time. Heck, I
just recently got around to finally reading William Hope Hodgson's "The
Night Land." EDIT: I'd've sworn that was on the list...I thought I
remembered you praising that book at one time...
And wait'll you read "The Sky People." Now
there's a book tailor-made for a roleplaying game...
Well, thanks anyway ;-)
I might have mentioned
The Night Land, or
House on the Borderland,
in one of my rambling columns. Voth were rather...different sorts of
fantasy offerings, rather in the vein of Algernon Blackwood's "The
Willows."
As for the Peshwat Lancersm here is my entry for Chernobog from the Lejendary Pantheons ms.:
Chernobog
(Cernobog, Crnobog, Czarnobog, Tzernoboch, Zcernoboch): 2nd Rank.
(Pronounced Tzer-no boch.) The black, greater god of Evil, the Lord of
all that is wicked and bad. He works always to undo any good that
Byelobog has wrought. Chernobog is depicted as a squat man with
dead-black skin who is dressed in black and iron.His likeness is his
symbol. He is the master of the waning half of the year.
Servants: Pizamar, god of Greed.
Puruvid, god of Hatred.
Rinvid, god of Deceit.
Runvid, god of Treachery
Turipid, god of Envy.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tylerthehobo
Ah-whah?!?
Wasn't the return of Gord story a huge hit in the magazine? I mean,
at least the letters columns and boards were humming... You and K.R.
Bourgoine did a great job with that one - I was hoping for more. I hope
Paizo reconsiders and gets more of Gord back in circulation...
The reason was that the characters and dialog were not sufficiently
"Gord-Like." That means that the tale needs a revision as to the key
problem, how a new character is presented, and some punching-up of the
dialog. Perhaps then it will get a nod from the Kindly Editor...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
All of them, I believe. Look under Wild Coast or Greyhawk City (which sadly, in later versions has taken over the Despotrix).
I believe it was also covered in an issue of Dungeon, but I seem to have
misplaced it in a special place as it was more important than the
run-of-the-mill issues. O.o I believe it had a green cover, but I
can't find mine.
Whatever...
The original presentation of Hardby is found only in the original World of Greyhawk products ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Nod,
it's cruel to make people think, on either side of the DM screen.
People were so unenlighted in ye olde days of 70's and 80's. :-)
Yes indeed.
It is over the top to actually place careless and unthinking PCs into
situations where they will probably (GASP!) lose levels ot their very
game life. Modules that suggest that careful consideration needs be used
at certain critical junctures are "old school," and any DM that dares
to create such hazards on his own is obviously unenlightened and cruel, a
killer DM...as if the brain cells of those that find challenges in play
unacceptable were not already resting in peace X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Hypersmurf
Caldwell cover?
-Hyp.
Nope!
That's the copyright of either
WotC or Clyde's estate. The trolls are having a new one done even as I write this.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I think I've found all the references to Hardby . . . If you'll indulge me in quoting it, ...
Well done!
I do believe that you found all the references to Hardby.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Old
school adventures were stressful. I remember wishing mostly just to
make it out alive from places like the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth. Why
there were some scenes that seemed most pointy, zappy, and/or likely to
turn everyone into permanent dungeon-dressing.
Luckily, OSHA has now arrived in the adventuring workplace. :-P
>:-( X-D >:-)
Wait until those panty-waist OSHA twits attempt to make my dungeons a
safe adventuring environment. None will emerge whole of body and sound
of mind! :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tylerthehobo
Well,
I know a lot of us are looking forward to more Gord. Good luck with
it, Gary. I hope we see more Gord not just in novel form but also
shorter pieces in Dragon and such. :-)
Kerry B and I
are now exchanging email messages in regards a revision of the completed
story and a springboard for a new yarn. A full novel about Gord is a
poser, for his life is pretty well covered in the seven existing books.
Perhaps a grand adventure by young Gord--that is in his late teens or
early 20s--might be possible. Otherwise, a post-destruction epic can be
done, one where a parallel Oerth exists, but that might infringe on
WotC copyrights of the WoG setting.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
That gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "dungeon clean-up crew!"
Actually, this doesn't sound like a bad premise for a game...
My PCs and their companions are always seeking to clean subterranean
places...of valuables as well as those creatures that think to guard
them X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by FATDRAGONGAMES
Neville Chamberlain would be proud of you! :-D
Why Why thank you!
His spirit is alive and flourishing right here in the USA today >:-)
>:-(
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Now, now. We don't call them "creatures." We call them "persons of differing genetics."
:-#
Sotty, I lost my head.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Hypersmurf
Estate?! He isn't dead, is he?
-Hyp.
(^_^')
Noppers, although sadly two of his fellow artists that worked at TSR have passed on. What made me add that I can not say O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Because they were your friends? And its always a splendid tribute to remember ones friends kindly. ^_^
Yes, I do remember them with fondness. It is hard to believe that both dies so relatively young.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Voadam
I'm
sure there are also plenty of opportunities for Gord to enter
demiplanes or such at various points in his career, planes where time
does not pass the same and creatures within do not age.
There is, after all, a literary tradition of people entering timeless
fey domains for long periods of time only to emerge and find that only a
night has passed.
That is so. Following fays into their passage under a rock brings one to fairyland where the beautiful females beguile one.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Obviously Gord should be teleported to Lejendary Earth. :-)
The miliew of LEarth is not suitable for the premises upon which the Gord yarns were constructed...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by FATDRAGONGAMES
Sad, but true. I fear the damage will be far worse this time around.
I do concur. I have been harping on this for a couple of years now on both my talk lists.
Sadly, politics are forbidden here :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hmmm,
I thought polytheists and pantheists were supposed to be more accepting
of diversity than monotheists. Yet another shattered presumption! :-(
;-)
BTW, wasn't there at one point a Part XIII to this Q&A thread? What everhappened to old number 13? Is it now defunct?
Gray Mouser
the Romans were generally tolerant, but they
found the Druidical religion so abhorrant as to exterminate it... more
totally than they did the Cartheginian one.
When these boards crashed many months back a thread was totally zapped. Perhaps it was Part XIII. I don't remember that clearly.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
HeavenShallBurn,
The short answer is that the Romans did not approve of human sacrifices
to gods, despite their incredible barbarity in regards to the shows held
in the coliseum.
Thanks for the good words regarding my S&S yarns :-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mordelack
...
...
Perhaps Gord vs. Drizzt in Act I, Gord vs. Raistlin in Act II, and Gord vs. Elminster in Act III?
Just kidding! Seriously, just kidding. No really, I mean it, it was only a joke, no such book will come to light.
K.R.Bourgoine
>:-(
Anyone care to step up and take Bourgine's place as my co-author?
X-D :-P X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JRRNeiklot
Heh,
I remember reading somewhere that shortly after TSR asked Mark Antony
to write a Drzzt novel, R. A. Salvatore sent them a short story wherin
Drizzt trips over his shoelaces, falls in a pit, breaks both legs, and
dies from exposure. :-P
:-o
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
To
clarify, approx. five months of threads from Jan 2006 to May 2006 were
lost in a catastrophic forum & backup failure. :-(
And to remind Gary, if you ever feel like there needs to be a new thread
for a shorter size, let us know. It doesn't affect the servers one way
or another, but if it helps you out we're on it.
Okay, I suppose it would be a good idea if I started a new thread :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Gary Gygax Q&A: Part XIII
A brand new addition to the series, done so that following it will be easier.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Off to a rousing start B-)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mordelack
:-D If it counts for anything, I did just get a message from a Gord fan saying this:
"Elminster vs. Gord. How could that possibly go wrong? ;-)
C�mon�you don�t think Gord vs. early-career-Conan wouldn�t work better?"
K.R.Bourgoine
How absolutely dreadful!
>:-(
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
OK Gary, it isn't like I yammer at you enough already but -
What's the worst "gotcha" your players have gotten you with when you're running the game?
There have been a few. In AD&D play I'll never forget how Jim
Ward's mid-level PC fought a vampire, and forced it to dust-mote without
ever being hit. When we were play-testing the
Hall of Many Panes
module John Siebel's PC reacted instantly to an NPC threat that should
have slain several of the party so that the adversary was killed, the
team unscathed.
Perhaos the funniest of recent times was the play in the LA game
Dance of the Fairy Ring
module. Alex's Avatar, Xagnar, was quite tough, had gotten a pair of
"Duck's Wings" as a magic item. The team was at a slime pool after what
treasure might be hidden there, not the slime drake that lurked therein
guarding it. Xagnar went in; the drake pinned him down to the bottom
with one foot. At the same time a Necrourge named Dirah played by Dennis
Harsh, saw the drake's head emerge, leaped in and attacked with a long
dagger. In three strikes, all of which bypassed protection, two
inflicting 20 harm and gaining additional bonus damage as well, the
drake was toast! Because the drake was distracted fighting for its life,
Xagnar managed to take out his Duck's Wings, flap one in each hand, and
thus escape the pinning claw. My only consolation was remarking on how
silly Alex's Avatar looked when using those feathery objects.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Gary, I had mentioned your list of "recommended reading" in the 1e
DMG
on the previous Q&A thread. That list still gets discussed a lot,
as it consists of a lot of the great fantasy and scifi authors and books
of the first half of the twentieth century. I was wondering if you'd be
inclined to share with us the books you'd include on an updated list? I
know I'd be very interested in seeing what you thought were some of the
most inspirational, in a D&D sense, books that you've read since
the original list was composed.
Howdy Colonel,
Short answer:
Frankly, I find very few new fantasy books in the general S&S vein
worth reading. I do enjoy the "Diskworld" series, and Glen Cook's "Black
Company" novels are appealing to me. Those are about all that spring to
mind. The fiction I have been reading these days is mostly murder
mystery (I loved the "Judge Dee" series), historical (such as Cornwell's
various series), alternate history, and some re-reading of old fantasy
& SF books.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
Gary, you should have waited until Friday to start thread #13! :-o
Blast!
Why didn't I think of that? :\
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Wonderful weather considering global warming...
This has been the coldest April in a long time here in Wisconsin. We
have about fourinches of snow, and the power was out for nearly an hour
early this afternoon >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
I still relate with horror the tale of arriving in Lake Geneva last June 16th and the outside temperature being 49F.
I know, I know, but see I'm from Florida. If it hits the 50's, I break out a sweater!
Heh, the kinfolk from Louisiana wore sweaters almost all the time when
up here they missed the couple of weeks of truly hot weather we have
with temps in the upper 80s and 90s--sometimes it has his 100 or
101--with very high humidity as well. That is comparable to FLorida's
summer weather I am assured.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Probably
because most fantasy books these days are in the "romantic fantasy"
sub-genre. I'd rather read a "well-wrought tale" any day!
That sort of writing is as appealing to me as a Victorian Romance novel...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Me,
too. Do you enjoy H. Rider Haggard novels? I've been relishing them of
late. The sense of awe he can convey is almost religious in intensity.
I haven't read any of Haggard's books in many years, but I surely do like his writing.
Alan Quartermain, She, King Solomon's Mines, Miawah's Revenge
are all remembered with great fondness. I believe he write other
stories as well, but I can not remember them, so if I recall rightly,
they were not of the caliber of those I can call to mind.
Incidently, I saw an old B&W film,
She,
back around 1948, and it scared the daylights out of me as I was only
age 10. the Amahagar (sp.?) dropped red-hot pots over the heads of their
human victims, and when She Who Must be Obeyed bathed in the ray a
second time the decay was most horrifying for a youngster :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Doug McCrae
Gary,
what were your inspirations for the D&D party? The small band of
adventurers each with different, but equally useful, skills and
abilities has been a very important concept in roleplaying games, yet it
seems to have few analogues in fiction.
Indeed, as far as
I know there are no literary parallels of the FRPG adventuring party.
My insporation was from wargaming, the mix of arms on the battlefield.
Infantry = fighter, rangers/spoes = thief; medical/priest = cleric,
artillery/engineers = magic-user.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
The Fellowship of the Ring?
Not saying it was necessarily an inspiration, since I know you are not
inordinately fond of Professor Tolkien's work; but the members of the
Fellowship have, until their break-up, pretty clear roles as party
members.
Sorry, but there isn't a spell-caster amongst the lot.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I know Gandalf's magic is apparently weak compared to D&D magic, but surely he is a spell-caster!
Nary a cleric nor an illusionist, and Gandalf doesn't cast a truly
potent spell on behalf of the party, so I'll stick by my statement X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by noffham
Gandalf
is clearly a psion with several domination-like powers and the ability
to battle demons through astral projection. B-)
Errr...
Somehow I do not believe that Professor Tolkien would agree with that.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gandalf was an incarnate angel and definitely not anything described in Gygaxian D&D.
Speaking of J. R. R. Tolkien, are you planning to read
The Children of Hurin? Here it is on amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Children-Hurin...6418464&sr=1-1
That's the first newly-published fantasy novel that I've looked forward to since I can remember.
Indeed, whatever Gandalf might have been in regards the Professor's
mind, he was not a character that is comparable to virtually any FRPG
system I can think of that was not designed specifically from the Rings
Trilogy.
I am in no hurry to read the "new" JRRT book, as I have plenty of reading material at the moment.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Using
only the books as sources, his most flamboyant use of magic occurs
off-stage - a good example is his battle with the Ringwraiths at
Weathertop. Lots of thunder and lightning, but only seen from afar. His
battle with the Balrog on the top of Zirak-Zigil is also very flashy,
also with lightning and thunder, but again, it's related by him in
flashback. The most outright-powerful use of magic he displays "on
stage" occurs as he races out to rescue Faramir and company; he uses a
ray of light to drive away the Nazgul almost at the gates of Minas
Tirith. But, this could have been an effect of the Elven Ring he wore,
which was the Ring of Fire.
Heh,
And what other sources might one use for Gandalf other than the books
Tolkein authored? As far as I can determine, the Professor's concept of
the magic used on Middle Earth was not of the sort common in S&S
fiction and founf in FRPGs.
Cheerio.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JRRNeiklot
Heh, we actually had snpw flurries on Easter in Alabama.
No question about it. The weather across the US is funky. At least here
in southeastern Wisconsin today is sunny and the sun in melting the ice
and snow a bit.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
,,,
...The closest thing in AD&D to Gandalf would be a deva.
And that angel-like creature was meant to be as such.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
A
lot of people now use the movies as sources. The movies =/= the books,
by a long shot. My mentioning that I was only using the books as sources
was to head off any "where was that in the movies?" type of questions.
Had the Professor written and directed the films, they would have
validity in regards Middle Earth. As that is not the case, anything in
the films that does not appear in Tolkien's writings is absolutely
apocryphal, is it not?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Really? Devas were meant to be like Gandalf? That's pretty cool. B-)
O.o
Would you believe more like
angels than a pointy-hatter wizard!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
...
By the way, I meant it as a general comment for anyone reading this
thread. It wasn't directed at you. My assumption is you know the movies
and books are two different beasts.
:-D
Yes indeed, and I must confess that I very much enjoyed the movies... X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Imperialus
Black
Company is a great read, I don't know if you've ever given him a try by
George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire is an exceptionally well
written fantasy series. It moves quite sharply away from a traditional
S&S novel but but the machinations of the various noble families are
fascinating to follow.
Also, have you gotten a chance to read the re-released Conan books? Coming of Conan, Conquering Sword of Conan and Bloody Crown of Conan? If so, how do you think Howard�s original work compares to the editing that Du-Camp did?
The Martin works do not sound particularly appealing to me, but I am in
process of reading the three trade paperback REH Conan books now. I
have read some few non-edited Howard yarns way back in the 1950, and
IMO de Camp did no justice to the original writing.
I enjoy de Camp's writing, very mych so when teamed with Fletcher Pratt,
but he messed up REH's writing, as did the other posthumous
collaborators.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Yes, if one doesn't mind reading 1000-page books. :-D
To me that's a bit too long for a single work of fiction. A series that
I enjoy can run much longer than that, as with Cornwell's "Sharpe"
novels. I wish that the "Judge Dee" series was as lengthy as that...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
I
read the first of George R. R. Martin's series of fantasy novels, and
it was more than enough for my tastes. I'm not going to read any more of
them.
I read the first 200 pages of Kostova's The Historian before giving it up. The historical background is fascinating, but the rest turned me off.
Those were the last two contemporary fantasy novels I've read. I've
pretty much given up on it all. I just stick with the old stuff.
Oh, wait: I do rather enjoy M. A. R. Barker's Tekumel novels, though more for the setting than for the plots or characters.
As I stated earlier in this thread, I do not find contemporary fantasy writing to my taste, so we are in agreement there.
It seems to me that Phil Barker's character and place names are so difficult to pronounce as to make reading a chore.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
I enjoy the Disk World series...
Now I shall pick up and read the last of the three books in the "Archer's Tale" trilogy.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Imperialus,
IIRR, goward wrote the Bran Mac Morn yarns before he did the tales of
Conan, actually used some of his plots for future Bran tales in the
Conan storues.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Hey Gary, were the early AD&D
modules penned by you taken from the Lake Geneva campaign wholly or in
part or did you set out to write them specifically for the events noted
on the cover blurbs with a later eye to publication?
TSR was getting a lot of requests for adventure modules, so I did all
of the initial modules strictly to fiill the void in the company's
product line. Of course I had my group play-test them, also had TSR
employees do so. The onlymodules taken directly from my campaign were
Dungeonland, Land Beyond the Magic Mirror, Isle of the Ape, Village of Hommlet, and
Temple of Elemental Evil. The others were slipped into the campaign as side adventure areas.
I wrote the G series as a break between finishing the PHB and starting the
DMG, and I did the D series after completing the ms. for the
DMG.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
I
can certainly understand that. I have to admit that I actually like his
names. He and Tolkien invented honest-to-goodness languages, and hence
their nomenclature feels real. I can't stand the big, unpronounceable
names in most other authors' works (Flamblerideragiz the Wizard, and
such rot). They just sit there and pull monstrosities out of their
nether regions, and it shows.
Gary, do you like Japanese giant monster movies, such as Godzilla (28
films so far!)? I'm rediscovering them with my young daughter.
One must be very immersed, shall we say, in the setting being detailed to create special languages spoken therein.
As for Japanese monster movies, I must say they are not my cup of
tea...although I get a laugh out os some of them: "Look! Gorgonzola,
Cheese Monster, destroys the entire miniature village as it it were a
toy!"
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nathal
Hi Gary!
I was reading through my old Volume I of Lejends Magazine and wondered
when the Trolls are planning those hardbacks of LA. Last I heard they
were due out last summer. I see some nice stuff coming out related to
LA, like a new module you and Chris Clark penned, but still no new core
rulebooks. Any new news on that front, or is "Essentials" IT for the
foreseeable future? I would email you directly with this question, but I
posted here because I'm sure there are others curious about the same
thing. :-)
~Dan Cross
Hi Dan,
As far as I know the hardback version of the LA game was never
contemplated being released in 2006. The object has been to clear out
the paperback versions. The Trolls will likely be releasing the
supplements to the core rules,
Tome of Knowledge and
More Beasts of Lejend in PDF format this year, along with hardcover releases of
Lejendary Pantheons and
Shamanism & Witchcraft. then the revised etition of the three core rule books will be done in hardback next year...I think.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
What? Devas like angels? You mean the winged figure in the
MM II that was an other-planar minion of the powers of weal were meant to resemble angels? That's crazy talk, I tell you!
;-)
Actually, I rather liked Devas, Solars and (IIRR) Planatars. It did
seem, however, that the Solar could give a demon lord or duke of hell a
run for his money. Which is fitting, given the angel/demon/devil
parallels :-)
I recall that the Devas were divided into three distinct groups, were
Planatars and Solars, as well? Was this three-fold division inspired by
the "Choirs of Angels" belief that was developed largely by
Pseudo-Dyonisius' reflection on various passages in the New Testament?
Gray Mouser
Hi Mouser,
Devas were drawn mainly from mytholology.
Planetar and Solar were inspired by Theosophy. There were no grades of either IIRR--too lazy to dig up MMII and check for sure.
The lot were surely meant to counter, and then some, the minions of the Lower Planes ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hey
Colonel, I was just wondering about the WoGH setting. I'm sure we all
have our favorite parts of the Flanaess, around which we either base our
Oerth campaigns or to which we just have a certain attraction (I'm
rather partial to the Free City of Greyhawk, Furyondy, as well as some
of the western lands, such as Zeif, not to mention finding the Valley of
the Mage an interesting place for potential adevntures). My question is
this: Besides the City of Greyhawk, what other lands figured
prominantly in your campaign? I know that the campaign figured largely
around Greyhawk and that there were trips to China and,
IIRC,
Hempmonoland (or its equivalent) but did any of the players ever make
it to places such as Ket, the Bandit Kingdoms, the Great Kingdom,
Dyvers, etc.? Were there any major NPC's from such places that
interacted with the players on a normal, or memorable, basis?
Gray Mouser
Hi Again!
Most of the overland travel went north and west of Greyhawk--including
the Ulek States, the Vesve Forest, Shield Lands, and Bandit Kingdoms.
That and adventuring in the Bright Desert and Wild Coast was about it,
although some of the PCs in later years ventured into the east, but not
much beyond Idee in the Great Kingdom. One party did range through the
far East's cold lands, and another was journeting through the western
lands aiming for the coast of Ket. Mordenkainen was in the lands of the
Wolf Nomads, recruited a troop of horse archers there. I brought in no
NPCs from East or West as there were plenty from the central and north.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by PapersAndPaychecks
Hi Gary
Jagdtiger or IS2? ;-)
The JS2 has better field of fire
and greater mechanical reliability, so for offense I'd take the Soviet
AFV. For a basically static defensive action I believe that the
Jadgtiger would serve better.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
BTW,
Not to belabor the obvuois, but the quote about using rules as a
jumping-off point applies mainly to RPG play, not boardgames or card
games B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
That is what I have urged, so that the supplements match the originial
core rules books, with PDF copies also made available. The revised
edition is to be done in hardbound.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mighty Veil
What
exactly is Theosophy all about? I'm reading it on Wiki but that's not
helping. I'm curious to know because when my grandmother died years ago.
In her book collection I found a very old bible like book with the
emblem of the Theosophical Society symbol on it. The symbol has the Nazi
symbol in it, so I always wondered if there was some connection (not
that grandma *ever* seemed like the type).
Look up
Sprirtism and Theosophy online, also try Madam Blavatsky (sp?). It was a
popular belief back in the late 1800s and lasted into the early 1900s, a
spritualist sort of belief. As a matter of fact it was very active in
Wisconsin...and look up Wisconsin Death Trip sometime.
The swastika is a gammadon, IIRR, used in ancinet India and by the American indians as a good luck symbol.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mighty Veil
Howdy,
I don't believe that solar symbols are connected to the supposed
Theophysical Solar spirit creatire. a sort of thing similar to a Seraph,
just as the Planatar is rougly equivalent to a Cherub.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
Dear Gary,
(And thanks for the permission to use the familiar; I'm something of a
formalist when it comes to addressing those I consider my betters.)
X-D
Not a better, merelt a fellow gaming enthusiast that happens to have a compulsive neurotic drive to write.
A minor question regarding something I recently uncovered while
researching an article on how to get the most out of DMing the D1-3
series. In D1, on p. 6, you say that "Shadow groups are spies for the
Drow, for they are the major creations of the Drow deity." (Shadows
referring of course to the AD&D monster.)
I was just wondering if you could elaborate on the connection between
Lolth and the creation of Shadows. I realize that Driders are now
considered the "major creations" of Lolth, thanks to "Queen of the
Demonweb Pits" (*sigh*), but the though occurred to me that perhaps you
were being somewhat sly in referring to "the Drow deity", and might
perhaps have meant the Elder Elemental God, rather than Lolth. Or that
might just be reading too much into it.
I know Q1 was not your work for the most part, of course; had you
perhaps originally intended some connection with Lolth and the demiplane
of shadow, or something else?
Thulcondar
PS: That aforementioned keyboard is packed and ready to be shipped out.
Apologies for the delay; it's been an "interesting time" around here, in
the Chinese sense of the term.
Actually, I did not mean the drider to be a creation of Lolth,
but rather shadows as you note, that coming from her draining humans of
positive life energy as a spider sucks the fluids from its prey.
Dave Sutherland created the drider for Q1 and attributed it to Lolth, so
that was that. So under those circumstances the best way to reconcile
the problem is to have the EEG be the creator of the shadow.
May you live in interesting times, eh? 8-D Have you read the Judge Dee mysteries? Excellent if you enjoy the genre.
Anyway, no problem about the delay regarding the keyboard--a sunny day here, so reading the worn keys is not difficult... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Thulcondar
I
find that particularly fascinating (and yet another indicator of just
how far you were willing to go to find source material). Although it
also points out how far Mme. Blavatsky was willing to go for source
material, inasmuch as the Deva is a Hindu figure.
I have been toying with the idea of putting together some sort of
Angelic heirarchy to counter the Diabolic and Demonic heirarchies. Since
we have arch-devils, why not arch-angels? Major Devils and Seraphim.
Demon Princes and Saints... The details are unimportant, but you get the
idea... And of course the "named" Infernal figures would have their own
counterparts.
The only thing that has stumped me thusfar is in individualizing them
sufficiently. Perhaps I am a creature of the mythologies to which I am
accustomed, but the angelic hosts always seemed so... homogenous.
Valkyries could work for one of the other alignments (NG, mayhap,
although for those who know their true nature according to the Norse
lore they are far from beneficient beings!), but I find myself at
something of a stumbling block. And for the non-good/evil minions... I
would ache for something more rooted in mythology than Modrons.
Any thoughts as to a possible expansion of the demon/devil/daemon idea
into the realms of Good, beyond the (to my mind, rather limited)
Deva/Plantar/Solar?
As always, my thanks in advance.
The short answer is that
as a Christian I have stayed away from Judeo-Christian theology. Thus
the use of Theophysical in Hindu spirit entities.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Are there rough D&D equivalents to each of the nine choirs of angels? or was that not a consideration?
That was not a consideration, the Devas, Planatars, and Solars were
added to the roster of creatures to coulter-balance the various demone,
devils, and fiends.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by FATDRAGONGAMES
Hi Gary!
Was there ever a formula for determining XP and GP values for magic
items in 1E AD&D? If not, do you have any suggestions or guidelines
for doing so?
Hmmm...
I would have sworn that I used one when I set those values down in GPs in the
DMG,
but I surely can not recall what it was. The GP value given for a magic
item equaled what XPs I gave for it if they sold it. Hald the amount in
XPs if it was retained bu anuone in the party.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by edgewaters
...
Gary:
It is my understanding you enjoy Edgar Rice Burrough's works set on Mars. Is there any other science fiction you enjoy?
O.o
You aren't joking, are you? I read SF since I was 12. and have written a
few short stories in the genre, and so my name is included in the
roster of SF authors.
I have always enjoyed the writing of many SF authors including: Asimov,
Bradbury, Clark, Dick, Elkison, Farmer, Gernsback, Hamilron, Raymond
Jones, Damon Knight, Laumer, Sam Merwin, Jr., Norton, Offut, Pangborn,
Mack Reynolds, St. Claire and Sheckly (and Shaver... X-D ), Tenn, van
Vogt, Wellman and Williamson, and Zelazny.
As a matter of fact I have paperbacks, magazines of pulp and digest
sort, and a few hardbacks too with all of those authors and a lor more
in by library...and I have read them all B-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jasin
Could you provide more details on this, please?
I had some ideas for a game that involved a world with a single solar as
the spirit/ruler/personification of the Sun and a single planetar as
the spirit/ruler/personification of Earth. The epic overarching plot
would involve the planetar rising up against the solar: a bit of
gnosticism, a bit of Ra vs. Apophis...
What got me thinking along these lines were mostly just the names for
the creatures, "planetar" and "solar" which I never thought were chosen
for any particular reason, but now that you mention being inspired by
Theosophy, it seems I might have been going back to the roots without
being aware of them.
I do not pretend to be an expert on Theosophy, so you must do your own research in regards information there.
You have the correct hierarchy for the Solar and Planatar, so I can not add anything there.
As for Egyptian deities at odds, the big dustup was between Ra and
Osiris when Ra was taking Set's sind in regards who should rule earth,
Horus son of Osiris or Set. Osiris onfrmed Ra that he had "many savage
faced messengers" to assert his claim, and Ra backed down.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
I'm surprised Heinlein isn't in that list. He seems right up your alley (especially, say,
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress).
Have you ever read
The Mote in God's Eye by Niven & Pournelle? One of the best SF books ever written
IMHO (and in Heinlein's opinion, too). Unfortunately the sequel (
The Gripping Hand) is no good at all.
8-D X-D 8-D
That list was just a sampling of the SF authors I have read. Good grief,
Poul Anderson, ERB, Alfred Bester, Eando Binder, Edmond Cooper, and a
host of others aren't on it...including "Doc" Smith, Robert Heinlein,
Murry Leinster, and Jerry Pornelle, Ph.D.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
Were you a Second City improv fan when you were growing up in Chicago?
Heh, kids of age 7 and under don't get to hang out on Rush Street. I
did later on, when I was 18 and living on my own there. (I had a
doctored ID that showed me as three years older than actual.) So I went
Bellini's Coffe House, the Gate of Horn, and the Improv theater there on
State, the name of which escapes me, but the owner was listed as
"Janitor."
Of course I was a big fan of Second City TV with John Candy et al. on the tube :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by edgewaters
Amazing!! It's a good thing I asked then, I wouldn't have guessed you'd written any yourself.
Indeed, I have as well actually had a short horror story published ;-)
I was particularly curious on the point of Asimov and would have
asked specifically if you hadn't explicitly mentioned him. That's a
wonderful list all round. Shaver, even ... probably not the best writing
but some of the most bizarre and imaginitive!!
Beware the Deros!!...
Isaac and I were lined up to work together on a feature film,
but as with many such projects, it never got the funding needed for
production. We chatted a few times on the phone, and I was set to get
together with him when next I was in NYC, but then he died. As with
Orson Wells, I came on the scene too late :-(
When I read the "Shaver Mysteries" as a young teen I knew they were
bogus but thought the concept fascinating. Soon thereafter I read
Leiber's
You're All Alone and began to understand the difference between hack writing and good.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel,
Interesting commenst about your having published sci-fi and horror
stories. Can you share the titles of these tales as well as where/when
they were published? I'm aware of your fantasy stories (apart from the
Gord books, of course) but am not familiar with these other stories.
Gray Mouser
Here is the list of most of my short fiction
that was published as individual storues. Sadly, I can not find the
Fafhrd & Grat Mouser one that runs to about 30K words as I recall :\
�Pay Tribute� (Science Fiction short story in The Fleet anthology)
�Battle off Deadstar� (Science Fiction short story in Fleet Breakthrough anthology)
�Celebration of Celene� (Fantasy short story published in Michael
Moorcock�s Elric, Tales of the White Wolf anthology) White Wolf, Inc.,
1994
�Duty� (Fantasy short story in Excalibur, anthology) Warner Books, 1995
�Get on Board the D Train� (Horror short story in Dante�s Disciples anthology) White Wolf, Inc., 1996
�Evening Odds� (Fantasy short story with Gord the Rogue sharing Michael
Moorcock�s Eternal Champions universe) White Wolf, Inc., 1997
�Return of Gord� (with K.R. Bourgoine), Dragon Magazine #344, 2006
�Swords of Eternity� (Fantasy short story based on Fritz Leiber�s
�Lankhmar� universe, featuring Sheelba, Ningauble, Fafhrd, and the Gray
Mouser�a tribute to Frits that is still unpublished.)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Oerth is the IP pf
WotC, and I am quite certain that they would not be interested in sharing it further with me, even for nothing but novels.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
I
am hopeful that the ms. for the yarn will turn up on an old Mac+ disk
that is misplaced somewhere in the incredible clutter of the basement
here. If not, Ed Kramer might eventually be able to dig it up...if he is
ever back in the antholigy business. Ed was the one that put me onto
the then-planned antholigy in tribute to Fritz. I went with Sheelba and
Ningauble as the main characters in deference to Fritz of course, as he
was a friend.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
In the words of the Black Adder, "Oh, bugger."
Well, it looks like the adventures of Mordenkainin and Bigby will just have to take place in Yggsburgh, or Khalibrun even.
:-)
Seriously, though, I really enjoyed seeing Mordenkainen, Tenser, Ombi,
Eclavdra, et. al. in the Gord stories. Gave them a more "real" Oerthian
feel (yeah, yeah, I know it's a fictional setting, but everyone here
knows what I mean). I'd love to see Mordy, Bigby, or Tenser in their own
short (or long!) story. Maybe if you get a chance to do another short
story you could focus on one of them. Not that I'm complaining about
Gord, mind you :-)
Gray Mouser
Once again, most of those characters you name are now the IP of
WotC, so again, using them in myworkis at best priblematical.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
I'll
keep a good thought (and a prayer) that the manuscript is found, as I'd
love to read more Nehwon material. I really like the idea of focusing
on Ningauble and Sheelba, too, as stories reolving around mages are
rather interesting (I did rather enjoy Rhialto the Marvellous);
which is part of the reason why I was bothering you in my other posts
about Mordenkainen and Bigby (or even Tenser!) stories :-D
Gray Mouser
:\
See my post immediately above.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
Gary, is Gord still your property, however? I'm assuming he is, since he's appeared in other stories you've written.
Yes indeed, Gord is the IP of Trigee Enterprises.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hmmm.
I thought that you retained the IP to your own PC's after the split
with TSR. Perhaps I came to this conclusion because of the deal you made
with them being able to continue the Gord books and your having
included such personages.
In any event, "Oh, bugger."
Gray Mouser
Note the permission from TSR in the five Gord
books published subsequent to the initial pair that TSR published. As
those two originals have my copyright on them, there is some question as
to who really has the IP rights to all the characters used therein, but
I do not want to litigate the matter...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mighty Veil
Wow.
Reading page 3's Gary responses from his response of my Canadian Maple
Leaf post to Gord. I haven't been this surprise about AD&D's roots
since Gary said he wasn't a LotR fan. And not so much D&D is based
on LotR.
I didn't realize D&D didn't base itself on Christian beliefs. Hindu,
huh? Never would of guessed that. I still don't understand this
Theosophy one. But Solars are the sun, and planetars are the planet.
This new view of them makes them seem more like cosmic elementals than
angels (reminds me of the show Andromeda). Very spiritual.
You know Gary. Had you used "Paradise Lost" as inspiration. I bet a neat
D&D cosmology , different then the current one, there could have
been. I just HATE what 2e's Planescape did to it. I was thinking of
buying the new Demonweb Pit adventure till I learned it used 2e's
cosmology.
As a Christian I stayed well away from basing any of the D&D game on scripture.
The Deva, Solarm and Planatar are benign and rather angelic in their purposes.
No Milton, but I did use a bit of Dante's
Inferno is developing the denizens of the Nine Hells.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Gary, now that Dungeon and Dragon
magazines are ceasing printed publications, I was thinking back on some
things I thought that you had written before. Was it true that the
magazines were under threat of the axe during the early 80s also?
When circulation of
The Dragon
was not growing as it should have, the Blumes threatened to cancel it,
so I had to change editors when the one in charge failed to respond to
the demand for inproved circulation.
When TSR was on the verge of bankruptcy in late 1984, one genius
suggested that we sell the magazine as it was a valuable asset, then
grossing a million in annual profit. Somehow I managed to not only quash
that idea, but also got the fool canned. (He had demanded the
cecessaton of the support of the RPGA as it had "only 8,500 members"--DM
that actively supported TSR with PR of all sorts.) The mentality
demonstrated was not suiotable for a hobby game company. Sound familiar?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Any connection with Greyhawk's Celene?
Both are the name of a moon, bit that's it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
Will you be doing anything special for the last print issue of Dragon or Dungeon magazines?
Even though the zine was created by me, I have not been asked to do any
such thing. The fact is that I am dubious about being able to offer
anything polite and constructive.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
Do you think that knowing about improv had any influence on RPGs and their development?
Not really. Acting was a most minor consideration in the design and development of the D&D game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
It
would be a shame for them to not bring you on board in some capacity
but, barring that, perhaps a letter of farewell could be sent. I would
think they'd be hard-pressed not to include that in some fashion.
Well Mark,
While I agree in part, such a missive would likely be preceived as a sort of sour grapes, or as a slam against
WotC, and it would be hard for me not the make it the latter.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
haakon1,
What can I say?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Indeed,
and that was something that I as a novice player really appreciated
:-) As I grew older and actually began reading Dante it always made me a
bit nostalgic for the
MM descriptions of devils.
Along those lines, was there any reason for switching the ice-cold 9th circle of Dante's Inferno for the frozen (
IIRC) 8th plane of the nine hells?
Gray Mouser
(^_^')
Mere poetic license, as a frozen last layer did not strike me as appropriate for a S&S model of the hells.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
I admire your restraint in the matter. :-)
Although I seldom do, on occasion I manage to follow Thumper's (or was
it FLower's?)advice: "Of you can't say something nice, don't say
anything at all."
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by BOZ
understandable.
as a purely business decision, it probably seems to make sense. as a
way to reach out to fans and longtime subscribers... well, it leaves
something to be desired.
If I were firmly supporting
WotC there is a slight possibility that I would be asked for commentary in regards to the passing of
Dragon
magazine. As i have made no secret of my less-than-enthusiastic opinion
of new D&D, I'd say the odds of me being contacted in this regard
are Slim to None...and we all know Slim has left town X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mhacdebhandia
Jasin was actually referring to the backstory of the television series Stargate SG-1, but I for one will forgive you for not recognising it. ;-)
Now i know why i have never been fond of that program...the writers don't know their Egyptian mythology >:-)
:-o X-D 8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by AGFlynn
Have you tried the excellent, if excruciatingly complicated, Malazan series by
Steven Erikson? Or the very hard-edged (sometimes too much so)
Prince of Nothing series? Both are fellow Canadians and superb writers.
No, I have not read either author. How close are they to the S&S
writing of say Leiber, Howard, Vance, Merritt or for that matter
Pratchett?
And hey! What's a Canadian doing flying the Welsh flag? X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Voadam
...
It was the only non-D&D reference to Demogorgon I'd seen. Where was the inspiration for Demogorgon then?
Demogorgon is mentioned in various occult books, demonologies list him.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by AGFlynn
Born in Cardiff, boyo. I'm a transplant. Proud Canuck and Taffy.
As to Bakker and Erikson, I'd say their writing is somewhat darker than
the above, especially Bakker's. A bit harsher, definitely adult reading.
Erikson's work -- if memory serves -- is based on an original D&D
campaign world. It's heady and complicated stuff. It's also absolutely
loaded with characters -- its a dense read with a lot to take in. Well
worth it if you have the patience to stick it out.
Cheers, Flynn
(Yeah, and an Irish name. Thanks, great-grandad.)
I have a bit of Welsh (also Irish) heritage, and the English includes
Cornish--my grandmother could bake a mighty fine pasty ans great leg of
mutton. Thus with the Swiss, French, and Dutch included I am a typical
American hybrid. Never mind about some of mu grandchildren, but their
ancestry would fill a good part of the UN X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Shadeydm
HI Gary,
My apologies if you have already been asked this a thousand times. I am
curious if prior to things unravelling for TSR was it ever in your plans
to advance the timeline of the World of Greyhawk Campaign Setting or
was it meant to remain static in your mind?
*edited for my subpar typing skills.
First, as a "Columbus Method" typist, I comisserate in regards need for editing :\
In regards to the timeline for the WoG setting, I had no immediate plan
for advancing it as the world was meant to be used by all DMs so
desirous, each making it conform to his own campaign needs.
Any special changes added to the setting in "the future" would have been done in modular form so as to be optional.
Later TSR and
WotC approach to and treatment of the setting was quite contrary to the purpose for which I intended it when it was created.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
They
do alright with the Norse stuff, though. The episode where Viking
warriors with swords and modern USAF Special Forces with the other kind
of claymores are fighting aliens with blasters, that was cool. At least
to me! ;-)
Watch the episode of Season 1 on DVD, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by Thor's true identity.
The son of Odin and the earth goddess Jord, married to a giantess?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
You're
part Cornish? No way! I don't think I've ever met any other American
who was, but I did hear tale once that the "Badger" nickname for
Wisconsin had something to do with Cornish miners there. Who knows?
Do you know about Cornish nationalism? British politics was my field in
grad school (when I became a Badger), and it turns out, much to
everyone's surprise, there's a serious but very small Cornish
nationalist movement, about reviving the language and even trying to
bring back the Stannery Parliament from the Middle Ages as a devolved
assembly, like the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament, for the
Southwest (Cornwall & Devon). The party is called Mebyon Kernow,
which means about the same thing as Plaid Cymru does on the other side
of the water.
Definitely worth keeping an eye on, as they scored 1.7% of the vote in
Cornwall in the last British parliamentary election. ;-)
All of which leads me to yet another Greyhawk question: Is Onnwall
named after the fair land of (very few of) our ancestor's birth? I
certainly treat it my game as being Cornish -- tin, pirates, etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mebyon_Kernow http://www.mebyonkernow.org/Public/Stories/89-1.shtml The old Celtic areas of the UK still have some nationalistic movements in them indeed.
There were lots of Cornishmen in the lead mining area of southern
Wisconsin, and that is indeed where the term "Badger State" came from.
There are no actual badgers here.
My grandmother told me how the miners would take their pasties into the mine for lunch, warming them under their arm...
Yes, Onwall was inspired by Cornwall, Land's End and all that good stuff :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Voadam
Its
funny, my grandparents live in the UP of Michigan and my grandmother
makes great pastys too. I always assumed pastys were arabic food because
she made them, only finding out from her as an adult that it is a
cornish dish common among the former mining communities in the UP.
The Jedda family moved here from the UP--incidentaly I have been to the
UP, a lovely place, Lake in the Clouds and all--owned and operated the
Stop & Shop Liquors shop downtown. When their two sons took it over
they added a deli section and made and sold excellent pasties. I was
indeed sad when they sold the place, and the new owners changed the
nature of the business.
did you know that the northern counties of Wisconsin and the residents
of Upper Michigan at one time wanted to form their own new state,
Superior?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by AGFlynn
What's the provenance of Gygax? Sounds kinda like a Welshman had a nasty high-speed collision with a Roman on the Appian Way. ;-)
Or maybe an allergic centurion: "What's your name, soldier?"
"Gygax."
"Bless you."
X-D
Gygax is an ancient Swiss name, properly pronounced GHE-gox. Family oral
tradition is extensive, but it begins with our being descendants of
Goliath of Gath that fled from the Near East to the Greek Isles,
eventually to Greece proper, when he waas slain by David. The Greeks
called the family "gigantas", Greek for giant. That name stuck when four
brothers took their families, moved from Greece to the Alps of what is
now Switzerland around the time Caesar was conquering Gaul.
My father was born in Seeberg, Bern, Switzerland, and I spoke a bit of the language when I was a wee lad.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jupp
Yup, Gygax is a more or less common name around here. You see the name alot in the Berne Highlands (Berner Oberland).
The four castles of the Gygax Family came from the four brothers that
mover their families from Greece to Switzerland a couple of millenia
ago.
There is a great soccor player with the Gygax surname, and the head of
the Swiss air force is also a Gygax. Here, the Gygaxes were mainly in
the navy, with one Vice Admiral, Felix, while I believe his father,
Xerxes was in charge of naval operations during the construction of the
Panama Canal.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Winterthorn
Actually, being a Canuck of Dutch ancestry, and having done a little research:
Giant (n): an imaginary figure of superhuman size and strength; appears
in folklore and fairy tales. In Dutch/"Nederlands": krachtpatser,
mannetjesputter, kerel, reus.
Results from LookWAYup.com , a free multilingual dictionary. :-)
Gary,
I have two questions (me not being around ENWorld that often):
1) I have read that D&D 3.x has plenty that didn't meet your
preferences. Instead of looking at the myriad of details, what is one
principle feature of the current system you would have done differently
(to make 3.x a better game in your eyes)? I am guessing there must be
something that really stands out above the minutia that you may have
said "No. that really, really doesn't work for me the way I see it", or
some such similar reaction.
2) Are you willing to share with us any ideas about how you would like
to see the D&D system develop considering that change appears in the
near future? I don't want to pin you down, but I am curious about the
various ideas that have crossed your mind. :-)
I suppose these questions are two sides of same gp; your speculations would be intriguing! B-)
Regards, W :-)
I have been to Amsterdam and enjoyed the
city very much, had a great time there staying in the Hotel Grand
Krasnapolski, dining at good restaurants including The Five Flies.
Very easy questions to answer:
I would not have ever done
3E.
As the new D&D is betond redemption in my view, there are no suggestions I can make in regards to improving it.
The Castles & Crusades RPG is more like what I had in mind for a
revised AD&D game, and now that they system has added by skills
sets, even more like what i would have done B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Goose auf Deutsch ist ganse.
I do not know the nursery rhyme. Is it English?
Ghe-gox sounds a bit like ganse in the ending syllable.
the Gygax family armorial bearings are a green ground with a white goose
facing dexter, a red star in canton and a buffalo horn. IIRR, the star
and the horn were later additions for service and bravery.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Winterthorn
I still have cousins and aunts and uncles in Holland, and I enjoy visiting the "old country" every few years. :-)
"...beyond redemption..." Yikes, I didn't know you felt that strongly
about it. But that's B-) I am not insulted - in fact you made me
laugh :-)
C&C? Well, I am thus obliged to have a good look at to see what you mean. I have been so focused on D&D
3E
the last year or so (I DM using the Kingdoms of Kalamar setting)
perhaps now is a good time to refresh my mind by looking at something
different! :-)
Thank you for the quick replies :-D
Heh,
One man's meat is another's poison. Liking or disliking a particular
type of game, or game itself, is no reflection on the person concerned.
IMO
game buffs have a lot more in common than the like or dislike of a
particular design. for that reason U try to stay away from comments as
to what I do not particularly like in favor of saying what I do enjoy.
When all is said and done, there is no arguing about personal taste, no?
The C&C game system is about as close to a revised OAD&D game as
is possible. That said, my favorite RPG system is the Lejendary
Adventure one--rules light, skill-bundle-based, yet retaining the
archetype, and very easy to determing playing awards. As a GM I emjoy
running adventures, and playing it is a delight for the thinking gamer.
BTW the Troll Lord Games forums also have LA game threads, as does
www.dragonsfoot.org and
www.lejendary.com :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Naidim
Gary,
First I'd like to add my thanks for the creation of something that has added so much joy to my life.
When I first got into reading, my grandmother got for me the Chronicles
of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander and I was hooked on S&S. After that I
picked up 3 Hearts and 3 Lions by Poul Anderson and The Hobbit/LotR.
When a friend introduced me to D&D in 1979 I was in heaven, being
able to adventure in the worlds I loved to read about was everything I
could imagine.
I appreciate your thanks :-)
It goes without saying that I too found much joy, entertainment, and
stimulous from my youthful reading. As a matter of fact I am still
devoted to reading.
I've read most of the books on your list in the PHB. My only
questions are have you read the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen
R. Donaldson? Can you recommend any other stories that are as different
from the standard fare (the stereotypical stuff like the Belgariad
bores me), but still S&S?
About all I can say I enjoy of the contemporary
famntasy/S&S writing is that of Glen Cook and Terry Pratchett.
Donaldson I gave up on after about 50 pages.
I am now reading the original REH Conan stories, and that's about it,
save for going back now and again to re-read Vance, Merritt, Farmer,
etc. My main fiction persuits lately have been alternate history,
historical novels such as the Shapre's series, and mystery stories. O am
also now at work putting together a detailed outline of a new Gord the
Rogue adventure novel, one set in the time period when he was a young
rebel in Greyhawk. If my co-author is motivated by my material, and we
find an interested publisher--likely Troll Lord Games as they are
reprinting the other seven gord books in hardbound editions--we should
have it done by the end of this year.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jupp
It's
a Swiss-German children song, origin and age unknown, and unfortunately
I do not know the full song. Also the mighty internet did not provide
me with the complete lyrics. In this song the goose says "Gy-ga-gax". I
think this comes more from a reference to the family crest than from the
name itself. As you already said in an earlier post, the name Gygax
could originate from the greek name for giant and that sounds a bit more
realistic. Because as far as I know the old German/Swiss translation of
goose is not Gygax,Gigax,Giegax or whatever but Gans, Gander, Ganter,
G�s, etc. Another indication is, that the name Gygax itself is very
untypical for a Swiss name, or for a German name in general. So the
whole Greek story looks more plausible than the goose thingie. And I
would rather want to be named after a giant than after a goose anyway
:-D
X-D
I will have to see if I can find the children's sone...although my
German is very limited indeed, having sropped speaking it with Mumpsy
when I was age seven.
There is a tribe of Albanians known and the Ghegs, giants, and someone
has speculated that they might be descendants of Goliath's that stayed
in Macedonia, moving only a bit westwards.
As for a goose, they are very alert and make good watchdogs...and are very nice well roasted :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
I
know this wanders dangerously close to the speculative territory you
are often wont to avoid, but I've wondered about this for a long time.
If you had remained in charge of TSR, how would this have worked in the
long run? Would essentially the same boxed set have stayed in-print
until today? It seems to me that most publishers find that keeping
essentially the same product in-print for years is not feasible. Changes
are made to justify printing a new, updated version of the setting.
Or perhaps I should merely ask what are your plans for Lejendary Earth in this regard.
No problem!
I would indeed have kept a boxed intriductory set of the D&D game in
print...just as the publishers of Monopoly have kept that game on the
shelves. Also I would have consolidated the remainder of the D&D
game into a large book as was done by TSR after I left.
As for AD&D, I planned to revise it and add skills. (See the C&C
game for how I would have handled that.) Later editions would contain
few changes--mainly corrections and minor additions to existing
material.
The LA game is being revised, and the new edition will have a good deal
more information, but virtually no rules changes, mainly more Orders,
spells, magic items, and monsters. Monsters' attacks have been expanded
to reflect greater realism in regards to the danger they pose. The books
will also be hardbound. Along with that there will be supplemental
books for the optional addition of shamanism and witchery, one dealing
with the pantheons of deities, and then detail volumes for the Lejendary
Earth world setting. Plenty of new and desirable material without
having to huck endless revisions of the core material ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
I think Mr. Fisher was asking about the World of Greyhawk boxed set.
One would think that the boxed set could remain in print as a
"bare-bones" guide to the campaign, then additional detail added through
campaign gazetteers or through adventure modules.
You are
most likely correct, but what I said applies to the WoG as well as to
the game per se. In truth I had plans to create material detailing the
various states and major terrain features of the world setting, as well
as completing the world with a second boxed set.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel,
I know you're not a big fan of JRRT, but I do have to recommend The Children of Hurin.
Only 259 pages, and that includes the preface and introduction. It
seems to me to be Tolkien's take on Greek tragedy set in a fantasy
milieu. Without dropping any spoilers I have to just say that I got the
last 1/3 (or so) of the book and thought, "OMG, no way!" Had to go back and reread a bit just to make sure I was following what was going on correctly :-)
BTW, the book also fetures a damn cool talking sword. I'd have to think
JRRT was a bit influenced by Michael Moorecock in this area if the story
hadn't been written some time before the appearance of Stormbringer
:-)
As for your other comments, I have to completely argee with the necessity
of rereading Jack Vance on a fairly regular basis. Rarely have I read
an author whose prose I enjoyed so much. I also hope that the outline of
the new Gord novel progresses apace. And don't forget to put in the
appearance of Mordenkainen and Bigby! ;-) (Heh, I know, I know...)
Gray Mouser
when i am out of reading material that I am excited about likely I will picj up
The Children of Hurin. After all, I did really enjoy reading
The Hobbit.
Perhaps the "singing Sword" wielded by Prince Valiant was a source of
inspiration for JRRT. Anyway, IIRR there are some talking swords in
fairy tales. It has been decades since I read those of Andrew Lang where
I think they appear.
As for Vance, how thoroughly I agree. His prose is so exceptional that reading it is a sheer joy. I recall how I lingered over
Night Lamp, wishing it were 400 or more pages in length.
Because i have had too much other stuff to do today, I have made no
further progress on the detailed outline for the new Gord novel, still
only nine chapters set forth. I'll add one or two more today yet...with
luck.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
I
think that's something that hurts D&D in the long run: Not having a
single boxed set that is essentially unchanged from decade to decade
(just like Monopoly). Having such a set, of course, would not preclude
all kinds of additional D&D products for hard-core gamers. But only a
small fraction of people want to essentially game full-time. But lots
of people are amenable to an occasional 2-hour D&D game. That sort
of casual gaming would be best served by a static boxed set with a short
rulebook (say, 64 pages) that stays the same except to fix typos. That
way people would always know how to play rather than having to digest
1,000-page "core" rules that change all the time.
Just so!
I urged Peter Adkison to reprint the D&D line, revise OAD&D a bit, and then produce a super new D&D line. Ah well...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Bog97th,
Do not blame Piazo for the cancellation of the two zines. Lisa Stevens
has stated clearly that Piazo was eager to keep on publishing both of
them.
If ever you wish to play a vital game that is in the same vein as
OAD&D, have a look at the C&C RPG from Troll Lord Games. OTOH,
if you are interested in exploring new approaches to S&S gaming,
have a look at my Lejendary Adventure system. It is rules light,
skill-bundle-based, has retained archetypes even with skills as the
basis for character creation, is easy to learn despite being totally
different from class-based FRPGs, and is fun to GM and to play. It too
is being published primarily by the Trolls.
