Dave Arneson health update

[Finarvyn]

Welcome aboard, atama. Wish it was under better circumstances, but it's nice to have yet another OD&D gamer join the flock.

I wish I could put into words the effect that Dave has had on my campaign. From the first time I began to play OD&D in the 1970's and found Dave's First Fantasy Campaign (still the best single campaign book ever for OD&D, in my opinion), to my discovery of the DA Blackmoor series of modules, to even the 3E Blackmoor setting (rules I don't like for a setting I love), I have been enchanted with Dave's vision of role playing.

When he began to post on this very board, it was one of the greatest compliments that I could imagine -- that this board would be worthy of Dave Arneson's attention is almost more than I can fathom. I’m so proud that he has been welcomed so genuinely by posters here who also want to mine his brain for inspiration, and that we never got into the “who did what to create the game” arguments that seem to dominate so many boards.

I’ve been playing OD&D for significantly more than 2/3 of my lifetime, and I owe so much to Dave Arneson for his imagination, vision, and wisdom.

[mythmere]

I said some prayers for Dave today; his Blackmoor campaign was the first one I ever read and played in when I was a kid; the "Temple of the Frog" and the "Egg of Coot" are some of my more resonant fantasy images. He's added much to my life.

[Deleted]

Know that so many of us are making our 'God Call' on your behalf, Dave.

[busman]

Dear Dave,

I don't know that I can properly express the deep imprint your works had on my life. I don't know that I would be the same man I am today without your creativity and inspiration.

I make games for a living, and have almost throughout my entire adulthood. In fact, I recently started my own company to make games and things seem to be off on the right foot with that now.

Some of my most treasured moments are getting to watch someone truly enjoy one of the games I helped to create. Know that I have immensely enjoyed your creation for over 30 years now and that a portion of everyone's lives whom I have touched are in some portion due to your creativity as well. Your creativity continues on through me and many others here touched by what you brought to life.

My thoughts are with you and your family, and I hope that this is just a set back and that you are able return to full health and can continue to share your wisdom and creativity with the world.

Best wishes,
Chris

[Deleted]

Dave,

I just wanted to add to this growing list of well wishes, and say 'Thank You', from the bottom of my heart. Your game has been a boon companion for well over 30 years now and has proven to be the key to unlocking the door to creativity.

You will be in my thoughts,

Jeff

[doc]

Dave, all of here in Miami are keeping our fingers crossed and praying for you to pull through. This week we'll be running a Blackmoor game in your honor. Yeah, Blackmoor is still the top gaming world. I first stumbled across it in 1982 and I love it just as much now as then. In the great whirl of Vanilla fantasy, Blackmoor is the Rocky Road!

Wishing you the very best,

Doc

[James Maliszewski]

I just received word that Dave has passed away. I have no additional details as yet, but will make them available once I know more.

Truly a sad day.

[thegreyelf]

I'll be sure to lift a glass for him this evening.

Now who's left? Old Geezer's still out there to carry the torch, but the founding fathers, the ones who created this hobby...they're gone. Nobody still out there with the legacy to hold the light against that certain megacorp that wants to be seen as the great savior of D&D while pissing all over its legacy.

But more importantly, Dave was a genuinely good guy, and I only knew him in passing. But I heard what he said in years past at Gen Con. Statements like, "Play and have fun. That's what it's all about."

He will be sorely missed. May he and Gary finally reconcile in Heaven.

[Bard]

When Gary Gygax passed I was out of gaming for about eight years, but hearing of his death, felt like I lost a parent. But I vaguely remembered that there was an "other guy", so I started to google, and found about Dave. So I only "knew him" for about a year. My last year was spent with reading up on old D&D, and getting back to my childhood hobby. And now I feel that we D&D-ers are truly orphaned. This is really sad news.

[rick krebs]

As Mark Twain said "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated"

[Deleted]

This is very sad news.

The First Generation is gone for the most part.

Tim

[chgowiz]

Requiescat in pace. Amen.

