You know? I still remember the first D&D game that I played back before the A was added even. Yes, this does date me... So? Anyway. I was invited to play with a bunch of geeky guys at the DM's house. (For those of you not in the 'know', DM = Dungeon Master. He wrote and ran the game.) What a blast. It opened a whole new world of Fantasy Adventure. All because one guy wanted to share his love of fantasy and joy in gaming with the world.

Years later, I became a DM myself and held games where ever I could. My house, my friend's houses, coffee shops... Anywhere that had a large table where between four and fourteen people could gather and roll dice. I still remember the bemusement of the waitress at Denny's when midnight turned to one am and we showed no signs of slacking or going home... I remember when AD&D came out. We were so very excited. Each itteration of the game marked a renewed interest in it and in fantasy in general. When the humble DM became the GM (Game Master), my friends and I celebrated with a long weekend of fantasy adventure. (That was the weekend that my original character, a bard, became level 25 and I had to retire her. In those days, you could not start as a bard, but had to earn the right over time.)

Now, more years later, D&D has gone through several mutations, inspired card games, desktop games, video games, music and endless fantasy novels. Very few things can claim to be so influential with such justification. E. Gary Gygax is one man whom I wish that I could have met. Even without meeting him in person, I felt that I knew him in a way. I always felt that he was a friend, even so.

Now? In a very real sense, the father of gaming has passed away. His wit and wacky wisdom have been removed from this mortal coil. He will be missed. As a friend of mine has said:

"Rest in Peace, Mr. Gygax. May you watch over us all from the Great DM Screen in the Sky.

To you all, game hard and now, more than ever...

-- May All Your Hits be Crits,"