So I've completed inprocessing and i'm into day three of my class here at Ft. Lee, VA. We're still doing introductions and the like (106 people in the class) and a name catches my attention during roll call this morning "Captain Gygax". Now it is well known that the Army is full of nerds, so it was no suprise that I was one of more than a few others who turned their heads toward the man that answered "Here"! Tall lanky dude with prominent features and (prematurely?) graying hair. I think to myself "I wonder...". We get broken down into our smaller working groups of 15 people each, and CPT Gygax ends up in the same group as me. We go around and do introductions and it turns out he is older- was enlisted in the infantry for a few years before getting out of the military and working out in California, where a friend convinced him to rejoin the National Guard, where he has been for 4 years now culminating in this class. The next officer stands up to introduce herself as being from Oshkosh, Wisconsin.... CPT Gygax lights up and says to her "Oh, I'm from Lake Geneva".

NO WAY! (if you pass the nerd test, you know where this is going...)

Our group leader, a very nerdy looking Major, interrupts and asks CPT Gygax point blank: "Any relation to the recently deceased Gygax"? Answer: "Yes, my father".

HOLY SHIT. I AM IN AN ARMY SCHOOL WITH THE SON OF THE MAN WHO CREATED DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS.

Thought I would share.... I'm still giddy :)

Wow!


It's a shame you couldn't have met him on better terms before his father passed away.


When should we expect his app?

WOW! That's like...that's like...when Elvis enlisted in the Army...no, wait, Bren's is better.

Does he carry lucky dice???

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE............

Give him some hand release from me. He's like the son of a GOD.

Or at least tell him this 36 year old worships(ed) his pops.

Too cool…

…Geek Royalty

He IS geek royalty. OH MY GOD. You must befriend him and find out all about what it was like to be The Song of Gygax! And then I want his app. :D

Ok, so I did manage to have lunch with him today- we just shot the shit for about an hour and talked about all kinds of things, but I've been careful not to bring up anything about D&D or his dad cause I get the distinct impression he doesn't want to talk about them. I may be wrong, but I want to tread carefully. He did mention at one point that he felt thankful to come from a good home with good parents so... questions about worshipping his father, lucky dice, and especially hand relief will have to wait, but he seems like a genuinely cool guy and we certainly hit it off today.

Oh, and Eulz, the English class we had today would have made you proud- they just fucked us 15 times and sideways with what we thought we knew vs. what we really know about grammar and writing. Really a first-class block of instruction.

Next time you come to DC BRING HIM. So I can embarass you.

Oh wait, I wouldn't do that. But still.

I might be coming up this weekend to see the cherry blossoms, but I doubt I'd bring him. That might seem a little weird. Now the cute little blonde captain in my group... hmmmm

Now the cute little blonde captain in my group... hmmmm
Does this mean you are single again? Did ya ditch the German girl before leaving?

I might be coming up this weekend to see the cherry blossoms, but I doubt I'd bring him. That might seem a little weird. Now the cute little blonde captain in my group... hmmmm

Be warned, a lot of the blossoms may be gone after the rain and wind we're having. I went to see them on Wednesday, and they were in full bloom, but a lot of petals were already falling. I'd suggest Saturday over Sunday all else being equal.

Let me know if you make it in, maybe we can get together for a drink or dinner or something.

Does this mean you are single again? Did ya ditch the German girl before leaving?

Ouch. Not exactly... Without a prospect of being together with her for the next 18+ months, its a difficult situation. Rest assured I'm not going around sewing my Brendar seed all around the world, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a fine lady.

Be warned, a lot of the blossoms may be gone after the rain and wind we're having. I went to see them on Wednesday, and they were in full bloom, but a lot of petals were already falling. I'd suggest Saturday over Sunday all else being equal.

Let me know if you make it in, maybe we can get together for a drink or dinner or something.

I'll probably call or text tomorrow eveing when I see if my new little group wants to do some bonding or not. I was planning on heading up to DC regardless of cherry blossoms or not- I just thought it'd be cool to see. I'll let you know.

Night out in Richmond with Luke P. Gygax, son of Gary: I broached the D&D subject with great success. I guess he was a 'guinea pig' for a lot of his dad's writing and game ideas. Totally amazing night... I still can't get over the fact that I am hanging out with uber nerd royalty and he is totally cool about it all- I heard some great stories tonight and I hope that when I'm less drunk I can relay some of them to you all. Totall freaking awesome...

Yay!!! Superstar!