gary gygax, co-creator of dungeons & dragons, died today. unlike his role playing games, we can't just draw up a new gary gygax character, roll some dice to determine strength, intelligence, wisdom, dexterity, constitution, and charisma, pick a character class, say magic user, and get some geek buddies to geek out on the d&d back in 1978 again. because he's dead.
i loved d&d. i played the first boxed set when i was such a little kid. it was an escape with purpose. it was the groundbreaking role playing game. occasionally i've been tempted to try it as an adult, but trips to a comic store which carried the new versions proved how complex they've gotten. over complex in my opinion. he was out of the main d&d system by 1985 but did write adventures for it. it's not just tolkein set to a game. it's role playing. it's limitless. it's listening to dr. ruth and deep purple on the radio in my basement while picking a lock, stabbing a kobold and getting pegged by gelatinous ooze. it's wondering what's behind door number one. it's wondering what the right decision is then making one even though unsure.
it's acing exams in latin and english classes that are in any way based on greek, roman, nordic or celtic mythology because all that business was in deities and demig-ds. it's fighting monsters with ideas and dice and teamwork. it's sexy sexy centaurs. it's vibrant, powerful, adventurous spirits eating stale fig newtons until 1 a.m., brains going wild with excitement at the possibilities of life. kids realizing that pretend possibilities and real life possibilities are similar in that the possibility has not yet come to fruition yet it could. it could.
i love d&d. i wish i were a kid enough still to play it. but i will honor mr. gygax by bringing forth my own adventurous spirit, gaining experience points and advancing through life with purpose and honor. my alignment? chaotic good. of course.
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