I don't travel much anymore, but there is the upcoming 3rd Lake Geneva
Gaming convention here in mid-June, and we are only 70 miles northwest
of Chicago. Also, i will be at GenCon this year.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
Hi Gary,
There are a handful of references in your later-era AD&D writing to
space travel -- in the description of Celestian in the WoG, in some
notes in Dragon articles, and perhaps a reference or two in spell or
item descriptions in UA -- that were never developed and I'm curious
what you envisioned this aspect of the game being like. How, for
instance, would the play-experience of traveling to different planets
have differed from traveling to different planes? How would you have
avoided a 'sci-fi' feeling (or is that something you would have
embraced)? Was this notion inspired by Jack Vance's story "Morreion"
(the same story that gave us IOUN stones)? How close would a Gygax
"D&D in space" supplement have looked to TSR's "Spelljammer" ;-) ?
Short answer:
The main moon of Oerth was a viable sphere, although none of my players
ever made it there. Mars and Venus were likewise habitable ala ERB.
Getting to those places was via portal or special spells that I never
did manage to ger around to detailing.
For real space travel i intended to do a Science Fantasy genre spinoff of AD&D, absolutely nothing similar to Spelljammer.
When I designed the DJ system, and later the LA game, I made certain to
have the mechanics such as to be compatable with genre additions to the
fantasy one. We are about to finish the
Lejendary AsteRogues Fantastical Science rules later this year. Avatars from different genres can indeed become at home in new settings.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mr Vergee
Funny, I did the same when I first wanted to read the book. Then I gave it another go. Suffice to say that I was happy I did.
Trusted confederates have assured me that my decision was a wise one, as I very mych dislike downers X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Henry
You
know, with as many people having advanced science by leaps and bounds
because of the inspirations of Star Trek, I wonder if we ever see the
discovery of Parallel Universe Gateways in our lifetime because some
gamer physicist wanted the GARY GYGAX WORLD OF OERTH boxed set... X-D
It is nearly astonishing to me that science now recognizes that parallel universes are likely to exist :-D
Gygax's Paradox:
Given infinite time and space, everything that can happen has, is
happening, or will happen. Thus there will be a universe of nothing but
solid matter, and one in which there is nothing whatsoever. As a
universe of nothing is nothing, it can not exist. So everything that can
happen can not happen.
:-o X-D 8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
Poppa G,
What is your first "gaming" memory (beyond pretend games as a kid), be
it wargaming, minatures wargaming, etc.? I'd love to read some details
on how that went. And if you have the time, could you tell of some
highlights from the old Chainmail days? One of my first gaming loves
beyond AH board games was pushing the painted lead around (on big felt
sheets with model railroad trees and lichen and foam hills and
mountains) with some friends in the early seventies.
Thanks!
Playing pinochle at age five, taking over for my
mother when she was called away from the card table, and actually taking
suifficient tricks to win the bid she had made. then at age six i saw
my older brother playing chess with men consisting of checkers with
white tape on them naming each pawn and piece. I watched him and his pal
play, learned the game thus, and played badly for yeard thereafter.
I am way too busy to relate much more about gaming. However, Terry Kuntz
was really angry with me when we build point armies to fight it
out...and mine consisred of a wizard, four armored footmen with halberds
to guard him, and a superhero with magic armor and sword. When Terry
would surround that fighter with his minions, my wizard would toss a
fireball on top of him, the save needed for a magically armored
superhero being pretty easy to make.
Chess was my main game untill I discovered Shogo. AH boardgames were my
passion for many a year--1958 - 1965. Then miniatures sort of took over.
Other than that we played on a sandtable most of the time, the
accoutrements we used for the tabletop were tose you mention.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Naidim
Indeed,
there is no happy ending for Thomas Covenant, which for me is one of
the reasons I like it (and hate most movies to come out of Hollywood
these days). Conquest is not always successful; endings, even when
successful, are not always happy; and happiness is all about your point
of view.
The stories made for enjoyable, unpredictable, reading.
I'd be so humble as to suggest "Daughter of Regals and Other Tales"
first, and if you enjoy them, give chronicles another chance.
As to parallel worlds, Zelazny had it right with Amber long ago. :-)
Heh...
I believe this is an instance of needing to agree to disagree X-D
Lugubrious lepers do not have the least bit of appeal to me. I read for
enjoyment, and crappy stuff is founf almost everywhere in real life
>:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by The Merciful
Actually
I can say with good confidence in Tolkien's case his insipration has
been Kalevala (the finnish national epic for those who might not know).
Tale of Hurin's children is pretty much retelling of Kullervo's tale,
including unwitting incest, suicide in guilt and a talking sword.
Speaking of Kalevala, if you drop 'd' from Mordenkainen, you actually
have a name you could fool a born Finn with. Not too bad for a foregner.
:-D
:-D
I have read Kalevala several times, admire Vainomoinen greatly, have
seen the b&w Eussian film about his journey to Pojola with Ilmarnen
to get Louhi's daughter, and much enjoyed de Camp's & Pratt's
Wall of Serpents drawn from Finnish mythology. Ir was not by chance that my first and still most potent mage PC was named Mordenkainen.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Characters
such as Elric, Shadow Jack, and Kugel are more interesting to me than
painfully noble or pedantically distressed ones. Frankly, I thing the
fantasy genre is for action and adventue, blood and thunder, swords and
sorcery, not for some pot of message >:-(
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Gary,
I know you said you don't have much use for fantasy fiction of the most
recent couple of decades, but what about Gene Wolfe? His "Book of the
New Sun" and "Wizard Knight" books, among others, are as good as
anything I've ever read in the genre, bar none. If you haven't done so,
I'd highly recommend putting "The Knight" and the "The Wizard" by Wolfe
on your reading queue. At least give the editorial reviews synopsized at
Amazon a glance and see if they pique your interest:
http://www.amazon.com/Knight-Part-Wi...7777947&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Wizard-Book-Tw...7777947&sr=8-1
Well maybe I'll take a look, but the authors one reviewer compared him
with were not at all the sort that I find entertaining, such as Ursula
Le Guin.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
I
do not mean that Turin is "painfully noble" or "pedantically
distressed," only that he is a more noble and manly character than the
leprous rapist Thomas Covenant. Of course Elric isn't "painfully noble,"
he's painfully ignoble. ;-)
I beg your pardon, but I do not find Elric painful in any respect...in
the initial two books in the series in any case. He is, as far as I am
concerned, the ultimate model for an anti-hero, much as is Zelazny's
Shadow Jack.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Personally,
I'd compare him to Jack Vance and Lord Dunsany. Those are the only two
that immediately leap to mind. Ursula LeGuin...I don't see the
resemblance.
Now you have my attention :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Impressive ColonelHardisson...
But I hope Wolfe is easier to read than I found Chesterton to be.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well, haakon1,
It seems as if the writers for that program not only do not know much
about Egyptian mythology, but are also equally misinformed about the
Norse, for Thor was of the Aesir race...
anyway, this reinforces why I shun the show, much as U do the new BBC production of Robin Hood. What a travesty! >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Underarm
warmed pasties are probably better than cold pasties . . . I made the
mistake of trying a pasty out of the fridge in the UK once. A congealed
fat sandwich is not too tasty!
As for Land's End and Cornwall in general, it's as beautiful as you'd
guess . . . I recommend checking it out if you visit the UK. But for
you, Caernarvon Castle in Wales and Edinburgh Castle in Scotland would
be higher priorities, if you haven't seen them yet.
The other castle I'd like to see someday is Krak de Chevaliers, but tourism to Syria doesn't seem wise at the moment.
I have been to the UK quite a few times, but Bath is about as far west
as I got. I do want to see Cornwall as well as the Vale of Belvoir, the
Lakes Country, Wales, and Yorkshire...then cross over to Ireland.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Ah, so the Gygax family was from the County of Urnst, it would seem. :-)
X-D
Actually, they borrowed the family armorial bearings because of their utter awe of the symbols depicted on that shield :-o
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Ah, I know that smile. That's the same smile I get when I realize my players are paying more attention than I thought. :-)
How about calling it a grin?
B-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
Are you a fan of pre-painted plastic figures used at the game table for RPGs?
Actually, I am noit much given to employing miniatures when playing an
RPG. I agree with Plato's assessment of spectacle being the least
element of tragedy...
What I really do enjoy, however, is tabletop combat with miniatures; and
pre-painted is the way to go as far as I am concerned, as I no longer
have the desire, time, nor eyeseight to manage a proper job of painting
myself.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by PapersAndPaychecks
Please do read Gene Wolfe, Gary! You'll be glad you did. Really.
I intend to place an order through Amazon sometime in late May or early
June, and I'll get at least one Gene Wold them, along with an alternate
history novel ot two, and some historical novels as well.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jemal
Hmmm..
So, does that mean you've completely given up on any new D&D stuff
that wizards puts out, or are you hopeful about the possible 4th edition
that everybody (at least around here) has been obsessesing over?
Maybe hopeful is going too far.. How about will you give it a chance, or a pass?
Here are the RPGs I am or will soon GM:
Lejendary Adventure Lejendary AsteRogues (coming out late this year, I hope)
OD&D
OAD&D
I will happily play:
The above RPGs
Metamorphisis Alpha
Any nin-rules-heavy RPG that someone else is willing to run for the group.
That answer your question?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
In
general I envisaged the DM as a special member of the group, the one
most dedicated to providing creative and imaginative material that would
serve the other participants in their adventuring. The DM is nothing
without the group, the group is nothing without the DM. these disparate
elements are necessary to have a whole. The DM can also be a player,
probably wants to take such a role a good deal of the time, but many
players have no desire to assume the role of the DM, because of the
responsibility and effort required.
Does that answer your questions?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
Yes, it does. Thanks for responding.
I have follow up questions, if you don�t mind more.
What age did you think/consider the average D&D Player (character
player and DM)? What mentality, maturity, and experience level did you
write to? Did you write for 13-year-old kids, 25-year-old adults, or
40-year-old senior citizens*?
Quasqueton
* Note: I am two months from my 40th birthday, so this is written with tongue in cheek.
Age was not a consideration. Degree of intellect and scope of
imagination were. Of course I assumed a considerable depth of knowledge
of fantasy subjects and an understanding of history for the DM.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Yeah, I meant Greyhawk specifically, but I was just as interested in the answer I got. (^_^)
Did anyone else notice anything conspicuously absent from that list?
Okay, I do enjoy RPGing some other games as well, but no one here runs campaigns of same. Those include
Warriors of Mars, Boot Hill, Top Secret, Gang Busters. Paranoia, and CoC.
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Doc_Souark
Hiya Mr. G :-)
Was there anything that you wished you had done in DnD that was excluded or toned down ?
How's Ernie doing ? Tell him hi for me.
Well, if i were
writing the D&D or AD&D game today, the results would be quite
different systems; but in answer to your question, no nothing I wanted
in the games I authored was expurgated.
Ernie is fine. I just returned from boardgaming with him at his place.
Tom Wham and I were the only others there today. Ernie won both games,
St. Petersberg and
Palazio [sp?]
Cheerio,
Gary
P.S. Somehow I forgot to mention we also played
Ticket to Ride, Europe, and Ernie won that one too >:-)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
My guess is that Mr. Fisher is referring to C&C. 8-D
X-D
Ah well, I treat that the same as AD&D B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Do you like Boot Hill and Top Secret more on the gritty historical side, or the glitzy Hollywood side?
However a good GM wants to present an operation. For the Wild West I
favor something akin to the old cowboy movies mixed with spaghetti
Westerns. For espionage I do like the settings of the Orient Express or
an ocean liner...
For spies, are you more into something like James Bond, or something
more cerebral and realistic? If you saw it, what did you think of the
new Casino Royale? (If you didn't, I think it's an interesting
compromise between a Bond movie and a "real" spy movie, with the best
Bond since Sean Connery.)
As it is a game, I expect the agents to be rather of the super-spy sort. I did not see the new
Casino Royale film, but as I know it was nothing at all like the book, and I am an Ian Fleming fan, I do not intend to see it.
And do you think fantasy medieval the best setting for RPG's, or do we just all play it because everyone plays it? :\
Fantasy medieval is the most accessable and imaginative miliey
for the RPG. There are many others that are enjoyable, but finding
players interested in them is more difficult than for the
quasi-medieval, which seems to resonate with more people.
As a gamer, I am ready for nearly any genre that promises the weird or
exotic, action and adventure, a good deal of imagination as one mentally
explores the milieu, seeks to overcome its challenges, all presented by
an able and enthusiastic GM.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Blair Goatsblood
Gary, do you have any antectdotes or commentary regarding the artist Erol Otus and his works?
Other than that I told him his work was too cartoonish for my taste, no.
My idea of exciting fantasy illustration is more akin to the sort of
wotk Dave Trampier did, as well as the later TSR top artists such as
Caldwell, Elmore, etc.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Blair Goatsblood
Ah, so you like having some eye-candy in your fantasy illustration... ;-)
Such illustrations are in the same vein as Li'l Abner in the
newspapers, what graced the covers and interiors of the old pulp
magazines I loved so well, Virgil Finlay's wonderful art especually, not
to mention the EC comics line and Wallace Wood's illustrations, the
Frazetta and Hildebrant covers. All part of action-adventue fandom I
should suppose :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mordelack
Gary,
As you might remember I am a huge Fleming fan, and if it helps change
your mind about seeing it, Casino Royale, in my opinion was the closest
book adaptation in the series. While not perfect of course, at least it
seems like they actually read the book this time before making the
movie and didnt jsut read the title...
It was my favorite Bond movie ever, mainly because he was like the book bond, and wasnt SuperMan-Bond.
K.R.Bourgoine
Oh sure...
As if I would trust your take on the matter :-P
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Howdy Gary
Now, not that you would trust my opinion either ;-) but he has a
very good point. Aside from the story being modernized (as the book was
written in '52
iirc) and a few shifts in plot and character (Felix Leiter is black, M is a woman etc...) it is about as close an adaptation as
From Russia, With Love or
On Her Majesty's Secret Service was (very underated
imho).
But speaking of spies and such, did you ever get to try your hand at the Victory Games RPG James Bond 007 ? Quite good
imho, but not as "specific" shall we say, as Top Secret, the original. Sorry if this was already asked btw,thanks Gary!
O.o
Felix Leiter black and M a female...and it is a close adaptation of Fleming's work :-P
that's almost as aggregious as having a brown-haired, brown-eyed actor with an austrian accent play Conan O.o
No, I never did play the
James Bond 007 RPG. No pne O know was Gming it, so... I did my best to get the Blumes to support the
Top Secret
game with GM information material and more modules, works that lasted
longer than a couple of sessions, but alas to no avail. I even had plans
for European train cars for an Orient Express adventure. They are stuck
away in a file somewhere.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Okay John Drake,
I'll rent it on DVD when it is available, watch it on out big screen HD telly :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Virgil
Finlay...ah, that shows good taste. Any opinion on Kelly Freas? I
recall that you were reading the recent collections of Robert Howard's
"Conan" stories; how have you liked the illos in those? The similar
collections of Howard's "Kull," "Solomon Kane," and "Bran Mak Morn" have
also been profusely illustrated. My favorite of these are the Kull
book, illustrated by Justin Sweet. Sweet's art, in my opinion, does for
Kull what Frazetta did for Conan - it perfectly captures the mood and
feel of Kull's milieu, which is distinct from that of Conan.
Kelly Freas is good, but his work never captured me as Finlay's did.
The illos in the three new Conan books are pretty good, but not great
IMO. I'll have to have a gander at the Kull art.
BTW, my friend Tom Keogh's father was an illustrator for Disney at one
time, also a great SF and murder mystery fan. Tom and I used to swap SF
and fantasy books, and he called my attention to the outstanding quality
of Chesley Bonstel's cover art. Tom was quite good with an airbrush,
and won a proze from the Audobon Society for one of his bird
illustrations.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
Gary,
Did you have an explanation (open or secret) in your campaigns for the
existance of so many magic items in the game? Were they being
continuously created by NPC mages, or were they ancient artifacts from
prodigious eras, or something else?
Did you consider magic items rare and wondrous treasures, or fun and
exciting tools for the PCs in the game? How did the Players in your
campaigns treat magic items: amazing finds that filled them with awe, or
standard articles with useful abilities, or something else?
Quasqueton
Never a concern of mine. In a magic active
world having many enchanted items around is no more remarkable than
having many jewels and objects d'art in a wealthy society. Most of the
better items in my campaign were assumed to be forged by reclusive or
retired mages; the most potent of them being of the relic and artifact
sort or placed on the planet by a deity.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Two questions, Gary:
1. Do you ever play Dangerous Journeys anymore?
2. What is your favorite Bond film? (Mine is From Russian with Love)
1. No, when the stand-in for Louhi sued, and we settled by selling the
DJ system to TSR, I knew it was time to move on, so I began working of
the LA RPG. No sense in playing that game
IMO, when the new one is also skill-based and more intuitively done.
2. From
Russia with Love is indeed an excellent Bond film. I also rank
Dr. No highly, and
Goldfinger right after it.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mythmere1
My
two cents on the New Earth, coming from the perspective of the Vance
fan. It ain't Vance. It's got vivid writing and an eerily creepy Sword
and Sorcery setting. It's not the modern pap. But it lacks the
salt-dryness of Vance's wit. I can see why Vance is a good comparison,
but it's worth knowing where the comparison lies. The scenery is
similar, the society is nicely alien, and the writing is excellent. But
it doesn't have the whirling command of words or the sardonic eye that
Vance brings to a tale.
EDIT: not trying to say one is better than the other (though I
personally prefer Vance), just trying to clarify why and to what degree
it's similar to Vance. Vance wrote two novels relatively recently:
Ports of Call and Lurulu. They're not the top of his form, but they are
a good read.
I'd suggest Araminta Station, Throy, and the other book in that series
(forget name). All by Vance. A bit complex in terms of some family
relations, but a rollicking picaresque series of novels in the classic
Vance style. You can't go wrong.
Ports of Call was quite good
IMO, but I was rather disappointed with
Lurulu, as it was not of the same caliber. Somehow I missed
Throy, so I will get it ASAP.
Thanks for your critique.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MoxieFu
Gary
I noticed above other artists mentioned but not my favorite. Dean
Morrissey created many covers for Dragon (and The Dragon) magazine. To
me his works were some of the most evocotive ever and I could imagine
more words for a story coming from them than any other artist even
though they might be artistically better.
Did you ever met Mr. Morrissey personally and did you care for his work?
Oh and thanks for a game that's given me the most happy moments and misspent hours of my life! :-D
Actually, I was not really think so much of magazine cover art as what
went intogame products. As Morrissey was not on staff at TSR, I can not
say for sure that I met him, although I think I did so at some con or
another...so many events and people thereat it is most difficult to
recall after more than 30 years of same.
I do like his material certainly.
Anyone here recall the artist's name that did the mage in a green robe
and turban, writing at a desk with a skull having three eyesockets in
the background?
The same for the illustratuon of the pond with all the hidden faces in rocks and trees around it?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
[Haakon1,
Would you believe Wild Bill Cody or Red Ryder meets Clint Eastwood? As I
grew up watching Westerns in the 1940s I had many a favorite cowboy
back then...including The BLack Whip who I felt was much better than
Lash LaRue.
IIRR, they have Bond drinking vodka martinis, shaken nor stirred. Of
course, only gin is bruised from stirring, plus as gin is in the only
true martini, that of course Bond must have drunk as he did not want his
cocktail stirred.
Mystery plots for an RPG are not likely to ever work well. The genre does not mech well with the game form.
As for
Top Secret, the game went into the dumper bercause of lack of support such as I mentioned.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Gary, two quick questions. I plan to go to the Lake Geneva convention next month, so:
1.) I'm flying in just for the convention, so where is the best hotel within walking distance (if even possible).
2.) I'm going to try to get in on your Front Porch Legends if possible,
but will you be running either C & C or OD & D? I plan to
generate some characters before I go. :-)
Here is the URL for the Orbitz listing of the Best Western next door to the con site, but I believe it is sokd out:
http://www.orbitz.com/App/shared/pag...e=interstitial
The Ambassador on Wells street, about four blocks from the Cove, is likely the best deal:
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-3955...kkCHUs._kJ8b8F
Any of the many motels on Wells Street are not too distant from the con site, maybe eight country blocks at most:
http://www.allstays.com/us-wisconsin...eva-hotels.htm
I do not know for sure what I will GM, but likely LA and possibly an OD&D adventure.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
Heh,
Yuppers! I have it framed, but my wife has moved it somewhere that I am
unable to locate. The same is true for the painting with all the
faces...which son Alex glommed as his.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MoxieFu
Gary
the artist of "Fourteen Faces" was John Barnes. That painting was used
for April in the 1980 "Days of The Dragon" calendar. He had another one
at the very back for January 1981 as well.
Unfortunately I don't have a scan or link for it.
Ah yes!
Now I wonder what happened to my copy of the calender. That is a most
interesting piece of art, fun to look at and see if more can be
discovered in the scene.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mythmere1
I
remembered the name of the third book in that series: it's "Ecce and
Old Earth." That and Throy are sequels to Araminta Station, with
Araminta Station being the best of the three.
Now I have
Ecce and Old Earth, but how I missed
Throy is a poser to me O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MoxieFu
I never did find the fourteenth face. (^_^')
Oh, and I loved the little text blurbs writting on the individual days.
Lots of little nuggets of humor hidden in there. Oh and the UFO
sightings too. Lots of UFO sightings... 8-D
while I did
find all 14 faces, what with having the original art here to examine, I
had completly forgotten about the notes for individual days that were
on the calender. Now i am doubly sad I have somehow lost it...or it is
packed away in a storage box in the attic, left for posterity :\
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
...
But while I'm here, I'll ask a question. Gary, just curious, and I
know this is well after the fact, but in your opinion, did AD&D
really need a new edition? Personally,
I liked it just as it was (with UA too, but good ol' 1E rocked), but I
understand that things change and "new" editions sell well and so forth.
I do apologize if this has been asked of you before, but I either
hadn't read it or just plum forgot about what you may have said on the
matter. Thank you, yet again!
Actually, yes, as I wanted
to remove some things from the AD&D rules--weapon speed factors,
weapon vs. armor, and psionics for sure. then I would have added some
new classes, new spells for the new spell-using classes and the existing
ones as well, and cranked in a much inproved skills section rather akin
to what I did for the C&C game. I also wanted to revise the
MM (and all like books) into two volumes, roughly A-L, and M-Z.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Baduin
The Araminta Station series by Jack Vance is as follows:
1. Araminta Station
2. Ecce and Old Earth
3. Throy
The main site about Vance, with bibliography, excerpts, concordance of words etc:
http://www.integralarchive.org/index.htm
As for style - Wolfe lacks Vance's dry wit (or, rather, not so dry), but
his style is perfect. Vance is an observer, Wolfe is a philosopher -
what one likes more is a matter of preference. Wolfe loves paradoxes -
His stories are like puzzles. Sometimes you must read them a few times
to understand the riddle.
Thanks.
I am partial to
Trullion: Alastor 2262 as IIRR it mentions Lord Gygax. I told Jack I would have preferred to be a vicious Starmeter X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Grazzt
But would monsters have ability scores (Str, Dex, Con, etc) like characters? :-)
Only humanoid ones of exceptional sort and very exceptional other
sorts. Who wants to spend forever figuring out what monsters' stats are
and then have to employ them in the game?
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
Yeesh ... boy, do I agree with your sentiments on THIS one. :\
X-D 8-D X-D
In my opinion the best wat for a DM to manage monsters is to know what
their type is, generaly what an average one of that sort can do, and
then...WING IT!
Cheerio.
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
BTW
Gary ... just wanted to tell you that I have begun to get interested in
C&C recently, and am looking forward to reading your modules for it
on Greyhawk very much!
May I ask how that project is progressing? :-)
Howdy,
Nearly all of the 24 town district and suburban area detail modules are
turned in now, and I believe that the Trolls are editing several. The
likely plan is to offer them on pdf initially, then print them--each
being of 64-page length.
The castle & dungeons series of boxes modules is underway as well.
An introductorymodule or two might be offered separately, unboxed, at
GenCon, as the entire initial set will not be ready before around
October I believe.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Chesley
Bonestell is one of the true greats of space art. I've loved his stuff
since I was a kid. I discovered that another of my heroes, Carl Sagan,
was also a Bonestell fan and collector, which made me an even bigger fan
of Sagan, oddly enough.
Yes, and I loved the
Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction all the more because of the Bonstell covers. Also, I have heard that Carl Sagan's son played AD&D :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Well that seems to follow seeing as Carl Sagan traded in so much fantasy. ;-)
O.o
Now that sounds as if it were an acedemic swipe X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Oh Gary, c'mon! Would I take an
academic swipe at the guy who used enough whole cloth to sail Drake's
fleet when he confabulated the entirely-steeped-in-bad-SciFi "nuclear
winter" scenario?
Moi?
:-D :-D :-D
(EDIT: but to be fair, at least Sagan had the grace to admit he'd made
the whole thing up from junk science, albeit later in life.)
X-D :-o X-D
He was hoist by his own petard...as will be those espousing the mantra
of man-made global warming, right soon too I do believe. Carbon dioxide
most assuredly does not cause global warming, although global warming
does produce more CO2.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
I wouldn't expect there to be too much recanting on that front any time soon, not while there's meeyuns and beeyuns of dollars to be made on cranking out scare propaganda films about the whole affair... O.o
:-D
Yuppers!
Who cares about factual stiff when there's money be be made by exaggeration, lies, and coersion 8-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by lkj
I suspect you are mistaken. But I'd be very happy if you were right :-)
AD
PS: Not trying to start an argument. Just a thought.
Heh...
No question that there is global warming, but it has no connection to the carbon dioxide being released by humans.
Like the joke Kyoto Treaty that left our China, India, and Brazil, and
not the European Union is virtually abrogating, the hokum about man-made
global warming is all political, pretty close to religious dogma now,
with dissenters stigmatized and forced to recant.
Oops! No political discussions on this board (^_^')
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by lkj
Well,
I don't agree with you-- though my view is perhaps more nuanced than
some others. But regardless, I've disagreed with plenty of people that I
respect in the past, so I'll leave it at that. As you hint, too much
in the political realm for a discussion here (though a shame since I
don't really think it belongs as a political issue).
Didn't meant to derail a gaming thread. So game on! Glad that you are so
active on the boards these days after the long hiatus. I always enjoy
hearing your thoughts.
Take care,
AD
Right-O!
Do mark my words about carbon dioxide not causing global warming though, for that is the crux of the whole flap.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by lkj
Duly
noted, Gary. Duly noted. I hope we can have a discussion about it over a
drink some time, after the 'flap' has passed. Whoever is right buys!
:-D
AD
Done!
Likely I have the edge in that doing that will mean we meet at one of the few cons I attend, orhere in Lake Geneva, though X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by lkj
Well,
I would very much like to meet you some day. I'll take whatever excuse.
At the moment I'm mired down in Cali with few opportunities to hit
Cons. But I suspect my job situation may move me closer to that part of
the country in the next year or so. If it's even close, I'll do my best
to make it over your way.
Cheers,
AD
Okay!
If you are close you can join our Thursday evening RPG group here at my place, and/or the boardgaming afternoons at son Ernie's.
Otherwise there are the two Lake Geneva Gaming cons here each year, and a visitor is always welcome :-)
BTW son Luke is living near Monterey Bay, and if you are near there, let
me know, and I'll send you his email addy. His wife just had a baby,
but soon he will be looking for a gaming group, or for players in his
own.
Cheerio
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Grew up reading that, thanks to my mom being a sci fi fan, loved the art work and the stories
ken
Spot on!
I began reading F&SF when it was a quarterly, and I have most ussues from the 50s' and 60's in my basement library.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Y'know,
this type of sniping is inappropriate for this forum - it skirts along
the edge of a political debate. Circus Maximus, for example, would be
much more conducive to a discussion which wouldn't involve warnings or
bannings.
How about a discussion of
300?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
So Gary,
This is a set of questions I'd ask you personally, but it's so good it should be public and shared. ;-)
You've been around several decades, and you've also been a big fan of science-fiction, and fiction in general.
What predictions of the golden/silver ages of science-fiction that
didn't come true yet are you most disappointed about. (This could be
stuff like moon colonies, flying cars, broadcast power, robots, etc)
Ho JRT!
When I read SF from back in the 40s through the 50s and early 60s it was
for entertainment, not as an augury of the future. Frankly, I did not
expect most of what I read about to iccur within my lifetime, nor likely
in the lifetime of mu children or grandchildren. Not a little of what I
read I believed would never happen.
Flipping that coin around, what technological innovations that such
fiction didn't predict are you the most surprised and pleased about.
(Perhaps such things as the Internet and Microprocessor, interactive
fiction (computer games), biotechnology and nanotech, for instance)
Computers (iincluding microprocessors), the internet, and
medicine are indeed what spring to mind instantly. Still no 3D TV, but
electronic games are approaching that. Labor-saving household devices
have come a long way as well.
Finally, since you've lived a long life, what elements of the
popular culture that have more or less "died out" or "changed
significantly" do you miss the most or get the most nostalgic about.
(For example, radio and theater has changed since the 40s and 50s, the
comic strip is becoming an endangered species and has changed
significantly since it's heyday, there are no real vaudville or variety
shows anymore). I was thinking about that the other day--I'm
approaching my 40s and I'm starting to feel some of those twinges since
the world is forever changing and some things die out. It's especially
close now as we see D&D changing and Dragon magazine ending, so I
was curious about things you might miss.
Would you believe independent thought and speech? This is
where I had better refrain from further comment, because I think that
our society is heading in a very wrong direction. I can say that I miss
most the culture and mindset of the 1940s and 50s.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by King_Barrowclaw
Hello Mr. Gygax!
I agree with you. "The times, they are a-changin'."
I have just purchased your boxed set of Lejendary Adventures Essentials
and am looking forward to cracking it open. I am currently running a
campaign of C&C with my group and they are enjoying the freedom of
play that a GM can bring when he's not locked in by too many rulesets.
I'm curious if you are going to be designing any more games or will you
just be expanding things for C&C and Lejendary Adventures? I'm dying
to see the Castle Keeper's guide come out.
I know you get this alot but I have to say, thanks for your excellent
work in this hobby. I've been gaming with your rules since Chainmail,
boxed set days and despite having my books burned on four separate
occasions by well-meaning people and being threatened with an exorcism
I've hung in there and am still enjoying this hobby.
A pleasure to post to you sir.
Greetings Your Majesty :-D
..And welcome to these exaulted boards!
Many thnaks for your kind words, and I am happy that you have enjoyed my
games over the years. That is just why I halped to make the initial
opportunity to publish the first of them, hoping that other gamers would
find the result pleasing. I surely have a lot of fun creating and
writing.
I am semi-retired, so about the most I am up for these days is adding to
the LA game, seeing the C&C game campaign setting of Yggsburgh
developed and expanded, and doing a bit of co-authorship. Of course, I
have a fair backlog of unpublished work that will be seeing print this
year and in the years thereafter, so I am not going into the relative
oblivion of a fully retired author.
As for the foolishness evidenced about the D&D game, often by
well-meaning people, I suppose that it demosntrates we are not so far
removed from the Salem Witchhunt despite the centuries that have passed
and the supposed gain of enlightenment. Exorcism indeed >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by King_Barrowclaw
Hahaaa! "Your Majesty". I like that, do you know I do?
Thanks for your words of welcome. I'm not much for messageboards usually
but I was searching for comments on the sudden turn of events for
Dragon magazine and happened here. So, a sad serendipity. ;-)
Concerning my lost books. You are right. The more we change the more we
stay the same, eh? Do you know that I was actually blamed for the deaths
of several parishioners at the local church? It was felt that since I
was playing this "evil game" that God was punishing them by not
answering prayers for healing. My head hurts just thinking about it. Oh
well. I was just sad to lose all my original gaming stuff. >:-(
Well, thanks again. I will feel free to pick your brains from time to time and just read the posts to get some great ideas.
Take care, sir. :-D
Whoa!
That sort of thinking about God punishing people here ios medieval...and quite unscriptiral :-o
Come on back anytime.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Imruphel
Hi Gary,
That's because environmentalism is the new opiate of the masses! With apologies to Karl Marx, of course....
8-D
I should not have been discussing politics.
Let us not go further here ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Gary,
I am happy to say that I purchased my plane tickets for the convention
today and can't wait to spend some gaming time with you and the rest in
June! :-)
That's great!
Milwaikee Mitchell Filed is the closest and best airport, easiest to
land, leave, and het to Lake Geneva (about a 45 minute drive when
traffic is light, an hour otherwise). As a destination it is likely more
expensive than Chicago Ohare, certainly more so than Chicago Midway--a
real hassel from which to head north up to Wisconsin.
Anyway, it looks as if there will be a goodly number of GMs and chaps
with board annd cardgames in the new and larger facilities of The Cove. I
am tempted to bring my shogi ser to see if I can find an opponent. (I
am not very adept at the game, as so few people hereabouts play Japanese
chess, but I really like the game.)
So see you in just a bit over five weeks, eh?
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
I
would have loved to have landed in Milwaukee since I imagine it's a
little less hectic than Chicago, but the price of the ticket was
$150-200 more and for a longer flight. I'll go for the cheaper price,
and also try to find cheap accomadations (Best Western is over a $100/
night now) or even go camping so that I'll have more money to spend on
showcased Troll Lord products. :-) When I was selling the Troll Lord
products at the US military base in Germany the Yggsburgh products sold
out and I didn't get my hands on a copy for myself. Miraculously I was
able to save a Lejendary Adventures boxed set and set of Castles and
Crusades rulebooks for future play. Except for my own copy that I
retained, I sold all of the rest of those, too.
Anyway, I'll land on early Thursday night and leave Sunday morning, so
I'll get to see almost everything at the Convention and hopefully get in
on at least one game with the master. ;-) Very much looking forward
to it!
So you will rent a car and drive to LG from Chicago. That is the usual way folks get here of they fly ;-)
See you soon then,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by lkj
Thank you very much for the gracious offer, Gary. If I get close enough, I'll definitely take you up on it.
As for Luke-- Aargh. I have to admit I'm sorely tempted. I've not been
gettng enough of a gaming fix lately due to the scattering of my trusted
gaming buddies, and due to the arrival of my own son (8 months old now
and a handful-- though fun beyond belief). However, I'm up in the Bay
Area these days, and I think the distance is probably a bit too much for
any regular committment.
I do occasionally run an online game using Fantasy Grounds (a poor
second cousing to face to face, but better than nothing at all). So if
Luke can't find a group and gets desperate, he's definitely welcome.
At any rate, I do appreciate your kindness. And I can't tell you how
glad I am that I've had the opportunity to interact with you. It's
great.
Cheers,
AD
Howdy,
Send me a personal email, and I'll pass along your addy to Luke, send his to you/
[email protected]
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
If you have a group of say, 6 orcs, do you like to roll HP for each orc separately, or just give them all the average?
I like to roll for each monster, to keep the PC's guessing. Also, it
helps me with really basic roleplaying -- the orc with 8 hp is an alpha
male, an orc's orc, whereas the orc with 1 hp is the runt of the litter,
much more likely to run for help, and might even surrender.
I play it thus: Of the critters are raiders, warriors, of active
hunters I assume that all of them will have one-half or more of the
possible HPs for their type. If I want to make the encounter special, I
then see if any of the memebrs are in ill health or wouded.
For straight out confrontations, though, I just have at it with HPs as
noted...and ogres and giants and like big and tough monsters have d12
HD.
Cheerio,
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
It's very Third Edition, in that piercings have somehow become a form of armor.
I liked it (the war rhinoceros was fun, and I had one in campaign), but
I'd have preferred a movie about the actual battle, instead of a movie
about a comic book about the battle.
And it definitely reminded me of the old "Airplane" lines: "So, ever
been in a cockpit before, Jimmy? Do you like to watch gladiator movies?
Have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"
It enraged a number of a certain type of people, and not because it was camp rather than histotical X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Blair Goatsblood
Gary,
I was curious regarding you opinions reagarding alignment languages.
What was the inspiration for them, and what would the "game world"
explanation for them be?
From a wargaming perspective, it makes sense, got to have some way for
the masse armies of disparate lawful or chaotic troops to communicate
with each other.
I have gone over this many times, but once more, in precis, won't hurt:
An alignment language is promarily keyed to the religious subjects that
would be discussed or read about by those of that persuation. One might
think of such a tingue as being similar to Latin for Roman Catholics or
Hebrew for Jews. Ordinary members of the alignment will possibly not
even understand what is meant when it is spoken, and those that are
aware will probably not be sufficiently versed in it to respons in kind.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Yep!
Safer than hitchhiking and I don't think I can convince a Chicago
cabby to forego his work schedule and take me on the cheap so I can
introduce him to gaming. 8-D
I have been stuck twice at
Ohare and had to hire a limo one time, a cab the other. The limo was
more comfortable and cost about the same as the taxi did--over $100 with
a spiff for the driver.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Is there only one language for each alignment or does each "religion" within an alignment have it's own language?
I always imagined a single alignment language per division, as in the
D&D milieuneach alignment is relatively homogenous. Servants of
particular deities will have recognition signals or spoken or signed
sort.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoff1138
Hello Gary,
I love the Gord the Rogue novels, is there any chance you will be writing a sourcebook for C&C?
Thank you for the game you created! I bought my first book, the Monster
Manual, when I was ten years old from my local grocery store of all
places that had AD&D books on their shelves.
Thanks :-D
I have written a town sourcebook for the C&C systen, but as much of
what is in the Gord books is used with permission of the owner of that
IP, I donot have any plans to expand the fiction into gaming
material...although a big module based on the
Sea of Death would be quite possible.
As I am semi-retired now and enjoying it, it is pretty doubtful that I
will want to spend a year of my life creating such an adventure ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
YOU KNOW...once I'm done with a couple of little projects of no large consequence ;-) 'round here, my time will be available.
*whistling idly*
X-D
I have done a lot of detailed "bible" material for the Yggsburgh town
and castle-dungeons. I suppose one of these days I might get around to
re-reading
Sea of Death and developing
a backstory that suits the plot devised, then detail the outline of a
trek into the place, side adventure springboards, and do the like for
major scenarios contained in the work.
Ah, but even that is a lot of work, and right now I have a cold and sore throat, and I don't want to think about it :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Keldryn
Hi Gary,
I have a question that you may very well have been asked before, but...
What was the inspiration behind the D&D gorgon being bull-like?
My wife was watching us play the other night and took issue with the
depiction of the "gorgon." She is extremely well-read in fantasy and
myth, but she'd never heard of a gorgon other than the sisters of Greek
mythology. I remembered reading a while back about a bull-like gorgon
having been in a medieval bestiary of some sort. We did a Web search
when we got home, but the only relevant thing that came up was a
reference to the "History of 4-footed Beasts" -- and the description of
the entry doesn't really sound bull-like in features. She's wasn't
really convinced by a relatively obscure reference, and perhaps that's
all there is to it, but I wanted to ask the man who wrote the Monster Manual in the first place. :-)
Is there any more to the story?
The short answer:
The bull-like, metalpscaled gorgon is taken directly from a medieval
bestiary. Ypu might point out that I have medusae as a separate kind of
monster.
Do tell your Astute Wife that the critter sown is just one of many taked
from medieval bestiaries. the catoblepas and opinicus being a couple of
other examples.
When my
Pamtheons of Lejend reference
book is published later this year, she can take a look at how I treated
Greco-Roman mytholigy for RPGing. It is called the "Olympian" pantheon
and is the second largest chapter in the work.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Nod,
I had guessed the inspiration. (I helps to be a Roman Catholic, and
from heavily-Jewish New York.) But I had assumed (at one point) that
everyone spoke both Common and their alignment language, automatically.
I assume that's one of many rules I misread as a 12 year old. I don't
think I've played AD&D that way in decades . . .
Howdy :-D
I usdually allowed most PCs and all important NPCs to be versed to some
extent in teir alignment tongue. All Clerics know it backwards and
forwards.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Thank you Geoff1138.
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Kaladhan
Hi Gary!
I have very fond memories of DnD. I started playing with a translated
red box. I couldn't wait for the books to be translated, so I decided to
learn english. Let just say that with only a partial understanding of
english, we interpreted the rules in unespected ways.
I'm curious about your larping experiences. Ever tried to play in one? Organize one? Are there larps in Lake Geneva?
Indeed I LARPed in a realistic game long before there was the D&D game, but I have not since boyhood.
There used to be several score of
Vampire the Gathering
LARPers playing here in the parks and around town, but a few of the
"Good Citizens" worried about such dangerous characters being around at
night. so there was an ordinance passed to keep them away. Sadlly it was
effective. Before that I would watch them from the dark of my front
porch playing in the park across the street X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
:-D
No quibbles with or further comments to either post, fellows.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by D'karr
:-D
Fair enough.
And from Curious Creatures in Zoology by John Ashton,
the gorgon
The illustration shown on that website looks a good deal like the one I
saw in a medieval bestiary, although the head of the latter was more
bull-like.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Keldryn
Thanks, Gary!
My wife has never played D&D, but she has played a number of
Playstation and Super Nintendo RPGs, so she's familiar with the concept
behind a lot of the monsters (I think Medusae may have appeared as
monsters in some of those games too), but the Gorgon as a bull-like
monster was foreign to her. I was pretty sure that I was right about it
coming from some real-world source.
Being married, I don't get to be right very often. ;-)
O.o
Even if you have never been more correct in your life, it is usually
better not to dispute an opinion to the contrary if it is that of your
wife :\
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by D'karr
Gary, you got that right.
Pure unadulterated wisdom.... X-D
A hard-learned lesson gained from two marriages lasting in total now well over 40 years.
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
Gary,
I'll echo what others have said: the film is one of the most faithful
adaptations, very solid. The embellishments were primarily in the
action sequences and some modernization. Now, I think it would be very
cool if they were to make a Bond film now set in the '50's, but failing
that, this one was good.
As long as we're talking, why did you drop the downside for psionics in the AD&D PHB?
IIRC
the supplement which introduced them carried a cost in spells if the
character was a magic-user, strength if a fighter, etc., which balanced
out the power of psionics.
And something else that's been on my mind for the last 25 years:
Keoghtom: 77 hp, 77% uniform magic resistance, 78 class levels
Murlynd: 135 hp, 35% uniform magic resistance, 36 class levels
Did you have some relation between these characteristics in mind when
statting the quasi-deities, or did I just spend too much of my teenage
years poring over
Dragon? Heward doesn't fit the pattern, so it's probably just me, but thought I'd ask.
Well, as I might have mentioned before, a lot of people urged me to see
the Conan films, but as a real REH fan I really did not enjoy them in
the least. In fact, seeing them irritated me as they were not at all
true to the spirit of the tales and character of Conan.
As for your questions, I fear must disappoint you. After all these
years, over 20 since I have ceased playing the AD&D game save for
rare occasions, and never being concerned with the rules since 1984,
there is no way, save perhaps under hypnosis, that I can recall the
circumstances regarding the change in Psionics (which I never allowed in
my campaign anyway) ot the reasoning behind what sttributes U assigned
to those quasi-deities. I can state with certainty though that I
intended those three to associate together.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
What
I liked about the film was that James Bond was more of a complete
bastard than he has been in any Bond flick of the last three decades.
Gary, do you think you might oversee a C & C book with the character
class concepts you had previously planned to do before leaving TSR?
I'd love a chance to see what the montebank might have been like, for
example.
I might assist in the development of some new
character classes for the C&C system if the Trolls ever begin such a
project. However, time is most precious, and I do not think I would
spend a great deal of it thus. If I could fine my old notes in the
Jester, Mountebank, Mystic, and Savant I would gladly pass them along to
Steve and company. There was another possible class I was considering
adding, but blamed if I can recall it now (^_^')
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jemal
*Several days old, but just got a chance to notice it*
Yeah, hearing stuff like that from all sorts of people makes me once
again LOVE Saskatoon.. The worst I or any of the MANY gamers I've gamed
with recently have had happen is badmouthing and name-calling. Easier
than what I had to deal with when I was a 'nerd' in school.
>:-)
The trick I learned was to be more mean and ornery as any of the
clique's jocks, have friends in all the groups, sometimes be a hood, and
then when you are with your best friends in the nerds they have
confidence...and are left alone, even accepted by others. Of course that
was way back in the early 1950s. This did get some non-nerds gaming,
playing chess ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
GOOD MORNING colonel!
:-D
Sorry, just had to say a cheery hello - even if it isn't morning where I am. :-)
Back to thread at hand, eh? ;-)
O.o
Thanks, but...
The sun is below the yard arm here, and I am about to be served my
ration of grog.,,maybe a double ration to fight off this vile cough and
sore throat I have had for several days now.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
Hmm ... I have also been under the weather with a sore throat and what not the past few days.
Maybe partly a seasonal thing for me. Ah well.
I hope you get better soon my good sir! :-D
[The fungus is unbearably cheerful today for some reason... :-# ]
Maybe the light-hearted feeling is because the shaggy mane mushroom season is soon to be upon us...
Springtime weather here in Wisconsin is so variable that many persons do
contract URIs. Today's high will be c. 58 degrees F., tomorrow is
predicted to be 80.
O.o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Welp, at some point I'll get that Mountebank I did with your assistance polished up. ^_^
Well stop posting and hop to it!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Thats me, typing my fingers off.
I was hanging around buxom wenches this weekend, a far more useful activity for active fingers. ;-)
My friend tom Keogh was wont to call me the Inexorable Claw that always struck to the bottom of things 8-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Anson Caralya
OK, I'll get to work on the hypnosis emoticon straight away! Let's see, Wikipedia is usually a good place to start...
Rotsa ruck X-D
The best way for me to remember otherwise is to work on something
similar for a few days. I have found that this usually brings back a
good bit of the original work even though i do not realize it until the
now is compared to the old.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
...
Anyhoo ... sorry for the OT stuff. :-#
Back to the thread, hey what? B-)
Wild mushrooms are never off topic here B-)
My grandfather could tell a death angel from the rest, but not I. About
all I can do is pick and sautee in say five minutes the shaggy manes, or
otherwise gather morels (very hard to find) and puffballs (plentiful
hereabouts in the early autumn). A slice of fried puffball topping a
burger is great--or just forget the burger and bun anbd eat several
slices of mushroom :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Heyo, Gary!
I'd emailed you a few weeks back about running S1 TOMB OF HORRORS at a
con and I thought for your amusement (and that of the enworlders) here
I'd fill in on the salient points:
...
Thanks for sharing that accounnt. As a
matter of fact the party did pretty well for a first-time group, all
things considered. I do hope that you will allow them to return with
veteran and new PCs to fill their ranks and have a second go at it. By
the time a fourth or fifth expedition is mounted they mighgt actually
make it to the demi-lich's "resting place" :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Sadly, as this was a convention it was a one-shot deal. I'll put it to
the participants at the next con (I know many of them by sight) and see
if they want another crack at it. The demoness was a bit over the top
but my thinking was "Hey, if you're gonna break into a guy's house and
then try to crash in his den, he's gonna sic the dog on you!" :-D
(^_^')
Oh yah! I forgot you said it was a con adventue. Those are quite
different, and offing PCs is de rigeur for most participants. Otherwise
they seem to feel they didn't receive the GMs full attention X-D
Offering a return try is a good idea if the players are ablt to schedule
same. Alsom having a potent guard type in such an area is quite logical
IMO.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JRRNeiklot
Heh,
when I went through the TOMB as a 13 year old, one character went
through the idol, and disappeared. The others, thinking it must be a
portal, willingly jumped in after. Game over.
the second time we tried, the dm giving us the chance to play the exact
same characters in an "alternate universe." We made it all the way to
Acererak (with a fallen paladin, an elven female exploring her new body,
and a naked dwarf (shudder)). We all died horribly, or rather had our
souls sucked. Hmmm. Perhaps it's time to send a party in to rescue
those brave heroes, I still have those 25 year old goldenrod character
sheets around here somewhere....
That is a fine story.
Most of my players' PCs didn't make it to the tomb area, but Rob Kuntz
managed that and didn't engage in a fight with Acererak, just scooped up
as mych loot as a single swipe would garner and ran off.
The best group managing the adventure that I know of was the tournament
team that used the crown atof the demi-lich's skull, a touch of the
wrong end of the scepter to utterly destroy it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jgbrowning
Gary,
I know you're *uhum* no big fan of the Conan movie, but what's your
opinion about the soundtrack. I was just listening to it and wondered if
you'd heard it before.
And, btw, thanks for making up this crazy hobby to begin with... :-)
joe b.
I have not heard the soundtrack as a separate
presentation, but it was quite acceptible to me with the film...better
that the film if you will...except where it backed up Thulsa Dum and the
Flower Children with their pot of split pea and hand soup >:-(
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tylerthehobo
Curious
about your take on con-meltdowns by players who get upset about their
characters dying. Has that always been a mainstay, or do you attribute
it more to the recent edition and peoples' obsession over their
characters, attributes, munchkining? Or am I not putting enough words
in your mouth? ;-)
It is absurd for a player to be upset of a pre-generated or just-created PC is lost in a tournament adventure.
If it is that person's longest-lived PC, then it should not be risked,
or some provision for return made before agreeing to play is.
Munchkins do relate far too closely with their usually-over-powered PCs,
but that is generally forgivable because they are immature youngsters. A
mature persin what has a munchkin mentality is actually to be
pitied...although iffing their PC might bring a dark delight to the GM.
In all cases I urge gamers to have many PCs, and remember at all times
they are just make-believe personas. This typically falls upon deaf ears
if the one being lectured is immature.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
I thought I had read of a group who snatched the skull in a bag of holding and then threw it into the idol's mouth.
That would be a sure total elimination of that critter, but getting
all the way back to the entrance passage is a more risky matter than a
tap of a sceptre in the lair ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
...
Okay ... later this week it will be a search in the chanterelle patches!
Ohhh ... a-hunting we will go
a-hunting we will go
hey ho the derry-o
a-hunting we will go!
X-D X-D
Ah, chanterelles!
I believe I can recall my grandparents speaking of how delicious they
were, how difficult to find in Southeastern Wisconsin. They are little,
are then not?
Anyway, when i lived in a place on the lakeshore here the shaggy manes
grew right next to the building, so I'd run down with a basket, pick all
of them there, and run back upstairs. Gail would have the frying pan
hot, the butter melted by then, and after a quick rinse in cld water, in
they would go.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Oh all right...
I confess I am a gastronome, love gourmet restaurants, enjoy cooking,
and am usually willing to try anything that has the prospect of being
good to eat :-o
And now I am wishing I had paid more attention to my grandfather when he
was attempting to teach me about edible mushrooms. I recall him
mentioning a shelf fungi that was excellent, I think he said it was
orange, but matbe that was one that was poisnous. Ah well.
That mushroom pun didn't ring true.
As for Drow, I never envisaged them as a standard PC race. I guess I
erred in not making them more loathesome...although malign subterranean
elves that love spiders seem pretty unappealing as is...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Gary,
which OD&D rules will we be using during the Lake Geneva Con?
Mentzer's box set rules or Hoyle's or Molday/Cook's? I was thinking of
rolling up my characters at home and bringing some, or would it be
better just to roll up characters in front of the judges?
If I do rin an OD&D game in addition to the LA ines, it will be a
house-rules version of the original three-booklet set sans the
Greyhawk supplement material.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
When
Gary uses the term OD&D (Original D&D), he's talking about the
box HE wrote, 1974, before he started developing the Advanced and before
there was such a separate thing as a Basic Set.
Just so, JRT ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by dcas
Not even to a fun guy like you? X-D
Button your lip!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Don't mind Gary; he's just trying to put another feather in his cap.
How can I stem the tide of these mushroom puns?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Pbartender
Which exactly what makes them so appealing to a certain sub-set of players... Some people like playing the loathesome critters.
By the by, Gary, I've got a small favor to ask of you...
For the next
Chicago Gameday,
I'm planning on running a True20 conversion of GW2 - Famine in Far-Go,
an old favorite Gamma World adventure module of mine. Now, there is a
particular item that the characters can find in the adventure, from
which I'd like to make an actual prop to hand to the players, but which
would involve using your name and photo.
Out of politeness' sake, I'd like to ask your permission to do so.
Better playing one that being one, eh?
We do watch for unauthorized use of my famous name and likeness.,..just because :-o
By all means go ahead and use them for the GW game adventure at Chicago
Gameday. After all, I was born in Chicago, lived there as a kid and
again as a young man B-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Pbartender
...
If you don't mind me posting an image of it here, would you like to see the prop? :-D
I would be pleased to see it, have the others here have a look as well :-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Sadly, Pbartender,
The pics failed to make it through, as you undoubtedly saw for yourself.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Ahh, Gary. When they made you they broke the mold.
Now, now!
Just because you are rusty there is no need to be slimy and smutty as well. What a blight is such phagocytic punning >:-(
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Pbartender
Hrm... I can see them just fine. I'd linked to files attached to another thread -- that's spores to work. 8-D
Hold on, let me try something else...
Hooray!
That did it :-D
BTW, that's a fitting ID badge, as I did take a couple of years of Ag
classes in high school, andI worked on a couple of farms as a young
teenager as well.
