Ok, I’m not the first to say it but my son just came up from the basement to let me know that the co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons died this week. Come to find out he still lived about 40 miles north of me in Lake Geneva, WI, the place where the magic all began.
I discovered D & D through a gifted and talented glass in 8th grade back in 1977. D&D and Empire of the Petal Throne were two TSR RPGs that came out back then and I was hooked. I actually had gaming groups playing D & D all through high school, college, and seminary. A great creative outlet, I have lost touch with the game somewhat in recent years but he changed gaming and gave us nerds a great deal to talk and dream about. In a certain sense, he gave us the avenue for creating communities.
Looking back, it was one of the first open doors for my own creativity, that it could take directions that were constructive. Most fun was be the Dungeon Master and I still have half a file cabinet filled with maps and notes from the world I created. Religions and mythology, civilizations and histories – all kind of set the stage for this vocation I have now as a pastor. Understanding the past traditions, creatively interpreting them for a new community, and discovering a shared experience of something that was bigger than ourselves.
Might seem like trivializing faith in the eyes of some. But if the values and creativity that tended to transcend the silliness of D & D that would creep in, congregations might be more viable and connected communities than they often are today.
Thanks, Gary.
Here are some links.
25 Gaming Euphemisms for the Death of Gary Gygax
Obit
San Francisco Chronicle – An excellent overview of Gygax.
Farewell by John Kovalic, author of the Dork Tower comic – Pretty much sums up my D&D memories of doritos, mountain dew, and gaming nights – good memories.
General – Gary Gygax Funeral Arrangements – Open to Public
Visitation is on Saturday, March 8 at 11 AM at:
Haase Derrick Lockwood Funeral Home
800 Park Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(282) 248-2031
A Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 PM, also at the Haase Derrick Lockwood Funeral Home.
In the evening, there will be an informal gathering to remember Gary with food and beverage. Time and location to be determined.