Gary Gygax

To say Gary has influenced millions would do little beyond stating the obvious. The indelible mark he leaves upon the world is awe-inspiring. Even more impressive was his humility and accessibility to his fans. My view that writers were ensconced behind the walls of their ivory towers was shattered after the first e-mail I sent to him.

At the time, I had no idea that a continuing correspondence was possible. We even played a couple of chess matches. Much like now, I was amazed by his willingness to spend so much time with a fan. Then again, it isn’t often that one is noticed by one of the heroes he dreams of meeting.

Of all of Gary’s achievements, the one that stands out for me is how he made literature matter. I can scarcely imagine how many great stories would lie in dusty tomes where only the most ardent of historians and literary majors dare to tread. Gary made these stories fun for a new generation. Not only did they serve as source material, their settings became vibrant and meaningful.

Gary’s writing was fascinating and frustrating. Having to run for the dictionary was not the sort of activity generally regarded as an enjoyment. Yet, those of us who wanted to play the game did just that. I have a sneaking suspicion that he planned this so that we would be prepared to read the stories listed in the back of the game books. What better way to share a love of story than to turn a dreaded task into a guilty pleasure?

When people who have changed the world pass, some look to see who the torch as been passed to. Gary has kindled so many with the brilliance of his light that we don’t have to peer over the horizon to see who it may be. All we have to do is look around at those close at hand or gathered in camaraderie around a table to celebrate the exploits of fictional beings. Letting us k now that it is okay for our imaginations to run wild has been spark enough to continue the process.

To show an example of his illumination, I discovered Dungeons and Dragons when I was four. It was a time when I was losing interest in books over the fascination of colored spaces on boards. An uncle taught me how to make board games out of construction paper. He included trivia and sometimes consulted books. From that, and a backwards trek through Monster Manual II and the Dungeon Master’s Guide, I was enthralled. Having the cartoon follow shortly thereafter didn’t hurt either.

As I grew older, it was difficult to reconcile my love of story and disgust with English. I wanted to tell stories, but I didn’t want to learn the forms. I read voraciously, played every weekend, and still avoided writing assignments. When I began conversing with Gary years later, my attitude changed.

I had started writing before I e-mailed Gary, but I didn’t take my skills seriously. The more I communicated with him, the greater my confidence. Little did I expect encouragement.

When Gary took a chance on an untested writer, it was a dream fulfilled. No one else had such an influence on my life. As such, I was incredibly nervous. He reassured me, however. It is very humbling to have your hero believe in you. His faith helped me understand how much he loved sharing his knowledge. Subsequently, when he told me to put my schooling ahead of the project, it drove the point home.

My desire to play a game changed me for the better. The subject I so loathed is the one that I now actively seek to share with others. I cannot wait to get my degree so I can teach. My only wish is that I can touch a few lives at least as well.

Thank you, Gary, for being an inspiration, a mentor, and above all, a friend.

Richard T. Balsley, 3/7/08