(If it were permitted here in Lake Geneva I would now have a flock of chickens too X-D P
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
wow gary you say you want to flock a chicken? :-)
ken
How are your sheep doing, Ken?
8-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
Ya know Gary ... I have been wondering about something on and off for some time now.
Who thought up the idea of the gelatinous cube? And was there a piece of fiction that sparked it? Or was it just ... jello? :\
The 'Cube was my cration. It was inspired by the amoeba and gelatin.
Perhaps I also had in the back of my mind the old EC Comisc SF story
about Mars being covered in dormand gookum, that stuff having devoured
all other life forms on the planet. When the crew returns to earth they
are feted at a banquet, with a dessert course of strawberry Jello. "Good
Grief! It;s dormant gookum!!!"
How I loved those
Weird Science, Crypt of Horror, and all the rest of the EC Comics line
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
Also ... I ... uhh ... guess I should apologize for catalysting so many bad mushroom puns. :-#
I have suspected you did it to get a rhiz-ome out of me...
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Prince of Happiness
I love that it's a frickin' CUBE! So it just kinda jiggles and wobbles through corridors to snatch up unwary adventurers.
I have two hardcover collections for Tales From the Crypt and Crypt of Horror, but I really, really, really want to try getting my hands on the Weird Science
collection. I loved the one where some astronauts are toying with a
Mexican "Jumping Bean" and one astronaut is enraged because they're
tormenting a poor little worm. Of course he catches hell from his
fellows...any rate, they end up landing on some planet, they get chased
by aliens and sure enough, end up in some type of giant bean... The
black humor in these comics were just wicked!
No question, my favorite comic boocs were those done by EX, including both
Mad and
Panic.
The artists were really good too,
IMO especially Wallace Wood and Jack Kurtz.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
Care to share the story of the first time in the game you sprung it on the players? :-D
there was a group going through the 2nd level, and the fighter scouting
ahead walked right into the Gelatinous Cube thinking some spell or gas
was makinghis vision blurry. Only after that PC being nearly killed did
the others note the "floating" coins and such.
That's about the best I can do recalling the incident after 35 years ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
Al Williamson was one of my favorites. I had the pleasure of meeting him once, and he signed my Weird Science-Fantasy
comic from 1954 that he'd done the cover art for. He was the artist
for one of the interior stories as well, Wally Wood doing one of the
others. Stephen King often cites the old EC comics as his original
inspiration to become a writer, as well as films like Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Yes indeed...
When my wretched half-sister took it upon herself to destroy a whopping
great cardboard carton full of my comics and magazines (a
Playboy
#1 included in there) because she did nin want her two sons reading
them, I would gladly have throttled that witch. they were in the attic
of my grandparents' house, where I lived and she was temporarily
dwelling while her husband established his optomertic practise.
Sorry to grumble over lost comics, but it grates on me after a half-century >:-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
A very good morning to you sir! :-D
More butter boletes today ... I will let them grow a bit, yet. ;-)
Anyhoo ... a question, if I may.
Iggwilv. What can you tell me about her origins people wise (who thought
her up, that is) and how did she manifest herself in early adventures?
First I heard of her, of course, was in module S4. Was she always a
"background villian"?
As a matter fact Iggwilv is my
creation. She was inspired by Louhi the Finnish uberwitch and Baba Yaga
of Russian foklore. I never had her as an active antagonist, more of a
behind the scenes manipulator.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Gary, this was mentioned over at the acaeum.com so I reckoned I'd ask where you could see it...
How did MAR Barker's EMPIRE OF THE PETAL THRONE
come to be published by TSR and what was his relationship with the
company during the printing of that first edition of the game?
Also, we note that the game featured a full-color vinyl map, comb-bound
rule booklets (A4 sized at that) and that the overall price for EMPIRE OF THE PETAL THRONE
was a princely $25.00 back in 1975, which would be the equivalent today
of charging $100 or more for a single RPG boxed set. Can you shed a
little light on the decision to go ahead with such an expensive product?
To be concise:
Phil Barker contacted me as he was concerned that his use of some of the
emchanics from the D&D game might infringe on TSR's rights. I
looked at the game ms. played it with Dave Sutherland as the GM, and
told Prof. Barket that TSR would be happy to publish EPT as a premier
RPG. All the bells and whistles were to make the game as close to that
Phil presented to his players. We liked the game a lot, and a carload of
TSR people, myself included, drove up to the Twin Cities to see the
Professor at his house, play an EPT adventure with him as the GM. All
oif that is why it came out as it did. I doubt that we lost money,
likely made a minor profit in fact, but sales tapered off so we could
not afford to do a repring when the stock ran out.
It was a feather in TSR's cap to produce such an RPG.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Fascinating.
I, during better financial times, bought a complete set from that era from a private seller to scavenge material for my D&D ('74) game. Sadly, I found that while EMPIRE OF THE PETAL THRONE is a quite complete game unto its own, it wasn't very compatible with the GREYHAWK campaign I was building.
Hmm, perhaps someday if the adventurers find the spaceship in S3 EXPEDITION TO THE BARRIER PEAKS I'll make some kind of link then ;-)
Phil also did
War of Wizards,
a somewhat complex but entertaining two-player game of spell combat on a
board similar to a football field. TSR sold a few thousand copies of
that game.
As for EPT, it was
IMO
a lot of fun to play but very difficult to GM. With a knowledgeable GM
the game was an exotic blast. When GMed by someone less than expert it
was a toingue-twisting bore.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz
Just thought I'd pass this along to brighten your day...
A younger buddy of mine just returned from a tour in Baghdad, all safe & sound.
While he was over there, one of his squadmates came up with a way for
them to pass their downtime. He turned him and some others onto RPGs-
specifically, D&D 2Ed. Apparently, it was somewhat of a Monty Haul
campaign, but it was a great stress reliever.
I know- not really your game, but I
thought you'd like to know that the hobby you helped create is still
growing, and in places that may not seem to be gaming-friendly.
Right on!
When my son was in the Middle East with 1st Armored for Desert
Shield/Desert Storm, he said thay played a good deal of a bastardized
version of AD&D...mainly because nobody had any rules books. X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
I have sent a note to Troll Lord Games about game donations for the troops in Iraq.
I was never quite up for GMing the EPT game, but I did have fiun playing it/
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Two
of the guys I game with were in Desert Storm. The ranger was a tank
commander (now a Finance guy) and the wizard was a medical technician
(now a pharmacist).
That's the good thing about the 30-something generation (I think we used
to be called Gen X when we were 20-something) . . . a lot of us have
AD&D hard coded to our brains, so we don't need no stinking rules to
play it. Well, I haven't played it in 10 years, due to player demand
for the latest version, but I figure it's still in there somewhere.
A longsword costs 15 gp, does 1-8, plate mail with a shield is AC 2, etc. ;-)
Quite so...
Even after designing two different FRPG systems and playing them
extensively now and then I find myself inadvertantly thinking in
AD&D terms--or even way back in OD&D ones.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Moggthegob
This
may have already been asked a long while back.But what was the deal
with Robilar? Did you turn him into a villain after the guy who played
him stopped playing or was that something out of your control. The
source of this question is what happens when two guys talk for 10 hours
about campaign settings....
Rob Kuntz decided to have
Robilar a Lawful Evil PC around the middle of 1974, IIRR. He remained
with that alignment until he ceased playing the Character...whenever
that was in the 1970s.
Anything about Roblilar that Rob or I did not write is not from my/our Greyhawk Camapign.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hello Archibael,
Whew! That is some epistle ypu posted for me... Many thanks for the very kind words.
I will answer you in three parts: first the basis for the contemplated
new Gord novel, second the undetailed/unknown critters in the books, and
finally the direction of the series after I parted company with TSR.
I was thinking mainly of Gord's adventures as a young man in Greyhawk, as sketched out in
Night Arrant,
but your suggestion for a wider-ranging tale is worth considering! I
will see what my collaborator has to say, and what input John R. Troy
might have in this regard.
I never developed stats for these monsters, as none of my players were
sufficiently high in level to deal with them. I envisioned Dreggals as
the egg-like, bird-like-and fish-like demons or devils illustrated by
Durer or Dore...or some similar artist. They are relatively weak
indivudually but come in companies. Maelvis were imagined as flying
demons of bat-like sort, IIRR, also of no great power individually but
strong when operating in company. A Cacodemon is shown on the cover of
Artifact of Evil. These are very bad critters.
Pamdemonium is a likely home for them.
the course of Gord's story changed considerably after I parted from
TSR...that is pretty evident from the destruction of Oerth. Tharizdun
would have been neutralized in some other manner had some more palatable
conclusion of my association with TSR been the case. As a matter of
fact I had in mind another story that would effectively restore
Oerth--an alternate one, but virtually the same as Gord's original homw
world, but where Tharizdun did not exist.
It is most likely the magazine editor's response was aimed at negating the tale I wrote that destoryed the World of Greyhawk.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ragboy
I
came out of the OD&D/AD&D set. We played 2nd, 3.0 and 3.5, but
as a group, we've always ended up back at AD&D. My kids and I just
started an OD&D game, and I just 'discovered' OSRIC.
Any thoughts on it and C&C bringing more gamers (new and old) back into the AD&D/OD&D fold?
The only effective means of actually bringing significant numbers of
new participants to the RPG hobby is by an extensive campaign of
advertising a simple starter RPG at a reasonable price.
Anything else is basically fighting over existing perticipants, and old-timers teaching their children to game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
One has to wonder why
WotC are not making major advertising and promotion efforts for D&D in this regard.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
With
all due respect to those grognards that teach their children to play
and enjoy RPGs, this trickle of new blood merely slows the decline of
the audience for paper games. Most computer gamers want instant
gratification, and theyget that by playing anytime they wish, for as
long as desired, with friends if they like, and fast game rewards fo
that their PCs gain all manner of goodies and umpteenth level in short
order. They also get the satisfaction of PKing, or takingtrevenge for
that being done to them.
Without substantial active advertising solicitation for new pager RPG
players, the audience for this game form will never expand, and more
likely shrink as attrition thins toe ranks of active devotees.
WotC
should be marketing an introdctory boxed D&D game at a low pirchase
price, this work designed to interest the participant in expanding the
game into the full-blown D&D offering--most easily by acquiring
additional sets as was done with Original D&D. Of course, they no
longer have effective consumer interest/loyalty-building support
vehicles such as GenCon, the magazines, and an active RPGA, so it seems
doubtful to me that there will ever be a campaign to recruit new persons
to the RPG hobby. Likely that conceptis totally foreign to Hasbro.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tylerthehobo
Hard
words to hear, but as a fella who runs open games in a comic book shop
for newbies, stuff that sounds pretty accurate... :\
Just so...
It disturbs me considerably that
WotC
is not actively seeking to expand the participant base for the D&D
game by the means I noted. TSR expended a lot of effort in this regard,
and it was quite successful.
WotC has the means that TSR had, and no campaign has been launched.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Beginner's
sets are all well and good. Promoting and marketing such material is
the key to their success in attracting new participants to the RPG
hobby.
WotC
does not have an entry level game for newbies, and they have no
advertising and promotion campaign aimed at bringing in new blood.
It seems to me that instead of doing so they plan to go after the CRPG
player market, those that are into playing WoW and the like. Perhaps I
am mistaken. Time will tell.
Cherio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Vyvyan Basterd
Hi Gary,
I'm sure you've answered this before and I have my own take on the
subject, but a recent post on another forum prompted me to get your
take.
Why were half-orcs included as a "core" race in 1E AD&D? Are their
origins meant to be grounded in rape? If so, was this incidence common
enough to warrant a complete race (with population data
IIRC in the GH material)? Or was there another origin that the 1E PHB didn't go into?
Thanks!
Heh...
Who needs a rational for a race in a fantasy game? Half-elves,
half-orcs, what's the difference? Both add choices to the game, and that
is why they were included ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Vyvyan Basterd
Fair enough, some people need to rationalize and other like myself get sucked into debating them. :-)
I can think of many reasons why half-orcs would exist beyond the
simplistic scenario presented on the aforementioned thread. Some people
just get stuck with one view and try to limit choice instead of trying
to make it fit. I see monks removed from many games because the "flavor"
the DM has stuck in his head doesn't fit "his" campaign world.
I agree with you that greater choice is a good thing.
Yup!
Half-orcs might well be the result of wedlock between a strange or
desperate human and an orc. There is no single answer to any such
question.
A DM not allowing monks in their campaign world is fine, but it shows a
narrow perspective. Why not an enclave of immigrants of Oriental sort
producing a few such individuals? Or even why not wandering monks from
far off. Of course either approach will require some considerable
adjustment in regards gaing levels after 8th, but that's an easy quest
to set up.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jonathan Moyer
Hi Gary,
When I was cutting my gaming teeth on AD&D 2e, I found the brief passage of the Rod of Seven Parts in the AD&D 2e
DMG
- which describes the ancient Battle of Pesh between the Wind Dukes of
Aaqa and Miska the Wolf-spider - to be evocative and intriguing. I
presume you were the creator of this mythology (my apologies if I'm
wrong!). If so, could you tell us what your sources of inspiration were
(if any)? I'm particularly interested in the sources for the Wind
Dukes.
Thanks!
Jon
ps Sorry if this question has been answered before - there's a lot of
material to search through, and I don't have access to the search
function!
O.o
Well...
As a matter of fact I had nothing to do with 2E, other than to have been
the creator of the game from which it derived, so I can not be of any
assistance.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Jonathan Moyer
Ah, okay. There is a brief mention of them in the AD&D 1e
DMG
(I just got my D&D start with 2e, but I have some 1e books :-)
), and they seem to be have been a feature in early Greyhawk, which is
what lead me to believe you had a hand in their making.
Sorry for the confusion, but many thanks for your time!
Jon
No problem at all :-D
It might have been Schick that came up with the Wind Dukes etc.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
As a matter of fact...
If I were directing an advertsing campaign aimed at bringing new young
gamers into the paper RPG hobby, I would spread the ads around so as to
target a broader audience than just the computer gaming one.
The trick is to recruit more persons interested in being the GM than
those satisfied merely with playing a paper RPG. That way one bets a lot
more bang for the advertising buck. the main problem is figuring our
how to pull off that trick.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JRRNeiklot
Hey Gary,
A situation came up in the AD&D game last night. A human bard died
due to a bouncing lightning bolt :-). The party decided to reincarnate
him and he got lucky enough to roll Ogre Magi. How do I handle this?
Does he retain his (14) bard levels? His hit dice? Or does he become
an ogre mage straight from the monster manual? I tend to think the
latter, but I thought I'd ask the master for his input. I really don't
want to screw him over TOO badly. :-)
Thanks.
X-D
What a nasty break for a bard...
I would rule that the newly incarnated ogre mage was strictly that, an
orge mage. However, as time progressed, that individual would begin to
feel conflicted with past memories of being a human bard being recalled.
I would periodically make checks to see if the orge mage would bury
those memories or manage to develop them sufficiently to actually add
some portion of bardic abilities to his repertorie of agre mage
capacities.
Terry Kuntz's fighter, Terik, had subdued and had in service an ogre. In
an encounter that character was bitten by a werebear and in time became
an ogre werebear. A series of checks discovered that the ogre became TN
in alignment becaise of the different natures involved.
FWIW,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
It is not a dictum but a common sense method of handling matters of this sort.
I reckon that means tour common sense and mine are similar X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Howdy Gary!
Ok, just curious here about campaign settings in general. Now, first
off, let me just say the World of Greyhawk is my favourite setting, so
thank you for making it! I really like how everything is laid out so one
gets an idea as to how the world is, but have enough freedom to do what
ever it is one wants to do with it. My question is then, how do you
feel or think about such settings as Forgotten Realms (which I also
happen to enjoy, albeit differently) which are so detailed and have
countless sourcebooks and the like and did you ever look at the box set
detailing the City of Greyhawk (by Doug Niles,
iirc)? Just curious as to your perspective on the topic. Thanks for your time Gary!
Howdy,
As a matter of fact I have been too busy creating game material to spend
time perusing other designers' work. I can say that detailed world
settings are not at all my cup of tea, for I believe that they constrain
the GM's innovation and creativity. A detailed city is another matter.
That sort of information assists the GM in creating interesting
adventures.
That's about all I can offer.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
Where would you likely try to spread the ads?
O.o
As I am not in charge of an advertising department with a hefty budget, I
have no real idea/ That sort of decision must be based on a thorough
knowledge of the demographics of prosepective players, where they spend
their money, etc. I would not spend much on computer banner ads, though,
that I assure you. TV is a prime vehicle, Sadly, comib books have faded
to a non-factor.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Hi
Gary. I was wondering if you'd gotten the chance to finish reading "The
Peshawar Lancers" yet, and what your opinion of it was.
Ho Colonel,
Yes indeed, I finished reading the
Peshwar Lancers
some time ago. I read it fast, as I enjoyed it. However, after
completing it and reflecting a bit ths states that the author had
survive made me wonder. The USA was a growing worls power arrounf the
end of the 19th century. It had a fine battle fleet and a huge merchant
navy. It could well have moved a moog many of the citizens south into
the Carribean Islands, Mexico, and Central America. Having Russia of all
nations survove the mini-ice age and the USA not pull through is
absolutely preposterous.
Italy and Greece would also likely have been able to squeek through, not
become vassals of the "Sick Old Man of Europe," Turkey. the Turks would
have been the main target of Tsarist Russian migration to a warmer
clime.
Japan, with a building fleet, might well have gotten through the disaster, of course.
Ah well, ain't historical might-have-beens fun?!
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Ah...
Finally!
I have the old account back online here :-D
Cheerio,
Gary a/k/a Hardboiled (EGG)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
Shucks!
I was hoping they would next eliminate your ability to be Hardboiled,
just to see if your next handle would be SunnySideUp. :-P
--Ghul
That sort of thing would be shirred agony for me.
Thankfully afdter I scrambled to correct the problem the server coddled
me 8-D
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by jonesy
Hi, Mister G. :-)
If you don't mind me asking, how much RPG paraphernalia of yours do you
own? As in, do you make it a point to own copies of the things you've
published, or is that something you haven't really thought about
consciously?
Back in the initial daze of TSR, I was not
too careful about keeping copies of the products I had a hand in
designing, that were published by the company. If I had been more
assiduous in that regard, I'd have a small fortune of brown-box D&D
sets and the like stashed away. These days I do make certain to set
aside author's copies and keep comps received of other things as well.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JDM
Gary
- I just wanted to add my few words of thanks for your role in creating
and developing AD&D. The level of detail and thought that went
into almost every word in the
DMG
- for instance the "whores subtable" in the City random encounter
tables - gave me many hours of pleasure in my younger years, and its a
hobby I hope to rediscover in years to come, perhaps even with my kids.
Thank you also for your unfailing courtesy and humour in this thread.
When I first found it - well, vol IX thereof - I could not believe that
EGG was just shooting the breeze with the great unwashed.
You have brought so much joy to so many; it is only fair to wish you much happiness in return.
X-D :-o X-D
Thanks for the good words.
As for the table mentioned, I crated it because I was bores with the
continual reference to "whores" in both the historical and fantasy
fiction genres and in RPG play. Of course I did get a ration of s**t
from some quarters for including it. As it was included in the spirit of
improving the readers comprehension of the olders profession, and
broadening the vocabulary of the reader thereby, I have no particular
regrets about including it 8-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
A quick note here about Lake Geneva Gaming Convention III:
It was great fun, and I do wish all those memebers here that were
wishing to attend could have made it. The new room location in The Cove
here was much superior to the original space. Better still, it is one of
three new additions to the facility, with ones like it on the two
floors above...and there is an elevator a dozen steps from the entrance
as well.
I ran three LA game sessions on my front porch as well as schmoozed a
good deal, signer a fair nuber of autographs, play-tested a fun little
game named
Adventure Arena and lost a seven player game of
Dargon Lairds
to co-creator of the board-based card game, tom What. He and Jim Ward
have designed something that is both most enjoyable to play and
possessed of uncertainty as to who will triumph until the victory points
are tallied at game's end.
I could have played many more games, but I was the tour guide for the
"Famous Gaming Locations" in Lake Geneva trop, and in the evenings I
stayed home and entertained a few more fellow gamers here on the front
porch--marvelous in fair weather, but quite unpalatable when it is
really hot or when the temperature frops below 50 or so.
Enough!
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Welcome fellows :-D
We, and I mean wife Gail and I, enjoy hosting gamers as they are a good lot and good guests. It is fun for all.
As I mentioned on another board, as a youngster I loved reading Leo
Edwards series of boys' adventure books about "Jerry Todd" and "Poppy
Ott." They were written a couple of decades and more before i discovered
and read the first of the stories, and when i got to the end where Mr.
Edwards invites readers to drop in and have some cookies and lemonade
prepared by his wife, I was sad that invitation had been made so l;ong
ago. Otherwise, his residence being in Wisconsin, I'd have begged and
cajoled my parents into a visit to the Edwards' home.
The upshot is that his generosity in this regard inspired me to pledge to be akin to him if ever I was in a position to do so.
BTW, next year Gail plans on smoking two turkeys for the affair, as the
single bird set out this year was essentially devoured in the first hour
of the event :-o
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
It is soooo easy to assume that C&C is AD&D :-o
It is also very easy for my original material to be expressed in terms
of the C&C game system...especially when someone edits the material
to make it conform X-D
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mycanid
Good morning (or afternoon where you are) my good sir! :-D
Never mind me ... just dropping by to say hello. :-)
The morel of that is a cheerful greeting is always welcome and appreciated X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by EvilPheemy
One
of the things I remember about the stories surrounding the Greyhawk
ruins was the epic consequences that occurred. The (unintentional?)
release of Fraz'Urb'Luu and Graz'zt primarily. Though I've noticed that
few of the old stories featured encounters with Dragons. Do you have
any fondly-remembered dragon adversaries who matched wits with Bigby,
Tenser, and company? I'd love to hear about them.
Actually. very few dragons were encountered by my PC team. I suspect
that was to keep them from gaining yet more magical goodies.
Mordenkainen and his henchmen managed to subdue and capture an ancient
red dragon (that Rob named Ghorki in spite) and then a second very young
one (that Rob named Phorki). Ghorki remained behind to guard the
Citadel, but little Phorki often accompanied expeditions into the
surrounding terrain to rid the area of undesirable elements...and take
their stuff. Uncorking him from a "merchant's wagon" was an effective
diversionary attack ;-)
The story of the two black dragons in the dungeons is well known. Not so
widespread the tale of the young red dragon that had both spider climb
and invisibility spells that used to ambush the unwary from the ceiling
of his cave.
One day when I was feeling ornery, I had Robilar encounter an NPC that
told him of a great red dragon sleeping on its horde of treasure, He
volunteered to lead the way there for a slight reward, s apecial
necklace he sought. When Robilar suspiciously agreed if the leather-clad
fellow would lead the way, agreement was reached. Onve inside the cave,
the thief slipped away into the shadows and vpoced a warning shout to
awaken the firedrake. It did, and a battle royal ensued. Of course the
thief was counting on the survivor being sufficiently weak to enable him
to do him in so all the loot would be his. Robilar managed to exit the
cave, lay in wait and slay the thief when he fled the place. The dragon
remained unmolested thereafter.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
Gary, if you only knew.
:-D :-P X-D
Now do not be taking liberties >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi 'Mouser,
Last question first:
Although I do not scorn books written for a younger audience--such as Bellair's
Face in the Frost
and the "Harry Potter" novels, ir even the non-fantasy boys' adventure
book series by Leo Edwards, "Jerry Todd" and "Poppy Ott"--I have never
before heard of Lloyd Alexander's stories about the land of Prydain. My
loss I guess...
As to the tale of the black dragons in Castle Greyhawk, I do not want to
go into great detail now, as something similar will be found in the
Castle Zagyg dungeons ro begin publishing late this summer and on into
2008. Here is a precis of the tale.
My excellent veteran players--Ernie, Rob, Terry, and one or two others
explored a level of the dungeons and accidentally discovered a series of
secret chambers in which were stored treasure and magic items. They
looted all of these repositories. Of course being greedy they searched
for a new secret room...and found and deleased a dragon instead of
wealth.
After failing to subdue it, taking breath damage twice, they ran for
their lives. Robilar slung his subdued gargoyle flunkie over his back,
and when the dragos spit acid at him, the gargoyle turned to goo, but
Robilar took only one-quarter damage. He then have the dragon the slip,
used his Boots of Flying to ascend a vertical shaft, but by random
chance a purple worm was descendiing ths same route. Roblilar dropped
down in a hurry, went for a normal exit passage, and was spotted by the
dragon. At that Robilar ran full speed, forgetting there was a black
pudding on the floor ahead, and his flying boots were "eaten."
As the rest of the party had escaped without loss, they returned for
more loot. Instead they released a second dragon. After that the mated
pair of drakes ruled the level and the adventurers shunned it
assiduously. That saddened me as the DM, as the lot of them had gained a
full level and about half the number of XPs to go on to the next.
What annoyed me most was that all of the different repositories were
discovered by luck, the mapper thinkingthat he was leading the party to
the original place each tome, but actually being off course. Naturally,
luck lead them to the ones with much treasure before their greed brought
them to the ones holding a dragon in stasis >:-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
What can I say but:
I'll look into the reading matter if and when I am seeking new books to read.
As for the outcome of the greedy series of dungeon delves, despite losses the group, robilar included, made out like bandits :\
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
LGGC III Photos
Just
in case anyone is interested in seeing pics of the recent Lake Geneva
Gaming Convention III, here is the URL for a fair sampling of same:
http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23910
I understand there are some on the Kenzer boards as well.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
The unexpected is a god part of adventuring fun :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thedungeondelver
OK, Gary, it's been too long since I've done this to you so -
AD&D question time! Slow Poison versus Neutralize Poison.
The former is pretty clear on what it does and how it works - brings
the stricken back from the brink of a lethal dose of whatever poison
laid them low, within a set amount of time, etc.
Neutralize Poison, however, says that it "detoxifies the victim" touched (or poisons them if you cast the reverse). Was the intent for Neutralize Poison to otherwise function as Slow Poison (e.g., bring the stricken back from "death")?
Doesn't say so, but I wanted to see if you had any thoughts on that.
Err...
Where does it say that
Slow Poison brings someone back from death? It only keeps the victim alive longer until a
Neutralize Poison can be cast to rid the toxins from the subject's body.
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by increment
Hi Gary,
First time caller here - let me say off the bat, wow! The amount of
information contained in this 5-year thread is staggering. This is
really an amazing gift to posterity. People interested in the history of
gaming will have their work cut out for them just organizing all of
this. Thanks so much for taking this time to engage with fellow gamers -
I'm sure it pays big dividends for the hobby overall to have someone
like you showing such dedication to the fan-base.
As a
true gamer, not to say game nerd (whoch I am), it is great fun for me to
interact with my fellows both in parson and on boards such as this one
:-D
I've got a couple of pretty obscure historical questions for you,
but at least they might not actually have been asked in this thread
before:
Heh...and not at all obscure to me X-D
Did you play Fight in the Skies back in the early days of GenCon (or
in that general era)? If so, do you have any tales of memorable pilots
or exploits you can recount? The origins of these traditions are
fascinating...
I played FitS mainly with Mike and the TSR crew. Somehow my
machine gun(s) always jammed, so I had to leave the dogfight, or get
shot from the skies :-o
Were you a member of any of the colorful Dippy clubs of the mid-60s
prior to the USCAC? And speaking of the USCAC, what if anything do you
remember of its activities?
Alan Calhammer attended GenCon III IIRR.
I was a regular of Boardman's
Graustark
magazine, played in a couple of his games. I also subbed to Rod
Walker's Dippy zine--the name of which eludes me at the moment--and was
one of the seven players that were lined up to play in his Design your
Own Nationand I'll fill in the rest of the Board game that never got off
the ground. I turned in my nation, Wonderland, with the Fleet being the
Walrus and Carpenter, armies Tweedledum and Tweedledee and the second
the Cards.
The USCAC, formed by Bill Speer, with whom I am still in touch, was a
PBM boarding club that sent and accepted challanges from other board
wargamers. It was not really a club, so I convinced Bill and his V.P.
Scott Duncan to form the IFW to replace it.
Thanks again for your attention not just to these questions but to, well, everyone's!
My pleasure.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Bringing
back from the brink of, or actual, death due to poison is not a cure.
The SP spell slows the effects of the poison, but it will not stop them.
Only a NP will do that. How long the victim of poisoning will remain
alive under a SP spell effect is up to the DM, but I allowed a full 24
hours.
Cheers,
GAry
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by increment
Thanks, Gary, for your lightning-fast reply. By Rod Walker's zine, maybe you mean Erehwon? I know he went on to more professional magazine work...
Yuppers! It was indeed backwards Rod's
Erehwon to which I also subscribed.
Have you seen my story that was, I think, in
Erehwon?
It was about John Bedpan, Cheif Orderly at the Bronx Home for
Criminally Insane Physicists. He was a secret agent under the direction
of Rod Perambulator, had a secret office behind the cleaning supplies
room off the men's bathroom. IIRR after all these years, Perambulator
was thrown into the arena by Ming the Merciless, there to face the
terrible, one-horned anthropoid monster, the Treadikoid. However, Flash
Gygon leaped unexpectedly into the pit, tore the clever mask from the
Treadikoid to reveal the treacherous John Bedpan, and thus saved Rod
from a hideous fate. X-D
Sounds like my questions were too easy for you! Well, if that didn't
tax you too much, perhaps I can sneak in a couple more...
How did the term �role-playing game� come to be the label for this genre
of games? The term doesn�t seem to have been much used until 1976, and
then suddenly it�s everywhere. Did it start from anywhere in particular,
that you can remember?
The initiator of the well-coined name is unknown to me. At
best I spoke of players assuming the role of a character in the game.
Whomever it was deserves a laud, as it was a boon to the game genre.
What prior wargames would you say had the biggest influence on the
system mechanics of OD&D (and Chainmail, where OD&D takes its
lead from there)? Of course there really was no wargame like D&D,
but it must have a few evolutionary ancestors you found valuable.
Thanks in advance again!
No game I had played before I devised the Man-to-Man rules for the
Chainmail
rules book influenced that design. I made it all up off the top of my
head, just as I did the Fantasy Rules section. Inspirational sources
were historical for the former, mythical for the latter.
It is noteworthy, though, that the radius of a fireball and the stroke
of a lightning bolt corresponded to a heacy catapult's area of attack
effect and that of a cannon in the 1:20
Chainmail rules.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by increment
A
ripping yarn! I guess things must have been simpler in the early days -
the Alex Raymond estate probably wasn't banging down your door looking
for a cut. I hadn't known of that story before, but I'm sure now
collectors will be scrambling to find a copy... and there's probably
more where that came from, I imagine.
...
About all there is to be found are some Dippy press
releases, mainly from whan I was playing Turkey. I was always Sultan
Omar (I for the firsy tme I played that nation, II for the second, etc.)
The head of my Armed forces was the Levantine, Genghis Cohn, and the
secret service (Faithful Believers in Islam, or FBI) was headed up by J.
Akbar Hookah. He was keenly hunting down the glamorous Austro-Hungarian
spy, Lotta von Schlag.
There was also an exchange of letters rith Walker, IIRR, where I nailed
him with simulacra...he assumed I made an error and meant simulacrum, so
a second such construct got his protagonist. That's about all I can
recollect.
Exchanging letters of invective and character assassination, writing
imaginative press releases for postal games, was for me the greatest
part of playing Dippy thus.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by KRBourgoine
Gary,
Good morning, I hope you haven�t collapsed under your mountainous
workload. And to help you get even further behind in your endeavors
here is a question for you.
Were there ever players that you DM'ed more leniently than others? Not
children per se, but rather players who you thought were less adept or
that you knew wouldn�t take a beating well, so you fudged a little in
their favor?
K.R.Bourgoine
Howdy Pard!
Aside from youngsters, no. However, I am uniformly harsh with bad play and kind to good players suffering from bad luck.
Now back to the LA and CZ game products grind. Some semi-retirement >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Hey there, Mr. Gygax. Edena_of_Neith here.
I am made to understand you did not approve of the From the Ashes
Boxed Set, and the destruction of the Flanaess that resulted in the
Greyhawk Wars. Is this true?
If you had decided to create a 'Greyhawk Wars' scenario, how would
your 'Greyhawk Wars' have gone? (If they had gone at all ...) Would
Acererak have become involved?
:-o
Decreeing major wars in the Flanaess would have been quite contrary to
the design philosophy behind the WoG. It was a template for use by DMs
to use in developing their own campaigns based in the milieu. The
various alliances and hostilities were set forth, but where they went
was meant for each DM to determine as suited his own creative
application of the base information.
That said, I did indeed find the concept of FtA quite inappropriate, but
typical of TSR at the time. Creatively speaking, I do not believe they
could find their butt with both hands.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Let
me ask this. I've always wondered about this, since I went through S1,
the Tomb of Horrors, 20 years ago. (My character was the only survivor
... as usual, the infamous Tomb killed everyone or left one survivor to
tell the tale as a warning to others ...)
What would have to happen to so provoke Acererak that he assumed full
form, came out of the Tomb, and decided to wreak some havoc?
As son Ernie has said, when Tenser saw the nature of the tomb he simply
retired from it not caring to risk life and limb for whatever treasure
it might hold.
Anyway, as far as I am comncerned, Acererak needed some great source of
magical negative energy to return to regular lich state, be able to
manage such a return to his former "glory."
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Robilar
did that deed, but he then beat feet, no teleporting spell involved.
IIRR, he had rerpleaced his lost Boots of Flying with Boots of Speed
8-D
I was quite unprepared for such a dirty trick O.o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Moggthegob
Dear Gary,
My friends and I were discussing characters in greyhawk and a few
interesting questions came up. If there were a World of Greyhawk movie,
who would you have play Robilar, Tenser, and Mordenkainen. Or at very
least what are good descriptions of what they look like.
Mogg the gob,
Goblin Extraordinaire
Howdy,
X-D
As if
WotC
and Hasbro would consult me about such a thing. With that in mind, why
would I spend any of my valuable time pondering such a question? That
would be completely vaccous nethinks.
Being familiar with how motion pictures are made, such a decision would
be up to the director and the casting people, so I would have no say in
the matter even if I was a story consultant.
To the point, though, i have never thought about the matter, and I do
not have any actors in mind. I wouldn't mind seeing Vin Deisel as
Mordie, though. That's because he is a D&D fan, of course.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Aegir
Gary:
Having read through much of this thread, one thing strikes me over all
others: to say you don't like direction D&D has gone would be an
understatement. While I can understand your dislike, a question occurs
to me: what is it
YOU look for from a game?
What comes to mind for me is, 1/2E were far more rules-lite then the
current incarnations, and perhaps your dislike stems from having the
rules take some of the improvisation and imagination out of gaming, but
thats just what comes to mind when I compare the two (mind you, I got
into gaming very late in the life of 2E, so my understanding of the
previous versions is pretty limited).
I suppose my question is: what is it you look for in a gaming experience that you feel
3E destroys?
Hi Aegir,
First, I do want to make it clear that I have no quarrel with those that
love new D&D--or any other RPG, or no RPGs at all for that matter.
What game is captivating to someone is a personal matter, and not one
that is generally open to critical comment from anyone.
That said, you are on target ion regards to what sort of RPG I enjoy. If
you take a look at my latest design, the Lejendary Adventure game, you
will note that it is indeed rules light, very flexible, the mechanics
can be and are applicable to other RPG genres, and the skill-bundle base
allows for great freedom in creating PCs and NPCs that are a more
accurate reflection of both fictitional figures and real people.
As a matter of fact I find I must continually fight against those that
like the system but want to make it more cumbersome by adding
"explanations," "examples," and "clarifying rules." Keeping it rules
light is is not easy :-o
Keeping imagination, innovation, and improvisation in play for all
particiapants, allowiing and encouraging such freedom in the game, ain't
all that easy. Maybe it's beacsue that means everyone must do more
thinking and use more creativity.
In short, a comparison and contrast of new D&D with the LA game will
provide a complete answer to your question. There is a free pdf
download of the LA game Quickstart Rules on
www.lejendary.com and at
www.dragonsfoot.org is you care to go through that exercise.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hey Gary have you read the Black Company series? If so did you like it?
I have read a couple of these novels, and I enjoyed them...something I
can not say about most contemporary fantasy books. I also enjoy the
Diskworld series.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Aegir,
That is one of the reasons I have found skill-based RPGs superior to
class based systems. As my player group has changed periodically over
time I found that many of the newbies coming in were reliant on what the
game's books told them about playing, not their own thinking about it
from immersion into their make-believe persons.
With a skill-based game the player must think about his game character,
what can be done and what is not easily possible. Players are reminded
of this when asked continually by the GM, "How will your PC do that?
What skill will be used to manage that?"
that said, sometimes with I am running an LA game I get annoyed and say what Ability (skill set bundle) they
should
be using for theior Avatar to accomplish some desired act. Of course it
is easier from the GM's role to grasp more easily such choice than it
is for the player that is under the pressure of game situational stress.
I do hope I made sense there 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Aegir
In a nutshell: you worry about what your character is doing and how he does it, and I'll worry about the numbers.
This I've found is most glaring when using the social skills. All too
often you get a player who says, "I roll diplomacy to make him see
things my way," instead of explaining what he says, or, even what "his
way" is.
I suppose the best way to go about it is to simply try and take the
numbers out of it. Let me (the DM) worry about the figures and how they
interact, I just want to know what your PC does.
Yes indeed. What I typically do is to ask the player how his Avatar is
going to convince the NAC to be agreeable. "What will your Avatar say to
do that?"
Moving on: I'm checking out your LA Quickstart rules, and they look
very interesting; not so different from something I've been wanting to
do myself: take the rigidity of classes and such out of the equation and
just let the PC be what he is, even if that happens to be a mage who
can swing a greatsword, or rogue that augments his abilities with
magics.
Are there any plans to release more of these books in PDF? I've got too
many books as it is, and its way easier to just expand my hard drive
space then it is to add a wing to my house for more books. :-)
I am happy you find the system interesting. The Orders presented enable
architypical Avatars to be played but in development over time with
some fair amount of difference between those in the same Order. The
Knacks and Quirks generally provide an interesting initial difference.
Guideon Thorn answered the second part of this. Bsfore the revised
edition of the LA game is published there will be two core rules
supplements forthcoming,
More Beasts of Lejend and
Tome of Knowldege. I do not know if these will be available on pdf.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Moggthegob
Dear Gary,
Not to push or anything, but how about a general description of how they
are supposed to look. I am running them as NPCs and I would like to use
better descriptions than "a big jovial man" or "an aging man " for
Robliar and Mordie and i figured I'd go to the source
As a
matter of fact u have nor given this matter much thought before this,
as my mental picture of my PCs sufficed, it being rather vague.
Robilar, Tenser, Erac's Cousin, Terik, etc. not being my PCs I can not
describe...altough I did insist that Otto, Rob's mage, was a burley chap
resembling Friar Tuck, someone always joking and singing and prone to
imbibing vast quantities of ale.
Mordenkainen I pictured as tall, lean, with a pale complexion tanned by
sun and weather. His features are sharp, eyes gray. His hair is rather
byshy, with a long moustache but no beard. He favors garments of gray
with black or bright blue accents--girdle and blouse for example. His
age apears to be somewhere around 50.
Bigby I envisioned as of medium height, bald, with prominent nose and
large, dark eyes. He is also around age 50, but as he is rather plump,
Bigby has few wrinkles. his hands are large and long-fingerd. His
clothing is generally of deep green.
That's enough of that :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Aegir
Welp,
you sold me: just went and bought a load of LA PDFs, and looking
forward to reading through them. Might be some time before I get to use
the system, but I can already see where a few of the adventures would
fit into my homebrew very well.
Have fun :-D
Creating an Avatar or two is the most interesting way of getting into
the system. If you need the list of Avatar Knacks and Quirks, email me
personally, and I'll email them to you.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Indeed. That's why I refer to it as "From the As*es".
:-o X-D :-o
I was not going to mention it, but that makes two of us 8-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, I hadn't heard of the Tome of Knowledge until now. Please tell us a bit about it. :-)
It is a few minor corrections, some clarifications, and a lot of
additional material for the players' and Lejend Masters' rules--most of
the information appeared in Kejends magazine or on the LA game website
boards, but a compilation is much handier for all concerned. There are
more Powers and the like, a few new weapons, lots of new Knacks, more
equipment on the lusts and a few new locations as well. Lots more too.
TLG has had the ms. for at least a year now.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Aegir
Do you have any kind of ballpark estimate on when these come out?
The Trolls are working on release of
More Beasts of Lejend this fall. I am not sure when the
Tome of Knowledge is slated for publication, but I would suppose soon after the MBoL was in print.
Maybe a later check on the TLG website will reveal more ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hi Gary---
When you were designing the various monsters in Grenadier's "Action Art"
Monsters set (#8002) that featured the drow captain, drider, EHP,
bugbear chief, etc. (see
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=290095678408
for reference), what level of design input did you have? Did you
select the monsters, provide descriptions for the sculptors, review the
greens and then request revisions, etc.?
Regardless of these, have you designed other miniatures lines (perhaps some for the Minifigs line @
http://web.archive.org/web/200502052...c/fgo_mfwg.htm)??
Thanks, as always :-D
Heh...
I did very little in regards the miniatures, as I make a fine copywriter
as an art director. About all I did was suggest what figure types I
thought would be appealing to consumers, give vague discriptions of what
some of the figures should look like. Then the miniature figuring
people would consult with another person or persona at TSR that could
help them--artists and model makers.
I did much the same when working with Steve Carpenter of MiniFigs
USA...only he and I would toast a bit with some single malt Scotch.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
I hope you are faring well. :-)
Cheers,
Merric
Howdy Merric,
Thanks, and I am doing right well, all things considered. My main
complaint is that I have way too much work to do for someone that is
doing their best to be semi-retired!
Trust all's well woth you :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Very interesting, Colonel. The descriptions you gave of your two (Arch) Mages varies somewhat from that in Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure
(at least from what I recall of the text and drawings!). Are your
images of Yrag and Rigby different from those published in the module,
too?
Gray Mouser
8-D
As I was not consulted as to the appearance of my PCs by the illustrator
of them in the module in question, it is hardly surprising that my
envisoned depictions differ from those drawn. As I do not have a copy of
the module anywhere handy, I can not say how different my description
of Yrag and Rigby the Ready woule be from how they are drawn therein.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
I have played Go, have a cheap set around somewhere, but...
Playing that game drives me crazy. All those little stones of black and
white, so many of them, so many intercises, and so fiddly the process. I
grow impatient and tend to lose >:-)
I much prefer Chinese (or Korean) Chess to Go, and Japanese Chess,
Shogi, is a game amongst those at the very top of my chess game favorites--the others my own version of
Courier Chess and the original rules version of
Double Chess, as set forth in the
Boy's Own Book, 1890.
Dr. McKnight, a friend of Fritz Leiber, bequeathed his 1870 edition of
that book to me because he knew I had the later version. I do not recall
if it has the same rules as the 1890 erition or not.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Raven Crowking
No question, just wanted to take the time to say "Thank you" for creating this game in the first place.
:-D
Fun all around!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
Gary,
In the 1980s version of the World of Greyhawk books, some of the shield
devices on the inside cover have a symbol I can't identify. The symbol
is a diamond (square standing on its corner) with an X through it. The
realm shields I can see it on are: Onnwall, Idee, Lordship of the Isles,
County of Sunndi, and City of Irongate. (See the attachment below.)
I can't find this symbol, or reference to it, in the books (even the
section on Oerth runes). Can you shed some light on this symbol?
Quasqueton
Happy to oblige :-D
The charge is a heraldric knot, the gray-black color indicating iron,
and those armorial bearings showing the charge are members of the Iron
League.
With the sad news of Fred Saberhagen's passing fresh in my mind, I must
say that the Great Kingdom I pictured as akin to John Ominer's Empire of
the East.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
I
know these days you prefer to play LA or C&C. & I know you can
get tired of AD&D questions, since you get so many of them. But I
don't think I've asked one in a good while, & I don't remember
seeing this one before.
If you were to run an oAD&D game today, would you use Unearthed Arcana?
In whole or part? I believe you've said you regret including armor v.
weapon adjustments & psionics in the PHB. Do you regret anything you
included in UA?
If you were to play in an oAD&D game today, would you ask the DM to allow you to use anything from the UA?
Here I expect to get questions regarding OA/D&D :-D
I believe I would use most of the UA work in my theoretical OAD&D
campaign--and not use weapon speed, adjustments vs. armor. I did use
most of the components of that work in my actual campaign.
I know some grognards dislike the direction of changes included in the UA work, but
IMO
thay made the campaing more varied and interesting. That includes the
raise in the level limits of some demi-human types, for I remain firmly
behind the restriction on such races as the game assumes a
human-dominated world.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
How
do you respond to the charge that UA significantly increased PC "power"
without a matching increase in the challenges arrayed against them,
& thus encouraged munchkins?
X-D
First and foremost, munchkinism arose as a contemporary of the OD&D
game. Nothing in the rules of that or any other version of the game was
needed to make it flourish. SO that established as a truusm, let us move
on.
I say that as barbarians get d12 for HPs, then clearlly extrapolation of
the same principle must apply to large and vigorous creatures. This
mitigates the potential increase in PC prowess. As a matter of fact,
adult critters were assigned 7-12 HPs per HD in my AD&D
campaigm--have been given the same in what I have designed for the
C&C game system. Also, with increase in damage due to Strength, all
large and powerful monsters, including ogres and giants, gain a damage
bonus equal to their number of HD.
Admittedly, this is not in the UA work, but it logically follows, and
would have been included in the revised edition of AD&D that I was
planning.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
We
had a week of very pleasant weather here in Wonderful Wisconsin, mostly
sunny and not above 78 in the daytime, cool at night, moderate
humidity. It is supposed to warm up after this coming weekend. A
daughter that lives in Hamaii is coming here then, so likely that's
sufficient to engender hot, muggy weather to greet her visit >:-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Does
this mean the standard hit die for monsters was to be increased from d8
to d12, or only for certain monsters that fall into the "large and
vigorous" category?
Rolled on a d6? This sounds similar to the starting hit die for barbarians as originally presented in Dragon.
Actually I planned to go through the monsters' roster and re-assign HD
types--d4, d6, d8, d10, and d12. While doind that in regards to the HPs
of each type, the monsters' chance to hit based on number of HD would
not be affected.
As too often "weak" monsters were randolly generated, I also planned to
have robust adults possess HP totals of something over 50% of the
possible maximum by using a HP generation system such as 3-4, 4-6, 6-10,
7-12 using the appropriate die to determine the actual number
generated--d2, d3, d5, d6. Non-robust--immature, old, sick, injured, or
even non-physicaly active sorts such as spell caster--monsters would
have the obverse HP range using the same type of die without addition.
Was the determination of such a damage bonus dependant on the
monster's assumed Strength score or just on the fact that monster was
large and presumably strong? Would this damage bonus apply to natural
attacks as well as those attacking with weapons?
It's always great to get some insight into the "lost" 2nd edition AD&D! Thanks!
As a ganeral rule I used HD = additional damage, half HD for
the non-robust individuals. So an ogre would be 4d12 + 1 HPs, with
damage as +4 or +2.
A 1st level m-u with a Sleep spell could still count on taking out the orge.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by EvilPheemy
d12
hit dice is an interesting twist on the classic OD&D d8 mechanic.
Of course that means Ogres go to 4d12+1 which frightens my inner 4th
level magic user. :-D
The Giant Modules would almost have to be reclassified for levels 10-14 with d12 Frost and Fire Giants.
See above for the power of the m-u over the improved ogre and all other monsters of less than 4d +2 capacity.
I must agree that the suggested PC level for the G series of modules
would have to be boosted beginning with the initial one where Hill
Giants are the principal adversaries.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
In
another thread, it has been implied--if not explicitly stated--that
this quote of yours indicates that you yourself are a munchkin or
powergamer. How do you plead? (^_^)
Would you believe a
capable stratigest and tactician desirous of playing a PC so as to
maximize his potential and excel in performing his role within the party
or as an individual aventuring in the campaign setting, so as to
succeed in reaching objectives and goals as established by a character
mission statement?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
That's just badwrongfun Gary. You suck.
please don't put me in the tomb of horrors 8-D
;-)
X-D :-P X-D
And here I thought it was simply a matter of playing the game as well as
I could...even with a bit of yakking and character voice included.
So...
It is not the ToH that you are off to but rather to the
Isle of the Ape to play with Oonga :-o
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
He's a nice friendly Super-Ape....isn't he? 8-D
Can I have a +5 banana to take with me?
Perhaos I was a bit carried away when I stated out Oonga, but I loved and still do the 1938
King Kong film...and I was fed up with the top players' PCs in my campaign kicking around almost every monster sent against them.
Then again, Mordenkainen, bigby, and several other members of their
group did wipe out 3K of goblins Rob Kuntz sent against them, luckily
from a distance, and I found it quite appropriate.
See, it is easy to wear two different hats X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I
take it the revisions you planned for monsters related above were part
of your effort to "beef up" monsters because of this situation.
Were there any other rules tweaks or general tactics you developed to add challenge against "top players" . . ?
That assumption is correct.
When the monsters were consolidated into a revised
MM
volume or two, I planned to give a point sunning and/or intellect
rating for them so as to enable the DM to use that nformation when
acting for the monsters. (After opinbdering the matter for a time I have
done this in the supplement to the LA game.)
That's about all I can recall off the top of my head. It has been over 20 years... 8-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
With the added power allowed to PCs in
Unearthed Arcana, perhaps it would have been a wash.
A double specialized 10th level ranger would be dealing +13 damage per
melee hit against giants, before any consideration of magic weapon or
Strength bonus, for example.
With the increase in size of hit dice and the corresponding number of
hit points per die, would any change have been made to the xp award per
hit point? Would the monster HD damage bonus be considerered a new
special or extraordinary ability? Or would it just fall under the
original guidelines for damage ranges given in the XP section of the
DMG (meaning more monsters would qualify for XO bonus due to increased damage range)?
I believe I would have left the XP award guidelines alone. Damage bonus
would not be re-rated, and the HPs possessed would suffice for
adjusting XPs gained, most up a bit, some down.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by the black knight
Hey Gary,
How much camp do you have in your games? Do you find it common? What are your feelings on that theatric element in gaming?
Thanks,
TBK
P.S. Please don't disintegrate me, but are you planning to read The Expedition to Castle Greyhawk when it comes out?
The tenor of any game session depends on my mood and that of the
players. Some sessions are straightforward RPGing, others somewhat campy
with bad theatrics from me and one or more of the others, and not a few
meetings are rife with jokes and puns...mainly from me :-o
As for reading that book, surely you jest >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Gary, do you still answer e-mails?
If yes, do you have a public e-mail?
I remember that you once did, so I was just asking.
Yours Sincerely
Edena_of_Neith
Howdy,
Not that I am particularly fond of answering email messages, but yes, I do just that virtually every day.
The addy is no secret:
[email protected]
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
well
you could always just ask your question here. or on his game list or
his political talk list, or one of the many forums at DF.
Ken
Hey Ken!
You omitted the Troll Lord Games,
www.lejendary.com, and FansForChrist boards X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Indeed,
I would! I've tended to think that munchkinism is in the eye of the
beholder, since what I observe people calling munchkin often seems like
merely smart play to me.
You said that munchkinism was there from the start. (Did it already
exist in previous war/hobby games, or is it something unique to D&D
& its offspring?) So, what--in your opinion--is it? What is the
dividing line between good playing & munchkin playing?
Munchkinism certainly existed in military miniatures gaming as was
evidenced by young players with dozens of PzKw VI "King Tigers" or JS
III tanks showing up for a WWII battle.
That typifies what the term means: Someone employing or seeking to use
exceptional and typically unearned assets in order to prevail or excel
in play. An RPGing mucnhkin fudges his character's stats. HPs, XPs, and
equipment. When berift of those advantages, or simply faced with a
situation demading skillful play--reasoning, thinking, innovation--they
fall flat/
So enough beating up on munchkins. Many mature and become solid gamers ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
Wrong thread.
Quasqueton
I beg your pardon!
Just what do you find wroing with this thread? >:-)
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
Not nearly enough womens.
Quasqueton
Ouch!
Got me there, fair and square too (^_^')
B-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark CMG
You might want to set a buffer limit. I have a feeling you are about to get some email, virtually every day.
Not to worry. This isn't the first time I have posted my email addy
here. Teh fellows here are not prone to sending off superflous messages,
thank goodness. The daily spam count in my inbox runs to around 100
missives, while only about 30 or so others are ones I read/respond to.
Board posts take up as much time as email responses 8-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by the black knight
Gary,
How campy do you get yourself? Which of your characters have exhibited the most camp of all? Does Mordy ever go over the top?
TBK
About the worst I get in this regard is quoting or
playing the role of some well-known group or person--Monty Python skits,
the Firesign Theater recordings (amongst my favorite comedic
material!), Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Chaney, Jr. as the wolfman, etc.
