Writer and father of the role-playing game, Gary Gygax passed away on March 4th after struggling with a string of illnesses. Gygax is best known for co-creating the role-playing game (and cultural phenomenon) Dungeons and Dragons.

Gary Gygax

Though not a Pagan, or formerly connected to the Pagan community in any way, it would be entirely remiss of me to not mention the passing of the man primarily responsible for giving us a game that has inspired, entertained, and enriched so many of us. A game that created Christian hysteria over occult recruitment long before Harry Potter came along. A game that answered important questions for budding polytheists, like how many hit points does the goddess Morrigan* have?

Certainly my own pre-Pagan days were enriched by the idea that I could inhabit a character who lived in a world filled with ancient gods, wise Druids, mysterious Witches, and a preponderance of Chaotic Good crusaders for justice. A state of affairs not too terribly removed from my current reality. While I would hesitate to blame D&D for my path to Pagandom, I do think the game opened my mind and engaged me in a way that made my interest in non-mainstream manifestations of religion more likely. So here’s to the Dungeon Master, may his journey to the Outer Planes be filled with adventure.

Tributes and obituaries: Boing Boing, Salon, io9, Slashdot, Reason, CNN, BBC, AP, Cinema Blend, more…

* She has 388 HP.

Tags: Dungeons and Dragons, Gary Gygax, Passings, Satanic Panic