I feel very old and sad today.

[havard]

RIP Dave. You will be remembered.

Havard

[snorri]

A very sad news...

[geoffrey]

May God bless Dave and grant him perfect joy in Paradise.

According to my estimation, only one of the Great Ones still lives with us upon the earth: Prof. M. A. R. Barker.

[harami2000]

Apr 7, 2009 12:14:34 GMT -6 thegreyelf said:

I'll be sure to lift a glass for him this evening.

Agreed... (Many thanks, Dave .

Apr 7, 2009 12:14:34 GMT -6 thegreyelf said:

Now who's left? Old Geezer's still out there to carry the torch, but the founding fathers, the ones who created this hobby...they're gone. Nobody still out there with the legacy to hold the light against that certain megacorp that wants to be seen as the great savior of D&D while pissing all over its legacy.

Respectfully, it's easy to feel bitter/angry - either "by proxy" or personally - about how events have transpired (who, of those in the public eye, /hasn't/ been or felt "backstabbed" at some point?), but there are many among those who built the first foundations of the hobby still around. It's just they've not been particularly visible in the public eye very much and even online not so much until recently.
The "history" of the hobby has many perspectives and authors, and still hasn't been collated (rather than "written"); not least because it's more fun to play?

Apr 7, 2009 12:14:34 GMT -6 thegreyelf said:

But more importantly, Dave was a genuinely good guy, and I only knew him in passing. But I heard what he said in years past at Gen Con. Statements like, "Play and have fun. That's what it's all about."

He will be sorely missed. May he and Gary finally reconcile in Heaven.

I may be wrong, but I get the impression that the worst of the "bad old times" between them both were well past by the end and they both knew such statements were far more important than what was done-and-dusted decades before.

Best wishes,
David.

[benoist]

I prayed for him. I hoped he would make it.

Rest In Peace, David.
Thank you for the game. Thank you for the memories, the dreams, the opportunities.
Thank you, for you.

You will be remembered.

[Deleted]

*Retracted*

[RandallS]

Rest in Peace, Dave.

In some ways, Dave was more important to my personal gaming than Gary was. Temple of the Frog in the original Blackmoor supplement was the first dungeon I ever saw designed by someone who was familiar with the way D&D was supposed to be played. First Fantasy Campaign from Judges Guild was the first chance I had to see how a full blown campaign was set up and ran by one of the original designers. Gary may have provided most of the rules we used and Judges Guild the Wilderness setting and City-State we played in, but Dave provided the first examples of a complete dungeon and a complete campaign that I had. He provided the spark that became the soul of my campaigns. Thanks again, Dave.

[Zulgyan]

I had come to admire the first referee a lot in the recent years thanks to this community and getting in touch with his work. My thoughts are with him and his family.

[busman]

deleted

[akrasia]

Thanks for everything, Mr. Arneson. You will be missed.

[Deleted]

My best childhood memories are of playing the basic set rules in second and third grades, dragging my classmates through adventures that were very real to us, and inexplicably strange to everyone else. I still get to live in a world marked by my imagination, which Dave helped me unlock through this groundbreaking hobby.

Thanks, Dave, and get well soon.

[Finarvyn]

From the Arneson family:

Shortly after 11pm on Tuesday, April 7th, Dave Arneson passed away. He was comfortable and with family at the time and his passing was peaceful.

The Arneson family would like to thank everyone for their support over the last few days, and for the support the entire community has shown Dave over the years.

We are in the process of making final arrangements and will provide additional details as we work them out. We will continue to receive cards and letters in Dave's honor. We are planning to hold a public visitation so that anyone wishing to say their goodbye in person has the opportunity to do so.

Cards and letters can continue to be sent:
Dave Arneson
1043 Grand Avenue
Box #257
St. Paul, MN
55105

Visitation will be on April 20th
Time: yet to be determined
Address:
Bradshaw Funeral Home
687 Snelling Avenue South
St. Paul, MN 55105