Now and then I will attempt a particular sort of accent or mannerism in
order to convey the actual nature of the NPC, or just to inject a note
of levity into play.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by thorian
Gary,
First of all, since this is the first time I�ve spoken to you, albeit virtually, I�d like to thank you for the following:
1) Thank you for creating something that has given me endless hours of enjoyment for over 25 years.
2) Thank you for posting in this forum and taking the time to answer so many questions.
3) Thank you for providing a means for me (and many others) to meet interesting people and cultivate life-long friendships.
I�d be remiss if I didn�t take the time to thank you after all you have
done. I don�t mean to sound sycophantic, but thanks are in order.
Now to my question: I understand you are attending GenCon this year.
Do you plan on partaking in any role-playing, or even running some
games? I didn�t see you listed under any of the events in the online
catalog.
Thanks,
~Alan
You are most welcome across the board. It should go
without saying that I have gotten a lot of enjoyment doing the things
noted, and I do enjoy the virtual fellowship provided by these and other
gaming boads.
As to my schedule at GenCon, I don't believe I will be GMing more than a
single special game on Wednesday evening. The panels, autographing, and
schmoozing in store for me will likely pretty well wear me out. The
medications I have to take tend to drain a good deal of my energy is
seems :\
When the small Lake Geneva Gaming Convention and its sister event
Winterdark occur here I am not hassled, so I normally run about three
RPG sessions.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by the black knight
Gary,
One last question if I may, and forgive me if this has already been asked, but how close are we to seeing Castle Zagyg released?
TBK
Only the Trolls can speak authoratively, but...
My best guesstimate is that the several parts will be released
incrimentally over this coming autumn and winter, then into the spring
and summer of 2008.
The introdctory
Eastmark Gazetteer with some of the castle's immediate environs will be available at GenCon.
What I am personally hoping will make release there is my
King of England - King of France
card/boardgame for 3-5 players. Although extensively playtested several
years ago, I have not played in in some time, and I hope to have it for
boardgaming sessions held here in Lake Geneva with a crew that includes
my son Ernie, Tom Wham, Dennis Harsh, Russ Ingram, and occassional
other participants (likely including my grandson Mike Gygax). Of course
if more that five show up it will be another game, but often there are
only four or five available to participate.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Well I figure once he got started on those first few he woudl find the rest of your hiding spots :-)
Ken
X-D
Got me Ken!
...only the FansForChrist boards have been down since yesterday :\
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Yes but Gary why do all mine end up in yourspam file is the question LOL
ken
You mean sorta like this one? :-P
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Me
too. My local public library has a large theatre screen in it. I showed
the movie and it was simply INCREDIBLE on the big screen. I noticed all
kinds of details in the jungles of Skull Island that I never noticed
just watching the DVD on my TV set at home.
I miss stop-motion. :-(
I suspect the chaps that had to move the models a fraction of an inch repeatedly don't missit much at all X-D
My older brother tantalized me with his description of the movie when I
was jsyt a tad of four or five. I vowed then and there that I would see
it for myself at the earliest possible time. That came in the late 50s
when it was shown on the TV--in an edited version. I recognized that
when what my brother described to me was lacking in the sequence where
King breaks through the gates and demolishes the native village. Since
then I have seen it on a theater screen only once, but manytimes on my
own big screen telly as i have a video tape of the movie. The jungle
background is hard to pick up even on that large a screen.
Cheers,
Garyt
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by bolen
hey Gary
Sorry if this has been asked and answered (I feel sure it has). Will you be at Gen Con next month?
Sure will be. Peter made me an offer I couldn't refuse. It is the 40th
GenCon after all, and i doubt I'll be around to attend the big
50th...save in spirit X-D
I won't be doing a lot there, a few panels including the one of
Christian gaming, autograpahing at the Troll Lord Games and Piazo
Exhibits, at the opening ceremonies, the special dinner, Tracy's Killer
Breakfast most likely. That's about all the formal events in which I
will be participating. On down time I plan to kick back at the Trolls
booth...and answer questions/schmooz with those that stop by to do same.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Agreed!
I hope this doesn't count as continuing to beat up on them, as I do have
another question on this topic that I'd like your wisdom on:
How do we best deal with munchkins? Can we use rules to discourage them?
Do we kick them out of the game & tell them to return when they've
matured?
Encourage them to be more mature in play--and the
other players will likely employ peer pressure to reinforce what you
suggest. Only if the munchkin's play was spoiling the game for the
remainder of the group would I give one the boot--that alone with him,
gently and encouraging a retur, when a less childish approach to
participating would be used by him.
Cheerrio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
(very solemnly, quietly)
I guess this, for me, is The Question.
-
Gary Gygax, do you consider my character Edena, 1st/2nd Edition cleric
121st / wizard 40th (dual classed) to be a legitimate character?
If you require information and background on Edena so you can determine the answer, I will provide anything you ask for.
Yours Sincerely to the Creator of D&D
Edena_of_Neith
O.o
Now dude! How can I answer that question? I do not know the nature of
the campaign or campaigns in which your PC has played, how your DM(s)
managed the campaign, for how many years you have played that one
character, etc.
O must admit that the levels stated are very high indeed for even the
super-powered campaigns that I know of, one, for example, where my 13th
level PC was as a 1st level 1s to one of c. 10 level. My leige lord was
40th level, and there were more powerful PCs and NPC in the setting. He
managed the challenges for such high-level PCs very well.
So, again the campaign, DM, the number and nature of adventurs
completed, and the numebr of years played to reach those incredibly high
levels are necessary to even begin to judge the validity of things.
It doesn't really matter either way, because if you like the character,
feel satisfied with how you played and atained those levels, what else
counts?
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
You really can't expect an honest answer without detailing the...interesting way it gained those levels. :-)
Pretty much what I said...in part ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by the black knight
Hey Gary,
Thanks for all the forthright responses to my questions. It's greatly appreciated.
I keep saying this, but I've got one last question for you.
What's the cruellest thing you've ever done, as a DM, to a player character?
Was it deserved? Do you regret doing it?
Curious,
the black knight
P.S. Have you watched Chimes at Midnight yet?
That would
be when Rob Kuntz and I were DMing for my son Ernie and a chap named
Mark Ratner that played a Paladin with a holy sword. Ernie was far worse
with two fairly earned/gained vorpal blades.
They freed a demon prince, Fraz'urb'lu, Ernie's PC not using any
metagaming information he could have, not even a hint, that was so
pleased with the two that he carried them off to his domain in the Abyss
where I rules that all three of their swords turned into useless hunks
of iron.
They did not deserve that, and had I been fair I would have reversed the
ruling as soon thereafter as possible. I did not and I regret it to
this day.
Many a PC has been killed in mu campaign, but all those losses were
because of very bad luck or like play. I have never set out to eliminate
a PC in my campaign, only for special events at cons where the
participants expect to have that happen. When a player is distraught
aboyt such a loss, I empathise strongly...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
May I relate the history?
Yours Sincerely
Edena_of_Neith
If you insist, but I believe that my
validation, or not, is unnecessary. I have publically stated that very
high-level PCs in a campaign well-managed to deal with such challenge
are as valid as low-level ones.
IIRR, my friend Francois Marcela Froideval had at least one PC that was
around 50th level...and he had a higher-level overlord. The main
challenges were player to player, player to demi-deity...and terrasqes
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Ho Edena,
That is a rather lengthy tale indeed, but I see it is actually much
abbreviated to get so much adventuring into so relatively brief an
account.
Oddy enough I got a call from my friend Francois Marcela Froideval last
evening, and I asked him what was the highest level character in his
campaign. He informed me it was a 50+ level Cleric, M-U. That is
assuredly a demi-deitial level combination!
Anyway, FWIW I find that your PC is likely valid if a somewhat over-rated in level.
IMO
gaining a lower level is not the equivalent of picking up one at high
level. The adventuring time and XPs needed for the latter is more like
four to two times those required to gain levels 2-8. I do agree that the
risk involved is likely greater at low level than at higher level,
although in a Jim Ward dungeon where we were adventuring with PCs of c.
14th-16th level the first thing we encountered was an equal number of
liches runnint to attack us each with a rod of cancellation.
So if I was your DM I would have Edena rated at something closer to 90th
level cleric/30th level m-u...and I would insist that the character be
retired to serve in the campaign as a deitial sort of NPC run mainly by
me as the DM ;-)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
*blinks owlishly* Good grief! After some 30 or so years of gaming, I have one character that has reached past 25th level. O.o
I have two over 20th, two over 15th, five of 10th or higher level, and
perhaps a dozen that are below 12th level. If all that were concentrated
in a single PC, one that could find suitable challenges when at 21st
level and above, likely that one would be at least 50th level...if he
survived that long :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dimwhit
I
like the way you think, Gary. I've always felt that a good DM can
challenge any character, of any level, of any power. Might take some
creativity and a little homework between sessions, but it's doable.
Agreed, but...
Either the players must have characters of generally similar power or
else the DM must devise special scenarios for the one or two unber-PCs
in his group. the last two times Mordienkained adventures was in the
Metamorphosis Alpha
game setting and in son Ernie's campaign at the Game Guild where about
eight or 10 PCs of c. 8th level had been had by a pair of ancient white
dragons. Mordie was called in to redress things, and he managed the pair
of drakes pretty well single handedlu, although it was not a cake walk.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Not that it matters what I say, but that "level stacking" you did is illegal.
Not if his DM allowed it.
The main drawback is getting any other DM to recognize that. As i
pointed out, gaining lower levels is about one-quarter as difficult as
hgaining thos at the high end of the scale.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Odnasept
Edena's
tale of the constantly-doubling experience awards reminds me of one of
my favourite mistakes in AD&D, made when I was but fourteen:
One of my players of similar age played a Mage named (uncreatively but
surprisingly-appropriately) Merlin, and made liberal use of a necklace
he had acquired around 9th or 10th level which contained five charges of
a homebrewed 9th Level spell called Michelle's Chaos Wind (similar to a
Finger of Death capable of effecting multiple targets). With this he
killed more than one quasi-/demi-deity (unlucky saves on their part) and
I, lacking official XP values for such things, decided to go the rout
of impressing said player with progressively ludicrously high numbers.
Looking back at the character sheet a few years later, while I am not
sure if I actually awarded a trillion or more XP, I calculated from what
it looked like on that oft-erased area of the sheet and determined that
he could be of around 6,053,008th level. I am glad that while we were
playing I ruled that noone was available who could train Merlin beyond
20th level, but I would be very interested in knowing how Gary would
handle a campaign with PCs of seven-digit level (I suspect remarkably
well, but I am curious as to what kinds of challenges would be faced by
said PCs).
A cautionary lesson for all DM there.
As a natter of fact i fell into the trap of excell XP awards back in
late 73 and realized it soon enough to redredd the problem, adjust for
levels too easily gained by making the next few doubly hard to attain.
Excell magic items are easily managed though, mainly through attack
forms what require them to save ot be destroyed, or areas where they
have a chance of losing their enchantment.
Cheerio,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tewligan
(Blinks) Wow. That was a big damn post.
Gary, to get this back on the, y'know, Q&A theme, here's something that Edena's novella made me think of...
Which, if any, of the really big bad guys of D&D fame started life
as actual PC's? For example, was Acererak ever an actual character who
was eventually judged by the DM to be too much for a PC? What about
Vecna and Kas? I seem to recall (and I could EASILY be wrong) that Kas
got his name from Tim Kask - did you and Tim ever have a throw down in
which he got a couple of lucky hits that left your wizard with one less
hand and eye, and the whole thing passed into infamy?
None, unless you count Obmi the DWarf as a big bad guy. My players
surely did,hated him thoroughly, aways did their utmost to finish him
off.
When Brian BLume was bent on devising a load of artifacts he made up
such items as that of Kas and Gax for Tim and me. Inspired thus, I
ccreated the Iron FLask of Tourney the Merciless in honor of sone Ernie
and his evil PC, Erac's Cousin.
The fact is that none of the DMs that were influential in regards to
TSR's creative output ever had very high-level PCs in their campaigns,
thus neither those figures nor the NPCs opposing them were of such
notable prowess.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Thanks much, Gary. Thanks much indeed.
I never was able to complete Edena's story, by the way.
Well...
If ever you get a chance to participate in an AD&D game DMed by
Francois, he is the one that most likely could assist in concluding the
epic of Edena ;-)
There is a good chance that he will be visiting us here in lake Geneva in the late summer...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by the black knight
Hey Gary,
What villains currently haunt your campaigns? Any as memorable as Obmi?
Sincerely,
the black knight
The group of players and the locale of my
LA adventures has been in flux so that I have not had a reasonable
oppirtunity to ring in a vile antagonist. I have one planned, though, an
East Indian-type potentate and his right hand man, a diviner and
sorcerer.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tenkar
Wow... that was... wow
It might not have been illegal, and it certainly wasn't in the spirit of the rules, but wow...
Reminds me that when I first gamed, we didn't have the
MM, so all monster stats came from the back of the
DMG...
we thought HD and HP were interchangeable. A 4HD +1 HP Ogre always had
5 HP. Dungeons got much tougher, and expo flowed much slower, when we
realized this mistake ;-)
With a competant DM only that which he declares beyond the pale is illegal ;-)
As a matter of fact campaigns were there is al talk and no action are
well outside the spirit of the game. Nonetheless, not a few folks really
enjoy that sort of play, so it is right for them.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
...
Personally, I enjoy an occasional game which is vastly different than
the games I run or play in. Influx of new ideas or validation of my
current techniques are sure to abound. :-D
You get to play? Whoa, luxury!!!
Seriously, when i get to play in Jim Ward's MA game it is refreshing
from two standpoints, not having to be the GM and being immersed in
fantasy with some science intermixed B-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Odnasept
That
does sound quite refreshing; I also am used to being the DM almost
exclusively (and thankfully have learned much about the vocation since I
was 14 (although thankfully the Michelle's Chaos Wind necklace was charmed
off of Merlin before it ran out of charges)), and fantasy campaigns
with some degree of science/technology are my favourite kind.
I do however find that when running such a campaign maintaining balance
may be compared to the proverbial tightrope walk, and is proportionately
more difficult the higher the level of science permitted. Science in
this case is as opposed to 'magic technology', wherein devices are
powered or operated by a magical source and thus generally require a
character versed in such things to operate. I wonder what level of
science is employed by Jim Ward and how prevalent/available it is.
I also wish to thank you for your wise and timely response; it is an honour to be so acknowledged by the creator of the game!
Have a look at the
Metamorphosis Alpha
TPG 4th Edition. The balance is easily maintained in its setting as
more potent adversaries are always at hand...as are things that use
up/take away even the most cherished of technological equipment.
As for being honored, I must say the feeling is mutual.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
:-D
I'm blessed. I run an AD&D game (just started T1-4) w/ a new party,
and play in a 3.5 game set in Dragonlance. I'm playing an elf. A
Wizard even. Talk about diametrically opposed, hell I don't recognize
myself when I look in the mirror anymore! :-P
I've also started a monthly boardgame night at my house. We played the FASA Crimson Skies boardgame last night.
I've been lucky enough to have played MA with Jim at the innaugural LGGC, he's a hoot!
You have it made gaming-wise, assuredly...albeit perhaps a bit short on
boardgaming time. Sadly, son Ernie is now worling long hours, so out
regular Monday boiardgames afternon has gone by the board.
For a fact Jim can keep one entertained, even laughing, as your character becomes toast aboard the Starship Warden...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
(quietly)
Thank you, Gary.
-
I wish I could truly share with you the majesty, beauty, and wonder
your game brought to me and others, and give comprehensive utterance to
the great things it brought into being.
I will instead be content to say that, 40 years ago, the Magic awoke.
The Magic awoke, and it has shone ever since, it's light lofted, upheld
high, exhorted and empowered by the enduring fire of the Human Spirit.
-
Yours Sincerely
Edena_of_Neith
Why my thanks to you Good Sir!
Those are very generous words of praise, and I appreciate them as such,
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Obviously posting on boards has become a pastime for me now that I am semi-retired.
Also, Col. Hardisson will be pleased to learn after I finished reading
the "Archers Tale" historical novel trilogy I have picked u[ the Gene
Wolfd books he recommended and am enjoying The Knight so far--about 60
pages into the tale.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
That's
nice to hear. The Knight and The Wizard are some of the finest fantasy
books I've read in years. Wolfe's style is often demanding on his
reader, but is ultimately rewarding.
So far I am in agreement, sir :-D
That said, I have already recommended those two works to someone asking about any additions to my old
DMG inspirational reading list.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Quasqueton
Gary,
Others and you have stated numerous times that the "soul," "spirit," and
"heart" of D&D has changed from and since the first AD&D.
What do you consider the soul/spirit/heart of D&D as you wrote it?
Can you explain or describe the soul/spirit/heart of OAD&D (as you
abbreviate it) without reference to or play off of AD&D 2nd edition or D&D 3rd edition?
I'm not asking for you to explain how you think it has changed, just
what you think the original soul/spirit/hear of D&D was/is.
I'll ask everyone else to refrain from giving their own answer to this question.
Quasqueton
In as few words as possible:
Absolute authority of the DM, rules lawyers given the boot
Rule books seldom used by a competant DM
Action and adventure in play
Swords & sorcery, not comic book superhero genre material
Group co-operation paramount for success
Freedom to extemporize and innovate for all participants
Reliance on architypical models for characters
Fellowship of those participating
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
I was wondering if you've ever visited
www.boardgamegeek.com - I've been spending quite a bit of time there as my interest in boardgames has likewise been increasing.
At present, I'm getting an average of 9-10 hours of RPG action a week,
and 10 hours of boardgame action a fortnight. (Not counting my solo
boardgaming session - I'm teaching myself Advanced Squad Leader from the
new starter kits; and playing a few other games... ;-) )
Cheers,
Merric
Hi Merric :-D
Having been a boardgame geek since my days of persuing chess, I am
ashamed to admit I have not. As a matter of fact my son Ernie has a
regular boardgamind session almost every week when he, Tom Wham, Dennis
Harsh, Russ Ingram, I, and various others do our best to attend.
There are no real board wargames played there, though, for the obvious
reason that they accommodate too few players. (As an aside, The Avalon
Hill Company asked me to submit a deign for
Squad Leader,
but as a military miniatures buff I declined as i thought the result
would be vastly inferior to tabletop WWII miniatures play...certainly
that using the
Tractics rules by
Reese, Tucker, and Gygax! X-D ) Anyway, I can even guess at the
number of hours I have spent playing most of TAHC's board wargames, from
original
Gettysburg on through
Midway and
The Russian Campaign (improved Stalingrad). My current favorite is the old GDW WWII game
Operation Overlord.
i seldom get a change to play it though. The last full-blown game I
played was with Peter Adkison as the British-Canadian forces, me as the
US, and sone Luke as the Germans...way back when.
My own three to five player card and boardgame version of the 100 Years War,
King of England - King of France, is tentatively slated for GenCon release by Troll Lord Games.
I can recommend highly Ward's & Wham's
Dragonlairds cerd-boardgame.
Our usual games of late have been:
Dragonlairds
Ticket to Ride Europe
San Juan
Pierto Rico
Ra
Power Grid
Settlers of Catan
Rail Baron
Palazzo
St. Petersburg
Monopoly
Naval War
Big Business
Nuclear War
Various unpublished tom Wham games ;-)
Hopefully KoE-KoF added this fall1
That's about it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
This
one always seemed, to me, to be the best reason to be involved in a
table top rpg. I've met a diverse and interesting crowd of folks through
rpgs, and not regretted a moment of it. Not even with some of the dead
weird folk. ^_^
Quite so!
This is perhaps the leading thing that gamers writing to me in praise of AD&D note.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Doug McCrae
Would
a competent DM have the rules memorised? Or make on-the-spot rulings
that are not necessarily consistent with the rules as written?
A bit of both. A good DM has read the rules, knows the spirit of the
game, and is aiming at captivating his player audience with the
fantastic experience of the campaign, so he can make up what is
necessary on the spot.
Digging around in rules books is much the same as having the film break
or the TV station experience transmission difficulties during an
exciting program...a loss of the unagined participation.
Cheerrs,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
May I make some comments about wizards as portrayed in 1E and 2E?
Why not?
As long as it does not lead to yet another spate of Edition Wars posts :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by the black knight
Hey Gary,
Have you ever seen a 'perfect gaming group,' meaning one that did
everything right, chose carefully balanced characters, thought
everything through, acting impulsively when needed, and generally made
the amazing rolls at the right moment? If not, who came the closest? Who
holds that special place in your DM's heart?
Curious,
the black knight
Now there's an interesting questionfor sure!
In AD&D play I would have to say that the core members of my player
group--Ernie, Gygax, Rob Kuntz, and Terry Kuntz played very wellif not
near perfect. Terry would on occasion be impulsive as he became
engrossed in the adventure. Between them, and whomever else might be
along such as Jim Ward and Mike Mornard, they overcame many of the
toughest challenges.
As for more recent play, that being back c. 1997, I would have to say
that the LA game group that play-tested some sourcebook material and an
exceedingly difficult module--all now being readied for release. The
party members were well balances in capacity, and they were superbly
played by:
Steve Frank
Alex Gygax
Luke Gygax
Dennis Harsh
Mike Johnston
Tracy Knapp
This group that were the principal play-testers for The Hall of MAny Panes campaign-length module were top-notch:
Jeff Burklow: Otto von Grunwald who is as dark, mysterious, and silent
as the woods he calls home has answered the call for brave men of heroic
stamp. His loyalty to his comrades is only outdone by his deceptively
great combat skills with the bow, and his enchanted staff. This brave
forester gained no little renown in defeating a giant, bandits, and many
fell monsters in and around the lands of the Waldgraf Siegfried. He met
with the other members of the party in the City of Ludnum and traveled
with them from there on their mission to find the lost demigod
McGregtim. Repute on commencement of play in this module: 5.
Eric Clapsaddle: Vendar, a stout soldier who grew up in the hamlet of
Burrflint, which is little more than a wide spot near the intersection
of two major roads. He worked in his parents� tavern serving customers
and stabling horses. He yearned for adventure and travel and would
listen to all of the stories, no matter how outrageous, that the
travelers told when they were enjoying a mug of his father�s fine ale.
When he was 15 years old he ran away from his parents and enlisted in a
free company of mercenaries. Finding that much routine duty and little
excitement was to be had in a mercenary band, Vendar left to find more
exciting employment as a soldier of fortune, came across a strange
fellow who offered him the adventure of a lifetime, and in accepting the
challenge found himself in a closed mini-cosmos with a party of
would-be heroes seeking to find and free a captive demi-god.
Alex Gygax: Xagnar, a roguish hero indeed, who with others gained the
highest of all renown in the Banir Wastes and atop the mysterious
Maledicted Plateau therein, also went from the Town of Arajeray at the
behest of the Adepts there to serve as a hero in the band that is aiding
the Lady Rowina in discovering where the hero-bard, now a member of the
Tuatha da Danaan, might be imprisoned. Having dealt with demons,
devils, and drakes, he believes this new mission is suited to his vast
capacity for overcoming foes. Repute on commencement of play in this
module: 10.
Luke Gygax: Sir Hrolfgar von Grosschweinkopfstein, a tall and powerfully
built young knight from the lands of the Teonoric Knights in Varan,
hero of the many actions in the area of the Village of Taen, and other
places in the Waldgraf Siegfried�s lands, is in the forefront of the
party. Hrolfgar disdains missile weapons and will only engage his foes
in hand-to-hand combat. For these contests he prefers a large falchion
or his two-handed sword. Hrolfgar has earned much renown by defeating a
savage cephalahorn giant, countless bestials and like subterranean
monsters, and the dreaded bandits that infested the waldgraf�s lands.
Sir Hrolfgar is the third son of a minor noble and was forced to seek
his own fortune in life. After cleansing the caves near Taen of the evil
beasts that lurked there Hrolfgar is financially well off. But he is
driven to find the answer to the mystery of the magical artifacts found
in the caves. To that end he is currently assisting the Lady Rowina to
rescue the bard made a demigod, McGregtim. Repute on commencement of
play in this module: 7.
Mike Johnston: Chahlor, the mighty Prince of the Iron Invoker clan of
dwarfs. He is a great mystical warrior, who left the Maledicted Plateau
in the heart of the Banir Wastes for a most noble quest. At the request
of the academicians of Arajeray, he has traveled far�to Ludnum, then on
to Cimbernia, and from there all the way to Varan�s North to help a
great band of heroes in their hunt for the lost Daneen demigod
McGregtim. He will need all of his prowess in battle as well as the
magical arts to help solve the mystery of what greater forces are
responsible for that deity�s disappearance. Chahlor is widely renowned
in the Key of Sand area, and even beyond. Repute on commencement of play
in this module: 9.
John Seibel: Deogolf, an enchanter formerly of Gothendland, who had
tired of cramped spaces, dusty tomes and scrolls, the smell of burning
wax while doing research and menial tasks for his superiors, so had come
to seek adventure in Ludnum, decided to join a band of fine heroes to
help the beautiful Lady Rowina in her quest for the lost demigod
McGregtim. He now wonders if this was good idea after all
Also Dennis Harsh, once a regular of the group, and David Podesta, both
of whom played only in a few of the adventures, but whose presence was
appreciated.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by the black knight
A fascinating answer to be sure. I enjoyed reading about the respective characters quite a bit.
Thanks, Gary!!
Another question, if you don't mind. Have you ever seen a non-good party
endure over any lengthy period of time? Do you feel the dynamics of
such a group make for a different type of campaign? If so, are there any
hidden benefits to such a party? have you ever played in one yourself?
I ask because I'm currently in a group like that. We've held up for the
last four levels (started mid-level, now we're 8th level or so), but we
tend to tone down the malevolence in order to stay together. So far, so
good.
Curious,
the black knight
Howdy!
When my son Ernie became angry with me as DM he switched to playing an
LE character, Erac's Cousin. That PC adventured fairly frequently with
two othe LE ones, Robilar and either Terik or the monk PC that Terry
Kuntz liked to play. Those three never attacked each other--mainly
because each character was able to win in a fight, so why take chances
when there are easier targets around.
Mordenkainen would adventure with that lot, always with a strong henchman. He was never assualted or even threatened.
I suspect that these players opted for Lawful Evil to avoid the
necessity of random acts of evil nature against their fellows. Their
strength was in cooperation--a pair of strong fighters and a mage,
sometimes a monk replacing a fighter.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi RFisher,
As a player the DM is omnipotent. You might try to plead your case,
especially one of rule interpretation and altering actionbecause of the
difference, but if he doesn't want to listen, you loose, Buckwheat! Zip
your lip and accept with stoic grace.
Should this spoil your gaming enjoyment, thell your DM exactly what is
bothering you. If an accommodation can be reached, fine. If not, leave
the group and find a DM that is more acceptable to your concept of how
one should be. In such case I am sure the DM won't miss you nor you him
X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Aeolius
Gary,
Were there any beasties from the 1e days (and prior... I respect
anyone who puts a tuatara in their monster lists) that you considered to
be "classic", that never seemed to catch on with the masses?
That is something I had not considered.
Upon reflection I have to say no, the "architypical" monsters were
pretty well accepted across the board and included by DMs...includine
many very clever variations and permutations.
What astonished me was the players' being smitten with the drow,
desiring to play a PC of that race. I devised them as a most unlikable,
ruthlessly evil subterranean race. To cater to the demand, the Drow were
made into realtively more warm and fuzzy sorts. I can only liken that
into changing Hannibal Lector into a visiting nurse.
All that said, do you find that some "classic" critters to be generally ignored?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Last but by no means least:
Hi Edena,
In genaral I concur with the restrictions you placed on m-es, but I find
some overboard to my way of thinking., Certainly there are no magic
shops selling any form of real items. However, added spells upon level
gain as given in the OAD&D PHB are reasonable. A magic-user doesn't
just spring up full-blown. Ine must be an apprentice, so there are
plenty of higher level mages around. The m-u's former master, or an
associate of his or hers, will assuredly train and provide the fledgling
wizard with one or more new spells for a service and perhaps some added
payment in magic items. Also there might well be a m-u's guild in many
of the larger cities. At such place the PC spell-caster can petitin for
membership, pay initiation fee and regular dues, and be entitled to use
the guild library.
You ignore completely magic scrolls. In my campaign the majority of new
spells gained were those copied from a scroll, thus destroying it and
losing any XPs that might have been gained from its possession.
Finally, I do find that the end result you suggest is too dominant a
figure in a campaign, although that does underscore why I devised a good
deal of the material in the UA book that beefed up fighter-types ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Do you regret catering to that demand (or any other demand)?
>:-) X-D >:-)
Don't look at me when you ask that question, for I had nothing to do
with the making of the Drow into more namby-pamby sorts, their males on a
par with the females >:-(
The demands I regret catering to are the ones for adding psionics to
OAD&D and the adjustments for weapons vs. armor. I am delighted I
refused to do detailed encumbrance tables as a number of vocal fans
advocated.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by the black knight
Hey Gary,
Once again, thanks for your responses. I found them quite insightful.
If you don't mind, I'd like to pick your brain on the subject of magic
items and artifacts. How many artifacts have you introduced into your
campaigns over the years? Have any had a detrimental effect upon the
campaign? Do you regret introducing such an item?
Welcome of course.
As I recall only one minor artifact was introduced to in my campaign.
Son Luke's PC discovered it when he met a deadline for finding a needle
in a haystack by burning the latter. He thus gained the Spear of Zagig.
When the pin was held and commanded to become a weapon a d8 was rolled,
the result determining the weapon and its attack bous, with 1 being a +1
dagger, 2 a +2 short sword, all the way to a +8 pike.
This was a most humerous artifact from the DM perspective, and I never regretted adding it to the campaign.
Alternatively, which items have generated the most fun in your
campaigns? Were there any items that seemed mundane but turned out to be
pivotal, camapign changing events?
Ring of Contrariness
Wand of Wonder
Any talking magic sword
There were no items that had more than a restricted, tactical impact on the campaign.
Lastly, how do you feel about characters creating their own magic
items? Does that remove the excitement of discovering such magic? Does
it better facilitate characters in the long run? Should it be reletively
easy the way it has become of late?
Curious,
the black knight
Mages of over 20th level cancreate their own magic items, as
they are not going to be adventuring in the campaign, nor handing them
out to PC that are doing so. Mordenkainen and Bigby stay home and forge
and concont such things. they will smetmes trade their work for one or
more other magic items that are more valuable.
You want a particular magic item PC, you can not buy it ir make it! Go
out and quest to find it. That is a part of the RPG form now isn't it?
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Is
that because of genre considerations? That is, AD&D is
pseudo-medieval fantasy where such abilities are inappropriate? Or were
the rules themselves simply problematic from a mechanical point of view?
Would you believe both?
In the LA game I solved both problems, for in it the form of
Extraordinary Ability is not in conflict with the milieu, and the rules
are simple, within the framework of the game mechanics and those that
operate the other magical skills.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
It is enjoyable to recall old gaming memories :-D
Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be able to match, let along top, some
of the adventures I provided for my players... When I find the campaign
is stale for whatever reason, then I will certainly retire from the GM
role.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dextra
Hi Mr G,
I have a question for you: would you like to come to the ENnie Awards in
person this year whilst at Gen Con Indy? Friday, August 17th,
cocktails start at 9, the Awards proper start at 9:30. I'm sure there's
more than a few people who would love to buy you a drink, or share a
table...
If you're available and/or interested, please email me
[email protected] The thought is much appreciated :-)
Fact is that by 9 PM I will be kicking back in my room and thinking
about hitting the rack...the meds I must take sort of knock me out...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Aeolius
I
suppose each player and DM harbors their own beliefs as to what a
"classic" critter might be. For me, hags are the penultimate critter.
Another suitable response might be flumphs, which have been vastly
overlooked in
3e, or the dragon turtle, which has been denied "true" dragon status time and time again.
(edit: Gary, if you ever get the deranged desire to play an ixitxachitl PC, just let me know) ;-) )
A flumph??? O.o
As for playing an ixitxachitl PC, that would be Steve Marsh ;-)
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Aeolius
To be fair, in my campaigns flumphs are known as uphlum and are related to both aboleth and mind flayers. ;-)
X-D 8-D X-D
Flumphs, heh-heh-heh.
Sorry, but I couldn't resist the urge.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by VorpalBunny
:looks at calendar:
Hey, happy birthday, Gary! Best wishes and many happy returns!
:-)
Thankee!
I am right glad to have made this one and am hoping for the next X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Happy Birthday!
Much appreciated.
Going out for dinner with a half-dozen of the family this evening, but meantime just loafing and enjoying the day B-)
Munchkins, BTW, are those so foolish as to cheat in order to attempt
excellence of play for their PC in an RPG. Those that seek every
opportunity, including honest advantage, to do the same are are superior
players.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Whoa!
Naturally the auto notice for a post here failed to reach me--if one was
ever sent--the server here seems to enjoy shorting me thus at times, so
there are a spate of new posts that that I need to respond to.
First, my sincere thanks for the good wishes for my birthday anniversary
last Friday. I really enjoyed the 10 things list and special gifts
tables too :-D
Four of six kinder and five of eight grandchildren were at our place on
Friday, and eight of us went out for dinner at a good restaurant near to
Lake Geneva. All enjoyed the occasion, and the food was near four star
quality. I enjoyed a Wiener Schnitzel ala Holstien, but the Warsteiner
beer was not on par with the locally brewed New Glarus Blonde, for
example, iot also being a pale pilsner.
I received some very nice gifts, including eight or 10 imported English
and French cheeses from son Luke, and I sampled five of them as a light
supper last evening, having the cheeses with French bread and an
indifferent Australian red wine. Amongst an assortment of goodies in a
gift basket, daughter Elise gave me a great-looking bottle of rum that I
have yet to uncork. So many potables, so little time for such libations
:\ As a continuation of the fun, grandson Joey is bringing a couple of
very fine cigars to me soon along with the DVD of 300. I'll furnish us
with some 17-year-old single malt Scotch whiskey and a tot of
70-year-old Armagnac as we watch the movie on our big-screen telly.
There's a bit more, but hat should siffice, as I do not want to bore all readers to tears.
Colonel Hardisson, your comments regarding available magic items are
quite relavant. I also do indeed allow petty things such as you note,
faux items, and sometimes even something that heals a bit of damage to
be rooted out by dilligent scouring of all the odd shops in town.
The many monsters I devised for the A/D&D games came from a variety
of sources including mythology, legends, medieval bestiaries, folklore,
fairy tales, and authored fiction. The demon names were dug up form
medieval sources in the main. The various colors and metallic-hued
dragons I made up mainly on my own, the other bad ones being
permutations of the red, fire-breathing drake, the metallic dragons
coming from. Of course Bahamut was based off of the Biblical name
Behemoth, but Tiamut's five-heads were inspired only by the five colors
of Evil dragon. not the beast with seven heads and 10 horns that the
Scarlet Whore of Babylon rode on before she was devoured by it from the
Book of Revelation.
I made up the Latin names for the dragons with much huffing and puffing.
The silver dragon was not difficult to cobble together using the gold and blur dragon stats for reference.
If I have missed any post that needs a special answer, just holler at me, and I''ll gladly respond accordingly.
Cheerio,
Gary
P.S. As to the song lyrics: After all these years about the worst that
happens when I am attacked is that I grow bored with the topic or else
become irritated and drop the whole matter (if I am in an otherwise bad
mood). In a worst case scenario I find the exchange stimulating, begin a
series of sarcastic, caustic, and/or japing responses that bring no
benefit to anyone concerned....
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Etfalti
I
hope this is the right place to post this. I was referred to here by
someone who was encouraging us to wish Happy Birthday to a man who has
brought many a happy birthday present into the lives of others. Thank
you, sir. Yeah, I can be shmucky but I'll, uhm, blame my newbieness.
:-)
In honour of the Great Zagyg, my Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Gary Gygax's birthday:
10. Go to GenCon and convince the people that, no, really,
WotC respects JRR Tolkien more because their Halflings aren't so similar to Hobbits.
9. Gather 500,000 Egyptian army war-gaming miniatures and shape them into the words "Happy Birthday!" in hieroglyphic form.
8. Send Gary 69 +2 Flaming Candles for his birthday cake.
7. Get Brendan Frasier to assist you in taking over your local radio
station so you can play songs from Pitcheblend's album, "Gygax!".
6. Broker the Broadway premiere of the Dead Alewives' "Take Down the
Grand Master" and then secretly replace the Cheetos with a generic brand
and see if anyone notices..
5. Call DC Comics and ask Dan Didio how those little mini-D&D-comic
advertisements from the late 70's/early 80's ended (seriously, does
anyone know or is that poor band of elf, magician and fighter still
stuck in that darned dungeon?).
4. Get Ralph the Mouth and Adam Rich to dress in one of those two-person
horses outfits as "Uni" and "bah" the Happy Birthday theme. (You could
use Willie Aames but I think he's still stuck in Baldur's Gate).
3. Create documentary called "Bowling for Mazes and Monsters". Use the millions you make to buy Gary a nicer birthday present.
2. Replace Jack-in-the-Box's E. Coli with Arthronema gygaxiana sp nov UTCC393 for the day
1. Call your wife Tipper and ask if you can go over to Gary's house for a
quick game of D&D. Pester her by pointing out that Deep Blue and
Stephen Hawkings have already gotten permission.
Happy Birthday E.G.G.
LOL!
I think that playing some wargames with the ancient Egyptian miniatures would be more fun.
Funny thing, I never heard of the math-rock quartet Pitcheblende, only
the mineral of that name, until you mentioned it here. I see that it has
gone by the wayside, as has the rock group Gygax, Gygax, Gygax.
I hope that the head of the Swiss Airforce, Lt. General Gygax is not disheartened by those events.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
I
am never satisfied with a worrk in progress. Heh-heh-heh! I expect the
final part of the CZ castle and dungeon levels to be completed by the
end of this year...or maybe early in 2008. These sorts of projects take
time to get right for a general audience ;-)
So far I am liking all that has been outlined and completed, though.
And the b'day good wishes are appreciated.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mattcolville
Gary-
Not sure if anyone's asked this before, but if there were a canonical
Gygaxian campaign, and you wanted to communicate the tone and style of
play to a newbie, what movies would you have them watch as reference?
Your question is one that has not been posed previously...and it is a tough one to answer.
From my POV there are virtually no fantasy motion pictures that would
depict anything close to a campaign that I Game Mastered. Not even those
dreadful "Conan" flicks have any merit in regards Sowrds & Sorcery
theming. So...
The spirit of the adventuring I attempt to provide is conveyed
The Deep and the hoped for excitement in
The Naked Prey. Another good picture for capturing the spirit of a fantasy adventure is surely
Big Trouble in Little China.
Party cooperation is pretty well conveyed in the second D&D movie,
that work being a good deal better than the abominable first one.
The sense of lurking fear might be captured in the original
The Thing, or in the old B&W movie
She.
Exotic world setting and outdoor adventuring are well done in the Rongs
trology motion pictures, and for a different take on that subject the
original
King Kong.
For general fantastic adventure and combat many of the Chinese martial
arts films convey such images well, as they contain many elements of the
FRPG game form--heroic protagonists questing, facing challenges,
defeating powerful antagonists, overcoming personal fears, etc.
I hope that covers it. Come on back if you have any additional questions.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
Hey there. Happy Birthday, Gary Gygax. :-)
Yours Sincerely
Edena_of_Neith
Had a fine one...and am still enjoying my "birthday month" or possibly "season." X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Deleted
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Odnasept
...
I was however somewhat baffled by the origins of my favourite non-unique
dragon, the aforementioned Draco Nobilis Argentum a.k.a. the Silver
Dragon. I had never heard of the 'Blur Dragon', but swift and fruitless
searches of Wikipedia and Google led me to the consideration that it may
in fact have been a typo for 'Blue Dragon'. ;-)
Sorry to have made things nebulous by that typo done in haste.
I now have two more dragon-related questions:
Firstly, is there any reason why the other Metallic dragons (the Silver
in particular) look somewhat- to considerably less oriental in design
than the Gold Dragon, or was it simply so that they would fit better
into a game which tends to focus largely on a mediaeval Western
world-style milieu?
Artists whim alone, and not any desire on my part. They were
all to be more serpentine in form as is typical of the Oriental dragon.
Cheers,
Gary
Secondly, what is your stance on the increase in power dragons
received upon the release of the 2nd Edition AD&D game? They were
always beings of great power, but the non-unique dragons went from being
inferior to the most powerful of giants to being able to surpass them
and perhaps even Titans as well once they reached the eldest age
categories (I persynally almost always supported this change, though my
reason is primarily due to an inherent love of dragonkind and
ambivalence toward giantkind).
I am much appaled by the over-emphasis of the prowess of the
Occidental dragon. They were continually slain by humans, so what is the
justification for the power increase? Nothing but the hubris of the
inept designer. OTOH, if proper stats were desired, the Oriental dragons
are the ones that need be vastly improved in their capacities.
This is not to say that I did not intend to beef up these critters in a
revised edition of the AD&D game. I was planning to move the base HD
from d8 to d10 or maybe d12, and give them additional attack damage
equal to the number of HD possessed, this in an incrimental scale
(intended) based on the HPs per HD possessed. As i mentined previously,
all large and robust critters were to have gained d12 HD base, HP spread
based on 50% of HD + a variable addition above that equal to up to
another 50%, along with damage addition based on HD#. (I have dine this
in the camopaign material I have created for the C&C RPG system.)
In short, I do not believe that dragins were everm or should be now, the
toughest monsters in the marches, and I will not cave in to pressure to
change my mind in that regard.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Happy belated birthday, you old warhorse!
Gary-
In regards to the Beholder, there is an obvious pun regarding it's eye.
Any funny anecdotes about it? Was the "Eye of the Beholder" cliche'
central to it's creation?
Also, how did Mike Carr become involved with TSR? Was publishing Fight
in the Skies/Dawn Patrol part of the reason for bringing him in, or was
TSR's publishing of the game a by-product (so to speak) of his presence
in the company? ( I recently picked up a copy of Dawn Patrol, and plan
on running a session at LGGC IV.)
G'Day!
Thanks. The B'day was a fun one. Now if I had a valid credit card I would be a charger X-D
Terry Kuntz was the primary creator of the Beholder, why I have no idea,
excpet maybe he was a glutton for havng his PC punished. All I did was
detail the monster and polish the concept--one that is an excellent one
for sure! The pun was unintended by Terry. He just chose the term
because of the number of eyes the criter possessed as far as I can
ascertain.
Mike Carr was a member of the gaming group to which Dave Arneson belonged. Mike was a co-author with Dave and me of the
Don't Give up the Ship
nevalminiatures rules for the Great Age of Sail. As Brian Blume was a
great fan of Mikes WWI aerial combat game, Brian hired him on at TSR.
After Mike was a staff member Brian decided the company needed to
publish
Dawn Patrol--a rotten game because my guns always jammed or else I was shot down >:-)
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Heh!
First, I believe I had better wotch the typos I make...blasted worn keybord aside 8-D
Frank was given leave by me, and that means virtualky free rein, to
develop the D&D, as opposed to AD&D, game in a direction that
led to super-powerful PCs if the DM so desired. That assuredly led to
what I consider over-powered dragons ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Well
the power level of that set really went fully to 36th level where as
AD&D really didn't go that far. So I guess they wanted dragons for
L25 parties and stuff like that.
That's it in a nutshell :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I understand. The two versions of D&D were separate games with different basic premises in that regard.
Were there any design features of that game line you though would be desirable for inclusion in a revised AD&D game?
As an aside here, I do not believe a 36th level OD&D PC was equalled by a 20th level AD&D one...
After over 20 years, who can remember that sort of detail? Creating
monsters I have dealt with continually iver the intervening years,
pondering other changes I have not. For example, I couldn't give details
of the new PC classes I intended to add unless I came across the notes I
made on them.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by mattcolville
It's a good answer.
It's interesting that your first response is the Conan movie(s). I
presume that's because, over the years, people with affection for the
movie ask you what you thought of it, expecting the answer to be
positive. Certainly there's a lot to be disappointed in.
I've noticed you say, and the evidence bears out, that you like some SF
thrown in with your Fantasy. Would a "Gygaxian" fantasy movie be Swords
& Sorcery, or more genre-bending stuff? I remember Krull had not only a group of adventurers, but some SF elements kinda casually tossed in.
The 13th Warrior often tops lists on message board forums of "best
fantasy movie." That always struck me as a very low-fantasy (indeed,
strictly speaking, no-fantasy) gaming-movie. I know it's John Zinzer at
AEG's favorite movie for precisely that reason.
Do you ever watch a movie and find yourself inspired to include elements from it in one of your adventures?
Happy that you were satisfied, as I was not quite that myself but couldn';t think of more examples off hand...
Conan is not a brown-eyes, brown-haired fellow with an Austrian accent,
and he does not run away from a bozo with a wooden circus mallet
>:-(
A pure S&S film would be fine with me, but yes, a fantasy with some advanced technology included is great fun--
Hiero's Journey, The Broken Lands, the Black Flame by Lanier, Saberhagen, and Weinbaum respectively are favorites of mine...made so from my old days of devouring pulp zines.
13th Warrior could have been 12th Warrior if I had been directing it,
but the underground-dwelling bear-slayer troglodytes were pretty much
thge stuff of fantasy, no?
Of late I find my inspiration more from historical sources than from
motion picture or TV fiction sources, although I surely enjoy the
latter.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I
think that in many ways, the sci-fi/fantasy dichotomy is a false one.
Many of the most influential stories in the "fantasy" genre have a
healthy dose of "sci-fi" in them as well. In fact, it is this quality
that serves as the primary difference between that genre that began in
the 20th century that separated it from the "fairy tales" that preceded
it.
I think Gary's preference, like mine, isn't necessarily for "sword and
sorcery" but for "pulp adventure" and the "well wrought tale" genre.
This view is comfortable with running a pseudo-medieval campaign setting
that has crashed space ships, side treks to Barsoom, guargantuan
carnivorous apes, and cowboys. :-)
Actually, REH's and
Leiber's tales are amongst my very favorites, and they are pure pure
S&S. OTOH, I enjoy fairy tales and fantasy yarns with some
technology/scoience fantasy included, as noted above.
So yes, my taste in fantasy is surely eclecticm and includes MArgater St. Claire's The
Secret People ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Odnasept
Hisssss! You have displeased Tiamat! Dragons must be all-powerful! Curse the giants! Cuurrrssssse themmm!!!
>:-) >:-) >:-( >:-) >:-)
Seriously though, I have often found that smaller, more cunning dragons
could present an especially well-played challenge to PCs (this October
will mark the ten-year anniversary of my players' lamentation of the
power and strategy of a 28-hit-point Young Adult Black Dragon and her
8-hit-point hatchling, for example) without having to be restricted to
the status of 'unkillable gods' as one DM I know has done. Your
statements also remind us of the fact that your game predates the video
game RPG and had instead traditional and classical mythology as
inspiration, which (at least in the West) does not require dragonkind to
be at all all-powerful.
Which leads me to another somewhat dragon-related question, though I
promise it will be the last at least until I come up with the next one.
;-) I recall the appearance of 1st Edition AD&D stats for the
characters of the Arthurian Legends (I believe that Merlin was 23rd
Level ;-) ), and as I read more of them I have become curious to what
extent they may have inspired/influenced any aspect of AD&D (I am
thinking also of various chromatic colours of dragon that appear
therein).
Once again, thank you for all your insightful replies,
A fellow gamer and designer,
Odnasept
X-D X-D :-P :-P X-D
Mileus never did a decent motion picture in his life as far as I am concerned ;-)
What you say about small dragons is quite so
IMO.
One of my toughest encounters was with a young red one that had both
spider climb and invisibility spells... A surprise breath attack from
above, then a plummeting one with fang and claw wrought a lot of havoc.
Can't say who did the Arthurian Legend sa=tats--surely in
The Dragon
magazine. Although I am a fan of Celtic myth and John Boorman films, I
do not care for Authurian Legend at all. If you have read my short
story, "Duty," written from Excaliber's POV, you'll note just how little
I enjoy the story. 8-D
May inspiration never desert you,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Redwald
I kept expecting this to end with:
Now, now...
Play nicely! (And remember to do as I say, not as I do >:-) )
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
When I finally got around to seeing the Conan the Barbarian
movie recently, I was shocked. I can't understand why Melius didn't
want to take full credit for his own work. Why bother with the hassle of
licensing just to wipe his own names off his characters &
substitute the names of Howard's characters?
Can it be true that there has really never been a sword & sorcery
film in the tradition of Howard & Lieber? I have to admit that none
comes to mind. Some Hong Kong films & Big Trouble in Little China do indeed seem like the closest thing.
I do believe that Arthur Lieberman had as much to do with the low
quality of the Conan films as Milieus did. He wanted me to design a
special weapon for Kull and assist with the storyline...all for the
right to licence thr ptoperty for an RPG :\
I told him union minimum would work, and he could shop the license.
Thus ended those talks.
About the closest to an S&S film dine to date is Ladyhawk, and that was not particularly good, eh?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
I really love the first Conan movie. Don't care how faithful to the source material it is. Fun movie.
Gald someone enjoyed it, and I have no quarrel with your take on the flick although it is diametrically opposed to my own.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Respectabiggle
I'd
love to see a Solomon Kane film. There's more meat in those stories
than half of a Barnes and Noble. Unlikely to happen, I know...
Unlikely indeed after the two Conan pocs followed by the Red Sojna disaster.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Particle_Man
I'll be hornswaggled!
Let us see if it actually goes into production for theatrical release or goes straight to DVD.
Cheerio,
Gary (who is finally going to see 300 tonight on his big screen TV...hooray :-D )
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Did you get the unrated version? ^_~`
Whatever the shop had to offer, so I haven't the foggiest until it is viewed.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
The
link below leads you to the website of this fellow who did a Solomon
Kane short film. In 4 minutes this film captures REH better than the
Conan movies were able to do in 4 hours.
http://www.kanefilms.com/SolomonKane/
All the best,
--Jeff T.
I saw it one on Youtube, and I concur. It is
pure REH without extraneous input from someone seeking to "improve" it
by forcing his own vision onto the work.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Marshal Lucky
When my group played The Village of Hommlet,
we defeated Lareth's men and took the survivors prisoner. To make sure
Lareth couldn't cast any spells, one of our fighters smashed his jaw and
bound his hands. This prompted one of the other players to do his
dead-on Al Pacino impression for the rest of the game session (Michael
Corleone got his jaw busted when he was arrested in The Godfather).
When the party handed Lareth over to the village elders (who decided to
try him and string him up), this crazy guy starts with the whole "I'm
out of order, YOU'RE out of order!" shtick and right before they hanged
him, he did the "I'm dyin' over here!" bit. We had to stop the game we
were laughing so hard.
Levity in tha game is great
IMO. A bit of comedy reinforces the drama of past events, that to come as well.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
If not "Conan", what about "Red Dawn" or the bits of the original "Dirty Harry" that he wrote?
Editorial comment: I think "Red Dawn" is a ridiculous movie with lots of
truly stupid stuff in it, but I still think it's amusing, and a good
time capsule of the time it was made and what paranoias existed then.
Sort of like "War Games", only written by someone who was drunk at the
time. :-P
Red Dawn
was a grade B flick for certain, and I do not believe that a bit of
script writing can be classified as credit for a good motion picture.
;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Marshal Lucky
Worse still, that movie is part of that most fiendish of genres:
THE CHICK FLICK! AAAAAIIIIIEEEEEE!
Though the cinematography by Vittorio Storaro was amazing.
X-D
Gail was not at all fond of
300 which
we (or more properly I) watched last night, and gransdon Mike is
watching at this very moment. It is the sort of movie all chicks should
enjoy...but do not :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I
tend to agree. Though I wouldn't go as far as you would in saying
M-U's were the be-all-and-end all, I do think M-U's had a very low
survival probability at lower levels in AD&D, and were more powerful
than the other classes at higher levels. Fighters, on the other hand,
took a strong lead and weakened over time. Clerics and thief-types were
more in the middle -- overall, clerics seem the most durable characters
and got decent power at high levels.
Perhaps I only say that because my highest level character was a cleric . . . ;-)
If the group is playing cooperatively, the others protect the low-level
m-u most assiduously knowing that later on he will be the one that will
carry the day for them/ Thus the viabillity if such a character should
be high when part of a thoughtful player group ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Note
that I did not say the movie was bad. In fact, I have a really hard
time saying whether I liked it or not because its REH veneer created
expectations for me that the film didn't deliver. If it'd been called
"Gronan" or "Korgoth", I'd've had a much easier time judging it on its
own merits.
Well I say it was stinko, as it pretended to be based on RRH's Conan, and there is was an utter failure.
As a fantasy flick it was passable as a grade B motion picture.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Have you guys read the John Crichton book they based 13th Warrior off of, Eaters of the Dead?
Significantly more fun to read and its short under 200 pgs. Told as
the diary or thoughts of the Arabian man as he deals with all this
brutal and crazy viking culture.
Sounds to be rather a PC
revision of the historical achievements of the Vikings...as if all the
vital cultues of the period were not brutal.
>:-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Storm Raven
Interesting. I wonder which came first The Seven Samurai or Beowulf?
Would you beloieve
The Magnificent Seven?
Oh well, I suppose not (^_^')
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
A
kind DM also helps. I've seen the M-U taken out by area effect spells
the rest of the party survived in two different campaigns I've run now.
