the passing of Gygax

[screamingeagle]

I have just learned that last week, that Gary Gygax, one of the co-creators Of Dungeons and Dragans has run out of hit points. Roll a D10 to determine how many minutes of silence to give him.

 

[C Darwin]

RESPECT!Edited by: C Darwin

 

[screamingeagle]

What do you expect from me? I am chaotic evil.

 

[White_Savage]

Never really got into those games, although I don't have a problem with them, in and of themselves. Even though I've always been interested in old European stuff, like to read a little good fantasy (REH, Tolkien).

Started "swordfighting" with sticks and such as a kid, never really gave it up until a couple years ago, always seemed more fun than rolling some dice. Spent a decade or so researching and studying Medieval German swordsmanship and martial arts among othe things, gives me a feeling of satisfaction that I have some insight into how effective our ancestors martial arts were, something about which 90% of White people don't have a clue.

Have an excellent, functional, traditonally made langenschwert hanging on my wall within reach right now. What a weapon, nearly 4 feet long yet light, strong, sharp, flexible. I'll be buried with it, if one hs to fight your way into Valhalla, that is the weapon I choose.

 

[Tired old White]

Of course the main stream media had to demonize Dungeons and Dragons. There has to be something wrong with any kid who want to play a game that requires literacy you have to read at leas two books to play this game. Requires mathematical ability.Minimally you have to be able to add and subtract and convert currency. And the ability to plan and manage your resources and mean face it this is game only white and asian kids have any chance at all to excel in. To excel you also have to be creative. So this is a game brought lots of groups of geeky white boy together into cohesive groups. no way that could be allowed.

 

[White_Savage]

I hadn't considered that angle ToW, yeah DnD may have a high geek factor, but there really are a 1,001 varieties of worse crap kids could get into.

 

[screamingeagle]

D&D is the simplest RP system. I always felt that Civalry and Sorcery was a much better system. If you haven't played it for a while, all you have to do is to review a few sections and you are off and running.
They tried to get Minorities interested. Vin Diesel wrote a forward in a book about D&D. I have been told he is half black (Correct me if I am wrong about him.) The blacks I have ever saw at Gen Con was were usually with a group of their white friends. One I saw had a Steve Erkle T-shirt.
I could understand why minorities were not interested. D&D required teamwork- never a strong point with blacks and hispanics. It usually takes several adventures to increase a level, so long term planning is important. White people like D&D so it must be demonized.

 

[Tired old White]

A few non-geeks have also admited playing D and D or another similar RPG. The list includes Todd Pratt- major league baseball player, Jacque Villenuev F1 Champion, Actor Emilio Estevez, Actresses Parker Posey and Dame Judi Dench, and retired Porno Princess Asia Carrera ( also a MENSA member ). When I was DM for my kids ( see I lt them play but I supervised them ) we had several jocks that played in our group a QB two catchers and three wrestlers some of whom who started on state or conference championship teams or who won individual state or conference titles in HS sports. What I saw was the game attracted smart kids with imagination whether they were geeks or not ( or is the definition of a geek a smart person who enjoys learning and creating?)Edited by: Tired old White

 

[Lance Alworth]

I was never allowed to play Dungeons and Dragons as a kid due to my strict Orthodox Christian upbringing

 

[screamingeagle]

Robin williams was into D&D. He had Christoffer Reeves (Suprtman) in his group. He would play this during breaks in the filming of Mork and Mindy. Then Williams discovered Cocaine and he hasn't been the same since.