Praise to the man! (Gary Gygax obituary)

[_Black Moclips]

Dude -

Wow, I've read the Dragon Lance series through several times over the years, and I knew Tracy Hickman was Mormon, but I never really made the connection to the similarities to the Mormon story. Funny, for years and years after getting into fantasy novels, everytime I tried a new video game in that genre where you had to name your character, I would try to pick either Tanis Half-Elven (from DragonLance), Rand Al'Thor (Wheel of time) or Allanon (Sword of Shannara), as if naming my character like that would someone unlock some hidden power. I think almost all fantasy novels and games are influenced by either D&D, Tolkien, or both. Just the way it is.

Just for fun, here are my all time favorites:

"Sword of Shannara" series (there are like 5 different trilogies here) (The Sword of Shannara was actually the first fanstasy novel I ever read. it was given to me when I was eleven or twelve by a second/third cousin of mine who ended up being a semi famous Mormon murderer along with his brother who thought he was the new prophet. weird huh?)

"Wheel of Time" series - Sad that Robert Jordan passed recently without finishing.

"Dragonlance" series - great series, though i haven't read the most recent series with Sturm's dark paladin son

"Deryni (camber of culdi)" series by Katherine Kurtz - Magic mixed with catholic like church organizations, really good.

"The Belgariad" and "The Malorean" series by David Eddings. - Simply awesome, one of my all time favorite set of books.

Song of Fire and Ice - (A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crows) by George Martin- This is the most recent set I've started to read. Very very good. Very adult too, but a great story so far. Its tough because this authro has no problem sucking you into a character you like and them having them die horribly. Sometimes the good die and evil live. Its a roller coaster, but a great series. He is still not finished with the series.

Other favs:

In the Mirror of her Dreams - Steven Donaldson (of Thomas Covenant fame)

Dragondoom - Dennis McKiernan

Tigana - Guy Gavriel Kay


Anyway, sorry to derail, but thanks Tolkien and thanks Gary for helping make up some fun worlds.

[_Phaedrus Ut]

I'm not a D&D guy but the demographic of it's fans seems to have a bit of a barbell success distribution. Either someone is really successful or they fall into the cliché of living in mom's basement.

But for those that are fans I give you 25 Gaming Euphemisms for the Death of Gary Gygax.

1) Started a new character sheet.
2) Is looking for a ninth-level cleric.
3) Failed his save vs. death magic.
4) Is food for purple worms.
5) Immediately became an NPC.
6) Finished the Doritos.
7) Has gone pips up.
8) Is pushing up shriekers.
9) Cashed in his gold pieces.
10) Took the first step to lichdom.
11) Went ethereal.
12) Kicked on the end of a spear.
13) Didn't make his system shock roll.
14) Bought the farm in Hommlet.
15) Is taking a dice nap.
16) Has gone to meet Zagyg.
17) Rolled his last natural 20.
18) Went against the giants.
19) Joined the gaming table invisible.
20) Is sleeping with the sahuagin.
21) Drew the Void.
22) Ended the campaign.
23) Kicked the dice bag.
24) Retired Mordenkainen.
25) Got screwed by the DM.


Phaedrus

//stolen from news site

[_silentkid]

I'll be over shortly to piss on your rug.

LOL! Don't forget to toss a ferret into his bathwater while he is bathing.

Walter Sobchak: Also, let's not forget - let's NOT forget, Dude - that keeping wildlife, an amphibious rodent, for uh, domestic, you know, within the city - that ain't legal either.
The Dude: What are you, a f*****g park ranger now?
Walter Sobchak: No, I'm...
The Dude: Who gives a s*** about the marmot!

[_Sethbag]

You guys into fantasy stuff, anyone got any opinions about Glenn Cook? He's got his own style, and some may like it, and some won't. I happen to be a big fan. I've read the whole Black Company series, three of his Garrett, PI books, and the first two books from the Instrumentalities of the Night series. The end of the 2nd book leaves you wanting the 3rd book to be out ASAP.

I read some Sword of Shanara stuff ages ago. It was so long ago I've all but forgotten it all, and I could start over with that whole series and it would almost be like reading it again for the first time.

I'm behind a book or two in the Wheel of Time series. Yeah, it's a bummer that Robert Jordan died without finishing it, and I don't mean to disrespect the guy, but it's his own damn fault for losing his self-control as an author and stretching it out. The last book or two I read from that series I kept thinking "Oh my God, NO! Not more threads! Jordan, you fool, this needs to start wrapping up, not forking out in yet more new directions! NOOOOOooooooooo......!"

I read a couple of the Thomas Covenant books as a teenager too. That's a series I should just start over with, from the beginning.

[_Imwashingmypirate]

Anyone that votes Mormonism is saying Mormonism is fantasy and role play which means it isn't real.