(In the second one, I allowed a second saving throw, which worked and
counted. In the first, I allowed Raise Dead to be acquired in a
plot-coolness way.)
Normally, I don't "nerf" anything, but for the M-U (or Wizard/Sorcerer
in later editions) caught in a Fireball at 4th-5th level, a special
break seems fair.
In OAD&D the m0u gets a slightly
better save vs such attacks, and there are a fair number of items that
help protect against fire, many of which are not unreasonable for a
4th-5th level one to possess...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy HolyGrenadeFrenzy,
Ever read "The Archer" trilogy by Cornwell? It centers around a search for the Holy Grail.
Playing does indeed improve one's GMing skills!
The displacer beast was most assuredly inspired by A. E. van Vogt's
Voyage of the Space Beagle.
Actually, the computer gaming gurus do give me ample credit for my
contribution to that game medium, and there is anm article upcoming in
Wired
magazine that might broaden that context, but as I have not seen a
draft of it, I can't say...it might even blast me for all I know, but I
suspect otherwise ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary (#! Nerd of All Time per
Sync magazne X-D )
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Raven Crowking
...
QUESTION FOR GARY: Which writer do you prefer: R. E. Howard or E. R.
Burroughs? Which influences your gaming more (if either)?
RC
Howard by far, as his work is never a pot boiler as so
many of ERB's later novels were. However, for creative settings,
monsters, and even antagonists I muct give the nod to Burroughs.
By the by, who wrote
Snap, Crackle, & Tarzan?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Raven Crowking
Another question: Have you ever read The Thief of Llarn?
It actually contains a "role-playing game" of sorts inside it, and
when I read the earlier this year, I was wondering if it had any
influence.
Indeed, Gar Fox and his wife Linda became friends of ine, and IIRR the
Thief of Llarn
bears his autograph. O emjoyed Gar's S&S writing, but the game
mentioned in the book was not influential--the games "refereed" by my
older neighbor James "Slim Jim" Rasch in which his younger brother John
and I played when we were age nine were the greatest
influence...unrealized for some time.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Many of the RPGers are bibliophiles--more the fellowship factor ;-)
I enjoyed the Cornwell Trilogy a good deal, but my favorite by that author is the Shapre's series.
Someone kust sent me anothe Bonfigleoni book to read--odd but interesting his style ans treatment of the subject matter.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Haakon1,
As a general rule I select the magic items to be discovered in a set
encounter, use random table determination for all treasure in a random
encounter.
On occasion I will have a real magic item for sale, or available as a
gift if a PC or PCs do the prescrubed things correctly. ANy item that
can be purchased is of very minimal magic--mostly some minor healing or a
+1 arrow for example.
Dealers in "magic" in my campaign settings are generally swindlers, and
that makes it doubly hard for players when they come across an NPC that
is offering something not a fake.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy HGF,
Bonfiglioni is a lor easier to read than Eco, and there is a good deal more excitement in his yarns ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Marshal Lucky
That was a good ripoff of The Seven Samurai :-P
Agreed, although I found the original Japanese film more entertaining than the American adaptation.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
G'Day Tewligan,
Troll Lord Games is publishing the entire seven books in the Gord series in hardback editions, beginning with
Saga of Old City being released at GenCon. As I have yet to see and polish the ms. for
Artifact of Evil, I can not say when the Trolls will have it available.
IIRR, there were indeed full stats for the cataboligne demon but I
surely can not recall the details after all these years...and so many nw
and different critters devised since that one.
Curley Greenleaf went the way of many aPC...his CRS was misplaced or
lost, so he is in limbo, has been for over 20 years now. Chert, Gellor,
and company were creations of mine for purposes of story telling. The
elf, Melf, was a PC played by my son Luke...who resented my duping him
for the scene with Keek, that I played out.
I do enjoy the opportunity to relate virtually with so many fellow gamers here, so thank you for being a part of the fun :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Speaking of really smart guys...
Solomon said "There is nothing new under the sun." That was maybe three millenia back too X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Gotcha. So, do you usually have the PC's as transients, or do you give them a home base?
Because my PC's have a hometown, I let them have some non-transient,
non-shifty contacts. They deal with the same "old guy in a cloak who
gives you missions" a lot, in this case an advisor to the ruler of the
city.
I like the idea of a home base because it allows me to work on the same
NPC's and give the campaign some continuity, plus it seems to me that a
Shire to protect and defend makes derry-do adventuring to get rid of the
baddies seem more "important". There's difference between saving "the
world" when the world is a vague concept, and saving the world when you
know and are friends with people outside the party.
By
preference most of the players in my various groups over the years have
been basically transient--even the initial large group of characters
playing out of the City of Greyhawk. The lot were prone top wander far
and wide, and any home base they established was typically an islokated
stronghold constructed after many years of game time.
As for plots, never have I had the group concerned with saving the
world, although sometimes that have been involved in adventures that
have impacted a state or region. Mostly they decide for themselves what
their motivation is and how far they will go to fulfill their ambitions.
Whenever I have encouraged political activity, it has been generally
rejected in favor of action and adventure. The group play-testing the LA
game back c.1997-99 bought a building in a town but soon left there to
investigate a demon-haunted ruin. When they completed that partucular
adventure--a module that will likley be published next year--they
decided to leave the area and go adventuring elsewhere. (They didn't
much care about real property of money...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Marshal Lucky
...
I haven't seen it, but my SO and the other women I know weren't interested. However, the gay guys at work went nuts over 300. They still talk about it all the time. It's like Showgirls or Baywatch for them.
Surely becasue Xerxes was depicted as being light in his loafers...and
all the Spartans were really buff. Otherwise the film was mainly blood
and thunder. If you saw
Sin City and liked it you will likley love
300 ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tewligan
Oh,
really?! I had no idea they were being republished - I'll have to grab
those! When you say you haven't gotten the manuscript for polishing,
does that mean that some parts are actually going to be rewritten? I
didn't know that there were so many Gord books - I only read the first
two, although I did see that the bookstore had a used copy of the third
when I picked up SoOC. I didn't get it because I knew I'd be tempted to
read it before I found and reread the second. Time for an eBay search, I
guess...
Not only are the Trolls doing the seven Gord the
Rogue books but Piazo is reprinting the three Magister Setne Inhetep
fantasy mysteries, releasing the
Anubis Murders in trade paperback format at GenCon. I will be at their booth autographing for an hour or two furing the con.
As for changes in the iinitial Gord novel, they are mainly stylistic--a polish as I noted. No major revision has been done.
The Gord books are
SAGA OF OLD CITY
ARTIFACT OF EVIL
CITY OF HAWKS
NIGHT ARRANT
SEA OF DEATH
DANCE OF DEMONS
COME ENDLESS DARKNESS
Upon reading your first paragraph, I was going to ask if these
editions would have any nifty character/monster/magic writeups included
in an appendix, but I'm guessing maybe that won't be the case since you
didn't mention it when you answered the cataboligne question. Alas. Of
course, I suppose Gord can be cobbled together from your original
afterword, and some of Catty's powers are easily gleaned from the story.
I guess it's too much to hope that the original Clyde Caldwell art is
going to be included, hm?
No additional material pertaining to the AD&D game will ever be added.
The cover artwork is not our (Trigee's) property, so it will not be reprinted.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Talath
Hey Gary;
I dunno if you have been posed this question or not, but what kinds of
wines do you enjoy? Do you prefer certain varietals, or certain AOC
wines? Red and white is just too simplistic to divide such a wide field.
Myself, I am partial to chardonnay, riesling, and gewurztraminer wines
as for my whites, and pinot noir, syrah, merlot, and cabernet franc for
my reds. I do also enjoy the american Meritage wines, as well as the
Bordeaux blends. I did have a nice Loius Jadot 2005 Beaujolais with some
steak tartar and coq au vin recently; a very delicious meal indeed, and
a good wine.
I had to turn down a free bottle of meritage due to the rules of
compliance in my dorm. Bah, heathens. Let the others savages drink
themselves to death with poor quality beer and tasteless spirits: let
those who would want it, have their wine.
(Not to say people who prefer beer or spirits are savages, but rather I
refer to the crowd who choose to blare music and intoxicate themselves
beyond common sense every night at the local bar, rather then pay
attention to their academics.)
X-D
I actually enjoy all manner of potables including ale, beer, porter,
stout, hard cider and mead--not to mention strionger alcoholis brews
such as all the whiskies and rums, Armagnac and Cignac. I simply enjoy
them in moderation.
As for wine, I must confess to preferring dry French winrs of the
Borddeaux and Burgundy regions--mainly the Grand Cru and Premier Grand
Crue Classe ones. Reds in preference to whites, although I do love a
Mersault and a bottle of Chateau d'Yqem (for desert). My favorite
Champaign remains Cristal, with Rodidier Diamant Blu a close second. A
good Piper' of Verve' are as appealing to me as a vintage Dom'. Also a
nice sherry or port is great after dinner.
I will on occasion have a before dinner cocktail, usually a martini
(Bombay Sapphire) or a manhattan at home, a friend's, or in a
restaurant, but usually I have a gin & tonic, fine ale/beer, glass
of wine, or straight whiskey (with a few drops of water in it to "open"
it) when I am finished with the day's work.
The days when I enjoyed frequenting a saloon ended when the greatest dive on earth, Jane's Bar here in Lake Geneva, was closed.
Now damn! That sounds as if I belong to the Society of Lushington, but 'tain't so.
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Piratecat
It kills me to know that I can't find my original Gord books. Glad they're being reprinted!
Hi Piratecat,
Just don't hold your breath. the trolls have way too many projects on
their publishing plate to manage the Gord hardbacks in expeditious
manner.
Anyway, right now I am very vexed at them because it is unlikely that
they will have my 3-5 player card/boardgame of the 100 Years War,
King of England - King of France puiblished for release at GenCon as promised >:-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tewligan
Hey PC, if you go to
www.powells.com,
they have another copy of Saga of Old City in stock, and they ship. Hm,
although you probably want to just get the nice hardback copy when it
comes out soon, I guess.
I'll recommend Powell's website to everyone, actually. Like I've said,
they have a LOT of new and used books, and it's easy to search for stuff
on their site. Check it out!
Indeed,
I have added it to my Favorites list after doing a few trial searches.
They have mostly reprints, though. The place where I find more old books
is
www.bookfinder.com
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by The Merciful
...
...
1) What sort of policy TSR had with translated versions of D&D and
AD&D while you were there? Did D&D or AD&D get preference?
What did you look for in the foreign publisher? Any regrets?
2) What place, if any, solo adventures had in TSR's strategy? As support
for (A)D&D or a products line in their own right? I have one solo
module for Basic set D&D and one for Expert set, and recal ever
seeing only one more solo module.
ps. I didn't say this first time I posted in this thread, so I say it in
the second: thanks for being there creating the hobby. Cheers! :-)
And a happy belated birthday to you :-D
1) I was not responsible for licensing any of the TSR products to
overseas publishers. I did have input if there were any questions
though. Generally speaking if two or more were being considered, the
company that was ready to invest the most into rapid production and was
planning on extensive advertising and promotion got the nod. As I left
TSR at the end of 1985 I can not speak to any of the long-term licensing
results, although we did not do too well in Germany.
2) Although I was very much in favor of solo advcenture modules,
stressing those that could be played thus and then run as a group
adventure, they were not particularly popular, so they were dropped in
favor of the standard version.
I do enjoy the virtusl comversation here!
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Beckett
Drat. I had hoped I'd be able to see that.
:-(
What can I say?
:\
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Particle_Man
As a fan of the trolls, I have learned to cultivate the virtue of patience. There will be other Gen Cons.
Tell me about it...
I have had mss. in their hands for years >:-(
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
I've just had a good weekend - played two new excellent board games:
Dirk Henn's Shogun, and Glenn Drover's Age of Empires III. The latter is
really interesting - it's actually very much an Eurogame, and an
excellent one at that. :-)
And I also got to DM my very first session of oD&D! The loss of a
couple of players from my regular Friday campaign for the next 12 weeks
indicated that I should put it on hold until they returned, so I turned
to oD&D to fill the void. Actually running the game showed me that
the essential experience of D&D: exploring the depths of the
underworld - hasn't changed all that much (well, not the way I run it, I
guess), even though the rules are now quite different.
I do have one question: How on earth did 1st level PCs survive? As most
beginning characters would die in one hit, I can only assume that they
made great use of ranged combat and spells to survive the first level...
although superior armour would help. (Poor Sarah began with only 30 gp
after rolling a 3 on 3d6 for her starting funds!)
Cheers!
I have played
Shogun, and it was okay...if a bit willy-nilly in tactics and strategy, likely proper considering the setting. Have not seen the
Age of Empires III game, although we did play the Civilization card game last week, and it was enjoyable.
In OD&D the 1st level PCs did do several things to help extend their
chnaces--hire men-at-arms, use missile weapons (including flaming lamp
oil, that is kerosene), and run away when things appeared to be too
dangerous to stay and fight.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
The Trolls have made some progress and hope to have the game as their major release for the NY Toy Fair...next year >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
I am working on something that could well lessen our mutual vexation, KB.
At the end of an epic series the groups I DMed were generally so distant
from their place of origination that they called wherever they happened
to be "home."
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Mark
PC was a rolling stone?
In this case Avatars were a foot-loose band. They might have been
called wild geese... X-D As a group their Renown was really very high.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Maybe the better term is imagine or visualize, eh?
OTOH, scientists manage to "see" many a theoretical thing. some of which prove to be imaginary in time X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
Indeed;
I didn't like it as much as my friends did, but they really, really
enjoyed it. (So much that they've demanded to play it again next time we
meet). Oh well. :-)
Don't know that card game. Oh, I see... it was a free addition you got with the computer game.
What's the expected playing time for your upcoming board/card game, Gary?
Cheers!
Tom Wham picked up the new computer game, so we played his card game and had fun.
The KoE-KoF game should take from 45 minites to an hour and a quarter,
depending on player familiarity with the hame and the distribution of
the cards. Every player has a chance for action in each of the segments,
one for each player, that make up a complete turn, so there is little
if any boredom factor while another player takes action during his
segment of play. In fact, player interation in the form of trading cards
with each other is very necessary to win the game.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
hi mr gygax!
did you ever used "props" (dont know if this is the right word) in your
games, as background music, burned letters, coins or any of this things?
what do ypu think of it?
is it just for begginers?
Howdy!
On rare occasions I use props, either for dramatic effect or else to
bring more humor into the session. I vener use music as it is already
quite difficult to manage to speak and retain the players' attention.
Props are a part of the style of a Game Master. I can not judge their
overall merit without knowing how the GM manages his campaign ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Hey Gary, I just wanted to say that I remember you writing earlier last year about
4e
coming out soon. It looks like you were right. Will this have any
kind of impact on Lejendary Adventures or Castles and Crusades despite
the fact that both systems are quite different from current versions of
DnD?
X-D
And some didn't believe me about the impending release of yet another edition of new D&D :-o
How it will do is unknown, but they are talking about rules-light
material--something I have advocated for the past eight or so years
now...
I do not think that the new system will not have mich effect on either
the LA or C&C game --although it might bring in some disaffected
former new D&D game types.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JRR_Talking
Not a big board game player myself.
I played this a few weeks back for the first time and couldnt believe
wot a wonderful game they had produced. Cant recommend it enough*.
John
*not quite as good as the old roleplaying, but an excellent diversion**
As is this post as a nice change to all the
4e discussion!
Check our
Ra, Puerto Rico, and
San Juan ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Moggthegob
Dear Gary,
In light of
4e being announced I would like to know if a) you had any thoughts
b.) whether or not you think this will e good for c&c/LA,which i
recently purchased and I must say I enoyed the uniqueness of each class
again.
Also, since it seems as thoguh the wizards of the crap are dropping
greyhawk as the default setting if you could somehow get it back.
Hi there!
Sadly, my crystal ball doesn't work all that well... 8-D
WotC/Hasbro ever giving up any trade mark in the D&D line is about as likely as Iran becoming a Christian nation.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by PapersAndPaychecks
Those additions to Greyhawk might look like chocolate, but they certainly don't taste like it!
:-o X-D :-o
What can I say other than... X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
mr gygax, glad you are back!
congratulations on your wedding aniversary, bets wishes to you and your wife
i read a couple of days ago the adventure you DMed for the
moderators..it make me laugh so hard at the mule's death that im still
talking to plp that dont even know rpg about it.
it looked like a simple adventure, but still very rich in flavor and fun!!!
did u intent to kill the mule, or it was a "momento" thing?
sorry to ask Dm secrets, but i really wanna to know (^_^')
Thanks for the good wishes. I must take Gail out for an anniversary dinner this weekend ;-)
As for the mule, a wandering monster was indicated--the mule and the
cart are noisy and attract a good deal of likely unwanted attention. As
it was left alone, the mule was the prime target for the hungry
gelatinous cube.
That sort of information is no secret, merely standard DM's lore, eh?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Some
people depict "rules light" gaming as games in which the GM slowly
accumulates his own rules to cover everything that comes up so that you
are eventually playing what amounts to a "rules heavy" game but with
rules that weren't as well developed as if you had started with a "rules
heavy" system.
As a fan of "rules light" gaming & designer of "rules light" games,
what do you think of that? Should the GM of a "rules light" game come up
with & record a rule to handle everything that comes up that isn't
already covered in the rules?
Or is the difference between "rules light" & "rules heavy" something else?
Howdy :-D
Short answer: To my mind a rules-light system should be one that sets
forth rules and mechanics that are uncomplicated and sufficiently
intuitive so that after GMing the system for a dozen or so sessions
there is no need to consult the rules save for unusual circumstances.
The GM and players alike can manage from past experience. If something
unusual comes up that rules do not cover, intuitive ruling based on the
overall system should be simple. In such case few if any notes need be
made in regards the matter, as the sdame intuitive assessment will recur
as needed...ofter with slightly different results as circimstances
alter cases.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JMac5892
Ho there, Colonel!
I haven't posted over here before, but have been checking in regularly
for some time. While catching up on what I missed while in the UK, I
found some discussion a few weeks ago of one of my favorite topics:
variable HD types for AD&D critters. :-D
I've compiled some ideas based on your prior posts on the matter, plus
my own thoughts; would very much appreciate your opinion on the
categories below...
Thanks! :-)
Joe
D4 or D6: used for small monsters who may attack with a higher HD matrix, but have few hit points (e.g. giant ant).
D8: The general standard. Used for many �giant-class� humanoids,
animals, large insect- or arachnid-type monsters, and very large
invertebrate creatures.
D10: used for large monsters and animals, some �giant-class� humanoids,
the smaller demon and devil types, and very large water creatures.
D12: used for the largest monsters or animals, such as dinosaurs,
dragons, etc. Also used for very large �giant class� humanoids (ogres
and larger) and the larger demon and devil types.
Notes:
� Idea: rather than D10 to D12 for demons & devils, use +1 to +4 hit
points per (8-sided) die, as the various daemon types get?
� Some large animals might have greater physcial mass than ogres or
giants, for example, but do not qualify for D12 hit dice because hit
points subsume (intelligent) fighting ability in addition to body mass.
� Some monsters (e.g. kobold, goblin) retain the �1/2� or �1-1�
classification based on the D8, as this determines their attack matrix.
Hi,
that system of classification you propose is logical, although I believe
that no hard and fast stable aplied across the board will serve to
properly reflect the robustness of all creatures dealt with in the game.
Again, in general I agree with your work.
I would not use minus HPs for kobolds, rather d4. That allows them
better attack capacity while maintaining them as relatively fragile
opponents.
For truly gargantuan and hearty monsters I would suggest the +HPs to D12 base.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JMac5892
Thanks
-- yep, I'm not thinking of these as hard rules, but rather guidelines
to keep in mind as I consider each monster individually.
As for kobolds (and goblins), treating them as 1 HD monsters for attack
purposes will give them a whole new dimension... >:-)
Yes.
And as we are in agreement here you too must be a gaming genius! X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by RFisher
Thanks, Gary. That mirrors my own thoughts on the matter, but you expressed it much better than I have been able to.
Sure!
That's because I had to ponder the question and go on the record with my
considered opinion regarding the meaning of a rules-light RPG system.
So I am addressing another game design genius. It is not a coincidence that all in that category share my opinions X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
Howdy Gary
Glad to hear you had a great Gen Con and all. Now, with all this balley-hoo regarding
4e,
it seems to me very odd. I mean, the new versions or "improvements" as
it were, have only been a mere 3-4 years a part, hardly long enough for
the systems to mature (if possible). Just wondering what you think. I
feel it is mainly "management's" desire to push this to put their mark
on the game. 2e was a direct result of the POG, 3rd/3.5 was because of
Wizard's take over. And now I feel that since Hasbro has taken over
Wizards, this is their chance to make the game "theirs". Just my
observations, however, nothing more. Thank you Gary, for your keen
insights and fantastic postings!
Three in a row! :-o
It seems a good bet that 3.5E was a pot boiler edition as sales of its predecessor were insufficient.
Your observation that Hasbro is behind the move to
4E
is another likely accurate appraisal. After all, the audience for
fantasy MMPs such as WoW is a whole magnitude or more larger than that
for paper FRPG, and the online connection to the ned version of D&D
guarantees a regular and predictable income stream.
At least the current D&D designers have caught up to the rules-light
learning curve that O propounded in 1999 with the initial release of
the LA game system X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Wait, are you claiming to be a gaming genius, Mr. Gygax? That sort of talk will get you banned from Vegas! ;-)
Noppers...I let my work and those that enjoy it speak in that regard. I do enjoy some jesting though :-D
Besides, I have a great antipathy for Las Vegas and its gambling >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
At this juncture my money os on
4E succeeding--at least realtve to
3E.
the audience for woW-type games inline is huge, and the revenue from
subscribers should be much stronger than that from paper game product
sales. It seems likely to me that the
WotC
designers will do their utmost to make an appealing game for those that
love playing online, one that is passable to those that enjoy actual
RPGing ;-)
What I dearly wish is that the powers that be at Hasbro would decide to
re-release some of the best of The Avalon Hill Company titles...such as
Rail Baron!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Xyxox
It's
terrible that they shelve such wonderful IP. If they aren't willing to
re-publish such works, they should at least be willing to sell off the
IP so that somebody else can. I was into Avalon Hill wargames long
before I ever discovered the white box in my local hobby shop back in
'77. I'd love to see some titles come back.
Heh...
Another old timer I see.
No sense in preaching to the choir on the subject, but it is heartening to see that others agree with me.
BTW, another wargame I would love to see come back into pront is
Operation Overlord. I also confess to recalling the OBs of the British and German fleets from the
Jutland game and the
Bismarck whenever I see a TV program recounting the battles of the same name, and also the
Midway
OBs from TAHC's game of that name ditto. come to think of it that
applies to most of their wargames and the OBs therein whenever watching a
program dealing with the associated military history.
Best of all, Tom Shaw is a friend :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by John Drake
:-) Thanks Gary! And I gotta tell you, I can't help but smile when I
see that the trend they (Wizards and others too) are working towards is
one, basically, you have pioneered, yet again! Well, maybe there is
hope down the road, eh? I still love your AD&D game though, even
though I'm having a great deal of fun with with LA. Ciao!
My pleasure.
The one aspect of the LA game I would truly like to be able to add is
the measured-step dungeon crawl progression possible with a class &
level system. In all other areas I am content that the new game is
superior. One can assuredly do great dungeon crawls using the LA system,
but having progressively more difficult ones matching the progress of
the character in regards to capacity to manage challenges is most
unlikely, as progress in the LA game occurs in small incriments, not in
level jumps.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Question for you sire, from a fellow player I forwarded your GenCon adventures to:
"At the risk of losing geek-cred points, I have a question:
Why does Gygax post under �Col Pladoh�? (Which I am translating as
�Colonel Play-Doh� rather than something arcane in Welsh or
something�)"
For myself, I always assumed Col as in "Colonel", as in old-school war
gamer, and genteel benevolent dictator/aristocrat/chicken magnet, and
Pladoh, as in Play-Doh, for reasons my Int is too low to resolved.
Please tells us the anagram, pun, or lack thereof, should such telling amuse you. And if not, fair enough! :-D
And here I had tought I had covered this ground amply in the past...
I use Col Pladoh to poke a bit of fun at myself. The Colonel part comes from my always playing Colonel Mustard in
Clue
gamesbecause I liked the starting position, and the fact I am a
Kentucky Colonel. the Pladoh part is a spoof on the wisdom of Plato and
the silliness of Playdoh.
I do not use some high-falutin' fantasy handle because they seem
pretentious to me. Posting as i do, or as "Gary Gygax," suits me just
fine B-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Self effacing humor.
The gamer pappy doesn't take himself as seriously as others take him. ^_~`
X-D
Just so, Peter, just so.
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
From what I understand, Hasbro doesn't actually have the rights to all
the old AH games. The situation is a bit... confused. It certainly
confuses me. There are a few old AH games that have been republished or
soon will be...
ASL is licensed by Hasbro to Multi-Man Publishing
Titan's
rights have been picked up by Valley Games; they're doing a reprint
later this year or early in 2008. They're also doing a reprint of
The Republic of Rome Dune's rights have been gained by Fantasy Flight Games, along with
Cosmic Encounter (the latter not a AH game, but a classic). CE will be reprinted first, then Dune (and later
Borderlands). Unfortunately, the actual rights to do a "Dune" game are not available, but the mechanics will be done in a new setting...
Oh, and there's a recent discussion about your variant to Rail Baron on Boardgamegeek...
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/168817 :-)
Cheers!
As someone that sold a game to THAC, I find it
hard to believe that most of their wargames could not be reprinted with
no contractural difficulties, some likely needing a new contract, but so
what? I know that a number of their titles were designed in house, so
the Hasborg certainly owns all rights to those games. Others such
Rail Baron, Diplomacy, Kingmaker,
etc. might require cutting new agreements before re-publishing. that is
hardly an impediment to a company that actually desired to get good
games back into print to serve that segment of their market.
As for the quick end system I suggested for the RB game, we now skip the
RR values i set, just use their actual costs. The "Rover Play" business
is not exciting as the one chap asserts in the pasts there on the
Gamegeek website. A thinking player simply accumulated an additional
$50K before heading to his home city for a win, thus protracting the end
game even more. In addition, the rule is silly because it is so
completely unrelated to the theme of the game. Why would passing over
the train of one of the players cause that individual to lose the stated
sum?
Finally,
IMO the games you note being back in print are not the greats from TAHC :\
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Well, thanks for answering it again, and it's good to know we guessed right. :-)
:-D
Col Pladoh
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
hi gary, how r you doing?
im having trouble trying to explain something to a friend...it all
starts with a "a fighter can roll on the ground , as this seems vary
basic to me. no need to be a expert to do so"
and he says that a fighter cant do that...that he must have skills for it, and bla bla bla
i even create a topic about this (no need to read, dont worry ;-) )
in the begining, d&d was inspired by medieval europe (french tales?) and others, but
rpg is about fantasy, right?
or ate least about what we whant it to be (sound confused? i cant find
the right words!! damn you, babelfish and collins gem! :-P )
so, my point is:
do you think that skills, feats, etc, makes the players less criative (generally speaking)?
(oh, and if you can give me your opinion on the "roll on the ground is
basic for fighter-if the DM agree" issue, i would apreciate very much!)
Well...
As a general fule for all GMs, it should be assumed that any action that
an actual average human can do in real life, an RPG persona can
likewise do. As very younf chiuldren have the ability to roll on the
ground, a D&D character can assuredly do the same...even if in full
plate armor, although there would be a good deal of effort required and
theroll would be ponderous save when on a declining surface.
As for skills, that sort of a system is in my critical design view
superior to the plain dlass-based game. However, if the skill-based
system is very specific, it does tend to end innovation and creative
thinking in favor of reliance on a dice roll. Feats are strictly for a
comic book superhero game
IMO, anthough special abilities of minor sort are a fine addition to the scope of character definition.
All of the above is well set forth in my
Lejendary Adventure game, BTW ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by MerricB
G'day, Gary!
What are the great Avalon Hill games?
Need to see if my friends have them. :-)
Cheers!
Ho there!
IMO:
Most of the old board wargames based on historical battles or campaigns (excluding
Anzio, Guadalcanal, Guns of August, Jutland) then their non-wargame titles such as
Stock Market and
Rail Baron, and the games they picked up from other publishers--
Diplomacy (which TSR attempted to acquire just after THAC managed to to so) and
Kingmaker.
FWIW,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by seskis281
I remember Sink the Bismark and Starship Troopers , and later during grad school we really got into Diplomacy :-)
IIRR, the title of the WWII naval search and combat game was simply
Bismark. We player it a lot when it first came out, and both sides had near equal win changes. I must say that I never did play
Starship Troopers (^_^')
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
:-D
So cases of all's well that end well.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by archibael
Gary,
Thanks for answering my dreggal/maelvis/cacodemon questions 'bout eighty
pages back. I only recently got them; didn't suspect you'd get back to
me right away.
Anyway... one magic item which always seemed vastly overpowered was the rope of entanglement.
Nowhere was a saving throw or anything else listed for the device, and
from the description it looks like it could trap anything from a troop
of kobolds to a high-level party of adventurers before they could do a
damn thing about it. For this reason in my campaign the Erinyes were
absolutely dreaded, as unless the whole party were doused in oil of slipperiness or scattered about the room so they couldn't all be taken at once, they were toast.
Did you mean the rope to be that
powerful, and if so, why did you cost it out at less than, say, plate
mail +3? Or was there really a savng throw to be had somewhere in
there? Or did "tied fast" mean that victims with sword in hand could
still attack the rope itself?
Thanks again for your time.
Archibael
Short answer:
Said rope could be attacked and severed with a sharp edge by anyone not entangled in it.
While a DM ruling, I never allowed more than threesubjects to be snared by a rope.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by archibael
Thanks,
that makes things a little less scary. I read 8 man-sized folks as
"entire party", but I suppose if they were strung out single file as
parties tend to be they probably violated the "20 feet" limitation on
the rope's ability to entangle.
It wasn't until years later we used miniatures. Could have helped us out a lot in visualizing the problem.
As ever, you rule. Thanks again for the time,
AB
Appreciate the laud.
As a matter of fact I was often too vague in detailing such information
as I was so used to making a ruling on the spot based on the
circumstances. Attempting to cover every case seemed too complicated to
me, too much an imposition on the DM's prerogatives.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Torm
Mr. Gygax,
I was just watching Code Monkeys on G4, and in the promo for next week
they said you're on! Did you actually contribute voice talent / dialog,
and how was that, if so? And how did it compare to doing Futurama? And
when you did Futurama, were Nichelle Nichols, Al Gore, and Stephen
Hawking actually there at the same time recording, or was it done
separately and edited together?
Apologies if that last one has been asked and answered elsewhere and I
missed it, and for questions that aren't directly game related. :-)
Short Answer:
Yes indeed, I recorded the VO for my part on that episode about a month ago.
As with most "guest" voice overs, I recorded on a studio separate from the regulars and any other guests.
That said, I do enjoy doing such work, and I volunteered to be a reqular
on Futurama, pointing out that they could give me more lines, fly me
out to CA 1st class, and put me up at a bungalow at the Beverly Hills
Hotel. David merely layghed.
>:-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, I have two AD&D monster questions:
1. Why can't clerics turn groaning spirits?
As noted by
another poster, the Banshee is a "Special" undead monster and is turned
accordingly. A Banshee is not a normal human undead so is to be treated
as a special sort of evil spirit entity.
2. You've noted that you did not use psionics in your AD&D
games. What did you do, then, with the monsters listed below? Did you
just not use them?
brain mole
cerebral parasite
intellect devourer
shedu
su-monster
Obviously I ignored tham as they affect only characters with psionic ability X-D
And with mind flayers, did you consider their tentacles and mind
blast enough (while simply not using their psionic abilities and psionic
attack/defense modes)?
Thanks! :-)
Yup. The mind blast is a pretty potent attack form, especially when there are multiple attackers uning it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Griffith Dragonlake
Hi Gary,
Just out of curiosity, have you ever taken a look at the Arduin Grimoires writen by David A. Hargrave?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduin
I'm sure you must have heard of them back in mid to late '70s.
If so, what are your thoughts?
I saw them when they were originally published.
Ever see my magic item "The Vacuous Grimoire"?
Baby fat indeed >:-(
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Another case of failed ENW server notification of posts here... O.o
As for the Arduin Grimoire, the tone and content were so unappealing to
me that I had to both ignore it and parody it at the same time. OTOH, I
have met a few decent gamers that used it for some source material, even
layed a campaign based on the system. Very different strokes indeed to
my way of thinking.
As for the deities lacking detail, I had at least a sentence or two on
each, but to the best of my recollection all such notes were either
turned over to TSR back in 1985 or lost in multiple moves prior to that
date or subsequently. Of course I have virtually no recollection of
their rank, powers, and concerns after so many years--and extensove
research of actual mythology, adding my own material, for the finally
upcoming
Lejendary Pantheons.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by king_ghidorah
Hi, Gary,
In a fit of nostalgia, I unpacked my copy of the original 3-booklet
boxed set and found a reference in book I (Men and Magic), page 10 under
the ability section that stated:
"Clerics can use strength on a 3 for basis in their prime requisite area
(wisdom), for purposes of gaining experience only." Likewise, ther is a
comment under Intelligence that "Both fighters and Clerics can use it
in their prime requisite areas... on a 2 for 1 basis." Similar comments
are made about wisdom for fighting men (counting 3 for 1) and magic
users (2 for 1).
What the heck does that mean? That, for instance, clerics can add Wisdom
+ 1/3 of their Strength to determine their experience bonus?
Doug
You got it.
It seemed like a good idea at the time, this substitution enabling the
10% XP bonus to PCs with high abilities assocoated with but not their
prime one, such as the cleric using 3 Str to equal 1 Wis.
DMs didn't think it was a particularly useful rule, so it was dropped.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, how did you envision mind flayers?
1. Were they native to Oerth, or
2. Did they come from another planet on the Prime Material Plane, or
3. Did they come from another plane?
Those monstrous creatures were never native to any human planet :-o
I my mind they came from another plane, managed to find their way to the
Oerth...although they could be spacefaring aliens whose ship crashed on
the planet marooning them, the occupants being sufficiently numerous to
have a viable breeding population.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Thanks, Gary. The possibility you mentioned quoted above is the origin of mind flayers on my science-fantasy campaign world.
One more question: Do you remember who invented the assassin character
class? It first appears in the Blackmoor supplement, but I know that not
everything in it was authored by Dave Arneson.
In point
of fact the Assassin class was something I devised as a spin-off of the
Thief class. Darned if I recall how much, if any, polishing Tim Kask did
when he incirporated it into the
Blackmoor manuscript he put together so as to get that D&D supplement into shape for publication.
Tim has a Q&A thread over on the Dragonsfoot boards, so you might want to query him.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Philotomy Jurament
I
love that concept for mind flayers. (Actually, I like that concept, in
general; it seems like an honored element of the swords-n-sorcery
tradition, to me.)
Speaking of swords-n-sorcery and fantastic tales, yesterday I received a copy of The Anubis Murders, published under Paizo's Planet Stories imprint. I'm looking forward to diving into it, later today. :-D
How my player group disliked the Illithids when I introduced them into my campaign X-D Most DMs liked them a lot, though...
If you enjoy the
Anubis Murders when you read it, keep an eye out for the other two Magister Setne Inhetap mystery adventure novels,
Samarkand Solution and
Death in Delhi. I surely did have a good time writing the triogy.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tylerthehobo
Can
you elaborate on the Lovecraftian influence on mindflayers? I mean,
there is a connection to Cthulhu as hinted at in the original
DMG, right? (or are all of us Lovecraft fanatics just reading too much into things?)
As one that enjoys the whole plethora of Lovecraftian yarns, those
written by HPL and those created by his cadre of followers, I freely
admit that the cover of Brian Lumely's paperback novel,
The Burrowers Beneath, inspired me to create the D&D mind-flayer.
I hoped then that it would have been a monstrous creature that Lovecraft himself would have approved of :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tylerthehobo
I guess in a way that makes you part of that group of folks who furthered the mythos after HPL's passing, then! :-)
A lot of the mythos begun by HPL was aithored by collaborative writers when he was alive.
At best any contribution I made was miniscule and marginal ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tewligan
Perhaps their ship crashed in...THE BARRIER PEAKS! Bum bum BUM!!!
:-o
I believe that such a starship would need to be larger than the vessel
that ended up in the Barrier Peaks. I viable breeding population would
need at least 500 or so individuals methinks.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ghul
What
if the mind flayer males were as depicted in AD&D, but the females
were some huge Cthulhoid eldritch horror capable of laying hundreds of
eggs! That would be fun! :-)
Regards,
--Jeff T.
That idea is Alien to me...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tarek
IIRC,
the intro to Expedition does say that this is only one module of the
spacecraft in question... who knows where others might have landed?
Perhaps one crash landed, with robots and crew more or less intact, in
the mysterious realms bordering the Black Ice, and another, larger
segment with stasis pods containing "unclassified organisms" disappeared
into the dark depths of the Hepmonaland jungle...
Plausible, assuming that the Illithids were the makers and crew of the
starship. Of course they could have been collecting other lofe forms in
their voyage through the galaxy...looking for more nutrious brains
perhaps... :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by tintagel
Holy
Cow. I've been a long time lurker on EN World, but just found these
Gary Gygax Q&A threads (yeah, I know... I know). I'm just giddy
that Gary is answering questions!
First, I want you to know that I absolutely love the original T1-4
module, and have run it several times. I saw an old thread where you
mentioned hanging out with Frank Mentzer, and if you still see him,
please share my compliments with him on a masterpiece module.
Howdy,
Frank is in Minoqua, WI, about four hours drive north of here (Lake
Geneva). He has attended all of the Lake Geneva Gaming Conventions
(three so far, all in June), including the porch party here at our
house, and I saw him at GenCon XL. I will try to remember to pass along
your compliments to him when next I see Frank.
Ok Mr. Gygax, this isn't as much of a question as it is a request
for you to review my work - work that's a tribute to the Temple of
Elemental Evil. Please don't be turned off - this is serious work that I
hope you will find interesting - if not a bit nostalgic.
I'm running the Temple now for the 4th time since I purchased it as a
kid. For the first time, however, we are converting it to 3.5E and using
a virtual tabletop software (
www.d20pro.com).
This software lets us play directly on the maps, even over internet,
and use the software to track initiative, hp, and effects. Well, I
started mapping some with Dundjinni, and I got really into the artistic
process of creating vivid and highly detailed maps.
I mention this only because it's what prompted me to start my project...
To render the entire Temple of Elemental Evil module maps in high
resolution (100 pixels / 5 ft), with details matching the Boxed text of
the original module. To put things into perspective - the 1st Dungeon
Level is 7,000 x 9,000 pixels in size. If printed at miniature scale,
it would be 5' 10" by 7' 6" in size. Luckily, we project the image
digitally, so we don't have to use that much ink... :-P
These maps follow the original boxed text in the module pretty
faithfully, even including small details like footprints in the
Moathouse courtyard, the hidden broadsword behind a shelf in one room,
and even items on tables. If the text has it, I try to include it. Our
group has had a great time, and they love the details, but I thought
you and Frank might be particularly interested. So far, I've mapped
Nulb, the Moathouse, the Inn of the Welcome Wench, the broken tower, and
the 1st dungeon level. I have also created a 3D model (& animated
flyby) of the temple itself. Oh, and we also have put together a
wiki for our campaign (warning: this is NOT canon!!).
Please take a moment to view my work and know that your work inspired a
young kid to play this amazing game in the first place. I'm still
playing, and revisiting my favorite childhood module in a new light.
My maps:
http://www.danielrivera.org/maps.htm
Thanks for your consideration. This has made my day, week, and probably month. :-)
Well...not to disappoint you, but there is no way that I will actually
review such a project in depth. I did have a brief look at the
maps--very nice indeed! Note that old taverns in Europe did and still do
not have seating at the bar. The bar is a plank that keeps the
customers away from the liquor supply and provides a place where the
barkeep can place drinks ordered. So do get rid of the barstools in the
Welcome Wench ;-)
I have no idea where that map purporting to be of Nulb came from BTW. It
is not one that I did, nor do I believe that Frank did it. He did only
the 3rd and 4th levels of the ToEE to the best of my knowledge, stepping
in to complete the place when I was too busy to get to the project in a
timely manner. Of course after more than two decades I could well be
wrong. I'll have to ask Frank about this.
Your project is ambitious and certainly worthwhile. I congratulate you,
and it is certain that your players will very much benefit from your
considerable efforts.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Vargo
Gary,
The weird thing is I remember that map of Nulb - it was in the T1-4 "book" released in 1985. No idea who made it, though.
That was after I was directing such matters at TSR.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by howandwhy99
Hi Mr. Gygax,
In another thread around here some other posters and I are debating
about how the D&D game came about. My own preference for running
the game is as a modular, sort of "rules behind the screen" game where
players learn as they go along. It's like using the core rules plus
whatever additions the DM needs or group want to create based on actions
taken by the players in the game. My thinking is D&D was created
this way, that rules were added as to what was fun for the group and
covered things as they became important throughout play. Things like
overland travel, wandering encounters, new spells, magic items, and the
like. At least this makes sense to me as AD&D grew from D&D and
Mythus Prime led to many more rules.
Howdy,
As a matter of fact, I was in a design phase that sought great structure, direction, and verisimilitude when I wrote the
Mythus game rules, and
Mythus Prime was the result of me going back through the main work anbd extracting the essentials ;-)
Only after I got that out of my system did I return to the enlightened
state where rules light is the pinnacle of FRPG rules systems...pretty
much the way I was thinking when I wrote the OD&D game rules.
The other side of the argument is better explained by others only
that it is more of a rules focused game for the players vs. one based on
simulating another reality. One of your famous AD&D DMG quotes was
offered in defense of a game or rule oriented playstyle. I'm guessing
you know the one, but here it is for your reference:
A few brief words are necessary to insure that the reader has actually
obtained a game form which he or she desires. Of the two approaches to
hobby games today, one is best defined as the realism-simulation school
and the other as the game school. AD&D is assuredly on adherent of
the latter school. It does not stress any realism (in the author�s
opinion an absurd effort at best considering the topic!). It does little
to attempt to simulate anything either. ADVANCED DUNGEONS 8 DRAGONS is
first and foremost a game for the fun and enjoyment of those who seek to
use imagination and creativity. This is not to say that where it does
not interfere with the flow of the game that the highest degree of
realism hasn�t been attempted, but neither is a serious approach to play
discouraged. In all cases, however, the reader should understand that
AD&D is designed to be an amusing and diverting pastime, something
which can fill a few hours or consume endless days, as the participants
desire, but in no case something to be token too seriously. For fun,
excitement, and captivating fantasy, AD&D is unsurpassed. As a
realistic simulation of things from the realm of make-believe, or even
as a reflection of medieval or ancient warfare or culture or society, it
can be deemed only a dismal failure. Readers who seek the latter must
search elsewhere. Those who desire to create and populate imaginary
worlds with larger-than-life heroes and villains, who seek relaxation
with a fascinating game, and who generally believe games should be fun,
not work, will hopefully find this system to their taste.
My thinking is you are referring to the golden age
of wargames and the hobby D&D via Chainmail sprouted out of. As
posters showed me in the other thread, there were quite a few RPGs out
by '79 besides D&D. It's just none of them really strike me as the
"realism-simulation" school you mention above. Am I wrong? Wargames
seemed to be far more realism than other RPGs at the time.
IMO at least. Maybe it's a little of both? Any comments you have will be appreciated.
I hope you're doing well and enjoying life. I know I am one of the many
eagerly awaiting the Castle Zagyg books. Take it easy though. I'm
just glad to know they are on the way.
-howandwhy99
Many vocal individuals were lamenting the lack of "realism" in RPGs when I wrote that commentary you cite in the
DMG.
Whether that were playing another system or attempting to turn the
D&D game into a simulation matters naught, eh? In any case I stand
solidly behind my original claim that the game form is one not to be
taken too seriously, as it is an amusement, at most a hobby.
As for the
Castle Zagyg project, it is
moving along as planned, with the detail modules of the Town of
Yggsburgh and environs in the last stages of completion, the whole
slated for publication of all 24 parts by the end of the second quarter
of next year.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, in your experience do Metamorphosis Alpha and Gamma World lend themselves to long-term campaign play? Or do they tend to be too deadly for that?
Veteran players can indeed play either RPG for the long-term. As a
matter of fact, son Ernie, son Luke, and I all have several characters
of Jim Ward's MA game campaign that began play when the game was
published, or soon thereafter.
It requires a good deal of fast thinking and no little innovation, but
either system can provide campaign-length play for a group that knows
the game and thinks before acting.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by FATDRAGONGAMES
Great news! I'm really looking forward to this.
The small-scale area map of the town and suburbs is now underway. It will show all the buildings detailed in the modules.
When the various interiors, especially the dungeons, are available, then
the call for your excellent furnishing and features material should see
even greater demand.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, how well do you think that your Epic of Aerth would work as a campaign setting for AD&D?
Ir would serve well indeed if the DM went over the material carefully
and adjusted portions that assumed skill-based characters...HPs I should
say X-D
Also, regarding the AD&D Fiend Folio:
Do you know why its publication was delayed for a couple of years? The
FOREWORD to the Fiend Folio is dated 1979, Deities & Demigods
(published in 1980) mentioned the Fiend Folio, yet the Fiend Folio
wasn't actually published until 1981. Also, how good (or bad) do you
think the Fiend Folio is?
The Games Workshop fellows, Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson
originally approached TSR about publishing the best entries from their
magazine,
White Dwarf. as a supplemental monsters volume. Then Don turnbull was appointed as head of TSR UK, and so the ms. went through his hands.
I found about a quarter of the entries in the FF unsuitable, and that is
why there are additions therein not found in the magazine's pages. When
I had gone through the material I instructed Lwrence Schick to delete
the ones I had indicated. Being the pinhead he is, Lawrence ignored that
direction, for he planned to leave the company soon.
That said, I found a fair number of useful critters in the work--and not
just those I pit into it--and were I playing AD&D I would surely
use them still.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
I'll say this once again:
D&D is a game for amusement and entertainment. It is a game and
nothing more, save where the dedicated player group makes it into a
hobby, then it becomes a hobby game.
It is fantasy, so any attempt to have it be realistic is quite off base.
As it is a role-playing game, fixation on combat is also misguided. It
was never meant to be a combat simulation.
If some players find the rules too deadly for the characters I suggest
that the characters' players are not very skilled not given to thinking
before acting. That stated, PC death is meant to occur even when the
best of players are concerned, but that is what cleric spells and wishes
are meant to mitigate.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, I hope to DM an AD&D campaign once your Castle Zagyg: Upper Works is published. I'm toying with setting it in Aerth, in Falcondonia to be exact. ;-)
Which reminds me: Are the entries for Heliotep and Relantl accidentally switched in the Epic of Aerth
book? Relantl is listed as having an Egyptian heritage, language, and
pantheon. Heliotep is listed as having an Atlantean language and
pantheon. Should the names be switched? "Heliotep" sounds very Egyptian
to me, and the name "Relantl" is clearly similar to the name "Atlantis".
Hi Geoffrey,
You are quite correct, the entry information regarding language and
pantheon are switched between Heliotep and Relantl. How that happened is
a puzzlement.
Hope your CZ campaign turns out to be a smashing success!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
Hey
there Gary. I hope all is well. I have a question about the old days if
you don't mind. When you were first creating the game, how did you find
people to play? I am curious how you managed to spark so much interest.
Did you just ask your friends to come by some evening and try it out?
Did you have an ongoing rapport with fellow wargamers regarding design
of the game and they desired to try it out? Something altogether
different? Thanks for your time!
Interesting question...especially considering since I do not remember it being asked in such a manner prior to this.
The play-test group consisted of my oldest son, Ernie, and elder
daughter, Elise. Immediately thereafter I added Rob and Terry Kuntz and
Don Kaye. Soon they weekend sessions included many of the members of our
miniatures group, the Lake Geneva Tactical Studies Association, and
nearby wargamers that belonged to the old IFW such as Bill Hoyer. We
played some D&D at the GenCon in the summer of 1973, so more players
came from that. The interest was essentially word of mouth. A single
gamer, or a group would come for two or three adventure sessions, then
go off on theor own. Thus I got into the habit of not memorizing names
and faces, the group was so transcient that it didn't pay, save in
regards to the campaign's regulars. Even that core changed a good deal
over the first couple of years of play.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by airwalkrr
HOLY CRAP!
You, sir, are the very definition of a labor of love. And I thought my
dundjinni maps for ToEE were pretty decent. I am a fool to ever have
thought so. Your work is beautiful, break-taking, and stunning all at
once. You are truly an artist and a dedicated hobbyist. If I had the
money, I would patronize your work. Well done, sir!
Absolutely!
I guess my hand-drawn and hand-colored maps do not quite come up to the artistry of those.... 8-D
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by old school gamer
Hey Gary,
I was just curious of your opinion of other non-D&D RPG's out there.
What is your opinion of the Basic RolePlaying System from Chaosium and
other non-class/level game like GURPS and Hero System?
I would really be curious concerning game such as Call of Cthulhu and Runequest as they have almost as much history as D&D.
Appreciate any comments you may have.
Heh,
As a busy designer that does not care to "borrow" ideas from others
doing like work, I can speak only to the CoC game. I enjoy that a good
deal, although I have not had the opportunity to play in many years.
Of course I played and generally enjoyed all of the RPGs that TSR published.
I add that the
Lejendary Adventure
FRPG is not class and level based, but to the best of my knowledge and
belief does not resemble any of the other FRPGs also not class and level
based. The LA game system is the one I now prefer to all others.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Garnfellow
Gary,
Did you develop the pseudo-undead in the MMII? And if so, what was the story behind them?
While I dislike admitting it, darned if I can recall the originator of the pseudo-undead concept.
I liked it as it gave the clerics something to fret about when they went
into turning mode. Once in a while having the seemingly undead monster
threatening not subject to that clerical power made adventues a bit more
uncertain and exciting.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Valiant
Greetings Gary,
You wrote: -The LA game system is the one I now prefer to all others.-
I haven't played LA extensively, nor have I been following its
development recently, though my group did play early last Srping. I
have a few questions that I hope you don't mind answering:
1. When might we see a new release of the core system, and are you
working on any revisions or major changes? Or, have you moved on
completely to C&C?
2. Have you worked out a way to make begining characters weaker,
starting out in LA is like starting out around 6th or 7th in 1E. I miss
the feeling that I'm starting out not much better then the average guy,
it allows me to develop my PC more somehow.
3. Have you ever considered making an LA basic (something cut down in
complexity and length that kids could understand more easily. Perhaps
with a Dungeon like presentation map/playing board.
Thanks in advance, and have a great day!
A revised, mostly
expansions of material and a few rules clarifications, edition of the
core rules will be coming from Troll Lord Games in hardback format in
the coming months.
As a matter of fact i play very little C&C and mostly run an LA compaign when I RPG.
The LA game Avatar is deliberately more able than a beginning PC so that
the full scope of adventure possibilities is open to participants. Any
Lejend Master can easily reduce the beginning capacity of Avatars by
limiting the percentage multiplier of chosen Abilities and making the
default one a mere 5 score if so desired. Merit awards will need to be
increased at first and then cut back. Something like 300-400 per hour of
active play should provide sufficient progress towards original
starting capacity.
While I do not think that the LA game is at all complex, there is the LA
Essentials boxed set produced by Troll Lord Games, and also the LA
Quickstart Rules available as a free download.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by old school gamer
Did you ever play Marvel SuperHeroes?
No, as I've never been into superhero RPGs. Akthough I have nothing against it, the genre just doesn't grab me.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
I understand that the world of Aerth is a fleshing-out of what was in
part undeveloped and/or implicit in your original Greyhawk campaign
world. How did the counter-earth of Phaeree figure into your original
D&D campaign world? Did you always envision most of the non-human
critters (elves, giants, dragons, etc.) as being "away from home [i. e.,
Phaeree]" when on Oerth? Or was Aerth's Phaeree a later conception? In
either case, it is a most intriguing way of presenting a solid ecology
for a fantasy world. It allows for a magical "alternate Earth" setting,
allowing it to remain humanocentric and answering the question, "How can
these monsters be here without totally screwing-up the world's
ecology?" [Answer: The monsters aren't native to the campaign world.
They are interlopers from another world, arriving here through magical
gates.]
And once again let me congratulate you on your Epic of Aerth book. It is
simply packed with good stuff. It allows one (with ease and facility)
to incorporate ANYTHING he reads (mythology, legendry, fantasy or horror
fiction) or watches (fantasy and old Universal studios films, etc.)
into the campaign world. There is a ready-made slot for everything,
whether the various lost worlds of A. Merritt, Posnansky's Tiahuanaco,
Chinese gods, Cthulhu, or what-have-you. I truly believe that the Epic of Aerth book is one of the classics of FRPG books, ranking up there with your AD&D Dungeon Masters Guide.
Also, regarding your Castle Zagyg products: How high a level of
characters can reasonably adventure in the depths of the castle's
dungeons?
I always assumed that the strange creatures in
the D&D fantasy world were natives of another world. This is
implicit in most folklore and fantasy alike. I simply did not elucidate
that until I write the Mythus rules and detailed its world setting
Aerth.
