Bear Den Designs

Gygax is dead

It was probably around 1979 when I played my first D&D game. Bob, my step-father, was the DM (dungeon master for the uninitiated). My friends would spend 5-6 hours each Saturday conjuring spells and hacking our way out of tight situations. Sometimes my mom would play and also some other adults. We were all equals around the dining room table with the plexiglass over the sewing cardboard cutting board as our graph paper. We would spent countless hours painting our little metal figures on non-playing days. I waxed back in forth between being a halfling thief or human ranger depending on the campaign. My friend Johnathon Espineli would draw great renderings of our characters and all of their weapons. Another friend Chris Gordon was always passing secret notes to the DM about some sinister subplot he was creating. Oh the intrigue and fun.

Gary Gygax had no idea the endless entertainment he created at my house. Although, I haven’t played in decades, Gary will be missed. So, thanks Gary for creating a great game that this nerd loved and shared with the ones he loved and loves. Thanks Bob for DMing all of those games, you’re the best. Chris, Jonathon, Danny, James, Mom, and Uncle Fred we have all shared time together which is the greatest gift any of us can give to one another.