So thank you for the very kind words in regards my creative efforts in prresenting RPG concepts.
In the
Lejendary Earth (Learth) world
setting I have included the concept of alternate worlds for the
non-himan races and most monstrous creatures as well, and added another
concept I have not actually spent a lot of time explaining, 3D space
anamolies. The setting for the LA game-based novel
Eye of Glory
is a land that is on Learth but anomoloys. the surface area it takes ip
on the planet is only about 1/100th of its actual size, and entering
the place is possible only in a special location or two, rather as one
must assume Shangri-la exists and is accessed.
Cheers,
Gary (in haste to have a pre-dinner cocktail X-D )
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Reynard
Gary:
A friend of mine let me borrow "Best of Dragon" Vol II (as I am on a bit
of an old dragon magazine binge right now) and I just read your essay
on D&D's Vancian magic system and why it was created the way it was.
Pure awesome.
Thanks.
I am pleased that you enjoyed the article.
The "memorize then fire and forget" principal for casting spells Jack
Vance assumed in his fantasy stories seemed perfect to me for use by
D&D magic-users. IT required forethought by the player and limited
the power of the class all at once. I still like the concept even though
I have gone to a manical energy point system in the
Lejendary Adventure RPG.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
Hi gary, long time since i read your replys ;-)
my question is about magical weapon with "+"
when a player find a +1 short swort, for exemple, do you allways describe it as a very good sword?
and when that player uses the sword, do you tell him to add +1 or do you
keep to yourself, till the player "pay" for some spell to identify, or
till the player uses that sword a lot..or something else?
tx
Howdy!
Indeed, it is logical to assume that most magic items are of fine
construction, so when a magic sword is discovered I generally describe
it as a beautifully crafted blade, As to the potency of such an item, if
the PC examining and testing it has experience with magic weapons of
the same sort, the bonus will be realtively easy to determing. Special
properties will not be so likely to be discovered by trial and error.
For such questions, as well as for examination by those unfamiliar with
the class of magic item, I do require that a magical examination of the
item be made in order to know exactly what it is.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
i see, great point. but do you say to the player , after he tested, "its a +1 sword"?
Sure...
If the PC doing the testing has used a +1 sword before. Otherwise all I
say is that the weapon seems siperior to other swords he had weilded.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Transit
Gary,
(Sorry to interrupt the "+1 sword" discussion - I'm interested in hearing that answer as well, but...)
I've noticed that this seller on Ebay seems to have an inexhaustable
supply of 3x5 cards with autographs from "Inventor Dungeons &
Dragons Gary Gygax" on them. They aren't signed TO anyone; they just
have random phrases like "Magical Moments" or "Fantastic Best" and a
signature.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ADME:B:SS:US:1
So did you ever spend time signing stacks of 3x5 cards like this, or is
this guy ripping people off using a forgery of your good name?
And frankly, if they are genuine, then a 99 cent starting bid is an insult, just an insult I tell ya!
As a matter of fact I recall signing a few 3 x 5 index cards some years
back, and in looking at the pic of the one he has for sale, the writing
and signature are definately my own.
As for the bid, I think the $.99 is fair, as I never charge for an
authgraph and have doen many hundreds of them just this year. It isn't
as if they are rare X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, I am interested in getting the Learth Gazetteer:
http://index.rpg.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=7239
Was it published in book form, or only in pdf? I'm having a bit more trouble finding a copy than I thought I would.
Also, how close is "too close" for you for a fantasy Earth setting? Your
Aerth is pretty darn close to the actual Earth. How close could it get?
What about (for example) an Earth with geography and history virtually
identical to our own, set in circa A. D. 1500, BUT with no gunpowder and
with only historically insignificant magic and monsters? By
"historically insignificant" I mean that such things tend to be in far,
out-of-the-way places, and tend to be encountered only by adventurers
specifically looking for them. A fantastical dungeon, for example,
filled with all sorts of D&D goodness would fit in the campaign. A
horde of gnolls besieging Constantinople, however, would not. The former
would be able to escape the historian's eye, while the latter could
not.
Howdy,
The LA
Gazetteer is available in paperback edition from Inner City Game Designs:
http://www.fuzzyheroes.com/catalog.php There are two more parts yet to be completed to complete the description of the nations of Learth.
I see no problem with having a fantasy RPG setting very much like our
own earth, but to make it more interesting I would surely have both some
different and suprising geographical features but also some
considerable differences in both technology and history.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Thanks for the link! :-) What is the difference between the Standard Edition and the Author's Edition of the Gazetteer?
John, thanks for your very valuable contrast between Aerth and Learth. :-)
The Author's Edition has a page noting it is that...amd my signature.
John is a great fellow and often assists me with my creative projects.
His brief aeeay comparing and cintrasting the two world settings is
accurate.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Ah, but how does he know he's used a +1 sword before? ;-)
Phooey!
A piece iof cake.
A m-u IDed it, or someone knowledgeable and reusted did the same for the character.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Sure,
A ring of delusion can indeed mislead a mage as well as anyone else, if
the examination is done without checking for curse and misinformation.
As for the value of magical blades what you suggest is fine but add"
"Can bite into __________ without dulling the weapon's edge."
;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Griffith Dragonlake
I
agree that this is certainly the case for the Celtic mythology with
strange creatures being from the Otherworld. But I don't think the
Greeks thought that way...
Nor did many other ancient
peoples who left behind their mythologies for us. However, the general
tenor of most FRPG world settings is the medieval ala Europe, and that
means mainly the British and Scandanavian influence with a touch of the
French folklore--all other world origination for most strange races.
As for the Greco-Roman, most of their strange races were linked to
Pan-Faunus, their monsters being spawned by deities. In my treatment of
the latter they are thus all some low to moderate rank of deity.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hi again Gary---
In the AD&D
DMG,
you wrote useful guidelines about the importance of time management for
campaign play. How important was time management in the GH campaign
when you ran it (both alone, and with Rob), and how did you manage to
keep straight the multitudes of PCs running around in the Castle, City,
and Outdoors???
I've always found time management to be something that I've enjoyed
about campaign-level DMing, but haven't generally found much in the way
of tools to assist in that endeavor. Any thoughts, anedotes, or
examples of how to do it (well or poorly) beyond what you detailed in
the
DMG would be appreciated.
Thanks, as always! :-D
Howdy Alan,
The reason that most regular players in the campaign had two or more PCs
was for the very reason you mention, timelines in the campaign.
Dungeon adventures are relatively short in that regard, and thus they
are easy to keep track of. A sheet of paper with a running count of days
suffices until some of the group heads for an outdoor adventure. Then
one must keep tract of days, weeks, and possibly months.
Neither Rob nor I were sticklers for exact dates. When the main party of
players was enagaged in a trek somewhere, others could do likewise,
delve underground, or just sit sround and await the return of the main
PCs. A rough estimate of time passed relative to the separate PC groups
sufficied for eventual rejoining.
When only one or two PCs were off on a long adventure somewhere, we
would usually speed time for the others if they wanted to eventually
catch up with the wanderer(s).
Group play is far more important than timekeeping an an RPG.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Forrester
A statement of support would go a long way towards healing the damage your 1st edition Monster Manual caused the Goblin race.
(Also -- what the hell was up with elves having beards in Chainmail?!)
www.goblindefensefund.org Hmmm...
I do not recall anything about bearded elves in Chainmail. OTOH, we all
know that Santa Claus is a "right jolly old elf," and he assuredly has a
fine beard, no?
Now as to Goblins, check them out in the
Lejendary Adventure
game. They are really bad news for the average adventuring Avatar. Here
they are from my original ms. dealing with creatures. Note Health (H)
for a normal human is in the 20 range, for a player's Avatar 40-60:
Goblin: Alfar Humanoid: 1-6+ (Communities number from 100 to 400
individuals, all of whom will be combatants): The goblin race is the
fiercest of the primarily nocturnal and commonly subterranean Malicious
Alfar. Goblins look very much like big hobgoblins, with an average
height of five and a half feet, a thick and rotund body, thin but
muscular arms and legs, and a skin color ranging from dark pink to
maroon. The goblin race has a most devilish look with a big head with
bony forehead protrusions above the eyes, close-set and slanted
pea-green or dull maroon eyes, long and hooked nose, huge and toothy
mouth, and large pointed ears. Goblins tend to dress in purples and
blacks.
The goblin race possess intelligence equal to human-average, and find
their pleasure in raiding, killing, looting, and pillage. Much like
their weaker kin, the hobgoblins, goblins are concerned mostly with
ease, revelry, and sloth, almost always having slaves do their work, so
they too are thus sometimes caught unprepared by wily foes seeking
revenge. However, woe to the human intruder who stumbles unknowingly
upon a band of goblins, let alone into one of their communities.
Goblin communities are concealed in wilderness places or underground in
caves or old mines. The great goblin there will have a hoard of coins
and Extraordinary items with a value whose sum is equal to the
individual wealth of all his subjects combined, plus an equal value in
precious objects ranging from gems to objects d�art.
Goblins have senses superior equal to the human norm, can see very well
in pitch darkness, but light conditions are near the reverse of human,
so full sunlight is like a dim twilight to their eyes.
Although they can neither transport themselves nor become invisible,
goblins are naturally of very strong, can move quietly and likewise
conceal themselves in ambush (80% stealth and waylaying Ability), and
have a natural resistance to both heat (including fire) and cold such as
to serve as a constant 25% (-5) protection against harm from either
extreme.
All of this race is much alike and whether male or female are
combatants. Immature goblins (called goblin imps) do not fight and will
cower or flee if threatened. Individuals of all sorts possess physique
Ability in the range of +1 to +8.
The goblin �harasser� is a sort of group leader, and one will always be
present in any group of 4 or more common goblins, and in large arrays of
them, one in 10 will be of this sort. Each harasser possesses a random
Extraordinary enchantment-like Power, not conveying the general
enchantment Ability. The Power can be activated usually once per day
only, and it does not require either a memory tablet or AEPs, but is
innate to the individual brownie. The great goblins also possess the
ability to use these Powers, each having two. Typical Powers are:
1) Extinguish a small sort of fire (as large as a normal campfire, for
instance) within sight and 80 feet distance in one second of time.
2) Start a small fire in combustible material within sight and 40 feet distance in one second of time.
3) Cause an oncoming individual within 20 feet to stumble and sprawl prone in one second of time.
4) Reverse in one-tenth second of time the flight of one normal missile
in sight and within 100 feet distance so as to send it back at its
launcher (but with the goblin�s Precision in regards to hitting).
5) Send a wave of nausea in one second of time to one individual within
sight and not more than 20 feet distance so as to make any action
attempted to be made at half-normal chance for success.
6) Create 2-5 illusory duplicates of itself that are indistinguishable
from the actual goblin and which mimic the real one�s every action.
There will be one to three shamans in each community and at least one
with any force of 20 or more goblins. A great goblin, one per community
or leading a large force of 40 or more goblins, will always have
maximum physique of +8.
Common Goblin: H: 41-60. P: 31-50. S: 10-13. A&A: typically any
weapon such as a light crossbow with 20 quarrels, club and heavy knife,
or short pole-arm and long dagger, spear and curved cutting sword, or
cleaver and knife; 40% (-8) armor due to leather garb and a minimal
preternatural energy that conveys 20% (-4) protection against even
supernatural harm. Also 25% (-5) protection against fire as noted
above.
Wealth in contemporary terms is in the range of $500-$5,000 in coins. There is no chance for an Extraordinary object.
Goblin Harasser: H: 56-75. P: 46-65. S: 12-15. A&A: one Power and
such weapons as bolos and hatchet or lasso and cleaver all with +5-8
strength Ability bonus; buckler (30%/-6 vs. one opponent) and 60% (-12)
armor due to leather garb and preternatural energy that conveys 30% (-6)
protection against even supernatural harm. Also 25% (-5) protection
against fire as noted above.
Wealth in contemporary terms is in the range of $2,000-$8,000 in coins
and a like amount in crystals and gems. There is a 15% chance each for 1
very minimal, 1 minimal, 1 low moderate, and/or 1 moderate
Extraordinary object.
Goblin Shaman: H: 41-70. P: 31-60. S: 14-17. A&A: from four to
eight Powers of Extraordinary Ability sort of enchantment, geourgy,
necrourgy, sorcery, and theurgy in any mix, plus weapon such as flail or
thrusting sword with 1-4 strength Ability bonus; 70% armor due to
leather garb and a preternatural energy that conveys 40% (-8) protection
against even supernatural harm. Also 25% (-5) protection against fire
as noted above.
Wealth in contemporary terms is in the range of $5,000-$12,000 in coins
and a like amount in crystals and gems. There is a 40% chance each for
1-4 very minimal, 1-3 minimal, and 1-2 low moderate Extraordinary
objects, and a 20% chance each for 1 moderate, 1 good, 1 good, 1 very
good, 1 strong, 1 very strong, and/or 1 major Extraordinary object.
Great Goblin: H: 76-95. P: 66-85. S: 13-16. A&A: weapons such as a
spiked club and great cleaver each attacking in an ABC, with strength
Ability bonus of 9-12; 80% (-16) armor due to leather garb reinforced
with horn plates and a preternatural energy that conveys 50% (-10)
protection against even supernatural harm. Also 25% (-5) protection
against fire as noted above.
Wealth in contemporary terms is in the range of $5,000-$30,000 in coin
and like amounts in crystals/gems and in jewelry. There is a 60% chance
each for 1-4 very minimal, 1-3 minimal, and 1-2 low moderate
Extraordinary object; a 40% chance each for 1 moderate, 1 good, and 1
very good Extraordinary object; and a 20% chance each for 1 very good, 1
strong, one very strong, and one major Extraordinary object.
Goblins are not prone to associate with any other sorts of creatures,
but they are known to band with trogs, trolls, and orcs when there is
need.
There's sme respect methinks!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Mr. Gygax,
You've spoken at length over the years about the literary inspirations for D&D,
but I'm not sure I recall your ever having specified a story or two (by
an author other than yourself) that you felt really captured the spirit
of the game better than any other. What I mean to ask is this: is
there, say, a particular tale of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser or a story
of Kothar or Kyric that you feel provides a good example of what you
wanted to do with D&D?
On an unrelated note, I'd like to thank you for creating this hobby I've
enjoyed most of my life. One of my prize possessions remains a copy of
the French translation of the Basic set you signed with the phrase "May
the Dice be with you!" I was tickled as a child to own something
autographed by the Great Man himself -- and still am.
Thanks!
While the adventures in a D&D game are
evocative of many a tale or derring do, heroic or base, tragic or
comedic, I did not attempt to design a game that would create such
stories but rather give the sense of living one. So top the point, I can
not point to any particular author or yarn that typifies the spirit of
the D&D game. It comes from a mix of fable and fantasy fiction,
mythology and mystery, action and adventure of factual and fairy tale
admixture that transcends any one work, and any single author, myself
included. In truth the D&D game belongs to game master equally with
the source of the rules.
Now as to your words of praise, I humbly thank you. It is most
encouraging to me as a game designer to be made aware of how much my
efforts to share entertainment with others have succeeded.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Forrester
Gary,
Gary, Gary . . . well, I have to say that at least nobody can accuse
these gobbies of being cannon fodder. And it's good to recognize that
they are intelligent as humans, and the women fight alongside the men.
But "devilish look"? With a "long and hooked nose"? Very offensive . . .
was that really necessary? Not to mention that bit about how their
young do not fight. It raises the possibility that goblin homes will be
invaded by thugs/adventurers, and the innocent babes will be put to the
sword.
Justice is served to these vile humanoids thus >:-(
And which is it - do goblins like raiding and looting, or are they
concerned with ease, revelry, and sloth? Raiding and looting is hard
work -- sounds to ME like you want to just dig at them as many different
ways as possible (they're evil -- AND lazy!)
Raiding and looting is far easier than earning an honest
livelihood, and wretched Goblins, being both malign and bone lazy,
indeed make marauding their primary occupation...unless thay are slave
masters >:-)
Tsk tsk, Gary. Tsk . . . tsk. I was hoping you'd see the error of your ways by now.
Do not attempt to shift the blame for the degenerate ways of Goblinkind to my faultless shoulders, sir!
Quote me chapter and verse, do :-D
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
...
With all that as preamble: What was your original intention here, if you
recall? What did those parenthetical names represent? I am assuming the
Types IV-VI names are just that -- proper names of individual demons --
but what about the Types I-III demons?
Thanks kindly.
Feel free to address me as Gary if you like. We are fellow gamers after all :-D
Anyway, the Type I through III demons being both rather stupid and also
cannon fodder were not individually named, each sort being one of the
vrock, herzou, etc. The higher ranking demons had no species name but
rather personal names.
So calling all Type VI demons Balor is not what was meant.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
You
are very kind to place me in the same category as yourself. My younger
self would have been ecstatic to have been told by the creator of D&D to call him Gary :-)
So long as you don't mind the steady stream of questions, I have another for you.
I still consider the original World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting
folio to have been one of the most evocative products ever produced for
the game. It's a gem of verbal economy: in just 32 pages you laid out
an entire continent for adventure, providing just enough detail to take
some of the load off the beleaguered DM's shoulders, while still
providing plenty of room for individualization and extemporaneous
improvisation. It's a brilliant companion piece to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and represents a style of roleplaying game writing -- and publishing -- that has largely vanished from the earth.
My question is this: had you remained at TSR, would you have developed
the setting further through gaming products (other than adventure
modules, that is) or would it have only received sparse support, such as
the larger boxed version of the folio? I ask because I can't help but
think that roleplaying games took a wrong turn sometime in the mid-80s,
as setting came to dominate the product lines, which is to say setting
as a pursuit unto itself rather than as a "prop" for the Dungeon Master.
The World of Greyhawk, in hindsight,
is a rather empowering product for the DM, which is probably why I
always liked it. Using it, I felt free to spin my own yarns with my
players and not fret over minutiae not of my creation. Was this your
intention?
Thanks again.
Heh,
You certainly understand my aim when writing the
World of Greyhawk :-D
To be succinct, I had thought that s series of sourcebooklets that dealt
with the most interesting and exciting aspects of each state/area would
be desirable to the fans. Eventually the whole os the continent and
islands could be covered thus, but gamers would want and need only that
booklet or booklets that pertained to their core campaign.
Those I would have begun writing around the time the remainder of Oerth was being mapped and detailed.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Ah,
so there was a plan to map and detail the rest of Oerth as well? That
might well explain my dim recollection of hearing of "Oriental" lands
for the World of Greyhawk setting around the time that Oriental Adventures
was being published. When said book was released, I was surprised that
the setting information included within it seemed to be self-contained
and without any connection to Oerth or indeed any other fantasy setting.
'Tis a pity you were never afforded the opportunity to produce more material to flesh out Oerth fully.
Yes indeed, and I planned to invite Len Lakofka and Francois Froideval
to assist me in the design of the whole planet Oerth. Zeb Cook tossed
out Francois' OA material in favor of his own,
IMO
quite inferior, material. Sadly, I was too invoved in saving TSR from
bancruptcy at the time to correct that ill-advised decision, so there
was indeed no link to the WoG setting.
There were a whole slew of AD&D projects I planned, including the revised edition. Such is life :\
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Prince of Happiness
That
does remind me that there was an "Endless Quest" book that came out in
the mid-80s that was set in Nippon/Nippon Dominion. Gary, was
Nippon/Nippon Dominion your creation, and what was the difference
between the two?
Actually, I had nothing to do with the EQ books, those were iverseen by Kevin Blume.
I do know that he prdered huge reprint runs about the time the line was
going into steep decline, so that there were millions of unsold copies
of the series in the TSR warehouse that had to be duped for scrap paper
prices.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Valiant
Dear Gary,
What was/is your all time favorite AD&D Module?
X-D
The one that I was playing and the group were having a lot of fun with at the time. That includes modules that I did not write.
For me picking favorites is rather like deciding which child is your favorite.
I did enjoy DMing the G series a lot and the T1 and environs modules.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Reynard
I feel kind of wierd doing this, Gary, but I was hoping you might give me your opinion on
this essay I wrote.
Much appreciated.
A well written piece, although I am not
so sure I can agree with your assessment of the roles of Game Master and
player. The GM's "power" comes only if he properly entertains the
player group, and conversely the player group must likewise entertain
the GM for that role to be continued at all. That means there must be a
great deal of camaradery between all participants.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
how much (if any) input did you have on the 1981 Basic (edited by Tom
Moldvay) and Expert (edited by David Cook with Steve Marsh) D&D
rulebooks?
Were you pleased with these 1981 rulebooks, or do you think they lack some of the "magic" of the earlier rulebooks?
Whose idea was it to publish these books, thus replacing the older D&D Basic rulebook edited by Dr. Holmes?
The direction of the D&D game versions noted was that of Brian and KEvin Blume.
That I did not particularly like it was evident by my placing Frank
Mentzer over the D&D line thereafter. Count on Cook doing whatever
he wished when you see his name on smething, and Schick was much the
same.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Hi
Gary -- I'm wondering about "old school" bards, the kind described in
the Appendix of the AD&D PHB, where you had to progress through
thief and fighter levels before beginning as a bard. Have you seen
anyone develop a character in that fashion?
I always thought it would be interesting, but I never saw anyone do it.
Yes, one player for certain managed that progression in my campaign
group. It was too slow a process in all, for the player was too long
denied playing the sort of PC actually desired.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
That's a shame ...
Water under the bridge, and never to be seen again :\
That said, I have made up for that with a whole lot of other creative
material...a fair amount of which is yet unpublished or working along
towards completion with various co-designers now that I am semi-retired.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Thanks,
Gary! No wonder your name is conspicuously absent from the 1981 D&D
Basic's and Expert's credits and acknowledgements.
The
jealousy was not restricted to the Blumes. Even as I was doing my best
to have every one of our game designers recognized by name credit on the
cover of the work thay did, and attempting (fruitlessly) to arrange for
a bonus for above-average product sales, many of those same people were
bent on cutting me down.
That was very disappointing to me.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Reynard
Thanks for your comments and taking the time to read it.
Well...
That is a worthwhle essay, and it deserves to be published in a work of
scholarly sort dealing with the RPG. My criticism was meant only for
your consideration in broadening the scope of your analysus.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Reynard
I appreciate it and took it into consideration when writing the second draft, which it is now posted to the same thread.
Thanks again.
Having read through the comments on your
essay thread, I must say that while many of them are worthwhile, not a
few are on the negative side seemingly for the sole purpose of being
disputatious. To my mind it seems that there is a total lack of
comprehension of what constitutes an RPG on the part of several of the
persons quibbling with your premises.
For example, random chance must be a part of the game form, just as it
is in real like. Many of the comments denigrating your work seem to
completely overlook this fact. Another example is the confusion of a
game of improvisational thespianism with the RPG.
I congratulate you on your patience in responding to some of the comments that come from what one might term the peanut gallery.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JRR_Talking
Hi Gary
Apologies for any insult you, and others, make take from this but, as
we all eventually hit -10 hp, do you intend to have anything RPG related
on your headstone?
Myself i was thinking, and inspired by Spike Milligan, to have something like "I told you it was trapped'" on mine?
Regards, and long life.
John
Missed this earlier O.o
As a matter of fact I intend to be cremated, not have any headstone at
all...not even a slender cross of wood alone to proclaim that here a
game designer lies at peace beneath the peaceful skies.
(Find the poem from whence I lifted a good bit of that, and have a boquet of violets and my congratulations X-D )
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JRR_Talking
Under the Violets
By Oliver Wendell Holmes
1859
.....A slender cross of wood alone
Shall say, that here a maiden lies
In peace beneath the peaceful skies.
.......Lies withered where the violets blow.
******************************************
My regards sir, it contains some very sombre prose
John
PS the violets are nice but id rather have some xp!!
Good Show!
I admit that reading that particular poem usually causes a tear to wet my cheek.
And yes, violets grow wild hereabouts in the warm months, but RPG play awards such as XPs are rather harder to come by.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Gary,
Your writing style is very unique and I miss reading such marvelously grandiloquent prose in D&D
products. I'm curious: how did you develop your style? It reminds me a
bit of Jack Vance's authorial voice. Were you influenced by any
particular authors or is it simply the way you've always written?
Thanks!
Heh...
I can't say exactly how my writing style evolved, but it came to
fruition, as it were, back in the heyday of TSR and hasn't changed much
since then. I have read so many works of fiction and fact written by all
manner of different authors it is impossible for me to know what comes
from where.
As a matter of fact I very much admire the writing of Jack Vance, read
his work with a mixture of delight and ency, but I can not hold a candle
to him.
If you take a lok at the installments of the Gnome Cache in the early numbers of
Dragon
magazine you will see how badly I was writing then, and how my style
developed thereafter...although not a few critics observe that my
writing is no better, just different X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Hey Gary, hope all is well with you.
Got a non-gaming question. What do you think of The Glenlivet scotch whisky? Is it worth the extra price in your opinion.
Hey Flexor,
I do enjoy single malt Schtch whiskeys, so yes.
IMO
Glenlivit is worth the extra cost. That said, it is not my favorite
single malt. The ones I most enjoy are the pale, peaty-flavored ones.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
...
Ah, Garrison Ernst. I wonder whatever became of him ...? ;-)
(Well, I am sure that the publishers that have released reprints of my
fantasy yarns hope you are correct about the worth of my prose...)
As for Mr. Ernst, he is living in a small town in the Midwest with an old friend, Grumbald Pauncefot 8-D
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Gary,
If I recall correctly, the "real" Greyhawk campaign you ran in Lake
Geneva was based (at least originally) on a variant map of the North
American continent, with the City of Greyhawk located more or less where
Chicago now stands. (Please correct me if this is mistaken)
How much of the nomenclature of the published World of Greyhawk
derives from this original campaign? That is, was there a Furyondy and a
Keoland or were these things you created for the folio that TSR
published?
Thanks.
You are correct about my original campaign world--I simply used existing maps of the world, or went from memory.
When I did the map for the World of Greyhawk product I made up 90% of
the material on the spot...and liked it better than what I had been
doing so switched my own campaign to the newly created world of Oerth.
Only the places surrounding the City of Greyhawk came from my original
campaign setting.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
You
have a flair for names -- Beek Gwenders, Philotomy Jurament, Ycore
Rixle, etc. I know that names of this sort aren't the fashion in fantasy
these days, but, as I've probably said too much already, they have a
certain panache to them that I wish we'd see more of. Instead, we get
either faux Tolkien (but without the good professor's philological
depth) or jumbles of nonsense. Ah well.
I presume you simply read very widely as a child and as an adult and
this accounts for your thesaurus-like command of the language? In
running my own Greyhawk campaign, I've attempted to imitate your naming
conventions so as to stay consistent with the style of the published
names. The best I have managed is the clever use of anagrams, which is
another lovely quirk of the names you've gifted to us.
About all I can say is that you are correct when you assume I have read
extensively. This house is filled with books and some magazines as well.
About all that I am not fond of in literature are the classics and best
sellers :-o
As for names, I often spend a n inordinate amount of time creating what I feel best suits the person, place, or thing.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
I
also have a recollection that, once upon a time, the "map" of the area
surrounding the City of Greyhawk was represented by the map of the old
Avalon Hill game Outdoor Survival. I
may be confusing the issue, because I remember that volume 3 of OD&D
recommended this method of quickly generating wilderness terrain.
Noppers! I had a rough map of the area around Greyhawk sketched out on
an 8.5" x 11" sheet if paper--long since lost. The OS board was for
outdoor adventures away from the city. The ponds were castles, and there
one's PC or PC party couod oftenb engage in some chivlrous combat...or
slap an evil knight or mage.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Flexor the Mighty!
Thanks
for the reply. I bought a fifth and was just curious what your opinion
on it was. We will have to raise a toast to your health before the
game tonight.
Heh-heh-heh...
My son Luke was here just last Thursday sampling a tot of 18-year-old
Glen Fiddich. He allowed he liked 12-year-old Glen Livet about as well.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Gary,
Early roleplaying, much like the stories which were its primary
inspirations, didn't always draw hard and fast distinctions between
"fantasy" and "science fiction," as we're likely to do nowadays. Was
this the case in your home campaign as well? I've often wondered if the
conversion rules for Gamma World were
written for reasons other than simply providing another option to the
beleaguered DM or if the Mighty Servant of Leuk-o was more a robot than a
golem (or if the distinction even makes any sense).
Thanks.
As a matter of fact I never attempted to give my
campaign any airs, just provided as much entertainment as possible for
those playing in it. Thus anything was fair game, from Gothis horror to
SF, along with everything in between. One of the favorite places my
better players liked to be transported to for an adventure was the
"Carabas," where the Dirdir hunted sequin takers...and they as did Adam
Reith, hunted the Dirdir as in Jack Vance's novel
The Dirdir from the "PLanet of Adventure" quatrology. That set of stories being amongst my very favorites.
The players wisely declined to venture into NYC during the famous
blackout. After wholloping some street punks they went back down the
subway tunnel to where the inter-unicerse game was still operational.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Gary,
Do you have any recollection of what Shadowland
would have contained? I noticed that you produced quite a few Plane of
Shadow-related monsters, spells, and items over a certain period back in
the TSR days. Were these in any way related to or derived from the work
you did on this unfinished/unreleased product?
Thanks.
An agathocacological plane of insubstantial stuff
has always fascinated me since I began contemplating additional realms.
So the shadows from A. Merritt's
Creep Shadow, Creep
novel were included in the AD&D game, and new and similar monsters
added to the projected plane betweem light and darkness. Skip Williams
was going to co-author a long adventure module and sourcebook for the
place, but he decided to remain a loyal employee of Lorraine Williams
instead. I have my notes, but his are amons=gst them, so doing such a
worrk now is pretty much unlikely.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tewligan
Hey Gary, I was wondering what your take was on the original version of Palace of the Silver Princess.
I know that most copies of it were quickly rounded up and destroyed
almost immediately after printing - was that your call, or did someone
else think it was a little too iffy to release when they laid eyes on
it? Did the editing/review process get more thorough after that
near-release? It does seem pretty tame today, but I guess it was seen as
being a little much 30 years ago (although, that Erol Otus drawing of
the 3-headed creatures was just WRONG...with the exception of one
unusually dashing and handsome head, of course!)
>:-) Bah!
There was no reason to pull the initial version of the
Palace of the Silver Princess as far as I am concerned. The same was obviously true in the minds of the editors that sent it into production.
Kevin Blume was responsible for recalling it--strange fellow he. Every
book he read made him an expert on the subject dealt with in the work.
At one time he was going to use a penlight to examine employees' eyes
for signs of drug use, but he was dissuaded finally.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
This is what gaming is missing nowadays: vocabulary higher than that of a fifth grader! When I was a boy, D&D
enriched my vocabulary like no other entertainment did. I can't begin
to tell you how indebted I am to you for the new words you introduced to
me through the game.
I was read to a lot by my parents, and my mother made sure that I took the vocabulary tests in each month's
Reader's Digest by challenging me to beat her which I managed to do only in my mid-teens.
I regret to say that I've read little to nothing of Merritt that I
can recall, despite his being an influence on the game. Do you have any
recommendations of where one might start to get acquainted with his
works?
Moon Pool Dwellers in the Mirage Creep Shadow, Creep Face in the Abyss Fox Woman Return to the Moon Pool
Those are my faviorites
A pity. I remember reading old columns of yours where you laid out your plans for future AD&D products and Shadowland was one of the most interesting to me (along with the City of Greyhawk).
Yes, water under the bridge can evoke some regrets. The plan I had for the city was far too ambitious, certainly. The way that
Castle Zagyg, Yggsburgh, has been and is being completed is more reasonable as I am not older and wizer.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
hi gary!
what do you think of characters and age?
i mean, isnt odd a 1st lvl M-U old, bald, with long beard?
i always try to make young 1st lvl characters....whats your thoghts about this?
I am in agreement with you, although a fledgling m-u will likely be a
good deal older than a 1st level fighter. So for beginning PCs I suggest
age 18 or so for a fighter or thief, age 21 or so for a cleric, and age
25 or thereabouts for a magic-user.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
I'll
see if I can find them, although I suspect most are out of print. It's
damnably hard to find older fantasy authors nowadays.
Try
www.bookfinder.com
This raises another question I'd intended to ask: do you view your
work on Castle Zagyg as being better or at least more well considered
than your older creative efforts? There are lots of obvious
commonalities between, for example, your Greyhawk work and your
Yggsburgh work, but there are also quite a few differences as well. I
don't want to ask you to choose between your children, so to speak, but
are there things you specifically chose to do differently with Yggsburgh
that you either wish you had done with Greyhawk or simply had never
considered doing way back when?
Thanks.
While I do not think I would change the manner in which I presented the
World of Greyhawk, the
Castle Zagyg
setting is too different to be comparable. The Eastmark in which the
town lies is only some 1,500 square miles in extent, so greater detail
of smaller areas of terrain and communities therein is necessary in
order to present an interesting and useful work for the game master. The
main feature of the area is the town, Yggsburgh, so that has the most
detail--and when the 24 additional town sector and suburban area modules
are completed that detail will be as exhaustive as is desirable for a
place where the GM remains the primary arbiter of the existing places
actual nature and inhabitants.
In the Yggsburgh work the GM had much detailed information as is
necessary for a small adventuring ares, so input into the campaign is
more of the alteration and addition sort, with innovative expansion
mainly encouraged in the areas just off the map edges.
Does that make sense to you?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Whoa! I've never heard of that one. Since The Moon Pool is thus far perhaps my favorite Merritt tale (though it's so hard to choose), I'm going to have to track that one down. :-)
Gary, how do you treat small, very young dragons in your A/D&D
games? Do you make them significantly shorter than the lengths listed in
the Monster Manual? And, if so, do you make the area covered by their
breath weapons significantly smaller?
As a matter of fact I
have not utilized itty-bitty dragonlings in my campaign play...nothing
like the Norweigen Ridgeback in the Harry Potter flick.
If I were going to do so I would certainly make these creatures considerably smaller than the first listed dragon entry in the
MM, and limit the range and damage from their breathe weapon accordingly.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Prince of Happiness
Have you read any of the new issues of Weird Tales?
No, and worse, I didn't even know that the magazine had resumed publication (^_^')
Any comment on the nature of the material being printed therein? If it
is typical of contemporary weird fiction I won't feel constrained to
rush out and buy a copy...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
I think so.
Do you prefer the smaller scale approach of Yggsburgh/East Mark or do
you prefer the larger swaths of territory described by Greyhawk? I see
distinct advantages to both, so you may not have a preference.
Thanks.
As you suggest, I do not have a preference. The
smaller scale of the Yggsburgh project is to facilitate the presentation
of the ruins of Castle Zagyg and its many dungeon levels. As it is
likely that there will be a good deal of adventuring activity in the
town and surrounding countryside, the urban area has been extensively
detailed, while the less-developed land around it has been
well-described and provided with additional adventure hooks as befits
such a setting.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Prince of Happiness
It's
not bad. There's a good mix of classic stories brought back and some
good new ones as well and the new ones aren't
"weirdness-for-weirdness's-sake" crap as written by my barista or
anything. Tanith Lee still contributes short stories to it, as well as
others.
Thanks for the information.
Seems as if I need to get to somewhere around here that sells magazines...no easy task these days.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Prince of Happiness
Mmm!
Your best chances would be a subscription, as I've found...the hard
way. :| But I should go look around at the magazine stores we have in
town as well.
For some reason I dislike subscribing to any periodical...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Gary,
Perhaps you can shed some light on what you see as the quintessential
differences between the cleric and the paladin. Somewhere or other you
once stated that the cleric was modeled on religious knights from the
Middle Ages, like the Templars and Hospitallers, (correct me if I'm
mistaken) but the level titles for the class -- not to mention how it
was portrayed in published materials -- suggest that it was more priest
than knight. Paladins seem to be the opposite side of the coin, more
knight than priest but still with a touch of both.
Is this correct? I ask mostly because, nowadays especially, there seems
to be a strange dislike for both the cleric and the paladin classes and
it's sometimes argued that either they're redundant of one another or
somehow inappropriate to D&D. Obviously, I disagree on both counts, but I'd be interested in knowing what you imagined when you added both into the game.
Thanks.
Actually the cleric was based losely on Bishop
Odo, brother of Duke William of Normandy, the fictitional Friar Tuck,
and a religious proscription against the shedding of blood.
The paladin was likewise loosely drawn from the Paladins of Charlemagne and the Code of Chivalry.
Changes in both archetypes were mandated by the game system for which
they were designed. As they two are quite different archetypes,
criticism of these classes on grounds of similarity is fatuois. The
purpose of each class in the campaign milieu is quite different.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Prince of Happiness
Not to mention one, where in its current incarnation, you haven't read. :-D
Quite so.
In general, though, I dislike having magazines arrive when I am not in
the mood to read them, and after a couple sit in the to be read stack
for a time I feel guilty...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
wow, tx gary!
so simple and and feel so right!
also, if you see a 80 years old mage, maybe you are in big trouble!
but if you see a 80 yo fighter.... :-P
OTOH,
If you see a gaggle of young, fresh-faces chaps in pointy hats it is
also a good idea to beat feet immediately, as one is sure to fail at
least one saving throw against charm person :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
That's
interesting; I don't believe I've ever heard mention of the Odo of
Bayeaux connection. It makes sense in retrospect, although Odo doesn't
have the best reputation historically, being something of a schemer,
even against his own kin.
I take it then, from published sources such as Greyhawk materials, that
you envisioned clerics (the character class) working as priests as well
as semi-warriors? Hommlet, for example, is serviced by clerics at its
temple to St. Cuthbert. I presume this means you saw no need for a
non-cleric "priest" class or something similar?
As far as I
am concerned the terms cleric and priest are interchangable for the
AD&D class. Consider many of the spells available to the
cleric--clearly meant to provide for the general population.
As a matter of fact in more recent times I have reconsidered the role of
the cleric in a fantasy milieu with active deities. The ecclesiastics
are much undervalued in most FPPG systems. They should be as prevalent
and iat least as nfluential as were the churchmen in early medieval
Europe. Not only do they guarantee much in regards social continuity,
teaching, community health, weather, husbandry, and agriculture; but
they provide a working link to higher powers that interact with humanity
regularly and often not benignly save through their good offices.
If you happen to see my book,
Living Fantasy, have a look at what I have to say about the rile of clerics therein.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
What?
No "Prisoner of Zenda", "White Fang", or "Connecticut Yankee in King
Arthur's Court" for you? (I'd forgotten I'd read these classic
adventure tales as a kid!) :-)
Or are you referring to heavy-weight classics, like Shakespeare (he was a
pretty good writer!), "War and Peace", and "Moby-Dick".
"It doesn't have to be old to be classic." -- Slogan of "I-95" radio (WRKI), Brookfield, CT in the mid-1990s.
"It doesn't have to be classic to be old." -- Slogan of a competitor
station who's not good enough to remember the call letters of.
I read all of those young reader classics, but I preferred
Tarzan and the Jewels of Ophir, Kit Carson and the Golden Canyon, Jerry Todd and the Whispering Mummy, and
Waab, the Biography of a Grizzly.
I enjoy Shakespeare well enough, aced the course in college, and I have
written a fairly good Shakesperian sonnetfor a pal to use in impressing
the lady with whom he was smitte, They later married.
The Russian and French classics, as well as most of the English and American ones are what I was referring to, including
Moby Dick and
War and Peace. OTOH, if one considers Sherlock Holmes stories classic, I am quite fond of such classics.
I thought the "Topper" stories great as a youngster but was bored to tears reading
Anthony Adverse.
All of those books mentioned above and many others such as the complete
works of Shakespeare, Twain, Poe, and Balzac were in the family library
at home, and whenever I was out of comic books and later pulp zines and
paperbacks I would read them. Sometimes in bad weather I'd burn through
three pulp zines a day, or a couple of average novels or a long one. My
reading speed back then was near to 600 words a minute with c. 95%
comprehension. College studying slowed my speed down a good deal, and I
never attempted to regain what was lost as that made the books I enjoyed
reading last longer.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Raven Crowking
The
DMG makes mention of The Tempest in the play sample....surely you can't be against Shakespeare!
What about The Count of Monte Cristo and writers like H.G. Wells?
;-)
See above ;-)
Prospero and Caliban were interesting certainly.
Rafael Sabatini wrote more interesting historical yarns than did dumas.
H.G. Wells was less interesting to me than Jules Verne.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Eggcellent!
The through-the-gates to London in the 1980s adventure in Dragon was
one of my very favorites, though I've wanted to save it as a campaign
capper.
Whoa!
You made sense of my sloppy, typo-ridden statement. congratulations B-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
When
I read about the shadows and shades in the MMII, I had the idea that
the Mage of the "Valley of the Mage" was one. I'm going to guess that
was not your intent? (^_^')
No, the spell-worker
ruling the Valley of the Mage was envisioned by me as a demi-urge in
retirement rather akin to Tom Bombadil.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
I assumed that was your intention. I ask mostly because there are some differences between the D&D cleric archetype and the more usual priestly one, specifically the combat puissance of the cleric.
....
Remember that I modeled the cleric class on Bishop Odo and Friar Tuck...both able combatants ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Gary,
I can't help but notice that, among the many PCs from your old Greyhawk
campaign, comparatively few of them are demihumans. Likewise, Oerth,
while possessing a few demihuman states like Celene, is clearly a world
where humanity holds the upper hand. I presume this was done
intentionally, perhaps as a nod to the pulp fantasies where non-human
races are rare to non-existent?
Thanks.
Of course all well-considered fantasy world
settings are homocentric. The authors are human, and all of the actual
historical information available deals only with human culture, society,
and history, save for mytholoigy and folklore. Even those latter
sources are homocentric in perspective.
I for one do not care to spend years of time and effort imagining and
creating an exotic universe for a non-human race or races, complete with
all that pertains to such a group. Just think of all the informatin we
know and have recorded regarding humanity, and the effort needed to
create a tenth of that lore for an imaginary race.
In short, that's why all the non-human races in imaginative writings
such as books and games are not really very different from humans, just
variants of them with some qualities exaggerated to give apparent
differentiation--Klingons are fiercely warlike, Vulcans are coldly
mental, Ferengi are completely crass and venal, etc. So dwarves are
stout and love ale, elves are slender and nature-oriented, orcs are ugly
and brutal...but have essentially human culture and societies.
Cheers,
Gary
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by trollwad
Can
you elaborate a bit on how you envisioned the Mage of the Valley? What
exactly do you mean by a demi-urge? A demi-god somehow tied to a
specific geographic feature. For example, the river (godling) Skamander
in the Iliad? How similar was he to Basiliv in your Gord novel? I
found Basiliv and Bardilingham odd because they seemed awfully tame
compared to how the Valley of the Mage was described in the world of
greyhawk glossography.
I use the Skamander example because I had always thought that since the
mighty Javan River rises in the valley that the demi-urge might be
related to the river (relegated to a backwater due to humanity's
incursion into the Sheldomar)?
Any other thoughts on this topic? The nature of the Valley of the Mage
was always one of those untouched gems that linger to this day.
As the IP in question is the property of
WotC/Hasbro, I find it bootless to go into lengthy discussions regarding any portion of it.
Suffice say that Basiliv was envisaged as a demiurge in the classic
sense of the term, a tool used by the creator, and is better personified
by envisioning Tom Bombadil.
The rest is in the hands of the DMs utilizing the setting...and
WotC to whatever extent they care to elaborate upon it.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Fair
enough. What I actually meant, though -- and the answer is probably the
same at any rate -- is why did you make demihumans and demihuman states
rare in the Greyhawk setting? Was this simply a consequence of their
being difficult to describe in anything other than broad/stereotypical
terms or was there an (for wont of a better word) "philosophical" reason
for their scarcity? I'd always assumed that it was the influence of
both earlier fantasy, which tended to lack demihumans altogether, and an
adherence to folklore, which generally assumes that "demihumans" hide
from humanity.
My apologies if this question is simply a repetition of what I asked previously.
Thanks.
The answer is related to what I said regarding the
virtual impossibility of creating a completely exotic milieu for a
human-like, or even an intelligent, non-human species. There is no frame
of reference from which to work.
As for the demi-human, and humanoid as well, states in the Flanaess,
they are relatively few because it is assumed that humans are the
dominant species on the world. Were it otherwise, then one would have to
deal with the creation of one or more exotic cultures and societies
that I addressed previously. the locigal level limits on non-human races
is also directly related to this problem.
Personally, I do not find a cobbled-up "non-human" history, culture, and
society that is plainly based on humanity particularly attractive in a
fantasy world setting...even if a special language is created to give
the contrived work verisimilitude.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
I thoroughly agree. Non-humans should not be absurd "funny-looking humans with cool powers".
Tell me, what else are virtually all the humanoid races in fantasy and
SF if not just that?...although they may not have special powers, just
accentuated human characterists and senses.
As a matter of fact I am guilty of creating such species myself, but
there is a reason, I am a human and think accordingly, and as I think I
create. when a young female editor for a large publishing house once
querried me in accusitory tone, "Why do you always write from the
masculine perspective?!"
"Madam, I happen to be a male."
;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Griffith Dragonlake
Hi
Gary, I wanted to get your opinion on the level draining ability of
undead. Personally I have no problem with it both as a player and as a
DM. I believe that between turning undead and restoration, a careful
party can deal with such creatures successfully albeit with a great deal
of healthy fear.
However, there are some others who hate level draining. One argument
against level draining is that at least in 3rd edition, it causes too
much bookkeeping. Given the complexity of 3rd edition character
descriptions, I can understand that argument but I think it is really an
indictment of 3rd edition rules rather than level draining.
In the 30 years that have elapsed since the AD&D Monster Manual was
released, have you changed your opinion on level draining?
Sbiort answer: No, I still am q=wholly behind loss of levels from
undead and certain magic items. As you note there are sufficient
counters to such loss as to mitigate the worst effects if the PC party
is played well.
I can not comment on the
3E system of handling this, as such effect never happened in the 20 or so game sessions I did play using that system.
In my experience most of the players that whine about level draining are either not truly skillful ones or pure power gamers.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Vargo
I
thought I'd back up Gary with something a science fiction author (David
Brin) once said when asked about creating memorable alien species - he
basically said that he takes one trait (such as being a trickster, or
being stubborn, or scheming, or something like that) and turns the dial
up to eleven on that trait. He does have some pretty unusual creatures
in his universe...
Nothing to ask Gary today, other than a sincere hope that your health is good!
Yuppers!
It would be possible to create a completely different non-human species,
but because the one doing so is human, some of that will surely show up
in the supposedly exotic species, its history, cultures, and
societies...not to mention technology. The time and effort required to
devise such a thing would surely be inordinate, for the more successful
the result the less the audience will be able to relate to it 8-D
And yes thanks! I am feeling pretty well and right chipper...only a tad overworked now in semi-retirement X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sanguinemetaldawn
Colonel,
In the AD&D PH, you wrote the following regarding the Bard in the appendix:
"Even though this presentation is greatly modified from the original
bard character class, it is offered as supplemental to the system, and
your DM will be the final arbiter as to the inclusion of bards in your
campaign."
This piqued my interest, so I have been trying to track down the
original bard class to compare. I went first to OD&D (Men &
Magic, Eldritch Wizardry, etc) and wasn't able to find it, and I don't
know where to start looking next. Did I just miss it or something?
Thanks.
Whoa!
I have a fair to middling memory, but this is too great a demand on it.
going back 30 years for the basis of a character class is not possible,
but...
Check
The Strategic Review first and then earlly issues of
The Dragon magazine, as it seems likely that is where the initial treatment of the Bard appeared.
Any reader know the actual periodical name and date of issue for the article on the Bard as a character class?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, you and Brian Blume share the credits for the 1974 Warriors of Mars
game. Do you recall how much each of you contributed to the game? Did
you ever referee any rpg campaigns using the individual rules in this
game?
Howdy,
As a matter of fact the collaboration was one in which Brian and I
contributed around equally. the combat system is his, while I did most
of the monsters, and the rest we shared. Brian and I co-GMed a WoM game
compaign for a time, and I used the setting for some of my D&D
adventures. When the Burroughs Estate shut down the publication, that
was the end of active play of the system as a stand-along RPG.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I
do consider Sherlock Holmes among the classics. 600 wpm reading speed
and long, stormy Wisconsin winters explain a lot about you, Gary. :-)
Sadly, I'm a much slower reader, so I've read much less, more like 40 pages an hour instead of . . . something like 120 for you?
As for Shakespeare, I like it, but the Shakespeare course was my worst
grade in college. Apparently, I was not cut out to study such things,
even though my parents met in English department grad school.
<shrug>
Yes, my reading speed was at c. 600 wpm
until I was out of my teens, began reading more serious history, not
merely Harolf Lamb books and historical novels. It dropped lower when I
went to college.
I haven't timed myself for many years, but I expect I read at about 100
or so wpm for serious books, double that when reading an exciting bit of
fiction. I burned through the Richard Sharpe series by Cornwell far too
quickly :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Oh-oh!
It has been nearly 50 years since i read Plato's
Republic (^_^')
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
"Read" =/= "studied" :-)
The demiurge is not described in Republic, though. It is found in the dialog, Timaeus.
Gary, you've mentioned some college studies. I recall that you had a
description of your overall formal education at your old homepage . . .
would you mind recounting it here please?
Nah...
It's too brief to bother with. Only about a year's worth of college
credits...and acceptance to the U of Chicago that I turned down in favor
of a position as an onsurance underwriter.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nagora
Notice
that almost all the demihumans live much longer lives than humans.
Imagine the effects of lifting the level limits. What levels would a
1500 year old elf have? How many human armies could withstand the attack
of a platoon of 100th level dwarven fighters?
Without something to explain why it is otherwise, the lifespans alone of
demihumans would reduce humans to a borderline existance in a world of
magic and battle.
That's what I've always assumed was behind the level limits. Personally,
I'd also cap the demi-human thief ability too, although it would be a
very high cap.
Now to ask my first question!
I've just finished reading through the whole of these threads and I
think I can just about remember my own name but at least I know what has
been asked before.
Obviously, I want to congratulate Gary on writing such a successful game
and creating a whole genre of entertainment; an achievement attained by
very few per century. And thank him for years of enjoyment
I also don't want to ask about all the usual AD&D topics so...
Gary: how do you run initiative in shogi? :-D
Perhaps not...
Seriously, though, I'd like to know how often do you get to play shogi? I
played a human opponent until about 12 years ago and then moved on (due
to my opponent moving) to playing the computer. Once I upgraded past
266MHz, though, the computer became too good for me and I've not played
for a long time. There is little to be learned from losing EVERY time!
"Normal" Chess players seem very unwilling to try it - much as I find
that lawn bowlers fear ten-pin in case it throws their eye out for their
competition games - do you find this?
What about other Chess variants? Do you get any play in at all? Have you
tried the Discworld's Thud (available in nice sets now)?
Sure, and doing what I did was a good deal of fun for me as well!
Initiative in Shogi? Why Rock-Paper-Scissors, of course X-D
Sadly, I too have few opponents for a game these days, although back
around 20 or so years ago there were several persons willing to have it
on the Shogi board, I was even contemplating getting a proper board
(with the wires underneath it) and men to march it back in those days. I
had a couple of books I read to improve my game so I wasn't a total
novice.
Last summer I taught a visiting grandson of mine to play, and he kept at
if for over two hours...determined to give his grandpater a tough game.
He did, for at one point a carelessly lost my rook and had to play most
deviosuly to get it back...with interest of a bishop.
My two favorite variant--as opposed to national--chess games are Double
Chess and my own version of the Courrier game--where the fool has the
power of a king and knight combined, and the bishops (abbots in my game)
are "hopping," but can move bit not take one square horizontally or
vertically so as to change color. The sage next the queen is a silver
general guardian piece. All the remainder of the pieces move as in
modern chess. Because of the 12-file width of the board there are
definate flanks as well as the critica; center board.
I wish I had some regular opponents around that would play variant and
national games, but serious chess players know that doing that makes
their regular game suffer. Once when I was seriously playing chess
around age 20 I won two and drew one in a 10-game match against a USCF
rated Expert, No chance of that now.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Vargo
Gygax
plays Shogi? :-o I shouldn't be surprised, but I seriously thought I
was the only one who had heard of that game on these shores, and I
haven't played for lack of an opponent in something like fifteen years.
Ah, that was a fun game...
I found a reference to it in what was then my grandfather's Eleventh Edition of the
Encyclopedia Britannica
back when I was about 15. (The entry mentioned "punt-shaped pieces," a
piece known as "The shooter with two bows," and another that was the
"angle-goer." I was intregued but could learn no more. That interest was
spurred on because
i had discvered the rules for Double Chess and Circular Chess in
The Boy's Own Book,
1890 Edition, from the same library at home. It mentioned there were
many different chess games, and I wanted to learn them all.
Finally when I was around age 21 and back living in Chicago I came
across a Japanese gift shop on Broadway, Uhara's. Therein I found a book
on Shogi and bought it along with a small wooden board and pieces. It
was easy to techh myself how to play then.
Since then I have taught the game to a fair number of persons, but I
lack a regular opponent. I even queried the owner of the Japanese
restaurant here in Lake Geneva, but he is a Go player. That game is not
my cup of tea...
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nagora
That
reminds me of Dragonchess. I actually programmed my computer to play
Dragonchess at the time when the rules were printed in Dragon #100 but
the technology of the time meant that even a 3-ply search took something
like 45 minutes, and with no openings book, that was for every move
right from the start. That was too long to wait for a fairly poor level
of challenge so I gave up on it and made a set with the boards layed out
on the table in 2D. A bit of practise allowed us to map the boards up
and down by eye okay and I had a few games with my friend Paul. I might
have another go at writing a program; my computer might actually be up
to it now.
The
Dragonchess game gets a fair but of coverage on the Chess Variants boards.
Just glancing at Dragon 100 (the only issue I always have to hand)
reminds me of the very silly London scenario - how we laughed!
Horse-drawn hackney cabs and street urchins on the same encounter table
as punk-rockers? It was a nice idea but designers of "real-world"
scenarios should avoid cities they've never to, especially if they have a
readership there.
London is a great and fascinating city. The second time I was
there we were wandering around, and I said to Gail, "I've been here
before." Sure enough, I spotted Veriswami's Restaurant and there was
Bond Street. We picked up a great Camel's sweater and a matching muffler
for Gail in one of the shops.
A few years earlier, the first time I visited London I recall being in
Trafalgar Square enjoying the sights, wearing my levis, cowboy boots and
a wide belt with a buckle that was a smiling full moon. A young Brit
came by, eyed me up and down, and nodded his approval of my garb. I was
most amused.
The last time we visited I made the error of staying at the Berkley
Hotel for the evening rather than getting a room at The Duke's. The
place was superb, a five star hotel for certain, but what a cost and
cash only. Luckily I was planning on doing some shopping at Herrod's so I
had the 650 pounds sterling to cover the one-day stay there :-o
But I digress. I do have a question about your players.
Obviously you play with what must be the most experienced role-players
in the world at times. What's more, some of them have been playing with
you right through from the start.
How do you think their playing styles have changed over the years? I've
noticed that there is more roleplaying - speaking in character,
separating character and player knowledge etc. - in our groups than when
we started out (Judges Guild Thieves of Badabasker was the first
commercial scenario/module I ever DMed). In the early days there wasn't a
lot one could say really distinguished our Dungeon and Dragons play
from our Dungeon! play. What changes have you noticed in your "old
timers" play?
As a matter of fact the "old-timers" seldom get together to
adventure. When we do it is usually a session filled with a lot of
nostalgia, and nothing approching serious campaign play.
Of course mature players are not averse to doing some
role-playing--something with which younger gamers are often
uncomfortable primarily because they are not really sure who they are
yet.
All in all, though, because no one has an ongoing campaign hereabouts
(the scourage of work and family demands), most of our RPG sessions are
aimed at action and do not focus on character development.
On a separate topic: I played the Western US board of Age of Steam
at my brother's house last week (my fianc� won so there's a good chance
we'll be playing THAT again). I know you have a liking for railroad
games and I would say that I enjoyed AoS more than Ticket to Ride
Europe. Have you played AoS?
We played
Railroad Tycoon
last Wednesday at Ernie's place. I thought for sure Tom Wham was going
to win, but in the end, three of us were about two to five points behind
Ernie.
I won the last two games of TtRE we played, so I do like that game X-D
Regretably, I have not tried Age of Steam as yet. I must see if Tom Wham
has the game, and if not I'll see about getting a copy for Christmas.
Thanks for the recommendation.
It seems a shame that the old
Rail Baron game is not kept in print, as it is great fun.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
As a FWIW:
In the 1940s in Chicago there were horse-drawn milk wagons and junkmen's wagons as well.
In the late 1940s there were still horse-drawn farm wagons in Lake Geneva, although not many.
Of course these days horse and carriage rigs are commonly seen here, as tourists love to ride around thus.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan
True,
but speaking as another Brit. that scenario stank to the stinkiest
degree. I had a run of Dragons from issue 30ish, lots of scenarios,
mostly passable, some excellent. I stopped buying soon after 100. it was
made worse (in the UK) because if I remember right TSR UK had been set
up back then. If anyone at Dragon had thought to pass the scenario by
TSR UK I'm pretty sure that the head guy (Ed Turnbull?) would have said
'It stinks.' It had policemen with guns too, and the currency was wrong.
I'm old, I'm grumpy, and I have much hate for that scenario.
Don turnbull was heading up TSR UK back then. I had urged him to do a British Edition of
The Dragon, but he insisted on a whole new magazine,
Imagine. Had he been amenible to my suggestion, that scenario would never have appeared.
Bobbies with firearms indeed 8-D
How I loved the old English monetary system with its farthings,
ha'pence, pence, shillings, florins, half-crowns, crowns, pounds, and
guineas--really confusing until one learned it, and so I patterened the
AD&D monetary system on it.
Someone likely older and grumpier than you, but one that loves real ale and English cusine X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan
I
always rather liked Imagine, of course, in the good old days there was
competition from the Uk's best RPG mag, White Dwarf. I suppose that it's
still going, unlike Dragon, but in my opinion death is better that the
fate White Dwarf suffered.
Even in the seventies, the key to the only gun cabinet in the police
station (and not all stations had gun cabinets) was kept locked in the
station safe.
When you start sticking the slang terms for currency, like tanner & bob that really cionfuses the young 'uns X-D
I'll certainly give you older, and I'm sure that you've got a lot more than me to be grumpy about!
It is notable that the new direction for GW has been so successful, and
that they are now the second largest hobby game company in the world.
If they focused on RPGs I do believe that GW would be recruiting and
growing the market...quite unlike what
WotC is doing.
IIRR, a bob is a shilling, but I haven't heard of a tanner. None of my english chums ever used the term. Do tell, what is it?
And heh...I am seldom grumpy on these boards, for the comments and
questions here are generally polite, interesting, and enjoyable. It is a
matter of fact, though, that I do get rather irrascible now and again.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Nagora,
I am not much of a one for fantasy miniatures mysself.
A sixpence, eh? How jolly! X-D
I have had a few wise guys here and on the Dragonsfoot boards. The worst
seems to be RPGnet, so I assiduously ignore that website.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by loseth
Colonel,
I used to assume that D&D was based on Tolkien, but doing a study of typical themes and elements in Howard�s Conan
stories, I quickly realised that I had been mistaken, and that (1e)
D&D was, in fact, far more Hyborea than Middle Earth. So, I'm dying
to know: If you had to rank the degree of influence the following four
authors had on you when you designed AD&D, would this ranking be
accurate?
1. Howard
2. Leiber
3. Vance
4. Lovecraft
And part 2: Is that list of 4 missing any very significant influence(s)?
Are any of those authors not deserving of the title 'very significant
influence on D&D?'
Thanks,
loseth
It is hard to rank such infuence, but I'll take a
stab at it...and add authors as well. Some on the list below are
virtually tied as I consider them:
Howard
De Camp & Pratt
Vance
Leiber
Moorcock
Merritt
Lovecraft
Saberhagen
Poul Amderson
Tolkien
...and a score of others ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Gary,
If my memory does not fail me, the original write-up for Iuz in Dragon
was vague about his demonic parentage, theorizing that he might be "a
by-blow of Orcus." Later, it was revealed that Graz'zt was the Old One's
demonic sire. Was there any reason for this change (if change it be)
and, if so, did it relate to your use of Orcus or Graz'zt in the
Greyhawk campaign?
Thanks.
The very same question was recently posed on
another website. When I was hyping Iuz I thought suggesting that Orcus
was his sire would make Iuz more menacing. I never intenbded to link his
parentage to that mighty demon, and thus later on I noted that Graz'zt
was his progenator.
I had Orcus appear once in my campaign, but Iuz was was a
behing-the-scenes figure far more often. That said, none of the PCs were
of sufficient level to manage a confrontation with Iuz, let alone
Graz'zt or Orcus.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by T. Foster
Michael Moorcock has climbed a bit since your list in the AD&D
DMG
(which included Merritt and Lovecraft but not Moorcock on the list of
"most immediate influences"), and I'm also a bit surprised to see Fred
Saberhagen so high on the list (above other "usual suspects" like
Burroughs, Farmer, and Fox). I've read Saberhagen's "Empire of the East"
series (on the basis of your recommendation in the aforementioned
DMG list) but nothing else -- are there any other titles by him that you particularly recommend?
The first two Elric stories were very influential in the development of
the D&D game. Saberhagen is listed for his "Empire of the East"
that I very much liked. None other of his novels struck me in this
regard. Anyway, the series Saberhagen called to mind Stanley Weinbau''s
The BLack Flame.
That is not to deny Farmer, Fox, and Burrough had considerable
influence. As I noted, another score of authors belong on the list.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
hi gary!
sorry if someone asked this before, but...
why drows have spiders as "sacred"?
i mean, why do you choose spiders? any reason in particular?
what is your thoght about "good" drows (not drizzt, i was thinking on that eberron scorpion clan, or something like that)
tx!
The Drow are nasty and poisonous and lurking and dwell in darkness as do many sorts of spiders.
As I created them, there are absolutely no good Drow save for the insane.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
That's
interesting. I take it then that, in your Greyhawk campaign, characters
didn't tend to reach very high levels of experience? One of the things I
always liked and appreciated about AD&D
was the difficulty of achieving levels above 9th or so. This ensured
that even long-played characters never became veritable living gods
capable of singlehandedly taking on armies and so forth. This seems much
more in keeping with the pulp fantasies that influenced the development
of the game.
The old veterans had PCs with levels in the
teens after about 10 yeras of play. Back then my own highest level PC
was the same, although nearly 20th level. It was common to virtually
retire a character when 15th or so level was attained.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
This
really is remarkable to hear, both because of the slowness of leveling
and the longevity of these characters. Nowadays, I read constantly about
the notion that most D&D
campaigns last about 18 months, during which time the PCs reach higher
levels than yours did in 10 years. Not to sound like an old man but,
when I was playing AD&D regularly,
we simply assumed any player who claimed to have a character above
level 15 or so either to have been lying or to have a Monty Haul-style
DM.
How things have changed!
Remember that my group began
playing late in 1972, and that most of the dedicated regulars had more
than one PC. No one wanted very high level PCs because that precluded
their character from many of the adventures run. The only DM that
managed a campaign accommodating such PCs was Francois Marcela
Froideval. In his game PCs in their teens were low-level flunkies.
Anyway, there was no coddling of characters, so everyone of us made sure
to have undo petrafication, clones, wish spells, and a helpful cleric
ready for times of chrises... :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hi Darkwolf71,
As a natter of fact I have not seen the Mongoose treatment of the Drow. I
can say though, that if the dark elves are seeking to remove themselves
to the surface world, wrong! Only if the drow could make the upper
world lightless would they want to inhabit it.
Of course there is a leap there, but just in case... X-D
Feel free to address me as Gary, and to ask whatever questions you might
have. I am not shy about answering, or not replying to the query save
to say no way will I address the subject ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by ColonelHardisson
Hi Gary -
I've been remiss in checking in on this thread lately, so I may have
missed it if you told how you liked Gene Wolfe's "The Knight." Did you
like it enough to read "The Wizard"? If so, did you enjoy the story as a
whole?
Hi Colonel :-)
I went through
The Knight with verve. Then I started in
The Wizard
and found it slower going. I am only about half way through the book,
reading some original Conan as well as a Planet Stories Moorcock novel
from Paizo instead of finishing it. I am having trouble relating to the
"good" frost giants...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Burlappen
Hey! (Wow...Gary Gygax...heh)
I read something really interesting in the last Paizo produced Dragon magazine (before the rights reverted to
WotC). They quoted you from a 1984 interview with Polyhedron saying:
"By the way, action takes place on Yarth, a place somewhat similar to
Oerth, the setting of Greyhawk et al. It has fewer magical properties
than Oerth, but more than Earth. It is not impossible that additional
works will be contracted for in months to come, action being set on
Yarth or perhaps another alternate world, Aerth. On Earth, magic is
virtually non-existant. On Uerth, dwomers are weak, chancy things. Yarth
has a sprinking of things magical, and Oerth is pure magic."
Now I am well aware of what has been done with the various D&D
settings by other people, but I'm curious to go to the man himself:
What's the structure of YOUR Greyhawk cosmology? How do the different settings (Earth, Yarth, Oerth, etc.) connect?
Any more info you have on what Yarth, Aerth, and Uerth are like in contrast to Greyhawk and Earth?
I read what you wrote and was really intrigued.
What I was
expounding on was a cosmology of parallel worlds to Earth, each with
varying magical activity. I did not mention the technology level of
those worlds or other parallel worlds in the series, but they too exist
in that multiverse.
Aerth was detailed for the Dangerous Journeys game system, but not that
envisioned in 1984 as a direct connection to Oerth was no longer
possible. Since then I have designed the Learth, the world setting for
the
Lejendary Adventure FRPG. It too
is separate as the Aerth is no longer my IP either. At least the
baseling, Earth, remains available to all designers seeking to devise a
connected series of parallel worlds X-D
So many game projects, so little time...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
The Drow of Oerth maybe.
The Drow of Phaeree (Aerth), rivals of the Slaugh, might want to escape
the awful sun they have in Inner Phaeree which is sickly and ghastly.
No Drow on Learth...but there are Dockalfar and Huldra and maybe Ulfs... :-P
An excellent creative alternative, JRT B-)
When you visit let's discuss you detaiing the material X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Tut tut. Easily enough explained away, if one needed to keep such details:
-- Special Branch. Anti-terrorist police are armed, as needed.
-- MI-5 undercover as bobbies.
-- UNIT or Torchwood Institute from Dr. Who undercover as the Met.
(Indeed, the Torchwood Institute is much newer than the Dungeon
adventure, but nonetheless).
-- Alternate universe. Perhaps Jerry won the war?
Nod, this proves the adventure is set pre-1974. I suspected AD&D
money was British, but the 20:1 ratio of sp to gp makes sense in old
silver dollars and $20 eagles too.
Theory: Like our founder, all D&D players appreciate good English
pubs and/or exhibit other minor habits of pro-Britishness, if only
dwarves with bad Scottish accents. Debate.
All I can say
is: that's really stretching it...and if Germany won WW II there would
be Polezi and Gestapo walking about, not Bobbies :-o
And to think the Brits gave up their proper system of measurement for a
French kickshaw. Only the USA won't give an inch in that regard!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Gary,
did you ever use the Rakshasa as a boss monster or other important foe?
Seems interesting, but a little odd to integrate in the average
campaign.
I do remember your story about getting the idea for putting it in
AD&D from a TV show, rather than directly from Indian mythology.
I got inspired about this monster when I saw one in a museum . . . errr, a statue of one!
Yup!
As the AD&D rakshasa is not a potent demon, I did indeed have a
couple of them as the head of a group of nasties bent on wreaking havoc.
As some nagas were opposing them the PCs could get assistance to defeat
the tiger-demons.
My original inspiration for the AD&D rakshasa was indeed an episode of
The Night Stalker.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Darkwolf71
Heh, now that's an interesting thought...
Happy Halloween, Gary (and fellow readers).
I'm wondering this morning, if your camapaigns ever had seasonal themes? I remember the Halloween issues of Dragon were always among my favorites.
The vampires would appreciate the Drow efforts to bring darkness to the
world...as long as that gloom didn't affect their food supply...likely
drow.
Food for all on a lightless workd would be a real problem, wouldn't it?
Anyway, no, I never did have the time to seasonally theme adventures in
my campaign. Seems as if the PCs always had their own theme going.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Ironically,
I just watched that very episode the other day. As a child, it was one
of my favorites and certainly colored the way I used rakshasas in my old
AD&D campaign. Nice to hear you obviously derived as much inspiration from it as I did. :-)
Heh...
I was no child, but I surely found the first few episodes of
The Night Stalker compelling :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Gary,
Did you ever consider using a vague monotheism � la The Lord of the Rings in AD&D
rather than polytheism? I'm assuming not, given things you've said in
the past about angels vs. devas, etc. I ask primarily because I've
always found the medieval trappings of the game somewhat at odds with
its pulp polytheism.
Thanks.
By no means!
As a Christian, playing with actual religion is quite beyond the pale.
Secondarily, the medieval-Renaissance technology has nothing to do with
the supernatural aspects influencing the fantasy milieu. It is also
noteworthy that the medieval world had a plethora of saints and demons
as might a mythological pantheon.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nagora
...
Which brings me to a question for Gary:
You've mentioned a few times the fact that no one in your campaign would
ever have been able to take on a Demon Prince. Yet I think many people
would consider Mordy more than so able on his own, let alone with
Robilar and some of the other "big names" in tow.
I think this reflects a general difficulty for DMs to really get to
grips with the level of challenge such an opponent is supposed to
represent (for instance, there is an active thread over at Dragonfoot's
1st edition forum about why Asmodeus is a whimp because he "only has
199" hit points).
In broad terms, Gary, how would you recommend a DM doing justice to the
power of the top ranks of the Evil planes when encountered by high level
PCs?
Such deital figures are so far beyond ant effects by mortals that I would simply give a warning to that effect, then:
Asmodeus (or whomever it was the PCs were contemplating assaulting)
would send in a few companies of devils (or demons) so as to have some
entertaining sport to amuse him for a time. When he tired of that, it
would be time do something such as begin killing each of the offending
mortals slowly with his power, drawing out their soul if not protected
from him by some other like deity, and sending it off to suffer in one
of the hells or a layer of the abyss.
If: "Hey! you can't do that because X isn't like that in the book," so
what? Who says that the information in that work is correct in regards
to deities? Do you imagne they are going to reveal their secrets to the
likes of you?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nagora
The
fight's not over yet! We still have miles and pints, lbs and stones.
Some of us even try to get furlongs and chains into conversations with
youngsters to test their mettle!
The EU has in fact just this year given up trying to completely convert
us (preferring to leave it to the government to do it through
brainwashing school-children).
X-D
Don't forget spans, cubits, rods, and leagues.
The science teachers really did their best to tout the metric system to
us in school, but it is so non-intuitive that if one is used to inches,
feet, and yards, ounces, cups, pints, quarts, and gallons, the millis,
centis, and kikos just don't cut it. For a tome they showed distances in
kilometers on the Interstate highways, but that's now pretty much a
thing of the past, and only miles are given.
The US never did get into the use of stones of weight. Had a stone been
12 rather then 14 pounds, I suspect the measurement would have caught
on. 12 is a great base number!
What has been pretty well lost is the peck and bushel dry measurements. Those are non-intuitive as well, perhaps.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
To clarify, in case it wasn't clear, I didn't mean to suggest that you might have included Christianity in AD&D.
It was always obvious you intended the game to be a fantasy and not a
historical simulation. However, Professor Tolkien, a devout man himself,
took the monotheism route for Middle Earth. It seems a very unusual one
for fantasy, though I've never been sure why.
I suggest
that Tolkien rather than monotheism had no religion in Middle Earth.
There were no priests, no religious services, no formal prayers
Would you mind expanding on this slightly? Are you simply saying that D&D's
supernatural trappings were a separate creative choice from the
decision to include medieval technology rather than one being the
outgrowth of the other?
Just so.
The level of technology need not be tied to social organization,
culture, political system or degree of working magic. After all, in a
fantasy world the paramaters are set by the game system that it is to
control its laws and the one designing it.
True enough, although I've never really viewed saints or demons as
being even the functional equivalents of polytheistic deities.
There is a parallel of sorts to be drawn there, however, especially in regards to the netherrealms' heirarchy.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Darkwolf71
Speaking
of "Big Names", are there many non-spellslingers payed in your games
that might be well known? I mean everyone knows Mordenkainen, Bigby,
Tenser, etc. For the iconic spells which bear their names. What of the
sword and board types? Any that stand out?
On a side note, you've probobly answered this before, but are the
characters of Gord, Curley Greenleaf and co. based on PCs or were they
created specifically for your novels?
The best known fighters were Robilar and Terek, along with the lesser known with Aylerich, a paladin and Gronan.
Most of the characters in the Gord novels were created for the stories.
Curley Greenleaf was a PC of mine, and Melf was my son Luke's principal
PC. We actually played out the scene where Keek dupes Melf...for which
Luke berates me to this day.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
DarkKestral,
Actually, I was referring to popular usage. when i was a lad grocers
used to sell produce by half-peck, peck, and even bushel measure now and
then. That is no longer the case as far as I can tell, although they
might well still sell potatoes by the peck.
I well know about bushel measures for grain, as I took agriculture in
high school, worked on a farm, and had to know the weights of varying
soprts of studffs in a bushel measurement.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
...
Actually the Metric system is more mnemonic, since it's base 10, but we
US citizens are quite stubborn and nobody mandated conversion, making it
"voluntary". We're slowly converting in other ways, such as computer
measurements (even though a Gigabyte isn't 1 Billion Bytes exactly,
since its binary based).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrica..._United_States Phooey!
The linear measurement system is based on the human body and is intuitive.
12 is a better base than 1o as it is divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 rather than only 1, 2, 5, and 10.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Prince of Happiness
Grain
measurements are something that are hard for me to internalize. I'm
sure if I could actually see what a bushel's worth of whatever looks
like I'd have a better idea.
I'm running into the same issue with the koku measurement. I mean, I know it means enough rice to support one man for one year in theory, but no idea how much rice that even looks like.
I am not positive, but I visualize a koku or rice as a container somewhat larger than a
peach crate but of the same general shape, wide at the top and tapering towards the base.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Gary,
Two somewhat related questions, if I may:
1. Early portrayals of orcs in AD&D gave them decidedly porcine physical attributes. Was this done intentionally or was it simply the whim of the illustrators?
2. In Greyhawk, you often used alternate names for the various humanoid
races, such as Euroz for orcs and Jebli for goblins. What was the origin
of this practice? I always liked it and felt it contributed just enough
flavor to the setting without becoming obsessive, so I'd be curious as
to your rationale for having introduced these terms.
Thanks.
Heh...
I mentioned "pig-like faces" to Dave Sutherland, and he took me far too literally as far as I was concerned.
I created the names you mention for humanoids so as to make those of the
Oerth setting more distinct and unique to the world. less folklorish if
you will.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Jolt, sorry but the only ear that can hear is that belonging to
WotC. It seems to me that they have absolutely no interest in the existing WoG, let alone any expansion.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Burlappen, see my comments to Jolt above.
If anyone supposes I am going to creatively contribute to the IP of
WotC gratis, they are sadly mistaken.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
If you give the inch, they'll take the mile. :-)
When I last lived in the UK, it seemed the old systems of measurement were still used for:
-- fevers in F degrees (but weather in C degrees)
-- beer in pints
-- car speed in mph, highway distances in miles and yards
The important stuff changes last, it would seem.
I remember having a very confusing conversation with a supermarket
butcher when I asked him for a pound of ground beef. He wanted to know
if that was money or weight, and when I said weight, made me do the
translation, because his scale wouldn't do it. :-) In the local
butcher shop, though, they didn't have to ask any questions.
Degrees F. being smaller than those C. are more understandable for
weather temperature as well as for body temperature I am sure.
Beer in pints and half-pints, no?
An Imperial gallon is larger than out 64-ounce one, but I have forgotten how much larger it is.
The road distances under a mile or fraction thereof here are given in feet, not yards, such as, "Stop 500 feet ahead."
It seems a shame that a furrow's length is recognized only at horse
racing tracks these days. Of course it is 220 yards, a bowshot long.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
same thing for the pumpkin bugbears, right? :-D
O.o
Yuppers. It must go to show that I am a slow learner X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Burlappen
Wow.
And here were thinking you were the original creator being silenced by
IP and legal issues being held over your head buy guys in suits. Nah.
You're just vindictive. I love it. My respect for you has shot up
through the roof! That's just great.
Whoa!
Rather than vindictive, better righteously indignant at the manner in
which I was treated. Now if Peter Adkison was still the CEO of
WotC, and he asked me to contract for such work I would happily agree.
So let's talk product then:
Aerth = Epic of Aerth book
Learth = Chronicles of the Lejendary Gazeteer
Any other stuff I should add to my shopping list?
Sure :-D
There are actually two additional books from Hekaforge Productions covering the Learth:
Noble Kings & Dark Lands The Exotic Realms of Hazgar
There are two more books to come so as to complete the core setting. I
am also ready to send two LE world supplement books to Troll Lord Games:
The Key of Sand dealing with the Banir Wastes
Maledicted dealing with a strange area of the Banir Wastes
If you are a fan of the AD&D system you might wish to check out the
Castle Zagyg, Yggsbubrgh book from Troll Lord Games. It is for the
Castles & Crusades
game system and the work covers the "Eastmark," an area of some 1,500
square miles with the main feature the Free Town of Yggsbrgh, a
community of c. 40,000 inhabitants. Now in progress (two actually in
print) are 24 modules detailing the 19 districts of the town and the
five suburban areas; also there will be three boxed sets of modules
detailing the Castle Zagyg grounds, upper works, and score or so of
dungeon levels. The first of those sets is slated for release next
spring.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
My
favorite measurement is the cubit (and no, I'm not joking). A cubit is
the length from your elbow to the tip of your middle finger (so
everyone's cubit is somewhat different). But it is very easy to measure
cubits as long as you have at least one arm.
My hand
spread with fingers apart measures nine inches from thumb to little
finger, a perfect one-half cubit...and also handy on the military
miniatures gaming table X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
I
haven't bought Learth yet (though I'm going to), but let me say that
the Aerth book is one of the all-time masterpieces of FRPG products. It
is a fantasy version of Earth, so ANYTHING you read in mythology,
legendry, or weird stories has an instant place in Aerth.
Thank you sir!
I did spend the better part of three creative years putting that work together.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
I'm sorry for this question. Please don't hesitate to throw up your
hands, say that you can't possibly remember, and have a good laugh.
The FOREWORD of the Fiend Folio states that the book was completed in
August 1979--just a few months after you finished the Dungeon Masters
Guide. Yet the Fiend Folio's publication was delayed until 1981.
Now here's my question: Since the Fiend Folio was finished in 1979, how
is it that there are a number of pieces of art in it dated by the
artists as 1981? And all of these late-dated pieces are by artists from
the U. S. (such as Erol Otus and Bill Willingham). During the two-year
delay, did you and/or others decide, "Well, since this thing is delayed
anyway, we might as well add more art to the book in the meantime"?
Shirt answer:
I received the ms, for the work in the year indicated. Art has nothing
to do with with a completed ms., it is window dressing even in a
bestiary and managed by the line editor(s).
TSR simply sat around on the ms. for a couple of years.
What really irritated me about it is that I told Schick to kill some of
the truly silly monster entries, gave him some of my own work to replace
them, and the fool included the crap likely just to be a pain as he
knew he was leaving the company then.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nagora
...
One Imperial gallon = 10 Imperial pounds weight.
1 acre = 1 chain x 1 furlong.
1 US gallon is eight pounds
weight, so the Imperial gallon is 25% larger, or the US gallon is 80%
the volume of an Imperial one X-D
The measure for an acre you give is per side of a square acre.
BTW, a section is one-quarter of a square mile, 160 acres.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
And
as you surely now, Gary, a section is what you could get for free from
the US government for settling the American West, after the Homestead
Act of 1862.
I believe the requirements to stake your claim were building a 10' x 12'
dwelling and living there 5 years (or was it 4), before you got the
title. I think you had to make your living off the land, but I'm not
sure if that was a legal requirement or just what everyone did with 160
acres of Nebraska. :-)
So I figure 160 acres is a full-sized American semi-arid farm, what a
man could work (with some horses) and run a few cows on, with a "back
40" and so on.
And I figure 40 acres is a decent sized small farm in a developed area
with more rain, from the short lived policy of giving freed slaves "40
acres and a mule" at about the same time. I believe that happened in
the areas the Union Navy took in 1862 -- the Sea Islands off Georgia and
South Carolina, and maybe parts of Louisiana?
But I wonder how many acres a typical medieval peasant farmed? I'm
guessing there's no real answer to that, as it would vary with geography
(a lot smaller plots with productive land in the Netherlands or the
Thames Valley, a lot bigger with rocky soil in Norway or dryer land in
Poland).
I belueve the requirement for a homestead was working the land for five years.
More likley a 40 acre plot was suitable for dirt farming a cash crop such as tobacco.
Any farm that raised large livestock would need at least 80 acres, even in well-watered areas with fertile soil.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
I'm
sure we can all figure out what the silly monsters were, but can you
remember any of the replacement monsters of your own that you wanted
included? I'm assuming they showed up in MMII.
There is a list of authors in the back of the
Fiend Folio, and all that i created for the work are listed there with my attribution ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Burlappen
Well
regardless it's nice to see that you're not the victim. I had imagined
you'd had rights to your work yanked away from you and were trying to
avoid talking too much about it out of fear of lawsuit--the spectre of
black suits as it were. Not that I don't admire a bit of vindictiveness
mind you--it helps your friends (and enemies) know immediately where
they stand with you.
Oh indeed, the IP rights are not mine at all but belong now to
WotC.
Vindictiveness would be to deny something another was rightfully entitled to, and I do not do such a thing.
So how many of these settings are still actively being developed?
I'd gotten the impression they were all long since out of print.
And...out of curiousity, how exactly does one pronouce Yggsbrgh? Yiggs-burg? Yeggs-burrogh?
The only active settings are Learth (
Lejendary Earth world setting) and the Eastmark of Yggsburgh and Castle Zagyg.
I pronounce Yggsburgh as Ehgs-burgh X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Ha Ha!
Kask taught me that trick after our Chainmail game this past summer at LGGC III, telling me he learned it from you.
Any more secrets of military miniatures you wish to divulge? X-D
8-D
To simulate the the eagerness of well-trained triips to get to grips
with the enemy, measure movement distance from the middle of the figure
base or stand to the middle, and then slide the figure or stand so that
the back part is ay the end of the measure...a gain of but a fraction of
an inch or perhaps an inch, but not unrealistic and possibly critical
when closing to firing or melee range is critical.
As the referee of a game I always close my eyes to this sort of
extension of movement. Only when it is a blatent excess will I call for
an adjustment backwards. Adding excessive distance to movement is
cheating >:-) Hex map wargames prevent even slight addition to
movement distance for troop zeal--so watch your opponent carefully, as
an extra hex is not unheard of when moving unit counters X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nagora
Gary,
Here's a completely non-game related question:
As it happens, you're about the same age as my mother and her memories
of WWII include hiding in the hills north of Belfast as the Luftwaffe
bombed the bejasus out of the city, men going off to the various fronts,
craters where friend's houses once were, and of course the dreaded
telegram boy delivering news nobody wanted. She has very little feeling
of the war being an adventure or anything like that.
What was it like for an American boy of that age? Do you recall anything
about it at all? Did it affect your family? Was it an exciting radio
program that just happened to be true or something from the grown-up
world that barely registered?
I remember my father sending off two pairs of binoculars for use by the armed ssrvices.
I remember being afraid of the Germans and Japanese as portrayed on the
radio and in film; thinking that a "foreign-looking" stranger in the
neighborhood might be a Nazi spy/
I remember brownpits and blackouts, Air Raid Wardens walking around at night looking for light leaks.
I remember only enough gasoline to drive the car short distances, mainly
on sunday, as my father had a Class A gas ration emblem in the window
of out 1939 Nash Ambassador sdedan
I remember blue and red rationing poiints, there being a shortage many
things including cigarettes, sugar, and meat--having Spam and even
pickled pig's feet, eating margerine not butter.
I remember cars up pn blocks because they wanted tires, and I remember
getting a fortune for wilre hangers taken to the dry cleaners--two cents
apiece was great spending money for a kid.
I remember saving tin cans and cooking fat and newspaper drives
sponsored by the school, buying saving stamps for War Bonds every week
with the money my father game me to take to school on each Friday.
I remember the service banners in the windows of apartments, many with a gold star, not just the blue one for a son in service.
I remember my mother dressing me in a sailor's uniform with a woking
wooden bosun's whistle--and as my father was a friend of Mr. Ed
Robinson, head keeper of the Primate House at the Lincoln Park Zoo,
wearing it when I got to play with a baby chimp, where to my father's
horror, be biing very germ conscious, the little ape and I taking turns
blowing the whistle. The poor creaure contracted TB and died thereafter,
probably from contact with me, although i have never tested positive
for that disease. I also recall my Marine uniform. I was wearing it at
the VE Day parade in the Chicago Loop when a motion picturte
photographer shot me saluting as the flag went past. My Aunt Elsie
Hohensee who lived in the upstairs flat of my father's building saw me
in the mivie theater when the newsree of the parade was shown there. She
shouted out-loud when she saw me, "That's my nephew, Gary!" her husband
related to us.
When VE Day came I was home cutting school (which I hated) and I
remember getting to go out to play, something that never happend before
that.
After VJ Day rationing was dropped, and we did have plenty here, but I
remember being in Lake Geneva the year after the war ended and learning
that nextdoor neighbor Bob Rasch had been killed as had Doug Brady who
had loved three houses away. had been a friend of my brother's.
]Over here (UK) we tend to have a view of the war being something of
a picnic for the American-at-home with very little rationing beyond the
end of the war; is that true or were do you remember being amazed at
the sudden reappearance of things like bananas, sweets or comic?
Rationing was fairly strict here, and people were tense, but
there was no Blitz, so we had it far better that the UK folks did. The
end of rationing was much celebrated, as suddenly all the formerly
hard-to-get things were back in abundance, and even new automobiles were
rolling off the assembly lines.
Did WWI have anything to do with your interest in wargaming, or was that just something that came much later?
Absolutely the war affected my interest. Not only the films O
saw at the theater when all the boys in the neighborhood went to the
show Saturday afternoons, my father brought home a c. 65
mm
scale cast metal soldier figurine almost every Saturday night as a
present for me, and with money I begged from my mother to spend after
the Saturday movie I's buy either a new pea shooter and a bag od dried
peas or another metal soldier or two for ten cents--about the same as 2 p
in the UK back then. There were also coloring books depicting military
and vaval personnel and equipment, and I loved to apply my crayons to
them.
For one Christmas I got a toy .30 caliber water-cooled Browning machine
gun on a stand. I was crushed when my father and brother took it back
because the crang that made the "rat-a-tat-tat-tat" sound wouldn't
function. Who cared?! Crap! I am still angry about that.
I also was given for a birthday or Christmas a bombing game, a
down-looking periscope device with the lenses being similar to reversed
binoculars. One looked at the game board on the floor and depressed a
lever to release three darets, one at a time. The building outlines were
marked with + values for train stations, factories, oil storage
facilities, warehouses, etc. and - ones for hospitals, schools,
churches, and -residential buildings. As I was prone to "bomb" things
other then the corkboard, the toy disappeared...
[/QUOTE]Sorry if this is too far off-topic but I think you're the only
American I know who's old enough to ask about these things and I've got a
bit of an interest up recently as I dug into my hometown's small part
in D-Day - Ike came here and went out to inspect the USS Texas, Arkansas
and various cruisers prior to their setting off for Omaha
beach.[/QUOTE]
As far as I am concerned, there is no "off-tipic" on this thread. If I
find something impertanant, offensive, sully or the like I just say so
and otherwise ignore that post X-D
So how's that for a rambling epistle?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nagora
Curse
this timezone difference! Your longest reply yet (is there a prize for
eliciting such verbosity?) and it arrives as I'm going to bed!
Thank you very much for taking the time, it was very interesting. I'll not quote the whole thing.
The benefit to me of being semi-retired is being able to post more without feeling guilty for not working ;-)
Think nothing of it. My pleasure to be of service.
That's interesting: I hadn't realised that blackouts were nationwide in the US - I had thought it was only a costal thing.
We had blackout shades and heavy curtains on all the windows
of our place in Chicago. I don't remember that being the case at my
grandparents house in Lake Geneve where we spent a good deal of each
summer.
What's a "Class A" gas ration and was there any particular reason your father had one?
Class A was the ordinary gasoline rationing sticker. It
allowed only a low number of gallons per month. I know that Class B
allowed a greater quantity, and I believe that there was also a Class C.
IIRR farmers were not rationed. I was too young to know the number of
gallons each sort allowed.
What was a gold star for?
Family member killed in service. All of us boys were very
respectful to the householder or apartment tennent that had one of those
in the window.
That's a shame; chimps can be very long lived and one of Weissmuller's "Cheetas" is still alive and well at the age of 75!
Indeed, and I feel regret even though I do not know for sure that I was the cause.
BTW, if you look up the gorilla, Bushman" now mounted and on display at
the Chicago museum of Natural History, you'll see what he looked like.
We got to go back to see him as well, as Ed Robinson was the only one
that dared go near him as he got older. He was the same age as my
sister, 11 years older than I, and my brother always kidded her about
being Bushman's twin. that was one strong ape! He could burst a
footballby squeezing it and pull a car tire into a long oval :-o
That quickly!? Rationing ended here in July 1954, although by that
time it was down to just luxury items like sweets. Britain was basically
bankrupted by the second war and it took a long time to recover.
The end of rationing was astonishingly rapid, although there
were a few shortages for about a year after the war ended. Oddly enough
candy was never in short supply here, and all sorts of chocolate bars
and like candy were on the shelves, most at 5 cents the bar. My parents
didn't allow me much in the way of soft drinks or candy, but I managed
to ahold of one or the other around once a month.
I had it in my head that you were in Chicago at that age; when did your family move to LG?
The neighborhood in 4100 North Kenmore Avenue was declining
rapidly throughout the war. In the spring of 1945 our group of boys,
about 10 in number, were attacked by around 30 kids from up the street a
block or two, and thanks to Jerry Paul's BB gun, and his strong
throwing arm we held them off by fighting from Jerry & jimmy Paul's
back porch, and Jerry beaned their leader, one Rex, with a clinker that
he had thrown up at us. That dropped Rex and his pals caried him off,
the lot of them running away. Whenmy parents learned of this my father
decided it was time to sell the two-flat and move.
He owned property in La Jolla, CA, and he planed tobuild a place there
for us to live. We went to Lake Geneva in July 1946, just before my 8th
birthday. We remained there bacause father was not willing to retire,
and there would have been no work for hum in California. Being a foolish
kid, I was delighted to remain in Lake Geneva with my friends there,
able to see my Chicago buddies fairly often as well as the distance was
only about 75 miles.
]One of my mother's neighbours was killed when a lone bomber dropped
a rack of bombs on their area. The man heard it coming and lay on the
ground and the shockwave coming up from the pavement killed him while
others much closer to the explosion survived.
A couple of Irish lads I knew that moved from the UK after the
war ended, Thomas and Michael Duffy, told me how that had beensent out
of London to avoid the bombing. They were sent to Redhill, Surrey. One
day a V1 rocket ran out of fuel overhead and cme down near where they
were living. It missed the ammunition dump but hit the garbage dump
X-D
I also had not realised that rationing was such a widely enforced thing in the US.
Absolutely, and everyone watched out for hoarders as well. I
am told that in small towns meat, diary products, and eggs were pretty
to get from farmers selling on the black market, butt everyone was on
rationing.
Well, I can understand that, but I was thinking more in terms of
whether listening to stories from returning relatives had fired your
military interests. I think all war gamers have been inspired by movies
and suchlike. I was curious to know if it was more personal than that
for you.
Actually, the only war stories I heard were from Mr. Joseph E.
Dimery, my oldest friend's father, he being a Yorkshireman that fought
in WW I, was breveted Captain all the wayt from private for his courage
in combat, and given six months to live after being mistard gassed. He
told us about the Germans with their tommyguns, flamethrowers, and
"minnewerfer" bombs.
Of course watching war movies and seeing Victory at Sea did royse my interest in military history :-D
Thanks again. It's interesting to get an American-eye view of the
homefront for a change, even if you were only a lad at the time.
As it happens I have a remarkable amount of recall of that
time, and what a time it was, especially after the war ended and the USA
was on top of the world. Even the Korean War (or, according to HST,
Police Action) didn't dismay folks much.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
My
folks always suggest one particular movie to showcase what growing up
in england, during the war, was like. It's called Hope and Glory.
Now, my mom was a bit closer to constant shelling, being near London,
than my dad was. But Mick likes to talk about how a particular chimney
stack in Sheffield was used as a turn marker for aircraft to navigate
over and bomb Nottingham.
The UK took it on the chin, but the fact is the Gross Deutcheland was far more devistated.
In regards bombing the US had nothing at all.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Some of the most fascinating conversations though, occur when you get people from england and Germany comparing notes. :-)
One of my good friends in high schol was a German lad whose mother and
sister had brought him here as immigrants. They were from East Germany,
and his stories were not very fascinating.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nagora
Redhill's
nice; I've lived near there. My father was evacuated from Belfast near
the start of the war and didn't see his family, other than an older
brother who went with him, for the best part of four years. He was sent
to a farm up near the Giant's Causeway and seems to have had a great
time.
The huge shipyard in Belfast (of "RMS Titanic" fame) was, of course, a
prime target and very easy to find from the air: just follow Belfast
Lough to its end and drop everything you have! Bound to hit something
useful. :\
I've been to England a number of times, but never did see Redhill...or a lot of other places I would have liked to see.
I can understand your father having a great time on a farm, because i
loved them as a lad, and I worked on one for free, and to learn, on
weekekds, later received $1 per day and room and board for working on
another farm. I remember the hard work and fun well to this day.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Haakon1,
I can comment on three matters you mention:
My parents and older siblings had been through the Great Depression, and
even with the ear on things at home were a lot better I was told.
The news reports and maps for the civilian population were pretty vague and usually inaccurate as well.
The main cargo planes flying over "The Hump" were C47s, the good old DC3 civilian arircraft.
The Flying Tigers had P40s, and thet were lead by General Clair
Chenault--an ancestor of Stephen and Davis Chenault of Troll Lord Games.
There was plenty of Spam around in Chicago. We ate it at least once a week, and I still think it is good stuff X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Fifth Element
Col:
One of the level titles for a bard in AD&D is "racaraide". A google
search only brings up references to AD&D bards. What was the source
of this term, and what does it mean?
Tru searching in a thesaurus.
IIRR, a racaraide is a strolling entertainer, but after all these years I'll be blamed if I can recall.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Fifth Element
Thanks, can't find it in online dictionaries. Guess I'll have to find a more obscure one...
Likely I found it in a
Roget's Thesaurus and looked it up in my unexpurgated
Funk & Wagnalls Dictionary. Both books are around here somewhere, but in this clutter it would likely take an hour to fined each.
O.o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Edena_of_Neith
The A cards allowed for 4 gallons of gasoline per month.
Thanks for the information.
No wonder that we were in the car only on Sundays for short drives.
Father had to save up for our summer drive ip to Lake Geneva for his
month of vacation and touring around the countryside here.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Haakon1,
Seems as if the TV documentary of the airlift of cargo from Burma to
China was in error, as they said C 47 and showed 'en taking off from an
airfield. I can't argue with someone that actually flew C 47s doing
that, though, so I stand corrected...as must some others methinks.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sanguinemetaldawn
Colonel,
I have been curious about the Yuan-ti lately, and I was hoping you could
shed some light on the origin and development of that group of
creatures in D&D.
WotC
reserves it as their product identity...but I have been reading Howard
since I was a lad and my dad gave me some Conan books, and its hard not
to notice the Serpent-men of Howard's stories.
As I understand it, the Yuan-ti in D&D begin with I1 Dwellers of the
Forbidden City, written by one of your not-favorite people: David Cook.
Anyway, I guess the present narrative is that Cook did work for hire,
for then TSR owned it, and "his" work is owned by
WotC/Hasbro.
But I find myself wondering, did he come up with it, or did someone else
at the company, credited or not? And I further find it difficult to
believe that it was wholly original to him, but who knows, maybe I am
wrong.
I certainly was familiar with the idea of snake people from Howard long before I was from I1.
Anyway, thanks for clearing this up.
Sorry, but as those critters were not of my design, I am unable to comment.
Clearly, one could well devise a variety of naga that would resemble the
yuan-ti, though, and no one can claim ownership to the concept of the
naga as it is an ancient one that is well publicized.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nagora
They reaped the whirlwind.
Thanks mainly to the tenacity of Winston Churchill who absolutely
refused to negotiate with the Nazis when his colleagues urged him to do
so.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nagora
Absolutely,
although I think history (and historians) are often too harsh on people
like Chamberlin. If I had been though the first world war then I would
have tried very hard to avoid it happening again. Sadly, that misplaced
hope led to some fairly shabby activity but I understand (to the extent
that someone born decades after the trenches were dug from Switzerland
to the English Channel can) why they tried to negotiate.
I also understand how lucky we all are that they failed to reach a real
agreement with "Herr Hitler" and that Churchill was there to take the
reins when they did.
I remember someone who worked with Churchill describing how he would
have ten big ideas every day: "About six of them," he said, "Winnie
would discount or lose interest in himself, two of them would be
terrible ideas which his colleges and friends would have to almost
physically restrain him from carrying out. But one or two would be
genius of the level that they could turn the course of the whole war."
Of course Churchill went through the Great Wae as well. Chamberlain was
a "peace at any price" advocate while Sir Winston knew better. An
excellent book dealing with this subject is
Five Days in London: May 1940 by John Lukacs.
After reading it I am convinced that Churchill single-handedly
guaranteed that Hotler would not win the war but have to fight it
out...against overwhealming odds after the USA enetered the conflict on
the side of the UK.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
They
certainly used C-47's in the CBI, and it wouldn't surprise me if they
used both to go over the Hump. It's just that the pressurized C-46
would have been less unpleasant, whereas the C-47 is the poster boy of
WWII cargo aircraft, with much more footage intact. :-)
In the bomber world, as I understand it, B-17's were not pressurized,
but B-29's were, so B-29's were better able to do high altitude "above
the fighters" strategic bombing of Japan, whereas B-17's flew at fighter
altitudes and relied on having about 10 .50 cals.
The C-46 was a passenger airliner too, before the war, just much less successful, and a Curtiss instead of a Douglas.
As a matter of fact I have flown in an unpressurised DC 3, a hop from
Milwaukee to Chicago, and I chewed the hell out of the gum handed out to
passangers by the stewardesses.
My 8th grade teacher was the pilot of a B29 flying from Tinian, and he
told us many hair-raising tales about the war in the Pacific. He lost
three planes in the course of his tour of duty.
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Prince of Happiness
Outside
of Pearl Harbor and the occupation of Attu Island in Alaska, there was
some very limited bombing by Japanese launched parachute bombs in Oregon
and California and killed a couple of people.
IIRC there were some incendiary bombs on them as well with the intent of starting massive forest fires, but that came to naught.
Yes, and more people were lost to accidents at home that in the parachute bombing attacks.
The Japs occupation of Attu and Kiska was nothing that threatened the
USA either, but service there was pretty dreadful. I worked with a chap
named AL Gunville that had been in the Army, was there. No Japs to speak
of but awful weather and frostbite casualties.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Prince of Happiness
Didn't
threaten the mainland, but the unhappy remaining natives of Attu Island
were sent to Hokkaido and didn't fare very well there. Drop in the
bucket, to be sure but still very :-(
Yes sir.
The Japs were not renowned for their kindly treatment of prisoners. What
a shame on the USA that we put citizens of Japanese ancestry into
concentration camps, even if their treatment was very decent.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by nerfherder
Coincidentally,
last weekend I spotted a very rare signpost with measurements still in
miles and furlongs in Kirkby Stephen. I was so surprised, I took a
photo!
That is a great pic, and the first time I was made that furlongs were added to mile distances anywhere.
Thanks for sharing that!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by nerfherder
Thanks.
It's the first time I'd ever seen one in my 40 years. I noticed the
older style of signpost at a junction when I was visiting Kirkby Stephen
in the Eden District last weekend, and something about it just looked
odd. It wasn't till I got closer and read the distances that I
realised.
Cheers,
Liam
FWIW,
Although I have no eye for photographic composition, it seems to me that
you have that ability. My wife takes all the pictures :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Did they go down from mechanical difficulties or enemy action?
I wonder a bit about Enola Gay's most important sortie in history . . .
the vision I have is of a single bomber, unescorted, at super high
altitude, beyond what fighters or flak could easily deal with. I wonder
why they sent just one plane, if indeed they did.
Mr. Jarvis stated that at least onbe of the bombers he lost was because of Japanese action...flak IIRR.
He also spoke of a bomb that did not drop from the rack, and how one of
the crewmen had a lariat and used it to tie ut ub place. when he landed
the plane the bomb was suspended only by that rope.
The account above of the mission to drom the A Bomb on HIroshima is
accurate to the best of my knowledge. The Japanese had developed fighter
aircraft that could attain stratospheric heights, but only im
prototype. I think was was called the Raiko.
Cheers,
GAry
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by nerfherder
Thanks! I appreciate your kind comments. :-)
Cheers,
Liam
:-D
Just calling 'em the way I see 'em.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by khyron1144
Hey Gary,
I would be much delighted if you would tell me what you think of this entry from my blog:
http://greybeardsngrognards.blogspot...assassins.html
If you don't feel you have time to read the whole thing, I can summarize it thusly:
Properly played, paladins are more disruptive to party harmony than assassins.
Thanks for your time.
Ciao,
I can't believe I read the whoe essay... :-o
Actually, I enjoyed it and found it well-written and informative. I offer the followig comments:
Removing the Assassin from the game was as useful as KOing demons and
devils. As if those that objected to the game because of there being
such monsters included would rush out and buy it, or even stop
denouncing it, when such evil portions were excised from the game.
In a party of wholly Good aligned PCs the Paladin has to work at being
disruptive. Many players with a Paladin PC seem to aim at being a thron
in the flesh of the group.
The Assassin PC will generally have in mind "whacking" a fellow party
member in order to gain the XPs from the hit and the good stuff that
character possesses.
In short, both sorts of PCs can be detrimental to party harmony.
That said, the OAD&D game did not
encourage
backstabbing. It merely allowed characters to do that if it was their
choice. In the many years that I ran the GReyhawk campaign, there were
few incidents of such behavior. Most occurred when a group decided to
create Evil PCs and adventure thus. The several Paladins played, as well
as two or three Assassins were no more disruptive that the greedy
thieves X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by khyron1144
Thanks much.
Welcome. That is an interesting essay ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Well... :-o
That is indeed a dysfunctional group...can't really call it a team.
I must wonder, though, why the devil would your PC care about a luna
moth? Unless he is an entamologist, that's the difference if the
con-artist fighter exterminates it, other that the loss of a beautiful
insect?
My son Alex really disliked a couple that were in my LA game group and
asked me if I would be averse to his Avatar slaying one or both of the, I
said in no uncertain terms that personal factors should not affect game
persona relationships. He grumbled but agreed. However, when I was
creating a Witchery Ability he immediately volunteered to test it
out...suggesting a Warlock that hated the Avatars of the two other
players he disliked. I declined to accept his offer. The two dropped out
soon thereafter much to the relief of Alex, a the other players, and me
X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Dead Scribe
This
is undoubtedly true. It's easy in hindsight to blame Chamberlain, but
there is one fact that we know indisputably now that was not nearly so
obvious then--that Adolph Hitler was not a rational actor. He was an
anomaly: a total madman in charge of a European nation. It's also easy
to forget that Churchill's less admirable qualities.
Unless I am sadly mistakem Churchill went through the same war as did Chamberlain.
Name any person that lacks qualities that atre less than admirable.
Churchill is absolutely the shining figure in the defeat of Nazi
Germany, the sole reason Hitler was denied the opportunity of winning
the war. Had Great Britain negotiated with the Nazis, they would not
have maintained their state of war, and there would have gone the whole
of Europe after the USSR was defeated...which it would have been had not
the German military had to fight the Battle of Britian and therefater
been facing a possible two-front war. German war production unhindered
by British bombing, with the additional gropund forces available for
Operation Barbarosa, would have doomed Stalin to effective resistance
only east of the Urals in 1941.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by The Great Bear King
I
just remembered it wasn't a normal lunar moth it was a gloomwing that
was held sacred by a temple that worshiped darkness. By darkness I
simply mean the absence of visible light, not an Evil deity other dark
power. The party fighter figured that anyone who worships the absence of
visible light is stupid enough to deserve losing a sacred animal. I
thought that anyone stupid enough to worship literal darkness is stupid
enough to need protection from our party�s fighter. He also tried to con
them out of their inexplicably large wealth.
Ah, well...
That's quite different and explains things ;-)
I do hope you are searching for a new gaming group!
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
hi gary!
how are you doing today?
i have another question about drow:
why they are ruled by women (the exact word i dont remember)? any inspiration for this?
as far as i remember, they are the only "society" where women have higher status in the d&d game (im i wrong?)
;-)
The Drow are as they are because they are evil, subterranean elves.
When I conceived the race they were meant to be fascinating and horrid
at the same time, the most powerful and most malign group in the vast
Underdark. They are like no other humanoid or demi-human race. It is
thus natural that the female of the species is larger and more powerfyl
than the male.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Gary, in your campaigns, have parties been more like:
1) the example here (random individuals with crazy agendas of their own), most likely played for "zaniness"
2) grim survivalists cooperating against a hostile world
3) grim survivalists fighting each other and a hostile world
4) a mercenary company helping normal folk (and themselves)
5) mercenaries competing with each other and interacting with normal folk in not necessarily hostile ways
6) disparate heroes who may disagree with each other but serve the common good
7) a team of heroes
8) a tight-knit special forces unit -- maybe not heroic, but organized and directed?
I've never had the "zany individualist" parties. Usually, it's been
more towards the heroes or special forces side, and close knit.
I find it odd when I read about things like "the cleric wouldn't heal me".
Whoa!
Way too many different groups to pick one of the general categories you list. I haved played with groups 1, 4, 6, 7, and 8.
Most of the groups I GMed for fit 4. 6, and 7.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
sorry gary, im not teasing or anything, but i really dont get it.
why is natural?
Sorry, but I do not understand that statement.
What is there not to get in the explanation of why I created the Drow as they are stated in the AD&D game?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
no, i mean why is natural that women are more powerfull in drow society?
pls dont get upset, im not trying to upset you :-(
X-D
Okay, no problem.
Drow females are loke spiders in regards their superiority to the male.
There are quite a few examples of females being larger and stronger than
their male counterparts in the animal kingdom, and it seems that many
of the theropod dinosaurs were likewise. The first mammal I can think of
that fits the case in point is the hyena.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
now that you have said, seem obvious to me... (^_^')
shame on me, i have to read more ;-)
X-D
As I said, no problem at all ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary,
in your LA and A/D&D games, you include demi-humans right alongside
humans as PCs. In your Dangerous Journeys: Mythus game, however, you
relegated demi-human PCs to explicitly optional status, and gave them
only 2 pages versus 17 pages of descriptions for human PCs.
Why the de-emphasis on demi-human PCs in Mythus as opposed to your other FRPGs?
Frankly, I find human characters a lot more interesting than most
non-human ones. In most cases they are played as stereotypes...badly
played thus at that,
When the Mythus game was designed I hoped that the change from
class-based to skill-based play would also facilitate emphasis on the
human character in the game.
In the LA system I went back and included a large number of non-human
races to opt for as an Avatar choice, but I weighed the game in favor of
humans by giving Ordered, mainly human, ones a clear leg up on others.
Although the edge is slight it is evident, and even non-Ordered humans
have more freedom of choice selecting Abilities than do the non-human.
The most desirable benefit-wise non-human Avatar races are the ones less
likely to be chosen--Kobold, Trollkin, Veshoge.
Anyway, I hope that the racial mandates and guidelines set forth in the
LA game make playing any of these non-humans at least a bit more unique
and interesting than is usual in many other systems.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Gary,
I honestly can't recall if you had any plans for a revision of AD&D or a new edition of it. I have the dim recollection that what became Unearthed Arcana was in fact but what one part -- and a modified one at that -- of what was originally a much larger "expansion" of AD&D. Am I remembering this correctly or were you generally happy with AD&D and saw no need for anything more than a new book here or there every so many years?
Thanks.
In truth, I had begun planning for a revised
edition of the AD&D game beginning around 1983. I made notes for
what I planned, and those remained with TSR when I left the company at
the end of 1985.
The UA compilation contained the initial pass at some to the revisions
and expansions I envisioned for the game, but I had not had time to sit
down and concentrate on exactly how I would complete a revision and what
it would entail.
No matter, as that is now all water under the bridge for more than two decades now, eh?
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Certainly,
although I can't help but feel a slight pang of loss considering the
subsequent history of the game and its various editions. As I get older,
I find the feel and content of AD&D suits me very well and I think of what might have been had your revision come to pass.
To suggest another old saw...spilled milk.
As with the
World of Greyhawk, there is nothing that anyone can do about the matter ;-)
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Raven Crowking
Gary,
Do you watch Doctor Who? If so, have you seen the new series? If so, do you like it? Why or why not?
RC
I do occasionally watch
Dr.Who. The new series is quite good
IMO, as the budget must be larger and the effects are a good deal better than in past shows :-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by fett527
Gary,
If you fall in lava, do you get a saving throw?
;-)
>:-)
Yah, right! >:-(
1 or less of 10d10 saves.
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Holy Bovine
If Gary Gygax falls in lava the lava doesn't get a saving throw.
Everyone else just dies.
O.o
This brings to mind the use of certain potent magical devices that would
indeed pretty much negate the effects of lava or magma--anything having
to do with compatibility with Elemental Fire.
Having been divorced from my first wife, I no longer need such magical protection :-P
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey
Gary, how big a hand did you have in the assembling of the Mythus Prime book published in 1994?
That was essentially all of my creative work and c.80% of the actual
writing was done my me. Of course I borrowed a good deal from the
DJ Unhallowed
horror RPG rules that were co-created by me with Mick Mcculley. Dave
Newton assisted in organizing the material, added some good work, and
was mainly responsible for the
Mythus Beastiary and was working on the one for Phaeree when the TSR lawsuit stopped our production.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by FATDRAGONGAMES
Ditto.
This is why my group chucked out 3.5 and went to a Castles &
Crusades/AD&D hybrid game. The beauty of AD&D was it put the DM
in control of the game, not the rules lawyers.
Most people enjoy roll-playing and role-playing, but rule-playing is a complete bore >:-(
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Numion
Didn't
you write in an old Dragon article that if you modified AD&D rules
at all, you were no longer playing AD&D? O.o
Could be. Who remembers after a couple of decades :-P
It is a matter of fact, though, that I was then propmoting the RPGA and
its tournaments...where the rules, as written apply. I wanted the
association to grow and prosper, promote RPGing, and sponsor deserving
gamers' college touition.
That said, the matter has nothing to do with rule-playing.
:-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Roland55
True, true.
I still had enormous fun playing your games in those days. For that, I and many others, thank you. :-D
No question about it! There are still large and active audiences for OD&D and AD&D.
The C&C RPG system is gaining considerable following because it is akin to OAD&D and a vital game.
And rest assured i had a lot of fun creating and playing games of mine and others back then too...as I still do nowadays :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
8-D
Should I be ducking?
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
The
first CZ module was good indeed, if I do say so myself, and the ones
coming are going to be even better. The third has just been completed in
next-to final draft. Two more and the first boxed set will be ready for
release.
As for combination genre RPGs I have loved them since I did the
Sturmgeshutz & Sorcery tabletop scenario when Hector was a pup. I do
want to work up Wild West genre rules for the LA game system, as it
will be easy to include the supernatural and even magic thus.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
There is no saving throw vs. Gary Gygax.
>:-)
That's a warning to all those that dare to question or criticize my work!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Deleted duplicate post.
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Anson,
The short answer is:
Run the adventure as you think best.
About all I can reasonably comment on is do not make all useful spells
non-functional. Invisibility to Animals is one I would allow, for sound
will give away PCs if they attempt to use it for anything other than
saving themselves from death.
All the rest is strictly your call.
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
Gary Gygax loves Gelatinous Cubes. Especially with Cool Whip.
Actually I prefer real whipped cream!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Leontodon
First
of all i want to stick with many other posters here and thank you Mr.
Gygax for inventing a game that is simply awesome and campaign worlds
(Greyhawk) I love.
But now to my question.
As the son of a swiss immigrant do you happen to speak german or to have
some ties to the german language? I just asked this myself, because as a
german player one happens to find that many names in the Greyhawk
setting sound very german. Additionally there's this Troll Lord Setting
called "Erde" which is just the german translation of earth (for users
that are not familiar with the german language).
Examples in the Greyhawk setting include: the Drachensgrab Hills,
Guldenberg, Schwartzenbruin (sounds Austrian 8-D ) and Kalstrand.
Edit: Sorry it was Aihrde, but the sound is the one of the german word.
Thank you for the compliment.
As a matter of fact when I was a little boy and lived in Chicago I would
go upstairs to the flat above ours almost every evening with my father.
There my Aunt Elsis and Uncle Ed Hohensee lived with my grandmother
Elise Zumkher Gygax. I would sit on Mumpsy's lap and join in the
conversation conducted in Switzer Deutsch. I retain a child's very
limited vocabulary now.
As a teenageer here is Lake Geneva I had a German friend, a recent
immigrant from what was then East Germany. He and my father used to
speak in German, and he laughingly told me that father had "the worst
Swiss accent" he had ever heard.
When we were in Nurenberg for the Toy Show many years ago my wife Gail
and I went out for dinner, and the waitress spoke to us in German. I
could barely understand what she said, but was able to make a brief
translation for Gail. The waitress than spoke to her in perfect English,
explaining what was on the menu, then went back to Deutsch with me
8-D
Of course my spelling is German is atriocious, and I am not at all sure of the proper gender articles to use.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
This is all sounding like a doublecross to me... :-P
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Leontodon
Sorry
for not getting the humor. As a not-native-speaker of English such
things sometimes completely fail to work with me (should have seen it
because of your smiley). :-)
No comment on German humor from me, no... 8-D
Seriously, two posters exchanging comments on the game of la
cross elicited the pun, doublecross.
And now I must repeat the old saw about the difference between Heaven and Hell:
In Heaven...
The Germans schedule events,
The British greet you.
The French cook.
The Italians entertain.
In Hell...
The Italians schedule events,
The French greet you.
The British cook.
The Germans entertain.
Likely most Americans can't tell the difference between the two either...
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Leontodon
Oh
I got your pun Mr. Gygax my post was aimed at my fellow boardmember.
But I have to admit mylast post was very obscure and you both had
smileys. As for german humor, I think its great, besides the fact that
95% of our comedians are crappy and rely solely on vulgarities >:-(
.
You mean Lenny Bruce and Benny Hill were German?
:-o
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
You figure you're gonna net yourself some laughs that way?
Grooaning, sour faces, and a gnashig of teeth are the more desirable results of punting forth a pun X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hi Gary---
While reading up on some of the gates to other worlds you mentioned in the
DMG (Vance's Planet of Adventure, et al), I popped to the sample adventure on a lark, and re-read the following:
The
DMG only contains the monastery map, and not the village/wilderness map or the upper works map of the ruined monastery.
Do you recall if the two missing maps were ever drafted and were simply dropped from the
DMG
for space considerations, or were not completed in time to be
published, or what otherwise happened to them? Was this map created
specially for the
DMG or was it set in Greyhawk or Kalibruhn or elsewhere, back in the day?
The fire opal monastery has always been a favorite of mine. Many many
moons ago, I created my own second level of caverns to the dungeons
level (at
http://www.greyhawkonline.com/grodog...ry-Caverns.pdf in case anyone's curious), and I changed the background of the monastery to tie it to the then-as-yet-unpublished T2 ;-)
I hope the winter's not treating you too badly up there?
Ciao Alan,
I created the three maps strictly for examples in the
DMG.
What became of the two that were dropped is beyond my ken. As I never
had reason to refer to that portion of the work the omission was unknown
to me until you brought it up :\
After seeing your interesting looking map, I wish I could recall what
the two lost maps had on them, but my mind is a complete blank in that
regard. Likely the press of creating the
DMG material was such that details of that sort were wiped from memory quickly to make room for the next portion being devised.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Hi Gary---
Just to confirm, is this you, by chance? I didn't pay a lot of
attention to the desc when I signed on, and on a second, closer read, it
sure doesn't sound like how you'd describe yourself.... Anyway, I've
been informed it may not be you, and figured I should check:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=595431386
Thanks!
Thanks,
This impostature was called to my attention two days ago.
Yesterday I emailed Facebok and inquired what they could do to rectify
the matter...such as expurgating the enrty and banning the perp from the
website.
So far I have not received a response.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Fifth Element
It
wasn't the English that developed the English terms for lacrosse. It
was the Canadians. Lacrosse is Canada's national summer sport. But you
knew that, right?
You don't mean that the terminology wasn't devised in LaCrosse, Wisconsin?
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
I wouldn't think so, since its listed him in Chicago IL. I wonder if its like the Myspace page Gary didn't know he had? ^_~`
Just so, Peter >:-(
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
Ooh, that sounds bad. What's so bad about Italian scheduling anyway? I got the rest of it.
X-D
When I was in Modena the great folks that sponsored the convention there
insisted on giving son Alex and I ride to the Bologna airport where we
were to get our flight to Paris, be met by Francois Froideval, and spend
a week with him. Guess who missed the flight...
On the subject, though, I would prefer Heaven with the Italians
cooking--my favorite cuisine, then Chinese, then French (traditional and
provincial only).
Anyway Gary, there's been something I've been meaning to ask you for
a while. What's you're opinion on killer DMs? These are the types of
DMs that go out of their way to set up scenarios for the sole purpose of
killing off as many PCs as possible, and get thier fun out gaming this
way. People have accused you of killer-DMing in the past for stuff like
no saving throws but you seem to actually want your players to have fun
in the game, so i'm not going to accuse you it.
Some pinheads seem to believe they are made more important by attacking me.
Very few of the regulars in my campaigns have lost their characters ater
the initial stages of building them. Those that did have them slain had
either vary bad luck or else played foolishly. I am very generous in
regards to mitigating a run of bad luck when play has been solid. I must
point out that I have lost several of my better PCs, used wishes and
spells to have them restored to life, and I have not boo-hooed about the
DM that was managing the adventures in which that occurred.
Surely those that whine about my killer dungeons--other that
Tomb of Horrors
which is supposed to be just that--are inept players that failed to use
caution and forethought when playing and this looked foolish as they
lost their PCs.
Adventures lacking the sense of danger brought on by actual risk of
character loss are not worthy of playing. Those that enjoy them are true
munchkins regardless of time spent RPGing. Rather than bawl about my
DMing they should be playing a children's boardgame...and cheating so as
to assure a win. >:-(
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Well, my goal here has always been to entertain your fans. That's why I thought I'd kick things off with laughs.
Who doesn't welcome a straight man? :-D
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Fifth Element
Also seems unlikely if you look at who this person's friends are.
That I can not do, as I do not desire to be a mamber of the Facebook website.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by palleomortis
Not
sure if this has been asked before, but have you ever taken much flack
for being tied so heavily to a game that so many consider to be "evil"?
:-o X-D :-o
Back in the mid-80s when the media was exploiting the "dangers" of the
D&D game for sensationalist reasons, there were a number of
crackpots that sent me death threats by mail.
That's is some flack indeed.
Thomas Rideki and Patricia Pulling also sought to exploit the unfounded
fears of the "dangers" of D&D gaming by making money attacking it,
and that some were duped by them didn't help.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel, long time no see. It's good to see that you retain your internet presence for your fans! :-)
I enjoy the virtual fellowship :-D
I was wondering if you could share your thoughts on the 1ed
gargoyle. Specifically, the MM mentions that gargoyles are monsters "of a
magical nature," which I take to refer to both the need for a magical
weapon to strike them as well as their nature per se, namely that they way they came in to existence involved some sort of magic. Is this correct?
Yes on both counts.
Also, I have long wondered whether or not you meant them to be
magically animated gargoyles such as those found in church architecture
or simply gave them their name because of a certain physical similarity
they shared with those stone-carved grotesques.
Gray Mouser
Actually I envisioned gargoyles as a species of monsters
hailing from another material plane. That is the place from whence they
were summoned, and some escaped to dwell on the PMP, inspired the
sculptured stone likenesses of them. Their plane is one to which various
other grotesques are native. These include winged humanoids and
non-flying species of gargoyle.
Never guess that there was a corner restaurant named
The Gargoyle, Royal Steak House, Paul Junker,
about two blocks from where I grew up here in Lake Geneva. Not only was
its slantwise sign on fieldstone pollers above the pool in which the
gargoyle fountain spat its watery stream, but in the gardens to the rear
there was a goldfish pond with an arched bridge spanning it and three
miniature castles of great complexity constructed with stone blocks of
around 00 scale. The rathskeller was just great, and the early GenCon
banquets were held downstairs in it.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tewligan
Hello
again, Gary. I had a question as to how/if you used mind flayers or
other psionic beasties in your game. I seem to recall that you yourself
weren't a fan of the psionics rules, so I'm assuming (possibly wrongly)
that you didn't use them in your own games. If you ever used mind
flayers in your campaign, how did you run them? Did you use the psionics
rules for them and only them? Ignore psionics entirely? Make some other
quick-n-dirty rulings to represent their superbrains? I may use mind
flayers myself if I ever get the chance to run a 1e game again, and I
don't want to mess around with the psionics rules if I can avoid it!
Ah yes, Illithids were indeed found in my campaign. They delivered a
mind blast to one target subject, it causing damage without inclusion of
psionic element, A stunned victim would then be struck by the
brain-devouring tentacles. :-o
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tewligan
Ah, nice and tidy (well, rules-wise, anyway...)! Thanks for the quick reply, good sir!
Thanks. That enabled avoidance of the clunky, grafted on psionics mechanics I was talked into adding to the AD&D game.
FWIW, I now have mental powers that are congruous with the whole of the
Lejendary Adventure RPG system, they being gained through selection of
Psychogenics Ability. They can be used by any Avatar without causing
probleems of functioning or game balance.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Ahoy Grodog!
Likely Sutherland and Mike Carr were the ones that did the layout and editing for the
DMG. Mike is still around, so check with him.
I meant that about your map...oddly enough it resembles many of my hand-drawn ones X-D
Cheerio,
Gary (ready to kick back after a long day)
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by gideon_thorne
Amen
to that brother. Mick and I have the same thought after a very long and
cold morning, this morning, working as extras in a historical flick.
X-D
Then it should be mulled wine or flip before a cheery
fire in a fireplace as you turn your back to the blaze and list the
tails of your uniform coat X-D
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by FATDRAGONGAMES
Hey Gary-
I seem to remember reading somewhere that a revised edition of Lejendary Adventure is in the works-any idea when we'll see this?
Heh,
The Trolls were planning the release of the Revised Edition of the La
game early next year I believe. However, as I have just recently made a
pass at converting LA Avatars into Class and Level-type characters for
use in a D20 system or in the LA one, there might be a bit of a delay,
as I think this will be something that they will want to add to the
work.
Here is the URL where you can get a look at my first pass at the conversion:
Feeling Lost?
I have revised and expanded the treatment considerably now.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
...
Though my original question still stands; what's your thought on DMs who
go out of their way to kill off PCs because they enjoy doing so; not
because the players are playing carelessly.
That sort of
person is not worthy of being a Game Master of any sort. The GM is there
to entertain and bring enjoyment to the player group, thus being
entertained and enjoying himself likewise. Soneone that finds pleasure
in making others unhappy is a sad case indeed. That kind of GM should be
keft alone to lurk in online MMP games to ambust newbis' characters as
they enter the setting >:-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
Hi Gary,
I had a question, which the answer would benefit the members of ENWorld, so I'll ask it here.
With
4e
potentially removing the "schools" of magic, I had a question. In 1e
you established for spells the "school"--alteration, abjuration,
conjuring/summoning, etc. The schools were interesting but in terms of
the game, they never really seemed to be more than flavor text--outside
of what detect magic would detect. In Unearthed Arcana, you started
indicating what auras surrounded the new magic items, and you started
mixing the schools a bit. (In the PHB there were 9 schools--mostly 8
and 1 called possession, in UA you started mixing elements of the two
for certain spells).
Now, after you left, Wizards decided to do something with this
classification--the Illusionist spell list was merged, some spells
redefined and a few added, --possession being removed and "universal"
being added for critical things like read magic. And then there were 8
"specialist" wizards, 1 for each school, so you had Enchanters and
Evokers and Transmutists who were restricted to opposing schools.
But what was your original intent for the schools. Were you planning
something in the expansion to deal with these classifications? Maybe
something involving spell creation or negation or specialization?
Schools in 1e didn't really have that much effect on the game, so I was
wondering if you had any master plan for it that never saw the light of
day.
Howdy JRT!
Yes, I did intend to have schools of magic based on the types of spells
as you note above. The m-u would begin with one specialization, but at
verious points along the level progression ladder he could opt to add a
new field or intensify his capacity in the original one. This was meant
to make m-us interesting beyond the point where they could use 9th level
spells, any diversion from specialization delaying the advanced spell
level possession but adding new lower level spells of a new school.
No, I never began to work out the tables for such school of magic
progression. They would depend in part on how I prolonged the
progression of the other classes of characters.
I did employ some of the thinking behind this concept in the
DJ Mythus magic system.
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Brace Cormaeril
Mr.
Gygax, I just wanted to say hello. As a kid, playing 1e, my Dm and we
players would've never believed that, 20 years later, there would be a
place called the Interweb where you could actually say hello to Gary
Gygax.
So, hello, Gary Gygax. You rock.
Thanks for the good words :-)
It is my pleasure to be here exchanging posts with fellow gamers after
nearly 50 years of being a hobby gamer. I started with The Avalon Hill
Company game
Gettysburgh in the late
winter of 1959, so I count from 1960 on as the time I have been a gaming
buff. That ignores chess which I played snce 1945, avidly form 1952 on
until I discovered board wargames.
Cheers,
gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by FATDRAGONGAMES
Thanks for the update Gary!
Welcome :-D
Likely in a week or so I'll be posting the final draft of the conversion system on the Trolls' website, at Dragonsfoot, and on
www.lejendary.com
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Gary,
This is a rules question related to OD&D, so you may not remember
the precise details. Nevertheless, I thought I'd ask. I've come across a
couple of mentions recently that assert that, originally, hit dice were
not strictly cumulative but were re-rolled each level with that levels
appropriate number of dice and the final result taken as the new hit
point total for that level only if it exceeded that of the previous level.
So, if a 3rd level fighter has 14 hit points, when he reaches 4th
level, his player rolls 4d6 (back when all classes had the same hit
dice) and, if he rolls 14 or less, he gains no new hit points that
level, whereas if he rolls 15 or higher, that's the new hit point total.
Is that correct? I no longer have ready access to my OD&D books, so I
can't check to be sure. Does this sound familiar or is it based on a
misreading of the original books?
Thanks!
;-)
Short answer here:
I never used re-rolls in my campaign, nor did I ever play with a Dm that
used that device. What is rolled upon gaining a level is what remains
ever thus, unless there is magical alteration or divine intyervention.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Hello JamesM,
My pleasure to have been of service.
You are correct, Phil Barker based his EPT game rules on those of OD&D.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Orius
That
would give me one less reason to play WoW. Actaullay, that IS one of
the reasons I don't play it. :-D That's one of the aspects of MMOs I
don't like.
Well,if played as writtem,
Paranoia and CoC fall into that category as well. There a "good" GM is ahead if he is a sadist and his player group masochistic X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Hi Gary -- I have would like to access your encyclopedic knowledge of fantasy for a query on silver.
That is, what would the magical uses of silver be? In particular, I'm
thinking of the material component for Protection from Evil 10' Radius
(sprinkled in the appropriate way) and anti-werewolf material. Anything
else come to mind?
I'm trying to think of a good reason my villain is interested in a secret silver mine/making silver weapons.
It helps if you figure out the plot before you begin the adventure . . . but the PC's weren't supposed to find this anyhow!
You are spot on. In folklore, silver is indeed valued for its
proctetive qualities against evil. The use of silver against
were-creatures is an example of how it an an inimical metal to creatures
of evil, just as cold iron is reputed to be inimical to denizens of the
Fairy realm.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gentlegamer
In Dungeons & Dragons, there is no metal that will protect you from Gary Gygax.
Ah but...
...that tests the participants mettle X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Ouch! Please alloy my fears and take that back ferrous. Ore are you too vein?
You tinhorn! That took a lot of brass.
Put some iron in your backbone and steel yourself for more golden puns. I
might be a bit rusty, but there is a mine of them just waiting to be
dug up, refined, forged into shape, polished, and spun forth here.
I'll leave off here so as to offer plenty of similar elements so you can as-say them.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Filcher
Gary,
Thanks for all the years of joy. The world is a better place for your creation.
Of all the Trolls' upcoming releases, which are you most proud of/excited to see released?
My pleasure surely!
That's a difficult question to answer, what you ask about whichamongst
the many upcoming releases I am most eager to see. I guess from a
personal preference I am likely to most want to have the
King of England - King of France
boardgame. That means playing again after a long period where it
gathered dust as games for five players were not in vogue until recently
with the Eurogames. It is fun to play, and I don't have to be game
master...or need one to play, and we are playing boardgames weekly at
son Ernie's place and often here at my own as well. :-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Au, I guess I should pick
my fights more carefully; you can obviously shovel out more puns than I
can, you silver-tongued devil! Pb-Pb-Pb-Pb-Pb-Pb-t! :-P
Cu later!
:-D
Love the golden exclamation with which you open your reply, nor can I police-up the closing.
A very refined response--lodes of puns therein.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Thanks.
But what is cold iron, to you? At first, I was thinking it was iron
forged and then cast into the snow to crystalize it fast. Then I was
thinking something spectacular, like meteor iron or iron formed without
heat, using only the skill of burly and very patient dwarves? :\
Or perhaps it's just iron from the Iron Range . . . gets kinda cold up there, I hear.
IMC, there's a metal that's super elvish stuff from ancient times --
sort of an everything alloy, that has all the cool properties rolled
into one item. And of course, it glows blue and brightens higher in the
presence of orcs and other ancient evils, since I like to steal from
Tolkien. 8-D
AFAIK,
Cold iron is that hammered into shape on the forge without heating. Cold wrought iron.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Now
this thread is turning into a mine of puns, some of which are
gems--take your pick. That is why I am shoring it up like this...
Cheers,
gary
Col_Pladoh:
X-D Errr...
Can you say, WEAK?
It is as if he is strontium to find elemental puns when they are so elementary!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Thanks be!
The elemental puns are no longer being compounded.
Never have I been subjected to such stretches of the art form in my life :-o
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Griffith Dragonlake
Hi Gary,
Starting with OD&D (1974), all dragons had a % chance to talk, and all but the white dragons a % chance to use magic.
What was your inspiration for talking and/or magic-using dragons? I'm
at a loss to find any European mythological or pre-20th century literary
sources for magic-using dragons (aside from the East Asian ones).
Howdy,
Actually, you have the source of that inspiration, the Oriental
treatment of dragons. It seemed a good idea to me to enable Occidental
dragons to be able to converse and use magic in order to make them more
dangerous and complex.
Christmas best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Man in the Funny Hat
Then we should take great paints to avoid them even though the temptation to do so is like having an itch you can't sketch.
Okay. I'll easley hue to your line...even if I think you did it in gesso.
Happy Christmas,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Yuletide Greetings Great Bear King
That is an interesting idea for a lengthy adventure, although it assumes
dragons of a far less predatory and rapacious sort that ae typically
presented. Not a bad idea at all ;-)
Christmas best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
hi gary!
im a little "off" from the boards, as im goingo to get married next week (what?! nobody missed me? :-P ).
but i just whant to wish you and all your afmily (And our gamers
family!) merry x-mas and a happy new year, full of new perspectives and
health to all
Christmas BLessings Rossik,
Thanks for your thoughts, and congratulations to you, best wishes to your bride to be, on your forthcoming nupruals.
Yuletide cheer,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Yes, Merry Christmas, Gary, and early Happy New Year.
One of my old friends got a critical hit the other day, killing a hell
hound. This launched into stories about great crits from previous
campaigns decades ago. At the end, he said, "God, I love D&D."
Thanks for making so many people happy, Gary. ;-)
Christmas Cheer!
Yes, reminising is a great feature of the D&D game with a group of long-time players.
Yuletide best,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by KRBourgoine
Thanks KB, and the same to you :-D
Christmas blessings,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Fifth Element
Hi Gary:
Happy holidays.
I'd bet cash money that this has been asked before, but here we go. I
know the game "Outdoor Survival" was listed as being required for early
D&D wilderness adventures. I also know that many people simply used
the map included with the game. Was there more to it than that? How did
you use the game in D&D?
Yuletide Cheer,
We used the map, moved counters on it, and rolled for getting lost, so
that one was never certain which direction one would head on a turn.
Random encounters were used, and the ponds were castles, so there was
some jousting rather thanb regular mortal combat.
That's pretty well sums it up--at least all that I can recall after 30 years.
Merrie Christmas,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JohnRTroy
Heh,
I had Survivor on at Gary's house early November while he and Jim Ward
were playing Chinese Checkers in the dining room. (I wasn't really
watching it, I'm used to it in the background on Thursdays when I use my
computer--I was getting kind of homesick at the time). I think at one
point Gary said to Gail "what is this stuff I'm hearing--I think the
word for it is Jejune!"
So I doubt you'll see a Gary-hosted Reality show on TV ever, unless it's historical-based like Frontier House.
Yuletide Cheer!
We were each playing three sets of marbles, and Jim beat me one move >:-)
Right you are about "reality" shows, JRT. They are as real as the scripts that they follow.
Christmas best wishes,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Bregh
Merry Christmas, Gary, and all the best to you and yours for the coming year.
And thanks again, for all you've done for the hobby.
Message received and appreciated :-D
Happy chrustmas,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Griffith Dragonlake
Happy New Year Gary!
Over in this thread
When did ghouls become undead? there is a discussion of the origin of D&D Ghouls. In particular, Jester47 poses the following questions:
I'm sure the folks would appreciate it greatly if you would post an answer to that thread.
Headed over there now ;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
A week without Gary's insightful commentary is like a week without . . . beer. :-)
So, Gary, I have to think of a good question.
Hmmm, what's your favorite European city, and did you capture aspects of
real world European cities in your game cities? Or is each city you
invented made from whole cloth?
X-D
Actually, the only European
cities I
know even vaguely are London and Paris. I have otherwise been only to
Amsterdam, Basil, Bologna, Frankfurt, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Modena,
Rotenburg, Southampton, Toledo, and Zurich, thus I am fondest of London
and Paris, but really liked what I saw of Amsterdam and Madrid. Smaller
places I stayed in or toured and liker include Barbizan, Bath,
Cambridge, Ely, Sonning on the Thames...and the town whose name I have
forgotten where Francois MArcela-Froideval's parents dwell (a very
attractive place on a river, the name of which also slips my mind).
There are a few more places also. I enjoyed most of them to some extent,
although Manchester and Southampton were at best unremarkable.
There is likely a bit of many of those places in the fantasy communities
I have created. The same is true for Marrakech, a place with which I
was very much taken. What little I got to see of Casablanca and Wed Laou
seemed interesting. Tangier and Tetoun were not appealing in the least,
although the souk in Tetoun was a very stimulating place creatively.
As a FWIW, two of the most beautiful women I have ever seen were in
Madrid and Old San Juan...but that's anpther sort of story entirely.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
I forgot to mention two cities:
Lyons was an impressive one.
Nurenberg.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Sitara
Hey there gary;
i know you are probably bugged by these questions everyday, but I
haven't come across your answer to this so iw ill go ahead and bother
you with 'em:
1) Whats your reaction to
4E?
What do you think of the direction the game is going. (i.le. being
updated for a new age and breaking free of its traditional roots)
2)Which edition of dnd do you play these days, or which was the last edition game you played?
Regards.
No probelm at all :-)
From what little I know of
4E it seems to be a completely different game from
3E, which in turn was a new one compared to all the earlier D&D games.
From a business standpoint the creation of
4E seems to be a good move, as the online game fantasy audience is vastly larger than that for paper & pencil FRPGs.
I just played a house ruled OD&D (three booklet) adventure at the
Winterdark convention here, taking six created-on-the-spot 2nd level PCs
on a dungeon crawl through the upper levels of my original Castle
Greyhawk campaign, those dungeon levels being created in 1972 and 1973.
I will occassionally DM OAD&D...and although not AD&D, the C&C game as well.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Thanks,
Gary. I'm going to guess you enjoyed the Tower of London and the
Invalide (sp?) museum during your time in London and Paris,
respectively.
The Imperial War Museum in London is my favorite museum, but it's all
about the 20th century wars, no knights or Napoleonics. :-)
Westminster was something else, as was Notre Dame. Sadly I did not get to the Imperial War Museum.
Just being in London and Paris, seeing the hostorical places, the monuments, and famous streets is quite an exhilarating thing.
Of course bistros, pubs, and restaurants were much appreciated by me as
well. Staying in PAris at the Plaze Athena in a room that opened onto
tthe courtyard fountain that went "plop, plop, plop," as mentioned in
Coward's play,
Private Lives, just made my stay there.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Zaltman
Gary,
Would love to get your input on the following:
According the 1e PHB:
Monk ability A is "the ability to speak with animals as druids do..."
Monk ability F is "the ability to speak with plants as druids do..."
Druids do not have speak with animals or plants as abilities, only as
spells. So, I am confused. These are actually pretty strong spells since
they prevent attack. To give monks unlimited use of these spell like
abilities seems much too powerful, especially since druids do not get
them as "abilities" and this type of behavior seem much more druid like
than monk like.
Thanks.
The intent there was to empower the Monk character to speak as indicated sans use of a spell.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by loseth
Hey Colonel,
I asked you to rank your literary influences a while back. I've since
put together a little reading list based on your answer and am having a
great time working my way through it. Just wanted to say thanks. :-)
Pleased to oblige.
If so motivated later on, I would evry much enjoy learning how you felt about those works I cited as influencing my creativity.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
Gary,
Someone recently passed along a story, supposedly about your Greyhawk
campaign and the origin of one of the demon princes. The story has the
ring of plausibility to it, but I'd never heard it before, so I thought
I'd ask.
The story goes that players in your campaign often ran afoul of
Demogorgon by saying his name, which alerted him to their presence. To
avoid this, they started calling him "You Know Who," which in turn led
to your creation of the demon prince of Gnolls, Yeenoghu, to teach them a
lesson.
Any truth to this tall tale or is it just a gamer urban legend? I'm
inclined to believe it's not true but, as I said, it's not implausible
given your love of puns and other wordplays.
Thanks.
Close but no cigar X-D
A group of players, including regulars that should have known better,
did something that brought eother Demogorgon or Orcus, I can not recall
which it was, to the location of their relatively high-level PCs. They
used a wish to call a potent deity opposed to that demon prince, not
specifying that the one desired be of Good alignment, so who should
appear but Asmodeus.
They were glad to escape with their lives, for I rules that the two
great lords of Evil were so amused by such stupidity that they found it
beneath their dignity to expinge such bumblers, that they would soon
manage that themselves without the helping hand they could employ.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Piratecat
I
just finished reading all of Jack Vance's Cugel stories, something I've
been meaning to do since I learned about them in the back of the 1e
books in '81. (Yes, yes, it took me a while.) They're utterly
delightful! Thanks, Gary.
- Kevin
Hi Piratecat :-D
Something I've not mentioned before about the Cugel novel,
Eyes of Overworld.
I was a young teenager when I first read it, and it so amused me that I
gave it to my mother to read, as she sometimes read fantasy and SF
works.
She was appauled by the total lack of character evidenced by Cugel, and I
suppose she feared that I might be influenced by such amorality and
self-indulgence as Vance wrote into his anti-hero. Of course I concurred
with her assessment of Cugel, but pointed out that making such a
despicable character the protagonist was a stroke of considerable
creativity, done with much dark humor, which, coupled with the author's
marvelous talent for prose, made the novel a great work in its genre.
She was not convinced...
Ciao,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
So then what was the origin of Yeenoghu? Or was he just another random demon lord created whole cloth for some other purpose?
Thanks.
Just so.
I wanted to augment the roster of potent demons, so I made up Yeenoghu as the Demon Lord of Gnolls.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by JamesM
I often read of your running a house ruled OD&D game with the three little brown books rather than AD&D.
Is there any reason for this other than simplicity? I ask mostly
because I often here contradictory things about the extent to which AD&D as published represented your truest vision of the Dungeons & Dragons
game or not. I know, for example, that you've expressed a dislike for
certain sub-systems added to the game (such as psionics, weapon speed
factors, etc.), so I often wonder if this has any impact on your choice
of OD&D with which to play.
Thanks.
OD&D allows for easy character creation and
being rulkes light encourages DM creativity and player creativity and
innovation in play. Thus I prefer to use the system when doing one-off
adventures and dungeon crawls.
For campaign play I use the
Lejendary Adventure
game system these days, as characters and milieux created using it are
in my considered opinion superior, as well as encouraging the sort of
play that is fostered by OD&D.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
You're killing me, man. I had planned on heading to Winterdark, but it wasn't in the cards.
Now on to more niggling details of years gone by... :-P
A while back I was working up a back story for T1-4. According to the
the module, the Temple of Elemental Evil itself was built up in a matter
of a few years by the forces of woe, but I don't recall seeing any
discussion of who built the Moathouse. Was it also the work of the bad
guys, or did they simply take over an existing structure? Or, did you
not even consider the issue?
As always, thanks.
Winterdark II was a most enjoyable mini-con. Hope you can make the LGGC IV in June and/or Winterdark III next January.
The Moathouse was subsumed as being built by a local lord some decades before the ToEE came into existance.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Filcher
Great story. :-)
Thanks.
Speaking of bumbling, the number ot typos in my post place me into that category (^_^')
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by FATDRAGONGAMES
Any chance of a repeat in June when I can attend?
I'd say fair to middlin' ;-)
I hope that by June I'll feel up to running a couple of LA games with an
OD&D filler or two. However, I do plan on running several
five-player games of
King of England - King of France at Lake Geneva Gaming Convention IV this June as well...and maybe playing a game of the most excellent
Dragon Lairds as well.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
LOL.
I was just going to ask for additional details about this book, John:
what else can you or Gary tell us about it, as well as how it got to be
lost (and found) in the first place? :-D
About all I
can comment on is that the novel was on some old Mac + disks that JRT
transferred to PC format for us some time back. When Erik Mona querried
me about the Setne Inhetep fantasy mysteries, I mentioned it as being
set in the same alternate earth as are those yarns. Erik said to send
him a copy, so I did.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
I've
run into similar issues with many of my old campaign articles: they're
all on 5.25" floppies formatted to a Commodore 128 word processing
program that I forget the name of. In my case, I have printouts of most
of the content, probably, so I'm a bit less concerned, but I would
still like to inventory and transfer the floppies sometime....
I'm glad to hear that Gary's found this ms., and hope you'll find other
lost goodies as well. Is there a chance that there's anything
interesting from NIPI on those CDs? :-D
Nothing from New
Infinities. All of the files are post that time IIRR. What I am anxious
about is a complete Setne Inhetep novel that was the first of a new
action-adventure trilogy I planned and the long short story JTR
mentioned featuring Ning' and Sheelba I wrote for a Fritz Leiber-tribute
anthology that Ed Kramer was overseeing and editing.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
I
surely liked Fritz very much, loved his writing, and the lost long
short story I have not yet recovered us very much a tribute to Mr.
Leiber. That is why I focused on thetwo wizards as the central figures
in the tale.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by grodog
Sounds
great, Gary: hopefully you'll rediscover the story, and it'll see
print. If you're interested, I'll keep you in the loop on my
discussions with Justin re: a new edition of his father's books.
I have met Justin and spolen and written to him a few times in the
past. I would very much like to be kept informed about any arrangements
for reprinting Fritz's stories.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by francisca
Hey Gary!
I noticed the original version of S4 was titled "Lost Caverns of Tsojconth", the spelling of S4 being Tsojcanth.
Tsojconth happens to be an anagram of "John Scott". Given your fondness
of such, I was wondering if this anagram was intentional, and who John
Scott might be, if this is indeed the case.
As always, thanks!
X-D
Just a typo there. My original spelling was Tsojcanth, a name I made up to sound exotic even in the WoG context.
Chaario,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by The Great Bear King
Well
then I hope you can finish it soon. That said I have a literary/Role
playing question for you Gary. What type or types of villain would
consider best for either stories or campaigns out of these three
varieties? The first variety of villain commits horrifically evil acts
for no other reason than petty spite or delight in inflicting pain and
suffering on others. An example of such a villain would be Shakespeare's
Richard III, in spite of his incompetence, bumbling stupidity (as far
as I'm concerned) and lack of planning and foresight. Villain type
number two would be the utterly selfish and ruthless type, willing to
enrich themselves through dishonesty and or the sufferings of others. An
example of this type of villain would be Gordon Gekko from the 1987
film Wall Street. The third and final
villain category would that of the self-righteous terror, believing that
their cause is so right and noble nothing they do pursuing goal is
morally wrong. The kind of people who think that its acceptable for
paladins to start anything resembling the Spanish Inquisition or spark
wars and murder countless innocents in the name of peace. An example
would include the nobleman I mentioned several posts ago.
Ther nature of a villian rests wholly within the scope of a particular story--or actual historical record.
I tend to favor the egocentric, self-seeking sort that uses whatever
means they can to gain what they desire. An overbearing attitude of
superiority might be added. A cruel and trecherous nature is also likely
a feature of such a figure. This sort of villian is likely to have no
redeeming qualities whatsoever.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by noffham
Hola Gary!
I see you are planning on Lake Geneva con this year. Any chance you will return to Gen Con??
Troll Lord Games sponsors the Lake Geneva Gaming Convention as well as the Winterdark event here each January.
I do not have any current plan to attend GenCon.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
I
just read Andre Norton and Jean Rabe's "Return to Quag Keep", with an
intro by our fearless Colonel. My summary of the intro is: "So Andre
wanted to write this book, and I said OK, and she did." :-)
I like the book.
I have three questions, for Gary and his fans hereabout:
1) One of the characters is a gamer from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, who is
vaguely aware that "Gary something" is from there, and invented the
game. Gary, are you a local celebrity in Lake Geneva, or not? That is,
do locals know who you are? I'm guessing not, and I'm guessing you
probably like it that way. :-)
I doubt that more than a quarter of the people living here, if that, know anything about me.
You are correct about my lack of desire for noteriety...or local fame.
2) Having never read the original Quag Keep, is this meant to be a
location on Lake Quag in Perrenland? I assume so. Does it have
anything to do with the Exag location in the last issues of Dungeon in
the same area? I may have to look that up.
Only Andre could have supplied an to your question.
3) At one point, there's a view of the magical areas on (regular)
Earth. These include, naturally, some place in Wisconsin but also some
place near Chicago. I assume the latter might be the Comeback Inn,
which supposedly inspired Dave Arneson's first scene in his first game.
Anybody remember where the (now defunct) Comeback Inn was located? Or
is there some other ubersignificance to Chicagoland that I'm missing?
Again, Ms. Niorton wrote the novel based loosely on the
D&D gamne and WoG setting, going so without giving me the benefit of
her thinking in any regard other than the completed work.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Thanks for answering my questions, Gary.
Here's wishing you a calm life with fun but no noteriety. ;-)
X-D
Some years back I was twice mistaken for Gerry Garcia--here in Lake Geneva and in Galena, IL.
I have been recognized by name when traveling a few times.
That's it.
Cheerio,Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Howdy Merric,
It has been some time since we played Tom Wham's
Battling Spaceships
game. I recall little of those games, save that I always went for
multiple vessels and did fairly well...but no outstanding wins similar
to those I have managed a number of times in
Dragon Lairds
playtests. That game is great fun for anywhere from three to seven
players (with the special expansion that adds the Violet and Black
dragons decks to the mix). I am looking forward to its publication--soon
I hope.
Say hi to Mike for me. I sort of recollect his face as seen across a table.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nagora
Hi, Gary,
Here's a question we'll never tire of asking until we get the answer we're looking for:
Any word on the Castle Zagyg: Upper Works release? It's still TBA on the TL site.
I expect that the first part of this multi-boxed set series will be
released in late spring. After that the next in the series will follow
in intervals of around four to six months time.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by frankthedm
What was the main reason for the copious amount of dinosaurs in the 1EMM?
Any particular reason D&D went with the dinosaur bodied hydra?
What a very unusual querry!
Actually, the number of dinosaurs given as monster listings for the AD&D game can be considered only a brief survey.
First I loved dinosaurs since I was a little child around age 5. As
there existed when I wrote the AD&D monster materials any number of
works featuring encounters with such creatures, the film
King Kong amongst them, I decided to include a selection of them for use by DMs acquiring the book.
A snake-like hydra offers fewer environmental possibilities than does one with a quadrupedal body.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Tewligan
I believe "Because dinosaurs are awesome" would also have been an acceptable answer.
O.o
True, but this answer doesn't relate directly to a FRPG set in a
quasi-medieval environment that features dragons and like monsters.
;-)
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
As
a lad I was iaken often to the Field Museum in Chicago, and my favorite
exhibits were the fighting bull elephants, the many rooms with cases of
sruffed wild animals, the bronzes of the African tribesmen spearing a
pair of lions, the Egyptology area in the basement, and the dinosaurs up
on the second floor.
The museum sold metal miniature models of several species of dinos, in a
scale smaller than HO (about 12 feet to the inch), and I had a T tex
and a triceratops when I was about five years old. Those two had many a
battle for my entertainent! X-D
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Hi
Colonel, it's been quite a while since I've posted to this forum and
was just reading through what I had missed. You can tell from the quote,
perhaps, that it's been some time since I visited this thread.
Anyway, I've seen you make comments like he above a few times before but
I have a question as to how you envisioned this to work in your home
campaign. Did you envision demi-humans, for example, being native to a
parallel Prime Material Plane and immigrating to Oerth at some point?
Was this immigration a one time occurance in the past or is it something
that can still occur? Given the rather long life spans of some elves
(e.g., Grey Elves) was it possible that some of these creatures who came
to Oerth in the initial wave were still alive during the playing of
your campaign? Lastly, did you have an idea about when
the demi-humans (and other creatures) entered Oerth? (In the Greyhawk
guide it lists 5050 S.D. as the date when humanoid mercenaries were
first employed. Certainly such creatures were already on Oerth for some
period before this.)
Sorry for the lengthy questions :-)
Gray Mouser
The long questions can be answered with a short response,
How the non-human races came to Oerth was never a question in my campaign.
I had a vague notion about large gates being common in past millenia,
these inter-world portals gradually decreasing in size and eventually
virtually disappearing, the deities of Oerth being responsible for that.
So such gates brought the great variety of life forms to the
world--along with some magical laborators monster creations of course.
In the
Lejendary Adventure game's
Lejendary Earth world setting all of that is basically attributed to the great wizards of Learth's lost ages.
Cheers,
gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary,
I was just wondering how much input you gave to Len Lakofka when he
wrote up the gods of the Suel Pantheon for publication in Dragon.
Did he come up with everything and just use the names and areas on
influence you provided in the Greyhawk guide or did you give him some
general guidelines to follow (i.e., this god gets this special power,
that one has the abilities of these classes, etc.)?
Thanks,
Gray Mouser
Len deserves the lion's share of the credit, and blame if any, for the Suel deities. I simply did a bit of editing of his work.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by heirodule
When
you wrote up encounters with Orcs, goblins, etc, that included noncom
females and infants, did you expect the Good PCs to put them to the
sword, let them go, or have a moral dilemma?
What did they tend to do?
I expected the DM to decide how to handle such a situation, of course.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Very
interesting, Colonel. If the deities of Oerth were responsible for
closing the gates that may explain why there were no demihuman deities
included in the WoGH. Except, of course, for Raxivort. Hmmm. Maybe not.
:?
SOunds like Learth's old time mages could give those of the Bakluni and
Suel a run for their money, even with the Invoked Devastation and Rain
of Colorless Fire! :-)
Gray Mouser
Likely that. Although a few more of evil sort managed to find and pass through remaining gateways to Oerth.
Yes, the ancient Adepts of Learth could and did end up devistating not
only their reptillian former slave masters but their own empires.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Kudos
to him, then, as I greatly enjoyed the series on the Suel pantheon. I
did find some of them to be a bit on the good side considering the
description of the Suel old-timers in thne WoGH, but they are an
interesting group, all in all. While Olidammara is one of my favorites
Norebo certainly ranks up there, as well :-)
Now, if I recall correctly, the Suel pantheon series came out after the
release of the Greyhawk boxed set. I think you'd mentioned before that
you had hoped to detail more of Oerth so I was wondering if there were
there plans to revise the box set with the inclusion of these deities,
or did you simply think they would make for an interesting series of
articles in Dragon?
Gray Mouser
(^_^')
As it happens Olidammara is a creation of my own that Len added to his pantheon.
It is likely a revised and expanded boxed set for the WoG would have
gone into the hopper had I remained in charge of the company after 1984.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Nagora
Getting back to Gary:
Gary,
I'm thinking about running an AD&D game for a pair of bright
not-quite-12-year-olds (twins). Did you or TSR ever think about
releasing scenarios/modules aimed specifically at pre-teens? Do you
think it's something that would be useful? Is there any advice you would
have? I know you've run a few games for young players.
It
was never contemplated to offer any lower level of module especially
for younger players. As the core rules are not written for children,
offering special modules for them would be rather pointless.
The adventures for novice PCs were meant to supply the DM with material
for a younger player audience. Otherwise the able DM is capable of
modifying or creating special adventures for very young players.
I believe the above answers all of questions.
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Well, in order not to be uncharitable let me just say that at least Castle Zagyg seems to be progressing :-)
Gray Mouser
Thankee!
In order to get to the castle and ruins I thought it best to establish a
detailed environment and good-sized community for the setting. Thus
Castle Zagyg Yggsburgh and the East Mark. Of course, detailing the big
walled town by dividing it into quarters or districts, mappomg each and
showing the buildings with encounter key numbers and text, giving a bit
of color for the sector to assist the GM--and doing the same for the
suburban communities--then seemed beneficial in order to give a really
detailed urban area. To the best of my knowledge that has not been done
previously.
So as those 24 modules were in progress the similar detailing of the
actual abandoned castle ruins and its subterranean levels went into high
gear, basing the work on my previous castle ruins and dungeons
developed and revised as my campaign matured...and PCs wreaked havoc in
these places X-D
Detailing the latter is a project that requires a good deal of time, but
this part of the whole project is also proceeding at a good pace.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Gary,
When you are preparing a town for your own refereeing (as opposed to
preparing one for publication), how do you organize your notes? I've
seen a number of techniques, including detailing individual buildings,
detailing sections or neighborhoods of the town as if they were dungeon
rooms, and just creating encounters to throw in as the referee decides.
X-D
A sketch map of the community, a few places of interested highlighted in
color, and then wing it. As the PCs develop something interesting by
interacting with what I present that becomes a fixture in the town. This
might be a particular street thief, a tavern, a stable with a shifty
owner, whatever...
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Why not?
All of that is the purview of the Game Master in any campaign world.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Furthermore, one hopes the breeding details do not escape the Game Master's head...
X-D
Can't be much different from what every farmboy knows at about age six :-o
Cheerio,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by triplehex
Gary,
Our group often uses music in conjunction with our games, to suggest
atmosphere or theme, or to highlight a dramatic turn in the action. Did
you and your players listen to music when gaming in the early days of
D&D, and if so, what were some favorites?
Actually it
was all I could manage to keep the players from constantly chattering.
Adding music to the commotion would have made DMing impossible. All of
my groups have enjoyed a lot of socialization during play.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
As for the monetary system, the
Lejendary Adventure
game-based $ one is so much easier than any one based on a gp that I am
at a loss to know why TLG insisted on changing what I had used in the
Castle Zagyg, Yggsburgh ms. Hire it is:
1 cp = $1
1 sp = $10
1 gp = $500
Call the coin types whatever you like. For example a cp might be called a
a ducat and greater value coins referred to as 10 and 500 ducat pieces,
or as florins and crowns.
The book in question is featured on the TLG website at this URL:
http://www.trolllord.com/newsite/zagyg/8050.html
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Joseph Elric Smith
Yes I have 2 copies of that and 2 copies of the east mark I was referring to the 2 modules Ghul had mentioned.
I heartily recommend Any one should pick up the castle and the east mark
as they are great supplements even if you don't use C&C For all you
LA fans out there :-)
Ken
The modules are found on the bottom right of this page:
http://www.trolllord.com/newsite/
All of the CZ setting material uses the C&C game system, but with
such additions and revisions as I see fit to add to it for the setting,
such as the $ monetary system, the added abilities, etc. ;-)
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Colonel, I was recently reviewing the write up of the half-ogre that you did in Dragon
and which Roger E. Moore expanded upon later. I was curious as to
whether you had any half-ogre PC's in your campaign and, if you did, how
they fared in play. I'd be especially interested in the reaction of
NPCs when confronted by a half-ogre in a town setting, viz. the reaction
of the inhabitants towards the PC.
While half-orc PCs are described as belonging to the 10% of those
fellows tht can effectively pass for human I didn't see anything similar
stated for the half-ogre. While they probably
wouldn't be killed as quickly as a Drow PC I can't imagine half-ogres
getting by for extended periods outside of somewhere such as Iuz or the
Horned Society!
Thanks!
Gray Mouser
The idea of half-ogres is one to which I no
longer subscribe. About as close to a half-ogre in my campaign was a
PC's henchman ogre that was bitten by a werebear. The resulting
transformed NPC creatiure was of an alignment quite opposite that of the
ogre--and his master, Terrik, as well.
Your observation regarding the viability of a half-ogre character in a human or demi-human community is quite apt.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by rossik
hi gary, long time i dont write here, but its always a pleasure talk to you.
im trying to translate some information about my favorite adventures to
portuguese (my native language), and while writing about tomb of
horrors, i foundo something about acererak being a student of vecna.
this wasnt planed by you, was it?
wish you the best, as always
As far as I am concerned, there is absolutely no connection between Acererak and Vecna!
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Heh...
As a mater of fact, the only half-anything characters in my campaign
were the human and either elf and orc ones. As I mentioned jokingly,
would a half-halfling be a quartling?
While hafbreed characters can make for some interesting role-playing,
the desire for them is generally instigated by some player seeking to
gain an advantage through adding and playing such a mixed race
character.
Cheers,
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Originally Posted by SuStel
Don't be silly! The offspring of a human and a halfling would obviously be a three-quarterling.
Hmmm...
A half-halfling should be a quartling as surely as all female dwarves have luxuriant beards!
X-D
Gary
Col_Pladoh:
Absolutely!
As I have pointed out often in the past, has anyone ever seen a
mythological or folklore depiction of a female dwarf that lacked chin
whiskers?
Yours for factual dwarven Physiognomy,
Gary